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Jared Russell #1A
Sisters of the Veil
Set in the town of Stanford, Michigan, former marine turned architect, Jared Russell is called upon to build one of Michigan's largest Mosques. He is joined by Ahmad and Shirin Hassani who had fled Iran, fearing for their lives. Little does he know they are being hunted by a radical Muslim cleric, set on fulfilling a blood curse. As a black man, Jared must deal with racial prejudice, threats to his life, and PTSD. Added to the mix is Jimbo Osborne, who claims Daphne, Alabama as his home. Soon tempers flare as Jimbo's prejudice and racial slurs threatens to undue all that Jared is trying to accomplish. Amid controversy and danger, Jared realizes he is falling in love with Fatemah Bashera, the other woman in the story. She too has a blood curse hanging over her head and lives in fear of discovery by Imam Fahad. As the building project develops, so does tensions between the city and its citizens. The pressure is ratcheted up as the Imam takes Fatemah hostage in order to drive home his demands. Follow Jared as he risks his life to save those he loves. Ripped from the pages of the newspaper, this contemporary fictional thriller will make you believe you are in the middle of a major cultural shift, because you are.
380 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2013
About the author
Bryan M. Powell D. Litt.
29 books24 followersNovelist Bryan M. Powell is a full-time writer and former owner of Hiram Bookstore in Hiram, GA. He is published by Tate Publishing, Kindle Direct Publishing and Vabella Publishing. He is also a member of the nationally known ACFW, American Christian Fiction Writers, The Christian Author’s Guild, where he holds the position as Vice President, He is a member of the Paulding County Writers Guild, and the local chapter of ACFW, the New Life Writers Group. Some of his work has been published in the Georgia Backroads Magazine, the Paulding County Writer’s Guild Quarterly Publication, Relief Notes, the Christian Authors Guild’s newest book, released in 2014, and in the WAVE.
He has been a speaker at the Carrolton Writers Guild on “How to Build a Killer Book Trailer”, at the Murder Goes South Writers Conference on Marketing, at the Providence Christian School on “The Five Elements of a Mystery”, at the Christian Authors Guild on Marketing, Whitesmoke (a critique program), the Friends of the Library in Walton County, Georgia, and the Douglasville Writers Conference on Marketing.
He has been a speaker at the Carrolton Writers Guild on “How to Build a Killer Book Trailer”, at the Murder Goes South Writers Conference on Marketing, at the Providence Christian School on “The Five Elements of a Mystery”, at the Christian Authors Guild on Marketing, Whitesmoke (a critique program), the Friends of the Library in Walton County, Georgia, and the Douglasville Writers Conference on Marketing.
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April 20, 2017
INTENSE!!!!! Those are the first words that come to my mind about this book! From the very beginning sentence to the period closing this story up, I was on the edge of my seat. Bryan M. Powell is new to me and came recommended by my friend, Jessie. I met Mr. Powell at an event and spent some time talking to him about the various books he has penned. I opted to start with the Jared Russell Series because it seems so relevant to today's times! I'm so glad I chose this one to start with and I'm looking forward to the next book (I bought the entire series after meeting Mr. Powell!).
Jared Russell is a former Marine who is commissioned to work on building the new mosque that is going up in town. Being a Christian man, Jared isn't sure about this task but uses his knowledge of the Word and of the beliefs of the Muslim people to help guide him in his daily tasks. He has a great crew of workers, who are eager to finish the task on time, but who also demand to take their religious prayer activities throughout the day as well. Jared is blessed with two secretaries, Shirin and Fatemah, who are his eyes and ears in the office.
Little did Jared know, a radical Muslim cleric is on the way to ensure the final completion of the Mosque. Boy did things change then!! Jared's job becomes even more challenging and he becomes the source of multiple death threats. Will Jared be able to maintain his Christianity and show these Muslim people the love of the Lord?
I know I gave you a very brief synopsis of this story but I truly could not share more without giving too much away! This story will take you on a ride through the eyes of Jared and the struggles he goes though in terms of his beliefs and working with people who don't believe as he does.
A few things of note for my readers....
I do disagree with the approach used in this book for conversion. I have yet to see the Sinner's Prayer in the Bible. I do believe that one must Hear the Word (Romans 10:17), Believe on the Word (Matthew 16:16, John 8:24, Acts 16:30-31), Repent of those sins (Luke 24:47, 2 Cor. 7:10, Acts 2:37-38), Confess their sins publicly (Matt. 16:16, Matt. 10:32-33; Romans 10:8-10; Acts 8:35-38), and be Baptized (immersed) (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Acts 22:16) for the forgiveness of sins. Then and only then do I believe, as the Bible points out, that one is saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
I learned several new things about the Muslim religion that I had never heard of before. I also did not realize that it was so prevalent in the state of Michigan that there were lawsuits to make Sharia Law the law of the land there. Reading this book and the author's notes to follow has me curious as to how many other states have seen these lawsuits.
I have a few Muslim friends but I've never felt comfortable enough to ask them some of the questions I have had in the past. I feel like I could have a more open dialogue with those friends now (If you're reading this, let's meet up for lunch and chat!). This book is written from the perspective of the strict, tyrannical, radical Muslims. It should be understood that not all people will react or act as those in this book did (and not everyone in the book was a radical!)
I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I would encourage you to also check out other titles Mr. Powell! If you are ever in the Hiram, GA area, Mr. Powell owns a book store. It's worth your time to stop in and say "Hi!" if you're ever in the area.
Jared Russell is a former Marine who is commissioned to work on building the new mosque that is going up in town. Being a Christian man, Jared isn't sure about this task but uses his knowledge of the Word and of the beliefs of the Muslim people to help guide him in his daily tasks. He has a great crew of workers, who are eager to finish the task on time, but who also demand to take their religious prayer activities throughout the day as well. Jared is blessed with two secretaries, Shirin and Fatemah, who are his eyes and ears in the office.
Little did Jared know, a radical Muslim cleric is on the way to ensure the final completion of the Mosque. Boy did things change then!! Jared's job becomes even more challenging and he becomes the source of multiple death threats. Will Jared be able to maintain his Christianity and show these Muslim people the love of the Lord?
I know I gave you a very brief synopsis of this story but I truly could not share more without giving too much away! This story will take you on a ride through the eyes of Jared and the struggles he goes though in terms of his beliefs and working with people who don't believe as he does.
A few things of note for my readers....
I do disagree with the approach used in this book for conversion. I have yet to see the Sinner's Prayer in the Bible. I do believe that one must Hear the Word (Romans 10:17), Believe on the Word (Matthew 16:16, John 8:24, Acts 16:30-31), Repent of those sins (Luke 24:47, 2 Cor. 7:10, Acts 2:37-38), Confess their sins publicly (Matt. 16:16, Matt. 10:32-33; Romans 10:8-10; Acts 8:35-38), and be Baptized (immersed) (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Acts 22:16) for the forgiveness of sins. Then and only then do I believe, as the Bible points out, that one is saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
I learned several new things about the Muslim religion that I had never heard of before. I also did not realize that it was so prevalent in the state of Michigan that there were lawsuits to make Sharia Law the law of the land there. Reading this book and the author's notes to follow has me curious as to how many other states have seen these lawsuits.
I have a few Muslim friends but I've never felt comfortable enough to ask them some of the questions I have had in the past. I feel like I could have a more open dialogue with those friends now (If you're reading this, let's meet up for lunch and chat!). This book is written from the perspective of the strict, tyrannical, radical Muslims. It should be understood that not all people will react or act as those in this book did (and not everyone in the book was a radical!)
I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I would encourage you to also check out other titles Mr. Powell! If you are ever in the Hiram, GA area, Mr. Powell owns a book store. It's worth your time to stop in and say "Hi!" if you're ever in the area.
Displaying 1 of 1 review