Red Ink by Kathi Macias

Angie's Take: I loved reading about the faith of this wonderful Chinese Christian, Zhen-Li, and how it affected the world around her, even from the darkest prison. I struggled with her and with the women who prayed all the way across the ocean.

As Maggie is drawn into a world she doesn't expect, I understood. I understood how women and children can be so tricked by those they learn to trust. I followed the thought process of the guard, Tong, and the thought process of Jake. From the outside looking in, I wish many more women could read Red Ink and understand the manipulation and greed that men like this use to turn their victims into objects. Kathi Macias has written a book that reveals how love can change people and how Jesus really is different than a religious teacher.

The sex trafficking crimes are rampant and the harm done to women and children is too horrible. Thank you, Kathi, for writing a story to show the way some young women are tricked into this slavery.

Thank you for sharing the story of Chinese Christians and the battle they face in their society, families, and government. Reminiscent of Bonhoefer's experience during WWII, this modern story shows Christ's love even in prison to enemies.

Beautiful stories entwined to show us that prayer really does matter.

About the book:

A young Chinese woman, Zhen-Li—raised to observe the party line, including its one-child-per-family doctrine—falls in love with and marries a Christian, and adopts his faith. Though the couple downplays their Christianity in an effort to survive, Zhen-Li’s family is appalled, and she and her husband are ostracized. When she becomes pregnant for the second time and refuses to have an abortion, the persecution begins in earnest. Zhen-Li’s parents, under pressure from the government, pay to have Zhen-Li kidnapped and the baby aborted.

It is then Zhen-Li decides she must live up to her name—"Truth"—and take a firm stand for her faith, regardless of the consequences, and so she begins to regularly teach children about Zhu Yesu ("Lord Jesus") and to distribute Christian literature every chance she gets.

Based loosely on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China, the story of Yang Zhen-Li tells the desperate tale of her incarceration and separation from her family, as she continues to minister to other prisoners, and even to her guards.

About the Author

Award-winning author Kathi Macias has written more than 20 books, including the award-winning devotional A Moment a Day, and the popular "Matthews" mystery novels. One of her recent novels, Emma Jean Reborn, is being put into script form by playwright Barry Scott. Kathi has won many awards, including the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, and the grand prize in an international writing contest. With women’s ministry as her primary interest, Kathi is a popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches. A mother and grandmother, Kathi and her husband, Al, call California home.