Door to Freedom (Side by Side #2) by Jana Kelley **Review**

"It's rough and it's smooth. It's dark and it's light. It's a masterpiece. It's us. Here in Sudan. We are scared of it and drawn to it. There is an open door, and there is much opposition."

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia, who is raising her family in a Muslim country, has learned to boldly share her faith. Rania, the daughter of a wealthy Sudanese Arab, seeks to find the reason for her sister's sudden disappearance. Mia holds some of the answers, but both women quickly discover they must each walk through their own doors to freedom; the freedom that only comes when you trust God's sovereignty more than man-made security.

REVIEW:
This story is so strong for me because it is based off of some of the author's own experiences. This way, we as the reader get an inside look at a religion and culture that we mainly see and hear about on the news. I've learned quite a bit about the Muslim religion from my courses in college (religion and philosophy, arts history, history in general). I learned how the religion itself started and grew so rapidly. Not a fairy tale story but what an interesting history! And, in this story we also learn what it is like for a Christian to go to a country where it is 'frowned upon' or hostile for them.
Anyway,   This was such an endearing read about a Christian couple who work for a humanitarian organization in a Muslim country and the people and families they become friends with. However, there is also Sharia Law, as Mia and her husband were already aware of when they went on this trip. But it also makes it a challenge since they are not Muslim. They don't want to disrespect the country they're in but don't want to go against their own faith. A struggle for anyone in that situation. 
This was a powerful, sweet, treacherous,and poignant story that will keep any reader pulled in from the get-go. Kelley did an amazing job with the writing, creativity, heart, and story telling.