Peace Trilogy book 1
Jim Baton
June 2012
In the midst of a global clash between international
terrorism and an American congressman’s peacemaking effort, a poor
Muslim-majority neighborhood in Indonesia holds the keys to victory. While some
in the neighborhood are making efforts to understand the truth behind the
Muslim-Christian divide and build new bridges across it, others are determined
to perpetuate and intensify the hatred that has plagued the region for years.
When a tragedy reveals an unexpected villain, it will be up to two unlikely heroes to set aside their differences and save the day. What will it take to keep hope alive? And who will be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of peace?
This intense thriller will encourage you to reexamine your understanding of love and forgiveness, and reconsider what it means to be a true hero.
ISBN-13: 978-1616389222
$2.99 eBook
$14.99 Print
Amazon US
Lisa's review:
Provocative, thought-provoking, challenging. Jim Baton, long-time missionary to Asia, writes a call to action in his novels. Aptly named
Peace Trilogy, the first two novels in the series are a virtual visit to life
in the streets of a little-known nation torn by differing faith practices.
Baton explores why Muslim youth are able to be drawn into jihad, especially
those who have nothing but themselves.
I read the books in reverse order, not necessarily on
purpose, but also to see how they stand up. A Way Out of Hell (read about the
book and my review here), is a story of the result of actions taken by families
in a close-knit neighborhood in this book. The reader is drawn into Indonesian
culture at its most intimate level, from intact family life, to single
parentage to second wife status, from making a living, to education and religious
life. Readers can’t help but empathize with the widows who live on handouts,
the angry youth who feel purposeless, the women who must keep their deepest
secrets, teens with a Romeo and Juliet story, and especially the fear of
anything that rocks the status quo. When a neighborhood matron takes charge of
bridging the gap and getting to know the neighborhood Christian lady better,
she opens a Pandora’s Box of woe that drives a storm of retaliation across the
planet. Who will step into the miasma of hatred and show what love can do?
The amount of detail was both wonderful and frustrating as I
was sometimes impatient to find out what would happen next. For those who love
detailed virtual visits to exotic places where you can live with the natives,
the books of the Peace Trilogy will meet your expectations. A bonus is Baton’s
character’s struggle with how to practice what they believe, an in-depth look
at the misunderstandings and lies that have kept people of different religions
and denominations within the religions in hate. There is no pussy-footing
around American or Christian values for that matter, but love is the foundation
of miracles. Told in multiple viewpoints. Nicely done.
About the Author
Jim Baton (pen name) has spent the last 20 years living in
the Muslim world, where he’s been involved in a variety of peace and
reconciliation activities including interfaith dialogue, training elementary
through university students in peace principles, and bringing Christians and
Muslims together to pray. His real name and photo won’t appear on this
site to protect his identity from radical groups where he lives out his faith.
When in America, Jim is available to speak to groups that have a heart
for loving those of the other religion and can protect his identity.
