No Greater Love

Love at it's greatest!

While reading NO GREATER LOVE I was drawn deeper and deeper into relationships with it's characters. Even on the first page, my exciting journey began with sixteen year old Chioma and her beloved brother.

Throughout the chapters I felt as if every person became a friend or foe. When they were happy or sad, fearful or brave, angry or kind, I too felt those emotions.

Author, Kathi Macias has shown me a part of the world I knew nothing about except through news reports in the media. As she wrote about South Africa in 1989 I visualized through her words: "a beautiful land marred by the ugliness of a system that enforced a cruel and unequal separation of the races."

The meeting of Chioma and Andrew at the home place where he lived and she worked ,as a maid, was enthralling. He was her boss' son with his white skin and eyes of blue. Her skin that resembled creamy pale coffee should have spoken loudly to him, "Stop your deep feelings for this girl...or else."

It is easy to share my joys of becoming a part of this story, but I also felt fear and frustration. I eagerly turned the pages to see what the black rebels would do while they tried to fight for their rights in this land. A variety of moods ran through each chapter.

Waste no time! Jump into an adventure as you read this powerful book by Kathi Macias. Then go and tell your neighbors about NO GREATER LOVE . They will be glad you did. (This is the first of four novels in the Extreme Devotion Series from New Hope Publishers.)

Lucy Neeley Adams
www.52hymns.com

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

No Greater Love....Wow what a Story!

Wow, I don't know where to start. This is my first book of Kathi's so I had no idea what to expect. I just knew her books were awesome from the talk about them and I really wanted to read them all! And having just read "No Greater Love," I totally agree. We hear about Christians being murdered because of their faith, but reading the events in this book makes the situations come to life. Even though this book is fiction, the author enlightens us to what it means to be a martyr for Christ. Obviously there was an extreme amount of research by the author before this book was written. As well as research of each unique character and the rolls they play in the book. I loved Chioma, she had a loving and caring heart, even as she was trying to hate whites. And the author created a heartwarming love between Chioma and Andrew that will stay with you for a while.

This is a masterpiece by Kathi Macias! Her unique way of storytelling captures you from the very first pages, keeping you in suspense and the edge of your seat until the last page. The heart-wrenching hatred between the blacks and whites in the era was unbelievable. I agree with Jerry Jenkins, with Kathi's extreme knowledge of the subjects and the setting in the book, she gives you a feeling of being there, right in the middle of the scenes. I shed many tears, as well as wanted to pray for the characters, especially sweet Chioma!

As for recommending this book, it is a must read. Even if you don't like to read, you need to read this book. I urge you to run out and get this first book of the Extreme Devotion Series "No Greater Love," 3, Your life will never be the same after reading this book. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It is now on the very top of my 'Best Reads' list.
I want to thank the author Kathi Macias for providing me a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions and the review are mine only. I was not expected or required to write a positive review.

Excellent show of faith in difficult circumstances

John 15:13 states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This is exemplified in Kathi Macias's book, No Greater Love, which tackles the difficult social issues during the violent times in South Africa preceding Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990. Through a number of tragic events the Vorster family comes to realize the sinful nature of apartheid. This is a book you will not be able to put down as you watch the unbelievable events that unfold and lead to a life-and-death decision that the coloured Choima must make. Will she choose violence to revenge the mistreatment of her people, or will her belief in God, who she previously thought of as the white man's God, be strong enough for her to find forgiveness and develop selfless love? The constant tension experienced by the characters during this difficult time in South Africa's history makes this is a page-turning novel.

History, suspense, romance...and the truth of No Greater Love

As one who loves suspense but has gaps in history/current events knowledge, I was particularly interested in reading this book in order to learn. And I did.

Kathi Macias writes compelling characters and a realistic story, giving us a glimpse into the dark truth of apartheid...and the heartache and suffering it promoted. I especially appreciated that the characters were multi-layered and complex, allowing me to disagree with their actions, but yet understand the reasons behind their motivation.

In No Greater Love, Kathi takes the truth of God's word and presents it through the pages of real life. It's a truth--and a story--that will stand the test of time.

"No Greater Love" by Kathi Macias

Chioma, 16, and her brother, Masozi, 15, were taken into an Afrikaner's family as servants, after they were orphaned four years earlier, to work on their farm-their parents were brutally murdered because they were a part of the African National Congress (ANC) movement against apartheid.

Tragedy strikes when Andrew, the Afrikaner's son, becomes enamored by Chioma, a forbidden relationship at that time, and she subsequently escapes to a rebel ANC band to survive.

Kathi portrays the chaos, violence, murder, prejudice, ugly hatred, and revenge during this frightful time in history of fighting against apartheid. Her use of personal, heartrending emotions make the story very real and touching.

Throughout the injustices woven into the storyline, Kathi intricately weaves a story of love and self-sacrifice. It's made abundantly clear that nothing will break down these barriers other than God Himself. But are the characters willing to set aside their revenge and hatred in the name of peace, love, and forgiveness? Kathi's genius storytelling keeps us wondering til the very end.

You won't forget the horrors of apartheid and the only true way to solve it. Living in America today, it's hard to comprehend the national turmoil presented here in Kathi's story. It's not an easy read, so be prepared, but it's worth it.

This book was provided by Kathi in exchange for my honest review. If this is the first book of the series, I look forward to other three!

I enjoyed this book so much.

Chioma, a sixteen year old girl, along with her 15 year old brother, were orphaned when her parents were murdered during their fight again apartheid. Both she and her brother found work and lived on an Afrikaner family's farm after the tragedy where Chioma and the farm owner's son find a forbidden attraction developing between them. After a devastating heartbreak, Chioma escapes to join an ANC rebel band to survive and exact revenge for her family and culture. She does not understand the white man or his God. Life and death struggles abound and Chioma must choose the path she must take - one of revenge and hatred or one of love and forgiveness.


Chioma must make decisions that are more than difficult. Sometimes even the simplest mistake could bring upon disaster or even death. Who must she give her allegiance? Can he really protect her? Can she trust him?


How will the chain of disastrous events change Andrew's family? Will they draw closer to God when He reveals truth to them? What will happen to the traditions and beliefs they've accepted for so many years? Many lives are changed in this story.
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No Greater Love was the first book I've read by Kathi Macias. Wow! This book had it all - romance, danger, suspense, and sacrifices made in the name of love for reasons in which many of us would be unfamiliar. It took twists and turns that I did not see coming. It kept me in suspense throughout the entire book. Gripping tale!


No Greater Love is part of her Extreme Devotion Series. Well named, I must say. Her publisher describes it as fiction with a mission and I would agree. Facing persecution for one's faith is demonstrated in this book in ways that many in the United States could not begin to fathom. This book was loosely based on historical events, set in South Africa, in approximately 1989, in the midst of the upheaval prior to Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990. New insight was given to me about this time and its events in South Africa.


I never thought I'd be intrigued and drawn into a danger/suspense type novel. I was wrong. I was hooked from the moment I turned the first page. This book brought forth so many emotions. It was sad, but joyous. It was believable, yet contained shocking events. I've not read a book such as this in the Christian market. I would call this story edgy and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Her stories need to be told. Missionaries experience things that many probably have no clue about, including me. If anyone ever tells you that Christian fiction can't be edgy, contain violence, show revenge and hatred, yet still contain the message of God's love, the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and spread the gospel through fiction - they'd be wrong in my humble opinion. And they need to read this book. We are all sinners saved by grace. Some of us have more horrific and tragic events in our lives than others. But we all need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This story contains grace, mercy, and redemption in ways that need to be shared.


Kathi has an extraordinary talent in telling a story to make it come alive. I'll be watching for more of her books to add to my reading list. Congratulations, Kathi. Well done, indeed!

A Novel with a History Lesson

No Greater Love
Kathi Macias

Apartheid isn't heard often any more. I believe we have an entire generation who doesn't know this sad part of world history-when South Africa officially sanctioned racial discrimination. It wasn't until the early 1990s that the official racial divides began to be dismantled.
Set in 1989, with apartheid as the backdrop of No Greater Love by award-winning author Kathi Macias, gives the reader a taste of the injustice and struggles suffered by Black and mixed-race people in South Africa, all with the approval of the South African government.
Chioma, orphaned at the age of twelve, has every reason to hate the white ruling class of South Africa. At sixteen, she comes face to face with a possibility that was as foreign to her as it was illegal. Chioma finds herself falling in love with the son of the owner of the farm where she works. Her hate for white people and her love for Andrew throw her into struggles of life and death, violence and revenge, or forgiveness and selfless love.
Unlike many Christian novels, No Greater Love offers no formula answers or formula endings. Each time I thought I knew the outcome of Chioma's life, I was surprised with something different and more compelling. This makes No Greater Love more than just a novel for pleasure reading; it is also a story that helps the reader examine whether such difficult decisions are possible in today's America.
In that regard, No Greater Love gives the reader a chance to determine how to react if Christians become the target of such bigotry. The questions becomes more than just will Chioma find happiness; it becomes "Can I survive the struggles she has faced?" "How would I react to those same horrid conditions?"
This is a book that should be in history classes as well. Apartheid is given scant treatment in many history courses and the reality of such injustice is lost in the facts. Students can learn more about the meaning of racial inequality through this story than any textbook can convey.
No Greater Love is the first in Ms. Macias' Extreme Devotion Series. The series will use romance, danger, and suspense to illustrate sacrificial love and victorious commitment. If this novel is a taste of the future books in the series, a winner has been born.

A love story resonates by delving into deeper issues

Romance with a social message rooted in Christianity is the basis of Kathi Macias' Extreme Devotion Series. In the first installment, No Greater Love the chain of events is based on the Bible verse John 15:13: There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. This is a tale of modern day martyrdom.

The setting is 1989 apartheid South Africa. The star-crossed lovers are Andrew, the son of an Afrikaner farmer and Chioma, an African servant on the farm. When attraction blurs the line between black and white, the status quo is violently reinforced.

Chioma flees the farm joining a band of rebel nationals. Themba, the group's leader, takes an immediate liking to the beautiful young girl and makes her his wife. The only condition he imposes upon their nuptials is absolute loyalty.

At first, Themba's passion is unrequited, but over time Chioma begins to feel something for her protector. Her parents were massacred while fighting for the cause and her tragic past helps her to understand her husband's motives. Yet, will her conscience allow her to obey Themba and participate in the group's - often bloody - raids?

Things come to a head when Chioma unexpectedly encounters a connection to Andrew. Will the memory of the man she truly loved be enough to prevent an atrocity? Will the words of the Holy Bible - which she first heard at Andrew's farm - be enough to keep her from crossing the point of no return?

Overall, a love story resonates by delving into deeper issues.

First in Extreme Devotion series sets bar high for next in series

No Greater Love by Kathi Macias is the first book in the Extreme Devotion series about Christians around the world facing the ultimate test of faith. In 1989 South Africa is still under apartheid. No one knows that better than Chioma. Now a servant on the Vorster farm, she watched her parents slaughtered by the white authorities for insurrection, then her brother murdered by friends of the Vorster's son Andrew. She's tried to fight her feelings for Andrew, but his knowing blue eyes force her to see him as more than just the color of his skin. After yet another tragedy, Chioma lives on the run, hiding with rebel forces known as the ANC. Meanwhile, the Vorsters, Anana and Pieter are forced to reconcile their deep faith with apartheid and how it has affected their family. Macias does a wonderful job portraying the complicated emotions of the Vorsters as they struggle with their faith, as well as with Chioma's wavering loyalty. She puts the reader in the middle of a story that can have no happy ending, but forces us to sympathize with Chioma's suffering as well as the Vorster's confusion. Macias makes the characters come to life and refuses to take the easy way out. It's a powerful novel that will force readers to think deeply about what true faith looks like.

I couldn't read it fast enough

A few chapters into No Greater Love, I thought I could predict how the story would turn out. Then a sudden dramatic event changed the direction, and I was hooked. By the last hundred pages, I was reading as fast as I could so I would find out what happened to the characters.

No Greater Love is set in South Africa during last few years of apartheid. The violence of that time works tragedy in the lives of the main characters. Kathi Macias has created a riveting story of faith and romance full of suspense that not only entertains but raises questions about our own faith, and just how well we love our fellow man.

Buy this book: you won't be disappointed.

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