Novel Set During Crusades Has Message for Today

Amidst war, injustice in the name of God, Jesus' truth shines through.

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) April 9, 2008 -- A fresh viewpoint of a violent period of history, the days of the Crusades, comes to life in Sirocco, the Wind from the East: The Keys to the Kingdom (paperback, 978-1-60477-779-6). Authentic in details, exciting in plot, with characters drawn so vividly they will live in your memory, the new book portrays a world torn apart by injustice, hatred, and unholy war--a world in many ways similar to the one we inhabit today, in which sanctuary and peace can only be found in Jesus Christ.

"The answer to hatred is the love of God," says Work, who has studied medieval history extensively. "We can find that love through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. [We need a new understanding of God's grace revealed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, sufficient in itself to remove our guilt and hatred and fear. Laying aside hatred and in faith coming to God as the solution to the pain and fear we experience in the world, we can find peace in Him."

Work believes her novel is relevant for the times we live in today because, as in the days of the Crusades, the world is torn by war, hatred, jealousy, murder, and injustice--often in the name of God. Her message for readers: "God's grace is as sufficient in the 21st century as it was in the 12th."

Virginia Work is the published author of nine books, including the Jodi series by Moody Press. She has been writing for 25 years and traveled to Israel and viewed many of the places she writes about in Sirocco.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 4,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Sirocco through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem is the #1 Internet provider of Christian content, and is a leading publisher of Christian-themed magazines.

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