To a few Americans Russia is still unknown territory. Some people still see Russia as our foes from the Cold War, that communist nation. Or others view them as the country that always used to beat the US at every sport in the Olympics (except that wonderful hockey game in 1980..which i wasn't born yet but the movie was great!). I find Russia fascinating country simply because I've never really learned that much of the country itself.

Sarai is a missionary doctor. Roman is an FSB agent. 13 years ago they used to be in love. Now Roman is trying to get Sarai out of the country for her safety. Sarai doesn't want to leave because there is a illness that she cannot figure what the source is from. The two have to learn to put up with each other in order to get themselves into safety and away from the dangers that the government has put out against them.

This book was just jammed pack with suspense. One thing keeps happening after another. You never get bored. I really liked both characters. Actually I liked Sarai a lot better than Gracie from "In Sheep's Clothing." Sarai was a lot stronger and able to handles things on her own. When Roman fell into the lake, I actually felt cold. And the fact that he kept his jeans on afterwards....blehhhh. I think there's a description of Roman written somewhere in the book, but I kept picturing him as James Bond a la Pierce Bronsnan. The scene at the chemical plant would have been perfect in a Bond movie. To me the most dramatic part was when Sarai screams that she hates Roman, and there's nothing Roman could do about it. It seemed so tragic. I really enjoyed this book. We are currently studying about the Cold War and Russia in one of my classes. So this book helped to see what Russian culture is like and how an American would fit into the country. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes romantic suspense or would enjoy learning about Russian culture.

This is the second in Warren's Mission: Russia series. The first was "In Sheep's Clothing". My immediate impression of "Sands of Time" is it is a stand alone book. I never felt lost while reading it even though I have yet to read book one. At the same time book two gave me an even greater desire to go back and read book one.

This is the story of Sarai and Roman as they try following God's will for their lives in their separate worlds. Although their lives had crossed in the past, they both walked away heartbroken. Sarai's greatest desire is to bring medical care to the outskirts of Russia while Roman, a Cobra Captain, works to hold his country together as a coup threatens the country's unity. As their world's collide again, they must deal with the feelings they had long ago believed buried.

The book brings into question whether or not a person is truly following the plans God has for them or if they have somehow headed down their own path. It also gives pause to a common trap in Christian circles. Do we as Christians have the right to judge and determine what God's plans are for another person. Warren does a wonderful job exploring this and revealing how easy it is to get caught in the trap of pushing our passions and convictions onto others. Warren also explores our ability to follow God's timing. She also takes on the hard reality of our flesh desire to take control and claim a ministry from God and take it as our own.
This is a fast paced, action packed read you can't put down. As I journeyed through the book I could not wait until I turned the page and didn't dare go to sleep afraid to miss something. I highly recommend "Sands of Time" and I HIGHLY recommend Susan May Warren as an author you can depend on for quality engaging reading with a message that will link you back to the Bible