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Windblown
"... A novel that will keep you invested until the last page."
Sally Ferguson, book reviewer
"Windblown is a compelling read, one of those books where once the reader starts the first line, the entire book must be read."
George Clever, author of Dancing with Grandfather
Nearly a decade ago, plans for a terrorist attack that would eventually rock the eastern shores of Africa fell into the hands of the wrong man.
His how to warn the right people before it's too late?
He almost made it.
Nine years later, Cassie Wright works to unveil the mystery shrouding her father's death while struggling to learn to trust again. Marine SSG Jake Richards seeks healing from past trauma as he transitions to civilian life while serving others through humanitarian work.
Unseen forces of light and darkness swirl around these two, drawing them, their friends, and their families into a maelstrom of global proportion as the terrorists devise a new and appalling attack that will make far more impact . . .
. . . And only those anchored in bedrock will survive.
A native of the Washington, D.C., suburbs, A.K. Coulter has lived her entire life among military veterans and government employees. Aside from being a bookworm and a research nerd, she enjoys sharing God's grace in both spoken and written form. She has taught writing, tutored, and worked with various non-profit organizations in editing and formatting their written publications.
She is a member of the ACFW, My Book Therapy, the Sinclairville Write Circle, and the Busti Writers Group. Her fiction has earned several awards, most notably, the Frasier Bronze and the ACFW Genesis awards.
You may connect with her at akcoulter.com.
Sally Ferguson, book reviewer
"Windblown is a compelling read, one of those books where once the reader starts the first line, the entire book must be read."
George Clever, author of Dancing with Grandfather
Nearly a decade ago, plans for a terrorist attack that would eventually rock the eastern shores of Africa fell into the hands of the wrong man.
His how to warn the right people before it's too late?
He almost made it.
Nine years later, Cassie Wright works to unveil the mystery shrouding her father's death while struggling to learn to trust again. Marine SSG Jake Richards seeks healing from past trauma as he transitions to civilian life while serving others through humanitarian work.
Unseen forces of light and darkness swirl around these two, drawing them, their friends, and their families into a maelstrom of global proportion as the terrorists devise a new and appalling attack that will make far more impact . . .
. . . And only those anchored in bedrock will survive.
A native of the Washington, D.C., suburbs, A.K. Coulter has lived her entire life among military veterans and government employees. Aside from being a bookworm and a research nerd, she enjoys sharing God's grace in both spoken and written form. She has taught writing, tutored, and worked with various non-profit organizations in editing and formatting their written publications.
She is a member of the ACFW, My Book Therapy, the Sinclairville Write Circle, and the Busti Writers Group. Her fiction has earned several awards, most notably, the Frasier Bronze and the ACFW Genesis awards.
You may connect with her at akcoulter.com.
Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 30, 2026
** “I’ve spent too many storms of my life adrift. I want the anchor that seems to give some people their courage to forge ahead with hope.” **
A.K. Coulter makes her publishing debut with “Windblown,” the first in a sure-to-be-thrilling series.
Ten years after her father is mysteriously killed in the 1998 Kenyan embassy bombing, Cassie Wright is still trying to determine if her father had anything to do with the event. Is he a hero or a villain? So when a job opportunity opens up near Washington, D.C., she jumps at the chance to look deeper into it, as well as move closer to her friends.
Jake Richards is nearing the end of his military career, hoping to find a new direction for his life. So when he is offered a job in Eastern Africa providing humanitarian relief as well as looking into geopolitical events, he can’t wait to return to the area where he grew up and where his parents still live.
When their paths cross, though, neither dreamed where that path would take them. As events in both of their lives converge, they find themselves becoming closer and closer. Can Cassie and Jake overcome their differences? And can they possibly save the world from repeating past horrors?
Coulter does an incredible job of bringing a story to life that was, and still is, ripped from the headlines. She has deeply researched the topic to bring the reader an understanding of not only what happened in 1998, but what is still happening today in the Horn of Africa. She brilliantly combines real-world events with a fictional telling, including delightfully lovely and incredibly evil characters.
She fills “Windblown” with some great themes, like the need to find a sense of identity; to live well you need a sense of purpose; finding a safe harbor; providing trust for others; and the importance of making a difference, reminding us we don’t have to travel the world to do so, we can touch people’s life anywhere.
Sometimes when you finish a book, you just need to sit in it. Sit and reflect on what you’ve just read, and draw it in. “Windblown” is one of those books. This is a story of overcoming betrayal and bitterness, the search for truth, and a journey to find faith.
Fans of “The Shepherds Series” by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, author James R. Hannibal, and Steven James’ “Travis Brock” series will love “Windblown.”
Five stars out of five.
A.K. Coulter makes her publishing debut with “Windblown,” the first in a sure-to-be-thrilling series.
Ten years after her father is mysteriously killed in the 1998 Kenyan embassy bombing, Cassie Wright is still trying to determine if her father had anything to do with the event. Is he a hero or a villain? So when a job opportunity opens up near Washington, D.C., she jumps at the chance to look deeper into it, as well as move closer to her friends.
Jake Richards is nearing the end of his military career, hoping to find a new direction for his life. So when he is offered a job in Eastern Africa providing humanitarian relief as well as looking into geopolitical events, he can’t wait to return to the area where he grew up and where his parents still live.
When their paths cross, though, neither dreamed where that path would take them. As events in both of their lives converge, they find themselves becoming closer and closer. Can Cassie and Jake overcome their differences? And can they possibly save the world from repeating past horrors?
Coulter does an incredible job of bringing a story to life that was, and still is, ripped from the headlines. She has deeply researched the topic to bring the reader an understanding of not only what happened in 1998, but what is still happening today in the Horn of Africa. She brilliantly combines real-world events with a fictional telling, including delightfully lovely and incredibly evil characters.
She fills “Windblown” with some great themes, like the need to find a sense of identity; to live well you need a sense of purpose; finding a safe harbor; providing trust for others; and the importance of making a difference, reminding us we don’t have to travel the world to do so, we can touch people’s life anywhere.
Sometimes when you finish a book, you just need to sit in it. Sit and reflect on what you’ve just read, and draw it in. “Windblown” is one of those books. This is a story of overcoming betrayal and bitterness, the search for truth, and a journey to find faith.
Fans of “The Shepherds Series” by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, author James R. Hannibal, and Steven James’ “Travis Brock” series will love “Windblown.”
Five stars out of five.
January 20, 2026
WINDBLOWN, by A.K. Coulter
A realistic look at the human cost of global conflict.
Governments divided among themselves and against each other. Cultures and religions at war. Individuals caught between grace, violence, and the search for meaning.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the way Coulter wove information into the story through minor characters—people reading newspapers, searching online, overhearing conversations they weren’t meant to hear. It was masterful showing rather than telling, and it made the world feel alive and real.
And of course, there’s an intriguing friendship pulling everything together.
“Vengeance may belong to the Lord, but Richards was here to help Him accomplish it.”
Jake Richards knows he’s lost without his faith. PTSD is no small thing, and as a military veteran now working with the CIA, he understands the difference between vengeance and revenge, even if he struggles to live it out.
“To my way of thinking, even God couldn’t thwart terrorism overseas. Or maybe He just didn’t want to. Maybe He didn’t care.”
Cassie Wright lost her father, and her faith, in a Nairobi embassy bombing. Now she’s trying to find her way back into an independent life, and she’s not about to let God off the hook.
Jake and Cassie are great friends, and without a shared faith, that’s all they will ever be.
My favorite character, however, is Mahad, a grandfather trying to raise two grandsons in a refugee camp. He is deeply ashamed that his son has joined the terrorists. He has no faith in the Muslim religion and instead chooses to align himself with the God of love. Mahad ultimately gives his life so his grandsons can have a future that refugees are rarely granted.
My absolute favorite lines:
“Dear God, where am I? he wondered. More importantly, where are You?
Right here.”
So much truth and history in this story, you don’t walk away unmoved.
A realistic look at the human cost of global conflict.
Governments divided among themselves and against each other. Cultures and religions at war. Individuals caught between grace, violence, and the search for meaning.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the way Coulter wove information into the story through minor characters—people reading newspapers, searching online, overhearing conversations they weren’t meant to hear. It was masterful showing rather than telling, and it made the world feel alive and real.
And of course, there’s an intriguing friendship pulling everything together.
“Vengeance may belong to the Lord, but Richards was here to help Him accomplish it.”
Jake Richards knows he’s lost without his faith. PTSD is no small thing, and as a military veteran now working with the CIA, he understands the difference between vengeance and revenge, even if he struggles to live it out.
“To my way of thinking, even God couldn’t thwart terrorism overseas. Or maybe He just didn’t want to. Maybe He didn’t care.”
Cassie Wright lost her father, and her faith, in a Nairobi embassy bombing. Now she’s trying to find her way back into an independent life, and she’s not about to let God off the hook.
Jake and Cassie are great friends, and without a shared faith, that’s all they will ever be.
My favorite character, however, is Mahad, a grandfather trying to raise two grandsons in a refugee camp. He is deeply ashamed that his son has joined the terrorists. He has no faith in the Muslim religion and instead chooses to align himself with the God of love. Mahad ultimately gives his life so his grandsons can have a future that refugees are rarely granted.
My absolute favorite lines:
“Dear God, where am I? he wondered. More importantly, where are You?
Right here.”
So much truth and history in this story, you don’t walk away unmoved.
May 6, 2026
As I read A.K. Coulter's WINDBLOWN, the characters stepped off the page and lived with me. When I wasn't reading the book, they were still whispering their reality into my everyday life. Add those resonating characters to a complex, fine-tuned plot, plus incredible research, and you have a novel that absolutely sings. I also loved Coulter's respect for multiple cultures, which enhances the beauty of the storyline. Written for the Christian market, the novel emphasizes the love and dignity that the Creator has woven into his creation, despite the depravities of man. WINDBLOWN is a fast-paced, high-tension adventure, a read of masterful strength and long-lasting impact.
February 20, 2026
I couldn't put it down!!
Masterfully crafted from beginning to end. So much to ponder and enjoy while the story unfolds in this first book of the Elements of Grace series. I love how the action in each section is related to a different kind of wind (I'm sure I did not know their subtle differences!)
From page one you will be captivated by the evil plans of terrorists, the desperation of innocent masses, the bravery of those who seek to confront, and a loving Father who loves, guides, and draws us to Him.
Masterfully crafted from beginning to end. So much to ponder and enjoy while the story unfolds in this first book of the Elements of Grace series. I love how the action in each section is related to a different kind of wind (I'm sure I did not know their subtle differences!)
From page one you will be captivated by the evil plans of terrorists, the desperation of innocent masses, the bravery of those who seek to confront, and a loving Father who loves, guides, and draws us to Him.
February 9, 2026
I was astonished by this author’s meticulous commitment to research. From culture to regional history, from military tactics to radio equipment and operations, everything about this book felt intentional and understood. A.K Coulter seamlessly wove fact and fiction into a highly plausible story while also presenting the gospel message. I highly recommend this for your next read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews