Saturday, December 01, 2012

Davis Bunn's Rare Earth ~ Reviewed

By Davis Bunn
Published by Bethany House Publishers
ISBN#978-0764209062
368 Pages

Book Cover: 

Davis Bunn Strikes Gold Once Again!

Marc Royce stares down from the helicopter on the Rift Valley slashing across Africa like a scar. Tribal feuds, drought, and dislocation have left their devastation. And he sees a new wound--a once-dormant volcano oozing molten lava across the dry landscape--and clouds of ash obscure his vision. His undercover assignment is similarly obscured. Supposedly dispatched to audit a relief organization's accounts, Marc finds himself amid the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps caught in a stranglehold of corruption and ruthlessness.


But his true task relates to the area's reserves of once-obscure metals now indispensable to high-tech industry. The value of this rare earth inflames tensions on the world's stage as well as among warring tribes. When an Israeli medical administrator, Kitra, seeks Marc's help with her humanitarian efforts, they forge an unexpected link between impoverished African villages and another Silicon Valley rising in the Israeli desert. Precious metals and inventive minds promise new opportunities for prosperity, secure futures, and protection of valuable commodities from terrorists. As Marc prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes a chance to restore justice to this troubled land. This time, he may have gone too far.

Review: 

After Marc’s last mission in Baghdad, life has not been normal. “In fact, Marc Royce, decided the best way to handle it now was stop trying to define what normal was.”

Marc Royce is on another mission impossible, all the while keeping the main thing…the main thing. I enjoyed that aspect of the story, the rich characterization and intricate plot with all the surprises and drama.

This author’s work experience in the Middle East and his compassion and understanding of the people and their traditions radiate through out this story. He delves into crucial issues with sensitivity I appreciated.

Guard asks, “Pastor Philip wishes to know if the Lord Jesus ordered you to come.”

Marc, “I would like to think that Jesus guides my every step. But I am human enough to know that there is too much of me in everything I do.”

I love how Davis Bunn naturally weaves his faith message amongst the drama and action. Jesus is with us always. I like how this author is not preachy but lets the reader know a relationship with Jesus is important to Marc Royce and others in this novel. I was moved to read how faith united Marc and the people of the Middle East. They shared the same father.

I’m thankful for the review copy of this novel which depicts Marc being thrust into the middle of a highly explosive situation. He goes undercover to work for a relief organization. He seeks to get to the bottom of the chaos reeking havoc on refugee camps in Kenya. Warning to readers this is a nail biting suspenseful mission that will keep you up reading. The author leaves the reader wanting to know what will happen to Marc Royce next. I know that Davis Bunn will have Marc in the middle of a mission that shows the reader all things are possible with Christ working in us and through us! I highly recommend this riveting novel and series.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

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