Thursday, April 22, 2010

Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris - REVIEW & GIVE AWAY!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Blood Ransom
Zondervan (April 1, 2010)


by
Lisa Harris






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Award-winning author Lisa Harris has been writing both fiction and nonfiction since 2000 and has more than fifteen novels and novellas in print. She currently lives with her family in Mozambique, Africa, where they work as missionaries.



From Lisa:



Have you ever noticed how God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things? In writing Blood Ransom, I wanted my heroes and heroines to be ordinary people, faced with extraordinary circumstances. Chad and Natalie’s lives were changed not only through the challenges they faced, but also through their reliance on God. And when they set off on their journey to the capital to save Joseph’s family, they never imagined that God would call them to a task that was beyond the scope of their own power.



But while this story is fictional, the issue of a modern day slave trade is very real. It is estimated that there are currently more than 27 million slaves on the world today from Africa, to Eastern Europe … to the United States of America. The fact is, we don’t have to travel around the world to see people hurting and exploited. They’re real people we pass every day, living in our neighborhoods, and attending our churches and schools. They’re empty and broken, searching for freedom and hope in an often hopeless world.





ABOUT THE BOOK



Natalie Sinclair is working to eradicate the diseases decimating whole villages in the Republic of Dhambizao when she meets Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from a lucrative medical practice now volunteering at a small clinic.



Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad and Natalie decide to help Joseph expose this modern-day slave trade---and a high-ranking political figure involved in it---disaster nips at their heels.



Where is God in the chaos? Will Chad, Natalie, and Joseph win their race against time?



Romance and adventure drive Blood Ransom, by Lisa Harris, a powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare to challenge it.



If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Blood Ransom, go HERE.


MY THOUGHTS:

“Don’t let anyone stop you from telling the truth.” (p. 306)


When Natalie Sinclair decides to share the truth of what happened in Joseph Komboli’s small African village, she sets herself upon a terrifying and life-threatening course to uncover an evil that still preys upon human life today – slavery. The country of Africa has been home to slavery for hundreds of years, and Lisa Harris uses the modern slave trade as the launching pad for her latest novel, Blood Ransom. What price must be paid to uncover the secrets concealed behind government greed for money and power? What value is placed upon human lives when commerce depends on illegal manpower to function? How do you operate a non-profit organization in a third-world setting when the reality you uncover make your efforts seem of little consequence?


Natalie chooses to share truth in this story, and it comes with great price. This dramatic, all-too-real tale is the second or third book I’ve read recently dealing with modern-day slavery in various forms. I cannot comprehend such cruelty just to feed the unending appetite of human greed! All of us must realize the need to stand up and tell the truth, no matter the cost. This is a story that will make you consider that need as well as the precious, precious value of human life.


I applaud Lisa Harris for taking on such a difficult tale, and telling in such a page-turning, suspenseful way! I pray that slavery will one day be put to a final and complete end, and that we will be able to reach out to all around us and make an eternal difference. Where is God amid all of this suffering? Right where He has always been, providing help, guidance, strength and wisdom for those willing to sacrifice for the cause of truth!



I have an extra copy of this book to give away to anyone who leaves a comment and contact information on this post!


4 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

Don't enter me, but I had to comment (of course!) and say this was a great book! I wasn't sure I could get into it, but it immediately swept me up.

Unknown said...

Sounds good. Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Carole said...

I appreciate a novel that takes on an unpleasant topic, and from the reviews I've seen, Lisa does it well. I know Blood Ransom will be both inspirational and challenging, and I appreciate the chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Kim said...

Congratulations Carole!! Be watching for my email!