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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 indispensible 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.
Anne_Baxter_Campbell
Posted May 10, 2013
Davis Bunn has produced another great Marc Royce thriller, this one set in Nairobi. Marc arrives there as Mount Elgon volcano is spewing smoke, ash, and lava, making breathing difficult and truck travel a crawl. Refugees flow faster than the lava, and there seems to be no end to the river of humans.
Marc has been sent to Nairobi to find two people, a sister and a brother, and uncover a secret so deadly it threatens to kill not only the land but also the people near mysterious farm plots set up by the Chinese. The sister, a nurse by the name of Kitra, is in a camp of refugees. The brother, a doctor named Serge, is missing, presumed dead by some. Ostensibly Marc is there as a supply officer for Lodestone, but his assignments go far deeper and his commander far higher than the rogue United Nations commander in the area.
He finds several unexpected allies in the camp. One is the camp chaplain, another is a sergeant in the UNHCR brigade, then there are two managers from Lodestone; and then there is the youngest village elder Marc has ever experienced. Joseph, that village elder, insists Marc has been sent by God to heal their land.
Kitra, however, considers him an enemy--working for Lodestone, who she insists kidnapped her brother.
Which is a shame, because Marc is more than a little interested in her.
Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2013
Although I missed the first in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Bunn's many efforts vary greatly, but I really liked the action and the story line of Rare Earth. With all the African connections to current world events, I would think that this could be a useful book club choice.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.EKParsons
Posted January 26, 2013
Marc Royce is undercover again, this time in the deepest parts of Africa, working to expose corruption that could wipe out entire tribes. He races against time, puts his life in danger and offers hope to these forgotten people. Davis Bunn, through the eyes of Marc Royce, shares the truth that faith isn’t limited to certain races, times, or generations. Salvation and the love of Jesus Christ reach even the remotest tribes of Africa. The hand of God knows no boundaries. He will use the faithful to reach the lost wherever they may be and let them be a voice for those without a voice. Rare Earth is novel of faith, love and healing and it offers a high-energy, heart-racing ride from the first page to the last.
-Eileen K Parsons, author of "The First Rose of Summer"
cyndecat1
Posted August 25, 2012
Working undercover for the state department, Marc Royce is flying into
Africa as an audit accountant for a firm that ships medical supplies to
refugee camps. His true mission is to find a young relief worker who has
been kidnapped and the reasons he has disappeared. He arrives into the
utter chaos of a refugee camp that is straining to provide medical care
and food for an ever increasing stream of refugees fleeing the eruption
of a volcano. Marc works with the tribal chiefs and the medical
administrators to restore order and get the needed supplies distributed.
He tries to make contact with the sister of the young man who has been
kidnapped but she believes he is one of the same company of men
responsible for kidnapping her brother. The dangers increase as Marc
searches for the answers he needs to uncover who is behind the takeover
of entire villages, displacing the people into the camps and what their
ulterior motives are. He finds that these lands are rich in valuable
minerals Known as “rare earth” used in current technologies and coveted
by the world. Marc races against time and traditions to gather a group
of warriors to expose the wrongdoers and reclaim the land for the
African tribes. Davis Bunn has created a novel rich in the sights,
sounds and smells of Africa. The reader feels as if he is fighting
alongside the characters experiencing all that they are experiencing.
You feel and see the poverty the hunger, the hopelessness of the people
and the strength and the faith of the believers who can work together to
overcome the strife and corruption that he has made Africa come alive
with his words. There are true to life people in authentic situations
that react with strength and faith and perseverance. There is a glorious
reference to the battle of Jericho in the Bible that will thrill your
heart! I heartily recommend “Rare Earth”; it is truly a valuable story.
The book is a sequel using the same character, Marc Royce, as the
author’s book “Lion of Babylon”, however both books are great
stand-alone reads. I received a complimentary copy of this book for
review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a
positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16
CFR, Part 255.
Davis Bunn in his new book, “Rare Earth” Book Two in the Marc Royce series published by Bethany House takes us to Kenya.
From the back cover: Marc Royce stares out of the helicopter, a sense of foreboding rising with the volcanic cloud. Below, the Rift Valley slashes across Africa like a scar. Decades of conflicts, droughts, and natural disasters have left their mark.
Dispatched to audit a relief organization, Royce is thrust into the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps. But his true mission focuses on the area’s reserves of once-obscure minerals now indispensable to high-tech industries. These strategic elements–called rare earth–have inflamed tensions on the world’s stage and stoked tribal rivalries. As Royce prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes on a bold and risky venture for restoring justice to this troubled land.
But this time, Royce may have gone too far.
Marc Royce is back! If you enjoyed the first book in this series, “Lion of Babylon”, then you are going to enjoy this one also. Here is a question: does God like certain parts of Earth more than He likes other parts? The answer is no. Humans divided up the planet with their lines on map making countries, cities and towns. God looks at the Earth and says all the Earth is mine. So to God Kenya is no less valuable than, let’s say, Switzerland. Get ready for an exciting suspense ride as ”Rare Earth” is a thriller, which simply means that everyone’s lives are in danger from practically page one. The title comes from indispensable minerals to high-tech industries. Marc Royce is sent to the Kenya to investigate conflicting reports about missing people and whole villages. Along the way he sees the truth about the Kenyan refuge camps. During the course of this investigation Marc will encounter villains, treachery and life-threatening situations that will keep you flipping the pages as fast as you can read. The theme of “Rare Earth” is all human life has value. The lead characters are terrific and we root for them as we live through their various heart-throbbing encounters. Davis Bunn does a truly remarkable job in this book while exciting us with this story that everyone will enjoy.
If you missed the interview for “Lion of Babylon” and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to Kingdom Highlights where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station Kingdom Airwaves
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
CaraPutman
Posted July 24, 2012
I read the first book, Lion of Babylon, and remember it as a book I couldn't put down. This one quickly followed with pacing that slowly built to a pace that I literally couldn't put down. Mark Royce is back as the reluctant hero who wants to improve the world. He has the skills to go into situations no one else would want. And he is a hero that reminds me of David in the Bible: a heart for God, few assets, and a scraggly group. Can they do what it takes? There is also the hint of a romantic thread, too. This book is great for those who love an international thriller...and it will give you a heart for the African people as you read. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wow! Combine action, mystery, state secrets, an accountant who fights like a ninja, and a bit of romance and what do you get? You get an awesome story by Davis Bunn, titled Rare Earth. It has been a long time since I read any books from Davis Bunn and I have to say this one was excellent.
Marc Royce, a young widower, has experienced danger. And his skills show easily that he knows how to handle himself, but now he is in the middle of something that is testing every skill he has. Sent to Africa, undercover in a private company, he is finding that something is very wrong. Tribes are being displaced from their villages, promises are not being kept to tribal leaders, a man has disappeared, and the company he works for seems to have a division that is crooked somewhere. Ordered out of the country by the company, he goes to Israel to help understand what is going on. Once he figures it out, now he has to solve the problem.
This book is intense!! Just to clarify, the action adventure factor is HOT!, the storyline is intriguing!, the characters are totally believable and convincing, and top it all off with a hint of romance, and you have a 5 star story! I loved the book and anxiously look forward to more from Davis Bunn! 363 pages US$14.99 5 stars.
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
Jason_Joyner
Posted July 18, 2012
I have been waiting for a book to really catch my attention lately.
Author Davis Bunn has done that with his latest book, Rare Earth.
Marc Royce is a fixer. A former intelligence agent who works for the government in scenarios that need subtlety and finesse, he is a man who fights the good fight to help others and to quell his own pain.
He is sent on assignment to Kenya, an east African country that had slid into crisis in recent years. A refugee camp is overwhelmed with people displaced due to a local volcanic eruption. The situation is volatile - there is little oversight, goods being withheld, and a population growing desperate by the hour.
As Marc lands and begins to grapple with the immediate problem, he is drawn to Kitra, a beautiful Israeli nurse who holds a secret and a grudge toward his cover company. The camp pastor Charles is Marc's only ally as he navigates tribal chiefs, political intrigue, and power brokers. When more villagers are displaced by government order, the region is primed to explode over something called "rare earth."
Marc has steep challenges before him: find the mystery of rare earth and Kitra's missing brother before he is the next victim.
----
I didn't realize when I ordered the book that I had read one of Bunn's earliest novels in the 1990s (so long ago now...). I was excited to read some of his newer work, and I was not disappointed.
Rare Earth is a suspense/action book with heart. Marc Royce is one of those heroes who is well-trained and knows how to respond in every situation. Even though he is special, he doesn't come across as a cardboard character. I felt Marc's doubts and hurts, and it provided real depth. Still, I enjoyed how he tackled situations and did what was necessary, including kicking some butt at times.
The plot is very current and deals with real world situations regarding rare earth and the phenomena of people being displaced for their land or resources. There was one too many meetings between power brokers (tribal chiefs, other councils) that got a little repetitive, but I always wanted to keep turning the page and reading more.
The faith element of the book is very well-handled and organic to the story. There is no preachiness, but spiritual life is realistically depicted, and this is a book anyone could enjoy.
The CBA market is developing more writers and books outside of the Amish/historical/romance genres over time. Davis Bunn has actually been around for a while, and even though I lost track of his works for a while, I will be eagerly watching for his new material after enjoying Rare Earth. Fans of action and suspense should definitely check him out.
Marc Royce has been hired as the new supply officer employed by Lodestone, a US company contracted to bring in emergency supplies and do so for a profit in Africa for the UN. A volcano near the border between Kenya and Uganda, that has been dormant for centuries has erupted at the base of Mount Elgon and the destination for aid is in the city of Kitale.
Lodestone had recently become one of the largest suppliers of humanitarian equipment in Africa. Theirs was a specialty service. Their clients included every major aid agency, along with the United Nations. Whenever and wherever a crisis erupted, the agencies turned to firms like Marc's to deliver emergency supplies, and do so fast.
But there was a problem. One so large it had rung alarm bells eight thousand miles away. Which was why Marc had been brought in. An outsider who some thought had no chance of success and even less of survival. Before departing for Nairobi, Marc had been repeatedly warned of unseen foes who would make it there business to assure he never made it back alive. Marc had responded that he would have had it no other way. Marc wondered at his habit of landing in impossible situations.
He learns from Kitra Korban, a nurse rendering aid, that her brother, Serge, a medical technician is believed to have been abducted and believes that Lodestone might be a possible connection in his disappearance. They both begin to believe that whatever Lodestone is hiding, they value it far more than human life. But one of the tribal elders, Phillip believes that Marc Royce is the answer to a long awaited dream he has of saving this land and the people in it.
Davis Bunn once again brings his readers in for a heart-stopping, action-packed suspense novel, Rare Earth, where they are reunited with Marc Royce, who is working undercover from the State Department to discover what it is the Lodestone is hiding and he soon realizes, that this might be a mission he might not make it back from. It appears he is not the only one, who believes this may in fact, be his last mission and some with stop at nothing to make sure that's exactly what happens.
I received Rare Earth compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. Having read a Lion of Babylon, the first book in the series of Davis Bunn's novel's featuring the character of Marc Royce, readers will not be disappointed. You can pick this one up as a stand alone, but once you read this one, you'll want the rest! I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and love how well Davis puts his character in the heart of the action and truly makes him believable. He's not invincible, and is flawed and that is one of the reasons this book works so well for me. I can't wait to see more of Davis Bunn's novels in the future.
Peter4
Posted July 11, 2012
Many stories crush the life out of heroes, making them either larger than life or flat and one-dimensional. Even worse, many storied heroes never rise above themselves or their problems, allowing others to effect change around them, and then take the credit.
Davis Bunn’s new novel, Rare Earth, offers a refreshing hero that satisfies completely.
Marc Royce is reluctant. Involved in relief operations in Kenya, he loves his job, thrives on the action. But strange men evicting tribes from their land send him on a difficult path that brings him together with a beautiful and mysterious woman. But the intrigue building in Kenya will not only hurt the ones he loves, but the entire world. Does he have the strength to be what people need him to do? Or will he fall, never to realize his potential?
This beautifully sensitive novel is compelling as it is thought provoking.
Bunn crafts Christian action and suspense thrillers like no one else. Rare Earth is a reader’s playground that had me wishing I had a sick day to stay home and read.
Take this trip to Africa with Marc Royce. You won’t regret it. I’m giving it five stars.
And perhaps Marc Royce will touch your life like he did mine. A real hero who overcomes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Dorothy3
Posted July 6, 2012
This is an exceptionally good novel written by a consistently good author. I make a point of buying every book he writes and have yet to be disappointed.
This book is the 2nd in the Marc Royce series and is set in war torn Kenya...with a strong plot and characters I really cared about. I learned a lot about the life of refugees and loved the depth of characters especially the African men. Bunn knows how to set the stage for a story and honestly, you could almost smell the dust and feel the scorching heat....the sign of a great writer.
I loved this book and recommend it to anyone interested in reading a good story.
auditor2
Posted July 4, 2012
Not Disappointed
I am a great fan of Davis Bunn's books. Having read and enjoyed the first in the Marc Royce books, The Lion of Babylon, I was excited to read the second in the series. This book was a tiny bit harder to get into but it proved to be just as exciting overall. Bunn draws together well developed characters, along with vivid descriptions of the Kenyan country. He also very effectively presents God's presence in the situations and lives of the people in the book. We also get to know Marc Royce better in this story. I can only assume there will be another book in the series or at least I hope there will be. I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for the advance copy of the book. I will be recommending it to all readers in my friend circle as a `must read'.
DavidK1
Posted July 3, 2012
Adventure and suspense rolled together finds Marc Royce in fast moving action trying to find what all the various leads are surrounding humanitarian efforts in Kenyan. There are those on the surface but as he looks at these he suspects there are deeper hidden ones that will provide the true answers. This book is real page turner that you won't lay down until the last page is read. If you liked Lion of Babylon, you are going to be breathless reading Rare Earth.
catsnmusic
Posted July 2, 2012
Davis Bunn has done it again!! He bring his characters to life and you believe that they are real! Marc Joyce, Kitra, Philip, Crowder, and all the other characters that make this story realistic and alive. You have been introduced to Marc Royce in Lion of Babylon but I think that Davis Bunn has brought more depth to this character this time. We learn more about Marc Royce and who he is as a person and as true believer in God. He brings in characters along the way that enrich the story to the depth that it has. We have several families from war torn areas in Africa in our congregation and this was even more of an eye opener of what they possibly went through in their own country. The reason of moving all the people of their villages in Kenya was also very plausible. I learned more about the different kinds of rare earth than I had have known before. I took time to read this novel and absorb all that happened in it!
Many thanks to Bethany House for the complimentary copy of Davis Bunn's new book "Rare Earth".
I would highly recommend this book to add your library!!
SLJRavel
Posted June 28, 2012
Several years ago, my mentor passed along one of Davis Bunn's books to me--little did I know then that I would become so enthralled with his writings--and find myself part of a group of influencers given the privilege of reading and reviewing Bunn's latest book, "Rare Earth". Many thanks to Bethany House Publishing for my complimentary pre-release copy.
With a storyline that could easily have been lifted from today's international headlines, Davis Bunn has again captivated my attention with a riveting plot and characters. Marc Royce (protagonist of "Lion of Babylon") returns in "Rare Earth"; in Royce, I see the compassion and strength of an authentic hero--courageous, sacrificial, yet at the same time human and humble. True to form, Bunn's research into the details of the back story (i.e., rare earth elements, and their extensive use), are so precise--even in the portrayal of the African landscape and tribal culture. This is one of his best books yet--a must read!!!
I've become a part of the group of "influencers" for this new book coming out July 1st by Davis Bunn. I received this book from the publisher in hopes that I would shout about it to all of my friends and would review it on my blog. Well, will they ever be surprised to find out that I would have done all of that even if they hadn't sent the book to me for free :)
This is the second book in the "Lion of Babylon" series that is featuring Marc Royce as the main character. Having just saved the world in Iraq, Marc has now been asked to head over to Africa where a long dormant volcano has now erupted causing chaos in all of the surrounding lands. Marc flies into the area that is suffering from a food and supply shortage, not only because there aren't any, but because there aren't enough guards to keep it from being a riot. Marc's real reason for being there, though, is to find the missing brother of one of the aid workers. This leads to uncovering a widespread conspiracy by different national groups, as well as the very mercenaries that were contracted to keep this from happening. Can Marc come in a help out a nation that has suffered so much? Can he find Kitra's brother in time? HA! Read the book!
I have enjoyed reading several of Davis Bunn's books, (especially "Elixir" as it is partially set her in North Florida where I live) and knew right away this would be another home run winner for me. Mr. Bunn has written a character in Marc Royce that embodies the kind of man that I would like to be, the kind that I would like my son to be. Marc is not only a special forces guru, but he is a thinker as well. When I first "met" Marc in "Lion of Babylon", he not only was a physical force to reckon with, but he was also one who was well versed in other cultures. These two books have introduced us to the Christian version of Indiana Jones, and I hope that we get to see more of this fine role model.
Is this a "man's book"? You'd better believe it! This has volcanoes exploding, beating up bullies, mercenaries and more. This book and the first in the series are books that as I was reading them both I could just imagine a movie being made about them. I sure hope they do, we need some great Christian role-models in the movies!
Overview
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 ...