Davis Bunn's Blog, page 15

Reader Mailbag: Chinese Subject Matter in ‘The Great Divide’

Rosalina writes: 

Recently I borrowed The Great Divide from my local library in New Zealand. I was so hooked into reading it that I ended up purchasing a copy which I have re-read several times.

The Chinese subject matter interested me greatly as my mother grew up in China (we are not Chinese) and I also belong to a China Friendship Association in NZ and naturally I do have Chinese friends.

You handled the Chinese side of things beautifully and it was a topic that needed to be written about.

Dear Rosalina,

It is amazing and gratifying to know that my words have reached your distant corner of the globe, and even more so to learn the story resonated with someone who has this bond to China. My wife’s graduate thesis was based upon this issue, and her research is embedded in virtually every page.

Danger and Dark Alleys in ‘Strait of Hormuz’

I’m delighted to share another round of reader reviews of Strait of Hormuz with you. Today’s reviewers are Mary Hake, Gary Gilmore, Katherine Scott Jones and Faith Farrell. Read on…

Exciting adventure and intrigue!

By Mary Hake, Amazon

Plunge into the world of international intrigue and danger in Davis Bunn’s newest book, Strait of Hormuz.  Marc Royce, who starred in the astounding Lion of Babylon and its exciting sequel Rare Earth, needs to stay at the top of his game to outwit and survive the enemy’s tricks and attacks. When even his American compatriots seem to suspect him and thwart his efforts to protect the world from nuclear meltdown, Marc must decide whom he can trust and how to carry out his mission—even if it means going it on his own.

Circumstances throw Marc and Kitra Korban together again, which can be awkward as they attempt to deal with the threats they face and the future they long to spend together. They must both overcome the past in order to move forward.

I always enjoy the way Davis Bunn weaves his stories with authentic characterization, thrilling plots, and realistic settings, and includes new technology in the mix. The novel definitely sounds like something from the pages of current history. Let’s hope if such a crisis does develop that the outcome turns out as well as this fictional account ends.

I suggest reading the series in order but each book is an exciting adventure of its own.

Danger and dark alleys

By Gary Gilmore, blog

Full of romance, thrills, dangers, intrigue, high speed, and dark alleys, Strait of Hormuz does not disappoint. Davis Bunn is a masterful writer. From the explosive first chapter to the unexpected ending, you are in for a hair-raising good time.

Strait of Hormuz finds Marc Royce in Geneva, Switzerland, for some unknown reason – unknown to Marc and to Ambassador Walton who sent him there. Marc struggles throughout the whole book to determine his reason for being in Geneva, and the struggles not only define his skills, but highlight the matter of US security.

In every situation in which he finds himself – and he finds himself in some unbelievable situations, he does not seem to know how or why he is where he is. But being the astute man that he is, Marc collects all of these happenstances as clues to some bigger puzzle. He does not so much stumble into situations as he marches purposefully into them. He believes that eventually he will know the purpose, and that it will lead him to the desired end, which he is sure he will recognize when he sees it. Now that is trust with a capital T.

His trust in God, his Ambassador boss, and his country, along with his positive, optimistic attitude of life, seem to keep him afloat and upright. It is tempting to reveal the plot in order to make the point, but you will just have to read the book. And just know that those who have already read the book are looking over your shoulder, eager for you to discover what they have discovered along the way.

Another well-drawn adventure from an author who understands his brand

By Katherine Scott Jones, Story Matters blog

Genre: Fiction/Christian/Suspense

Judge this book by its cover? I can’t decide. On the one hand, it captures the essence of the book’s climax. But it doesn’t hint at its strong romance or the glamorous Swiss setting leading to that point. In my opinion, this cover is meant to appeal to the male audience.

Reminds me of… Brock and Bodie Thoene.

Buy or borrow? Fans will want to buy.

Why did I read this book? For Bethany House for review.

My take: Davis Bunn strikes me as a novelist who understands his brand and knows how to deliver time and again what his readers clamor for: well-plotted, deeply researched stories populated by complex characters and threaded with strong inspiration messages.

In Strait of Hormuz, readers will once again find Bunn’s trademark clean, straightforward prose as well as between-the-eyes Christian themes. They’ll also find another element we’ve come to expect from his novels: a well-imagined, fictionalized take on real-world politics.

I can’t decide, however, which audience–male or female–the Marc Royce series will appeal to more. They contain a balanced blend of action (in this novel alone, I believe I counted four major explosions) and romance, plus heartfelt explorations of spiritual matters. So I guess the answer to my question is that Bunn writes for both men and women (and in this way, he reminds me of John Grisham). Indeed, I’d say his finely honed skill at writing for a broad audience explains much of his well-deserved popularity.

If pressed to give Strait of Hormuz a rating, I’d give it 4 stars–falling short of five only because this style of storytelling doesn’t particularly resonate with me. Nonetheless, I’m confident this latest of Bunn’s well-drawn adventures will surely appeal to his myriad fans–and win him a few more besides.

Lessons of faith, culture and history

By Faith Farrell, Found a Christian By His Grace blog

…While reading this I learned much more about Iran, the history of Persia, Israel’s precision trained Mossad, the Strait of Hormuz itself, and the lives of Christians in the Middle East where faith often has to go underground to survive. There are Jews, Muslims and Christians among the characters, and some characters are not what they seem at first.

They are complex, and once you get to know the good characters, you really like them. You care about them, you are fascinated as you follow them in their mission, and you know that you don’t want any of them to be hurt or killed.

One of my favorite characters was Kitra, a spirited woman who is offered a world beyond the kibbutz of her youth, and a chance to save her people. Kitra is also offered love, true love, and must make choices about how to proceed with that.

The plot is the kind that is fast moving but never at the expense of the details that make it memorable. Military, Intelligence Agents, men and women of espionage, Christians who manage to spread the Gospel through “hidden” Churches… it’s all here.

And the setting. Once again, the writing brings the settings to life. I went online and looked up St. Catherine Monastery in Egypt, intrigued by the way Davis Bunn had described this place. The many photographs confirm that sunrise there is as other-worldly beautiful as it sounded.

Yes, Strait of Hormuz  is a book that you can give a man or a woman of any age, because there are well-drawn characters both male and female. If you read this book you will learn lessons of faith and culture and history while enjoying a great story.

Learning About Other Cultures Through Novels

Hendrickson Publishers recently re-released the three books in The Priceless Collection series, which had been out of print for seven years.

This family epic blends mystery and romance and is set in the luxurious trappings of contemporary London and the turbulent economies of Eastern Europe.

The Priceless Collection

Here are two reader letters that reflect on the books in The Priceless Collection.

Vickie writes: 

I stayed up late last night to finish Florian’s Gate. What an amazing book. I read a lot of fiction, but I love fiction that includes history.

Like the main character, Jeffrey, my view of life beyond the Iron Curtain has always been limited by my own paradigms. It was eye-opening to see the people of this land through Jeffrey’s eyes as he experienced them first hand.

I was not surprised to find that many of the stories of the people in the book came from first-hand accounts of real people. This is a great book about the courage and strength of a nation that has endured so much.

Dear Vickie,

As you may have gathered from the dedication and acknowledgements, this story was based upon the experiences of my wife’s family, and so holds a very special significance for me. I’m thrilled that you connected with it.

Dave writes: 

I recently finished reading the three books of The Priceless Collection. Thank you so much–I learned a lot about what Poland has gone through, just in my lifetime. Also learned a bit about Russia while reading three very interesting stories.

Some of your books are hard to read as they describe working and living conditions in other countries that are so much different than what we have lived through. We had a chance to go to Germany on a work and Witness team in 2000 and spent a week working at the Nazarene church in Frankfurt and another week traveling around in Germany.

We spent three days in Berlin and got to see what the war did and where the city was divided for so many years. While it is now one city again a lot of evidence of what it was like is still there. At the time we were there they were refurbishing the building that used to house the German government before the Soviet Union divided the city.

The leader of our group grew up in Germany because his father was pastoring the church in Frankfurt while it was being built in the 1960s. As it turns out I was only a few miles away in Wiesbaden, in the army at the same time. Did not meet them until we met in a church in Meridian, Idaho many years later.

Because he grew up there he knew of a small museum in Frankfurt that he took us to. It was very small and the only thing I remember from it is the two display cases–one of what Frankfurt looked like before the war and the other what it looked like after we got through bombing it. Not much left standing.

Living in America tends to spoil us as far as our freedoms compared to a lot of other countries in the world.

Dear Dave,

It has been remarkable how these stories have connected with an entirely new audience, 15 years after they were first written. The wall has fallen, and so many people in these affected countries now consider it so far past that it holds no real importance.

They want to focus forward, join Europe, move into better homes and jobs and futures. I was therefore concerned when I heard the books were to be re-released. And yet still they connect, and in such lovely ways.

For details and purchasing information about the books in The Priceless Collection, visit:

Book 1: Florian’s Gate

Book 2: The Amber Room

Book 3: Winter Palace

Complex Female Characters in ‘Strait of Hormuz’

In these new reader reviews of Strait of Hormuz, the reviewers reflect on faith and friendship. You’ll hear from Mark Buzard, Audrey Sauble and Kim Martinez.

Making God Part of the Story

By Mark Buzard, Thoughts of Sojourner blog

As with the other two books, the very likable Marc Royce returned as the main character. He is thrown again into some major political suspense and intrigue. I really had a hard time putting the book down, and since I was reading it when I didn’t have to put it down, I let myself be pulled into the story, and through the book traveled all over Switzerland the Middle East. Although the book is fiction, the reality of how much the Arab nations hate Israel is not, and the book had a very scary scenario of what could happen if one of those countries decided to go after Israel.

Bunn is an author who isn’t afraid to write Christian fiction and make God part of the story. The Christian aspect of the book only added to the story, and was such a part of the story that it wouldn’t have been as great of a book without it. Through fiction, the author shows how God can always work for the good, and even when things look impossibly grim, He can save the day.

I was sad to see this series end, but this book wraps up an excellent series with a lot of suspense, drama, action, and some romance thrown in for good measure. I still say the first book was the best, but this third one is even more exciting and action filled, and left me with a great satisfied filling that comes from reading a great novel.

When Friends Need Help

By Audrey Sauble, The Lore Mistress blog

Everyone has a friend who needs help occasionally. Marc Royce’s friend just happens to be Ambassador Walton, a very old friend and a top intelligence official.

It also just happens that Marc’s friend needs help with a very serious problem. The US was tracking a shipment from North Korea to Pakistan when nine containers on the shipment disappeared. US officials believe the containers are headed to Iran, with the missile parts that could increase Iran’s firing range to reach the US. Within a week, the containers will have time to reach Iran, and meanwhile, the US’s best solution is also the worst—to stop ships entering the Strait of Hormuz and search them for the containers. Doing so may stop the attack, or it may give Iran an excuse to declare war.

Marc’s role is to find a way out—specifically, he’s supposed to track the money and find out what really is going on. Unfortunately, his first search effort uncovers a booby-trap instead.

And then Kitra, the Israeli nurse Marc met in Rare Earth, walks onto the scene.

In the background, waits a shadowy, but intriguing, cast. There’s the wealthy backers who can send agents anywhere in the world or to any five-star hotel at a moment’s notice, as well as the underground house-church with members from enemy cultures and a mission to protect believers in hostile countries.

Bunn started the series in 2011, introducing freelance intelligence operative Marc Royce in Lion of Babylon. The middle novel, Rare Earth (which I reviewed last summer), won the 2013 Christy Award for Suspense Fiction. And now, Strait of Hormuz marks the end of the series.

Even as the last book in the series, Strait of Hormuz stands on its own, telling Marc’s latest adventure separate from his previous missions. As with Rare Earth, I would have no problem picking up the action from the first few pages. At the same time, this being the second book I’ve read from the series, I noticed more that Bunn doesn’t spend a lot of time on character-development. I was able to connect fairly well with Marc and Kitra, but part of that was from having met them before.

I’m not sure whether I would classify Strait of Hormuz as a slow-paced spy story or a fast-paced romance. It has elements of both—Bunn balances a race to save the world fairly well against Marc and Kitra’s struggle to understand their emotions and their relationship.

Bunn does well at both, but I found the background characters with their range of motives and backstories to be the best part of the story. They were also, in some way, easier for me to connect to than the story from Rare Earth. So, while Strait of Hormuz ranks 4 out of 5, I liked it better overall than Rare Earth, and I’m not sure I was ready for the series to end.

Another fantastic Marc Royce action!

By Kim Martinez, Amazon

While a lot of our media shows us intrigue that disengages from personal purpose, Bunn shows us how the two intertwine to develop our future.

He doesn’t shy away from the hard questions that real people ask, nor does he give easy answers. Instead, he weaves terrific intrigue with honest human interaction to create a fantastic book that is well worth your time.

Strait of Hormuz is classic Davis Bunn – intricate character development and amazing plot work. In fact, one of the things I particularly like about Bunn is his ability to create very complex female characters. Many authors seem to create complex male characters in their action novels, but Bunn manages to do both.

Strait of Hormuz is a current-day, believable plot that took me inside communities that I hadn’t heard of. I learned a bit about Christianity in the Middle East while reading a great action novel. If you haven’t read Rare Earth yet, you might enjoy both books best if you read them together. Although each stands alone, the character development of Marc and Kitra spans the two, and is really well done.

Stop Making Me Get Choked Up When I Read Your Books Aloud to My Wife!

Larry writes:   

While we wait for your next books to be released, my wife and I searched through all your works, and selected Rhineland Inheritance – book 1 in the Rendezvous With Destiny series.

Having been written 20 years ago, I figured your more recent Marc Royce series would reflect a definite improvement in your writing skills. Truth is, you were already a gifted writer then. The good stuff just keeps coming!

One suggestion, though. We read together, and the extremely personal, emotionally poignant passages can choke me up, which makes reading difficult. So, maybe hereafter, you could just write something like, “Moving tenderly toward her, he said, ‘Yada, yada, yada.’”

It would be a lot less emotional, and we could use our imagination, and I wouldn’t get all choked up!!  So now you know why I am not a writer.

Seriously, when Sally Anders opened up to Jake and described her fiancé, she was describing the godly man I want to be.

The man I want to be…?  As in, when I grow up??  But 63 is pretty much already grown up, isn’t it?  Fortunately, God is not finished with us until He calls us home.

It’s difficult to keep reading out loud to your spouse when the character in the book is “talking to you” about such monumental and eternal things.

So, when I say, “Thank you” for writing, you’ll understand that I mean a whole lot more.

Dear Larry,

As for my for my knowing you’re not a writer, sorry, I don’t get that at all. If this is related to your getting choked up, let me tell you, I just finished rereading a manuscript I’m in the process of completing, and I LOVED that I got choked up at a couple of points. This emotional bond to the characters is just vital.

Gun fire, Explosions, and a High-Speed Chase in a Red Ferrari

Wow. I wish I could share ALL the fantastic reviews from readers of Strait of Hormuz. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from reviews that have been posted recently. Today we’ll hear from Vickie Taylor, Tammy Griffin, Katherine Wacker, Pris Phillips, Deb Killian, Shirley McDonald and Eddie Gilley! I hope you’ll click on each author’s link to read their full review.

Impact: Worldview

By Vickie Taylor, Book Marks blog

A former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations once noted that “Patriotism… is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”

This mind-set is the framework from which Marc Royce operates. A U.S. intelligence operative, Royce specializes in being the man on the ground in tenuous situations with little prep time and no backup—the man whose instincts and judgment can be trusted when Intel is sketchy and allies are hard to find. Royce is the man you count on when you can count on nothing else, and that makes him the perfect hero for the imminent threat facing the Middle East in Davis Bunn’s latest release, Strait of Hormuz.

The third installment in Bunn’s Marc Royce series, this story opens with Royce being sent to Switzerland to follow up on a lead, but when he arrives, his lead is dead, a bomb is about to go off, and the woman he cares about walks into the building right before detonation. Readers are dropped straight into the action and hit the ground running as they follow Marc Royce into the fray.

The sense of urgency established in the first chapter builds by degrees as the reader joins Royce in his pursuit for answers in the midst of political posturing between competing intelligence agencies and rival governments. On this mission, Marc is searching for a missing freighter carrying what is believed to be guidance systems for long-range missiles. U.S. officials fear that the components, shipped from North Korea, are headed for Iran, and recent Intel indicates that the Atlantic Coast of the United States may be the target.

The United States wants to intercept the cargo before it reaches the Strait of Hormuz, the channel of water linking the Persian Gulf with the open ocean, but the ship has gone off the grid. Marc’s job is to discover the ship’s destination and find the people responsible for its movements before military intervention is necessary.

Royce’s trip to Switzerland was supposed to connect him with the man facilitating the financial transactions for the movement of arms. Instead, it leads him to an ally inside Israel’s intelligence agency and an informant with connections to Iran. These unlikely allies work together to prevent a serious international incident and, in the process, find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Their love for country is surpassed only by their commitment to Christ. Trapped inside a world that would divide them by geography, politics, and culture, these patriots transcend those arbitrary barriers to form a cohesive team.

This unique collaboration allows them to find answers to the questions their governments aren’t asking and puts them all on the front lines of a deadly assault aimed at America’s strongest ally in the Middle East. Tension mounts as the team is forced to work against time and outside official governmental parameters to prevent a biochemical attack on Israel and to apprehend the man responsible for its implementation.

Davis Bunn’s skill at weaving faith and integrity into the fictional world of covert ops without sacrificing the adventure and intrigue inherent to the genre is unparalleled. Fans of Bourne and Bond could easily identify with Marc Royce’s world and would, no doubt, come to respect a man who values progress over politics and pursues justice rather than glory. Royce’s keen intellect, combat skills, and decisive command make him an admirable warrior while his sincerity and compassion make him an attractive hero. This combination accounts for the character’s overall appeal to both male and female readers.

Also appealing is the view of the world we see through Marc Royce’s eyes. This series depicts more than the age-old conflict of nation rising against nation. It casts a vision for a world where leadership is defined by sacrifice, unity is prized over power, and peace is found in obeying the call of God. In Strait of Hormuz, Davis Bunn offers readers a model of hope for a world in turmoil and a picture of faith that perseveres in spite of the obstacles.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, in large part, because Bunn portrays a world where peacemakers are recognized as the sons of God and the meek really do inherit the earth. I find the more I read Bunn’s work, the more I want to live in that world. How about you?

Fantastic Christian Suspense!

By Tammy Griffin, Tammy’s Book Parlor blog

From the first page the excitement comes at the reader with a barrel of gun fire, explosions, and a high speed chase in a red Ferrari! And Marc is thrown into a perilous situation with a woman he is attracted to but cannot love… A great end to fantastic trilogy!

Exquisite Detail

By Katherine Wacker, Katherine’s Chronicle blog

Davis Bunn is at his best when he transports readers to places most can only dream of. He tells a story in exquisite detail as few Christian authors do. This gift only enhances the already page-turning, suspense-filled tale that could be ripped from today’s headlines. It is incredibly well-researched and filled with details that even a political junkie would enjoy.

Bunn’s Best Yet

By Pris Phillips, Amazon

I have read both of the previous Marc Royce books by Davis Bunn, and Strait of Hormuz is the best yet! I’m about half way through the book, and can’t put it down! I had to write a review before I even finish it… it’s THAT good!!

Marc Royce is my hero

By Deb Killian, M2M blog

Davis Bunn once again captured my senses as he took me on a new journey of reconnaissance, romance & faith… I was drawn into the story as Bunn wove each character in and out of the tapestry of the rich and beautiful to the dangerous and harrowing moments of international espionage. From prominent art gallery, yacht and luxurious resort to high sea adventure and car chase you will find yourself on the edge of your seat as Marc and the woman he secretly loves zigzag their way through an intricate plot.

Davis Bunn has a gift of interlinking suspense with God’s plan, redemptive nature and hope for each individual person. I love un-wrapping each and every story. You will too.

Marc Royce is back in a great action thriller

By Shirley McDonald, Amazon

…Continuing Marc’s story on another assignment for Ambassador Walton, Bunn uses well-developed characters, fact action, suspense, and multicultural friendships to explore those hard to answer questions that many people have about Christian beliefs. The reader learns much about the Middle East as Marc’s group travels throughout the area in an attempt to stop a vicious terrorist attack. Author Davis Bunn gives the reader much to think about, along with a hard-to-put-down story. A definite 5 star rating!

Thrilling ending to the Marc Royce Trilogy

By Eddie Gilley, blog



…As in the other two books in this trilogy, Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth, readers are treated to detailed descriptions of locations in several countries. Bunn takes the time and effort to thoroughly develop the settings of the events in order to bring the reader along on the incredible and dangerous journey facing Marc [Royce] and [Kitra Korban]…

…As usual, Bunn manages to write an action novel that includes faith without coming off as fake or forced. The story of Marc’s faith and how it affects his life as an agent continues to unfold in way that will seem natural to those who have read the previous two volumes but will also make sense if this is your first foray into the world of Marc Royce.

Announcing the Winners of the Strait of Hormuz Sweepstakes

Congratulations to the winners of my Strait of Hormuz sweepstakes!

Grand Prize (wins His & Hers Luxury Watches):

Shakeena Bradley from Brewton, Alabama

When Shakeena found out she won, she responded, “This is one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever received. I am such a huge fan of your work, you have inspired me to become a writer. I also love that the Holy Spirit features very prominently in your work.”

First Prize (wins $150 Amazon Gift Card):

Candace Martineau from Boise, Idaho

Prize Package (wins all three books in the Marc Royce Adventure series):

Connie F. from Burien, Washington

What a fun time we’ve had this last month, friends. I’m so grateful to the many, many people who entered the sweepstakes — the contest received well over 100,000 entries! Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you’ll be notified about contests for my upcoming books. Click here to subscribe via your feed reader or by email.

Reader Question: Why Aren’t All Your Books on Nook?

Margaret writes:

I have read at least 26 of your books. Recently I downloaded The Great Divide and found that I had read it before — totally enjoyed it again! Why do you not put more of your books on Nook? That is my favorite medium and would love to find more recent selections of yours.

Dear Margaret,

I too wish more of my titles were available on Nook, as that was the first reader device I acquired. These decisions are taken by the company and not by me.

In case you are interested, we have just learned that Amazon intends to offer my entire backlist, stretching back 24 years, on Kindle. Hopefully Nook will follow suit.

When a Warrior is Called to be Weak

I am astounded by the quality of the reviews readers are posting about Strait of Hormuz. I think you’ll enjoy these four fabulous reviews by Terri Smith, Margaret Nelson, Mike Winskie and Kathryn Eriksen.

Falling in Love With Marc Royce… Again

By Terri Smith, Amazon

As soon as I heard that Davis Bunn was releasing the final book in this series, I reread the first two books, Lion Of Babylon and Rare Earth. I again fell in love with Marc Royce!

Kitra described him best when they were praying together, “But Marc was real in this…He was always real…the integrity that was so ingrained, so much a part of him that no one even spoke of it or questioned it. Others followed him, even when they disagreed with him over one point or another. They trusted him.” I loved seeing the interaction that Marc has with people he meets for the first time and the trust he receives even in impossible situations.

The story starts with explosive action and continues with adventures until the conclusion. I am sad to see the end of the series. Davis Bunn created a realistic story and a sense of place that I have enjoyed when reading his works. He has a way of making the reader open to new cultures and gives us an understanding of what people are experiencing that are so different from our daily lives.

He gives us insight in to what it is like to be a Christian in other cultures where it is not popular or even safe to name the name of Christ. As one Arab believer states, “We yearn for what you so often take for granted, the freedom to practice our faith, to live our beliefs, and to be treated with respect and equality by our neighbors.” How often do we look on others like this?

This book will NOT put you to sleep!

By Margaret Nelson, Amazon

If you want a calm, relaxing book, do NOT read Strait of Hormuz, Davis Bunn’s newest book about Marc Royce, and the final one in the series. I made the mistake of finishing it just before bedtime, and then couldn’t get to sleep for hours!

The first two books (Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth) are suspenseful, but I think this one tops them both. I had to keep taking breaks in reading to catch my breath for the next attack, chase, or cliff hanging scene. (I also wanted to know if Davis test drove a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta in a situation even closely resembling one scene in the book, so asked on Facebook. He said, “I’ll never tell”!)

The plot is all too possible in today’s world, with Marc Royce ferreting out rumors of a clandestine operation stretching from Asia to the Mideast. At stake is Iran’s threat to blockade the narrow Strait of Hormuz, cutting off vital shipping routes and escalating global tensions beyond the breaking point. I was amazed by the amount of research that obviously went into making it all hang together, as well as make sense to a broad spectrum of readers.

One thing I appreciate about Bunn’s books is the fact that his lead characters are deeply spiritual without preaching. Honesty, trust, integrity, forgiveness, and obedience to God and His Word are lived out by the characters, and it impacts those around them, as well as the reader. This book has some thought-provoking discussions that I need to go back to and mull over.

I also appreciate the fact that the suspense is due to the action, not in the main characters being dense and self-centered until the last pages of the book, when they finally see the light and do an abrupt about face. Bunn’s characters grow and change in believable ways throughout the book. In some aspects, Marc Royce is “too good to be true,” but I like the fact that Davis reveals his shortcomings and weaknesses, and also that Marc changes through interaction and accountability with other believers, modeling a healthy spiritual life for the reader.

When a Warrior is Called to be Weak

By Mike Winskie, The Author’s Page blog

Marc Royce teaches us all a much needed lesson:

“I have spent my entire adult life training to be a warrior. To analyze and fight and succeed. To control risk and battle danger. And yet there comes a moment when I must go against my training. When I must accept that events are not to be fought against, but rather accepted in prayer. That at such times I cannot retreat into the safety of coldness and anger and still remain a faithful servant. There is NO (emphasis mine) harder lesson for me to learn than to recognize the moment when I am called to be weak.”

Wow! What a lesson!

We humans, especially men, seem to go through life trying to “defeat our enemies.” Every situation we find ourselves in must be analyzed, strategized, and conquered.  We pat ourselves on the back for our ingenuity. Yet, sometimes, our Lord has to allow the situation to get so bad that we have no choice but to look up and ask for his divine help. That’s usually when he moves his sovereign hand and brings victory- after we have submitted to him.

This is why I enjoy these books so much. Though Marc is an amazing character in literature, he is not presented as a superman. He is presented as well trained, intelligent, and dedicated, but as a real human being. He suffers the same doubts, fears, and weaknesses that we do.

Most importantly, he has to rely on God’s help to bring the victory, just as we do.

A Warrior or a Believer?

By Kathryn Eriksen, Dare to Dream Big and Live Large blog

The third and final book in the Marc Royce series, Strait of Hormuz provides a gripping story that will satisfy even the most die-hard action adventure fan.  The added bonus is that Davis Bunn is a Christian author and he boldly explores what it means to be a Christian in a violent world.

Strait of Hormuz picks up where Rare Earth (Book 2 in the series) left off. But Bunn is so adept at providing the back story that Straits can also be read as a standalone book.

Marc Royce is again entangled in an international web of intrigue that he does not understand, but that has far-reaching consequences. He must decipher the clues to determine whether he is on the correct trail or chasing rabbits while the real threat remains inbound.

Along the way, he discovers what he thought he would never see. Small, hidden communities of Christians composed of Turks, Kurds, Syrians, Lebanese, Ethiopians and Iraqi.  Sworn enemies who lay down their arms and found each other in the arms of Jesus.

Impossible if they followed their traditions and societal rules.  Possible only because of the gift of salvation.

Marc must seek their help in his quest to stop the evil that is about to descend on the Middle East. But these people have a well-hones sense of credibility and Marc must prove himself worthy of their support. He is forced to come face-to-face with his own doubts and fears, and to choose to “follow Jesus even when it is painful to do so.”  His training as a warrior and combatant has to be set aside so he can seek guidance in prayer.

His primal dilemma: remain cold and angry as a warrior or step into an unknown place of weakness and wait for direction from God.

As Marc states so eloquently, “There is no harder lesson for me to learn than to recognize the moment when I am called to be weak.”

Marc must also face his personal conflict of whether to love someone and therefore become vulnerable, or remain in the comfort of his “warrior mentality.” He already knows that the warrior mentality does not produce warm, trusting relationships, but the obstacles he faces in Straits sends him straight back to his warrior comfort zone.  Will he also shed that attitude and open himself up to the gifts of love?

Davis Bunn excels at weaving the themes of Christianity, love and forgiveness in a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking. Because the reader is allowed to see directly into Marc Royce’s conflicts and dilemmas, the resolution of his conflicts also provides a possible solution for the reader. We see into Marc’s world and gain insight into our own.

Strait of Hormuz is a book worth its weight in gold. It will change your perspective about the Middle East and what it means to be a “warrior” in Christ.

An Unexpected Encounter

God is full of surprises, isn’t He? This fall, I’ve been serving as Writer in Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. I was walking to a publishing appointment when I heard a voice calling my name.

I turned and there stood fellow author, Karen O’Connor. Karen lives in California; she was in the UK on a hymn-singing tour sponsored by Mount Hermon Christian Camps. She was returning to the coach after a morning tour of Oxford.

Karen said, “I literally stopped mid-step when I saw you walking in the opposite direction from me. I was so excited I forgot to give you my name till we parted but when I mentioned the Mount Hermon Writers Conference, you made the connection.”

How absolutely delightful it was for both of us to experience this serendipitous meeting!