Marc Royce: A Man of Action, A Man of Faith
Reader reviews for my new novel, Strait of Hormuz, are streaming in. They are simply amazing and are an immense gift! I’d like to share a sampling with you:
Marc Can’t Catch a Break
By Lynn Riddick, Goodreads
Marc Royce is at it again. Poor guy doesn’t catch a break. After recovering from his last two excursions (Lion of Babylon & Rare Earth) he is now on his way to Switzerland… From the beginning of the book until the last page we are thrown into turmoil, trying to decide who to trust, where to turn, how to accomplish the task.
I must admit I fell in love a little with Marc Royce during Rare Earth. I loved his calm assurance and strong determination. But we see a different aspect of Marc Royce in this book. He seems a little more vulnerable and it makes him even more appealing.
While dealing with political suspicions, multinational personnel and opposition from his own government, Marc and his team lean strongly on the power of prayer and support from underground believers. His strength and courage comes from knowing where his faith lies.
I love the contrast of political unrest against absolute faith. I love the beauty of seeing God’s people worshiping as one. Davis Bunn gives depth to his characters by the descriptions he provides. My favourite thing throughout the entire book is Marc’s absolute honesty and integrity. Yet he is not afraid to fight, knows how to use a gun and can come up with a plan of attack when no one else can.
This is an action packed book with little time to rest and yet it is so full of personality and relational dynamics it is appealing to all readers. Oh, and let’s not forget the romance!
A Ride in the Fast LaneBy Nicole Sager, Amazon
Each book in this series had an element that made it different. Lion of Babylon bears the excitement of the “unknown” because a grieving Marc has just been thrown into a crazy and dangerous situation in a foreign land.
In Rare Earth, Marc has more emotional control, and so the book comes from a different angle: the federal agent superhero instead of the uncertain but physically capable combatant.
In Strait of Hormuz we find Marc in a battle to maintain his new stability even as he’s thrown into a perilous situation with the woman he cannot love.
Strait of Hormuz was an exciting read, starting with the very first chapter and entertaining all the way to a marvelous close. I felt the urge to hold on tight as Marc and his friends whirled their way through explosions, gun fights, deceptions, opposition, and a high-speed chase in a red Ferrari! The intricate plot and a strong emphasis on faith intertwine to make this story a moving tapestry, more than worthy to take a stand in the gallery of exceptional literature. Outstanding!
Marc Royce: Flawed, Yet Heroic
By Nona King, Word Obsession blog
Marc Royce is my favorite book character. He is well-rounded, flawed and heroic, a struggling Christian, and a patriot. Davis Bunn never ceases to amaze me how he can write such a wonderfully engaging hero. He does not come across the page as fake, and neither does the conflict or struggles (both romantic and political).
In Strait of Hormuz, the action and suspense kept a strong hold, not letting me go until the end of that last, breath-catching chapter. In fact, when I began reading the clean-up/wrap-up chapter, I could hardly believe the smooth transition from the thick of battle to the conflict resolution. Everything seemed to fit so wonderfully that I wasn’t left with the feeling of “it’s over already?”
But, more than that, as in the other Davis Bunn books, I came away feeling as if I learned something, always an unexpected bonus.
With all of the other Davis Bunn books, I came away with the impression that I learned more about what is going on in the world–and I loved that about the book and the way the details were woven into the story. Davis has a fantastic way of not simply telling a story, but weaving it in such a way as to never be anything but interesting.
In Strait of Hormuz, I learned about something more than the ever-present conflicts in the Middle East and America. I came away with a new idea on how to view conflicts and choices when it comes to being a Christian: all choices don’t necessarily consist of right and wrong. I blinked at that revelation, and it shuddered through my entire spirit–not only as a reader but as a writer.
I thank Davis Bunn and Marc Royce for that most of all.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars
WOULD YOU READ IT AGAIN? Are you kidding? It’s a Marc Royce book, of course I will!
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS? Most definitely yes! Go out and buy this, and the other Marc Royce books, right now! You won’t regret the purchase.
