An intense adventure in the Republic of Dhambizao of Africa that only spans 8 days during the whole story. But so much happens in those 8 days that you will feel weary and relieved to be safely back home when you finish. I had a hard time putting the book down as I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next.

Natalie Sinclair is working in Africa, trying to eradicate the diseases killing off the people there. She will soon meet Dr. Chad Talcott, who is a doctor volunteering as a small clinic, and who is miles away from his very lucrative medical practice back home. There is also a young African boy named Joseph, who will start the whole drama of this story. He will stumble upon rebel soldiers abducting his family and the his whole village and will be able to capture everything with his camera. Joseph must seek help and expose what is going on and so he will turn to Natalie, who will also get help from Chad. But high-ranking political figures will stop at nothing to keep the truth from being revealed. Who can Natalie and Chad really trust as they try to uncover and expose the truth, and also try to stay alive while doing it. A story full of adventure and a little romance. What will be hard to deal with is the slave trade and the whole rotten political system the people of Africa live with each day of their lives. Makes me appreciate where I live all that much more. "Blood Covenant" is the next book in this series and I look forward to reading what happens next. ( )

This book had been on my "T.B.R." list for a long time. This year I want to shrink this list. The book was full of adventure and mystery. I did enjoy the undertone of "God is in control." I could believe most of the characters. I think the story was based on some true facts. The author did well making the reader aware that these situations really do happen. The ending was a little to wrapped up for my liking, but it was typical. ( )

Natalie Sinclair is on a two-year mercy mission in the volatile African Republic of Dhambizao to eradicate diseases that are wiping out entire villages. When wounded 15-year-old Joseph Komboli reaches her she takes him to Dr. Chad Talcott who operates a small clinic. Joseph carries with him photographic evidence of the existence of the rumored Ghost Soldiers whom he saw murdering and enslaving his family and other villagers. Appalled, Natalie and Chad join forces to expose this modern-day slave ...moreNatalie Sinclair is on a two-year mercy mission in the volatile African Republic of Dhambizao to eradicate diseases that are wiping out entire villages. When wounded 15-year-old Joseph Komboli reaches her she takes him to Dr. Chad Talcott who operates a small clinic. Joseph carries with him photographic evidence of the existence of the rumored Ghost Soldiers whom he saw murdering and enslaving his family and other villagers. Appalled, Natalie and Chad join forces to expose this modern-day slave trade by getting the evidence to the American Embassy. However, very powerful people will stop at nothing to defeat their plans. Is it any wonder that the pair question God’s presence with and power to aid them? Thrown together by their work, united in a noble cause and threatened daily their friendship deepens and becomes romantic love.

This taut political thriller exposes the reality of modern slavery and the plight of any who dare to oppose it. Informed by the author’s experience as a missionary in Africa, this first entry in Lisa Harris’s Mission Hope series carries a powerful message that readers won’t soon forget.

NCLA Review -For those interested in taking a closer look at what it is like to live in a third-world country, this book is the ticket. Harris has done a fabulous job of presenting the trials, tribulations and horrors that folks living in a third-world country may encounter. You cannot help but develop concern for 15-year-old Joseph who has watched his entire village be swept away by Ghost Soldiers taking his family and friends captive to work slave labor in the mines. But how can this be when the government assures all natives that Ghost Soldiers are imaginary and, therefore, non-existent? How does one seek help and be taken seriously? Harris does a fine job transporting a God-focused ministry into a faith searching journey. Natalie knows God exists and is in control but where is He, and how can this be happening if God really cares? Rating: 3 —PL ( )

Good story. Flawed, yet believable, characters. While it is a work of fiction, it read as an eye witness account of a true story. A real page turner! ( )