In the African republic of Dhambizao, Natalie Sinclair works with Dr. Chad Talcott to eradicate diseases that are claiming whole towns. Meanwhile, Joseph Komboli returns to his village to find rebels abducting his family. When Chad and Natalie help Joseph expose the modern-day slave trade, they're courting disaster. Will they win their race against time? 352 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

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.

Award-winning author Lisa Harris has been writing both fiction and nonfiction since 2000 and has twenty novels and novellas in print. She currently lives with her family in Mozambique, where they work as missionaries. Visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com and her blog at www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com.

In Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris, the fate of a country hangs in the balance. Natalie Sinclair, an American health worker, and Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from his American practice, both work in the Republic of Dhambizao because they want to make a difference as medical practitioners and as Christians. However, when the truth comes out about Ghost Soldiers, rebel soldiers who kidnap villagers to work in illegal mines and whose existence the government has denied for years, Natalie and Chad must learn to trust God and act in faith when evil seems rampant. If they help the locals resist the Ghost Soldiers, not only will they be risking their own lives, but they also will be risking closure of the health facility they have established. With so little medical help currently available, that would be a tragedy. Nevertheless, slavery is something intolerable to both Natalie and Chad. As they work together to serve the Lord and the impoverished people, their admiration and affection for each other increases steadily.

Blood Ransom is an adventuresome thriller with just the right touch of romance. Political and social turmoil add originality. Characters are reasonably well-developed, but dialogue is at times slightly stilted and a bit unrealistic. Nevertheless, I recommend this novel to young adult and adult readers because of wholesome content and realistic depiction of civil war. – Alexis Warner, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

The Ghost Soldiers are more than a frightful legend whispered about in the shadows of night---they're a very real threat, and they've just murdered Joseph Komboli's mother and taken his seven-year-old sister and father as slaves. Although wounded, Joseph finds his way to Natalie Sinclair, a medical consultant in the Republic of Dhambizao. Chad Talcott, a successful surgeon who has left his practice in the states to volunteer at the too-small, understaffed clinic in Dhambizao, tends to more than Joseph's wounds. Touched by the boy's plight, Chad and Natalie make a decision to fight the nefarious slave traders, who threaten everyone in their path. Although their mission is perilous, and their lives are at risk, Chad and Natalie forge a deep friendship that grows into a romantic relationship. The author's experiences as a missionary in Africa add to the authenticity of this tale of love and faith in the face of great danger. With its rich details and powerful, emotional message, this is the first book in Harris' Mission Hope series. -- Shelley Mosley

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Author: Lisa Harris
Located in: Mozambique
Submitted: February 03, 2010

    Tell us a little about yourself.  My family and I live in Mozambique, Africa where we work as missionaries. I'm also the home-schooling mom to three kids who keep me on my toes. I love cooking, reading, walks on the beach, photography, and game drives in the African bush.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  After living in Africa for close to a decade, I wanted to bring to life this fascinating continent through the pages of a thriller. In the process, I've tried to show both the beauty of the people, along with the heartbreak many of them are faced to endure.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  The spiritual thread was very important to me as I wrote this book. I wanted to not only write a story that would captivate readers imaginations, but also allow the readers to come face to face with the reality of what Jesus did on the cross.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  I was impacted in so many ways as I researched the horrifying reality of modern-day slavery. I read story after story of real life women and children whose lives have been forever changed because of their situation. Because of this, I've started another blog entitled Inspire. Be Inspired where people can read inspiring stories about ordinary people like you and me who can impact the world around them wherever they are.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  My family is my biggest source of inspiration as they allow me to use most of my spare time to write. I've also been influenced by authors like Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, and Brandilyn Collins, who are masters at what they do, as I work to create my own page-turning suspense novels.

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