WLS trustee pens new book
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- September
- 10
West Harrison author Dave Donelson released his latest novel this week.
He describes Heart of Diamonds “as a romantic thriller about love, scandal, and death in the Congo, draws heavily on Donelson’s travels in Africa and extensive research of events in the war-ravaged land at the center of the continent.”
The book’s plot includes diamond smuggling, civil war in the Congo, intrigue in the White House, as well as a magnificent chase along crocodile-infested rivers, overland through raging gun battles, and into the sky in armed helicopters. One Amazon reviewer said, “There’s enough sometimes-bloody action and intense suspense to please the most demanding thriller addict.â€
“There’s a big romantic love triangle in the plot, too,†Donelson adds. “The heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV reporter who receives a marriage proposal from her long-time lover just before she leaves for the Congo on assignment. But then she meets an altruistic doctor in Africa, Jaime Talon, and the sparks fly. I think the romance adds depth to the book.â€
Donelson is a freelance writer and photographer whose byline has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Westchester Magazine, and Disney’s FamilyFun. He is also a trustee of the Westchester Library System and assures us that the book is available in local libraries as well as bookstores.
“Heart of Diamonds” is his third book, but he says it is his first foray into the thriller genre. “I wanted to write something that captures the vibrancy and complexity of Africa, and a suspenseful adventure with overtures of romance seemed like the perfect approach,†he says.
The novel also addresses the major issues facing the Congo and much of Africa. “The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo face so many human challenges that they just had to have a big place in the book,†Donelson says. “More than five million people have died there since 1998—making what’s known as the Second Congo War the deadliest conflict since World War II. And it’s still going on!†Donelson writes about rape as a weapon of terror, child soldiers, widespread corruption at all levels of government, and the very sad plight of the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the violence that continues to wrack the nation.
“My wife, Nora, and I traveled to Africa twice to research the book,†Donelson explains. “As a journalist, I’m a stickler for detail. Seeing the landscape and meeting the people face-to-face was the only way to achieve the level of authenticity I want.†He adds that he took thousands of photographs in Uganda and Zambia, many of which are used as graphic chapter headings in the book.
Heart of Diamonds is published by Kunati Books and was named Independent Publisher of the Year at the 2008 Book Expo America.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm by Barbara Nackman.
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This sounds like a wonderful book, worth reading for the thoroughness of the research alone. Congratulations!
I’ve heard great things about this book. Just started reading it, and it hits the ground running. And the topic is important. This is a book that deserves to be widely read.
I am also looking forward to reading this — and writing more about the book and its author in The Journal News. Stay tuned and please pass along your reactions to the book and its subject.