MrsK Books: The Patmos Deception by Davis Bunn

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Patmos Deception by Davis Bunn

ISBN: 9780764211393

Publisher Synopsis: An Ancient Island Holds an Ancient Secret . . .

Nick Hennessy, a young Texas journalist yearning for his big break, finds himself in Europe--his assignment, to investigate the alarming disappearance of invaluable Grecian antiquities. Nick has the credentials--and cover ID--to unearth the truth. And he knows just the researcher to help him...

Carey Mathers, fresh from her studies in forensic archeology, has accepted a job with the prestigious Athens Institute for Antiquities--a dream come true, really, particularly when the Greek isle of Patmos, where the Apostle John received his vision of the Apocalypse, was a particular focus of her research.

Dimitri Rubinos, for whom the Greek islands represent his life, holds on by his fingernails to the family charter boat business. But his country's economic chaos isn't the only thing that has turned his world on its head...

MrsK's Review:

When I was given an opportunity to review this book, I had a bubbling of excitement to return to Patmos after all of these years. The intrigue of a sacred document, the mysterious disappearances of ancient antiquities, and the character's passionate work as a journalist, a forensic archaeologist, and a charter boatman was a mixture that I could not resist.

"Carey Mathers arrived in Greece in a state of breathless exhaustion...

She had never been too worried about what her grandmother called the store-bought life.

But this trip was different. Her journey to Greece was all about dreams coming true."

I remember that exhaustion. I was hooked with her dreams of Greece coming true... I would be enjoying this book and I would not be disappointed. Great beginnings always create a perfect opportunity for enjoying a journey with a satisfied "sigh" of relief.

If Carey's worn out invitation to come and work for the Athens Institute for Antiquities brought hope and joy, imagine what a chained gate... an empty building... and chaos in the streets were doing to her emotions as she arrives in Greece (I was not expecting this turn of events at the get-go).

Befriended by Eleni, Carey begins a journey of unexpected events that will land her on the island of Patmos. These events are orchestrated to bring her together with a dear friend from the past, with a women of God who will guide her beyond survival, and with breath-taking sights in which she stops to take its grandeur in as often as possible (so many memories were shared within this character's discoveries...I loved the connections).

Each character is so interesting. Their stories are woven in such a way that you will agree with their choices, or you will be tense and on alert, or you could feel yourself drawn to race to their defense:

Where do you go with no money, home, family, or friends?
What do you do when men with guns board your boat and there's a storm thundering all around you?
What can you do when the local police begin questioning your involvement and connections?
How do you get out of a kidnapping?
What happens when your heart strings are being played?
What has the Patmos Monastery of Saint John have do with this definite life-changing espionage and illegalities of others?
Who is Prochoros?
What wisdom can Kyriaki share that will keep every character on the right course?
How will Dr. Karras provide safety for Carey and Nick when the UN Heritage Sites commissions can't be trusted?
Just how deadly will McAllister get if the Bishop doesn't turn over the artifact?

If their lives depend on them getting this mission right, then Carey will need to depend on her relationship with God. Can a life-long "pilgrimage" be found in the Cave of Revelation? For those who have entered this cave, the vivid detail will take your breath away!

"Carey pressed her hands to her cheeks, her eyes brimming with tears...

She tried to look everywhere at once, desperate to take it all in, every shred of the morning and the sounds that he had taken for granted all his life..."

Don't overlook this journey with Carey, Nick, and Dimitri in and out of Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and Patmos...

MrsK

From Greece to Patmos... Don't miss your booking!

Meet the Author:

Born and raised in North Carolina, Davis left for Europe at age twenty. There he first completed graduate studies in economics and finance, then began a business career that took him to over forty countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Davis came to faith at age 28, while living in Germany and running an international business advisory group. He started writing two weeks later. Since that moment, writing has remained both a passion and a calling.

Davis wrote for nine years and completed seven books before his first was accepted for publication. During that time, he continued to work full-time in his business career, travelling to two and sometimes three countries every week. His first published book, The Presence, was released in 1990 and became a national bestseller.

Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Warning, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt.

"I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for this review."

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)