(Astigan.com) – Unveiling reality through fiction, Heart of Diamonds is a brilliant story that contours in words the ongoing internal strife of the Congo as caused by human greed.

The book offers the thrilling story of an American TV journalist that discovers a collaboration of the White House with the President of Congo in a diamond smuggling action that ultimately involves the U.S. military present in the country’s civil strife. Valerie Grey, the American televangelist, now struggles for her life as both Governments sent mercenaries and agents to stop her.

“In Heart of Diamonds, I use a diamond smuggling scheme to represent the fight for control of the Congo’s gold, timber, uranium, copper, coltan, and other natural resources. An intricate plot involving an American televangelist, the President of the DRC, and the American White House reflects the convoluted relationships of the factions involved in the struggle. My heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV journalist who uncovers the scheme and fights to expose it to the world”, author Dave Donelson told Astigan.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a long history of violence as the country is internally dismantled by a civil war that seems without end. Tensions and armed clashes between ethnic groups have been frequent in the Congo, but the real war started when a rebel faction leader assumed power by force in 1996 and lasted until May 1997. Yet peace was far away and the Second Congo War started on August 2, 1998.

Violence between the Tsutis and the Hutus increased after the genocide in Rwanda when more that 800,000 ethnic Tutsis where massacred and the ones responsible fled to Congo. But the DRC has always had its internal problems caused by warlords who wanted to control the regions rich in natural resources.

“The conflicts like those between the Tsutis and Hutus that spilled over from Rwanda and the ones between the Hema and Lindu peoples are fronts for war lords looking to control territory in the DRC where they can exploit natural resources and wring tax and tribute out of the civilians “ Donelson said.

In Heart of Diamonds, the author shows the misery and the horrid fates of innocent people who just wanted to live their lives in piece but civil war came and ultimately destroyed their lives. Donelson’s characters go through or witness scenes of violence, a technique meant to vividly show the Hell of the Congo.

“I write about fictional characters in real situations because that approach heightens the realism and sweeps the reader into the plot” Donelson added.

The author argues that not rivalry between ethnic groups is the reason for the slaughter of millions, but the human greed.

“We shouldn’t even pretend that conflicting ideologies or ethnic rivalries are the causes of this crisis that has resulted in the deaths of over five million people–almost all of them peaceful civilians–since 1998. The claim that one ethnic group is destined to fight with another is simply a convenient excuse for the looting and pillaging that threatens to destroy the DRC”, said author Dave Donelson.

“Unadulterated greed is the root of the conflict in the DRC. The nation has been exploited by forces both from within and without for over a hundred years and it’s always about who can control the rich resources within its borders “, he said.

Author Dave Donelson did intensive research to be able to write Heart of Diamonds. A voyage to Africa seemed to be the best thing to do. But at that time, fighting in the Congo was heavy. “. I’m a novelist, not a war reporter, so I chose to travel to safer places in Central Africa” he said.

Donelson says he spent time researching in Zambia, just south of Congo, “because that region is close to where the principle action of Heart of Diamonds takes place and I wanted to see the landscape and meet the people”.

After that, he visited the Uganda-Congo border region where the fighting continues to this day. “In both places, I met wonderful people just trying to live their lives with dignity and joy in the face of brutal poverty” Donelson said.

Heart of Diamonds is an excellent read. It easily captures the reader, shocks him with the brutal events that are part of the story and the suspense and action keep him focused on the book until the last page. Heart of Diamonds also means an introduction in the intricacy of Africa.

“I wanted to write something that captures the vibrancy and complexity of Africa, and a suspenseful adventure framed against the endless war int eh DRC seemed like the perfect approach. I drew heavily on news accounts of 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 DRC” Donelson said.

But there is more to come. The author told Astigan that a sequel to Heart of Diamonds being prepared and other projects are on the way.

“Valerie Grey is the perfect character to take anywhere in the world to find new adventures. I’m also working on a multi-voiced novel that takes place during the Great Depression. It’s based on some of my family history in the days of live radio in the Midwest. I have a collection of short stories in the editing stage and have begun a comedic novel for young adults. My plate is very full but I’m having a great time.”

Title: Heart of Diamonds - www.heartofdiamonds.com

Author: Dave Donelson - www.davedonelson.com

Publisher: Kunati Inc. - www.kunati.com

Pages: 352

PURCHASE HEART OF DIAMONDS

Images: Dave Donelson

Written by Vlad Jecan