As if being taken hostage by greedy terrorists in Mali's
desert isn't bad enough, aid worker Lexi Shannon finds
herself amid gunfire, in a crashing light plane and treating
a scorpion sting, all in the first couple of chapters.
DESERT SECRETS certainly packs a punch. Lexi had been
providing clean water infrastructure to villagers in the
Sahara when she was abducted. Her captors insist that her
brother owes them money and she will be the hostage for the
repayment. But nobody seems able to contact her brother and
let him know.
Released by a quick-thinking, brave pilot, along with
another kidnapped traveller, Lexi hopes for better days. But
their plane is shot down amid the barren sandhills and the
trio have to hope that if they are found, the native people
will treat them better. Colton Landry, the pilot, went in to
rescue his own brother in law, whose wife and child feel
under threat in America by the terrorists. Bret Fischer had
been a captive for two months and is weak, not to mention
allergic to insect and snake bites. Trying to reach the
comparative safety of Morocco may be beyond his capability.
I like that we meet desert dwellers Issa and Maysa, people
of dignity and courtesy. Most people don't realise that the
Sahara is bigger than the contiguous United States. The
author Lisa Harris lives in Mozambique where she and her
husband are missionaries. She makes it clear through her
characters that ransom payments for captive Westerners are
commonplace across North Africa, funding arms buying by
terrorists, to extend their hold over peaceful people. This
is a very modern tale with satellite phones making social
media available, and solar panels and jeeps rather than
fountains and Arabian horses. While the US government
refuses to pay ransoms, families do understandably try to
come across with money. Talk about a suspenseful situation!
This adventure takes many twists and turns, but we also see
a change in Lexi's stubborn, solitary heart. DESERT SECRETS
will keep you on the edge of your seat as Lexi fights
through one dire situation after another, all the while
wondering what she has done to deserve this. Lisa Harris
writes inspirational romance so be prepared for the
characters to look for lessons in hardships. I'll certainly
be looking out for more of her works, which could almost be
described as thrillers.
When aid worker Lexi Shannon is abducted at gunpoint in
Mali, she quickly learns her kidnappers are really after her
brother—and the money he's stolen. Landing at the secluded
desert compound, ex-military pilot Colton Landry has a clear
mission: rescue his brother-in-law, who's being held for
ransom. But after discovering the kidnappers also have Lexi,
there's no way he's leaving her behind. Their daring escape
soon turns into a deadly chase when their plane is shot
down, stranding them in the desert. Making a desperate run
for the Moroccan border, Lexi and Colton must trust each
other and rely on their strength and ingenuity to survive.
But it may not be enough to outrun and outsmart their
relentless pursuers…
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