Introducing Jeanette Windle and Congo Dawn

Introducing Jeanette Windle and Congo Dawn
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 by Patti Shene

I am pleased to welcome author Jeanette Windle to the Over 50 Writer. Jeanette is here today to tell us about her novel, Congo Dawn.

Jeanette, I'm thrilled to have you here. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

As daughter of missionary parents, I grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. I married another missionary kid, and we have been in full-time international ministry ever since. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, I've lived to date in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. Those experiences have birthed 16 international intrigue titles, including bestselling Tyndale House Publishers release Veiled Freedom, a 2010 Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist and sequel Freedom's Stand, a 2012 Christian Book Award and Carol Award finalist and 2011 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist.

Tell us about your book, Congo Dawn.

If absolute power breeds absolute corruption, what happens when a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power? Especially in a Congolese rainforest where governmental accountability is only too cheaply for sale and the ultimate 'conflict mineral' is up for grabs?

Set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's war-torn eastern Ituri rainforest zone, Congo Dawn confronts former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan with just that question. A veteran in handling corruption and conspiracy, Robin has never had any trouble discerning good guys from bad. But as her private security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin faces a man who broke her trust years ago and discovers that gray areas extend deeper into the jungle than she anticipated.

As a vicious global conspiracy emerges, run by brutal men who don’t leave witnesses alive, Robin must decide if there is anyone left she can trust. And where is God in the suffering and injustice? How is it followers of Yesu (Jesus) caught in the crossfire can still rejoice when everything they hold dear is ripped away? READ EXCERPT

What inspired your interest in writing Congo Dawn?

Growing up in the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon, I was captivated by missionary biographies from its second-largest African counterpart, the Congo. Among them the story of Dr. Helen Roseveare, who helped establish several mission hospitals and medical training centers in the Ituri rainforest despite violence and unrest of impending Congolese independence, herself held captive for five months during the 1964 Simba rebellion. The largest of those centers, Nyankunde, was in turn razed in 2002 during the continuing conflict that has taken more than five million Congolese lives in the last decade. Today's fighting is greatly aggravated by the value and pursuit of conflict minerals in that zone. As always, it has been the mission pilots, medical personnel both expatriate and Congolese, and other followers of Yesu, Jesus Christ, who have been first back into the conflict zones well ahead of United Nations, embassy, local law enforcement or any other humanitarian and corporate interests. Their courage in shining bright the light of Yesu's love in one of the planet's darkest corners gave voice to this story.

How did you come up with the concept for Congo Dawn?

For the story's actual suspense thread, I've had personal opportunity to witness what a multinational corporation is capable of in dark corners of the Third World when no one is watching (an experience in itself too unbelievable to write up as fiction). In Africa as elsewhere, both the protective and striking arm of such corporations has historically hired foreign mercenaries. But today's private military corporations are vastly different, possessing more fire power than the average country. What struck me was the lack of any accountability to outside oversight beyond some paid-off local warlord. So what happens when a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power in a Congolese rainforest where the ultimate 'conflict mineral' is up for grabs? Coming up with one very plausible possibility birthed Congo Dawn.

On a deeper spiritual level, Congo Dawn addresses the age-old question of how a world filled with such darkness, injustice and pain can possibly be the creation of a God of love. How can followers of Yesu [Jesus] in the bleakness of an Ituri rainforest conflict zone or any other dark corner of this planet take seriously a Scriptural mandate to rejoice in their suffering [James 1:2; I Peter 4:13]? What value beyond our own comprehension might human suffering possibly hold that a loving Creator God permits it to continue?

What message would you like your readers to take from Congo Dawn?

The same simple, yet profound realization to which Congo Dawn's main protagonists are ultimately drawn. The coexistence of a loving Creator with human suffering is no oxymoron, but a divine paradox those refined in the fires of adversity are best equipped to understand. The smallest flames of love and faith shine most brightly against the darkest night. Our heavenly Father really does know what He's doing, and His ultimate plans for our lives and all His creation will not be thwarted.

How can a reader connect with you on the Internet?

I would like to invite any reader interested in knowing more about Congo Dawn, my other titles, or my own life journey to visit me at my website and personal blog, From the Eye of the Storm or contact me directly at [email protected]. I would also be delighted to participate with your local book club or discussion group through Skype video or on-line chat conference (or in person if I am in the vicinity).

When a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power, how far might they be willing to go with the planet's ultimate "conflict mineral" up for grabs? Especially in a Congolese rainforest where governmental accountability is only too cheaply for sale.

A veteran in handling corruption and conspiracy, former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan has never had any trouble discerning good guys from bad. But when her security team is sent to track down an insurgent killer, Robin faces a man who broke her trust years ago and discovers that gray areas extend deeper into the jungle than she anticipated.

As a vicious global conspiracy emerges, run by brutal men who don’t leave witnesses alive, Robin must decide if there is anyone left she can trust. And where is God in the suffering and injustice? How is it possible followers of Yesu (Jesus) caught in the crossfire can still rejoice when everything they hold dear is ripped away?

Follow this link to purchase Congo Dawn.

LEAVE A COMMENT BY THU JAN 31st @ 6 PM MST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN CONGO DAWN

As daughter of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. Those experiences have birthed 16 international intrigue titles, including bestselling Tyndale House Publishers release Veiled Freedom, a 2010 ECPA Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist and sequel Freedom's Stand, a 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award and Carol Award finalist and 2011 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist. Jeanette mentors Christian writers in both English and Spanish on all five continents.

Comments

Jeanette Windle From Lancaster, PA At 1/28/2013 6:07:45 PM

Hi, Davalynn: So glad you enjoyed the book. You've blessed me with your encouragement. If you have a free moment, I would be delighted if you added a comment on Amazon; they are now permitting reviews for Congo Dawn, though release isn't till Friday. :)

Patti shene From Colorado At 1/27/2013 5:12:20 PM

Thanks for stopping by, Davalynn. I'm sure Jeanette will appreciate your high acclaim for her book. Sounds like a must read for me!

Davalynn Spencer From Colorado At 1/27/2013 4:35:08 PM

Familiar with Windles' other titles I eagerly agreed to review Congo Dawn and was caught up once more in the amazing you-are-there sense of Windle's writing. She tackles borderless questions of greed and suffering, and reveals the power of the tiniest light of truth against the darkness.

Jeanette Windle From Lancaster, PA At 1/27/2013 11:14:26 AM

Hi, PJ and Marjorie: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you've enjoyed past titles, PJ. Marjorie, I have many memories of Barranquilla. My parents were missionaries in Colombia, Bob and Dawn Archer with TEAM.

Patti shene From Colorado At 1/27/2013 9:36:38 AM

Thanks for stopping by PJ. I've not yet had the pleasure of reading any of Jeanette's books, but they sound fascinating.

PJ Ryley From Colorado At 1/27/2013 9:07:33 AM

As an over 50 writer myself, I appreciate Patti interviewing Jeanette. I remember when I read some of her first books, Crossfire, The DMZ and Firestorm. Her books really took me to a place I had never been and brought it to life along with telling great stories. I would love to win her new book.

Patti shene From Colorado At 1/25/2013 10:04:36 AM

Jeanette, thank you so much for spending time with us and sharing about your book and your experiences.

Patti shene From Colorado At 1/25/2013 10:00:54 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Marjorie!

Marjorie Hill From Walterboro, South Carolina At 1/25/2013 9:26:18 AM

My husband and I were missionaries to Barranquilla, Colombia. He opened the Pediatric Department of the Clinia Bautista in the '70's. May God bless you with your writing.