Released on: September 2, 2008, 6:47 am

Press Release Author: Dave Donelson

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: Unadulterated greed created the world’s worst humanitarian
crisis, according to the author of Heart of Diamonds, a novel about the Congo.


Press Release Body: West Harrison, NY, September 02, 2008 -- Unadulterated greed
created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the author of Heart of
Diamonds, a newly-released novel about the endless violence in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC). Author Dave Donelson says his fictional treatment of the
Congo’s ongoing strife points to lust for the nation’s riches as the cause of over
five million deaths since 1998.

“We shouldn’t even pretend that conflicting ideologies or ethnic rivalries are the
causes of this crisis,” Donelson says. “Those are nothing more than convenient
excuses for the looting and pillaging that threatens to destroy the DRC.”

In his novel, Donelson uses a diamond smuggling scheme to represent the fight for
control of the DRC’s gold, timber, uranium, copper, coltan, and other natural
resources. An intricate plot involving an American televangelist, the President of
the DRC, and the White House reflects the convoluted relationships of the factions
involved in the struggle. His heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV journalist who
uncovers the scheme and fights to expose it to the world.

Donelson believes that ethnic conflicts like those between the Tsutis and Hutus that
spilled over from Rwanda and between the Hema and Lindu are fronts for war lords
looking to control territory in the DRC where they can exploit natural resources.
Many of those militias receive support—sometimes openly—from governments or rebel
factions in neighboring countries.

“Heart of Diamonds is a work of fiction,” Donelson avers, “But it is based on actual
events in the most deadly conflict since World War II.” The author says he 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 nation.

Donelson is a freelance writer and photographer. Heart of Diamonds is his third
book, but the West Harrison, NY, author’s first foray into the thriller genre. “I
wanted to write something that captures the vibrancy and complexity of Africa, and a
suspenseful adventure framed against the endless war in the DRC seemed like the
perfect approach,” he says.

“Since I started writing the book, there have been glimmers of hope in the
situation,” he points out. “But violence continues and hundreds of thousands of
people are still suffering as refugees. Peace and prosperity are still a long way
away.” He adds, “I hope Heart of Diamonds will help draw attention to the crisis.”

Heart of Diamonds was published by Kunati Books, named Independent Publisher of the
Year at the 2008 Book Expo America.
Press release Submission by PressReleasePoint ( http://www.pressreleasepoint.com )

Contact:

Dave Donelson
Heart of Diamonds
44 Park Lane
West Harrison, NY 10604
914-949-7483
dave@heartofdiamonds.com
http://www.heartofdiamonds.com

Web Site: http://www.heartofdiamonds.com

Contact Details: Dave Donelson
Heart of Diamonds
44 Park Lane
West Harrison, NY 10604
914-949-7483
dave@heartofdiamonds.com
http://www.heartofdiamonds.com