Gina Rae Mitchell

Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer: Henrik Bertelsen’s Unexpected Journey by Hans Peter Bech 

A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour.

Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer: Henrik Bertelsen’s Unexpected Journey by Hans Peter Bech ~ #BookReview #AuthorGuestPost ~ $25 Starbucks Gift Card #Giveaway

Quick Summary

Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer by Hans Peter Bech is a captivating read for anyone who craves an exhilarating and inspiring story about embracing life’s unexpected twists and turns. You will be swept away by the author’s vivid storytelling and the protagonist’s courageous journey of self-discovery and transformation.

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Book Details

Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer (The Henrik Bertelsen Saga, #1) by Hans Peter Bech
Published by BOOX on Audust 23, 2024
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Coming of Age, World Literature, Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 276

It's 1979. Henrik Bertelsen, a baby boomer, is an economist at the Ministry of Labour in Copenhagen. Married to Englishwoman Sammy, they pour their hearts into building a co-housing community in North Zealand while navigating the complex process of adopting a child from Indonesia. Henrik craves a period of undisturbed stability to secure his career as a civil servant.

Unexpectedly, he is asked to renovate and manage hospital kitchens in Saudi Arabia. His inner adventurer awakens, and with a short leave of absence from the ministry, he seizes the opportunity. The project escalates, and suddenly, he is caught in an armed religious uprising in Mecca. Trapped between rebels and police, Henrik is in trouble.

He manages to escape and is whisked out of the country. As he catches his breath, an American computer company offers him a lucrative job, setting his life on an entirely new path.

Source: iRead Book Tours

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Purchase Links for Tumult in Mecca

Available in all formats, including Paperback   Hardcover   Audiobook

If the above link does not route you to your country’s Amazon page for Tumult in Mecca, please let me know, and I’ll gladly get you a link.

Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share. Every penny helps to support this blog.

Purchase Tumult in Mecca online from your local bookstore.

Also available on BN   

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My thoughts on Tumult in Mecca

Hans Peter Bech’s Tumult in Mecca is a riveting introduction to The Henrik Bertelsen Saga. It traces its protagonist’s transformation from a Danish civil servant to a global business adventurer. The story explores Henrik’s journey, weaving a tapestry of personal ambition, cultural discovery, and high-stakes challenges in an ever-changing international landscape.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of global business and diplomacy, the book follows Henrik’s growth as he steps outside the predictable confines of civil service into a world brimming with risk and opportunity. Bech’s writing is immersive and thought-provoking, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of adapting to new cultures while navigating moral and ethical dilemmas in high-level negotiations.

Tumult in Mecca offers a captivating mix of introspection and action for adventure and personal transformation fans. It’s more than a business tale—it’s a story about resilience, adaptability, and the courage to chase a vision despite obstacles.

As the first installment of Henrik’s saga, it sets the stage beautifully for what promises to be an extraordinary journey. It is highly recommended for readers seeking inspiration and excitement.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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I love to read books through my  Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription. 

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Guest Post from the author of Tumult in Mecca

The Siege in Mecca

By Hans Peter Bech

While planning the *Henrik Bertelsen Saga*, I decided to start the first book, *Tumult in Mecca*, in 1979. That year was pivotal for me personally: I completed a project in Saudi Arabia, resigned from my government job, and began working as a sales trainee for an American computer company. It was also the year my wife and I, along with some friends, established a co-housing community—and the year we adopted a child from Indonesia. So much happened in 1979 that it felt like the perfect starting point for the eight-book series I was about to write.

The story of Henrik Bertelsen would unfold within a historical framework, similar to the structure of *Forrest Gump*. As I researched global events from 1979, I discovered a wealth of inspiration.

That year, the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed, marking Egypt as the first Arab country to formally recognize Israel. In Nicaragua, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) overthrew Anastasio Somoza Debayle, ending the Somoza family’s 43-year dictatorship. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China officially established diplomatic relations, ending decades of estrangement after the Chinese Civil War.

1979 also brought a second major oil shock, disrupting global production and causing oil prices to skyrocket. This led to energy crises in many Western countries and economic instability worldwide, including in Denmark. At the same time, the UK and U.S. began shifting toward economic deregulation under leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, moving away from the post-war Keynesian model.

On the geopolitical front, the USSR invaded Afghanistan, and in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile, establishing a theocratic regime. This culminated in the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage. Additionally, that year, the Grand Mosque in Mecca was seized by armed religious extremists, sparking violent demonstrations against the U.S.—despite its lack of involvement in the matter.

These events, particularly in the Middle East, provided the ideal backdrop for Henrik Bertelsen’s business venture in Saudi Arabia, so I decided to weave them into the story. In doing so, the title, *Tumult in Mecca*, practically chose itself.

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Giveaway!

$25 STARBUCKS Gift Card, courtesy of the author of Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer: Henrik Bertelsen’s Unexpected Journey (one winner) (ends Dec 13)

Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!

Official Tour Page for Tumult in Mecca

Full Tour Schedule:

Nov 18 – @adriftinfictionalworld– book review / giveaway
Nov 19 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 21 – Frugal Freelancer – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 21 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 25 – Books R US – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 25 – FUONLYKNEW – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 29 – Country Mamas With Kids – book review / giveaway
Dec 2 – @Leannebookstagram – book review
Dec 2 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
Dec 4 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Dec 4 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Dec 6 – Authors on iTours – book review

Tumult in Mecca: by Hans Peter Bech Book Tour Giveaway

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Book Title: Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer: Henrik Bertelsen’s Unexpected Journey by Hans Peter Bech
Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 276 pages
Genre: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction, World Literature European/Scandinavian, Coming of Age
Publisher: BOOX
Release date: August 2024
Tour dates: Nov 18 to Dec 6, 2024
Content Rating: G: There is no language, sex scenes, etc. ​

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