Profits Before Country

     Ryan Decker has returned but is now working with Harlow Mackenzie and company. Border patrol personnel are killed in an odd set of circumstances involving an explosion south the border. Senator Steele calls upon Decker to investigate privately for her. Now, the entire group is in danger. Will they be able to expose the cover-up without losing their lives in the process?

Konkoly’s second novel in the Ryan Decker series, The Raid follows Decker after his life was almost destroyed by a deep state conspiracy.  The spark that was ignited between him and Harlow is fanned a bit throughout this book. Old nemeses don’t seem to want to go away.

This story is full of action and adventure as one might expect. But what I found most intriguing was the characters. The support crew is very diverse and add levity in some of the most serious situations. As with the first novel the story touches on human trafficking.

5 out of 5 stars.

Revenge: A Dish Better Served Cold

     Joe Branch’s celebration for the delivery of the cure to the Sembe’ virus is short-lived as the One World Alliance (OWA) extracts retribution on the resistance. Attacks are levied against two of the Continental Army’s strongholds. Fortunately, most were spread throughout the land and set about to reconvene at a yet to be disclosed location.

Bird’s second novel in the Breaking the Beast series, Revenge of the Patriots follows Joe as he and his best friend, Caleb travel to find Joe’s girlfriend, Tamara before rejoining their unit. Their quest is not an easy one. The OWA has a bounty on Joe and Tamara.

As with the first book, this story is told in the first person by Joe. The characters are so engaging that it is hard to put this book down. It is unpredictable and action-packed. Bird’s ability to spin a tale is so realistic that you can visualize what’s happening as you read it.

5 out of 5 stars.

Evil From Within

    Robert Hardwick feels like a caged animal waiting to go home from his friend’s compound in north Georgia. A greedy congressman has waged war against the compound with the intent of overtaking it and occupying it. During the current stalemate, Robert has an idea that might get the congressman to leave them alone. But, at what cost to Robert and his friends?

Horton’s third novel in The Locker Nine series, Compound Fracture see Grace and her friend, Tom have made it to Robert’s compound where they are awaiting his return. Robert declined to leave with Grace so that Sonyea had time to heal enough to travel. Now, with Author’s compound in lockdown, there seem to be limited options for them to leave.

This fast-paced book is full of surprises. There’s betrayal and new found resolve. The true meaning of friendship is tested. Family dynamics are examined. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.

5 out of 5 stars.

Revenge Is Not Always So Sweet

Conor Maguire, aka the Mad Mick, has decided that the community needs to come together and help watch out for one another. While he is rallying the locals the boss of his daughter’s kidnappers is hunting him down. Seems he is none too happy about Conor killing his men. Will the folks around the mountain agree to ally with each other in time to stop this growing army?

Horton’s second novel in The Mad Mick Series, Masters of Mayhem is his best work thus far. It is so well written that it was able to bring out almost all my emotions. The pacing of the action is perfect. It’s a fast read and very hard to put down.

With the addition of some new characters that seem like that will be hanging around for a while I can see this series going for several more books. I am looking forward to the next installment.

5 out of 5 stars.

The Second Civil War Is Here

Charlie will have to dig deep to become part of a coordinated team fighting against the DHS thugs and their allies. The new kids on the block are the Chinese heading for the west coast and the Russians and Cubans coming up through Florida. Pockets of resistance are everywhere and slowly coming together to overthrow or at least put a hurting on the president’s draconian regime.

Browning’s and American’s fourth book in the Charlie’s Requiem series, Retribution, shows us what is happening outside of Charlie’s immediate area and how it impacts what direction the resistance must go. Having the Russians and Cubans side-by-side with DHS is a game changer. The resistance is outmanned and outgunned but has hope and determination.

The farther we get into this series the more it ties into American’s The Survivalist Series. I can’t wait until the two series crossover.

5 out of 5 stars.

 

The Right Thing Gone Wrong

Ryan Decker, a former CIA operative turned mercenary, is framed in a hostage rescue gone bad. Most of his team were either killed during the op or murdered shortly thereafter along with their families. After serving only part of his sentence Decker is mysteriously freed. With the help of private investigator, Harlow Mackenzie, he goes on a quest to find the truth.

Konkoly’s first novel in the Ryan Decker series, The Rescue, pulls out all the stops in this high-speed thrill ride. The character development is some of the best I’ve read. The story is so compelling that you cannot put it away. The hairpin twists will have you going “What!?!?”

Seems like everyone wants Decker dead. But, why? There are many layers to this story. Peeling back each one to reach the core is more exciting than a theme park ride.

5 out of 5 stars.

Family Means Everything

Morgan Carter’s life in the new reality never seems to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Almost always something ominous is on the horizon. With the Russian and Cuban invasion advancing nearby death follows. Unless the military steps up their game Morgan’s group isn’t going to be much more effective than slingshots against a hurricane. Yet, there are still a few silver linings to be found.

American’s tenth novel in The Survivalist Series, Home Coming is a little more sedate than many of the previous books. Don’t get me wrong, there is still plenty of action. The feel is much more melancholy. The thrill of the fight seems to be subdued. I think it was supposed to be a feel-good story, but I didn’t get into that so much.

It is written somewhat different than the rest as part of it is told in the first person by Morgan. The switching back and forth within the same chapter takes a little to get used to. It was also a rather short book. I would have liked more.

**SPOILER ALERT** Some of the following commentary contains spoilers.

There were a couple of story arcs that went nowhere. The threat by those on the motorcycles was teased and then dropped. Lee Ann wanting to learn how to ride Jeff’s Harley never went anywhere. I’m hoping they are followed through in the next novel.

A ‘compare and contrast’ should to be discussed somewhere (a book club maybe?) about the mercy killings meted out in this book versus the killings of the unsustainables and undesirables in the companion series Charlie’s Requiem.

Ashley, aka Little Bit, discovers a baby squirrel and takes it on to raise as a pet. I find this very ironic since she probably shot its parents to add to the food needed by the group.

Overall, it was okay and probably a bridge to something greater.

3 out of 4 stars.