Customer Reviews

Firefly Blue (Chapter 16: Waging War on Terror, Book 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Mexico, the police stop a truck driver transporting 100 barrels of sodium cyanide. They kill the driver and steal 52 barrels. Four are placed in a pick-up truck while forty were put inside a semi. They then replaced the manifold with its 100 barrels replacing it with 96 barrels. Not long afterward, the police announce that they found the stolen shipment of 48 barrels.

Agent Steve Alstead heads up the Special Circumstances Operations of the Chapter 16 counterterrorist group that was formed following the Patriot's Act. He tries desperately to regain the cherished relationship with his beloved wife and become a full time father to their two young children. However, Steve soon lacks time, as he must stop an evil terrorist attack involving 4 deadly barrels of sodium cyanide that could prove devastating to the United States.

Though references to the first novel abound (see SHAITON'S FIRE), fans will enjoy this powerful stand-alone thriller, as the bad guys prove quite clever from the start. Readers will find most interesting the debate between individual liberties vs. security as staff of the Chapter 16 group argue about surveillance. However, the key to this tale is the wholesomeness of Steve, a professional who is a religious upstanding individual struggling to balance his work and his family. His dilemma provide a superb reminder that those who try to do the right thing often do so at a high cost, and in many cases the sacrifice leads to family problems.

Harriet Klausner

Yeah, I guess sometimes that would be the description of Steve Alstead, right? Keeps getting pulled away from that lovely wife of his and he sings the blues on occasion. So, while this didn't completely blow me away, it did keep my attention after getting it going, and I'm glad that I sang the blues with Jake Thoene.

WE'VE GOT CYANIDE! Oh, and Miles has a cool thing going on, and it happens to be called "Firefly", right? That's where the title comes into play. We have a few Mexicans to deal with, and like Taco Bell said before, "SEND 'EM RUNNIN' FOR THE BORDER!" or was it Ray Charles that said, "Hit the road, Jack"? But hey, a decent addition to a series that started off very well. Senator Morrison and the rest of the team makes sure the action is pure, yet interesting entertainment. Add Kristi Kross, and ask Steve's wife how exciting it can get! Just kidding.

What I appreciate the most about Jake Thoene is his love for country. Not only that, but he isn't ashamed of his God either. The God that built my America! That's something you don't always see these days. SO, while I prepare myself for "Fuel The Fire", I'll probably need a good pitcher of iced tea on hand. Good flames the whole way around so far.

Firefly Blue, the sequel to the timely first novel in the Chapter 16 series, Shaiton's Fire, was even better than anticipated.

From the first chapter, it seemed as though the story was ripped right from today's headlines...
...Terrorists attempt to infiltrate the US through the vulnerable Mexican/ American border to carry out an attack with a stolen shipment of Cyanide on one of the country's most highly prized locations...

Elements of the military's recently de-classified Electronic Warfare technology, internet surveillance, Syria and Homeland Security also play major rolls in the plot.

...So realistic and prophetic are the events within Firefly Blue, it might be more accurate to say,

"Today's headlines have been ripped right from the pages of Thoene's book!"

Tim Wolf

No offense to Mr. Thoene, but there are a few pieces of dialogue in this book that make me cringe, esp. parts featuring Angel.
This one minor nit aside, Firefly Blue was an excellent read, fast paced, interesting, exciting, etc etc etc.
Thoene again puts poor Alstead through the save-the-world ringer. Oh well, such is the hero life. Ch. 16 rocks.

I have read the first two books of this series, Shaiton's Fire and Firefly Blue, and have begun the third one. There were a few aspects of the author's writing that annoyed me in the first book, but I didn't notice them so much in Firefly Blue.

I am really enjoying the series. With terrorism so prevalent in the world today, I find the technical aspects presented in these books very timely and intriguing. Faith is very dear to many of the characters, and they wrestle with real-world issues with which I can identify.

Some books seem to target a specific gender, but both my husband and I love these books. I will definitely look for more titles by Jake Thoene, and I definitely recommend this series.

This is an awesome story line from the new generation Thoene. The story has a fearsome ring of truth that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. With real life characters and an all too real plot the reader will be hard pressed to put this volume down.

Only a couple of decades ago, although it seems like more, I was born in the mountains of Southern California. At this time, my father was the only pastor in a town of about 300. Brock and Bodie Thoene were our next door neighbors, strong members in our church, and Bodie was writing her first book (in which the protaganist is named after me). We lived there for only a few years but my earliest memories are of an early teenager, Jake Thoene, teaching me very carefully how to ride his former movie stunt horse (which he rode with an amazing variety of tricks). Imagine my surpise, twenty something years later, when I see that Jake wrote a book on anti-terrorism with all the elements of a book that I normally look for: action, suspense, technology, devotion to God and a wonderful plot. Like it says on the cover of the book, Jake Thoene is "The Christian Tom Clancy". His suspense is unmatched by Tom Clancy, in my opinion. He manages to put a lot into the book, keeping the reader on the edge of the seat, and not confusing things. I suggest this book to anybody who enjoys being entertained with realistic spy novels.

This is a great book! I loved Shaitons Fire and the sequel is even better!Its a great story for anyone who likes to read military books. I read Mission Compromised by Oliver North and this book is much much better.