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Motorcycle Book Store > Motorcycle books beginning with A
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Allah's Fire (Task Force Valor Series #1) |
Author: Chuck Holton
Published: 2006-04-03 |
List price: $12.99
Our price: $10.39
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As of: November 21st, 2008 08:07:39 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 My favorite Gayle Roper book
This is my favorite of all of Gayle Roper's works, which is saying something because all her books are excellent. Shortly after finishing this book, news reports exposed real plots frighteningly similar to what had been written. It is an exciting book and one that would appeal to both Christian readers and non-Christians alike. I recommended it to my husband, which says it all, since in 25 years of marriage we've only agreed on a handful of books. I would highly recommend Allah's Fire.
Action-packed story that could've been ripped from the headlines...
With Allah's Fire, Roper and Holton have delivered a novel chock-full of non-stop action and suspense. The story begins by rapidly alternating between sisters Julie and Liz in Beirut, Cooper on the Ivory Coast, and the terrorists planning an attack that will rock all of their lives and test their faith. The paths of each of these individuals are set on a collision course when Julie is kidnapped after barely surviving the terror attack that firebombs a World Bank meeting and kills her husband. Her sister Liz refuses to give up the hope that Julie somehow survived. Cooper has scars of his own, having recently recovered from injuries sustained by a car bomb that sent him to the States. Cooper's team is sent to investigate the bombing in Lebanon and the threat of a new, untraceable explosive. The clock is ticking for Julie -- will Cooper and Liz be able to rescue her in time, and thwart the terrorists' plans?
I have to say -- doesn't this book have a fantastic cover? I love it, and it does a very classy, smart job of conveying the action-packed, adrenaline laced feel of the novel. I also have to add that the editing of this collaborative effort was done extremely well -- Roper was quoted as saying that she wrote the female point of view sections, and Holton the male pov -- and both are seamlessly blended. Holton's military background lends this story an genuine, realistic feel, and adds authenticity to the interaction and relationships between the members of Task Force Valor.
This book is a stellar beginning to what promises to be a fantastic series. The authors do an incredible job of exploring the theme of "faith under fire," and how individuals cope with real questions and struggles about their faith and belief in a good and just God in the midst of horrific, stressful circumstances. If you enjoyed Dee Henderson's Uncommon Heroes series, pick this novel up. I only wish I didn't have to wait until Spring 2007 for the sequel.
Straight from the evening news
Liz and her sister Julie are two Americans that live in Lebanon. When the building that Julie was attending a party at is destroyed by a bomb, Liz goes on a mission to find her after finding evidence that she may still be alive. Meanwhile John is a member of a special ops team sent to Beruit to find Palestinian extremists who have discovered a new way to threaten terror in the region. John and Liz's lives intertwine as they try to find Julie and prevent the terrorists from instigating more fear into the lives of the people there. The story is non stop action throughout, an edge of your seat reality read.
While reading this book, I felt like I was watching the evening news. Everything seemed so real and action packed. The situations the characters got themselves in could be ripped right out of the headlines. At first John's story felt a little boring to me with all the military talk and I wanted to get back to Liz's and Julie's story. However as I got more into the book, I enjoyed reading from both angles. I thought it was very interesting learning more about the Arab and Muslim culture. Many Americans don't really understand the religion and get only a one sided view on it. By explaining customs and rituals, the reader is able to have a better understanding of that side of the world. I also liked how the explanation of the way women are viewed in that world. As westerners, it's hard to understand why women would allow men to treat them the way they do in Arab countries. I appreciated that while Liz is an American, her character is used to the customs of the country because she grew up there. She does not act like a fish out of water or have scenes displaying ignorance. This book is recommended for those who like action stories, stories that could have happened, or interested in what life is like in the Middle East.
Gets Your Attention and Keeps It!
My life right now doesn't leave much room for recreational reading (even though I love to read), but I started this book and couldn't let it alone until I finished. Excellently portrayed military action intersperses with compassionate portrayal of tough issues pervasive to the Middle East. The relationships between the characters are realistic and thoroughly enjoyable. And the insight into the terrorist mindset is quite chilling. Great start to a new series.
 Great start to a new series
ALLAH'S FIRE transports you to Panama City, Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, and Beirut, Lebanon - all in the first three chapters! This military suspense novel has something for everyone. Non-fiction author and first time novelist, Chuck Holton teams with prolific author, Gayle Roper to write an enthralling story of an Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit (headed by Master Sergeant John Cooper) which travels the globe defusing explosives used in warfare.
In the first of a three-book series, John Cooper's EOD team is sent to Beirut after tragedy strikes their unit in the form of an unknown and deadly explosive device, following an otherwise successful mission. A suicide bomber devastates a hotel in the heart of Beirut utilising the same device and a new terrorist organisation, Ansar Inshallah, is implicated. At a function at the hotel with her Arabic husband, American Julie Assan disappears and her journalist sister, Liz Fairchild begins her own mission to locate her sister.
Familiar with Beirut having spent her childhood there, Liz is on assignment, investigating the condition of Palestinian women in the Sainiq Refugee Camp on the outskirts of Beirut. With her sister's disappearance she returns to the camp in search of clues, and instead finds death and terror. The storylines converge and John and Liz clash over his need to maintain the tenuous military and political stability in Lebanon, and Liz's desire to launch a rescue mission for Julie in the hope she is still alive.
While initially the writing style is erratic as the location and characters change with each chapter, once that distraction is overcome readers can settle in and enjoy this intense and exciting ride. The military and weapons information is detailed and authentic, with Chuck Holton previously serving as an Airbourne Ranger for the United States Army and flying helicopters for the National Guard prior to commencing his writing career. The relationship between John and Liz is well developed, yet does not overpower the suspense and action of the story.
The remaining books will be written solely by Chuck Holton and the first sequel, to be released early in 2007, will revolve around Staff Sergeant "Rip" Rubio, a member of John's EOD team.
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