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Island Inferno (Task Force Valor Series)
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$ 11.43
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$ 12.99 |
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$ 1.56 (12%) |
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| Item Number |
35863 |
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Item Description...
Overview
Island Terror Fernanda Gracioli Viera is a twenty-three-year-old student in Panama City . When she joins a bioprospecting expedition, the team is taken captive by island pirates and only she escapes. Now she's on the run for help. Euripides "Rip" Rubio is a twenty-six-year-old staff sergeant with Task Force Valor. TFV's mission: Stop the "middle man" distributing the colorless, odorless, explosive liquid, ITEB. Rip's mission: Investigate the island of Coiba for modern-day pirates operating a transshipment point for stolen goods. One night, Rip's path literally collides with Fernanda's, and they find themselves caught in the middle of a turf war. Can they use the chaos to their advantage? Or will one false step set the entire island ablaze?
Publishers Description
Task Force Valor
Explosive Ordnance Disposal–The Bomb Squad
As the global war on terror heats up, the U.S. deploys a team of highly trained special operators overseas to locate and neutralize threats, bringing EOD expertise to dangerous missions that have no room for error.
A DEADLY EXPLOSIVE
A new specialty explosive is on the black market: ITEB looks like water, but when it's exposed to air, the effects are lethal! The United States government is frantic to keep it from our shores. Staff Sergeant Euripides “Rip” Rubio knows how destructive ITEB can be. He has already risked his life to thwart a horrific terrorist plot involving the chemical. Now Task Force Valor heads to Panama, on the trail of an arms dealer who plans to use ITEB to make a killing–literally.
AN ADVENTURE ABROAD
Fernanda Lerida is a University of Panama grad student who jumps at the chance to join a biological expedition to a mysterious former prison island. But the snakes, bugs, and crocodiles are soon the least of her worries as the group stumbles upon something they were not meant to see. To make matters worse, Fernanda soon finds herself alone and being pursued by an unseen foe.
A RISKY RESCUE
When Rip's path collides with Fernanda's, they find themselves caught in the midst of a brutal turf war. Can they use the chaos to their advantage, or will one false step set the entire island ablaze?
“Island Inferno is a boy-meets-girl story. But in Chuck Holton's world, boy meets girl in the middle of a jungle at 25 mph, hanging under a parachute with an assault rifle strapped across his chest. You'd better plan on reading this in one sitting. And once you're done, you'd better give yourself time for your pulse to calm down.”
Tom Morrisey, author of Deep Blue and Dark Fathom
“Island Inferno has the fast-paced action of Clive Cussler novel with all the solid research and authenticity of Tom Clancy's books and a spiritual message that drove me to search deep within my own heart.”
Jeanette Windle, author of CrossFire, The DMZ, and FireStorm
Chuck Holton has been an Army Ranger, a stockbroker, flown military helicopters, and now travels the world as the “Adventure Correspondent” for CBN. He is the author of five books, including A More Elite Soldier and Bulletproof. He writes from his farm in Appalachia, where he raises animals along with five children. He blogs about his adventures at www.livefire.us.
The Gulf of Panama. 2200 hours
MY LIFE IS WASTED.
The black-on-black sea stretched into nothingness before Naeem Bari, and he shivered. But it wasn't cold. In fact, even the breeze crossing the ship's bow did little to alleviate the suffocating heat of the tropical night as the vessel plied its way toward Panama. The humidity wrapped its fingers around Naeem like death itself. But still he shivered, because the bleakness of the sea before him mirrored his future.
If only there were one bright spot in my career, like the sliver of moon that now hides behind the clouds. Perhaps then I could hold out hope. But no. I have no future in this business. What am I to do?
There had been a time when Naeem was proud to be a mariner. He had been born into a poor Pakistani family, and as a teen, becoming a seaman had seemed an exciting alternative to sweating in his father's scrubby fields, staring at the desolate expanse of mountains that formed the walls of his prison. But he had simply substituted one bleak reality for another.
After spending twelve years at what amounted to little more than slave labor on a variety of aging merchant vessels, Naeem's youth had been consumed like the rusty hull of the Invincible upon which he stood. He often came to the ship's bow when he had trouble sleeping. It was the only place where he could think in peace.
The old vessel throbbed beneath his feet, as if the dark Pacific waters it had labored across for twelve days were the consistency of molasses. They had crossed the ocean three times in as many months. How many more times would the dilapidated ship be able to make the trip? Shepherding goats wasn't looking so bad after all.
He looked at his watch, pressing the tiny button to illuminate the dial. Nothing happened. Cheap Chinese garbage. He let out a disgusted sigh. Oh well. He could easily find another one in downtown Panama City, if they had enough time to go ashore while the ship's cargo was being off-loaded. He'd better try to salvage whatever sleep he could. He would be pulling watch on the bridge in a few hours.
As he turned away from the ship's bow, a shout sounded from somewhere high on the ship's superstructure. Naeem peered around the nearest container just in time to see the control room door slam open and the officer on duty come tumbling out and collapse on the landing.
Is Emilio drunk? Why…?
Before Naeem could wonder further, another man emerged from the control room and stopped under the doorway light.
Naeem felt as if his stomach and his bowels had suddenly switched places. The fact that the man was definitely not part of the ship's crew was almost as terrifying as the submachine gun he carried.
Pirates!
As Emilio struggled to his feet, Naeem started toward the stair-way that led up to the bridge. More shouts echoed from the crew's sleeping quarters. Then a burst of gunfire erupted from the control room.
Naeem jerked his gaze upward only to see his friend's limp form topple down the stairwell.
He gasped. Emilio!
Angry voices approached, and Naeem instinctively stepped between two rows of containers, sure that his heart would leap from his rib cage. More gunshots sounded, followed by screams of agony.
They are murdering the entire crew!
His first instinct was to plunge overboard. But even though he was a decent swimmer, treading water for a few hours and then succumbing to exhaustion–or worse, sharks–might not be preferable to a bullet in the head.
More gunshots split the air. Naeem's breathing was as staccato as the gunshots. He pressed his fists into his eyes and tried to think.
He could hide, but the Invincible wasn't that big a ship, and the pirates were bound to find him eventually.
The orange lifeboat, located at the rear of the ship, was made to hold the entire crew, but the gunfire made it clear that most of the men were even now meeting their fate. Besides, the lifeboat required at least two men to launch.
Sweat flowed from every pore of Naeem's body, and his nightshirt stuck to him like cellophane. He promised Allah and himself that if he survived this night, he would never again step foot on a raft, much less a ship.
The raft! Two small inflatable life rafts in canisters were tucked beneath the forward stairs. Naeem peered around the corner of the container on the starboard side of the ship. He could just make out the dark shape of the fiberglass box that held the life rafts and several flotation vests, about twenty meters away.
He jerked his head back when two men emerged from the superstructure, but not before Naeem recognized the third man held between them.
Franjo Karovik, the ship's captain.
One pirate held the captain while the other, a huge, incredibly muscular black man, shouted a question. When Franjo didn't immediately answer, the pirate smashed his forearm into Franjo's face. Naeem heard the crunch of bone, then his friend crumpled to the deck.
A sob escaped before Naeem could stifle it. He clapped a hand over his mouth, turned, and ran between the containers to the port side of the ship. A peek aft showed no signs of movement. More shouts and gunfire drifted from the stern.
Time was running out.
When the pirates finished with the crew, they would most certainly search the ship, and he would be found. He must go now.
Hoping that anyone left in the control room would not see him, Naeem ducked around the side of the container stacks and sprinted for the stairwell. He quickly found the box that held the life rafts, and after fumbling with the latch for several seconds, he managed to yank open the lid.
Inside were a dozen life vests and the barrel-shaped pods that held the rafts. He heaved a pod out of the box and staggered over to the railing. The pod was heavy, at least forty-five kilos, but with the amount of adrenaline coursing through his veins, Naeem barely noticed. He hesitated.
Though the raft was self-inflating, it was meant to be deployed aboard ship, which in this case was impossible. For a moment he considered going back for a life vest, but when heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs above him, Naeem dropped the pod over the railing and followed quickly after, throwing caution and himself thirteen meters into the sea.
Naeem crossed his arms over his chest and hit the water feet-first. The impact ripped the air from his lungs. Panicking, he flailed toward the surface for what seemed like an eternity. He finally broke through, choking on salt water and bile.
Where is the pod? It isn't here! Terror redoubled inside his gut. When something broke the surface ten yards to his left, a new jolt of adrenaline shot through his already raw nervous system.
I am going to die. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 384
Dimensions: Length: 1.25" Width: 8.5" Height: 8.5"
Weight: 0.75 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date May 15, 2007
Publisher Multnomah Books
ISBN 1590525035
EAN 9781590525036
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Availability 0 units.
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About this Author/Artist Chuck Holton has been an Army Ranger, a stockbroker, flown military helicopters, and now travels the world as the “Adventure Correspondent” for CBN. He is the author of five books, including A More Elite Soldier and Bulletproof. He writes from his farm in Appalachia, where he raises animals along with five children. He blogs about his adventures at www.livefire.us.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Page-turning suspense. I ate this story up! Jul 14, 2007 |
Island Inferno is a page-turning suspense novel that you don't want to miss. I had not read the first book in the series and didn't feel like I missed out, so I think this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel (though now that I've finished the story I'm dying to read the sequel).
The author takes you to numerous settings and countries and puts you into the heads of the good guys and the bad. In some ways this book made me feel like I was in Jurassic Park, but minus the dinosaurs. Island Inferno even had college students exploring the island, totally unsuspecting what was going on behind the vegetation. And that bottled water was downright scary because you never knew when someone would take a swig and possible blow up. I couldn't stop reading this book! It contained enemies who were just as frightening and deadly as man-eating dinosaurs, and you never knew when they would appear and kill someone. Very exciting and nerve-wracking.
I also totally loved the special forces and commando feel of the book. You can see that the author has experience because the details show that he knows what he's writing about, which makes it feel even more real. My favorite characters were Rip and Fernanda. The end of the story was fabulous and even a tad romantic, and while it wrapped up some details, it left just enough loose ends for a sequel.
The spiritual thread in this story truly impressed me--how the circumstances opened up situations where people truly wanted to know God in a personal way. It came out very naturally through the plot, and in my opinion was one of the best things about the story. While packed with a variety of violent situations (I'm quite squeamish and the details were awesome), the story would be lifeless without the James Bond/Mission Impossible feel to it. I highly recommend this book! In fact, I think it would make an awesome movie, too. | | |  | Plot and Character - Shaken, Stirred and Blended Jul 3, 2007 |
This is a true blend of a character/relationship driven story and a plot powered novel. Holton's diverse and fascinating experiences add intriguing depth to a plot that involves so many characters it could get out of control. But Holton manages to keep things moving along and buttoned down.
I did get lost in some of the jargon, but tool/technology lovers should dig the references to guns, spy equipment, explosives and some other things that went way over my head.
Into this tight mix, Holton, weaves a fair amount of spiritual undertones and truths.
The jungle atmosphere and a legend added intensity to the plot. I appreciated Holton's clarity and strength with point of view. He stayed within the same character's head throughout each scene, making the read much more enjoyable for me.
Action lovers are likely to devour "Island", suspense fans should find much to like, too.
| | | | A great addition to the series May 23, 2007 |
ITEB, Task Force Valor and Phoenix are back in Island Inferno, the second installment of Chuck Holton's military suspense series.
Staff Sergeant Rip Rubio and the team head down to Panama on a tip that the deadly explosive ITEB, which they discovered in their most recent tour of duty in Lebanon, has found its way on to the black market and will end up on the hands of terrorists of all persuasions.
Their search for the deadly substance leads them to the mysterious and desolate island of Coiba, formerly host to political prisoners and violent criminals. Rip literally lands on the lap of biology student, Fernanda Lerida, stranded on the island when the research team she is with falls prey to unscrupulous men and a ghost-like warrior.
Chuck Holton goes solo without Gayle Roper in this exciting sequel to the successful Allah's Fire and does so with finesse and an eye for detail. Rip Rubio takes over from John Cooper as the main protagonist, confronted not only by criminals bent on destroying peace but by his personal failings as he watches his young sister become enthralled by the gang culture in L.A. he was so much a part of. While the romance holds less significance in this sequel (the only way the reader might note Gayle's absence!), it does not detract from this high-octane tale that is fun to read, spiritually challenging and leaves you wanting to know more about the courageous Task Force Valor. A brilliant ending left me totally geared up for what Chuck has in store for the team in Book 3!
| | | | exciting action-packed inspirational thriller May 16, 2007 |
In Panama City, Panama, twenty -three years old graduate student Fernanda Gracioli Viera joins three other students (Zack, Carlos and Hedi) on an expedition led by renowned Professor Alex Quintero to remote former prison Isle Coiba. The professor seeks undiscovered moths and butterflies in a rare pristine natural habitant hardly touched by humans with the long term hope of discovering a cure for a disease like AIDS.
At the same time as the professor and the students sans Hedi who became ill and left behind head to the isle, pirates led by Chombon attack a cargo ship carrying mostly lumber but also a dangerous liquid explosive ITEB. CIA Agent Mary "Phoenix" Walker and the military's Task Force Valor unit arrive in Panama seeking the ITEB before it gets into the hands of terrorists. Chombon and his thugs come to Isle Coiba where they capture the two male students. Not long afterward, the Task Force Valor soldiers parachute onto Coiba seeking the ITEB; staff sergeant Euripedes "Rip" Rubio actually lands on Fernanda. The Americans must be careful because their adversaries have the explosives to destroy the island; yet hope to rescue Zack and Carlos while recovering the ITEB. At the same time Rip and Fernanda are attracted to one another, but first the mission than a date.
The second Task Force Valor inspirational thriller (see ALLAH'S FIRE) is an exciting action-packed tale once the team reaches Panama. The opening chapters especially in the States introduce the Task Force Valor team members especially Rip, whose thirteen year old sister Gabi in L.A. hangs with gangs, but also delays the prime action that occurs on Coiba. The inspirational segues are for most part apropos to the plot as "there are no atheists in fox holes". Sub-genre readers will enjoy the escapades of the team as they struggle with pirates, a hermit, a beleaguered research team, and mostly a bureaucrat to prevent ITEB from reaching terrorists.
Harriet Klausner
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