Man of war An Eric Steele novel

*Starred Review* Novels written by former military personnel are quite common these days; some are better than others, but Parnell's first dive into creating characters and story is a definite winner. Eric Steele works as a clandestine operative for the Program, an outfit so secret even the CIA doesn't know it exists. A mission to stop a terrorist from unleashing a nuclear weapon is nothing new for Steele, but the man responsible for this threat is another matter. Nathaniel West used to work for the Program and was assumed killed along with his family in a horrible raid. He was Steele's friend and mentor, and Steele has never recovered from his death. Now Steele learns that not only is West alive, he appears to be the man who must be eliminated if the world is to be saved. In developing his plot and main character, Parnell writes like a veteran; he is less sure-handed, however, when it comes to creating female characters. Still, the main story line here, involving friends turned mortal enemies, is a grabber and will certainly please fans of Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, and Vince Flynn.--Jeff Ayers Copyright 2018 Booklist

Parnell brings his combat experience as a U.S. Army infantry officer in Afghanistan to his impressive first novel and series launch (after memoir Outlaw Platoon). Special Forces operative Eric Steele, who's as tough as his name, serves in a secret unit known as the Program that answers only to the president of the United States. Steele has succeeded in saving America on a number of occasions, but now he's facing a deadly adversary: Nathaniel West, his one-time mentor who has now gone rogue and stolen a suitcase nuke to exact revenge on the United States. The cast includes a traitor in the highest levels of the American government, a president dying of cancer, and a beautiful CIA agent, Meg Harden, to supply the sex and romance that Steele needs in his rare down time. The authenticity and intensity of the battles scenes more than compensate for the familiar plot and sometimes jingoistic prose. Thriller fans will be eager to see more of Steele. Agent: Scott Miller, Trident Media Group. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.