Island Inferno

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.

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.

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!

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