Flight of the Intruder (Jake Grafton #1)

Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts is the first book in his Jake Grafton series. Grafton is a US Navy pilot - a character so loved he is in a second series after he retires from the Navy.

At the opening of the series Jake Grafton is a US Navy Lieutenant pilot assigned to the Shiloh aircraft carrier stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam war. He flies the A6-A Intruder. He and his bombardier are sent on many bombing raids into North Vietnam.

While on leave in Hong Kong, Jake meets Callie who works for the State Department. On top of meeting the woman we will spend the rest of his life with, Callie provides Jake with a sounding board for his concerns about the war. The idea that he and his fellow pilots are often risking their lives for patches of jungle that look just like other patches of jungle and the need to find meaning in the death of friends during such flights, causes Jake to circumvent the chain of command - an act that could ultimately put him in military prison.-, if he lives through it.
 
Coonts captures the feel and excitement of flying, the terror of flying in combat and the horror and boredom of war. Fans of airplane fiction like John J Nance will love this series. Grafton is a compelling character. Fans of the new Grafton and Carmellini series will enjoy a look back at Grafton's rise through the ranks of US Navy.

Coonts, Stephen. (1986). Flight of the Intruder. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Scimitar SL-2 (Arnold Morgan #7)

Scimitar SL-2 by Patrick Robinson is the seventh book featuring Admiral Arnold Morgan.

With the new presidential election, Admiral Morgan is out of a job. He has been wanting to retire for a while, but he may have trouble separating himself from the dangers facing the United States - especially with General Ravi Rashood, ex-British SAS, leading Hamas against the US.

Written before the tsunami in the Indian Ocean (and therefore far before the Japan earthquake and tsunami), Robinson came up with the idea that the science of a massive tidal wave is a good backdrop for a thriller. When you add in a terrorist with access to weapons that could help trigger a volcanic eruption and potential tsunami, the thrill ride becomes even more intense.

Robinson, Patrick. (2004). Scimitar SL-2. New York: HarperCollins.

Barracuda 945 (Arnold Morgan #6)

Barracuda 945 by Patrick Robinson is the sixth book in his Arnold Morgan series.

Major RayKerman is a well-thought of SAS Major in charge of the special forces unit sent to Israel to assists the Israeli IDF. They are there as observers and advisers.

During a systematic inspection of a neighborhood thought to harbor anti-Israeli terrorists, tensions run high when a few people begin to shoot at the soldiers. When Major Kerman witnesses the killing of two young children, his instincts kick in to protect their mother.

Now Kerman finds himself on the run. Though his past has been buried, and the British think he is missing in action, the US military analysts - namely Vice Admiral Arnold Morgan and his close advisors - think he may have defected. They have turned up evidence that Ray Kerman was born Ravi Rashood. He was born in Iran and may have returned to his roots.

What follows is a high energy, well-planned attempt by the now General Rashood, to help Hamas get rid of Israel. While there is little proof that Kerman/Rashood is behind the latest incidents in Israel, never before have raids by Hamas been carried out with special forces planning. And never before have the plans been on so grand a scale...

Robinson knows how to write military thrillers. His characters are smart, capable, and compelling. However, I have to comment on the other part of his books. I am not sure if Robinson (and a few other military thriller writers) do not realize the range of readers their book have or not, but the sidetracking of the story in order to verbally bash Democrats and liberals as stupid, anti-military people is shortsighted (not to mention that the president in the book who is Republican, has to be told what to do because he is not a military strategist). I love reading military thrillers - and I am not a political conservative. I like the stories, the weapons, the gadgets. But people are multi-faceted. To make the assumption that all readers are one type of person and do not vary is ridiculous. I now find myself wanting to know what happens in the next book, but wondering if I have to skip the sections when the author tells me that I am stupid because I am not a Republican...

Robinson, Patrick. (2003). Barracuda 945. New York: HarperCollins.

The Shark Mutiny (Arnold Morgan #5)

The Shark Mutiny by Patrick Robinson is the fifth book featuring Admiral Arnold Morgan, now the National Security Advisor.

After 500 years of sticking close to home, the Chinese Navy is trying to establish themselves in the greater oceans. To this end they hatch a plot to stop all oil traffic in the Straight of Hormuz so that their partnership with Iran is the only available oil on the market - at a much inflated price. In order to accomplish this task, they lay a mine field through out the straight.

In the process of clearing the straight to allow the world's oil market to flow, NSA Arnold Morgan fells that he is missing something. The Chinese did not gain much by blockading the straight. Could it be that the response of the US - to send most of the Navy to one part of the world - was just a decoy?

Morgan and his brilliance, with the help of the Navy SEALs will try fight back and keep China's Navy in the waters immediately surrounding China.

Robinson is a great Navy storyteller. He has the details down, adding layers of believable US politics and layers of international politics. His book are some of the best military suspense on the market.

Robinson, Patrick. (2001). The Shark Mutiny. New York: HarperCollins.

U.S.S. Seawolf (Arnold Morgan #4)

U.S.S. Seawolf is the fourth book in the Arnold Morgan series by Patrick Robinson.

China has a new nuclear submarine. It will be leaving its dry dock in the Yellow Sea and making it way through the shallows to East China Sea for trials - including its first time underwater because it was build in water too shallow for submersion.

The United States Navy must get a look at the sub to determine if China now has the capacity to launch a nuclear warhead from Chinese waters to the west coast of the US. Captain Judd Crocker and his crew on the USS Seawolf - the new US sub that is the latest in stealth technology - will be tasked with measuring the new Chinese submarine.

Orders are to follow and record the size of the submarine without being detected in Chinese waters. When the Seawolf is not only detected, but captured by the Chinese, the possibility of ever seeing her crew again are not likely. Plus, in the hands of the Chinese, the Seawolf will advance the Chinese Navy about 30 years in technology.

Admiral Arnold Morgan, the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, must find a way to rescue 100 US Navy personnel and somehow render the Seawolf useless or China will be well on her way to controlling the Pacific.

Robinson has created a series that any military or adventure readers will love. It is packed with technical information, suspense, political intrigue, and Navy SEALS. What more could you ask for in a book?

Robinson, Patrick. (2000). USS Seawolf. New York: HarperCollins.

H.M.S. Unseen (Arnold Morgan #3)

H.M.S. Unseen by Patrick Robinson is his third book featuring Arnold Morgan, former Navy Admiral now U.S. National Security Advisor.

Eilat One is Iraq's top assassin. He has created such havoc for the United States in the name of Islam that he should be a national hero in Iran. At the beginning of the book he is presented with his country's highest award. And that same night, two other assassins are sent to kill him.

When the Concorde disappears mid-Atlantic, air traffic control reports it but the wreckage is in 3-miles deep ocean. Before the black box can be found another supersonic plane joins it.

Admiral Morgan fears that the assassin who attacked a U.S. Battle Carrier Group may not be as dead as Mossad said he was. The evidence of such intricate planning and daring can only be one man. Unfortunately, before Morgan can find any proof, another plane is shot down - this one carrying some of the top U.S. officials.

Robinson creates a story with twists and turns that can be addicting to readers. His descriptions of military and political story lines is fascinating. His characterization is great and his suspense does not let readers off the hook until the final page.

Robinson, Patrick. (1999). H.M.S. Unseen. New York: HarperCollins Publishing.

Kilo Class (Arnold Morgan #2)

Kilo Class by Patrick Robinson is a thrill ride for any fans of warfare, politics, or submarines. It is his second book featuring Admiral Morgan, now the President's Nation Security Advisor.

In spite of the pressure of the United States not to sell their Kilo class submarines to China, Russia decides to sell them ten. After all, they desperately need the money. But the sale is something that the US cannot allow. Those boats can never reach China. China would use them to control the Straits of Taiwan and all trade that goes through the strait.

Commander Dunning and his nuclear attack submarine Columbia will be sent on a black-ops missions to take out the kilo subs.

Robinson is a master as weaving a military and political plot that encompasses the complications and intricacies of dealing with, in this case, four different countries and relations with the rest of the global community. His scenes in the submarine, submerged in frigid waters makes readers almost claustrophobic while scrambling to read more of his fascinating narrative.

Robinson, Patrick. (1998). Kilo Class. New York: Random House.

Nimitz Class (Arnold Morgan #1)

Nimitz Class by Patrick Robinson is a military thriller of the highest class. The detailed actions of a Carrier Battle Group of the United States Navy is fascinating and awe-inspiring in terms of the technology involved and the sheer size of the ships.

The Carrier Battle Group headed by the Thomas Jefferson is on patrol in the Arabian Sea when the unthinkable happens - the Nimitz class carrier is destroyed in a nuclear explosion.

Lieutenant Commander Bill Baldridge of Naval Intelligence is tasked with the responsibility of finding out what happened to cause an entire ship to disappear. This is not just another job for him; his brother Jack was the Captain of the ship. Baldridge will track all leads and rumors to find out what happened to his brother and the other 6000 men killed in action.

Robinson has obviously done his research in creating a thrilling military adventure that takes the lead character all over the world in search of answers. His author's note is a must read for any Navy fans - he gives the best description of a Carrier Battle Group I have ever read.

Robinson, Patrick. (1997). Nimitz Class. New York: HarperCollins.

Rapture of the Deep (Bloody Jack #7)

Rapture of the Deep, Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Soldier, Sailor , Mermaid, Spy by L.A. Meyer is the seventh book in the Bloody Jack series.

Jacky continues to make her way through life and affect history as we know it. In her latest adventure she is about to finally marry Jaimy when she is once again interrupted. The Office of British Intelligence is not done with her and if she does not cooperate they will turn her in for the ship she stole two books ago.

Now Jacky is off on her own ship, the Nancy B., undercover on a scientific expedition. She and her crew are headed to the Florida Keys - controlled by the Spanish - to look for a sunken ship filled with gold.

The adventure and suspense continue in this edition of the Bloody Jack books - great stories that entertain while teaching readers about the time period, being a sailor, a pirate, and a young woman in a time when they were thought to be simple-minded. Jacky proves she is capable of accomplishing things that no other sailor could get done. I love this series and cannot wait for the next book!

Meyer, L.A. (2009). Rapture of the Deep. New York: Harcourt.

Bloody Jack (Bloody Jack #1)

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer is a story of adventure on the high seas.

When Mary's parents died she ended up on the streets of London. To survive she joined a group of other kids who helped each other from day to day. But when one of the boys in her gang died she took his clothes and decided to become a boy.

After dressing like a boy for about a week, Mary - now Jack - sees a ship that is choosing a few boys to join the crew. She quickly convinces them to pick her.

Now she is on a ship with hundreds of Royal Navy men and little place to hide. She did not think about the logistics of being female among men in such a confined space. Of course it is easier to hide when no one knows to look.

Jacky is a ship's boy on the HMS Dolphin in this first adventure in the Bloody Jack series.

Meyer, L.A. (2002). Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy. New York: Harcourt, Inc.

Forget Me Not (Navy SEAL #1)

Forget Me Not by Marliss Melton is the first book in her Navy SEAL series. The Navy SEAL series is a read alike suggestion for Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series.

Gabe Renault has been MIA for a year now. Following Navy policy, he is now considered dead. His wife and stepdaughter mourn his loss but are trying to move on with their lives. His wife, Helen, knows that even before he disappeared physically, he was gone mentally for a while. He was married to his career as a SEAL and his family took a backseat.

Just as life is becoming normal and Helen has decided she is happy with her new life, a phone call changes everything. Gabe has been found. He has no memory for the last three years - the whole time they were together.

Now Helen has to take home a man she resents to help him recover his memories before she can divorce him. Gabe cannot believe that he is married in the first place but realises that Helen is an amazing woman and wants a chance to get to know her.

And someone else, the person who set Gabe up in the first place - the man who left him for dead in North Korea - has to take care of him before his memories can resurface.

Melton, Marliss. (2004). Forget Me Not. New York: Warner Forever.

Target Lock (Amanda Garrett #4)

The forth book in the Amanda Garrett Navy thriller series by James H Cobb continues the career of Commander Garrett.

Captain Amanda Lee Garrett, US Navy, is now a Commodore - in charge of a small fleet of ships called the Sea Fighter Squadron. The squadron includes two stealth ships, one of which is her former command the Duke, three hydroplanes, a flock of attack helicopters, and a Marine Special Forces battalion.

When a private research satellite is being recovered in the Sea between Australia and Indonesia, the recovery ship is attacked by pirates. Those pirates have been a problem in the area since the 1500s, they are now being taught the skills to take on larger ships.

Amanda and her fleet are sent to Indonesia to find the new leader of the pirates before he can take control of the whole sea. But the new pirate king may meet his match in Amanda Garrett. Or will she finally meet her match? At one point she is kidnapped and the fleet, now in the hands of Admiral Eddie Mac will do anything to rescue her - including breaking international law...

Cobb, James H. (2002). Target Lock. New York: GP Putnam's Sons.

Sea Fighter (Amanda Garrett #3)

In Sea Fighter, the third book featuring Commander Amanda Garrett, James Cobb has taken high-tech military narration to a new level.

After two media grabbing adventures, Amanda Garrett is becoming a well known military presence. But with her ship in dry dock after the last battle, Amanda will be a land locked sailor. So when she gets the opportunity to take a lead in the United Nations African Interdiction force, she takes it. But instead of a warship she will be in charge of a floating island of military personnel.

Proving that she can get the job done regardless of her command situation, Commander Garrett battles hostile African Union forces, UN politicking, and a hurricane.

Cobb, James H. (2000). Sea Fighter. New York: Jove Books.

Sea Strike (Amanda Garrett #2)

James H. Cobb's second book in the Commander Amanda Garrett series is Sea Strike.

The USS Cunningham, the latest technology in stealth fighting ships is under the command of Captain Amanda Lee Garrett. She has proven herself a more than capable commanders.

Now, when Taiwan begins a Chinese civil war to gain freedom, other Pacific Rim nations may be brought in to monitor the situation. If the communist Chinese on the mainland see a losing battle, they may resort to using their remaining nuclear submarine on Taiwan.

Cobb, James H. (1997). Sea Strike. New York: G.P.Putnam and Sons.

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Choosers of the Slain (Amanda Garrett #1)

James H. Cobb's first book featuring Navy Captain Amanda Lee Garrett, Choosers of the Slain, introduces a series of great military fiction.

The political battle over land in Antarctica has just been escalated to a military battle. Argentina has captured the British scientific research bases and expelled all British citizens.

In an attempt to help our closest ally, the USS Cunningham is sent to guard Drake Passage to prevent any more Argentine troops landing on Antarctica. The Cunningham is the latest in stealth design and carries enough fire power to take over a small nation, but how will she hold her own against the Argentine navy and air force?

Captain Garrett, in the first sea battle since WWII, will test the ship and its crew to the limits.

Cobb, James H. (1996). Choosers of the Slain. New York: G.P. Putnam and Sons.