Guest Review: Targets of Opportunity – Jeffrey S. Stephens

THE ENEMY HAS A THOUSAND WAYS TO STRIKE. WE HAVE JUST ONE WAY TO RETALIATE. HIS NAME IS JORDAN SANDOR. In Targets of Deception, which suspense master Robert K. Tanenbaum called “a fast-paced thriller,” Jeffrey Stephens introduced CIA agent Jordan Sandor, whom bestselling author Steve Alten praised as “terrific.” Now Sandor is back, playing for bigger stakes and facing deadlier challenges.

Whisked from his Manhattan town house to a gabled CIA safe house in Virginia, Sandor faces off with a top terrorist agent from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In exchange for protection from his own side, Ahmad Jaber is offering the CIA explosive information: word of a secret, unholy alliance forged among operatives in the Middle East, a ruthless South American, and Kim Jong-Il’s North Korea. Jaber claims not to know specific details, only that the strike will target the heart of America.

The fanatics stage a stunning diversion in the Caribbean, mercilessly downing a passenger jet and unleashing an assault on a French intelligence installation. Sandor, however, has already moved in a different direction. Leveraging Jaber’s infor-mation, he assembles a small strike force to penetrate North Korea. The team knows they will not all return, but the intel they gather will be vital to American security. What they ultimately discover plunges Sandor into a frantic race against time, struggling to defeat a shadowy figure—a master terrorist with a plan of destruction so perfectly disguised that even with the new knowledge he has gathered, Sandor cannot guess where or how he will strike.

As a storm rages in the Gulf of Mexico, word comes that two submarines have penetrated U.S. waters. With the U.S. military hampered by the hurricane, Sandor turns to a few daring U.S. Navy SEALs to duel with the enemy they cannot see . . . for now they know only that there are two nuclear weapons aimed at a target of opportunity whose destruction would change the world order forever.

Brilliantly conceived, electrifyingly paced, Targets of Opportunity captures a terrifying twenty-first century reality: terrorists can—and will—try as many times as they need to attack the United States. For the brave men and women who defend our country, failure is not an option.

Series:  Jordan Sandor #1
Release Date:  April 24, 2012
Publisher:  Pocket Books
Source: Provided by Publisher
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Just when I thought I’d found one of the best books I’d ever read in Targets of Deception, Jeffrey Stephens manages to completely floor me with his second installment of this phenomenal thriller series.  This time, Jordan takes on North Korea and a terrorist cell that’s threatening to attack the heart of the United States.  As time is ticking, Jordan and his team of US Navy Seals must risk their lives to protect the country that they (and we) love from a terrorist attack of “nuclear” proportions.

I must say, that Jordan has moved near the top of my list of favorite secret agents/spies.  His character is so exciting!  He’s witty, charming, determined… what’s not to love?  That and the fact that he totally kicks butt 🙂  I also loved that this book included the Navy Seals too.  It definitely gives you a new found respect for all that they sacrifice and do for each and every one of us.

Another page turner, I couldn’t put this one down either.  Mr. Stephens sure does know how to tell a fantastic story, keeping the reader engaged and leaving them with a need to know just what happens next.  If you’re a fan of political/spy thrillers or mystery and/or action, do yourselves a favor and pick up this wonderful series.  It is definitely well worth your time.