Allah's Fire
by Chuck Holton and Gayle Roper
Published by Multnomah Publishers
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Reviewed by Pattie Reitz
(Book 1 in the Task Force Valor Series)
With a plot that could have been ripped from yesterday's newspaper, Chuck Holton and Gayle Roper have crafted an intriguing beginning to what is sure to be a popular and riveting book series.
Allah's Fire is the story of Master Sergeant John Cooper of the special ops group in charge of explosive ordnance disposal--the bomb squad of the Middle East. It is also the story of Liz Fairchild, an American reporter living in Lebanon, whose sister Julie is presumed dead in a suicide bomber blast.
When Liz finds evidence to suggest Julie may still be alive, her path crosses that of Task Force Valor, and their lives will take more twists and turns than even they are prepared for. The enemy turns out to be a common one: those who are manufacturing ITEB, a highly explosive substance known as Allah's fire.
Fans of Gayle Roper will not be disappointed by this new venture. Her storytelling style transfers well from her previous Seaside Seasons suspense-filled novels to the Middle East setting. Chuck Holton's military experience lends an unparalleled realism to the military portions of the novel. (In fact, in the author's note, he reassures the reader that he purposely changed many details to protect the men and women serving our country.)
For readers who may be unsure about tackling a military-themed book, I can assure you it is very interesting. The pace of the book is quick, but not so quick that it's impossible to keep up with. It helps that the military scenes are interspersed with scenes of the "bad guys," and with Julie's and Liz's stories.
Armchair Interviews says: Overall, this book is highly recommended as an intriguing and contemporary suspense and love story, full of faith and love, duty and family.