Off The Shelf: The Widow's Strike by Brad Taylor

Today as we celebrate our Independence Day with the Fourth of July holiday, it’s a great time to talk about a book written by a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry and Special Forces.

New York Times bestselling author Brad Taylor introduces his fourth Pike Logan thriller, THE WIDOW’S STRIKE this month. Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Taylor writes with a level of accuracy that has made military authenticity his trademark. 

Brad’s popularity has grown by leaps and bounds with each action-packed novel. Booklist raves, “Taylor, whose background in Special Forces gives his work undeniable authenticity, delivers another exciting thriller that the covert-ops crowd will relish.” Because of his lengthy career and media savvy, Brad has also become a regular commentator on FOX and MSNBC to discuss breaking news involving terrorism, security threats, and ground operations.

In this fourth Pike Logan series thriller, the Taskforce must stop a suicide bomber intent on triggering a global epidemic.
    Invented by nature but genetically manipulated by man, a mutation of a deadly virus has fallen into the wrong hands. Angered by sanctions placed against its nuclear program, a rogue state is determined to release it. Their chosen method: one of the Black Widows—female suicide terrorists of Chechen descent with a deadly reputation for slaughter that rivals any other group.
    The only thing standing in the Black Widow’s way is the Taskforce, an extra-legal counter-terrorism unit. Racing against time to prevent a global pandemic, Taskforce operator Pike Logan and his partner Jennifer Cahill follow the trail across Southeast Asia to the United States, only to learn that the enemy they face may not be the enemy they should fear.

THE WIDOW’S STRIKE ties together government-sanctioned terrorist activities, nefarious multinational conglomerates, and frighteningly plausible science. Infused with authenticity from Brad’s decades of service as a Delta Force commander, it’s an explosive ride alongside America’s counter-terrorism operators that will leave readers breathless.

Here’s what others are saying about THE WIDOW’S STRIKE:
    “Terrorists seek to cause mass devastation using a virus as a bio-weapon in bestseller Taylor’s entertaining fourth Pike Logan thriller…clever plotting and solid prose set this above many similar military action novels.” -  Publishers Weekly
    “Don your hazmat suit, prop up your feet and enjoy a good yarn.” - Kirkus Reviews     “Taylor, whose background in Special Forces gives his work undeniable authenticity, delivers another exciting thriller that the covert-ops crowd will relish. Get this one into the hands of Vince Flynn fans.” -  Jeff Ayers, Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brad was born on Okinawa, Japan, but grew up on 40-acres in rural Texas. Graduating from the University of Texas, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. 

He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. His final assignment was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Brad holds a Master’s of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a concentration in Irregular Warfare.  

When not writing, he serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies. Brad in Charleston, SC, with his wife and two daughters.

Brad will be on tour this month promoting WIDOW’S STRIKE. Check out the listing below to see if he will be in or near where you live.

Tuesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. - Charleston, S.C. The Rooftop Bar at Vendue Inn
19 Vendue Range St
Charleston, SC 29401
www.bluebicyclebooks.com
 
Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. - Atlanta, GA. Books For Less
Offsite at: 8465 Holcomb Bridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022
www.mybfl.com  

Thursday, July 18, 7 p.m. - Scottsdale, AZ Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd, Ste 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251-4327
www.poisonedpen.com  

Friday, July 19, 7 p.m. - Albuquerque, NM Bookworks
4022 Rio Grande Blvd, NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
www.bkwrks.com  

Saturday, July 20, 4:30 p.m. - Houston, TX
Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonett Street
Houston, TX 77005
www.murderbooks.com  

If you’d like a signed copy of THE WIDOW’S STRIKE or one of Brad’s previous books, please contact one of the tour bookstores closest to you.  They will sell you the book and Brad will sign it when he visits the bookstore on tour.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope everyone is having a safe, happy (and dry, as it’s 100 percent rain here) FOURTH OF JULY!! 

For more on Brad and his writing, visit his website at http://bradtaylorbooks.com/