Drones

by Johnny Ray

Matalina heads the elite special forces of Baltonia, a small country near Switzerland, and where the Maliviziati maintain their secret society that opposes the Illuminati's various splinter groups that want to create a new world order. While she directs the most powerful special operatives in the world, she is very capable of going solo when needed. She was bred like her parents and theirs before to be the best warrior in the world. Unfortunately, her chosen mate, Bjorn, has turned against them, killing her sister in the process. She loved him earlier, and perhaps she still does. Still, when she finds him, she will kill him. When a new faction attempts to release drones in America, Matalina has to respond to keep this from playing into the hands of those wanting to create a new world order. She soon learns that the leader of this group is one of Bjorn's operatives, Mario, a guy she should kill, but he is also the one person she needs to take alive to be able to locate Bjorn. With mercenaries flown in from Columbia to help this terrorist faction which was formed out of Afghanistan, this novel circles the globe as many players fight for eventual control of the world.

Genres: Thriller

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Johnny has a passion, a thirst, for life and adventure that he loves to share with his readers.

Please consider joining SIR JOHN'S ARMY, his fan club, by signing up for his newsletter http://eepurl.com/Ltkfv

Johnny Ray's blog http://www.sirjohn.us
and amazon site http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Ray/e/B0...

He has owned and operated several real estate companies, several insurance companies and a stock brokerage company.

He is a graduate of Auburn University with post graduate work at the Birmingham School of Law, The University of Alabama, The University of Tennessee, UCLA, New York University, Wil-Var Institute and The American College. He has received the following certifications: Certified International Property Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Managerial Accountant, Certified Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant.
He lives in St Petersburg, Florida where he works full time as a writer. He belongs to the Florida Writer Association, the Romantic Writers of America, the Mystery Writers Association, and can be found attending various national conventions as well as supporting several local writing groups. His novel THE SALSA CONNECTION won the Royal Palm Literary award for best thriller.

Reviews

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drones by Johnny Ray is the first book of a series. It's very clever and interesting. The heroine, Matalina is trained her entire life as a warrior. She's a princess and heir to the throne in her secretive country. She's chasing after Bjord, her intended mate. He turned traitor to his country. There is a price on his head. While going after him, Matt stumbles on terrorists smuggling explosives into the United States. It is determined they are for drones to use against the US. She contacts her CIA representative to clue him in and try to get info from him. She follows the clues to Columbia, South America. She discovers a factory but the operation is shut down. She gets a pilot to fly her into the jungle following the air currents. She is targeted by drones. Matt did find names and phone numbers on the sketch boards by tracing plain paper over it. She knows shes searching for Kafar. He wants revenge against the US because an errant drone killed his family in Afghanistan. Matalina has to return home for state affairs and recuperate from her injuries. This is a very fast paced tale. It leaves you twisting and turning wondering where the story is going.

[Drone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for action? Then Drones, by Johhny Ray will swoop down and capture your imagination! This book is packed with strong characters, plenty of attention-grabbing action, and romance. Luckily, it is also just the first book in his Maliviziati Series. Believe me, you will want to keep reading more. Really interesting lecture i ve read a good review about it on dji blog and drone with interesting reflection .

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start this review by praising the author for such a well-written, fast paced, action filled work. I always love when the novel has very descriptive scenes. This novel had a ton of that and so turning the pages was easy for me. The novel did not take place in just one area, which was a nice change of pace from other novels that I have read lately. Being taken to other places within one novel is always a surprise that is welcomed. As I read farther into the novel, my brain started to whirl with the possibility of how easy some of the things described could be going on right under someone’s nose.

Matalina was by far one of my favorite woman, tough characters that I have read about in a while. Unlike myself, she is strong not just mentally but physically. I found myself envying her for what she was throughout the novel. The only parts that really troubled me about her was that she seemed to have no second thoughts about killing someone, but she was the princess. The envious part of me loved that she was a strong and put together woman that could even battle it out with the CIA. How daring!

I also fell in love with the other bad boy personas that were introduced. All of the characters in their own right helped Matalina out. This book was hard to put down with all of the action and it was a fast page turner for me. I became wrapped in the story all the way to the end wanting to know what the next op would be and how everything would turn out. It wasn’t all action though. There were subtle hints of romance and a little bit of political banter which I enjoyed. I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store for Matalina. I will not give away the ending, but it may just make way for a softer edged Matalina.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by Promotional Book Tours in exchange for my thoughts. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying this is one heck of a great book. I have read other works by this author, but this one is not like any of the others. This action-packed, intriguing book grabbed me from the start and kept me riveted to the story throughout. The main character, Matlina, is a fantastic character, one who is strong and determined but still likable to me despite her demonstrated hardness. Having always been an avid reader of anything and all things that depict of concern the Illuminati, I found it fascination that the author wove this force into the novel. I just wish the Illuminati had played a larger role in the novel, rather than being left in the background. As usual, the author wrote well, with good descriptions and smoothly flowing scenes. The story covers many different areas of the world and some new, emerging technology, drones. I enjoyed the fact the author brought the book closer to home by including realistic, current threats such as mercenaries from Columbia and a terrorist faction formed out of Afghanistan, whose goal was to create a new order with total control here in America and the world. Now that Matlina has succeeded in this endeavor, I will be interested in seeing what else is planned for her in future books. This is a good book for readers who enjoy fast-paced, intriguing books, page-turners that keep you in suspense until the end. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.

[Melissa Haggerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly action packed and fast. I felt like I was on a wild ride just waiting to find out what would happen next. It was exciting to read, and full of interesting details. I loved how the setting switched around to many different areas. They all had their treacherous elements, which just added to the story. It was both amazing and terrifying to read something that could so easily be going on behind regular people's backs.

I liked Matalina a lot. She was obviously a strong woman, but it was more her sense of duty and responsibility that I found myself admiring. There were so many other characters in this book. I loved the arrogant bad guys. I also greatly enjoyed each person who helped Matalina out in the book. They were not looked into in depth, but there was still a sense of who they were by their actions.

This book is a fast paced thriller that I think people can sink their teeth into. I was wrapped up in the story and holding my breath during every op. I loved the little touches of romance and politics. They didn't over shadow the action, but they added another layer to the story. I can't wait to find out what will happen next for Matalina.

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book extremely well-written. The writing flowed smoothly, and the scenes were very descriptive. There was plenty of action to keep the reader turning the pages, full of espionage, explosions and one very kick-butt woman. Matalina is probably the hardest woman I've ever known as a character, not confusing, but physically overpowering.
Being as hard of a woman as she was, it was hard to really empathize with her. She had no problems with killing anyone, no remorse at all at times, and yet, at the same time, she was supposed to be this princess of a country that no one has ever heard about. A country that was centered around destroying the Illuminati.
The Illuminati never really showed up in the book, and it seemed to end up being a power battle between Matalina and the US CIA. Apparently she has bigger cajones than the US CIA.
The ending was what kept me on the edge of my seat, because for some odd reason, I'm hoping to see a softer side of Matalina through her semi-arranged marriage.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received a copy of this book in goodreads giveaway.
It was difficult for me to truly lose myself in the story, as the writing is erratic and the word use repetitive. This book seemed like it needed a more thorough editing, for spelling, syntax, and repetition. The author desperately needs to consult a Thesaurus.
I liked the concept of this story better than the book itself. It was NOT a compelling page-turner for me, and I really had to force myself to keep reading. Some aspects seemed very believable and well-researched, while others were painfully thin and weak. This is a good fit for taking on Holiday, when you want something to read to pass the time, but don't want to devote too much concentration to it. I felt if I had left this behind somewhere, I would not have missed anything too important. This will NOT be earning a place on my library shelves, as I have NO need or desire to ever read this again.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong character Matalina is a cat with special claws, one you do not want to fight with. She is special ops and a leader and a princes, who tries hard to keep the world safe. When she is be trade by her fiancee, who gets her sister killed, she goes after him and while she is at she, she finds a dangerous group which makes drones to attack the States. All points towards Bjorn but is it? she finds leads into Afghanistan, Columbia and Germany. If she will be able to safe the world from these killer drones??? . I am not going to tell you. It is a great action book, I loved every minute of it.

I received a free copy of this book for a honest review.

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written adventurous tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Action-packed and full of intrigue, this book will keep readers turning the pages. The characters are strong and well rounded, making them easy to relate to. Matalina is a strong, kick-butt female character, reminiscent of something Joss Whedon would create. And who couldn't like that? *I received a copy of this book from a book blog tour in exchange for an honest review*

[Patricia Gale · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Librarything.com. Being a huge fan of Clive Clusser, Steve Berry and James Rollins, I was looking forward to reading this book. The plot of the novel was pretty good and easy to follow. The writing was choppy and hard to follow through many parts of the novel. If you can make it through that it is actually a pretty good read.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to review. I really enjoyed the story and think it would make a great movie. However, I feel that there were too many repetitive lines. There were gaps and unfinished story lines.

[Rajuda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A style of storytelling that didn't appeal to me! A super heroine with whom I couldn't gel! And action packed events that left me inert! Yet, I ploughed on, to avoid being unfairly judgemental.

[JARED FITE]

i think it was an okay book