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Charity Styles Caribbean Thriller #1
Merciless Charity
Book 1 of 8: Caribbean Thriller Series
What can be done to stop madness from sweeping the world when political indecision is the norm? When the nation's leaders lack the backbone to stand up to them, what can stop an enemy that knows no rules? Charity. Charity Styles is a former Olympian and U.S. Army helicopter pilot. Captured and tortured by terrorists in Afghanistan after the opening blows of the War on Terror, Charity has a score to settle. Now working for the Department of Homeland Security, she is offered the opportunity to make a real difference. Critical memories of her ordeal are buried deep in Charity’s subconscious. When the director of Homeland Security’s vaunted Caribbean Counterterrorism Command, discovers the key to unlocking Charity’s past, he unleashes a tempest, the fury of which no enemy can prepare for. Already a martial arts instructor and pilot, Director Stockwell guides her training in marksmanship and spycraft, making Charity the most dangerous asset in America’s covert arsenal. Charity then sets her sails, crossing the sea in an antique sloop. A single-minded, all-encompassing determination stays her course. To confront the enemy and play by their rules.
What can be done to stop madness from sweeping the world when political indecision is the norm? When the nation's leaders lack the backbone to stand up to them, what can stop an enemy that knows no rules? Charity. Charity Styles is a former Olympian and U.S. Army helicopter pilot. Captured and tortured by terrorists in Afghanistan after the opening blows of the War on Terror, Charity has a score to settle. Now working for the Department of Homeland Security, she is offered the opportunity to make a real difference. Critical memories of her ordeal are buried deep in Charity’s subconscious. When the director of Homeland Security’s vaunted Caribbean Counterterrorism Command, discovers the key to unlocking Charity’s past, he unleashes a tempest, the fury of which no enemy can prepare for. Already a martial arts instructor and pilot, Director Stockwell guides her training in marksmanship and spycraft, making Charity the most dangerous asset in America’s covert arsenal. Charity then sets her sails, crossing the sea in an antique sloop. A single-minded, all-encompassing determination stays her course. To confront the enemy and play by their rules.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2015
1245 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Wayne Stinnett
55 books635 followersI'm a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and now, a full time novelist. Between those careers, I've also worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and truck driver. I live in the Sea Islands, near Beaufort, SC, with my wife and youngest daughter. We also have three grown children, five grand children, three dogs and a whole flock of parakeets. I grew up in Melbourne, FL and have also lived in the Florida Keys and Cozumel, MX.
You can like me on Facebook, to get updates at https://www.facebook.com/WayneStinnet...
You can like me on Facebook, to get updates at https://www.facebook.com/WayneStinnet...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 3, 2023
Wow, a great beginning to another series from the author !
May 30, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/merciless-c...
To be charitable (pun not intended), this might perhaps have come across better if I were familiar with the “Caribbean Adventure” series by the same author, featuring the exploits of ex-marine Jesse McDermitt. That long-running franchise saw its sixteenth(!) entry published in November, and this volume appears to be the first in a spin-off series from the same universe. This may be why the early going is really tough. Explanations of who people are and their relationships, are notable by their absence, and if it’s tacitly presumed you know them from his other work, that would make sense.
In particular, there’s an early plot thread where our heroine, Charity Styles, help track down kidnappers on their boat. But it’s a while before we discover who was abducted, and the whole thread seems to go absolutely nowhere, with Charity dropping people and then flying off. Only after then do we get to the main story.
To be charitable (pun not intended), this might perhaps have come across better if I were familiar with the “Caribbean Adventure” series by the same author, featuring the exploits of ex-marine Jesse McDermitt. That long-running franchise saw its sixteenth(!) entry published in November, and this volume appears to be the first in a spin-off series from the same universe. This may be why the early going is really tough. Explanations of who people are and their relationships, are notable by their absence, and if it’s tacitly presumed you know them from his other work, that would make sense.
In particular, there’s an early plot thread where our heroine, Charity Styles, help track down kidnappers on their boat. But it’s a while before we discover who was abducted, and the whole thread seems to go absolutely nowhere, with Charity dropping people and then flying off. Only after then do we get to the main story.
January 16, 2018
I have read all the Jesse McDermitt books in the series and enjoyed every single one. Wayne's stories usually take place in the Florida Keys or Caribbean and are educational as well as exciting. Merciless Charity is a spin-off of the series and follows Charity, the pilot of Jesse's team helicopter, on a clandestine mission to Mexico to locate a group of terrorists who are training and plan to infiltrate into the US within the next week. Most of her trip is on the water in an old sailboat that had been upgraded with many modern conveniences that will allow the boat to sail itself. En route, Charity encounters a family of Cuban refugees and compromises the mission to save them. She also develops a love interest on one of her stops that might continue in the next book.
This story, like the authors' others, are exciting and captivating. Charity is a professional sniper, trained in martial arts, and a skilled "sailor" since her youth. The clock is ticking and Charity can't afford to miss her timeline to stop the terrorists - any delays could compromise the mission. Readers will see her in action and see why she is "merciless."
Good job, in taking on the role of a female protagonist in your spin-off, Wayne. I'm looking forward to continuing this series.
This story, like the authors' others, are exciting and captivating. Charity is a professional sniper, trained in martial arts, and a skilled "sailor" since her youth. The clock is ticking and Charity can't afford to miss her timeline to stop the terrorists - any delays could compromise the mission. Readers will see her in action and see why she is "merciless."
Good job, in taking on the role of a female protagonist in your spin-off, Wayne. I'm looking forward to continuing this series.
September 17, 2016
Great addtion to Jesse's books
It was too short. Just when I got up to speed with Charity, it was over. And now I have another boat to add to my bucket list. First the revenge, and then her sailboat. Things to look for in Florida.
It was too short. Just when I got up to speed with Charity, it was over. And now I have another boat to add to my bucket list. First the revenge, and then her sailboat. Things to look for in Florida.
May 6, 2016
The books in this series are always interesting...
Many pages accurately describing Charity's sailing the 45' Pearson - in detail! As a former Sailor and current sailor, I really enjoyed the detail depiction of her sailing using correct terms & realistic experience in a multi-day solo cruise.
The plot is unrealistic as in some of the prior books. However as a former "waterman", Floridian & small motel owner, I enjoy his descriptions so much I can suppress concerns re plot.
Many pages accurately describing Charity's sailing the 45' Pearson - in detail! As a former Sailor and current sailor, I really enjoyed the detail depiction of her sailing using correct terms & realistic experience in a multi-day solo cruise.
The plot is unrealistic as in some of the prior books. However as a former "waterman", Floridian & small motel owner, I enjoy his descriptions so much I can suppress concerns re plot.
June 23, 2016
Mr Stinnett has brought to life another character with whom we can live vicariously through. This series has the promise of many "I can't wait" novels. Love your work- most entertaining
Charity Styles is a bad ass. A quick read , this cast of characters meshes well with Jesse McDermott clan leaving the reader hungry for the next novel.
Charity Styles is a bad ass. A quick read , this cast of characters meshes well with Jesse McDermott clan leaving the reader hungry for the next novel.
January 19, 2017
I enjoyed Charity's character in the Jesse McDermitt series. I enjoyed this book and felt the sailing detail was appropriate. I like a novel that builds a story instead of instant run and gun all the time. I look forward to reading more as Charity's world expanding and becoming as interesting as Jesse's.
October 27, 2015
Congratulations to Wayne Stinnet for breaking
Out of the mold and creating " Charity" . She is a strong and resourceful women who has what it takes to get the job done and I can't wait for her next adventure. I'm hooked!
Out of the mold and creating " Charity" . She is a strong and resourceful women who has what it takes to get the job done and I can't wait for her next adventure. I'm hooked!
January 26, 2016
Great novel
I liked the connection between the two series)this one and Jessie), it was enough introduction to get a sense of her new cover, then the introduction of possibly new characters for future books, I can't wait.
I liked the connection between the two series)this one and Jessie), it was enough introduction to get a sense of her new cover, then the introduction of possibly new characters for future books, I can't wait.
August 27, 2016
Good book
This book was great, I am looking forward to the next book in the series and also the next book on Jesse. Once you start reading they are hard to put down. Great job Wayne!
This book was great, I am looking forward to the next book in the series and also the next book on Jesse. Once you start reading they are hard to put down. Great job Wayne!
October 11, 2015
A good easy read
Enjoyed the character in the story . A fun read. I could not put it down until I finish it
Enjoyed the character in the story . A fun read. I could not put it down until I finish it
October 17, 2015
A great new character
A fan of Wayne Stinnett's books. Charity Styles is crossover avenging angel. A good first book with many others to come.
A fan of Wayne Stinnett's books. Charity Styles is crossover avenging angel. A good first book with many others to come.
November 23, 2015
Entertaining
A fairly quick read. Some things were hard to believe and the story wrap up was too easy, not much conflict for Charity to overcome.
A fairly quick read. Some things were hard to believe and the story wrap up was too easy, not much conflict for Charity to overcome.
January 10, 2021
This is the first book in the Charity Styles series. I jumped over and read it after I had completed the first four Jesse McDermitt books. Charity was a part of Jesse’s team but went solo.
There is a lot to like about this book. The character is intriguing, obviously quite skilled, and in some ways more of a traditional adventurer or agent in that she operates primarily on her own. The McDermitt books have a family feel, which is enjoyable, but being solo allows Ms. Styles to branch out and go where the wind blows. In other words, the story can be a lot more potentially unexpected. I like that in an adventure.
As in the McDermitt series, the writing is very detailed, the descriptions explicit and precise. Styles is a real-life wonder woman. She’ll take you on a fast-paced wild ride.
There is a lot to like about this book. The character is intriguing, obviously quite skilled, and in some ways more of a traditional adventurer or agent in that she operates primarily on her own. The McDermitt books have a family feel, which is enjoyable, but being solo allows Ms. Styles to branch out and go where the wind blows. In other words, the story can be a lot more potentially unexpected. I like that in an adventure.
As in the McDermitt series, the writing is very detailed, the descriptions explicit and precise. Styles is a real-life wonder woman. She’ll take you on a fast-paced wild ride.
March 7, 2024
This was a new-to-me book that I think I found on #bookbub. Merciless Charity by Wayne Stinnett was not really what I expected. It's the first book in the Caribbean Thriller series.
Charity Styles is our female warrior/assassin and she's on a mission. Find and eliminate a terrorist target in Mexico.
I mostly liked Charity but we really didn't get much insight into her. A good portion of the book was Charity sailing to Mexico and there was a lot of boat jargon (I ended up skipping a lot of that. I don't know boats. But I like the cut of your jib. Is that boat jargon?)
This copy had some errors that an editor should have caught but that didn't distract me too much. I'll probably read the next book because Charity is pretty bad-ass. I just hope we get a bit more depth.
Charity Styles is our female warrior/assassin and she's on a mission. Find and eliminate a terrorist target in Mexico.
I mostly liked Charity but we really didn't get much insight into her. A good portion of the book was Charity sailing to Mexico and there was a lot of boat jargon (I ended up skipping a lot of that. I don't know boats. But I like the cut of your jib. Is that boat jargon?)
This copy had some errors that an editor should have caught but that didn't distract me too much. I'll probably read the next book because Charity is pretty bad-ass. I just hope we get a bit more depth.
December 10, 2016
Charity sails into a Mexican Adventure
As a first read of the Charity Styles adventures, this was a good setting piece. It showcased her hand to hand skills more than her sniping skill, as it should be. I hope there is more physical contact for her in later editions.
The sailing is also fun to read as are the people she meets along the way. I hope some of them will be recurring entries in her life as they add a needed counterpoint to her missions.
Helping the Cuban rafters in this story gave her humanity and empathy. Something not usually seen in these type of tuff guy adventure stories.
I enjoyed it and will read another.
As a first read of the Charity Styles adventures, this was a good setting piece. It showcased her hand to hand skills more than her sniping skill, as it should be. I hope there is more physical contact for her in later editions.
The sailing is also fun to read as are the people she meets along the way. I hope some of them will be recurring entries in her life as they add a needed counterpoint to her missions.
Helping the Cuban rafters in this story gave her humanity and empathy. Something not usually seen in these type of tuff guy adventure stories.
I enjoyed it and will read another.
June 28, 2020
Rehash
If you've read Stinnett's Jesse McDermitt series, you'll find this to be mostly a rehash of one of those stories, and in fact, only a few chapters are of her separate 'mission'. A couple of points are repeated within the book; totally unnecessary. A couple of technical errors were missed, as well. Water bought to a boil and a stew cooked in 15 minutes at a mile in altitude? An off the wall side trip - why was that there? Maybe in a later story, which I probably won't be reading.
If you've read Stinnett's Jesse McDermitt series, you'll find this to be mostly a rehash of one of those stories, and in fact, only a few chapters are of her separate 'mission'. A couple of points are repeated within the book; totally unnecessary. A couple of technical errors were missed, as well. Water bought to a boil and a stew cooked in 15 minutes at a mile in altitude? An off the wall side trip - why was that there? Maybe in a later story, which I probably won't be reading.
December 26, 2017
At the beginning of the story I had a hard time figuring out who all the characters were. At the end of the story, I think I knew who they were, but none of them were developed to any degree that you would find them believable, including the MC. The editing could use some work, the plotting contained a lot of repetition. How many times do we have to hear the same things over and over? The best part of the story is when Charity goes Rambo at the end. It finally became an Action Thriller.
January 2, 2018
Saw this one in an e-mail from Bookbub and thought I'd give it a try. Overall, the story is entertaining and the writing is technically sound. I thought there was a little too much time and detail spent on the ins and outs of sailing. Unfortunately I'm not as keen on the subject as the author apparently is. For me the story felt a little weighted down in maneuvering the sailboat and a little light on the actual climax and confrontation. All in all however, it was a good, quick read.
December 22, 2024
The beginning is painfully slow, with a huge information dump—I almost gave up. But then the story picks up. Charity is a compelling main character, and the author takes time to make the bad guys look like real people. There is way too much detail about sailing and a side story (picking up people at sea) that goes absolutely nowhere. The end is preposterous. But I see real potential with this character, and I might pick up another book by Stinnett.
December 28, 2017
One of the Best Terrorist Killer Stories Created!
Right up there with author Randy Wayne White, Wayne Stinnett is also a masterful story teller, blending factual possibilities with exciting action scenes with a mixture of characters readers will love and others they will hate! The unrealistic facts woven throughout various scenes helps keep the flow going through to the end.
Right up there with author Randy Wayne White, Wayne Stinnett is also a masterful story teller, blending factual possibilities with exciting action scenes with a mixture of characters readers will love and others they will hate! The unrealistic facts woven throughout various scenes helps keep the flow going through to the end.
January 2, 2018
Fast, exciting read.
I read this book in one sitting. First book I've read by this author. I enjoyed it and will read others in the future. I liked the sailing description and the fast action. Seemed like the story was a little short though. A lot of build up to get to the mission - then mission over pretty quickly. Maybe that's the way it really works.
I read this book in one sitting. First book I've read by this author. I enjoyed it and will read others in the future. I liked the sailing description and the fast action. Seemed like the story was a little short though. A lot of build up to get to the mission - then mission over pretty quickly. Maybe that's the way it really works.
January 2, 2018
'Merciless Charity' was a great look into what makes Charity tick. I love her side of how things get going with her 'rogue' side. She's a kick-ass lead and she can pretty much do anything. I understand her a bit more after reading this book. A great add to your tbr list. I look forward to reading more.
December 6, 2018
A great start on a new series mlm
It is so nice today to start a new series with having a good background on where the characters came from and ahat6 they have done. It makes for a greater depth for each character. I can not wait for mor stories to come. Keep it up Mr author
It is so nice today to start a new series with having a good background on where the characters came from and ahat6 they have done. It makes for a greater depth for each character. I can not wait for mor stories to come. Keep it up Mr author
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April 1, 2021Promising
Not as action packed as his other series but maybe because he was introducing a new character. Action picked up as the story went along. Shows promise of another good series of books Didn't feel the author was as confident about writing about a female character. Got better as story went along.
Not as action packed as his other series but maybe because he was introducing a new character. Action picked up as the story went along. Shows promise of another good series of books Didn't feel the author was as confident about writing about a female character. Got better as story went along.
December 24, 2021
Incomparably fabulous writing
Wayne Stinnett is an author who grabs all of your attention one page one, and you will not be able to put this book down until you have finished the last page. Charity Styles is a sniper with unmatched skills and bravado. It doesn’t get any better than this!
Wayne Stinnett is an author who grabs all of your attention one page one, and you will not be able to put this book down until you have finished the last page. Charity Styles is a sniper with unmatched skills and bravado. It doesn’t get any better than this!
January 9, 2023
The book starts with what is basically an short extract from a ‘Jesse McDermitt’ book, from Charity’s POV, as an introduction to a new series this didn’t really work for me.
The main story is quite slow, with lots of detail about sailing, but not a lot really happens until the very end of the book.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
The main story is quite slow, with lots of detail about sailing, but not a lot really happens until the very end of the book.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
January 2, 2018
Highly recommend
This book is full of suspense, and I had a hard time putting it down. The characters are well developed. The setting was so will described it was easy to picture. I would definitely recommend this book!
This book is full of suspense, and I had a hard time putting it down. The characters are well developed. The setting was so will described it was easy to picture. I would definitely recommend this book!
August 20, 2019
Quite sweet woman...
Sweet and efficient, especially when bad people need her attention. Not one to underestimate, that's for sure. She can also be quite deadly. First of the series pulls you to the next, and then on to the finish.
Sweet and efficient, especially when bad people need her attention. Not one to underestimate, that's for sure. She can also be quite deadly. First of the series pulls you to the next, and then on to the finish.
March 17, 2021
Enjoyable, fast-paced adventure of a female CIA agent on secret assignment to take out a terrorist cell
training to attack an area in Texas. Excellent character development and story line leaving the reader anxious for her next assignment in #2.
training to attack an area in Texas. Excellent character development and story line leaving the reader anxious for her next assignment in #2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews