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Colt Hawkins #2
Sky Thunder
Charles A. Stewart, a highly decorated U.S. Army combat veteran of Desert Storm, was also a sniper in Iraq and Afghanistan under Special Operations Command. During his twenty-six-year career, he served worldwide in the most dangerous places on earth. Charles was also a High Threat Personal Security Specialist for government agencies. Charles has completed his new book "Sky Thunder": a gripping and potent work of fiction that keeps the pages turning until its provocative conclusion.
"Sky Thunder" is the story of the men and women of one of the world's most elite and secretive paramilitary organizations. Special Activities Division of the CIA, Former Tier One Operator Colt Hawkins is gritty, smart, honorable, battle-tested, and devoted to his fellow operators and his country, who are frequently put in harm's way by the evils of the world.
Colt Hawkins has recently retired from the military and is now a CIA Operative engaged with NASA Director Dr. Liberty Starr. A new team has been assembled on their first mission in Morrocco to protect a CIA spy transferring a defecting Chinese Scientist. During the defection, Vlad Benchiko, the mastermind behind the Dallas bombings, and Wahid Madi and Amal Sefer, the two Iranian-trained radical terrorists who were also responsible for all the killing and destruction in Texas, catch Task Force 24 and the CIA off-guard trying to stop the defection.
The scientist discovered a secret about Russia and China collaborating to develop the first strike weapon, a stealth missile called Sky Thunder. The new President is determined to obtain the innovative technology that America abandoned and orders the mission- seize the technology and destroy a secret facility deep inside Russia in the Caucasus Mountain ranges. Colt leads his team, U.S. Army Special Forces members, and U.S. Navy Seals into a never attempted feat. Inside the White House, a Chinese double agent is a top advisor and part of the President's inner circle.
CIA Special Activities Division Task Force 24 retrieves the technology. Another team is ambushed by Vlad and his army of mercenaries of Red Star Group. At the same time, the President gives the abort order, afraid of being blamed and giving the White House a black eye, leaving the CIA operatives inside Russia to fight for their survival, not giving up Dr. Liberty Starr and the CIA team with Washington insiders try to save Colt and the men and women in Russia.
An unbreakable bond is forged when people sacrifice their lives for each other to bring these brave men and women home.
"Sky Thunder" is the story of the men and women of one of the world's most elite and secretive paramilitary organizations. Special Activities Division of the CIA, Former Tier One Operator Colt Hawkins is gritty, smart, honorable, battle-tested, and devoted to his fellow operators and his country, who are frequently put in harm's way by the evils of the world.
Colt Hawkins has recently retired from the military and is now a CIA Operative engaged with NASA Director Dr. Liberty Starr. A new team has been assembled on their first mission in Morrocco to protect a CIA spy transferring a defecting Chinese Scientist. During the defection, Vlad Benchiko, the mastermind behind the Dallas bombings, and Wahid Madi and Amal Sefer, the two Iranian-trained radical terrorists who were also responsible for all the killing and destruction in Texas, catch Task Force 24 and the CIA off-guard trying to stop the defection.
The scientist discovered a secret about Russia and China collaborating to develop the first strike weapon, a stealth missile called Sky Thunder. The new President is determined to obtain the innovative technology that America abandoned and orders the mission- seize the technology and destroy a secret facility deep inside Russia in the Caucasus Mountain ranges. Colt leads his team, U.S. Army Special Forces members, and U.S. Navy Seals into a never attempted feat. Inside the White House, a Chinese double agent is a top advisor and part of the President's inner circle.
CIA Special Activities Division Task Force 24 retrieves the technology. Another team is ambushed by Vlad and his army of mercenaries of Red Star Group. At the same time, the President gives the abort order, afraid of being blamed and giving the White House a black eye, leaving the CIA operatives inside Russia to fight for their survival, not giving up Dr. Liberty Starr and the CIA team with Washington insiders try to save Colt and the men and women in Russia.
An unbreakable bond is forged when people sacrifice their lives for each other to bring these brave men and women home.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2024
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4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 12, 2025
I love everything about this book, 😻
March 10, 2025
Sky Thunder is an intense military thriller that drops the reader straight into the chaos of war, espionage, and political maneuvering. The book follows an elite group of operatives navigating missions that blend battlefield tactics with high-stakes intelligence work. From the brutal streets of Iraq to the tangled webs of Washington D.C., Sky Thunder doesn’t hold back. It’s a gritty, unapologetic look at modern warfare, where danger lurks at every turn, and loyalties are tested in life-or-death situations.
One of the book’s strongest points is its sheer realism. The author's descriptions of sniper teams setting up in war-torn Iraq feel authentic. The opening sequence, where a sniper team eliminates insurgents planting a bomb, is a perfect example. The technical details, the tension of lining up a shot, and the small but critical mistakes that can happen in combat all make this an immersive read. I found myself completely absorbed in these moments, feeling the weight of every trigger pull.
But for all its action-packed sequences, some of the dialogue, particularly in the political and intelligence briefings, can feel bogged down by exposition. The high-level discussions about espionage, classified leaks, and international threats are fascinating but occasionally read more like a debriefing. That being said, these sections show the bureaucratic chaos behind military operations. The tension between intelligence agencies and boots-on-the-ground soldiers is palpable, and Stewart does a solid job illustrating the frustration that comes with politics interfering in war.
The characters are where Sky Thunder really shines. Colt Hawkins, the battle-hardened yet emotionally scarred operative, is compelling because he’s both an unstoppable force and a flawed man. His PTSD-fueled nightmares, like the flashback of an Iraqi ambulance carrying insurgents instead of babies, add layers to his character. And the relationships in the book, especially between Colt and Liberty, bring a much-needed human element to all the gunfire and strategy. While some side characters fade a bit into the background, there are standouts like Bo and Sam, who help ground the book’s non-stop action with camaraderie and humor.
Sky Thunder is for readers who crave military fiction that doesn’t sugarcoat anything. If you love military thrillers and American Sniper or Lone Survivor kept you up at night, this book is made for you. It’s intense, action-packed, and filled with the kind of insider knowledge that makes military fiction feel real.
One of the book’s strongest points is its sheer realism. The author's descriptions of sniper teams setting up in war-torn Iraq feel authentic. The opening sequence, where a sniper team eliminates insurgents planting a bomb, is a perfect example. The technical details, the tension of lining up a shot, and the small but critical mistakes that can happen in combat all make this an immersive read. I found myself completely absorbed in these moments, feeling the weight of every trigger pull.
But for all its action-packed sequences, some of the dialogue, particularly in the political and intelligence briefings, can feel bogged down by exposition. The high-level discussions about espionage, classified leaks, and international threats are fascinating but occasionally read more like a debriefing. That being said, these sections show the bureaucratic chaos behind military operations. The tension between intelligence agencies and boots-on-the-ground soldiers is palpable, and Stewart does a solid job illustrating the frustration that comes with politics interfering in war.
The characters are where Sky Thunder really shines. Colt Hawkins, the battle-hardened yet emotionally scarred operative, is compelling because he’s both an unstoppable force and a flawed man. His PTSD-fueled nightmares, like the flashback of an Iraqi ambulance carrying insurgents instead of babies, add layers to his character. And the relationships in the book, especially between Colt and Liberty, bring a much-needed human element to all the gunfire and strategy. While some side characters fade a bit into the background, there are standouts like Bo and Sam, who help ground the book’s non-stop action with camaraderie and humor.
Sky Thunder is for readers who crave military fiction that doesn’t sugarcoat anything. If you love military thrillers and American Sniper or Lone Survivor kept you up at night, this book is made for you. It’s intense, action-packed, and filled with the kind of insider knowledge that makes military fiction feel real.
July 29, 2025
A Sky Thunder is an intense, gripping read that feels both authentic and deeply human. Charles A. Stewart’s military expertise shines through in every detail, but what truly sets this book apart is its heart. Colt Hawkins and his team aren’t just operatives, they’re brothers and sisters bound by loyalty, sacrifice, and an unshakable sense of duty. The blend of high-stakes action, political intrigue, and emotional depth kept me turning pages late into the night. A powerful and exhilarating story of courage, honor, and what it means to fight for those beside you.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews