Crossfire

Axel Blaze #11

by Bill Runner

A prison break. A traitor’s game. Survival isn’t guaranteed.
September 2014. Yemen’s going up in flames, and Americans are caught in the inferno. Delta Force Captain Axel Blaze is sent straight into the fire to extract Khalid Al-Mansour, an Al-Qaeda moneyman turned informant. Khalid promises intel that could save American lives, but it comes at a price— his sons must be rescued from a rebel-controlled prison deep in hostile territory.
Blaze’s team pulls off the high-risk breakout, but the fallout is deadly. A chain of betrayals is set off. One of Khalid’s sons turns traitor, leading Al-Qaeda right to the US embassy. Trapped, outnumbered, and fighting on hostile ground, Blaze and his team face a ruthless enemy and impossible odds.
But this isn’t just about survival—this is about sending a message. Blaze isn’t holding the line—he’s blowing the enemy to hell.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

Bill Runner worked as an investigative journalist before turning to writing novels. He grew up on a regular diet of western novels and movies about lone rangers, which influenced the shaping of Blaze. Bill is an experienced mountain climber and has been a lifelong student of martial arts. Working the crime beat and studying the art of fighting helped make him the author of thriller novels, which are known for well-executed action sequences.

Reviews

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were risking our necks to bust two Al Qaeda dirtbags out of a Houthi-run prison buried in the Yemeni mountains.

The op was on. Midnight extraction, one slippery terrorist, and about a hundred things that could go wrong. Business as usual.

[Bette Reith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment of the Blaze series. This time, the team is asked to do something totally against their beliefs - extract a known terrorist! Although this will bring badly needed information, the teams reluctantly agree. Once decided, though, they put their feeling aside and completed the mission. The information was vital in rescuing lives, but now, the terrorist has an impossible request. He knows the timing of a full frontal assault, but will not divulge the times until his two sons are rescued from a remote prison. How the team will accomplish this and prevent a catastrophic plan is in the hands of a brilliant author.

I love this series and its characters. I highly suggest starting this series from the beginning - it is well worth it. Thanks to booksirens for the ARK of this book

[Pat Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cranked-up chaos and fire! Bill Runner delivers another powerhouse thriller with Crossfire. From the high-stakes prison break to the brutal embassy siege, the action is relentless and grounded in hard-earned tactical realism. Axel Blaze is a compelling lead—gritty, sharp, and unflinching in the face of impossible odds. What sets this apart is the emotional weight beneath the explosions: sacrifice, loyalty, and moral complexity. Runner captures the chaos of modern warfare with precision and authenticity, never losing sight of the human cost. Crossfire isn’t just a war story—it’s a masterclass in tension, character, and hard-hitting drama. A must-read for thriller fans.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossfire is a high-octane, action-packed thriller that had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. The story drops you into the middle of a burning Yemen, where Delta operator Blaze is on a near-impossible mission to save an Al Qaeda informant and his sons. The twists, betrayals, and gritty fight scenes kept me on edge the whole way. I really enjoyed how the tension built steadily and the stakes kept getting higher—like a fuse lit from both ends. It felt like watching a great action movie but with even more depth and grit.

[Barbara W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossfire

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! Bill Runner is a brilliant author with a fantastic imagination and an uncanny ability for story telling. It was full of suspense, action, adventure and a lot of rooting for Axel Blaze, has but brother Ryan and all of his friends and cohorts!!! I would highly recommend this series and can't wait to start the next book!!! Happy Reading!!!!

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Bill Runner; he is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of his books.

This is part of the Axel Blaze Thriller Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Delta Force Caption Axel Blaze’s new assignment to extract Khalid and rescued his sons.

[Paige Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locked. Loaded. And I Couldn’t Put It Down.

Crossfire explodes off the page with high-stakes action, brutal betrayals, and one badass Delta operator who turns impossible odds into scorched-earth payback—and I was gripping my seat (and my Kindle) the whole way through!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

sometimes the fight is to save many lives, for the so called Greater Good, if many lives might be lost

sometimes the fight is to survive- another mknute, another day.

and sometimes anger or vengeance is on the menu

intense suspense, intruige, drama and action.

[Suki Rickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 11

Book 11 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. This book was interesting as a few new people popped into the mix towards the end. It was a tad repetitive at times, but still okay overall.

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, Frantic and incredibly exciting!

A solid 6+ stars with action packed in every paragraph. The most exciting book of the series with characters that live and breathe. You just keep turning pages into the early morning hours.... An exceptional read!

[Jack A. Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jh review crossfire.

Great book..good attention to details. Delta as a rule are The Best Tier 1 operators tied with the British SAS. Truly professional and very capable warriors. Good Job on the book..can't wait for the next.

[Connie Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books!

these books about Axel Blaze these are some good reading I love that they had his brother on there ! I can't wait until the next book comes out!

[Kathryn Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller.

Enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep the good stories coming. Know your faithful readers will be with you.

[Roger · Rating 1 out of 5]

not read

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent fast-paced thriller. The thrills and spills come at a frantic pace and Axel and his squad are a great bunch of characters. Overall this is part of an excellent series

[David Berkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Plenty of ops in this thriller with a main character you don't want to mess with. Always looking for more from this author.

[Dwight Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuine page turner. Non stop action.
Blending different ops and the finale, everyone
gets out. Looking forward to the next adventure
for Blaze and his crew.

[Michele Strople · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart

Nonstop page turning action. Filled with blood and gore. The best of the best doing what they do best!
Hoorah

[Pete Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another Brilliant book from BR, in the Axel Blaze series. Fast paced and Action packed you can almost smell the cordite!

[john nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action

Nonstop action. One crisis after another averted. Read almost the whole Axel Blaze series and loved it all. Only one more book to go.

[Cindy Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic and Fast Paced

Great read for those that like good authentic spec ops. Action is fast paced making it tough to put the book down.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your helmet, because Crossfire doesn’t just start with a bang—it never lets up! 💥 This book had me sweating, swearing, and speed-reading like I was on the battlefield with Blaze himself. I mean, prison break, enemy fire, double-crosses, and a hero who says, “survive? Nah—I’m gonna wreck shop.” YES, PLEASE. If you like your thrillers with grit, guts, and glorious explosions, you’re gonna love this wild ride. And honestly, Blaze? Total badass. 🔥💣🕶️