The Navy Justice Collection: Treason, Hostage, Defiance

Navy Justice #1-3

by Don Brown

Don Brown's Navy Justice series now available in one volume!

Treason

The stakes are high . . . and the entire world is waiting for the verdict. The Navy has uncovered a group of radical Islamic clerics who have infiltrated the Navy Chaplain Corps, inciting sailors and marines to acts of terrorism. And Lieutenant Zack Brewer has been chosen to prosecute them for treason and murder. Only three years out of law school, Zack has already made a name for himself, winning the coveted Navy Commendation medal. Just coming off a high-profile win, this case will challenge the very core of Zack’s skills and his Christian beliefs—beliefs that could cost him the case and his career. With Diane Colcernian, his staunchest rival, as assistant prosecutor, Zack takes on internationally acclaimed criminal defense lawyer Wells Levinson. And when Zack and Diane finally agree to put aside their animosity, it causes more problems than they realize.

Hostage

Zack Brewer faces a choice. It can prevent the next war. But it will cost the life of the person he loves the most. JAG Officer Zack Brewer’s prosecution of three terrorists posing as Navy chaplains was called the “court martial of the century” by the press. Now, with the limelight behind him, all Zack wants to do is forget. But the radical Islamic organization behind the chaplains has a long memory—and a thirst for revenge. Now the Navy has a need for Zack that eclipses all else. When an unthinkable act of aggression brings Israel and its Arab neighbors to the brink of war, Zack and co-counsel Diane Colcernian are called to the case of a lifetime. As leading nations focus their gaze upon these two, other eyes are watching as well. Zack and Diane are in harm’s way. A kidnapping, an ultimatum…and suddenly, Zack faces an impossible choice. If he loses this case, the world could explode into war. If he wins, his partner—the woman he loves—will die. And Zack himself may not survive to make the decision.

Defiance

From a murder in Paris to a courtroom in California to a terrorist camp in the Gobi Desert, Don Brown’s follow-up to Treason and Hostage plunges into a suspense-filled journey of danger, duty, and hope. The Commander’s Bodyguard is Shannon McGilverry, a crack NCIS agent assigned to protect Navy JAG Officer Zack Brewer. Zack is being hunted by terrorists, stalked by a psychopath, and is working his way through a perilous, politically-charged trial. When another Navy JAG officer is murdered, it’s clear that Zack is in harm’s way. As his bodyguard, Shannon must do more than protect Zack. She also must set aside her growing feelings for the brilliant attorney and investigate rumors that the love of his life, Diane Colcerninan, may still be alive. Zack finds himself in need of his faith more than ever as Navy SEALS launch a daring rescue attempt that has the potential to trigger World War III.

1306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

DON BROWN, a former U.S. Navy JAG Officer, is the author of Zondervan’s riveting NAVY JUSTICE SERIES. a dynamic storyline chronicling the life and adventures of JAG officer ZACK BREWER. In 2003, Don began writing TREASON, his first novel in the NAVY JUSTICE SERIES. After TREASON was published to rave reviews in 2005, drawing comparisons to the writing style of John Grisham, DON BROWN was named as co-chairman of national I Love To Write Day, an event recognized by the governors of nine states to promote writing throughout the nation, and especially among the nation’s schools. HOSTAGE and DEFIANCE, the second and third novels in the series, were published in 2006 and 2007. BLACK SEA AFFAIR, was released in June of 2008, and with a bonechilling plot and precipient accuracy of international events, has been called the “Novel that Predicted the Russian-Georgian War,” which broke out just two months later, in August of 2008! Don is now penning his fifth novel, entitled THE MALACCAN CONSPIRACY, to be released in June of 2010. Paying no homage to political correctness, DON BROWN’S writing style is described as “gripping,” casting an entertaining and educational spin on a wide-range of current issues, from radicalIslamic infiltration of the military, to the explosive issue of gays in the military, to the modern day issues of presidential politics in the early 21st Century. The Charlotte World Newspaper described TREASON as “A DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH STORY FULL OF ACTION, INTRIGUE, AND THE KIND OF CALCULATED TYRANNY THAT YOU COULD FIND IN THE HEADLINES OF ANY MAJOR DAILY AT ANY MOMENT.” The Romance Reader’s Connection described Don’s novels as “fascinating and fresh.” In November of 2009, four years after it was released, and in the wake of Fort Hood, TREASON rocketed to the top-selling in the nation on the Amazon.com bestseller list for fiction, and remained there for over a week. On Thanksgiving Day of 2009, all four of Don’s novels were ranked in the top 5 on the Amazon bestseller list for fiction! DON BROWN graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1982, and after finishing law school, continued his post-graduate studies through the Naval War College, earning the Navy’s nonresident certificate in International Law. During his five years on active duty in the Navy, Don served in the Pentagon, was published in the Naval Law Review, and was also a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.'

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this omnibus trilogy set because it was heavily discounted. It is indeed a trilogy because the next two books in the anthology are more like standalones. In the second book, Diane Colcernian is kidnapped and is not rescued until the end of the third book. She plays no role in Hostage and Defiance except serving as the titular hostage and showing defiance.

As for the rest of the story, I thought some of the second book was stretched; rogue US Naval Aviators suddenly deciding to attack the Dome of the Rock as a larger plot? Maybe, maybe not. The Council of Ishmael which unites both Sunni and Shi'a? Maybe, maybe not; the only thing that both sects hate more than each other is Israel and America. Even then, getting them to join forces and money requires a lot of negotiations.

However, the first and third books were more realistic and closer to home. Anyone can get radicalized. As for gays in the military, homosexual assaults, and being leveraged by likes of Hilary Clinton/ Eleanor Claxton, that will always be a tough issue. IMHO, hands off the military; it's not a place for social engineering. It's a place where people learn how to fight wars and defending this great nation. The only exception: desegregation.

I do like the Christian faith. As a Christian, inviting God into your job is worth it perhaps especially in high stress environments. Asking for God's peace, wisdom, and guidance might actually help. Zach keeping a picture of Anna, a victim, and later Diane - it serves to remind him whom he is really working for. Serve yourself, it's a small world. Serve others, and you'll experience greatness.

There are a few typos but that doesn't detract from the reading experience.

On the whole, I like this trilogy. It makes me wish I reconsidered joining USAF JAG when they recruited me back in 2013. I wasn't sure that was the right career choice and wish I actually asked for even more information. That was a tough year for me personally and making career choices only made things worse.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

entretenidas

Esta colección ha sido entretenida y aleccionadora sobre los procedimientos judiciales en la marina y la incursión de los los terroristas radicales por tomar las instituciones militares.

[Loreen Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book but I had just read Micheal REIT and the Orphanage Series and this was recommended. Could not put it down. Loved It.