Havoc Rising

by Bill Runner

Blaze wasn’t chasing a fight when he landed in Houston. He was chasing quiet—an old friend’s ranch, a glass in his hand, and no ghosts breathing down his neck. But trouble finds him anyway.
He runs into Cade Miller by accident. Former 160th SOAR pilot. Not a man who misses red flags. But this time, he did. Miller’s been hauling “research teams” into refinery zones. Legit on paper. Wrong in the gut.
Then his family vanishes. One message. One demand—fly, or they die.
What Blaze uncovers is bigger than a random terror attack. A charismatic professor has built a sleeper network in plain sight, recruiting radicals and turning protest into cover, while Iranian Quds Force operatives rig Houston’s energy heart to burn. Firestorms. Toxic clouds. A city about to become ground zero.
This isn’t chaos. It’s design.
But before havoc begins to rise, Blaze will hunt the ones trying to light the fuse.
_________________
Praise for the
“Blaze combines the force of Reacher, the unapologetic badassery of Dirty Harry, the savagery of Frank Castle, and the calculated precision of Bourne.”
"Blaze is a no-nonsense guy. Shoot second...after head butting the guy first. My kind
of hero!"
“Blaze is a badass in the real sense of the word. He doesn’t stop until every bad guy
is broken or dead.”
_________________
Readers are
★★★★★ “…non-stop action…”
★★★★★ “…fast and violent…”
★★★★★ “Blaze is the new badass in town!!”
★★★★★ “Must read! This series rocks!!”

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2026

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

[Shana Pare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil lives.

Thanks to our military services, various law enforcement departments, and alphabet governmental agencies, the vast majority of us seldom have to deal with that evil. Sometimes one person can change everything. It is my hope that Axel Blaze, as a real person or concept, exists to keep the lights on over our heads.

Great story, Mr. Runner!

[Connie Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book!

I always enjoy reading about Blaze from Bill Runner I can't wait to see what's next for him I think I have read all of them and will keep reading them as long as he is writing them!

[Viorel Mocanu · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so full of politics and ideology that it makes you want to vomit. Run away from this book.

[Shannon Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Havoc Rising is a relentless military thriller that combines explosive action, covert operations, terrorism, and high-stakes suspense into a story designed to keep the pressure on from beginning to end. Bill Runner places Blaze in the middle of a meticulously planned attack on Houston, transforming what begins as an attempt to escape his past into a fight to prevent catastrophe.

What immediately captured my attention was the escalation of the premise. Blaze arrives in Houston expecting a quiet stay, only to cross paths with former 160th SOAR pilot Cade Miller, whose seemingly legitimate work begins to reveal something far more sinister. When Miller's family disappears and a deadly ultimatum follows, the story quickly moves from personal danger to a threat capable of devastating an entire city.

I was particularly impressed by the scale of the conspiracy. A sleeper network operating behind legitimate fronts, radical recruitment disguised by public unrest, and Quds Force operatives targeting Houston's energy infrastructure create a layered threat that gives the action genuine urgency. The idea that the impending destruction is not random but carefully engineered raises the stakes considerably.

Another strength is Blaze himself. He fits naturally into the tradition of hard-edged action protagonists resourceful, relentless, and unwilling to back down when innocent lives are at stake. His pursuit of those attempting to ignite the attack gives the novel its driving momentum while providing readers with the kind of uncompromising hero that action-thriller audiences gravitate toward.

Ultimately, Havoc Rising is more than an action novel, it is a fast-moving battle against a carefully designed threat. With explosive stakes, a dangerous conspiracy, and a protagonist built for high-intensity storytelling, Bill Runner has created a thriller with strong appeal for readers who enjoy military action, covert operations, terrorism thrillers, and relentless suspense.

[Pat Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Havoc Rising, former Delta Operator Axel Blaze proves why he remains one of the premier heroes in modern action fiction. Runner crafts a terrifyingly plausible scenario where Houston’s vital energy infrastructure comes under threat from an insidious alliance. The tactical sequences are executed with visceral precision, demonstrating a deep understanding of close-quarters combat and military operations. Beyond the blistering gunplay, the novel shines through its well-crafted ensemble cast. Runner balances high-stakes terror with genuine heart and razor-sharp dialogue, delivering a masterclass in tension, tradecraft, and unyielding thrill-ride storytelling.

[Ronaele Whittington, D.S.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Domestic terrorism thwarted

Delta force patriot takes on Quds force terrorists in Houston. A charismatic professor manipulates his students into rallying for his cause. In 30 hours, Blaze intervenes to save an Army brother and his family. Story includes much to contemplate about Iran.