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Tommy Donovan #1
Donovan's War
***From USA Today best selling author of The Soldier Series, comes a new hero***His government wants him erased, his enemies want him dead, all Tommy Donovan wants is to be left alone.Resigned to never finding peace from the war long behind him, retired warrior, Tommy Donovan, is now faced with an even deadlier conflict... one that could cost him the last of his humanity.Once a member of an elite underground unit, the only wars Tommy knows now are the ones that rage inside him. All he wants is to stay under the radar of existence, trying to forget the past and isolating himself from the present. When extremists kidnap a group of women from a Christian church in Syria, the past and present collide, forcing Donovan to act.This time, the battle is personal. This time, evil has chosen the wrong victim, and Thomas Donovan will not stop until he has made those responsible pay.Facing insurmountable odds in hostile territories and always one step behind, will he be too late to save the life of the one he holds dear?Riveting unexpected twists, gritty realism, and first-hand adventure are inside this book. Get it now. -JL Bourne, USA Today Best Selling author of Tomorrow War and Day by Day Armageddon
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2017
410 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
W.J. Lundy
37 books272 followersW. J. Lundy is a still serving Veteran of the U.S. Military with service in Afghanistan. He has over 12 years of combined service with the Army and Navy in Europe, the Balkans and Southwest Asia. W.J. is an avid athlete, writer, backpacker and shooting enthusiast. He currently resides with his wife and daughter in Central Michigan.
I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack.
I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, that displays our actual capabilities. These are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.
facebook.com/WARONPRIMALS
wjlundy.wtf@gmail.com
I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack.
I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, that displays our actual capabilities. These are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.
facebook.com/WARONPRIMALS
wjlundy.wtf@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 1, 2017
The beginning....
Of a great new series. (Possible Spoilers) Thomas Donavan is trying to forget his past, almost all his friends, those he served with in an clandestine government group are all gone. He has been betrayed by the very government he fought and bled for, the government that now denies his existence while keeping an eye on him. He drinks to forget, to forget the job he has done and mourns the loss of his friends. He has no one. None that will understand his pain and inner demons. He has nothing to live for...Except his sister Sarah whom he knows is safe and has found her calling with the Church. Growing up he had always been her protector especially after the death of their parents. She is safe and is a nun. She doesn't need his protection anymore...until she is taken from a church where she was sent go give aide, kidnapped by extremist in the very country he was trying hard to forget.
Now he is determined to protect her again. When ransom is asked for her safe return the Government will not help or even acknowledge her. The Church working through back channels are little help trying to appease and somehow get her release. Tommy will once again become her protector. He will go to any extremes to find and bring her back safe before she is killed or worse lost in the the world of slavery and human trafficking. He calls in favors and travels to a country that he would soon forget but knows he must work fast before she is lost to him not knowing she is in the hands of an old, hated enemy.
He uses his skills with deadly precision and soon learns there are other government entities that will do whatever they can to discredit and stop him. The very skills that he learned fighting for a country that now disavow him will be the skills and mindset he will use to wage a very personal war. This is fast paced and will keep you glued to the story line. It has many details to it that even if you don't know military lingo, you will understand. It is a great beginning to a new series. Thomas Donovan might well be any soldier out there that has given us the freedom and the life we no live, one we can sympathize with.
W. J. Lundy has Also given us a small look into the political wars that are waged behind the scenes where no one cares about the victims caught in the middle. They turn a blind eye and say it is a small price to pay to keep an informant, to keep a region stable. They hide enemies within their covert operations never taking the cost of humanity they so callously overlook; the Warriors they so callously sweep out of sight when the 'job' is done. The very men and women who have given us our freedom and too often their life. Well done Mr. Lundy for bringing this home to us.
Of a great new series. (Possible Spoilers) Thomas Donavan is trying to forget his past, almost all his friends, those he served with in an clandestine government group are all gone. He has been betrayed by the very government he fought and bled for, the government that now denies his existence while keeping an eye on him. He drinks to forget, to forget the job he has done and mourns the loss of his friends. He has no one. None that will understand his pain and inner demons. He has nothing to live for...Except his sister Sarah whom he knows is safe and has found her calling with the Church. Growing up he had always been her protector especially after the death of their parents. She is safe and is a nun. She doesn't need his protection anymore...until she is taken from a church where she was sent go give aide, kidnapped by extremist in the very country he was trying hard to forget.
Now he is determined to protect her again. When ransom is asked for her safe return the Government will not help or even acknowledge her. The Church working through back channels are little help trying to appease and somehow get her release. Tommy will once again become her protector. He will go to any extremes to find and bring her back safe before she is killed or worse lost in the the world of slavery and human trafficking. He calls in favors and travels to a country that he would soon forget but knows he must work fast before she is lost to him not knowing she is in the hands of an old, hated enemy.
He uses his skills with deadly precision and soon learns there are other government entities that will do whatever they can to discredit and stop him. The very skills that he learned fighting for a country that now disavow him will be the skills and mindset he will use to wage a very personal war. This is fast paced and will keep you glued to the story line. It has many details to it that even if you don't know military lingo, you will understand. It is a great beginning to a new series. Thomas Donovan might well be any soldier out there that has given us the freedom and the life we no live, one we can sympathize with.
W. J. Lundy has Also given us a small look into the political wars that are waged behind the scenes where no one cares about the victims caught in the middle. They turn a blind eye and say it is a small price to pay to keep an informant, to keep a region stable. They hide enemies within their covert operations never taking the cost of humanity they so callously overlook; the Warriors they so callously sweep out of sight when the 'job' is done. The very men and women who have given us our freedom and too often their life. Well done Mr. Lundy for bringing this home to us.
November 7, 2017
Outstanding new book from W.J. Lundy! This book was amazing from the moment it hit my Kindle from pre-order I could not put it down.
Donovan's War is non stop action packed thriller. The story follows Tommy Donovan whose sister is kidnapped and he will stop at nothing until he has answers to who and why.
I hope more is to come from Tommy Donovan. Well done bravo W.J. Lundy.
Feed your brain get a copy today
Donovan's War is non stop action packed thriller. The story follows Tommy Donovan whose sister is kidnapped and he will stop at nothing until he has answers to who and why.
I hope more is to come from Tommy Donovan. Well done bravo W.J. Lundy.
Feed your brain get a copy today
November 3, 2017
In "Donovan's War" the bad guy's have made a fatal mistake
- they kidnapped a nun; but not just any nun -
they kidnapped Donovan's sister.
They Will Not live to regret it.
W. J. Lundy is on my MUST READ LIST
and I invite you to add him to yours.
- they kidnapped a nun; but not just any nun -
they kidnapped Donovan's sister.
They Will Not live to regret it.
W. J. Lundy is on my MUST READ LIST
and I invite you to add him to yours.
November 10, 2017
War it is
Damn what aride. Lundy has written a hell of a book, and hopefully the start of more on Donovan. Taken basically from today's headlines you follow Donavan they his rampage against terrorists and governments to get his sister back.
Damn what aride. Lundy has written a hell of a book, and hopefully the start of more on Donovan. Taken basically from today's headlines you follow Donavan they his rampage against terrorists and governments to get his sister back.
September 4, 2019
(Possible 'small' spoiler) It's a real pleasure to read your first book of an author new to you, and find it is right up their with your favourites, and that the author has a string of titles for you to devour. Donovan's War is like the first Taken movie on steroids. Like Liam Neeson, Donovan has a particular set of skills, and the bad guys who have his sister need to be worried. Very worried.
So I now don't know whether to go straight on to the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, or the Invasion series. They both have rave reviews, and I am so looking forward to reading them all. I've just realized that tomorrow is my birthday, so I'm counting W.J.Lundy as an early present.
So I now don't know whether to go straight on to the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, or the Invasion series. They both have rave reviews, and I am so looking forward to reading them all. I've just realized that tomorrow is my birthday, so I'm counting W.J.Lundy as an early present.
February 24, 2021
Darn good, shoot 'em up; a men's action figure view of the Syrian civil war and human trafficking -
This is the second great read I have found from the pen of Navy veteran, W.J. Lundy. The first was Escaping the Dead, by far one of the best military zombie novels out there and the first in his Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series. Donovan's War is a very different novel in that it is a conventional military suspense-thriller. Tommy Donovan is an embittered, cynical, physically and mentally wrecked veteran of the Middle East Wars. A former soldier turned CIA ground operator, Tommy knows that the government he served and fought for has a bad habit of turning on those who have risked their lives in the highly classified, often highly controversial world of clandestine special ops in which he once served. So Donovan is living like a vagabond fugitive, moving from place to place, avoiding relationships, and drinking himself into numbness. But everything changes when he finds out that his only sister, a nun serving in a humanitarian role in embattled Syria, has been kidnapped by human sex traffickers. It's a pretty wild book with an interesting, real world scenario. In fact, I became interested in reading it because of the persecuted church angle inherent in the plot (a minor angle, for sure, it's the Western women in the Church that are the real target... but sometimes people forget that the real losers of the Middle East wars on terror are the Christian minorities). With the aid of a wealthy defense contractor and Donovan's old connections in Syria, Tommy Donovan emerges from retirement to become a one-man wrecking crew intent on saving his only living relative from the hands of some truly vile international villains. Plot wise, this novel has both interesting plot twists (the corrupt and compromised Interpol agent is a great one) and many plot holes (some quite deep). But the holes are easily jumped by the fast-paced action and forgotten in the imaginative cliff-hanger chapter breaks. Some things were left untied at the end. I am still not sure I understand the real relationship between Donovan and his Syrian ally. Something a bit artificial about that. And as Donovan displays no real skill other than an ability to lose his temper and kill bad guys, there needs to be more thought put into the trade-craft practiced by our hero. We've seen this kind of character in so many action novels already that we really need something to set him apart. Lundy is a Middle East combat vet and that shows, but he'll need to do some homework and research into clandestine trade-craft if he expects discerning readers to respect Donovan's bona fides. But all in all, if you are looking for a fresh take on the military suspense-thriller genre with some surprisingly great military ground war action scenes written by a *cough* NAVY CHIEF who I, an Army Vet, must concede, hits it out of the park in that department every time, then by all means READ THIS BOOK! It it highly recommended!
This is the second great read I have found from the pen of Navy veteran, W.J. Lundy. The first was Escaping the Dead, by far one of the best military zombie novels out there and the first in his Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series. Donovan's War is a very different novel in that it is a conventional military suspense-thriller. Tommy Donovan is an embittered, cynical, physically and mentally wrecked veteran of the Middle East Wars. A former soldier turned CIA ground operator, Tommy knows that the government he served and fought for has a bad habit of turning on those who have risked their lives in the highly classified, often highly controversial world of clandestine special ops in which he once served. So Donovan is living like a vagabond fugitive, moving from place to place, avoiding relationships, and drinking himself into numbness. But everything changes when he finds out that his only sister, a nun serving in a humanitarian role in embattled Syria, has been kidnapped by human sex traffickers. It's a pretty wild book with an interesting, real world scenario. In fact, I became interested in reading it because of the persecuted church angle inherent in the plot (a minor angle, for sure, it's the Western women in the Church that are the real target... but sometimes people forget that the real losers of the Middle East wars on terror are the Christian minorities). With the aid of a wealthy defense contractor and Donovan's old connections in Syria, Tommy Donovan emerges from retirement to become a one-man wrecking crew intent on saving his only living relative from the hands of some truly vile international villains. Plot wise, this novel has both interesting plot twists (the corrupt and compromised Interpol agent is a great one) and many plot holes (some quite deep). But the holes are easily jumped by the fast-paced action and forgotten in the imaginative cliff-hanger chapter breaks. Some things were left untied at the end. I am still not sure I understand the real relationship between Donovan and his Syrian ally. Something a bit artificial about that. And as Donovan displays no real skill other than an ability to lose his temper and kill bad guys, there needs to be more thought put into the trade-craft practiced by our hero. We've seen this kind of character in so many action novels already that we really need something to set him apart. Lundy is a Middle East combat vet and that shows, but he'll need to do some homework and research into clandestine trade-craft if he expects discerning readers to respect Donovan's bona fides. But all in all, if you are looking for a fresh take on the military suspense-thriller genre with some surprisingly great military ground war action scenes written by a *cough* NAVY CHIEF who I, an Army Vet, must concede, hits it out of the park in that department every time, then by all means READ THIS BOOK! It it highly recommended!
April 7, 2023
Going by Goodreads' starring system, it was Ok. I haven’t read many books in this genre, I’m not quite sure how to categorise these types of books, military, ex-spec ops, CIA, clandestine, mystery, thriller, counter-terrorism, off the books, wink wink, nudge nudge, double cross, betrayal, stab in the back, don’t mess with my family, revenge and vengeance is mine, good guys, bad guys, the guys that are in between, in the shadows.
I couldn’t fully empathise with the main character for some reason, I felt detached, disconnected, like I was looking from the outside, rather than being included in his journey. Although the action was exciting and well written.
I find the problem with this type of genre, is that it's very similar to the zombie apocalypse genre, it gets very, same same, very quickly. Overall, I did enjoy it, and I do think it's a worthwhile read.
I couldn’t fully empathise with the main character for some reason, I felt detached, disconnected, like I was looking from the outside, rather than being included in his journey. Although the action was exciting and well written.
I find the problem with this type of genre, is that it's very similar to the zombie apocalypse genre, it gets very, same same, very quickly. Overall, I did enjoy it, and I do think it's a worthwhile read.
January 17, 2018
Decent read but redundant
I have enjoyed Lundy's other works (WTF series) but found Donovan's War no different than other novels of this genere'. To me there was no emotional connection from the reader to the main character. The action was bland and predictable. In fairness, I have probably read to many types of the same type of book that I was unfairly comparing to. I just didn't find anything in Tommy Donovan to make me really care.
Overall though it was enjoyable to me which is why I gave it 3 stars. I don't know if I will read any of the other books to come out in this series.
I have enjoyed Lundy's other works (WTF series) but found Donovan's War no different than other novels of this genere'. To me there was no emotional connection from the reader to the main character. The action was bland and predictable. In fairness, I have probably read to many types of the same type of book that I was unfairly comparing to. I just didn't find anything in Tommy Donovan to make me really care.
Overall though it was enjoyable to me which is why I gave it 3 stars. I don't know if I will read any of the other books to come out in this series.
May 15, 2018
W.J. Lundy is an author I have been following for some time. His work is diverse and always holds my interest. Donovan's War: A Military Thriller is book one of a new series following Tommy Donovan, an ex-Black Ops trooper who tried to get out of the game. When his Sister is kidnapped from a Catholic Church located in the Middle East, Tommy comes out of forced retirement to extricate her. This is an extremely well-done action thriller. I have yet to read anything by W. J. Lundy that I didn't like. Do yourself a favor and follow this series and this author if you want to be well entertained.
March 5, 2018
W.J. Lundy has crafted a gripping and exciting story. The characters are interesting and well rounded. Unlike many books I have read in the genre this story stays on track. There is ample detail to keep readers informed without devolving into so much minutia that it bogs the story down. The pacing of this book is spot on, the story keeps moving at a crisp pace that holds your attention. I read this in record time, as once I started I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys action and espionage. I look forward to the continuation of this story.
April 18, 2018
Donovan's War
An old black operation gone wrong before Desert Storm reaches back to pull Tommy Donovan back into his old operational status. An old enemy conducts an operation that captures Donovan's sister, a nun from a religious order working in Syria. Held hostage for money to continue their terrorist actions in Syria, Tommy returns to his old life, starting from the bottom of the terror units, decimating their operations as he tries to force his sister's release.
An old black operation gone wrong before Desert Storm reaches back to pull Tommy Donovan back into his old operational status. An old enemy conducts an operation that captures Donovan's sister, a nun from a religious order working in Syria. Held hostage for money to continue their terrorist actions in Syria, Tommy returns to his old life, starting from the bottom of the terror units, decimating their operations as he tries to force his sister's release.
May 12, 2018
I'm in love.
Take me away, Tommy Donovan. Normally I read zombie books but love the added military aspect. I wasn't sure how I would like Donovan's War. W.J.Lundy grabbed my attention and I was right in the middle of the action. I highly recommend this book and this author, you will be glad you did.
Take me away, Tommy Donovan. Normally I read zombie books but love the added military aspect. I wasn't sure how I would like Donovan's War. W.J.Lundy grabbed my attention and I was right in the middle of the action. I highly recommend this book and this author, you will be glad you did.
July 25, 2018
5 Stars
An edge of your seat, read that you won't want to put down. Non-stop action with so many twists and turns that it will keep you hooked throughout the story. Although the first chapter started out a little slow, it picked up speed rapidly. I highly recommend this one to anybody who loves a good thriller.
November 24, 2018
War.
Tommy is a haunted man, having been orphaned, and then used up by a clandestine organisation. He's not a man you'd want to cross, unfortunately that's what happens.
I liked Tommy Donovan, he's a scary man when you see what he's capable of but he has his reasons. A riveting thriller with lots of action.
Tommy is a haunted man, having been orphaned, and then used up by a clandestine organisation. He's not a man you'd want to cross, unfortunately that's what happens.
I liked Tommy Donovan, he's a scary man when you see what he's capable of but he has his reasons. A riveting thriller with lots of action.
May 19, 2019
A fast paced epic read
Tommy Donavan has the skills and connections to take the fight to the idiots that kidnap his sister. He makes his way to the scene of the kidnapping, against the wishes of the government that he worked for. An epic story of brotherly love and what he will do to rescue HER! Bravo
Tommy Donavan has the skills and connections to take the fight to the idiots that kidnap his sister. He makes his way to the scene of the kidnapping, against the wishes of the government that he worked for. An epic story of brotherly love and what he will do to rescue HER! Bravo
November 5, 2017
Excellent
The author found his groove with this one. Reminiscent of the Executioner but with a lot more grit. I highly recommend this if you're into realistic scenarios and raw violence.
The author found his groove with this one. Reminiscent of the Executioner but with a lot more grit. I highly recommend this if you're into realistic scenarios and raw violence.
December 18, 2017
Junior Varsity
Realistic representation of SYRIAN uprising which was the result of Obama's Foreign Policy or should I say lack of one aka ARAB SPRING war is an ugly business and we owe a debt of gratitude to the sacrifice of those who have to endure it
Realistic representation of SYRIAN uprising which was the result of Obama's Foreign Policy or should I say lack of one aka ARAB SPRING war is an ugly business and we owe a debt of gratitude to the sacrifice of those who have to endure it
February 13, 2018
Donovan's War
Great read. Not my usual genre, I like the end of the world read but hey, it is always good to read about an American hero.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Great read. Not my usual genre, I like the end of the world read but hey, it is always good to read about an American hero.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 15, 2018
Oh hell Lundy
you've done it now. You better have about ten more books in mind for Tommy. No zombies but plenty of dead men. Characters are great, action is great. Looking forward to more from these characters.
you've done it now. You better have about ten more books in mind for Tommy. No zombies but plenty of dead men. Characters are great, action is great. Looking forward to more from these characters.
May 23, 2019
Fast moving thriller
I’ve read the authors other books, and this was a surprising change. The characters are easy to visualize, and the book moves along smartly. Good plot execution, too. In all, a really good story. I’m looking forward to book 2!
I’ve read the authors other books, and this was a surprising change. The characters are easy to visualize, and the book moves along smartly. Good plot execution, too. In all, a really good story. I’m looking forward to book 2!
July 24, 2020
Non-stop
Non-stop action from beginning to the end. I was quickly encompassed in the book and couldn't put it down. I've already got the next one in the series and will start it immediately.
Non-stop action from beginning to the end. I was quickly encompassed in the book and couldn't put it down. I've already got the next one in the series and will start it immediately.
October 29, 2023
Fast pace read
I really liked tbs pace of this story the characters were well thought out and the storyline could be from today's news. Thank you Mr Lundy look forward to more in this series.
I really liked tbs pace of this story the characters were well thought out and the storyline could be from today's news. Thank you Mr Lundy look forward to more in this series.
November 10, 2017
Kickass thriller!
December 19, 2017
Fantastic read. Really like Lundy's writing as a post-apoc author, and his writing as a military thriller is just as good, if not better. Really enjoyed this book.
March 23, 2018
Action packed
Couldn't put it down! Definitely will be ready for more of his adventures. He's a take no prisoners kind of guy!
Couldn't put it down! Definitely will be ready for more of his adventures. He's a take no prisoners kind of guy!
August 5, 2018
Good story
A little bit slow at first but it picked up quickly
And flowed along after that. The cheracters were well developed. All in all a good read.
A little bit slow at first but it picked up quickly
And flowed along after that. The cheracters were well developed. All in all a good read.
October 1, 2018
Loved
I loved this book and Tommy Donovan. If I was ever in trouble I what Tommy on my side. I would recommend this book and can’t wait for a sequel if there is one.
I loved this book and Tommy Donovan. If I was ever in trouble I what Tommy on my side. I would recommend this book and can’t wait for a sequel if there is one.
December 6, 2018
Good story!
Good story, lots of action and a decent plot. I very much like Military Authors. Looking forward to reading more of his stories.
Good story, lots of action and a decent plot. I very much like Military Authors. Looking forward to reading more of his stories.
June 14, 2019
Brutal!
Great read! Lots of action here, well written by an expert, I liked this book and the coming sequels are eagerly awaited.
Great read! Lots of action here, well written by an expert, I liked this book and the coming sequels are eagerly awaited.
June 16, 2019
Good read
Good read for everyone who likes go get them stories about military
Operations that sound convincing as written by author
Good read for everyone who likes go get them stories about military
Operations that sound convincing as written by author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews