Saint Nick

Saint Nick #1

by Bradley Wright

Not only is Santa Claus real . . . He's a real badass.

International bestseller Bradley Wright presents the perfect stocking stuffer for every thriller lover this Christmas.

Army Ranger Nick Campos was never meant to be Santa Claus. He knows nothing about kids, he certainly isn't jolly, and he hasn't eaten a cookie in over a decade. But as Santa is dying of a heart attack, whether Nick wants them or not, Santa bestows his abilities upon him, and changes Nick's life forever.

A year later, Nick has found a way to use the abilities Santa passed along in a way that only a hardass Army Ranger could. To fight the bad guys. And he plans to bring new meaning to the classic line "he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake."

However, there is one terrorist in particular that pops up on the radar that Nick is all too familiar with. Because he's the monster that killed Nick's closest friend a few years back. Can Nick use his newfound tools to stop an old enemy's plot to kill more innocent people? Or will Nick--the world's best new weapon in the fight against terror--fail to deliver against an evil that is much more prepared for him than Nick could have ever imagined?

This Christmas, Santa Claus is still coming to town, but this time he's bringing a fat sack of justice with him. If you like escaping with a good holiday story, but also love a thrilling romp in the vein of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Brad Thor's Scott Harvath, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, or David Baldacci's Will Robie, you'll find a lot to love about Wright's ridiculously fun SAINT NICK.

Genres: Contemporary, Action, Christmas

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2019

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic story as we see a 'new' side to a special operator who fights to keep Americans safe everyday, a chance meeting sets him up as something Completely different!! A Christmas story that you Will feel deeply...
Army Ranger Nick Campos knows Nothing about Santa Claus;he hates kids, doesn't eat cookies and jolly would Never describe Him!! But something happens while out in the desert, and now Santa is packing So Much More than Toys!!! Evil beware, cause this Christmas, Santa is Not playing Around!!!
This is a fascinating adventure with the man in the red suit as we All would Love to see him!! A magical Christmas story that thrills and leaves you feeling ready for the Season to begin!!

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up on the housetop, reindeer pause
Out jumps good ol' Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?

Santa Claus gets a five-star review for delivering something unique and mindboggling to add to my Twelve Days of Christmas books-on-review. Normally, I’m not a fan of fantasy and wouldn’t have chosen this for a holiday tale, but the more reviews I read on this current release the more inquisitive I became. Army Ranger-St. Nick was too irresistible for me to turn my back on his wickedly hilarious and delightfully deranged tale. You’ll be blown away (pun intended) when you hop in St. Nick’s sled and head to the North Pole in a wild and magical ride this Christmas season!

When Santa’s sleigh and eight reindeer crash to the ground somewhere in Iraq in 2018, he’s unable to complete his special visits this Christmas Eve. It is there that Heart-Attack Santa passes his extraordinary and out-of-this-world powers to Nick Campos, an Army Ranger, who is no jolly old fellow. He won’t be Ho, Ho, Ho-ing, his sugar-free diet allows no colorfully decorated cut-out cookies, and delivering toys to kids is definitely not on this guy’s radar. In fact, he might be more suitable for the role of Mr. Grinch! But Nick takes the reins and heads to the North Pole. This holiday season’s newly designated “Saint Nick” is going to take you on a fantasy-filled adventure with all the thrills and chills.

This is my first time to read a book written by Bradley Wright – but it certainly won’t be my last. Such a unique and cleverly imaginative holiday story. And you won’t find a single Hallmark moment! Think super hero adventures – Iron Man in particular. I kept envisioning Robert Downey, Jr. all the way through. There’s even a potential Pepper Potts – although her name is Brooke Sanders, who’s a strong, brave and courageous heroine and might be a potential love interest for Saint Nick. It’s all kept in the PG flirtatious rating, but readers can hope for another visit from St. Nick and Brooke again next year.

Heart Attack-Santa’s All-Seeing Eye (ASE) sees everything. And now St. Nick, with the help of Jack and Zeke, two exceptionally skilled elves, knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. ‘Cause St. Nick is coming to town packing a bag full of unusual and powerful weapons, and he’s going to catch those bad guys and put a stop to their evil plot to blow up the White House. It’s a wild fantasy-filled adventure that includes a few suspenseful and dark moments, but nothing over-the-top.

You'll find a lot to appreciate and love about Wright's rip-roaring and ridiculously fun take on Santa’s job. Saint Nick, the Super Hero version, is the perfect stocking stuffer for action fans on your shopping list.

And dang if I didn’t have the best time reading it from start to finish.

HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Rellim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book. Bradley Wright brings us The Santa Claus with a soldier. As the last man Santa sees before dying, Nick Campos must take his place. However he brings his own personality, goals, and little camo to the North Pole.

Deciding to use the Naughty & Nice list for more than oranges and coal - Nick is busy more than just one day a year preventing crime and saving lives. This Christmas brings him face to face with the terrorist responsible for killing many of his friends.

Wright writes a compelling thriller starring a snarky and irreverent soldier. The pacing was great, laughs, lots of action/suspense, and some holiday magic make for a great read.

[Cody Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a Christmas book where there is Bond level gadgets and a guy who is clearing the naughty list of all the naughtiest people!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a bit of John McLain (Die Hard), add in some Ethan Hunt (Mission Impossible) and a whole bunch of George Clooney’s character from The Peace Maker, finish it off with Santa and you’ve got the main character! This was my only “holiday themed” story, because I’m not a fan of them, but this was a fun ride.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different kind of Saint Nick and a tale of saving Christmas that's a unique adventure unlike any I've experienced. It's a fun read!

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint Nick. Bradley Wright

Army ranger, Nick Campos is the least likely character for Santa Claus. He doesn't deliver presents. He takes down bad people. Unfortunately for him, or rather fortunately, Santa Claus picks him to take over his job. He does manage to stop terrorists from sabotaging the white house on Christmas. He also manages to deliver his presents on Christmas day. A delightful read that I thoroughly enjoyed! Looking forward for Nicks adventures next Christmas!!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book blurb....."This Christmas, Santa Claus is still coming to town, but this time he's bringing a fat sack of justice with him."

Oh what fun this Christmas thriller was! :D A reluctant Santa replacement, saving the world from evil and terrorism with help from the crew at the North Pole. Witty, sarcastic, snarky fun. Total holiday cheer. Hope this isn't the last we see of Nick, FBI agent Brooke and the elves.

Need a little break from the holiday hassle? Take a break and read this one. So much fun!

[Jess Schira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like a Santa Claus story with a twist! While not the greatest book I've ever read, this was a fun thriller that explored the question of "what if Santa was more interested in taking down bad guys than spreading Christmas cheer?" Fun, fast read.

[Pat Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great quick read... who knew what Santa keeps in his bag of goodies.... Explosive read... and I want to be one of Santa's elves

[Scott Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Bradley! It’s a short read, but you won’t be able to put it down. I always read his books to fast and go back and re read them again! It is definitely a book to remember!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Army Ranger Nick Campos, 40, knows it is time to get out before he gets kicked out, but he has no idea of what he might do afterwards.
That decision is made for him when he finds a dying Santa Claus who has just crash-landed.
When Santa dies his special powers are passed to Nick and, within minutes, he's on his way from his Iraqi base to the North Pole to meet the elves and a devastated Mrs. Claus.
Nick is now Santa but there's no way in hell he's giving rugrats presents.
No, with the help of a deranged elf called Zeke whose passion is creating powerful weapons, he's tracking down the FBI's Most Wanted.
His cloaking device makes him invisible and the ASE (All Seeing Eye) allows him to find people anywhere in the world.
Oh, and he does know whether you've been naughty or nice!
Think John McClane (Die Hard movies) in a Santa Suit and you're won't be far off the mark.
When he reveals himself to the FBI, CIA, etc., it sets off a series of events in which a dastardly terrorist mastermind, Nasir Samara, determines not only to ruin Christmas but to take over the North Pole and strip Nick of his powers.
Oh no he won't!
“Saint Nick” is highly inventive but seems to have been written at high speed as only its impetus keeps it on track. But it is not a book to think about too much – just hang on for the ride.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.

[L.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars

This was a fun (and fast) holiday read. I'm sure that the North Pole gang has more high-tech miracles to reveal in Saint Nick 2. It's hard to decide whether the all-knowing gizmo, the fob-controlled invisibility or the sleigh and reindeer that can get anywhere at unbelievable speed is the coolest ability!

SUMMARY: Army Ranger Nick Campos was never meant to be Santa Claus. He knows nothing about kids, he certainly isn't jolly, and he hasn't eaten a cookie in over a decade. But as Santa is dying of a heart attack, whether Nick wants them or not, Santa bestows his abilities upon him, and changes Nick's life forever. A year later, Nick has found a way to use the abilities Santa passed along in a way that only a hardass Army Ranger could. To fight the bad guys. And he plans to bring new meaning to the classic line "he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake."

However, there is one terrorist in particular that pops up on the radar that Nick is all too familiar with. Because he's the monster that killed Nick's closest friend a few years back. Can Nick use his newfound tools to stop an old enemy's plot to kill more innocent people? Or will Nick--the world's best new weapon in the fight against terror--fail to deliver against an evil that is much more prepared for him than Nick could have ever imagined?

[Monsieurh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally purchased this book because I was looking for a thriller with a Christmas theme. This book did not disappoint. The main character is Nick Campos, an Army Ranger stationed in Iraq, in an undisclosed location. He is a proficient Army Ranger who has been fighting the war against terrorism.
In the 158 pages, Nick discovers the deceased body of Santa Claus and subsequently becomes the new Santa Claus. As such he learns about the secret technology that is employed to assist and support the jolly old man in his Christmas preparations. Nick manages to use the same tools to help him continue his fight against terrorism, with the goal of catching Nasir Samara.
The book is an enjoyable, easy-to-read thriller. With its short page count per chapter, the reader is able to indulge and savour in the thrills and suspense of the story and not loose track of the story’s development.
There really are not that many Christmas themed stories as there was in the earlier years. Bradley Wright has created a suitable plot and executed it properly even allowing a supporting character to remind us all of the importance of Santa and Christmas. A nice and fun holiday read.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick is chosen by Santa Claus to take his place, much like Abin Sur choosing Hal Jordan to replace him as Green Lantern. Nick is reluctant to even believe this is real, and it takes a while before he comes around. Once acclimated, though, he decides to do things a little bit differently. Okay, a lot differently. Delivering presents to spoiled brats doesn't sink to the bottom of his priority list, it disappears from the list entirely.

The book is short (176 pages, which includes a preview of the first in a series by the same author, so even shorter). Yet it is full of characterization, feeling, action, thrills, suspense, everything you could want in this type of book. It doesn't feel short in any way. There is a Saint Nick #2, which I look forward to reading.

Highly recommended.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Nick Campos doesn’t know anything about being Santa Claus because he is a badass Army Ranger.

Nick Campos is serving in Iraq when he notices something flying in the sky. Santa’s sleigh crashes and that is when Nick Campos is handed the reins to be Santa Claus. This isn’t your traditional jolly Christmas story. Nick is trying to stop a terrorist and he takes along a woman who works for law enforcement along for the ride. If you are a fan of action and a little fun definitely pick up this book.

[Beach Bum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird fun

Santa becomes a vigilante, yes seriously
Not sure how else to describe this book. It's daft on so many levels, yet kind of works
It has moments of humour, you can see the ending half way through, but it's entertaining enough to keep you reading, just to see the next daft Santa reference is going to be thrown in
Oh and Santa uses tech, to do all the fancy stuff he has been doing for centuries, no idea how that correlates with, tech in general, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't an option in the dark ages

[Joe Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your ordinary Santa story

This is a fun action packed twist on the Santa Claus story. Take one part Santa Clause and one part Jason Bourne and you have the premise of the story. This is a quick fun read that keeps you turning the page from start to finish. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much potential to make this a true Christmas story that includes taking down a terrorist, but also continuing with the Christmas theme - This was a fun read, clever for sure...but also too reliant on cliches again...and the emphasis on bourbon just won't go away. But fun. Would love if "Nick" was not so much talk, and more action...but alas...

[Kim Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me...

As one who has really enjoyed Bradley Wright's books I have to admit that I was rather disappointed with this one. It reads like it was written by teenager. The dialogue is lame to say the least and he action isn't much better. Sorry to say I will not be reading another.

[Marty Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great Christmas book!

I love this author and his heroes and heroines! I just finished reading this book today which is Christmas Day and what a nice little ‘happy’ doe the spirit of Christmas.

[Johanna]

So out there... A little entertaining

The story line is so out there, you can't help but stand there and join the ride. The idea is clever and just entertaining enough to want to stop around.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, Christmas-themed action thriller. This story follows Nick Campos, an army ranger, who replaces Santa to fight against the bad guys of the world . A great short story for the holidays!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Different Take on Santa Claus

What if Santa Claus was an Airborne Ranger? Bradley Wright explores this in his novel. I thought it was a fun story and full of action. A great Christmas action story.

[Jason Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the premise, but execution kinda meh. Potential here for fun though.

[Tara Wowra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new side of Santa. Fun romp with likeable characters.

[Megan Cutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so refreshing. I really thought I had it figured out and that it would be cliché, but it was original and fun. Looking forward to Saint Nick 2.

[Shawn (Skye) Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the 2nd.

[Jason D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guilty pleasure book. It was creative and merged 2 very different genres. I have to give props for the originality of it.

[Random Hodgepodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that was refreshingly different. Not your mamma's Saint Nicholas:)