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Hawk Tate Action Thrillers #7
Friendly Fire
Knife fights are never what they look like in the movies. They aren’t a match between two men both lowered into crouches, each jabbing tentatively at the other.
In an actual confrontation, people get cut. There was no way to avoid it. A war of attrition predicated on trading shots. Calculated real-time risk assessment.
A maxim I learned many times over the years, bearing more than a few scars to prove as much. One I was all too happy to embrace again now.
For the past year, Hawk Tate lived in a perpetual state of dread over when the phone might ring. A call stemming from his actions just north of the border many months before, resulting in a marker owed to a certain government agency. An organization that will not be refused, and always comes to collect their debts.
A message from an unknown sender arrives on his work answering machine one Sunday morning. An individual with shared history needing help of a vastly different nature, and Hawk can’t say no.
Not to Lake Pawlak, someone he first met when he was tasked with protecting her from an international cartel three years prior. Certainly not to Savanah Vinson, Lake’s friend and neighbor, and the reason Lake comes to seek Hawk’s help. Savanah, while fighting to provide for her and her young sister after the death of their parents, went missing two nights prior with nothing but a fraudulent text message to explain her sudden disappearance.
Despite a litany of concerns, Hawk agrees to return to Los Angeles with his friend, embarking on a hunt that plunges him into a world he barely knew existed. Full immersion into social media influencing and launch parties. Southern California nightlife, online message boards, and international politics.
A growing web far surpassing anything he understands, forcing him to rely on contacts and acquaintances new and old—including the very people he fought to avoid for so long...
In an actual confrontation, people get cut. There was no way to avoid it. A war of attrition predicated on trading shots. Calculated real-time risk assessment.
A maxim I learned many times over the years, bearing more than a few scars to prove as much. One I was all too happy to embrace again now.
For the past year, Hawk Tate lived in a perpetual state of dread over when the phone might ring. A call stemming from his actions just north of the border many months before, resulting in a marker owed to a certain government agency. An organization that will not be refused, and always comes to collect their debts.
A message from an unknown sender arrives on his work answering machine one Sunday morning. An individual with shared history needing help of a vastly different nature, and Hawk can’t say no.
Not to Lake Pawlak, someone he first met when he was tasked with protecting her from an international cartel three years prior. Certainly not to Savanah Vinson, Lake’s friend and neighbor, and the reason Lake comes to seek Hawk’s help. Savanah, while fighting to provide for her and her young sister after the death of their parents, went missing two nights prior with nothing but a fraudulent text message to explain her sudden disappearance.
Despite a litany of concerns, Hawk agrees to return to Los Angeles with his friend, embarking on a hunt that plunges him into a world he barely knew existed. Full immersion into social media influencing and launch parties. Southern California nightlife, online message boards, and international politics.
A growing web far surpassing anything he understands, forcing him to rely on contacts and acquaintances new and old—including the very people he fought to avoid for so long...
ebook
Published December 13, 2021
601 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Dustin Stevens
84 books313 followersI originally hail from the midwest, growing up in the heart of farm country, and still consider it, along with West Tennessee, my co-home. Between the two, I have a firm belief that football is the greatest of all past-times, sweet tea is really the only acceptable beverage for any occasion, there is not an event on earth that either gym shorts or boots can't be worn to, and that Dairy Queen is the best restaurant on the planet. Further, southern accents are a highly likeable feature on most everybody, English bulldogs sit atop the critter hierarchy, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Saturday night spent catfishing at the lake.
Since leaving the midwest I've been to college in New England, grad school in the Rockies, and lived in over a dozen different cities ranging from DC to Honolulu along the way. Each and every one of these experiences has shaped who I am at this point, a fact I hope is expressed in my writing. I have developed enormous affinity for locales and people of every size and shape, and even if I never figure out a way to properly convey them on paper, I am very much grateful for their presence in my life.
To sum it up, I asked a very good friend recently how they would describe me for something like this. Their response: "Plagued by realism and trained by experiences/education to be a pessimist, you somehow remain above all else an active dreamer." While I can't say those are the exact words I would choose, I can't say they're wrong. I travel, live in different places, try new foods, meet all kinds of different people, and above all else stay curious to a fault.
Here's hoping it continues to provide us all with some pretty good stories...
Since leaving the midwest I've been to college in New England, grad school in the Rockies, and lived in over a dozen different cities ranging from DC to Honolulu along the way. Each and every one of these experiences has shaped who I am at this point, a fact I hope is expressed in my writing. I have developed enormous affinity for locales and people of every size and shape, and even if I never figure out a way to properly convey them on paper, I am very much grateful for their presence in my life.
To sum it up, I asked a very good friend recently how they would describe me for something like this. Their response: "Plagued by realism and trained by experiences/education to be a pessimist, you somehow remain above all else an active dreamer." While I can't say those are the exact words I would choose, I can't say they're wrong. I travel, live in different places, try new foods, meet all kinds of different people, and above all else stay curious to a fault.
Here's hoping it continues to provide us all with some pretty good stories...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 13, 2021
Friendly Fire, the new release in Dustin Stevens’ Hawk Tate series delivers an edge of your seat adventure. Stevens reunites former DEA Special Agent Hawk Tate with Lake Pawlak, the young woman he protected through near death battles with organized crime to ensure vital testimony. That shared experience and each having a total commitment that the bad guys will not prevail gives them a special bond.
I enjoyed Friendly Fire for a solid plot that was chilling in its ‘believability’ and well developed characters. Fans of the series will know both Tate and Pawlak but will find new dimensions here. Pawlak has fully reclaimed life and become a force in her own right. Tate, having just finished a family outing in Yellowstone, has an even deeper commitment to ridding the world of evil.
The troubling disappearance of Pawlak’s young neighbor has her fly to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to convince Tate that he is needed - once again. Tate’s initial hesitancy is quickly discarded and off he goes. Evil, this time, brings him out of the mountains of Yellowstone where he has the advantage into the swirling metropolis of Los Angeles - where following a trail will be altogether different.
Tate’s search for the missing woman will lead him into a web of sinister international intrigue: a corrupt Lithuanian politician fomenting a revolution in his home country, weapons smuggling, and a rough human trafficking sceme by the politician’s double dealing son. The bad guys may be working at cross purposes but are united in trying to prevent Tate from rocking the boat. Tate, having determined that traveling with guns is ‘too complicated’, has armed himself with a combat ax and a very sharp knife. His dealings will all be up close and personal. And frequent.
The discord between the politician and his criminal son have boiled over into a shooting war thus making Tate’s efforts more difficult and dangerous. Tate does manage to capture one of the bad guys and extracts much needed information. Tate has become very results oriented in his dealings with bad guys.
Friendly Fire is well worth the read. Solid characters and a plot that will have the reader looking over their shoulder. Even though this is fiction I feel much better knowing that guys like Hawk Tate are out there. It was that well done.
I enjoyed Friendly Fire for a solid plot that was chilling in its ‘believability’ and well developed characters. Fans of the series will know both Tate and Pawlak but will find new dimensions here. Pawlak has fully reclaimed life and become a force in her own right. Tate, having just finished a family outing in Yellowstone, has an even deeper commitment to ridding the world of evil.
The troubling disappearance of Pawlak’s young neighbor has her fly to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to convince Tate that he is needed - once again. Tate’s initial hesitancy is quickly discarded and off he goes. Evil, this time, brings him out of the mountains of Yellowstone where he has the advantage into the swirling metropolis of Los Angeles - where following a trail will be altogether different.
Tate’s search for the missing woman will lead him into a web of sinister international intrigue: a corrupt Lithuanian politician fomenting a revolution in his home country, weapons smuggling, and a rough human trafficking sceme by the politician’s double dealing son. The bad guys may be working at cross purposes but are united in trying to prevent Tate from rocking the boat. Tate, having determined that traveling with guns is ‘too complicated’, has armed himself with a combat ax and a very sharp knife. His dealings will all be up close and personal. And frequent.
The discord between the politician and his criminal son have boiled over into a shooting war thus making Tate’s efforts more difficult and dangerous. Tate does manage to capture one of the bad guys and extracts much needed information. Tate has become very results oriented in his dealings with bad guys.
Friendly Fire is well worth the read. Solid characters and a plot that will have the reader looking over their shoulder. Even though this is fiction I feel much better knowing that guys like Hawk Tate are out there. It was that well done.
March 24, 2022
What Hell Some Will Endure For Others
It seems that when you do a solid for someone it doesn't take long before you are asked for more help. As this is true in the everyday sense it is no less true when you've come to the aid of those in serious troubles. Hawk Tate is a man of many talents, abilities and experiences. These things place him in high demand. In this instance the players involve a foreign Ambassador, his son and his henchmen along with co-conspirators who decide they are above the law. A request from Lake Paula, a photographer whom Hawk kept alive during a cartel manhunt that sought her demise. A request that Hawk would deign to ignore. A request that sought to remedy the decided inaction given by law enforcement. Watching (reading) as this unfolded dug up emotions and thoughts as if I was one of the characters. I was buffeted by anger, frustration, disappointment, impatience and, more anger. Not because of the story but because of the powerful writing. I mean, I was there! I was in the cars, the buildings, the offices and was feeling it. Because NO ONE should know those fears and experiences and the young ladies here DID! Skillcraft in writing and story-telling that matches or exceeds the best!
It seems that when you do a solid for someone it doesn't take long before you are asked for more help. As this is true in the everyday sense it is no less true when you've come to the aid of those in serious troubles. Hawk Tate is a man of many talents, abilities and experiences. These things place him in high demand. In this instance the players involve a foreign Ambassador, his son and his henchmen along with co-conspirators who decide they are above the law. A request from Lake Paula, a photographer whom Hawk kept alive during a cartel manhunt that sought her demise. A request that Hawk would deign to ignore. A request that sought to remedy the decided inaction given by law enforcement. Watching (reading) as this unfolded dug up emotions and thoughts as if I was one of the characters. I was buffeted by anger, frustration, disappointment, impatience and, more anger. Not because of the story but because of the powerful writing. I mean, I was there! I was in the cars, the buildings, the offices and was feeling it. Because NO ONE should know those fears and experiences and the young ladies here DID! Skillcraft in writing and story-telling that matches or exceeds the best!
Read
September 30, 2022I've been binge reading the Hawk Tate series since I discovered it a few weeks ago. I'm a big fan of the single, outsider kind of hero and extremely drawn to 1st person narrative. This book, however, was a major disappointment.
Usually Hawk's thoughts and descriptions of events are crisp and clear, but in this novel it's almost as if Dustin Steven's knew he didn't have enough action so he just elongated all of Hawk's inner life.
Hawk would think a whole paragraph about creeping up on a tree, then another paragraph on how he wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around it. Then another paragraph on how the wood felt in his fingers reminding him of other times in the woods. It just felt like 50% of the writing was fill in in order to get enough pages for a full novel. Not at all like his earlier Tate novels. It honestly bored me.
I've placed an advance order for the next book in the series. One can only hope Dustin returns to the crisp thinking, action, and detail of his earlier Hawk novels.
Usually Hawk's thoughts and descriptions of events are crisp and clear, but in this novel it's almost as if Dustin Steven's knew he didn't have enough action so he just elongated all of Hawk's inner life.
Hawk would think a whole paragraph about creeping up on a tree, then another paragraph on how he wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around it. Then another paragraph on how the wood felt in his fingers reminding him of other times in the woods. It just felt like 50% of the writing was fill in in order to get enough pages for a full novel. Not at all like his earlier Tate novels. It honestly bored me.
I've placed an advance order for the next book in the series. One can only hope Dustin returns to the crisp thinking, action, and detail of his earlier Hawk novels.
December 13, 2021
Hawk Tate.....
..... at his finest. Hawk has always been a favorite character of mine, but even more so, after reading this one. He is once again asked to help a friend, and is drawn into the underbelly of L. A. With a twist of international intrigue, you're lead through the world of the worst of the worst.
I tried my best to make this one last at least a couple of days, but I just couldn't force myself to put it down.
Dustin has a way of writing that holds your interest, and you can't wait to see what happens next.
As with all of Dustin's books, I'd give 10 stars if I could. I highly recommend each and every one of them.
..... at his finest. Hawk has always been a favorite character of mine, but even more so, after reading this one. He is once again asked to help a friend, and is drawn into the underbelly of L. A. With a twist of international intrigue, you're lead through the world of the worst of the worst.
I tried my best to make this one last at least a couple of days, but I just couldn't force myself to put it down.
Dustin has a way of writing that holds your interest, and you can't wait to see what happens next.
As with all of Dustin's books, I'd give 10 stars if I could. I highly recommend each and every one of them.
June 20, 2022
As good as any he's ever wrote, if not better.
This is a fitting end to Hawk's story, if end it is. I'll miss him if it is! I've come to call him a friend, even though he only exists on my Kindle' s screen. I just wish I had a live friend like him. Hawk just can't say know to someone who needs his particular skills. Lake has reentered his life like a whirlwind. Her friend is missing, likely abducted. And he's off to Southern California again. And a meeting with Agents Smith and Jones (ha, ha!). How bad will he end up looking at the end of it? Well, you know Hawk. Don't miss this outstanding book. Highly recommended.
This is a fitting end to Hawk's story, if end it is. I'll miss him if it is! I've come to call him a friend, even though he only exists on my Kindle' s screen. I just wish I had a live friend like him. Hawk just can't say know to someone who needs his particular skills. Lake has reentered his life like a whirlwind. Her friend is missing, likely abducted. And he's off to Southern California again. And a meeting with Agents Smith and Jones (ha, ha!). How bad will he end up looking at the end of it? Well, you know Hawk. Don't miss this outstanding book. Highly recommended.
November 20, 2021
The seventh book in Dustin Stevens’s Hawk Tate series keeps the fire burning in this action-packed series. A phone call to Tate gets the action going as he continues to pay it forward and encourage others to do the same. An influencer in Southern California is kidnapped by the spoiled son of an ambassador. The kidnapping business includes sexual abuse and trafficking which Tate addresses so well as he discovers step by step just what is going on.
December 13, 2021
So nice guy Hawk goes to LA to help out a friend and finds himself mixed up in all sorts of things. Really enjoyed the story and in many ways very in the vein of some of todays criminal problems. I enjoyed the characters and the return of people from previous books. Fast paced action and I was sad when it ended as it was a very enjoyable tale. I personally might think twice about helping out my friends if this is what happens, but hey that is just me.
December 13, 2021
Ex DEA agent Hawk Tate has retired and opened a small guide service in Yellowstone. An old acquaintance finds him and brings him in on a missing person case. The case ends up involving smuggling people! Unlike HAM, his stablemate, in Author Dustin Steven’s group of protagonists, Hawk doesn’t seem to be inhabited by demons. Rather, Hawk just goes to work dismantling the crime syndicate that has been protected by diplomacy and power. Realistic and well researched, this is a good read.
December 14, 2021
An all around pulse-pounding thriller that never stops layering the evils one on top of the other. A story-telling master, Dustin Stevens delivers one of the best Hawk Tate novels to date. His choices of characters, dialogue, and scenes are perfection. His ideas are flawless. I can assure you there is little Friendly about this Fire but it will undoubtedly heat up your reading nights.
Very Highly Recommended.
Very Highly Recommended.
December 18, 2021
A blast from the past causes Hawk to leave Montana and head to LA. A young lady he helped protect from the cartel asks him to find a missing friend. Together they tackle a European mob business and Hawk once again ends up with more scares, cuts and wounds as usual. This was so much to fun to read you won’t able to put it down ! A very well written story line with non stop action and a great cast of characters makes this a must read !
December 15, 2021
Friendly Fire is another awesome addition to the Hawk Tate series. It’s a fast paced, action packed thriller. Hawk is a great character and I always enjoy the storyline surrounding him. There’s plenty of drama and intrigue in this adventure. Very enjoyable and entertaining read. *this honest review is based on a complimentary copy from the author*
December 18, 2021
Hawk Tate 6
A simmering dispute between father and son soon brings demise all around them. A family several continents from home. Father plans to return a hero. The son wants to stay in the USA and reap the treasure of America! When it all comes to blows it brings blood shed and shame.
A simmering dispute between father and son soon brings demise all around them. A family several continents from home. Father plans to return a hero. The son wants to stay in the USA and reap the treasure of America! When it all comes to blows it brings blood shed and shame.
August 4, 2022
Friendly Fire Indeed
This one has a few old characters and a score of new ones. The first chapter starts out with background and from there goes non stop to the last one. Some of the characters in the middle turn out to be the basis of a new story. Will be watching for the next one. Thanks for all the entertainment.
This one has a few old characters and a score of new ones. The first chapter starts out with background and from there goes non stop to the last one. Some of the characters in the middle turn out to be the basis of a new story. Will be watching for the next one. Thanks for all the entertainment.
December 6, 2022
SOOOO GOOD
This author takes you on the most amazing and intriguing adventure. I love these characters. I worry about him, and wish I could help him, but of course he doesn’t need my help. I truly wish there were people like him in the real world,who could fight some of the cruelty we see and hear in our daily life.
This author takes you on the most amazing and intriguing adventure. I love these characters. I worry about him, and wish I could help him, but of course he doesn’t need my help. I truly wish there were people like him in the real world,who could fight some of the cruelty we see and hear in our daily life.
April 12, 2024
Another ripping Hawk Tate yarn
Another taut tale of Hawk Tate being yanked from his Yellowstone idyll, this time into the morass of Los Angeles, to rescue a girl being trafficked. One minor quibble: there are way too many sentence fragments. I’d be happy to help Dustin fix those in this or subsequent novels.
Another taut tale of Hawk Tate being yanked from his Yellowstone idyll, this time into the morass of Los Angeles, to rescue a girl being trafficked. One minor quibble: there are way too many sentence fragments. I’d be happy to help Dustin fix those in this or subsequent novels.
June 19, 2024
Amazing the twisted actions people of privilege get up to!
A truly horrible set of actions that the son of a diplomat can get up to. The father either loses control or had never had control in the first place. The amount of employees that can hide this kid's actions is unbelievable. This kid is responsible for some of the worst crimes known to man!
A truly horrible set of actions that the son of a diplomat can get up to. The father either loses control or had never had control in the first place. The amount of employees that can hide this kid's actions is unbelievable. This kid is responsible for some of the worst crimes known to man!
October 28, 2024
Another great Hawk Tate novel. Don’t let the length of time to finish this book be any indication as to how I liked this book. Work & life got in the way of reading but on to the book. As I said another great Hawk Tate offering. Lots of action accompanied the return of a few faces from past books but that’s all I’m going to say as I hate spoilers. Grab this book you won’t be disappointed!!!
November 27, 2024
As good as all the previous!
As my title says... As good as all the rest! Mr. Stevens has the touch to keep my attention, even when I am doing chores and honey do lists, I catch myself thinking of the story and wishing I could get back to it now!!! I think this is probably the best yet with better coming.
As my title says... As good as all the rest! Mr. Stevens has the touch to keep my attention, even when I am doing chores and honey do lists, I catch myself thinking of the story and wishing I could get back to it now!!! I think this is probably the best yet with better coming.
December 25, 2024
Suspend belief
Just for a while. I really like Hawks' character. But I don't care how tough you are, you cannot do the physical combat he goes through at the end with busted ribs.
That's just a physical fact.
But, I still liked the story and all the action and will read the next one in line.
Just for a while. I really like Hawks' character. But I don't care how tough you are, you cannot do the physical combat he goes through at the end with busted ribs.
That's just a physical fact.
But, I still liked the story and all the action and will read the next one in line.
February 15, 2025
I like this series, I am working through them, interspersing between other styles. I try to vary my reading styles, between adventure, mystery and good old fashion writing. This one seemed a little more violent, and again a little unrealistic, in that the bad guys always lose, but still entertaining.
April 3, 2025
Finally finished this book after putting it down several times. This cannot be the same author that started this series. The writing is stilted, seemingly more concerned about the turn of phrase than the actual story. So much of this book seemed like filler for lack of real story. I skipped whole pages of descriptions, thoughts, wandering maybes.
December 13, 2021
Hawk Tate is called by Lake to go on a mission to locate Savi. Savi was kidnapped after being at a club.
Other young women has also gone missing. Hawk returns to LA to pay his debt to Lake. Action packed as usual in the Hawk series. Hard to put down.
Other young women has also gone missing. Hawk returns to LA to pay his debt to Lake. Action packed as usual in the Hawk series. Hard to put down.
December 19, 2021
Masterpiece
A precision of plotting and character building up to a crescendo of action. Justin Fields never fails to deliver an intricately woven thriller of articulate prose and reality.
A precision of plotting and character building up to a crescendo of action. Justin Fields never fails to deliver an intricately woven thriller of articulate prose and reality.
December 19, 2021
Great characters
Hawk is a wonderful hero. He holds his own, but doesn’t go out of his way to use violence to right a wrong. I like his back to nature view without being overly green and patronizing
Hawk is a wonderful hero. He holds his own, but doesn’t go out of his way to use violence to right a wrong. I like his back to nature view without being overly green and patronizing
November 14, 2022
This is another in the Hawk Tate series that has more action than most other novels. The plot was somewhat predictable as was the end. In spite of this, the book was an enjoyable read and deserve a five star rating.
February 7, 2023
Hawk is so tough!!
This story of kidnapping, bullies, weapons, trafficking and so much more is another unputdownable! I keep waiting for the suspense of this series to drop off, but it appears the author is dedicated to making us sit on edge of our seats!
This story of kidnapping, bullies, weapons, trafficking and so much more is another unputdownable! I keep waiting for the suspense of this series to drop off, but it appears the author is dedicated to making us sit on edge of our seats!
October 17, 2023
fantastic read
Wow couldn’t put this one down either til I finished it. What a thriller. Kept me in my toes wondering if Hawk was going to be able to get out of this one unscathed n save the day
Wow couldn’t put this one down either til I finished it. What a thriller. Kept me in my toes wondering if Hawk was going to be able to get out of this one unscathed n save the day
October 26, 2023
editor where were you? So many time and event slipups.
Repetitive and filled with editing errors. Good and important story base but irritating with the errors. Good airplane read but frustrating.
Repetitive and filled with editing errors. Good and important story base but irritating with the errors. Good airplane read but frustrating.
February 28, 2024
What happened
I have read the whole series..now this book..number seven...is written in a completely different style. Nothing like the previous book...not at all a good read. Ghost writer ?? A big disappointment.
I have read the whole series..now this book..number seven...is written in a completely different style. Nothing like the previous book...not at all a good read. Ghost writer ?? A big disappointment.
December 16, 2021
Nail biter
Love the action it was so intense. I just enjoy Hawk he is really loyal that's what makes these books so great.
Love the action it was so intense. I just enjoy Hawk he is really loyal that's what makes these books so great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews