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Major Jake Fortina and the Tier-One Threat
At the behest of rogue Iranian government officials, two terrorists break into the grave of an American veterans cemetery in the Suresnes suburb of Paris. What they take from that grave could lead to the deaths of millions of Israeli and US citizens, as well as Jews around the world. US Army Major Jake Fortina, a military attaché stationed at the US Embassy in Paris, is called upon by the FBI and French and Italian law enforcement and intelligence officials to help defeat Iran's nefarious plan. Beginning in Paris, this international drama leads readers from Afghanistan to England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States in the scramble to save the world from a terror unknown since the deadly Spanish flu outbreak of 1918. All of the author's revenues through July 31, 2023, from the hardcover, paperback and Kindle versions of the book will be donated, evenly divided between the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and the FBI Agents Association (www.fbiaa.org).
258 pages, Paperback
Published July 26, 2022
5 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 21, 2022
Gripping.
This is a realistic military, intelligence, security, investigative services, and field and clandestine operations account. Along with authentic parallels and insights into international travel, culture, language and religion. Plus, the connecting individual and family relationships, challenges, struggles, and loss, and everyday issues, that entail real-life domestic and international scenarios. Which, builds up and segues into the thrilling chronicle and conclusion. Don Davis Middle East analyst
This is a realistic military, intelligence, security, investigative services, and field and clandestine operations account. Along with authentic parallels and insights into international travel, culture, language and religion. Plus, the connecting individual and family relationships, challenges, struggles, and loss, and everyday issues, that entail real-life domestic and international scenarios. Which, builds up and segues into the thrilling chronicle and conclusion. Don Davis Middle East analyst
July 31, 2022
Initially picking up this book, I was expecting to draw some comparison to the Jason Bourne or the Jack Reacher series of novels. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the book’s storyline stands on its own and in my opinion is more realistic and relevant than others in this genre. The author provides a masterful weaving of character backstories. As well, the detailed descriptions of the locations visited throughout the novel highlights an intimate knowledge of these regions. The relatable main character, Major Jake Fortina, can been seen as ‘every soldier’ willing to step up and take on the tasks that are needed to complete the mission. The human side of this protagonist does shine through. Not without flaws, the humility and selflessness displayed throughout the story makes him even more endearing.
The story never comes off as over dramatized, but the bioterrorism plot is eerily timely. The flow of the narrative is well paced and the banter between the characters is very natural and never forced. Many within the national security spheres will appreciate the author’s authentic storytelling style. For those that would like to have insight into the complexity of working within the constraints of a multinational environment and the importance of professional relationships, this book is a great read. I am definitely looking forward to any follow-on publications from Ralph ‘Rick’ Steinke.
The story never comes off as over dramatized, but the bioterrorism plot is eerily timely. The flow of the narrative is well paced and the banter between the characters is very natural and never forced. Many within the national security spheres will appreciate the author’s authentic storytelling style. For those that would like to have insight into the complexity of working within the constraints of a multinational environment and the importance of professional relationships, this book is a great read. I am definitely looking forward to any follow-on publications from Ralph ‘Rick’ Steinke.
October 3, 2024
Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat is an excellent first novel in this series that I would highly recommend to fans of thriller and espionage novels. With a very well-woven storyline and a fabulous protagonist in the form of US Army Major Jake Fortina, this is a novel that will keep you engaged, eagerly anticipating what will happen next from the first page to the last.
Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat begins on an exciting note as two terrorists break into the graves of two Jewish-Americans that are buried in a small cemetery outside of Paris. Why are they doing such a thing and what have they taken become the first unknowns in a long line of questions as the story moves on (and that is all in the first few pages). Major Fortina, who works with the military and is stationed in Paris, is called upon to join forces with the FBI and law enforcement in France and Italy as the terrorists’ plan is brought to the forefront. We then learn that the terrorists are planning to release a terrifying and new biological virus that will not only be worse than the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, but will also target Americans and Jews in the hopes of eradicating them completely from the world.
This story is the international thriller that many fans have been waiting to read. It ranks right up there with the amazing novels that Tom Clancy gave us. The plot of the story is very well-written and thought-out. This author has used his excellent writing ability as well as his real-life background to put together a story that is interesting, factual, suspenseful, and grabs you from the very beginning. All of the characters are well-developed and become people that you will care about and want to see succeed. It was very interesting to see how all of the different countries and agencies worked together to protect the world and the author’s background and research put us right in the middle of the action in a fascinating manner.
One of the best things about this story was the numerous flashbacks included which helped the reader follow the life of the main character, allowing us to see what he has already survived and witness how he ended up in his current state of life. Jake is very strong, very brave, and very smart. He is a protagonist that will appeal to many and it was so interesting to watch the development of his character through these flashbacks as the story progressed. Through this character, as well as others, the reader is given a very real and honest glimpse into what happens when those who are fully trained are immersed into a world of espionage where it is their goal to protect the world around them.
Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat is a riveting and suspenseful story that I would definitely recommend to others. There is something in these pages for everyone: action, mystery, suspense, emotion, twists and turns you will never anticipate, and even some romance and it is all combined perfectly. I know that I will be running to read the subsequent stories in this series, because I honestly cannot wait to see what Jake and the others get up to next. I am sure, after you read this story, you will feel the exact same way.
Quill says: Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat gives fans of the thriller novel a new author and character to watch. I personally see a lot of adventures in Jake’s future and that is definitely something to look forward. The only thing that could make these adventures better would be seeing them on the big screen. Jake may just be everyone’s new Jack Ryan.
Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat begins on an exciting note as two terrorists break into the graves of two Jewish-Americans that are buried in a small cemetery outside of Paris. Why are they doing such a thing and what have they taken become the first unknowns in a long line of questions as the story moves on (and that is all in the first few pages). Major Fortina, who works with the military and is stationed in Paris, is called upon to join forces with the FBI and law enforcement in France and Italy as the terrorists’ plan is brought to the forefront. We then learn that the terrorists are planning to release a terrifying and new biological virus that will not only be worse than the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, but will also target Americans and Jews in the hopes of eradicating them completely from the world.
This story is the international thriller that many fans have been waiting to read. It ranks right up there with the amazing novels that Tom Clancy gave us. The plot of the story is very well-written and thought-out. This author has used his excellent writing ability as well as his real-life background to put together a story that is interesting, factual, suspenseful, and grabs you from the very beginning. All of the characters are well-developed and become people that you will care about and want to see succeed. It was very interesting to see how all of the different countries and agencies worked together to protect the world and the author’s background and research put us right in the middle of the action in a fascinating manner.
One of the best things about this story was the numerous flashbacks included which helped the reader follow the life of the main character, allowing us to see what he has already survived and witness how he ended up in his current state of life. Jake is very strong, very brave, and very smart. He is a protagonist that will appeal to many and it was so interesting to watch the development of his character through these flashbacks as the story progressed. Through this character, as well as others, the reader is given a very real and honest glimpse into what happens when those who are fully trained are immersed into a world of espionage where it is their goal to protect the world around them.
Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat is a riveting and suspenseful story that I would definitely recommend to others. There is something in these pages for everyone: action, mystery, suspense, emotion, twists and turns you will never anticipate, and even some romance and it is all combined perfectly. I know that I will be running to read the subsequent stories in this series, because I honestly cannot wait to see what Jake and the others get up to next. I am sure, after you read this story, you will feel the exact same way.
Quill says: Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat gives fans of the thriller novel a new author and character to watch. I personally see a lot of adventures in Jake’s future and that is definitely something to look forward. The only thing that could make these adventures better would be seeing them on the big screen. Jake may just be everyone’s new Jack Ryan.
November 7, 2025
On French soil a tier one national threat is uncovered when two bones from the body of Ruth Ackerman are discovered to have been stolen. A legend of the WWI effort, Ackerman was a nurse who served countless as she treated those with the Spanish Flu. Contracting the virus herself, she recovered and survived, only to be killed by a truck that struck her near the field hospital where she worked.
On the heels of the COVID-19 virus, this threat feels extra pertinent as readers are reminded of the lives lost in the search for the vaccine. As this Iranian virus threat looms overhead, Major Jake Fortina is called upon to track and stop the threat before lives are lost.
With one bone accounted for and the hip remaining at large, Fortina must team up with the French, and even several neighbor countries as the continent is traversed. Introducing veteran ‘Ndrangheta mafioso members and the Hezbollah terrorist organization, Fortina has a difficult road ahead if he’s to stop the threat before it is fully executed.
Author Ralph “Rick” Steinke crafts an extraordinary thrill ride through Paris, Germany, Israel, Italy, and more as political military forces must come together to stop the threat. Weaving suspense with bits of romance, loss and military espionage, “Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat” packs a powerful plot.
As Fortina comes to grips with the loss of his family, the needs of his country, and the forces working against him, readers will quickly fall into the action playing out within. With a threatening virus, worse than that of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is relying on Jake Fortina to do what is necessary to stop this threat.
On the heels of the COVID-19 virus, this threat feels extra pertinent as readers are reminded of the lives lost in the search for the vaccine. As this Iranian virus threat looms overhead, Major Jake Fortina is called upon to track and stop the threat before lives are lost.
With one bone accounted for and the hip remaining at large, Fortina must team up with the French, and even several neighbor countries as the continent is traversed. Introducing veteran ‘Ndrangheta mafioso members and the Hezbollah terrorist organization, Fortina has a difficult road ahead if he’s to stop the threat before it is fully executed.
Author Ralph “Rick” Steinke crafts an extraordinary thrill ride through Paris, Germany, Israel, Italy, and more as political military forces must come together to stop the threat. Weaving suspense with bits of romance, loss and military espionage, “Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat” packs a powerful plot.
As Fortina comes to grips with the loss of his family, the needs of his country, and the forces working against him, readers will quickly fall into the action playing out within. With a threatening virus, worse than that of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is relying on Jake Fortina to do what is necessary to stop this threat.
October 2, 2023
Jake Fortina is a realistic, modern warrior that gets oversized heroic results!
Jake is not a cartoon hero that guns down 30 adversaries at a go, like The Gray Man or James Bond. He is much, MUCH more powerful. He knows how to leverage and coordinate resources from the great counter-terrorism institutions around the world to bring to bear orders of magnitude more force than Jack Reacher or Court Gentry ever could. One would never guess that working bureaucratic channels could be this exciting, nor this effective.
I very much enjoyed this thriller, much different than I am used to in this genre. But in reflection, this is a more important story to tell about how the real world should work and how justice could prevail against ne'er-do-wells and malevolence.
Jake is not a cartoon hero that guns down 30 adversaries at a go, like The Gray Man or James Bond. He is much, MUCH more powerful. He knows how to leverage and coordinate resources from the great counter-terrorism institutions around the world to bring to bear orders of magnitude more force than Jack Reacher or Court Gentry ever could. One would never guess that working bureaucratic channels could be this exciting, nor this effective.
I very much enjoyed this thriller, much different than I am used to in this genre. But in reflection, this is a more important story to tell about how the real world should work and how justice could prevail against ne'er-do-wells and malevolence.
November 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great political thriller. The author, Rick Steinke, clearly understands his topic. This is fiction, but reads like real-life. I laughed, I cried. I highly recommend this book.
May 13, 2025
More like 3.5⭐
Not bad. Not great. I was expecting a more fast paced story. I suspect that this was, in many ways, a more true to life story. I have the next two. We'll see how that goes.
Not bad. Not great. I was expecting a more fast paced story. I suspect that this was, in many ways, a more true to life story. I have the next two. We'll see how that goes.
January 22, 2024
Keep the tale coming!
This old soldier definitely calls this one a great read! Looking forward to the author’s next edition of this tale.
This old soldier definitely calls this one a great read! Looking forward to the author’s next edition of this tale.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews