As you can see, I appear to be hooked on L. T. Ryan's Jack Noble Novels. Quick to read, fast-moving stories, these are great summer reads for thriller fans who don't mind the secretive operations of high-level security, espionage, anti-terrorist, political, and military types of stories.
Jack Noble is a love him-or-hate him kind of guy. I choose the former because he's basically simple. He's a warrior who will do anything to get the bad guys. And those bad guys don't really want to be on the wrong end of that justice. Consequently, when the bad guys meet up with Jack, they want to spread the pain as thoroughly as Jack can dish it out – maybe moreso because they tend to be exceedingly evil.
Jack and his boss Frank Skinner inadvertently stumble upon a child-kidnapping ring who sell their victims all over the world. Doing their best to maintain their usual professional approach after capturing one of the pick-up men named Pablo, their hardcore interrogation pries information from him which leads to a house in a neighborhood.
An invasion rescue is planned but fails to go as planned. In spite of the harrowing experience and emotional tolls, they recover the children. Their new mission is to discover who's at the head of this evil venture, but before they can organize their efforts, the ringleader calls Jack after re-kidnapping a particular child.
Jack suffers some injuries in the raid, and a female EMT (Sarah) is brought along to their group's secret headquarters to confer with their private doctor and ends up participating in their plans to uncover the leader – much to Jack's dismay. He's afraid she'll get hurt or worse.
We all wish we could become super-men or wonder-women, but those who work in the clandestine services, military and otherwise, and remain faithful to this country and to a high code of eliminating evil enemies and criminals are as close to supermen and women as exist in the secular world. Their extensive and intensive training prepare them for death but teach them how to survive almost anything. Pain is secondary to the mission, and they're amazing in what they can and are willing to do, endure, and accomplish. Jack Noble is one of them. Yes, he's cocky at times, humble at others, daring, wired hot, extreme, and will do whatever it takes to bring down a bad guy. Occasionally he has to be reigned in.
(Don't get me wrong: devoted missionaries fill this bill as do Christians suffering under horrendous persecution, imprisonment, and torture for Christ. They have the highest calling and are the true heroes/heroines.)
Written in Jack's first person POV, we experience Jack's rage, pain, and sense of justice. His insightful deductions usually work well for him in his psychological battles. He's cunning, viscious, and tough. And he's all man. His deep thoughts only happen in his head, and he's definitely not an orator. A man of few words and lots of action, his name suits him.
The title A Deadly Distance will explain itself within the story. Prepare yourself for considerable violence, very little bad language, a few brief sexual innuendoes, and an interesting and satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend L. T. Ryan's second edition of the Jack Noble Novels.
Father, you know Lee. I don't. Please bless him and show him what he needs the most. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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