Patriot

by A.S. Bond

What would you do for your country? In Afghanistan, a US Army Patrol is devastated by an enemy with sophisticated weaponry, while in D.C., Pentagon staffer Scott Jenson tips off the ambitious young reporter Brooke Kinley about a billionaire businessman’s involvement in terrorism. But why is the White House determined to protect this businessman, and why does the answer seem to lie in the Canadian wilderness? In a dangerous journey to the remotest parts of the world and the darkest corners of men’s hearts, Brooke races to prevent a catastrophic attack on America, but can she uncover the real traitor?

Patriot is a pulse pounding, high octane adventure thriller with a heroine who is as happy running rapids as she is asking difficult questions at the Pentagon. For fans of Clive Cussler, Andy McDermott or Stella Rimington.

Advance Praise for Patriot:
“Patriot moves at a cracking pace, Homeland channelled by Bear Grylls... the name's Bond, AS Bond, watch this space“ Nick Hazlewood, Author of "Savage; the Life and Times of Jemmy Button"

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Military Fiction, Adventure, Mystery Thriller

ebook

First published April 21, 2014

About the author

A.S Bond is an internationally acclaimed travel writer and journalist. As the author of seven books, AS’s own adventures have taken her around the world, from the cloud forests of Central America to D.C.’s corridors of power. A.S Bond is a pen name.

Praise for AS Bond’s earlier books (written as Alexandra Pratt):

"I have known a few wonderful-crazy, damn-fool writers who would risk their lives for a great adventure story, but I have met only two - both husky, well-experienced outdoorsmen - who would have paddled a canoe into the Labrador wilds. And one of them is dead. Alexandra Pratt is so reckless she scares me and so entrancing that I could not put her book down." Ken McGoogan, author of Fatal Passage

“Lyrical and adventurous” – Conde Nast Traveller

“The writing is stunning.” Canoeist Magazine

"The climax is pure adventure." Spirit of Canada Magazine

Rwww.brookekinleyadventures.com

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's not fully the genre I would normally go for, but I was strangely attracted to it after my close friend Claire reviewed it. In fact, that was one of the first things my hubby said when I told him what I was reading, so he was surprised to hear how much I was enjoying it each day, and how I needed to read more in order to find out what was going to happen. I've been reading really late the last few nights, as I've struggled to put it down.

It was very well written, descriptive, excellent attention to detail, and clearly well researched. The first couple of chapters were so exciting and gripping, I felt like I was watching breaking news on the TV.

This novel took me on a thrilling roller coaster ride of adventure. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I'd then have to read another chapter or two in the hope that things would improve for Brooke! Although some of the chapters focussing on other characters were somewhat less exciting, I think I needed those chapters as a form of respite from the ordeal Brooke was going through! I finished this book about 17 hours ago, and I still haven't come down from the intensity of the adventure.

I would like to thank the author, A.S. Bond for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm really looking forward to the next Brooke Kinley Adventure.

[A.S. Bond]

I am the author and I'm not about to review Patriot! That's up to you guys. However, I would like to give readers a little glimpse behinds the scenes, as it were, as there is quite a story behind the writing of this story!

When I sat down to write my adventure thriller Patriot and the old advice ‘write what you know’ came to mind, I realized what I knew was wilderness survival, bear encounters and cedarwood canoes. The first in my new series of ‘Brooke Kinley Adventures’, my novel is, in part, based on my own adventure of leading an award-winning canoe expedition in a remote part of Canada, where I traveled with just my First Nations guide through some of the harshest country in North America. My real-life adventure became a travel memoir, published by HarperCollins and then, several years later, the inspiration for the ‘action’ in my action adventure thriller. Like my heroine Brooke, I’ve also lived in Washington D.C. and worked as a journalist, but that’s a different story...

I'll be telling this story in more detail on my blog in the not too distant future. See www.brookekinleyadventures.com

[Cobwebby Eldritch Reading Reindeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This UNSTOPPABLE thriller begins with a BANG (literally) and the tension never eases. Extreme danger; military action; secrecy, covert maneuvering and intrigue in HIGH places. I don't believe I took a breath the entire time. As a thriller/political espionage aficionado, I rank THE PATRIOT in the pantheon of the BEST.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Patriot, the first book of the Brooke Kinley Adventure series, author A.S. Bond weaves a riveting political thriller that transports the reader all over the world from Afghanistan to Washington D.C. to the Canadian Wilderness as Daily Post staff reporter Brooke Kinley embarks on a journey to uncover a traitor promoting terrorism before another deadly attack occurs.

Author A.S. Bond easily draws the reader into this fast-paced story that has enough intrigue, tension, suspense, danger, secrets, conspiracy, military action and espionage, terrorism, and nail biting adventure that is sure to keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seats. The author calls upon her profession as a journalist and adventure seeker to provide the reader with a heart racing novel that engages the reader to follow Brooke on her dangerous journey, while keeping them guessing the true identity of the traitor and their motives. Patriot is a gripping tale that has a true sense of realism that could easily be taken directly from the headlines of any daily newspaper.

With a large cast of realistic characters; dramatic dialogue and interactions; and a true-to-life pulse racing storyline that provides much food for thought, Patriot is a must read for fans of conspiracy theories and political adventure thrillers.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Jim Mullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, modern day thriller which surpassed many of the best sellers with a believable story in a well written manner. Surprisingly it is a featured "Kindle" free purchase. I highly recommend it.

[Kelly]

I love thrillers...and I love detailed minutiae about politics and weaponry etc. However, after reading over a third of this book I just didn't care. It never seemed to go anywhere. So too many books, too little time....

[Melek · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could have been particularly good, if if weren't be this boring.

All the main characters in the book are strong people that ready to take action when they consider the situation. However, most of the times, I had no idea what they were trying to do. Alright, Brooke was easy, she was trying to get some evidence about the M guy's evil stuff and Scott was doing the same, but after a while, it was more like Scott was some kinda Jack Bauer and Brooke was a little helper, which is a little funny since the name of the series is shown on Goodreads as A Brooke Kinley Adventure AND since I really don't know who Scott J is. I mean, okay, a curious counterintelligence guy who is capable of kick some hired assassin's ass, but apart from that? Are those guys just machines?

Okay, screw characters, plot. There goes my 'WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING? HOW COULD YOU GET ON THAT PLANE THAT FAST? AND, YOU TWO, FIND YOURSELVES A BETTER PLACE THAN A GODDAMN STORE!' sort of inner monologues. Most of the times (when I COULD read, at least, it took a month for me to finish this, I've read about forty books in total in my huge breaks) I couldn't keep track of what was happening. Maybe it's due to my lack of information about the details of US government and all, but I'm not that sure. They could enter all the places, with or without any scratches, even got a hold of goddamn Navy. I can't say mere luck, but I had a lot to question.

The ending... Okay, I like the idea of making the sorta good guy appear like the bad guy for the entire book, but it wasn't really effective. I was like okay, so Maynard is not a traitor entirely, fine, moving on. The book was a big fat meh ending with a smaller meh.

[Diane Coto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever thought a job in journalism would be dangerous? It all depends upon how far the journalist is willing to go to secure a story. Brooke Kinley chases the story – no matter where it goes. The novel begins with a technologically advanced surface to air missile that brought down a US Apache helicopter in Afghanistan. The missile was guided by a microchip made in the US. So, who provided this advanced technology to use against our own? In this fast-paced thriller, Scott Jenson, Pentagon staffer, suspects New York billionaire businessman, Jean Maynard. Some things begin to look fishy to Jenson – like Mr. Maynard’s friendship with President Campbell and like why the White House decided to stop Jenson from investigating. Scott carries his suspicions to Brooke Kinley. He’s still searching for answers under cover, while she follows a lead into what appears to be an abandoned mining town in Canada. She soon gets company in the form of Dexter Adams who is searching for his brother who recently went missing in the area. Neither wants to be totally open about why they are there. How does her investigation tie together with Dexter’s search for his brother?

This is a tale of military ops, espionage, conspiracy, and suspicions. Brooke Kinley is a go-getter who won’t be intimidated just because there’s danger. She’s a strong female lead and I liked her quite a lot. The story contained quite a few characters making it difficult to keep track. It also included just a bit of romance which I felt was unnecessary since there was already a lot going on. Overall, the story came together quite well. I rated Patriot at 3.5 out of 5.

http://www.fictionzeal.com/review-pat...

[Melissa Swedoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pick up Patriot, you assume you already know what's going to happen: international spies, espionage and thrills, with the only difference being that a woman is the star of the series, instead of a man. But you'd be selling the Brooke Kinley series short with that conclusion.

You can taste the dirt, feel the heat, and find yourself clinching the pages (or the e-reader cover) as you follow Brooke's adventures, as she's thrown into the international world of terrorism that most of us are able to avoid from the security of our homes. But as a journalist looking for her first big break, she's not keen on sitting on the sidelines.

I'm not typically a war story lover, but I do enjoy a good political thriller, in the vein of Hunt for Red October or the Bourne series. Just like those books, there's plenty of jargon that you can sometimes get lost in, but the action and dialogue keep the story moving, as Brooke has to ascertain who are her allies, and who she should avoid.

I really appreciated the fact that Brooke is a strongly written character, and not some delicate flower waiting for a man to save her or show her the way out of danger. On the contrary, she dives head first into the adventure and danger that she finds, and I often found myself smiling as I heard some of her sharp-witted responses in my head.

Overall, Patriot is a great read, especially for the summer days lounging by the lake or pool. You don't want to walk away from it for too long, but it's just as savory in one sitting or four.

*I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher for purposes of a review.*

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patriot is a fast paced thriller. The scene is set with an attack of an Afghan compound and a US Apache helicopter brought down by an advanced missile.

Spoiler Alert;

Scott Jensen works in intelligence for the Us Department of Defense in Washington a friend contacts him about evidence picked up from the Apache attack, the surface to air missile had a very advanced laser guided by a micro-chip made in the US. The technology is owned by New York billionaire Jean Maynard, friend of the President. When Scott asks for an investigation, the top brass shut him down.

Still believing Maynard needs investigating, Scott takes what he has to a journalist, Brooke Kinley. The trail soon leads to a mining town in remote Canada and Brooke sets out by herself to find out more. I like Brooke, she is a strong female character and really good at survival. There are lots of clues and details added along the way which you know will come together later in the story, a couple are victims of piracy in the Indian Ocean and a pair of geologists are attacked in Labrador. Plus someone is following Scott.

Dexter Adams flies into Labrador in search of his missing brother and finds himself involved in Brooke's investigation when his plane crashes in a lake.

There are quite a lot of characters to keep up with and several intelligence agencies across the world get involved in this race to stop phase 2 of a terrorist attack and to find out just who is pulling all the political strings.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

How grand it is when the language and the plot overcome production, style, and grammar! Okay, not so much the grammar, the grammar is pretty good as one would expect from a journalist. There's a little bit of rushing and a few odd stylistic moments.

But never mind any of that. I admit, I'm a snob and I have indeed stopped reading a book when the style or layout was too sloppy. But with a plot? Especially a really great one. And with compelling prose? I'm all yours.

A. S. Bond turns writing what she knows into an adventure for us all. We start in Afghanistan, then the halls of and conference rooms of Washington DC and the intelligence community and finally to the wilds of Canada. A terrorist plot and twisty motives and loyalties seem entirely too possible in her story. The action is paced very well (although occasionally rushed or awkward in the transitions--to Boston back to D.C. and on to Newfoundland in a paragraph).

Brooke Kinley and the rest of the major players are believable and interesting without being too perfect. And best of all she's set us up nicely for a series. Please send Brooke to Chile! (If you've read it, you'll understand.)

Brooke and Dex and their cast already have everything they need story-wise. With a little copy-editing and a lot more (deserving) publicity we'll all get to enjoy their international adventures in wilderness or wild urban jungles for several books.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book sat on my kindle since buying it in June 2015. It’s one of those ones that you get on a whim and then keep putting off reading it. The reason for this is because the nature of the story is not something I usually love but had heard some good things about it and wanted to give it a go. Well, I am so glad I finally did get round to reading it as really enjoyed it.

The opening chapter has the reader right in the thick of the action and from that point on, I was well and truly hooked.

Even though the whole story line is kind of predictable, it is still very much an enjoyable read. Scott discovers something suspicious but is met by closed doors when he tries to look into things further. Not wanting to let it go he enlists the help of an old flame, journalist Brooke Kinley.

I love Brooke. She is a strong female character who ends up finding herself in a whole heap of trouble. This is one lady who could never be classed as a damsel in distress, if anything she seems to be the one that comes to the rescue of everyone else. She is certainly a very likeable character and I can not wait to read more of the cases that she finds herself working on.

Patriot is one of those story lines that screams out to be on the screen. It would make such a great film as it is a belter of a book. Packed full of action and a gripping read, this is with out a doubt one for thriller fans.

[Marjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Readers Review

Patriot by A.S.Bond is a winner of an Honorable Mention at the San Francisco Book Festival 2014. A well deserved award. Bond's novel is a thriller full of intrigue, conspiracy, and suspense. An ambitious young reporter takes a dangerous and terrifying journey to the remotest parts of the world. Brooke Kinely receives information from a source in the Pentagon of a high ranking businessman's part in terrorism. A sophisticated weapon wipes out a U.S army patrol and Brooke tries to uncover a traitor and stop a devastating attack on America.

The author throws you straight into the action, which continues and even gets more exciting. The main players are authentic and technical aspects are obviously well researched. Bond’s creativity leads the reader to conjure up pictures with just enough descriptive writing without being too bogged down with detail. I love conspiracy theory, spy, political espionage, action, and suspense. All of these are in this book and more. Add a little personal experience and travel of A.S. Bond to the exciting mix. I give a rating of well earned five stars. Patriot should be on everyone's book shelf, read and even re-read.
I received a Kindle copy from NetGalley to review for a virtual book tour
Read More:http://bookread-mumswritings.blogspot...

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke is a journalist hot on the heels of the story of a lifetime, but, getting all the gory details and making it out alive is another matter. Brooke will need all her wits about her and some assistance along the way in order to break the news.

This Brooke Kinley Adventure by A. S. Bond is fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat stuff. Barely leaving time between chapters in which to catch your breath before you're flung into the next assault on your emotions.

This novel gripped me from the outset and put me through the wringer before flinging me out like a wet rag at the end! Brooke is an engaging character, a young woman who is self-reliant and motivated. She is assisted on her journey towards the truth by a few men, but they need her help as much as she needs theirs.

My only criticism would be that I found the chapters focusing on Scott lacked the thrill of the chapters centred around Brooke. I found myself skimming in order to get to the next bout of action.

Bond's prose is exciting, descriptive and enchanting; the story thrilling and explosive. A great read for anyone who fancies adventure on a grand scale.

Special thanks to author A. S. Bond for the copy I received in return for an honest review.

4/5 stars.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS WILL KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT
Big business conspires to reverse the American President’s decision to drawdown troops in the Middle East using staged terrorism, timely political assassinations, and more. The goal? To keep America strong (thus the title) and profits up. Deputy Director of the counter-intelligence division within the Department of Defense, Scott Jensen, is thwarted by his own bosses in his attempts to track industrial espionage following the downing of an American Apache attack helicopter in Afghanistan through the use of a highly advanced guidance system on a surface to air missile. He enlists Daily Post reporter Brooke Kinley ’off the record’ to assist in investigating a powerful industrialist and friend to the President, Jean Maynard, who owns the technology. Dexter Adams, an astronomer with a laboratory in Chile, enters the story when his younger brother Kyle, a prospector, disappears in the deep woods of northern Canada. Scott fights an uphill political battle while Brooke and Dex act as the point of the spear to disrupt the grand scheme of Maynard and his puppets. As in real life, the puppets sometimes break their strings and turn on their puppet master. All ends well? Read this extremely entertaining suspense thriller and find out.

[Tomasz Chrusciel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daily Post reporter, Brooke, is approached by the Pentagon officer, Scott. As they already know each other, and he trusts her, he asks Brooke to discreetly investigate an important matter in relation to a deadly incident in Afghanistan. American soldiers have been killed, and Scott suspects that his own country – maybe even the President – might not be without guilt.

Brooke’s research leads her to the Canadian north. From now on, things are slowly getting out of her control, but she believes that her survival skills and pursuit of truth would keep her alive.

In Washington, Scott’s investigation reaches a point where he regrets involving a civil journalist into this game. It’s too late, though. And very soon, Scott discovers that not only Brooke’s and his live are in danger…

Patriot is a captivating fast-paced political thriller, but you don’t have to be a fun of this specific genre to enjoy this book. I also recommend it to everyone who is after a well written Action&Adventure story.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced story that starts out in Afghanistan, then takes you to D.C, New York, Canada with phone calls across to England. Scott the main character or one of them really without trying to gets some of his friends into life and death situations that were more than any of them thought they would be. Brooke the reporter does find someone to help her but he is also looking for his brother who happened to be in the same area before and now has gone missing. A lot of intrigue and wondering who you can trust and who is out to get you. I also liked the fact the story kept moving forward and for the sake of this story it stayed on track. There was no time for a love scene in the middle when you are being chased and people are trying to kill you and your friends. So for the sake of this story it all worked. The writing was good and the characters were good as well. Overall a good fast paced story. I got this book from net galley.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patriot is a thriller, filled with suspense, that carries the characters and the actions from the halls of Washington to the wilds of Labrador. It was impossible to put down as the action and suspense continued from page to page. The meetings and interactions of all the spook agencies were very realistic, and the knowledge that someone highly-placed in the chains of command was a traitor made for a most difficult investigation to connect the dots between terrorists, weapons manufacturers, top politicians and rich tycoons. The story is imaginative and highly entertaining. The writing is among the best with just the right level of description to create mental pictures without bogging down. I definitely want to read it again, even though I know the identity of the traitor.

[Bookangels12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and reviewed by Snow White

WOW! This book is full of suspense. Its a thriller I could not put it down it was a page tuner. If you want a book you can not put down this is the one. I read it in one day. I can not wait to read more by this author. I am not going to tell you much about what I read as I want you to read this AMAZING book. You will not regret it.

The 4th of July is coming up that would be a great time to grab this book and read it!

5 stars all the way a+

Book Angels12 Was given a copy to read and review to take part in a book tour!

[Randy Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast moving terrorist story which starts in Afghanistan with the enemy using weaponry they shouldn't have to D.C. where some good guys look for government bad guys to a reporter sent to the Canadian wilderness looking for clues to it all who teams up with a scientist who's falls from the sky (with his plane) into a lake. Turns out the scientist is there looking for his little brother who had the bad luck of crossing paths with the terrorist that are plotting to set off a EMP near D. C. There's a really good plot twist which has you wondering who's the bad guy and who's the patriot.

[Nicolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I ask for in a book, it's here. Action, adventure fact based actually knowledge and a touch of romance, it's all here! Brook is the perfect female lead character,strong, independent and perfectly capable of saving herself and any passing men that come crashing down in the middle of a lake.
It's the kind of book that makes you want to read a sequel. I hope there's plans for a follow up?

[CL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

3.5*

An enjoyable book to start the series. The book was definitely fast-paced (a good thing!) but I think when you add in a multitude of different characters, I was struggling to remember who was who at sometimes.

Still, I'll definitely be coming back for Book 2 in the series.

[Lauren Bromley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn't take me long to get through this book. It was one I didn't want to put down. I look forward to more Brooke Kinley adventures, as this one was thrilling. I was a little disappointed in how short it was, but maybe I just read it so fast I miss it now that it's over. However, it is amazing that so much information and excitement was packed into a relatively short book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already a fan of action-adventure and espionage novels, but I didn't know that what I was missing was a fierce female in the drivers' seat. Journalist Brooke Kinley's first adventure takes her to places she never dreamed as she tries desperately to protect America from attack. Immensely fun and gratifying, Patriot is the book I didn't know I needed. Can't wait to read more of Brooke Kinley!

[Crislee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love a free book. This like many is one that I chose because it sounded 'ok' and was free on Amazon for a week. I liked it. And it was very clean. I don't recall one single bad word (not that I'm opposed, but sometimes I wish some were cleaner so my girls can read them too) and not one sex scene. And still very good...so those who think you need both...you don't! lol

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I presumed to be a 'war' book from the prologue, actually turned out to be a political and power convoluted tale of who was to be in control. A well told story of an author I hadn't read before.

[Olivia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading, fast paced and enthralling.

What an adventure. Believable characters, a sinister plot that just keeps getting more intense with every page. I recommend this to everyone that enjoys the twists and turns that make this a book that is hard to put down.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book! Very believable and wonderful character development. Strong female role as well as male roles. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to both male and female. Strong and descriptive and captures you almost immediately.

[Tony Lombardo]

I'd read another Brooke Kinley Adventure

It was pretty good, I wasn't sure at first but the story moved right along and the character development was good. Storyline was entertaining.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read, thriller about Washington politics, newspapers and espionage