Persian Blood

by M.G. Haynes

A U.S. Special Forces team, code-named Reaper, is hunting insurgent leaders in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan when it discovers an ancient artifact. Revered by the local tribes in myth and legend, the relic disappeared from sight two thousand years ago. The Pashtuns call it “Persian Blood” and ownership bestows the mantle of legitimate and undisputable leadership upon its owner. A prize worth fighting for. A prize worth killing for. The harsh winter storm provides a rare opportunity and the local tribe risks everything to possess the relic, with Reaper caught in the middle, neither understanding why they are being attacked nor how they can escape the trap. Betrayed by one of their own, out of water, and running low on ammunition, the team is first hounded, then besieged, and only true understanding of what it is they carry will see them through this mission alive. The war in Afghanistan has always been complicated. It’s just become even more so.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2017

About the author

M. G. Haynes is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army. Born in Columbus, Wisconsin in 1972, the Army Brat is a 1994 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. A Field Artilleryman and Northeast Asia Foreign Area Officer, he's served for over twelve years in Japan, ten years in the Republic of Korea, and deployed for one year to Kabul, Afghanistan.

Over the years he's studied German, Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, and Japanese languages. He currently maintains proficiency in Korean and Japanese. He holds a B.S. in Military History from West Point and an M.A. in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii.

Interests include military history, historical tabletop wargaming, hiking, mountain biking, traditional Korean archery (Kukkung), and photography. A terrible golfer, he enjoys it nonetheless.

He published his first full-length novel, "Persian Blood", in July 2017, having written the entire first draft while in Afghanistan. That novel was honored in 2020 with a Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) gold medal. His second work, "Q.Fulvius: Debt of Dishonor", first in "The Fulvius Chronicles" series, was published in December 2019 and awarded First Prize by Firebird Book Awards in 2021.

He currently lives in Suwon, South Korea, with his wife of 29 years, Jung Min Haynes, and three-legged rescue cat Jinx.

Reviews

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Author M.G. Haynes does a masterful job of delivering a suspenseful, action-packed tale in Persian Blood.

The story follows a motley group of battle-hardened American soldiers in Afghanistan who unwittingly stumble across an ancient Persian relic overshadowed with a bloody history and a curse. Readers also embark on a colorful journey through time as they trace the ominous artifact—a sagaris battle axe—across many historical landscapes including the ancient empire of Darius to Quetta under the British Raj.

The author’s literary flair, historical research, and detailed knowledge of modern military combat operations result in a highly credible and entertaining story. Vivid and engaging, Persian Blood is a compelling must-read for those who enjoy history, action and creative storytelling.

Review by Zita Ballinger Fletcher (March 2020)

[W.C. Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

best military action novel I have read

The combination of a well crafted back story, the meaning of Persian Blood, cemented my interest in the tale. The pov moves between key actors and situations, mainly the struggle of a cut off military unit in extremely hostile territory, both weather and fanatics bear down on the team.

[Eric Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story. I thought some of the descriptions of gear was a bit much but overall doesn't detract too much from the story. It's a good scenario and felt that the history would be more fleshed out. Still, it's a good read and liked it.

[Calista Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing is relentless, the tension constant, and the stakes feel incredibly real. Haynes masterfully captures both the complexity of warfare and the rich cultural significance surrounding the relic known as “Persian Blood.” The dynamic between the Reaper team members, their desperation, and the looming betrayal make the story even more gripping.