Presidential Advantage

Phantom Force #5

by Jessica James

Secret Service Agent Clint Brody is tasked with protecting the new First Lady. But the threats he encounters are more complicated than he imagined, and the danger he confronts isn’t what either one of them expected.

When a shy, country girl from Virginia marries a prominent Georgetown attorney, her life is bound to change. But when that attorney is catapulted to the office of President of the United States, she is thrust into the role of First Lady—and uncovers a world of secrets and betrayals that alters everything she once knew.

Due to a twist of fate, Elizabeth Vaughn is forced to leave behind the quiet country setting she loves and enter the nefarious world of politics. After recovering from her initial missteps and negotiating the obstacles of her new public life, she begins to understand the nature of politics.

But as another election approaches, turmoil in the White House intensifies. Leaks. Lies. Deceit. Deception. People she thought were friends desert her and the true character of people she thought she knew is revealed.

When the stakes become life and death, the First Lady uncovers the ultimate betrayal and is forced to come to terms with her own role in the political process. Only with the help of Secret Service Agent Clint Brody, can she hope to find her way out of the danger and discover who can be trusted—and who will do anything to keep control.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2020

About the author

Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, Christian fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

She is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

When not writing, Jessica James can be found on the back roads of the country, finding new historic sites to blog about on www.PastLaneTravels.com.

Her new novel, The Monarch Alliance, is a dual-era mystery that takes place at a real hotel in the Hudson Valley. It releases in April of 2026.

James resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and NINC.

AWARDS:
2020 John Esten Cooke Award
2020 Finalist HOLT Medallion Award
2020 Finalist Greater Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award
2019 Finalist Indie Excellence Award
2019 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2018 Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Suspense
2017 Rone Award for Best Cover (Deadline)
2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner
2016 Gold Metal Military Writers Society of America
2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance – Suspense
2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab contest
2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist
2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance
2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single time, without exception, that I pick up one of the "Phantom Force" books from Jessica James, I inhale them in one sitting. They are THAT good! Really, really good. Edge of your seat reads, every single one. Oh yeah, this was another fabulous one! I hope I don't have to wait so long until the next one!!!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Presidential Advantage” is a fast pace and engaging political thriller that leaves the reader guessing the plot until the very end.

Read full review in the 2020 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Sheila Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author and I definitely won't be my last. I loved every minute of it.. I just couldn't put it down from start to finish. Liz deeply loves Ethan and is catapulted into life as First Lady when he unexpectedly becomes president. But is all as it seems.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rolé - Hooked By That Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at www.hookedbythatbook.com --

This was very unexpected, in a great way. I felt really sorry for Liz right from the start, but I also felt admiration for the way she took up the task as First Lady, without any kind of preparation. The events in the end didn’t come as a huge surprise when it happened, but the author built up to it beautifully. I had a good grasp of who Liz was as a person, and what she sacrificed to do this job that was thrusted upon her. Liz had some great moments of standing up to the people around her, but then she would docilely go off again and do what is expected of her. She did carry a quiet strength with her always, that never wavered. I was a bit disappointed that Liz didn’t seem to fight harder for her relationship with Ethan, when the responsibilities on his shoulders seem to separate them all too often. Ethan’s character was written very craftily.

I didn’t realize this was part of a bigger series, and now I definitely want to go back and read the previous books.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[IAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid fan of Jessica James. I have read all her books, both historical and contemporary fiction. This contemporary political suspense is Jessica James at her finest. The characters are well developed; some I liked, some I didn’t, some I changed my mind about by the end of the book. Character development is essential in a good read; we certainly saw that in the main female character, Elizabeth. At the beginning of the book we meet a shy, compassionate, country girl, who is engaged to the Vice President of the United States. Suddenly she is thrust into the overwhelming role of First Lady. I felt great sympathy for Liz as she struggled to learn on the job while being criticized and undermined by her husband’s chief of staff, Chandler. As she begins to suspect all is not as it seems, she is confused by whom she can trust; not Chandler for sure, but are there others who do not have the best interest of the country at heart? As her confidence grows, thanks in part to the support of her assigned secret service agent, the laconic Clint Brody, Liz puts herself at risk by becoming increasingly more assertive. Towards the end of the book, the suspense grows to a page-turning thriller pace that held my attention in a “can’t put this book down” mode. It was not only the suspense/action that were engaging, but also the twists in the story that kept me guessing as to who was the real mastermind of the events taking place. In addition to the main story, there is a parallel story that begins in the prologue that I found intriguing as I tried to figure out how it connected to Liz’s story. I highly recommend this latest Jessica James novel.
I was given an advanced review copy of this book by the author. I enjoyed it so much, I bought a published copy.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this advertised online and am so glad I bought it!

It’s not that this story isn’t a little predictable or that we wouldn’t all have warned the heroine “don’t go there!” It’s that the story is written well and the path from beginning to end is enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend who likes romance with a little intrigue thrown in.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth loved the isolation and seclusion of the countryside in Virginia.
Could she become the First Lady with all the mayhem, and business and being calm and collected. With second thoughts and self doubts, seeing Ethan has now been sworn in. He calls saying an agent will be there in a few minutes to bring her into the White House. She had just gotten up how long and what to bring,and with no time, she had to leave quickly. As she was being driven in, and with many thoughts, she recalled her grandfather saying “be true yourself and enjoy this adventure”.
By her husband side would be Chandler, he had the political background, still he seemed so cold, uncaring, had the say on how things would be organized. He wondered about her, would he be able to control her, for he has seem a side of rebellion already in her.
The story gives one an eye open account of what it is to be First Lady.
With the re-election and a world of lies, rumors, deceit, and who can one trust comes into play. A spell binding plot, well done, and enjoyable.

[Marcia Ditter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author.
Wow it was a fantastic read.
Will be getting more of her books.

[Dorothy Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story

Wonderful, book, I couldn’t put it down. Loved her knowledge of the White House and history. Plus a great plot. Will read more by her.

[V Forr · Rating 5 out of 5]

In exchange for an honest review, I was given an advanced digital copy of the manuscript by the author. All opinions that follow are my own.


An unexpected presidency. An unlikely First Lady. A city teeming with betrayal and secrets. You won’t want to miss this political thriller filled with surprising twists and turns. Suddenly summoned to the White House, Elizabeth “Liz” Vaughn’s quiet life turns upside down in more ways than one when she becomes First Lady. With mounting pressures and gnawing uncertainties, Liz navigates her new role as a high-profile public servant while trying to survive the internal machinations of political games played in the Nation’s Capital. Will Liz survive her new role as First Lady?

Jessica James’ latest novel weaves together an intriguing plot with genuine characters chocked full of surprises. It is an excellent read and one I highly recommend. Here is to hoping another one is in the works. Happy reading!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Vaughn is engaged to former Senator and now Vice President Ethan Collins. When tragedy strikes the White House, Ethan is sworn in as President of the United States. Everything is in disarray as Ethan and Elizabeth’s wedding is moved up so that she can assume the duties of the First Lady. While things move at a hectic pace, Liz notices that Ethan is so involved with his duties that they seem to be growing apart. She does her best to fit in and assist Ethan, but her only friend seems to be her Secret Service Agent Clint Brody. While the nation finds Elizabeth a fresh breath of air in the political arena, can she survive the unseen danger that lies ahead? I really enjoyed this story, the writing, the maturing of Elizabeth in her new role and the peek in to the workings of the Washington political scene. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great thriller!

A difficult book to put down! Although a bit predictable, the share extent of the authors sub plots, kept you reading. It is a fast moving novel! It made me look at the role of the media and question how much of public icon's lives should be public! How much, do we readily accept what appears in print. It made me grateful that I live in a much smaller country than the U.S., that our politics and elections are far more stream- lined and life in general is not so pressured.
Certainly a very good read!

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review
Presidential Advantage: Operation First Lady by Jessica James is deeply entrenched in the nasty politics of Washington, DC, but these politicians are nastier. This mystery/thriller is well written and is hard to put down. The characters are well defined, and the story is well paced. There are hints and plot twists that keep you fully engaged in the story.

Elizabeth, who never seeks the spotlight and prefers spending time with horses rather than people, finds her Prince Charming is a Washington politician with a winning way but with arrogant political advisers. When she is suddenly thrust into the DC spotlight as First Lady, she avoids the media but clearly is loved by not only the people with whom she works but also the American public. She is the advantage that the President needs. However, her husband’s friends and advisers, who make the West Wing an uncomfortable place to work, constantly obstruct her good intentions and feed the media desire for bad news. The only friend Elizabeth seems to have is a member of her protection detail who has been instructed not to get too close to his protectee. Elizabeth works hard to uphold her duties as First Lady while still making time for Garth, popular First Dog, and her charities. This is a story about a shy Virginian who not only survives extremely nasty politics but holds true to her own values.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2021)

[Carolyn Burnsides · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! Pure fiction but what if?

I really couldn't put this book down. With all the political hoopla happening in our country at this time it was interesting to read about something so bazaar
The author kept the story moving , lots of twist and turns. And the ending could not have been more perfect.

[Denise Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, intrigue and sacrifice!

Oh my goodness, I was drawn in right from the start. So suspenseful, keeps you reading to see who is really behind the plot, and who can be trusted. Such a great book, so well written that it keeps you drawn in to find out what's going to happen next. Couldn't put it down!

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book held my interest from the beginning to end. It’s a very well developed political thriller with a twist toward the end. The characters are believable. I really enjoyed it. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review

[janet havrilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a ride

There is nothing like a good romantic suspense book. Ups and downs with twists and turns, and you won't believe who did it. Gripping, page turning and you will read it in one sitting.

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living on a farm where they save horses and retrain them is a dream come true. Liz loves the work she is doing. Of course Liz didn't own the farm, her friend did, but one day Liz hoped to own a farm like this. Life seemed pretty good right now. She had a job she enjoyed and a fiancé who loved her. Things aren't always so smooth though. Liz is about to find out just how tough things can get for a small town girl.
Ms. James definitely knows how to get her readers hooked. The writing and plotting are amazing. The characters well defined with personalities you'll love to hate. I found this book one you can't put down until you finish it. I enjoyed following Liz on her journey. It really is a journey I could see happening in the real world. I actually felt protective of Liz as I read. You will two once you begin to read this fantastic book. Get this book today!

I found no issues with this one.

I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because Ms. James does an amazing job here. The author provided me with a copy of the book but I chose to review it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the book was engaging enough to keep me reading, I found the characters to be one-dimensional (they were either good and flawless or totally evil, not nuanced at all) and the plot was not believable at all.

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was different from the other books in the series - in a good way.

I really liked the strong female lead character and her ever-faithful secret service agent who stayed in the background yet played a significant role throughout the book.

[Maxine Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in 2 and half days. It kept me engaged the whole time. I definitely recommend it.