Flames of Deception

by Travis Davis

An imagery analyst at the National Geo-Spatial Agency (NGA) analyzing imagery of the oil fields in Western Siberia identifies strange behavior in the oil fields, his keen eye uncovers the best-kept secret in modern history. His intelligence starts a chain reaction and leads to the US government opening a multi-agency clandestine operation into the matter. At the same time Russia, China, and India prepare to conduct the largest naval and ground assault in modern history (code name Bia) to control the transportation of oil through strategic choke points and stop the free flow of oil on land and at sea worldwide. With the help of North Korea, China is planning the most expansive cyber-attack on Unites States’ “Green Energy” power grid. The potential for World War III is real, can it be stopped?

282 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2022

About the author

Travis Davis is an Air Force brat and grew up in Arkansas, Spain, New York, and California. He joined the US Army at 17 years old as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist and was stationed in the various forts in the United States and in Germany, where he met his beautiful wife. During his three tours in Germany, he conducted hundreds of border patrols along the East-West German border and the Czechoslovakia-West German border. Where he saw first-hand communism and its oppression of its citizens, he retired from the US Army, where his last duty assignment was as Assistant Operations Sergeant of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He is a lifetime member of the Sergeant Morales Club. Travis received multiple awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal and five Army Commendation Medals.

While not writing or working, Travis enjoys exercising, traveling (loves a good road trip), baking different loaves of bread, and just relaxing in his backyard with friends and family while having a cold beer. He currently lives in Allen, Texas, with his wife for over 35 years. He has three adult children, two daughters living in Arkansas, one son living in Northern Virginia, and five wonderful grandchildren.

Travis also hosts the very popular podcast Author Ecke, in which he interviews other authors from all over the world.

“Travis never met a stranger,” is what his wife always says.

Reviews

[Jennifer Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This usually isn't my "type" of read but I'll read anything put in my hands, so here we go...

This was pretty great! Characters are well developed, interesting governmental take on the topic, and lots of nuances and questions that finish up nicely by the end.

While I'm not a fan of a possible WWIII in any book (because that's a legit fear) this book is really interesting! Give it a try if you're into this genre!

[Monika Singla · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔵 Book: Flames of Deception
🔵 Author: Travis Davis

🔵 Review:
If you are a fan of stories set around operation, planning an attack, war then pick a copy of Travis Davis' Flames of Deception. Kim and William are imagery analysts. Both of them are good at their job. 

When William observed something strange in the oil fields, he took a second opinion of his colleague Kim. They sent a package with the detailed analysis of oil fields in Western Siberia to their boss and production manager Jenny. Will, Kim and Tex are a good team. 

What will happen when FSB starts to track the three individuals. They have their images and facial recognition software. Even though this is a fictional story, it seems real. I was pulled into the story so much that I felt the pressure along with Tex, Will and Kim.

The narration is smooth. The language used is lucid and I was able to follow the story easily. The pace of the story is fast and I wasn't bored anytime while reading it. I strongly recommend this book to my fellow readers.

🔵 Rating: 4/5

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Flames of Deception
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Travis Davis

𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Flames of Deception is the first book by the author Travis Davis that I have read. The story features William Brown, a twenty-eight-year old army veteran. He is working as an imagery analyst at National Geo-Spatial Agency (NGA). He observed that the large portion of the oil field was non-operational. Will discussed it with his coworker Kim and they prepared and delivered an intelligence package to their boss Jenny.

It was interesting to read how three major countries came forward to control the transportation of oil. What will happen to the United States as China is planning something.

Those who love reading stories involving war, technologies should get their hands on this one. The writing style of the author is nice. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Throughout the story, I was curious to find out what will happen next in the story. Go for it without any second thoughts.

𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5

[bookhaven__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flames of Deception
By
Travis Davis

Review:
I love reading fictional stories about World War. This time, I got my hands on Travis Davis' "Flames of Deception". Oil is one of the important topics in this book. Import and export of oil is one of the major trade that happens between countries. 

Russia is planning to launch Operation Bia so it could end the dominance of the United States. The commanders from three major countries India, Russian and China received the operation orders. Readers would find the story interesting. Read it yourself to know what will happen with the United States. With the potential of a third world war, the story is unique.

The glossary given at the end of the book is helpful. The storyline is interesting. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. The technological terms used by the author was something I could understand easily since I am an engineer. It would be interesting to read more books by Travis in the future. 

Rating: 5/5

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wide cast of characters from the US, Russia, China, and India scheme and counter-scheme in a complex thriller that showcases a solid grasp of current economic, geopolitical, and military concerns. The novel pulls together a vast amount of technological and scientific analysis, deduction, SIGINT, and spycraft, yet, even as its developing complexity continues to leave the reader wondering what the outcome can possibly be, Flames of Deception unfolds so clearly that the reader never feels confused about the novel’s direction. The book’s robust experimentation accelerates to an intriguing climax, with a couple deft surprises. By the end a solid new team emerges, setting the stage for future adventures of the main characters who now form Team Texarkana.

review by Michael D. Smith

[Justin Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Tex, Will, and Kim make a great team. I really liked the technology the team uses in the story. A must-read for technology lovers.

[Jeff Berney · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent!

This story felt so real it almost seemed like a news account of near-future geopolitical conflict. Well done! Can’t wait to read the next.

[John Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller! Shows the use on intelligence to detect the obscure. Shows the continuing dependence on oil and foreign resources. Thoroughly entertaining. Read it!

[Kandyce Deweese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very intriguing. It keeps you on your toes and makes you want to read more just to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book.

[Darryl Percival · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all I won this book. This was a new experience for me. So what does this entail? Is it a beta release to be critiqued or for proofreading? I hope so because this is not a finished product.
At least I committed to finish the book. What a challenge. There are missing words, incomplete sentences, misplaced character names, misspelled words, contrived situations, unrealistic romance, incorrect pronouns, repetitive dialogue, unbelievable dialogue, thin character development, and so much more. Please get an editor and a proofreader!
Perhaps English is not the author’s first language as this would help explain some of the odd wording.
However-the story is modestly interesting and contemporary. If you can power through the problems you might find a spark of an idea. I gave it an extra star for the essays in the final chapter. There are some well reasoned points here but it took me a few hours to get to them. I don’t think many readers will get this far.