This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Out of Time in the Desert by J. Thomas Hennessey, Jr. revolves around Lieutenant Greg Evans, leading a platoon in Iraq. During a reconnaissance mission, a sandstorm disrupts them, but they find an operational train station. Meeting British soldiers, Evans updates his strategy and prepares defenses. Evans conducts a night reconnaissance, finding a large rebel camp. The next night, Sergeant Sanders attacks the camp, causing chaos. Evans then prepares for an imminent rebel assault. Combined American and British forces repel the disorganized attack effectively. Evans and his patrol secure food and water from the locals and prepare for departure with an arriving armored train. Opting to stay and fight, they plan a night attack on rebel camps, causing significant damage, and discover the sabotage of the train tracks.
The attention to detail in Out of Time in the Desert is extraordinary, and J. Thomas Hennessey, Jr. does well in creating an immersive setting through cinematic descriptions and realistic military procedures. Evans is depicted as the poster boy of an all-American soldier: tall, blond, charismatic, intelligent, and the leader pretty much everyone wants to follow...including readers. The technology employed in Hennessey's story is modern, given this is a contemporary war. However, the British dialogue, like the phrase “jolly good,” is more WWII than Gulf War. There's a twist to that though that made me smile. The writing itself is clean, effective, and runs at a clipping speed that complements the action, and the battle scenes are off-the-charts excellent. I'm shocked I couldn't smell the smoking reward of the grenade launcher off the page. Overall, this story ends on a note that is far more satisfying than I'd anticipated and leaves the door ajar for more stories, which I would happily read. Very highly recommended.
