Stolen Valor
"Stolen Valor" by Craig Rainey is an electrifying action-adventure novel that marks the gripping debut of the Carson Brand series. Published by Craig Rainey Creative, LLC, this fast-paced thriller dives into the gritty underworld of crime, betrayal, and survival, set against the backdrop of Texas and Mexico. The story follows Carson Brand, a tough-as-nails construction worker from the San Antonio area, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a seemingly routine night out with his best friend, Bert, across the Mexican border.
Brand is portrayed as a man of raw physicality—skilled with a hammer on the job and equally adept with his fists in a fight. His weekend escapades with Bert are typically lighthearted, but trouble brews when Bert, a serial womanizer with a hidden connection to a powerful drug cartel, crosses the wrong woman. What begins as a night of revelry quickly spirals into chaos, leaving Brand betrayed, alone, and thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Unbeknownst to Brand, Bert’s secret dealings with the cartel set off a chain of events that cost him his friend and plunge him into a world of human trafficking, drug dealers, and murder.
Pursued by ruthless cartel enforcers known as Sicarios, as well as federal and state authorities, Brand must rely on his instincts and inherent toughness to survive. Along the way, he encounters Christina, a beautiful yet treacherous figure whose seduction proves as dangerous as the enemies hunting him. As Brand navigates this perilous landscape, he uncovers a shocking truth about the organized crime operating just beneath the surface of everyday life—a dark reality that lurks next to homes and schools, often unnoticed.
Rainey’s storytelling shines through vivid scenes of violence, high-stakes escapes, and relentless action, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. The novel’s protagonist, Carson Brand, is a compelling everyman-turned-hero, whose journey reveals both his resilience and the steep price of his newfound path. Reviews praise the book’s quick pace and eye-opening exploration of drug cartels and human trafficking, with critics noting its ability to blend entertainment with insight into a shadowy world. Kirkus Reviews describes it as "an impressively violent adventure that moves at a quick pace," while readers on platforms like Goodreads laud the twist-filled ending and Brand’s likability as a character.
As the first installment in the Carson Brand series, "Stolen Valor" sets a high bar, establishing Rainey as a skilled storyteller with a knack for crafting suspenseful crime thrillers. With his background as a military veteran, cowboy, and Texan with deep roots, Rainey infuses the narrative with authenticity and grit, making it a standout for fans of the genre. The book leaves readers eager for the next chapter in Brand’s saga, cementing his place among must-read action heroes.
You can buy Stolen Valor by Craig Rainey with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hYJ0oV
Brand is portrayed as a man of raw physicality—skilled with a hammer on the job and equally adept with his fists in a fight. His weekend escapades with Bert are typically lighthearted, but trouble brews when Bert, a serial womanizer with a hidden connection to a powerful drug cartel, crosses the wrong woman. What begins as a night of revelry quickly spirals into chaos, leaving Brand betrayed, alone, and thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Unbeknownst to Brand, Bert’s secret dealings with the cartel set off a chain of events that cost him his friend and plunge him into a world of human trafficking, drug dealers, and murder.
Pursued by ruthless cartel enforcers known as Sicarios, as well as federal and state authorities, Brand must rely on his instincts and inherent toughness to survive. Along the way, he encounters Christina, a beautiful yet treacherous figure whose seduction proves as dangerous as the enemies hunting him. As Brand navigates this perilous landscape, he uncovers a shocking truth about the organized crime operating just beneath the surface of everyday life—a dark reality that lurks next to homes and schools, often unnoticed.
Rainey’s storytelling shines through vivid scenes of violence, high-stakes escapes, and relentless action, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. The novel’s protagonist, Carson Brand, is a compelling everyman-turned-hero, whose journey reveals both his resilience and the steep price of his newfound path. Reviews praise the book’s quick pace and eye-opening exploration of drug cartels and human trafficking, with critics noting its ability to blend entertainment with insight into a shadowy world. Kirkus Reviews describes it as "an impressively violent adventure that moves at a quick pace," while readers on platforms like Goodreads laud the twist-filled ending and Brand’s likability as a character.
As the first installment in the Carson Brand series, "Stolen Valor" sets a high bar, establishing Rainey as a skilled storyteller with a knack for crafting suspenseful crime thrillers. With his background as a military veteran, cowboy, and Texan with deep roots, Rainey infuses the narrative with authenticity and grit, making it a standout for fans of the genre. The book leaves readers eager for the next chapter in Brand’s saga, cementing his place among must-read action heroes.
You can buy Stolen Valor by Craig Rainey with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hYJ0oV
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