Brace for Impact - (A Zara Sheridan Thriller) by Anthony J Tata (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The hijacking of a Boeing 777 triggers an international crisis--and potential world war--in this pulse-pounding thriller from former brigadier general Anthony J. Tata . . .

The hijackers were among the last to board. Three men in their twenties--sporting close-cropped hair, tactical gear, and carrying small duffel bags--stood out immediately. Alongside them was a sharply dressed Chinese businessman in a $3,000 Zegna suit, also under suspicion. Minutes before takeoff, Zara Sheridan, a newly appointed air marshal and former military police NCO on her first assignment, is scrambling to find their true identities when she receives a disturbing alert from the regional office . . .

An experimental fighter jet, the Hyperion X, has crashed near Sheridan's North Carolina home. One of the jet's senior engineers is on board Sheridan's flight, en route to Taiwan to close a multibillion-dollar deal for Blackwood Aviation. His presence is not a coincidence. But by the time Sheridan realizes who he is--and what's going to happen--it's too late . . .

The plane is in the air. The hijack team takes over.

The lives of 350 passengers and 14 crew members are at stake. As tensions rise and the violence escalates, Sheridan uncovers shocking information about the new weapons technology the hijackers are after--and how it could change the course of global events. In the wrong hands, it could trigger a third world war. And she's the only one who can stop it . . .

Terrifying, tense, and all-too-possible, Brace for Impact delivers a masterfully crafted scenario ripped from tomorrow's headlines.

Review Quotes

Praise for Anthony J. Tata

Brace for Impact

"Brace for Impact hits with the force of a supersonic strike. Anthony J. Tata launches his new Zara Sheridan Thriller series with a high-stakes, high-altitude adrenaline rush that doesn't let up. With chilling realism and insider authenticity, Tata weaves a scenario that feels terrifyingly plausible--a race to stop the spark that could ignite World War III. Buckle up. This is a thriller that keeps you turning pages long into the night--and leaves you scanning the skies come morning." --Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Sky Mourning

"Brace for Impact is Anthony J. Tata at the top of his game, and Zara Sheridan is a phenomenal new heroine, one you won't soon forget. Packed with explosive action sequences, razor-sharp twists, and a cast of compelling characters, Tata's new thriller grabs you from the very first page and doesn't let go." --Simon Gervais, New York Times bestselling author of The Elias Network and former RCMP counterterrorism officer

"General Tony Tata has used his vast experience to create a thriller that could happen at any time. Strap in and Brace for Impact." --James O. Born, New York Times bestselling author

"A propulsive, high-stakes thriller that launches readers to cruising altitude and never lets up. With fuel dwindling, hostile forces closing in, and her 14-year-old son Lucas caught in the crossfire, Air Marshal Zara Sheridan must navigate a deadly airspace of deception, turbulence, and treachery before their flight path becomes a countdown to global conflict." --Jack Stewart, retired Navy fighter pilot and bestselling author of the Battle Born series

"A top secret fighter, a hijacked airliner, and deception that will take the nation to the brink of war. Anthony J. Tata's fresh new series, featuring Zara Sheridan, is off to a flying start. Strap in for a wild ride!" --Ward Larsen, USA Today bestselling author of Dark Vector and The Perfect Assassin

Double Crossfire

"Jake Mahegan remains a strong series lead, and his fans will still want to follow his adventures." --Booklist

Dark Winter

"Rousing. . . . Tata excels at jet-fueled action and scenes in which the principals discuss fascinating global war strategy." --Publishers Weekly

"Tata has taken elements of the world's political stage and mixed them brilliantly with a virtual treatise on cybersecurity. Throw in a charismatic villain steering the game, and you have all the elements in place for a classic, high-adventure technothriller. The open-ended conclusion will leave readers hanging, but that will only make them wish that Tata could please write faster. This is the best thriller yet by the former brigadier general." --Booklist (Starred Review)

"Responding to a U.S. military computer-system failure, an elite group of American operatives must prevent pending nuclear strikes. Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Tata brings back Jake Mahegan for another realistic, high-stakes military adventure. . . . The narrative is believable, and the main characters . . . get into copious amounts of action. A very readable and contemporary military action story." --Kirkus Reviews

"If you are a fan of military thrillers who likes the action peppered with authentic weapon details, like the proper model of an Apache helicopter in use or the muzzle velocity of an AK-47 aimed at the hero and his lady, there's a new cliff-hanging dystopian tale you'll want to put on your to-read list. Retired General Anthony J. Tata is back with a new challenge for his hunky hero Jake Mahegan. This time, Mahegan is up against a messianic supervillain who is also a super billionaire. A self-taught coder who's forgotten more about hacking than most experts know, he wants the messy world to adopt his vision for a more orderly existence. His plan: a few massive nuclear explosions here and there to get people's attention as he emerges as their savior. If you got scared by all the stories about Russian hacking of U.S. elections, Tata lays out the ultimate hacking threat: enemy control of nuclear weapons systems. No breathing room here for those who might want to pause the page turning to get some sleep. You won't know how things come out until the very last sentence and won't be satisfied till you get there." --Patrick Oster, author of The Hacker Chronicles

"Loved the book. An all too real look into U.S. cyber-security vulnerabilities. Be warned and get ready, General Tata may have predicted a future attack!" --Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Terminal List series

Direct Fire

"Anthony J. Tata is in the top tier of thriller writers working today. His books are absolute roller-coaster rides and he brings a pace and scope to his novels that make them especially fun and fascinating reads." --Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"The high-octane action scenes make this a must-read for military thriller fans." --Publishers Weekly

"Horrific at times, spine-tingling throughout, Tata once again proves capable of writing a firestorm that's even scarier because it is all too real." --Suspense Magazine

"Tata does a wonderful job balancing the action with the characters and generates a sense of claustrophobia that only adds to the tension. Fans of books set in the world of special ops will surely enjoy this one." --Booklist

Besieged

"Tata combines distinctive characters and unconventional threats to thrilling effect." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review, Best Books of the Year)

"Tata has created a crafty hero in Mahegan, and those who like military and Special Forces thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here." --Booklist

Three Minutes to Midnight

"Riveting. . . . Mahegan stands out from the crowd of usual thriller heroes. . . . Vivid descriptions of close-quarters combat. . . . Tata keeps the story twisting to the rousing final pages." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Fans of Lee Child and Brad Thor will also enjoy Mahegan's adventures." --Booklist

"Anthony Tata ups his game to a whole new level in Three Minutes to Midnight, which just might be the best pure, hardcore thriller of the year so far. It's Brad Thor and the late, great Vince Flynn. . . . The perfect mix of style and substance that's as ambitiously plotted as it is exquisitely realized." --Jon Land, The Providence Sunday Journal

"Full of action and suspense, this is one book that screams reality. . . . A knock-down/drag-out thrilling look at the reality of domestic terrorism. . . . Being a retired general, the author knows exactly the right words to use to scare people to death." --Suspense Magazine

Foreign and Domestic

"I thoroughly enjoyed it. . . . Well done! Thank you . . . for Foreign and Domestic." --President George W. Bush

"Foreign and Domestic delivers. . . . Absolutely fantastic! It captures the pulse-pounding intensity of Lone Survivor and wraps it in a brilliant, cutting-edge plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. . . . Tata truly is the new Tom Clancy. Turn off your phone, lock your doors, and jump into the phenomenal new book that everyone is going to be talking about." --Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A riveting look at the terrifying reality of domestic terrorism." --Glenn Beck, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A must-read for fans of thriller fiction." --Newt Gingrich, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Tata writes with a gripping and a gritty authority rooted in his matchless real-life experience, combining a taut narrative with an inside look at the frontiers of transnational terrorism. The result is so compelling that the pages seem to turn themselves." --Richard North Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"This one truly kicks butt and takes names. Crackling with action and tension, it'll hold you captive from the first page until the last. The threats are everywhere, Foreign and Domestic." --Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

"Fantastic story." --Marc Cameron, New York Times bestselling author

"General Tata's story mixes high-threat combat with an intriguing and surprising mystery. . . . Vivid and complex characters make this a fascinating read." --Larry Bond, New York Times bestselling author

"Grabs you and doesn't let go. . . . Written by a man who's 'been there, ' this vibrant thriller will take you to places as frightening as the darkest secrets behind tomorrow's headlines. . . . Bound to be a breakout book for a gifted storyteller who served his country as splendidly as he writes!" --Ralph Peters, New York Times bestselling author

More Praise

"A. J. Tata is the new Tom Clancy!" --Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Rogue Threat

"An explosive, seat-of-your-pants thriller!" --W.E.B. Griffin, New York Times bestselling author, on Rogue Threat

"Packed with adrenaline and action, Rogue Threat is riveting entertainment at its best! One of the very best thriller novels this year. Five stars!" --The Military Writers Society of America, on Rogue Threat

"This Tom Clancy walks the walk." --U.S. News & World Report, on Rogue Threat

"Electrifying!" --Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Sudden Threat

"Topical, frightening, possible, and riveting." --James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author, on Sudden Threat

"Rogue Threat has is all: terrific characters, blistering narrative drive, and best of all, a killer of a plot. A retired brigadier general, Tata's clearly 'been there and done that.' And his expertise and experience shine through on every page of this powerful and timely book. Great stuff!" --John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author, on Rogue Threat

"Every military thriller writer wants to be compared to Tom Clancy, but to be called better? That's what A. J. Tata is hearing. . . . Very realistic." --Paul Bedard, U.S. News & World Report, on Hidden Threat

"A. J. Tata's Mortal Threat reads at a blistering pace while weaving a cure for Ebola, a 30,000-year-old religious document, a president who thinks he's of divine origin, and a burgeoning ISIS threat into a tightly knit plot. Amanda Garrett is a new breakout heroine as she races across the Serengeti to save the cure from the evil men who seek it. Great stuff." --Jeremy Robinson, internationally bestselling author, on Mortal Threat

"Mortal Threat is tomorrow's news today! While some people working in the dramatic arts try to snatch stories from today's headlines, Tony Tata has fashioned a riveting plot with compelling characters that is also prescient. Mortal Threat grabs you, shakes you, and doesn't turn you loose." --George Galdorisi, New York Times bestselling author, on Mortal Threat

"When I'm not writing, I like to read, and I read books in my genre. I'm very choosy in my reading and there's a lot to choose from. That's why I like Tony Tata. There is a 'been there, done that' feel to his storytelling, his characters are vivid and engaging, and his plotting is tight and well-paced. So I highly recommend Mortal Threat and Foreign and Domestic." --Dick Couch, New York Times bestselling author, on Mortal Threat and Foreign and Domestic

"Captivating, riveting. Once you start Mortal Threat, you won't want to put it down." --Grant Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author, on Mortal Threat

"General Tony Tata uses his experience to give us a glimpse into the fascinating world of military intrigue with a real human touch." --James O. Born, New York Times bestselling author, on Chasing the Lion

"A red-hot thriller as timely as tomorrow's headlines." --Stephen Coonts, New York Times bestselling author, on Chasing the Lion

"The authenticity [Anthony J. Tata] brings to Total Empire is off the charts. A master of high-speed political-military action thrillers, no writer since Clive Cussler has so completely transported me to exotic locales or made them seem so believably dangerous." --Robert Crais, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Total Empire

"Lots of credible action, plenty of government traitors, and shocking losses fuel the action. Tata continues to rise among the ranks of today's top military action writers." --Publishers Weekly on Total Empire

About the Author

Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata, US Army (Retired), is the national bestselling author of numerous thrillers that reflect his experience from his active-duty military career, where he commanded combat units in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. His last combat tour was in Afghanistan in 2007, where he earned the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. He has been a frequent foreign policy guest commentator on a variety of cable news networks, including Fox, CNN, and OAN. Previously, he served as the Secretary of Transportation of North Carolina, Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools, and COO of Washington, DC Public Schools. He is a public servant, family man, and enjoys surfing new locations around the globe.