DON BROWN, a former U.S. Navy JAG Officer, is the author of Zondervan’s riveting NAVY JUSTICE SERIES, a dynamic storyline chronicling the life and adventures of JAG officer ZACK BREWER. After TREASON, his first novel in the NAVY JUSTICE SERIES, was published to rave reviews in 2005, drawing comparisons to the writing style of John Grisham, Don Brown was named as co-chairman of national I LOVE TO WRITE DAY, an event recognized by the governors of nine states to promote writing throughout the nation, and especially among the nation’s schools.
Paying no homage to political correctness, Don’s writing style is described as “gripping,” casting an entertaining and educational spin on a wide-range of current issues, from radical Islamic infiltration of the military, to the explosive issue of gays in the military, to the modern day issues of presidential politics in the early 21st Century.
Don graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1982, and after finishing law school, continued his post-graduate studies through the Naval War College, earning the Navy’s nonresident certificate in International Law.
During his five years on active duty in the Navy, Don served in the Pentagon, was published in the Naval Law Review, and was also a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lieutenant Commander ‘Gunner’ McCormick is assigned as an intelligence officer to Carrier Strike Force 10, being deployed to the Yellow Sea at the invitation of South Korea for joint exercises with the US Navy. During his pre-deployment briefing, he discovers a TOP-SECRET MEMO revealing rumors that the North Koreans may still be holding a handful of elderly Americans from the Korean War in secret prison camps.
As it happens, Gunner’s grandfather, who was a young marine officer in the Korean War, disappeared at Chosin Reservoir over 60 years ago and is still listed as MIA in North Korea. Sworn to silence about what he has read, the top-secret memo eats at him. Gunner decides to spend all his inheritance and break every military regulation in the book to finance his own three-man commando squad on a suicide mission north of the DMZ to search for clues about the fate of his grandfather.
Risking his career, his fortune, and his life, Gunner will get his answers, or he will die trying.
Don Brown is building a loyal fan base by writing what he knows best: thrillers with heart. A former Navy JAG officer and action officer in the Pentagon, Brown pens action-packed plots and finely-drawn characters that are credible and compelling. Thunder in the Morning Calm is a novel of bravery, duty, and family love that will keep readers of all ages reading straight through to the last page.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Thunder in the Morning Calm , go HERE.
Learn more about Don and his books on his Website.
MY REVIEW:
Thunder in the Morning Calm is probably not a book I’d usually pick up in the bookstore since it has a very manly appearance and military books (with the exception of those by Ronie Kendig) are not my favorites. I persisted in reading it since I had committed to review it and found to my surprise that I enjoyed it.
One area sadly lacking in my historical knowledge is the Korean war. We never seemed to get to that part of the textbook before the end of the school year. For that reason, I found all the historical details included in Thunder in the Morning Calm to be very informative and it greatly increased my understanding of that era of our history.
In addition to being informative, this book is a page turner about three men who attempt a nearly impossible and unauthorized rescue mission deep across enemy lines in North Korea. I won’t go into details about the plot because I don’t want to give anything away but believe me when I say that there is sufficient action and suspense to keep your attention all the way to the end. Sorry ladies but there is no romance in this one.
I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the book is the impassioned speech by the president after learning that a U.S. ship had been hit by a North Korean missile. I only regret that this man is fictional. We NEED a president like him.
It’s always nice to find that I was wrong about a book I thought I wouldn’t like. I recommend Thunder in the Morning Calm , especially to the men readers among us.
