Multi-Award Winning Author Charles Stewart's new book, "SKY THUNDER," is the sequel to Cry of the Eagle. WINNER OF THE 5-STAR READER'S FAVORITE AWARD LITERARY TITAN SILVER AWARD WINNER INTERNATIONAL FIREBIRD AWARD WINNER "Sky Thunder" is the story of the men and women of one of the world's most elite and secretive paramilitary organizations. Special Activities Division of the CIA, Former Tier One Operator Colt Hawkins is gritty, smart, honorable, battle-tested, and devoted to his fellow operators and his country, who are frequently put in harm's way by the evils of the world. Colt Hawkins has recently retired from the military and is now a CIA Operative engaged with NASA Director Dr. Liberty Starr. A new team has been assembled on their first mission in Morocco to protect a CIA spy transferring a defecting Chinese Scientist. During the defection, Vlad Benchiko, the mastermind behind the Dallas bombings, and Wahid Madi and Amal Sefer, the two Iranian-trained radical terrorists who were also responsible for all the killing and destruction in Texas, catch Task Force 24 and the CIA off-guard trying to stop the defection. The scientist discovered a secret about Russia and China collaborating to develop the first strike weapon, a stealth missile called Sky Thunder. The new President is determined to obtain the innovative technology that America abandoned and orders the mission- seize the technology and destroy a secret facility deep inside Russia in the Caucasus Mountain ranges. Colt leads his team, U.S. Army Special Forces members, and U.S. Navy Seals into a never attempted feat. Inside the White House, a Chinese double agent is a top advisor and part of the President's inner circle. CIA Special Activities Division Task Force 24 retrieves the technology. Another team is ambushed by Vlad and his army of mercenaries of Red Star Group. At the same time, the President gives the abort order, afraid of being blamed and giving the White House a black eye, leaving the CIA operatives inside Russia to fight for their survival, not giving up Dr. Liberty Starr and the CIA team with Washington insiders try to save Colt and the men and women in Russia. An unbreakable bond is forged when people sacrifice their lives for each other to bring these brave men and women home. Stewart's extensive U.S. military experience brings authentic and vivid life to this compelling geopolitical- high stakes adventure. Literary Titan ★★★★ "One of the book's biggest strengths is its commitment to authenticity." " Sky Thunder is an intense, high-stakes military thriller that plunges readers into a covert operation aimed at stopping a dangerous new stealth missile program. The story follows a specialized team of operatives as they infiltrate Russian territory to sabotage a top-secret facility developing advanced weaponry. The stakes are global, the action relentless, and the geopolitical intrigue thick with tension. Through a mix of tactical precision, political maneuvering, and pulse-pounding combat, the book captures the high-risk world of special operations and intelligence warfare. One of the book's biggest strengths is its commitment to authenticity. Stewart clearly knows his stuff when it comes to military operations, and he doesn't hold back. The mission briefing sequences, the chain of command details, and the breakdown of special forces strategy all feel meticulously researched. This level of detail makes the story immersive, especially the section where Colt and his team receive their OPORD (Operations Order), which is packed with acronyms and unit designations, making it feel more like a declassified military report. The action sequences, however, are where Sky Thunder truly shines. The book is loaded with high-adrenaline combat scenes that feel cinematic. A standout moment comes during a chaotic firefight with Russian attack helicopters, where the operatives engage in a desperate battle to stay alive. The descriptions are vivid, the stakes high, and the sense of danger palpable. There's also a particularly tense HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump scene where Colt experiences a moment of sheer isolation as he plummets through the night sky, uncertain whether his team followed him out of the plane. These moments make the book gripping, giving readers a front-row seat to the intensity of modern warfare. Character development, while present, takes a backseat to the mission. Colt, the team leader, is competent and battle-hardened, but his internal struggles are only briefly explored. We get glimpses of his doubt and leadership pressure, especially during critical moments, but the book focuses more on external threats than deep emotional arcs. Supporting characters like Smitty, Super Dave, and Lindsey add personality, but the sheer number of operatives and military personnel makes it hard to form strong attachments to any single one. That said, the camaraderie and sharp banter between te