In this 2nd in the series starring DEA Special Agent (and former Green Beret) Garrett Kohl, Kohl Ranch comes under relentless attack by former Russian special ops mercenaries working for Talon Corporation.

Talon Corporation is digging for rare earth minerals and ranchers and farmers in the area had signed away rights many years before. However Talon goes way beyond lawful tactics, deploying an offensive of violent mercenaries.

As before, the action is constant and edge-of-your-chair intense as the good guys strive to survive constant fire and vicious assaults, while gathering evidence to stop the villains.

Riveting from start to finish! That's the only way I know to describe Taylor Moore's second book in the Garrett Kohl series. The story opens in the midst of a gripping confrontation with a deadly cartel boss in which bullets are flying, and bodies are falling. Folks, that's just the first chapter, and it only escalates from there.

From the drug lord takedown in the first chapter to Russian espionage in the final chapters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. Talon, a large international energy consortium, has moved into the Texas panhandle, where Garrett Kohl owns a ranch, and they possess the mineral rights to his land. That's where the trouble starts.
This book is filled with pedal-to-the-metal, heart-stopping danger and action involving the CIA, DEA, and high-level governments across the globe.

There are a good many characters and different points of view in this story, but each was necessary and vital to keep it moving. Knowing what each character was thinking and feeling added depth to the story without turning into head-hopping.

I love how Moore interjects such strong Texas sayings and influences. For example, "Among the many things to be learned since his arrival in Texas was the cowboy code. The rules weren't written or spoken but rather lived out during everyday life."
And this: "Whether it was the rusted pumpjacks to the south or the windswept ranches and farmland to the north, it was a place with a deep soul and tough-as-leather exterior."

Moore's knowledge of and love for this rugged land shines through in his writing. Family loyalty, respect for and love for the godforsaken plains of Northwest Texas, and realistic, unforgettable characters are what place this pulse-pounding tale a head and shoulders above the rest.

The author put in just enough backstory that any reader wouldn't be lost by starting the series with this book. However, I do highly recommend reading "Down Range" first. If you are a fan of edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this series is for you!

Firestorm is a story of love, land, and loyalty. Blurring the historical lines of fictional genres, Taylor Moore intertwines components of the timeless Old West tales and current elite operator action thrillers. This book is what I would define as a “modern western”, examining the changing landscape (both physical and political) and the individuals who continue to try to hold back the tide of change and modernity in an environment that measures time in decades, not days.

After a dangerous undercover operation in Mexico, Special Agent Garrett Kohl returns to his family’s home in West Texas to find a landman at his front door. The man, a representative of Talon Corporation, informs Garrett that his ranch holds a huge deposit of rare earth minerals and there is nothing he can do to stop the company from kicking off their mining activities. The operation threatens to cause irreversible damage to Garrett’s land, his finances, and (after Talon’s connection to a vicious mercenary group out of Russia)…his life.

What makes Firestorm such a welcome changeup to the usual action thriller these days. Moore deftly explains complicated issues like land, mineral, and water rights in a relatable and emotionally relatable manner. The fact that these struggles are still relevant today in many parts of the country makes the story all that much more relatable to readers, even if they’re not horse obsessed and think life on a cattle ranch in Texas is the second-best thing to going to heaven.

For the military, operator, CIA action thriller enthusiasts out there… fret not, there is plenty of action and intrigue to feed your addiction. While there is an emphasis on the emotional turmoil Garrett and his family are enduring (which is significant), the geopolitics, espionage, and bullets feature heavily and keep the tension constant and palpable.

Taylor Moore follows up his debut with an even more action packed and jaunty narrative that further cements Garrett Kohl as a badass action hero.
Garrett Kohl spends his days alternating between working at his family ranch and undertaking dangerous missions for the CIA as part of the deal that helps him maintain custody of an afghani boy who has become like a son to Kohl. When an energy consortium with ties to Russian PMCs encroaches on Kohl’s land under the guise of harmless mining, Kohl surreptitiously works to undermine the operation and discover the corporation’s true intentions before innocents get caught in the crossfire.
Firestorm is peak entertainment for thriller aficionados with a thirst for a modern twist on Westerns. After a riveting and gritty opening action set piece, the story unfolds gradually with consistently escalating conflicts and drama between family and foes, ultimately leading to a climax where crime and espionage elements mingle together to set up an action-packed finale seeing Kohl go up against Russian special forces operatives. Taylor Moore effectively captures the wild and free-spirited vibe of Texan landscape and lifestyle with a charming disposition that easily immerses readers into his fleshed-out world of storytelling. The brisk pace of the narrative and the hard-boiled action are augmented by the gripping emotional resonance of Kohl and Aziz as they face the crisis of being ripped away from each other. The bond that further forms between the two father-and-son-like characters makes it harder to imagine the two apart, which in turn raises the ante on emotional investment and stakes.
Firestorm is the kind of thriller you’d want to see turned into a high budget movie/tv series; action, intrigue, betrayal, all with a charming protagonist in the driver’s seat.


Full review on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

Loved this book!!!

Put this book on your "To- Read" shelf, you will not be disappointed!

Second book in series, both books astounding!!

A classic David vs. Goliath story set in the Texas panhandle, only if David is an elite operator with a special set of skills and Goliath is an evil foreign-backed corporation raping the earth. Firestorm delivers an emotional experience that will infuriate readers before delivering a satisfying release. Kudos to Taylor Moore for crafting a page-turning, entertaining and timely story that hits you in the feels.

After DEA Special Agent Garrett Kohl successfully pulls off a dangerous mission to capture a cartel leader, he returns home to the Texas High Plains to find a different kind of trouble. Talon, a powerful energy company, has secured the land rights to his ranch and is about to start mining for rare earth minerals. Furthermore, the high level and aggressive nature of Talon’s security team puts Kohl’s family and friends in harm’s way. Fearing his land will be demolished, the environment polluted and the endangerment of everyone he cares about, Kohl goes on the offensive and takes the fight – figuratively and literally – to Talon with nothing short than expelling them from his land, an acceptable outcome. He just better do it quickly before everything he cherishes is destroyed.

The second book in the Garrett Kohl series, Taylor Moore does a fantastic job of developing all the characters by putting them through difficult trials to see what they are made of. In fact, this book is all about fighting for what’s right. Whether it’s fighting for a budding romantic relationship or taking on a heartless company, organizational bureaucracy, corruption or the rich and powerful, if the cause is just then the lesson is you must go all-in to fight. And thankfully, if you have the means to fight and can successfully come out the other side, you’ll be better for it. In that way, Firestorm is the epitome of the old adage “whatever doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

That being said, rarely have I been so mad reading a book as I was watching Garrett, Lacey, Asadi and their friends and family get bulldozed by a malicious corporation. It’s quite exasperating to watch good people get bullied by ruthless individuals with more money and power who couldn’t care less about the damage they do as long as it’s good for their shareholders and bottom line. But despite the anger welling up inside while witnessing the callous actions directed at Kohl and crew, it’s worth it when the bad guys get their comeuppance. It just makes it sweeter.

The hallmark of a great book is the ability to make the readers feel what the characters are going through on an emotional level. To build a connection and lead the reader to engage with not only their head, but also their heart. Firestorm nails this concept wholeheartedly. Combined with great pacing, a thrilling story and virtuous characters, it makes for an excellent novel. Taylor Moore clearly has the goods and I can’t wait to see where he takes this burgeoning series next.

Firestorm by Taylor Moore is a crime thriller and action adventure novel that barely gives readers the chance to breathe deeply periodically. It has action, suspense, and an intensity that kept me fully engaged throughout the novel. However, this second book in the Garrett Kohl series also shows character development that isn’t always present in these types of novels. While most of the novel is set in west Texas, there are also scenes taking place in Mexico and Virginia.
DEA Special Agent Garrett Kohl is on medical leave from the DEA, but that hasn’t stopped the CIA from enlisting his help in taking down a cartel boss. Upon his return home, he finds a mining operation threatens to destroy his family’s ranch. When threats and violence occur, Garrett starts investigating the Talon Corporation and enlists help from old friends and family.

Garrett Kohl is a warrior and is determined to protect those he loves. He is someone that you would want to back you up if you needed help. He has been struggling with whether he wants less dangerous assignments. While he likes bringing criminals to justice, he also wants to be there for his girlfriend, her two children, and the boy he is working to adopt. One of the fascinating things that I realized as I read this novel was the character development was not limited to the main character. For instance, Lacey Capshaw (Garrett’s girlfriend), Asadi Saleem (a foster child), and Ray Smitty (a confidential informant) have depth and show significant character growth over the course of the story.

Diverse characterization, exciting scenes, and great world-building details also helped pull this reader into the conflicts in the novel. The author captures the characters, as well as the cultural lifestyles and traditions and brings them to life. Fluid writing and fantastic world building, as well as an excellent, fast-paced plot will keep readers engaged. The well-plotted story stays at a high level of intensity throughout most of the novel. Was the action over-the-top at times? Yes. Did I care? No. Danger, assaults, deaths, teamwork, love, corruption, family, legal battles, and friendship are woven into the story line.

Overall, this was an intense novel with suspense and action. If you enjoy crime thrillers, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in this series as well as reading the first book.

William Morrow and Taylor Moore provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 16, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.