“A wise man once said: ‘We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.’” “Who said that? Churchill?”

Although the character isn't sure if Churchill said the quote, it is accurately attributed by the guess. If said today, Churchill would acknowledge that "rough men and women stand ready..."

With the opening setting in Somalia, I was immediately riveted and invested in the life of Carrie O’Connor Special Operative of the Canadian Intelligence Service (CIS) learning "I heard the bad news about the courier’s death just as I was preparing for the operation." The action never stops! Sometimes in the midst of a mission, another takes priority. Then there is a botched drone strike (or has there been more than one?) and it appears someone in the CIA is responsible. But who?

As a reader I'm automatically creating a visual of the setting, characters, events, etc. but when a setting is in a foreign country that I only know from news broadcasts and with character experiences so unfamiliar to my own I am more dependent on the author to convey this during his/her storytelling. Ethan Jones never falters with his descriptive writing style. Two of my favorite descriptors were “The Cessna shook like a rag doll in the hands of a tantrum – throwing toddler…” and “darkness soaked up the truck’s dim headlights.” I felt like I was on the flight experiencing that severe turbulence and back on the ground I was in the truck leaning forward straining to see out the windshield.

Personal lives are set aside as missions are carried out and each moment could be the last moment of one's breath. I was in awe of Carrie and the author seamlessly put me in the frame learning her missions, her ethics, her thoughts, her planning techniques, her steps to minimize failure, and elevate safety and security for herself and her local contact and trusted operative. Plausible deniability for Carrie's boss was realistic.

I won't hesitate to read more of this series. ( )

The book is well written and kept my attention. The storyline was interesting. ( )

Can you get justice for your friend without getting killed as well? Carrie was meant to get in kill the target then move on but this assignment hasn't gone as planned. She has had to rescue a SAS member and his girlfriend and that has caused even more problems but she has been given some damning evidence against the CIA.
He friend Josh has just been killed and she will go after whoever was responsible even if they think that they are untouchable. Her engagement has just fallen apart, her mother has taken a bad fall and they don't know if she will survive the latest surgery and yet Carrie knows that she will take the new assignment and just get it done.
A great story full of action. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This action-packed tale is well written and fast paced. It includes a topical issue, which adds plot and weight to the story of a Canadian Intelligence Service Special operative working in Somalia.
I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway. Thank you. ( )

Priority Target (Carrie Chronicles #1) by Ethan Jones is an excellent spy adventure that is a non-stop that has a strong female lead. Love that in a book. Nothing gets by this gal. There is lots of action, intrigue, twists and turns as she tries to find who is responsible for the deliberate drone strikes on civilian sites. This book has a little of everything, even a little romance. The characters are well developed and the plot planned to perfection. Excellent job. I normally don't read military books but because this had a female in it, I gave it a try and loved it. Believable and enjoyable. Fast action and stunning in the facts. Made you feel like you where there. Great job. Received this copy for honest review. ( )