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Axel Blaze #2
Lethal Force
“I’ve dealt with lots of dangerous men, men like you, who kill people over nothing. But sometimes, they mess with the wrong guy.”
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze knows how to deal with dangerous men. A background in the special forces and the US Marshals has made him a tactical fighter and lethal opponent. Following the successful debut of Blaze Returns, Bill Runner is back with the second novel in the Axel Blaze thriller series.
When Blaze takes out a Mexican cartel’s operations in Nevada, the cartel sends hitmen after him and everyone he cares about. Bad move. What the cartel doesn’t realize is, it has messed with a Lethal Force.
Blaze will go after them. Put the fear of death in them. Before striking back. Hard.
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze knows how to deal with dangerous men. A background in the special forces and the US Marshals has made him a tactical fighter and lethal opponent. Following the successful debut of Blaze Returns, Bill Runner is back with the second novel in the Axel Blaze thriller series.
When Blaze takes out a Mexican cartel’s operations in Nevada, the cartel sends hitmen after him and everyone he cares about. Bad move. What the cartel doesn’t realize is, it has messed with a Lethal Force.
Blaze will go after them. Put the fear of death in them. Before striking back. Hard.
- GenresThriller
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2022
About the author
Bill Runner
9 books35 followersBill Runner worked as an investigative journalist before turning to writing novels. He grew up on a regular diet of western novels and movies about lone rangers, which influenced the shaping of Blaze. Bill is an experienced mountain climber and has been a lifelong student of martial arts. Working the crime beat and studying the art of fighting helped make him the author of thriller novels, which are known for well-executed action sequences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
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May 28, 2022Title – Lethal Force
Author – Bill Runner
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 71,500
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 23 - 2022
Posted 5/28/2020
My Impressions: Lots of action in this war against a Mexican Cartel.
Main Characters:
Alex Blaze – Badass cowboy, etc. etc. etc.
Adriel – Alex’s best friend, Indian Chief.
Winona – Target of Cartel thug’s for kidnapping.
As a US Marshal, Alex took on a Mexican Cartel and won costing them loss of lots of money and reputation. The Cartel boss sent an assassination crew to get even by kidnapping Winona, putting her in a brothel and murdering Alex and Adriel. Instead, Alex was warned of the attack and wiped out the ten-man crew. Knowing the Cartel leader was a wicked psychopath, Alex took the fight to Mexico to confront the drug running killer head-on. He, Adriel, and a group of Mexican victims of the Cartel joined forces to cost the leader millions of dollars, destroy his drug lab, and decimate his crew.
Lots of detailed action by an invincible hero.
The editing and sentence structure are fair, but there are routine errors.
The formatting is bad but still readable. This is likely the convertor software’s fault.
Character development is acceptable for the main characters.
Details, especially in the action filled fight scenes are good.
The plot is standard ex-special forces badass taking on the evil killers and wiping them all out.
I recommend this story as an action filled read in spite of suppressors reducing gun blasts to a ‘pop’.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Bill Runner
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 71,500
Rating – Five stars out of five
No. 23 - 2022
Posted 5/28/2020
My Impressions: Lots of action in this war against a Mexican Cartel.
Main Characters:
Alex Blaze – Badass cowboy, etc. etc. etc.
Adriel – Alex’s best friend, Indian Chief.
Winona – Target of Cartel thug’s for kidnapping.
As a US Marshal, Alex took on a Mexican Cartel and won costing them loss of lots of money and reputation. The Cartel boss sent an assassination crew to get even by kidnapping Winona, putting her in a brothel and murdering Alex and Adriel. Instead, Alex was warned of the attack and wiped out the ten-man crew. Knowing the Cartel leader was a wicked psychopath, Alex took the fight to Mexico to confront the drug running killer head-on. He, Adriel, and a group of Mexican victims of the Cartel joined forces to cost the leader millions of dollars, destroy his drug lab, and decimate his crew.
Lots of detailed action by an invincible hero.
The editing and sentence structure are fair, but there are routine errors.
The formatting is bad but still readable. This is likely the convertor software’s fault.
Character development is acceptable for the main characters.
Details, especially in the action filled fight scenes are good.
The plot is standard ex-special forces badass taking on the evil killers and wiping them all out.
I recommend this story as an action filled read in spite of suppressors reducing gun blasts to a ‘pop’.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
July 15, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is another great book set (at least in part) in Colorado. Since I live here, I'm partial to these stories. This time the bad guys threatened his family. That's a big no-no. This is book #2 in the series and it does work better if you read them in order, but you would not be too lost if this is where you jump in. You could pretend book #1 was a backstory novel.
This was another fun read, with quite a bit of bone-breaking! I truly appreciate the effort that goes into the accurate details of this book. I hadn't heard the term "Big Chicken Dinner" in years and it made my heart happy to see it used (and used correctly). I have read so many books that reference the military (or science, or pop culture) and get the details wrong and it bugs the heck out of me. This was, again fantastic.
One of my favorite aspects of the character's personality is that he finds a way for all his "oh no they died" (at least in the US) to be legitimate self-defense. So sly. Love this character.
This is another great book set (at least in part) in Colorado. Since I live here, I'm partial to these stories. This time the bad guys threatened his family. That's a big no-no. This is book #2 in the series and it does work better if you read them in order, but you would not be too lost if this is where you jump in. You could pretend book #1 was a backstory novel.
This was another fun read, with quite a bit of bone-breaking! I truly appreciate the effort that goes into the accurate details of this book. I hadn't heard the term "Big Chicken Dinner" in years and it made my heart happy to see it used (and used correctly). I have read so many books that reference the military (or science, or pop culture) and get the details wrong and it bugs the heck out of me. This was, again fantastic.
One of my favorite aspects of the character's personality is that he finds a way for all his "oh no they died" (at least in the US) to be legitimate self-defense. So sly. Love this character.
August 18, 2022
This one is full-on action. I made the mistake of starting to read it near the time I meant to go to bed. I stayed up late, but found myself wanting to finish it with a clear head so I reluctantly left it.
I must say I really enjoyed this book, both because I am an action book lover, and because this did not have the added distraction of a female love interest. This was pure action for action's sake and I thoroughly loved it. I hope to read more by this author.
The basic story is in reference to a previous story in which a guy takes down a drug cartel. This one is the drug cartel's retaliation. They should have left well enough alone and cut their losses. But, as in real life, the egos of the leaders made them think they were invincible.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I must say I really enjoyed this book, both because I am an action book lover, and because this did not have the added distraction of a female love interest. This was pure action for action's sake and I thoroughly loved it. I hope to read more by this author.
The basic story is in reference to a previous story in which a guy takes down a drug cartel. This one is the drug cartel's retaliation. They should have left well enough alone and cut their losses. But, as in real life, the egos of the leaders made them think they were invincible.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2022
A rip roaring action adventure tale pitting a powerful Mexican drug and human trafficking cartel against a former Special Forces/Delta Force operative who is also a retired US Marshal, although a bit prematurely retired. This story moves at a break neck pace with never a dull moment. It also highlights the shackles law enforcement wears in trying to work within Mexican borders with the corruption therein. Perhaps most poignant is the assistance given by some of the Mexican people who have already lost friends and family to the cartel and have nothing left to live for but vengence. This story left me with hope that sometimes good can win the day if enough people work together hard enough and long enough..... I will be following this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2024
I read book one, and that was OK, got book 2 hoping that the second book's writing would improve. The overall story is non-exisitent really. They threatend is family go he goes after them hard. The book does move along with some pace, but it is just seems to be one set piece after another. He has a pick truck that has exactly what he needs when he needs it, in its secret compartment. He wishes for nothing. The character of Blaze if very flat, after a book and a half I know nothing about him. And some of the wording repeats like mad, i.e I am going to get then hard. In the first book he must have said "find carter" a dozen times. Don't think I will finish book 2, going to bale out and look for a series of books written for adults.
May 22, 2022
Blaze – the deadliest action hero out there!
I loved the first Blaze novel and bought this new one the day it was published. No regrets. What a follow-up! It’s even more full of brutal action than Blaze Returns. There’s a contract out for Blaze from a Mexican cartel. But he goes on the offensive, taking out everyone who comes gunning for him. He does that with deadly precision in a very calculated way. And then he heads to Mexico to end it once and for all. The fight sequence with the psycho giant called the Butcher is unbelievable. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
I loved the first Blaze novel and bought this new one the day it was published. No regrets. What a follow-up! It’s even more full of brutal action than Blaze Returns. There’s a contract out for Blaze from a Mexican cartel. But he goes on the offensive, taking out everyone who comes gunning for him. He does that with deadly precision in a very calculated way. And then he heads to Mexico to end it once and for all. The fight sequence with the psycho giant called the Butcher is unbelievable. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
July 31, 2024
Yes, I bought part two, because I had a childish phase, and because not all bad guys from part one got their fair share of being beaten up and this part handles that. And I hoped he would get the girl too, the one he just missed in part one, but he doesn't, and I'll probably never know, because I'm on to adult books again.
I hope they meet. I think they'll meet, somewhere in part four. And he saves her and then she saves him. Or something. And then in part six they retire to some ranch. Maybe. Don't tell me.
I hope they meet. I think they'll meet, somewhere in part four. And he saves her and then she saves him. Or something. And then in part six they retire to some ranch. Maybe. Don't tell me.
September 28, 2022
Lethal Force
I'm really pleased that I received an ARC for another Bill Runner story which led to me to this series. Non stop action is something I really love, who needs sleep when there's a good story to be read?
I'm now a lover of Axel Blaze and his sense of justice and the way he goes about achieving it. The cast of characters who support him are pretty special too.
This is a series I'll gladly read again and thoroughly recommend it.
I'm really pleased that I received an ARC for another Bill Runner story which led to me to this series. Non stop action is something I really love, who needs sleep when there's a good story to be read?
I'm now a lover of Axel Blaze and his sense of justice and the way he goes about achieving it. The cast of characters who support him are pretty special too.
This is a series I'll gladly read again and thoroughly recommend it.
January 21, 2024
Another fast paced action paced read. I said it last time & I’ll say it again Axel Blaze is one bad mamma jamma!!! If you’re looking for a Shakespearean novel or something like that this ain’t it. If you want in your face action grab this book. This series is very quickly moving up my list of favorites. I can’t wait for this series to make its way back around in my rotation. Don’t hesitate grab this today!!!
August 30, 2024
Good but with reservations
It's a good well thought out story, with a few little twists and surprises along the way, to stop it being entirely predictable
Unfortunately it is predictable and whilst the story focuses on Axel being an independent, the support he gets from the Marshals and DEA, is far too much for it not to be too much in the realms of deniability.
Any way it's a good book, with enough to keep the most avis action addict interested
It's a good well thought out story, with a few little twists and surprises along the way, to stop it being entirely predictable
Unfortunately it is predictable and whilst the story focuses on Axel being an independent, the support he gets from the Marshals and DEA, is far too much for it not to be too much in the realms of deniability.
Any way it's a good book, with enough to keep the most avis action addict interested
May 22, 2022
Blazing hot!
I like novels written in first person. Lethal Force resonated with me as Blaze describes his thought process on how best to take down each opponent. He’s a master in armed/unarmed combat and although he kills a lot of men in his war against the cartel, everything seems believable. The author is very good at describing action scenes.
I like novels written in first person. Lethal Force resonated with me as Blaze describes his thought process on how best to take down each opponent. He’s a master in armed/unarmed combat and although he kills a lot of men in his war against the cartel, everything seems believable. The author is very good at describing action scenes.
June 21, 2022
Loved and love the narration of Kyle Snyder, perfect for this fast action booked
The book starts straight in action . There’s a contract out for Blaze from a Mexican cartel. Blaze is skilled at taking out people in any situation. They keep sending killers after him
Blaze heads to Mexico to end it once and for all. Oh that fight with the psycho giant called the Butcher WOW
The book starts straight in action . There’s a contract out for Blaze from a Mexican cartel. Blaze is skilled at taking out people in any situation. They keep sending killers after him
Blaze heads to Mexico to end it once and for all. Oh that fight with the psycho giant called the Butcher WOW
June 24, 2022
This was a great read from this author
We have a great lead character who continues to carry the series. I have come to find that these thrillers really bring so much to the table and keep me engrossed.
I loved the overall flow and how everything unfolded, I thought that part was perfectly done.
We have a great lead character who continues to carry the series. I have come to find that these thrillers really bring so much to the table and keep me engrossed.
I loved the overall flow and how everything unfolded, I thought that part was perfectly done.
June 27, 2022
This is a really good read and has absolutely exceeded and surpassed my expectations. Oh, the twists and turns.
I like how this draws in the reader with plenty of action and really does not let up.
The characters are great and we are on this mission right along with them.
If you enjoy plenty of suspense and action, pick this one up.
I like how this draws in the reader with plenty of action and really does not let up.
The characters are great and we are on this mission right along with them.
If you enjoy plenty of suspense and action, pick this one up.
July 1, 2022
Good story again...not great but definitely good and fun. Bill Runner relied less on cliches this time and that is great. LOVE Axel Blaze...reminds me of the No-Where Man (Orphan X)...gets the job done! And love his constant thought process as he reasons through his steps. Excited for #3!
February 6, 2023
Great story that holds you from the first page to the last and keeps the action coming until the very last page. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2023
Man of Action!
This is my bread and butter type of reading. Love it when the exact justice on the bad guys,simple as that. That what read Axle Blaze reading is like for me, make the bad guys, just is the worst way! Justice be served!
This is my bread and butter type of reading. Love it when the exact justice on the bad guys,simple as that. That what read Axle Blaze reading is like for me, make the bad guys, just is the worst way! Justice be served!
August 9, 2023
I wanted to rate this higher but I couldn't get past the writing. It feels like a fan fiction. The action scenes are great and will keep me reading. But the language and the descriptions of people are like a piece of high school "creative writing".
November 27, 2023
One of the better books in this genre.
Liked the hero and that he doesn’t spend his time on self reflection unlike many other books of this type where the heroes spend way too much time questioning themselves.
Liked the hero and that he doesn’t spend his time on self reflection unlike many other books of this type where the heroes spend way too much time questioning themselves.
January 5, 2024
enjoyable
I suppose you have to be a fan of this type of book…all blood and gore….good story line.
I prefer a little more thinking ….but as I say enjoyable fast paced and easy to read.
Happy to read more..
I suppose you have to be a fan of this type of book…all blood and gore….good story line.
I prefer a little more thinking ….but as I say enjoyable fast paced and easy to read.
Happy to read more..
February 17, 2024
Another fast & furious story
Second book I have read by Bill Runner he knows his stuff.
I like that the baddies get what they deserve and there is no pussy footing around .
Another great read I loved it.
Second book I have read by Bill Runner he knows his stuff.
I like that the baddies get what they deserve and there is no pussy footing around .
Another great read I loved it.
May 21, 2022
What good books
I have read the first two books and I will be reading the others as long as Bill Runner writes them!
I have read the first two books and I will be reading the others as long as Bill Runner writes them!
June 6, 2022
Very good read.
July 15, 2022
Lots of action
Great story telling, kept me glued to every word. Can't wait for Axel Blazes next adventure. Read it, you won't be sorry.
Great story telling, kept me glued to every word. Can't wait for Axel Blazes next adventure. Read it, you won't be sorry.
August 5, 2022
Great reading
Engaging with strong characters, plots and technicals. If you're into page turning entertainment then this is a read for you. Don't miss out.
Engaging with strong characters, plots and technicals. If you're into page turning entertainment then this is a read for you. Don't miss out.
March 3, 2023
”You have to pay your dues. Period.” And Raul did just that! Axel brought a war of attrition to the cartel boss’s front door!
November 27, 2023
Great action, good storyline
and looking forward to the next
adventure for Blaze.
and looking forward to the next
adventure for Blaze.
December 1, 2023
Axel continues with his war against the Mexican narco-terrorists targeting him and those close to him. A totally engrossing action packed read.
January 28, 2024
Hell on Wheels
Strong men try TO rule the masses with ßtrength, Stronger men rule with care consideràtion and love of their fellowmàn
Strong men try TO rule the masses with ßtrength, Stronger men rule with care consideràtion and love of their fellowmàn
February 4, 2024
Blaze
A great read look forward to next in series.Enjoyed book one and will no follow the author bill runner Thanks
A great read look forward to next in series.Enjoyed book one and will no follow the author bill runner Thanks
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews