Jeffrey S.Stephens-Interview with the Author

Jeffrey S.Stephens-Interview with the Author

JeffreyStephens

February 19, 2013 marks the release day for Jeffrey S. Stephens latest installment in the Jordan Sandor series-TARGETS OF REVENGE.

FOLLOW Jeffrey at : Website / Blog

TRC: Hi Jeffrey. Welcome to The Reading Café. Thank you for agreeing to answer a few of our questions.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Jeffrey: I grew up in New York City where I attended public school. I remember all of my teachers from those days, especially those who encouraged my writing, even at an early age. The impact teachers have on our lives is immeasurable, on many levels. There are memories from those dedicated people I will always treasure.

Later, after college at Penn State, I graduated from Fordham Law School at Lincoln Center and, despite a lot of traveling, have remained in this area ever since. There is something about the energy of New York City, both good and bad, that does not exist anywhere else.

As a criminal and civil lawyer, how much of your experience goes into writing your novels?

I have written books that incorporate legal issues, including a courtroom drama we have not yet published. Just like everyone else, all of my experiences in life help define who I am, and I suppose my work as an attorney informs all of my writing, even when the connection is not obvious. One influence I should mention from my legal career is the ability to see both sides of an issue. I realize some people find this maddening about the law, but it is not an exact science. Unlike math or physics, the law is always open to dispute. Describe a problem to an attorney and ask him what he thinks, he’s likely to respond, “Which side of the debate do you want me to argue?”

Targets of Revenge

TRC: TARGETS of REVENGE is the latest release in your series featuring Jordan Sandor. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book DepositoryINDIEBOUND / Books-A-Million / Simon & Schuster

Jeffrey: Jordan Sandor embarks on an unauthorized mission to assassinate Adina, the Venezuelan terrorist responsible for the casualties and damage in the prior novel, TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY. Along the way, Sandor discovers a scheme to unleash a biological assault on the United States. Changing course, he and his team pursue every available lead to prevent this monstrous attack. The action takes him from Egypt to Moscow to Mexico and back to New York City for the climactic scenes.

TRC: How much research is involved writing this particular series? Logistics? Background? Travel?

Jeffrey: I travel a great deal, do my research and rely on my own experiences. I pride myself on the authenticity of all locations, weapons, technology, governmental agencies and protocol in these novels. Readers today are too sophisticated to be sold a bill of goods. When viewers want to watch motion pictures based on comic book characters, that is another type of entertainment. The Sandor series is gritty and real and, hopefully, more compelling for those qualities.

JordanSandorseries

TRC: Have you ever considered writing a ‘romance or love’ interest for Jordan Sandor?

Jeffrey: There is a brief affair in the new book, TARGETS OF REVENGE, that factors importantly in the story. As for Sandor’s former love interest, Beth Sharrow, she will be featured prominently in the next novel in the series, which is still in the works. In the first book in the series, TARGETS OF DECEPTION, a mysterious woman played an important role, and in TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY a female agent was critical to both Sandor and the action. Sandor’s love life, and his relationship with women in general, are extremely important to his character.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Jeffrey: I will keep writing them as long as I can come up with original ideas that interest my readers.

TRC: Will you please give us a hint as to who will be the next ‘great villain’ in your series? 😉

Jeffrey: The villain in TARGETS OF REVENGE returns from the prior book, but he brings with a him a new cabal of dangerous players. Be prepared for a group of ruthless individuals who mean our country harm.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you faced as a writer?

Jeffrey: I love writing, that’s the fun part. For me, the difficulties were in finding an agent, then a publisher and then an audience. I have seen that as more people read the Jordan Sandor series, the more they feel connected to Sandor and to the people who populate his world. The stories are gripping, because they are realistic and because they touch people, and the characters become the reader’s loyal friends. These are page turners, and hopefully people will want a lot more of them.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Jeffrey: That’s a tough one, since I have no way of knowing what people actually think. As a writer, I hope readers judge the work and not me. This is all about Jordan Sandor and his adventures, not about who I am.

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Jeffrey: That’s a long list, I’m sorry to admit. A bit more patience would be a reasonable start.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Jeffrey: My father. Because he drove me and, years after his death, he drives me still.

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Jeffrey: Have you ever been in covert operations yourself? Now that I’ve posed the question, you didn’t say anything about providing a response. You don’t really expect me to answer, do you?

TRC: 😉

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Jeffrey: I want to complete ten more novels. To help my sons achieve whatever happiness they seek. To remain healthy. To continue working to keep my marriage happy. To shoot par or better in at least one full round of golf 😉

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?

Jeffrey: I hate to admit it, but bad reviews feel worse than good reviews feel good. In the end, however, you cannot please everyone. I have been incredibly fortunate in receiving almost universally wonderful reviews, and I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my work and to offer their opinions, whatever they may be. Well, almost everyone.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Jeffrey: TARGETS OF POWER, the next Sandor thriller. A steamy psychological thriller. And a couple of other projects which are in their early stages.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Italian

Favorite TV Show
NCIS

Favorite Movie
Casablanca

Last Movie You Saw
Silver Linings Playbook

Star Wars or Star Trek
Star Trek—the original tv version.

Dream Car
Aston Martin

TRC: Thank you Jeffrey for taking the time to answer our questions.
Congratulations and best wishes for a successful writing career.

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The Jordan Sandor Series by Jeffrey S. Stephens-a review

The Jordan Sandor Series by Jeffrey S. Stephens-a review

Targets of DeceptionTargets of Deception (Jordan Sandor .5) by Jeffrey S.Stephens

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Targets of Deception (Variance Publishing), while written as fiction, is based on actual events and Jeffrey Stephens’ ( A Local Author) hair-raising tale of espionage has readers trying to identify a genuine special forces hero who matches the description of the lead character, in much the same way researchers insist they have discovered who inspired the characters of Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne and Jack Ryan.

REVIEW:

Targets of Deception by Jeffrey S. Stephens is the first installment of the Jordan Sandor series. It’s an exciting saga of intrigue and adventure.
This novel is extremely well written, intelligent and, for me the scariest part of all, – realistic! Not full of “Bond” gimmicks and devices…just really intelligent observations and skills. I love the determination and patriotism of Jordan Sandor, he’s my kind of hero.

Jordan starts out as a disappointed ex-agent turned journalist…and quickly leads into an adventure of espionage, murder and terrorism. This story has many intriguing twists and turns, making it one of the most interesting thrillers I’ve read. It’s descriptive, but never boring! Exciting action and thrilling fight scenes. Exotic travel and romance are part of the charm without taking over the story.

This is a wonderful read and I highly recommend this series. I look forward to more in this most interesting of series from this talented author!

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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Targets of OpportunityTARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY (Jordan Sandor # 1)

ORDER LINKS: KOBO/ Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Whisked from his Manhattan town house to a gabled CIA safe house in Virginia, Sandor faces off with a top terrorist agent from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In exchange for protection from his own side, Ahmad Jaber is offering the CIA explosive information: word of a secret, unholy alliance forged among operatives in the Middle East, a ruthless South American, and Kim Jong-Il’s North Korea. Jaber claims not to know specific details, only that the strike will target the heart of America

Brilliantly conceived, electrifyingly paced, Targets of Opportunity captures a terrifying twenty-first century reality: terrorists can—and will—try as many times as they need to attack the United States. For the brave men and women who defend our country, failure is not an option.

REVIEW:

Targets of Opportunity (Jordan Sandor #1)

Targets of Opportunity is the second book in the Jordan Sandor series by Jeffery S. Stephens. It’s a masterpiece of plot, characters and action!
Jordan Sandor and his team go into North Korea as Canadian visitors to gain information on a plot against the US. Again Mr. Stephens takes us on a globe traveling adventure into exotic places with rich descriptions and admirable characters.

This novel is a delight of twists and turns with so much action, a little romance, and really great dialog. The villain has a plan that is actually quite brilliant, scarily so, but fortunately for us Jordan is a talented and determined adversary.

This story is paced superbly with Jordan piecing together this mastermind plot and following leads all over the globe to thwart this latest threat to our nation’s safety. The pace increases the closer he gets to the actual event. Ending with a breath taking last minute ( ….oops…almost a spoiler) heroic saving actions (whew, saved that one)!

If you love action/thriller novels this one is just the ticket! I thoroughly enjoy this author’s talented storytelling! Can’t wait for more!


Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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Targets of RevengeTARGETS OF REVENGE (Jordan Sandor #2)

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository


ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date-February 19, 2013


COUNTRY FIRST. All the bureaucratic scolding in Washington cannot stop resourceful CIA Agent Jordan Sandor when he’s hungry for revenge. This time he’s on the hunt for the cold-blooded sociopath known as Adina, whose indiscriminate slaughter of innocent people, including Sandor’s close friend, represents man at his worst.


REVIEW:

Targets of Revenge – Review by Georgianna S

Calling all fans of 24 and espionage everywhere – meet Jordan Sandor! This is a wonderfully complex and often compelling story of intrigue and danger. It’s masterfully written by Jeffrey S. Stephens.

Mr. Stephens via Jordan takes us on an exciting journey to many ports of call from the US to Venezuela, Mexico, Egypt, and Russia. Using his extremely proficient skills of intelligence, martial arts, and deadly weapon expertise he begins a rogue mission of revenge in the jungle and turns it into a department uniting venture in anti-terrorism and anti-drug smuggling.

Taking us deep into the world of espionage we see how our world has changed and how issues develop around the globe. His insights into national defense problems and the political posturing that goes with our government are astute and right on target. Handling these sensitive issues with finesse makes this thriller a really complex story adding to the great plot.

As I mentioned earlier, this is masterfully written which makes it just a little too real and more than a little scary! The intricate plan of a super villain, to create a horrible disaster in the US using anthrax powder and explosives, is so exciting and well thought out I can only hope we have a Jordan Sandor keeping watch over us for real! Working so hard to find the path of this villain and uncover his very intricate plans is amazing, not to mention life threatening. The way Jordan does this makes my head spin! Of course a few night with Jordan could make any girls head spin!

We even get a glimpse of his softer nature as he tries and fails to save a lovely young girl from a horrible death at the hands of a ruthless Russian drug lord. He vows revenge for her innocent life and he is a man of his word! Sorry, I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone…
For all adventure and danger junkies…Targets of Revenge is a must read! I highly recommend this book and this series!

Copies supplied by publisher

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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