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Jack Mars
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Primary Target: The Forging of Luke Stone—Book #1 (an Action Thriller) Kindle Edition

by Jack Mars (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 10,297 ratings
“One of the best thrillers I have read this year.”
--Books and Movie Reviews (re Any Means Necessary)

In the much-anticipated debut of a new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, when elite Delta Force soldier Luke Stone, 29, joins a secretive government agency, he is dispatched on the mission of a lifetime: a whirlwind race across Europe and the Mid-East to save the President’s daughter before she is beheaded by terrorists.

In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.

Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.

When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.

PRIMARY TARGET is an un-putdownable military thriller, a wild action ride that will leave you turning pages late into the night. It marks the long-anticipated debut of a riveting new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, dubbed “one of the best thriller authors” out there.

“Thriller writing at its best.”
--Midwest Book Review (re Any Means Necessary)

Books #2-#6 are also available!

Also available is Jack Mars’ #1 bestselling LUKE STONE THRILLER series (7 books), which begins with Any Means Necessary (Book #1), a free download with over 800 five star reviews!
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Forging of Luke Stone
  2. Print length
    258 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 16, 2018
  6. File size
    1.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. US Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, code name Nightstalkers, the Delta Force of helicopter pilots—probably the best chopper pilots in the world.
    Highlighted by 70 Kindle readers
  2. Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Heath, as hands-on and gung-ho a commander as there was.
    Highlighted by 62 Kindle readers
  3. “Lieutenant Colonel Heath has decided to lead the raid personally,”
    Highlighted by 52 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thrillerwriting at its best. Thriller enthusiasts who relish the precise execution ofan international thriller, but who seek the psychological depth andbelievability of a protagonist who simultaneously fields professional andpersonal life challenges, will find this a gripping story that's hard to putdown."
--MidwestBook Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Any Means Necessary)

"Oneof the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and willkeep you hooked from the beginning. The author did a superb job creating a setof characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. I can hardlywait for the sequel."
--Booksand Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Any Means Necessary)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07F4CXCM5
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 16, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Forging of Luke Stone
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 10,297 ratings

About the author

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Jack Mars

Jack Mars

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Jack Mars is the USA Today bestselling author of the LUKE STONE thriller series, which includes seven books. He is also the author of the FORGING OF LUKE STONE prequel series, comprising six books; of the AGENT ZERO spy thriller series, comprising twelve books; of the new TROY STARK thriller series, comprising five books; and of the new SPY GAME series, comprising five books.

ANY MEANS NECESSARY (a Luke Stone Thriller—Book #1), PRIMARY TARGET: The Forging of Luke Stone—Book #1, and AGENT ZERO (An Agent Zero Spy Thriller—Book #1) are each available as free downloads on Amazon!

Jack loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.jackmarsauthor.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!

BOOKS BY JACK MARS

LUKE STONE THRILLER SERIES

ANY MEANS NECESSARY (Book #1)

OATH OF OFFICE (Book #2)

SITUATION ROOM (Book #3)

OPPOSE ANY FOE (Book #4)

PRESIDENT ELECT (Book #5)

OUR SACRED HONOR (Book #6)

HOUSE DIVIDED (Book #7)

FORGING OF LUKE STONE PREQUEL SERIES

PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1)

PRIMARY COMMAND (Book #2)

PRIMARY THREAT (Book #3)

PRIMARY GLORY (Book #4)

PRIMARY VALOR (Book #5)

PRIMARY DUTY (Book #6)

AN AGENT ZERO SPY THRILLER SERIES

AGENT ZERO (Book #1)

TARGET ZERO (Book #2)

HUNTING ZERO (Book #3)

TRAPPING ZERO (Book #4)

FILE ZERO (Book #5)

RECALL ZERO (Book #6)

ASSASSIN ZERO (Book #7)

DECOY ZERO (Book #8)

CHASING ZERO (Book #9)

VENGEANCE ZERO (Book #10)

ZERO ZERO (Book #11)

ABSOLUTE ZERO (Book #12)

(and counting)

TROY STARK THRILLER SERIES

ROGUE FORCE (Book #1)

ROGUE COMMAND (Book #2)

ROGUE TARGET (Book #3)

ROGUE MISSION (Book #4)

ROGUE SHOT (Book #5)

THE SPY GAME SERIES

TARGET ONE (Book #1)

TARGET TWO (Book #2)

TARGET THREE (Book #3)

TARGET FOUR (Book #4)

TARGET FIVE (Book #5)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
10,297 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fast-paced thriller that's hard to put down, with well-developed characters, particularly the complex protagonist Luke Stone. The action-filled story maintains suspense throughout, and customers appreciate the attention to detail, with one noting the believable Spec Ops information.

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232 customers mention "Readability"225 positive7 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a good page turner that keeps them interested throughout.

"...eyes until I finished this incredible adventure. Explosive, interesting and fulfilling, a 5 STAR book, starting a new series into the early..." Read more

"...The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the next installment." Read more

"Great read! Intense at times. Kept me on the edge of my seat as I read it. It was hard to put down last night!!..." Read more

"...I recommend reading this book!" Read more

220 customers mention "Action content"209 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the action content of the book, describing it as a suspenseful and thrilling story right to the end, with one customer noting it's an engaging series of quasi-military adventures.

"...target, locate and save the young woman!! An exciting, action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease...." Read more

"...The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the next installment." Read more

"Great read! Intense at times. Kept me on the edge of my seat as I read it. It was hard to put down last night!!..." Read more

"...Fast paced, believable and thoroughly entertaining. The story line is a good one and the character relationships realistic...." Read more

83 customers mention "Character development"81 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, particularly noting Luke Stone's complex nature, and one customer highlights his no-nonsense personality.

"...the young woman!! An exciting, action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease...." Read more

"...The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the next installment." Read more

"...The story line is a good one and the character relationships realistic. I recommend reading this book!" Read more

"Good storyline and flow. Characters starting to develop. I've read some of the series already and enjoyed them all!. Look forward to reading more" Read more

71 customers mention "Pacing"65 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as a fast-paced story that flows nicely, with one customer noting how the action moves on every page.

"...technical cliches, but the action is fast and furious and keeps you turning the pages. The story flowed well and the characters were well developed...." Read more

"Loved the characters and the action! Fast paced, believable and thoroughly entertaining...." Read more

"...open book review like this, but this book was mostly believable, mostly fast paced, mostly well conceived, mostly well researched and almost always..." Read more

"...It's very fluid and very Hollywood-esque. I recommend it for those who like action movies with heroes like Rambo, without being this one...." Read more

51 customers mention "Writing quality"45 positive6 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting it is well written and easy to follow, with one customer describing it as a white-knuckled read.

"...action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease...." Read more

"...paced, mostly well conceived, mostly well researched and almost always well written...." Read more

"...I read it in parallel with the Spanish version and it is a good translation. Congratulations." Read more

"Jack Mars has become one of my favorite authors. His books are easy to follow and the characters are well developed...." Read more

12 customers mention "Page turner"12 positive0 negative

Customers describe the book as an incredible page turner.

"Its a page turner. Well developed characters, all interesting persons. The plot grows into a big story then handles it well." Read more

"This one is a page turner. The action never stops. Highly recommended. You feel like you are right there with Luke every step of the way." Read more

"Took a bit to get going, but then a real page turner. Will read next one in this series. Luke Stone books" Read more

"...Having read the series I know more about Luke Stone. It was a great page turner. We meet Luke's wife and the birth of his son." Read more

11 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book hard to put down.

"I read this in under 4 days as it was hard to put down. Very authentic in its military content. Looking forward to the next in the series." Read more

"...moves along quickly and keeps the reader interested and not wanting to put it down. I recommend it highly...." Read more

"...It was so hard to put down and I read it in just two sittings. Looking forward to more." Read more

"...This a great read and canton easily be put down!" Read more

9 customers mention "Detail"7 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the level of detail in the book, with one customer noting that the spec ops information is believable and another mentioning that it is mostly well-researched.

"...mostly believable, mostly fast paced, mostly well conceived, mostly well researched and almost always well written...." Read more

"...background, although none at all in SOC, I found the Spec Ops information believable, especially in the context of the plot...." Read more

"...that has spent time in Middle East with military will appreciate Mars attention to detail!" Read more

"...Various moments where information was presented incorrectly and/or with poor context." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kathryn A Defranc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Luke Stone: The Early Years...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    What an excellent view of Luke Stone at the very beginning, a little confused,already at a point in the service where he has seen and done so much...His wife Becca is very pregnant, giving him something else to think of, a life taking care of his family, not running off at a phone call....
    Things change quickly when his mentor, Don, taps him for a secret special response team,out of the FBI and run by Don. This is a very special group, and Don knows the kind of person and soldier Luke is. He brings Luke in, introducing him to the new parts of the team. Immediately Luke and new partner, Ed, are sent to take care of a problem in Iraq , which expands as a grateful leader gives him a map showing the site of foes. Suddenly, as Luke is excited to go home to Becca, there is astounding news-The President's Daughter is Kidnapped!!
    The best Team in the world has a new target, locate and save the young woman!!
    An exciting, action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease. I read this book in one day, staying up late and breathing deeply as I see and feel what happens, unable to close my eyes until I finished this incredible adventure.
    Explosive, interesting and fulfilling, a 5 STAR book, starting a new series into the early days with Luke, and there could NOT be a better start than this!!!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • RMCampbell
    4.0 out of 5 stars An action-packed thriller with several primary targets
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This story has so many moving parts it keeps the reader riveted to the end. Luke Stone, a former Delta Force operative is recruited by a secretive branch of the FBI to lead a clandestine mission to Iraq, which after successfully completed, turns into another mission to rescue the daughter of the US president from terrorists who threaten to behead her if their demands are not meet. Just to keep the story interesting, Luke's wife, back in the states, is about to give birth and is expecting Luke to be on hand for the delivery.
    I will admit that the story has some technical cliches, but the action is fast and furious and keeps you turning the pages. The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the next installment.
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  • Rebecca
    5.0 out of 5 stars Action Packed Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great read! Intense at times. Kept me on the edge of my seat as I read it. It was hard to put down last night!! I also loved how the author weaved some of the Bible and God into the story.
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  • JTC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Edge of Your Seat reading
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the characters and the action! Fast paced, believable and thoroughly entertaining. The story line is a good one and the character relationships realistic. I recommend reading this book!
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  • Jack
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun snd Fast
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I can’t go five stars in an open book review like this, but this book was mostly believable, mostly fast paced, mostly well conceived, mostly well researched and almost always well written. It’s a good action novel but it’s not The Old Man And The Sea good but you can always tell how lazy a writer is by the names they choose for their action heroes: Luke Stone? Wow! Why not Rocky Granite or Steel Sword?

    It’s for military action hero freaks and despite his attempts to humanize and soften the main characters, I just wanted them in action all the time so I could marvel at their super human abilities. Remember, I said mostly believable.

    The resolution of one strained relationship, a side story of unfortunate political expedience, and the handling of one very spoiled girl seem to have been saved for the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • GemCaprica
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primary Target
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I thought this was a great book. Luke with nowhere else to turn goes to work for his old commanding officer and father figure Don Morris. It's a new position run by the FBI called the Special Response Team.

    Once Luke gets his first mission with his new partner Ed, who he does not like or trust, it all action. One mission turns into two, turns into three, and more. Luke is in his element. He is in the zone. Except when his mind wanders to his very pregnant wife at home in the states. Wil he make it home in time for the birth of his son?

    On the flip side, the current president is having a breakdown over the kidnapping of his daughter. Underhanded things happen to unseat him. And, it turns out to be a big mistake.

    While this suspenseful story is taking place, Luke is getting to know his team better, and we are getting a great flashback on how his team was formed. Seems only the best will do for the SRT.

    With Luke and his team facing action all the time and the suspense of a couple side stories that eventually all mix together into the SRT's missions, it all make for a great read.

    If you've read the Luke Stone Thrillers you'll enjoy this prequel. If you haven't you will enjoy thiis as a stand alone book or as a nice introduction into the Luke Stone Thrillers. I highly recommend it.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • Juan Pablo
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3 stars + 0.5 of a star for free book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    An action book, fun to pass the time. Almost like a script for a movie, I imagine it's what the author want , to see his books on the big screen and get more $$$.
    It's very fluid and very Hollywood-esque. I recommend it for those who like action movies with heroes like Rambo, without being this one. I read it in parallel with the Spanish version and it is a good translation. Congratulations.
    One person found this helpful
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  • JR
    5.0 out of 5 stars fast paced action filled
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Good military story that has a strong sense of realism. Of coarse it’s fictional with the heroic main character but that is overlayed on a realistic background.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • FraserD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great main character and a great book to boot
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book and the main character has lots going on, but is the sort of person I would like to meet. A really good read and almost plausible as well.
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  • Gerald Plante
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great novel
    Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent novel, very fast paced and hard to put down. Exciting from start to finish and an excellent story. Keeps a person highly entertained much like James Patterson novels or Lee Child or Jeffery Deaver.
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  • V.F
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable.
    Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am enjoying a new author and a new character. Still getting into the making of the character. Thought I would read the 2 books about how the character came about but realised this is going to be a series too so maybe onto the other series now.
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  • Hariharan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thrill a minute read. Action all-around.
    Reviewed in India on May 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Well written. Good insights into presidential thinking, their vulnerabilities and the impact of decisions taken under pressure. Human angles well explored.
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  • Dieda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nichts für Pazifisten
    Reviewed in Germany on February 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Spannend und hart, nichts für schwache Nerven. Aber ich schätze mal, so war und ist die Realität dort. Die Geschichte mit der entführten dummen Präsidententochter, die sich ja bewusst ist, dass für ihren geplanten heimlichen Tanzabend ihre Bodyguards mindestens mit Jobverlust bezahlen müssen, die dann prompt entführt wird und für deren Befreiung dann zahlreiche Soldaten von Spezialeinrichtungen sterben müssen, finde ich fast nebensächlich. Was mich gepackt hat, ist die Beschreibung der Kämpfe. Ein guter Freund von mir war bei der 2. Schlacht von Fallujah als US Marines Sniper dabei und so muss es wohl da auch gewesen sein. Er erzählt wenig darüber, aber das Prinzip "töte ihn zuerst, damit er Dich nicht tötet" macht schon etwas mit Menschen. Ich wüsste gern, wieviel von Luke Stone in Jack Mars steckt ...
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