About the Author

RICK STEINKE

RALPH RICHARD “RICK” STEINKE is the award-winning author of the Jake Fortina global thriller series, including Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy, awarded the Grand Prize for 2023 in the Global Thriller – High Stakes category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards (the CIBAs) in April 2024. The Jake Fortina series, beginning with Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat, was also selected as a Book Series Finalist at the CIBAs.

Steinke has spent a lifetime in US national security roles, including twenty-eight years in the US Army and fourteen in the Department of Defense. His official duties have taken him from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to over thirty countries on the Eurasian landmass, including Afghanistan and Ukraine.

He holds master’s degrees in West European studies and diplomacy from Indiana and Norwich Universities, respectively, as well as post-graduation certificates in national and international security affairs from Harvard and Stanford Universities. His passions include faith, family, fly fishing, and travel.

He can be contacted at Ricksteinke@alumni.harvard.edu.
CHANGE OF MISSION

by Ralph R. ``Rick`` Steinke

IN THIS COMPELLING third installment of the Jake Fortina global thriller series—set predominantly in Italy—US Army Lieutenant Colonel Jake Fortina and his Italian Carabinieri bride, Sara Simonetti-Fortina, must each face deadly threats from different enemies. Meanwhile, Jake Fortina’s decision to seek a change in his life’s mission turns out to be far more momentous than he expected. In facing dark criminal and international forces head-on, Jake’s new mission will require him to seek the assistance of his closest allies while employing his utmost resourcefulness and agility. Will the assistance provided by a highly trusted US Army sergeant and a Ukrainian Air Force colonel be sufficient for Jake Fortina to accomplish his mission?

CHANGE OF MISSION

TOP REVIEW

“Fast-paced and with more hair-raising twists and turns than a Calabrian road, this is the best Jake Fortina novel yet.

In this latest installment, after surviving a brutal assassination attempt in the opening moments, Military Attaché to the US Embassy in Rome, Jake Fortina makes the tough but selfless decision to retire from service to dedicate his life to his wife Sara–a formidable Italian Carabinieri officer in her own right–with an eye toward starting a family. Their dangerous past, however, has other plans.

Steinke expertly gathers story threads from his two previous novels and tightens them like the strangling wire of a mafia garotte. Iranian hitmen, Russian oligarchs, and the dreaded ‘Ndrangheta mafia of southern Italy all have reasons to see Jake and Sara dead. Steinke’s mastery of plotting shines brightly as these plans kick into high gear. It’s a front row seat alongside an author whose real-life experience and expertise inform every nail-biting moment, and a deep connection to the politics, the history, and social/military/criminal landscape his characters travel.

Aptly titled Change of Mission, the novel’s focus zeros in on a kidnapping in the remote Aspromonte mountain massif to become Steinke’s most intimate story yet. Not only does Steinke deliver the military, espionage, and law Italian enforcement realism we’ve come to expect, but human truths about love, loyalty, and especially the power of faith that make this a book not to be missed. Once you grab a copy, Change of Mission will grab you, and you won’t be able to put it down!”

 

 

Michael Frost Beckner

Author of the Spy Game novels (motion picture of the same name, 2001), Hollywood screenwriter, and executive producer.

More Testimonials & Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

Command Sergeant Major (US Army, Ret) Daniel Pinion

Multiple deployment Iraq War veteran and award-winning author of Chop that Sh*t Up, Leadership and Life Lessons Learned While In The Military

“Change of Mission by Rick Steinke continues the exceptional journey of the Jake Fortina series and may be Steinke’s best installment yet. Like its predecessors, “Tier One Threat” and “Roman Conspiracy,” this novel immediately immerses readers in gripping drama, action, and adventure. Each book in the series feels like a film trilogy in the making, and I eagerly anticipate seeing it on the big screen. This is a remarkable book by a talented author, and I am excited to see what lies ahead for Jake and Sara!”

Major General (Italian Carabinieri, Ret) Sebastiano Comitini

Former Commander, Carabinieri Special Intervention Group (GIS) and Commander, 2d Carabinieri Mobile Brigade

 

“Rick Steinke’s third book in the Jake Fortina series confirms and, if possible, given his two previous Jake Fortina books, improves upon the exceptional quality of Steinke’s narrative ability and story-telling skills. The book masterfully weaves together different narrative threads such as geopolitics, international intrigue, and organized crime. Everything personal and professional about Jake Fortina’s history converges—like a cluster bomb— in a crescendo in the story’s climactic finish. This book is not only for geopolitical thriller lovers, but I highly recommend it to all readers!”

Stephen Noguera, NCIS Special Agent (Ret)

Former NCIS Chair and Deputy Program Director of the Countering Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC) Program

 

“Change of Mission by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke delivers a compelling and detailed exploration of transnational organized crime. Set in Italy, this thriller pits Jake Fortina and his multinational team, including a US Army sergeant and a Ukrainian colonel working alongside the Italian Carabinieri, against the formidable ‘Ndrangheta. Rick’s deep understanding of the operations and impacts of global crime syndicates is evident throughout the narrative. He expertly weaves together credible and intricate plot lines that highlight the connections and conflicts among different international groups, including disruptive Iranian elements. His precise and knowledgeable writing captures the complexity of combating transnational crime, making Change of Mission an insightful and engaging read for anyone fascinated by the real-world intricacies of international law enforcement pitted against organized crime.”

Book Awards

AWARDS

Next Mission: US Defense Attache to France

1. Finalist, Military Non-Fiction, 14th Annual National Indie Book Competition. https://www.indieexcellence.com/14th-annual-finalists
2. Honorable Mention,  Non-Fiction Memoir, Readers’ Favorite Book Award Contest, 2020. https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/next-mission-u-s-defense-attache-to-france

Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat

1. Short List, Chanticleer Global Thriller Book Awards for High Stakes Suspense, 2022: The 2022 Global Thriller Book Awards Short List for High Stakes Suspense | Chanticleer Book Reviews (chantireviews.com)

2: Finalist, Military Fiction, American Legacy Book Awards (ALBA). https://www.americanlegacyawards.com/2024awardannouncement.html

Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy

1. Grand Prize Winner, Chanticleer Global Thriller Book Awards for Global Thriller – High Stakes category, 2023: The Global Thriller 2023 Awards Winners for High Stakes Suspense (chantireviews.com)

2. Silver Medal, Readers’ Favorite Book Contest, 2024; Fiction Thriller – Political category. See review here: https://bit.ly/4f41iV1

The Jake Fortina Series

1. Finalist, Series Award List for Genre Fiction in the Mystery/Suspense category, 2023: The 2023 Book Series Award FINALISTS for Genre Fiction (chantireviews.com)
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