About the Author

RICK STEINKE

RALPH RICHARD “RICK” STEINKE has spent a lifetime in US national security roles, including 28 years in the US Army and 14 years in the Department of Defense. With most of his service overseas, including in Afghanistan, Steinke’s official duties have taken him to over 30 countries on the Eurasian landmass, including Ukraine, where he worked directly with senior Ukrainian government officials on issues such as parliamentary oversight of the armed forces, inter-agency cooperation and capacity building. Steinke holds master’s degrees in West European Studies and Diplomacy from Indiana and Norwich universities, respectively, as well as post-graduate certificates in National and International Security Affairs from Harvard and Stanford universities, respectively. His personal passions include faith, family, fly fishing and travel.

He can be contacted at Ricksteinke@alumni.harvard.edu.

MAJOR JAKE FORTINA

AND THE TIER-ONE THREAT

by Ralph R. ``Rick`` Steinke

AT THE BEHEST OF ROGUE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS,
two terrorists break into the grave of an American veterans cemetery in the
Suresnes suburb of Paris. What they take from that grave could lead to the
deaths of millions of Israeli and US citizens, as well as Jews around the world.
US Army Major Jake Fortina, a military attaché stationed at the US
Embassy in Paris, is called upon by the FBI and French and Italian law
enforcement and intelligence officials to help defeat Iran’s nefarious plan.
Beginning in Paris, this international drama leads readers from Afghanistan
to England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, and the
United States in the scramble to save the world from a terror unknown since
the deadly Spanish flu outbreak of 1918.

MAJOR JAKE FORTINA

TOP REVIEW

“Colonel (Ret) Rick Steinke tells a riveting story only he can accurately portray! As a distinguished Army officer, Foreign Area Officer, Defense Attaché and respected scholar, Rick draws upon his own personal and professional background to weave a thrilling account of Jake Fortina that could easily be mistaken for a non-fictional narrative. Rick also fills a critical gap in understanding the lives of our soldier-diplomats who selflessly serve on the front lines and in many foreign and hostile locations. This should be required reading for anyone who wants to further understand – beyond the headlines – how our Department of Defense and other federal agencies contribute to our national security. “

 

Colonel (Ret) John E. Chere Jr.

Assistant Professor, Defense Security Cooperation and Joint Special Operations Universities; former Defense Attaché and Senior Defense Official to Algeria, Israel, Morocco, and Tunisia

More Testimonials & Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

Lieutenant Colonel Olivier Lardans (French Army, Ret)

Former aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff, French Army

“Jake Fortina could just as well be called “Rick Fortina” or “An American in Paris” as Rick Steinke is so accurate with portraying the French way of life! I am delighted to testify what a suspenseful and thrilling ride this is. Read it and re-read it. Vous allez prendre du bon temps!”

John J. Le Beau, CIA Senior Operations Officer (Ret)

Author of Collision of Centuries

“Steinke’s addictive thriller raises the adrenalin level with each terse, dramatic, and gripping chapter. His protagonist Jake Fortina faces a mountain of challenges, some professional and deadly, others deeply personal. Foreign embassies, relentless terrorists and in-your-face realism combine to make this novel by a military and international security practitioner one book you won’t be able to put down.”

Staff Sergeant Samuel E. Askins (US Army, Ret)

Combat veteran, Iraq; Director, PTSD Foundation of America

“Loved this book! Through Jake Fortina, Colonel Steinke sets the stage perfectly with as accurate a depiction of a US Army infantry officer as I have ever read. His portrayal of the noncommissioned officer corps’ professionalism was spot on, and the struggles of military families and the sacrifices of military spouses were perfectly framed. A very engaging read, I highly recommend it to fellow veterans and look forward to Colonel Steinke’s next one. Geronimo!”

Lieutenant General Kenneth W. Hunzeker (US Army, Ret)

Distinguished Graduate, USMA, West Point; Former Commander, V Corps, and 1st Infantry Division

“Rick Steinke has written a must-read page turner that I found to be very relevant to the threats we see today. Full of intrigue and mystery, I enjoyed it immensely. Major Jake Fortina is an archetypal leader that represents many real-world warriors who have answered our nation’s call.”

Lauren Anderson

Former FBI Executive and Global Women’s Advocate

“What an exhilarating read! Imagine something worse than Covid-19. A weaponized version where only one country may have a vaccine that works. This is terrorism. Author Rick Steinke’s U.S. Army Major Jake Fontina, based in Paris, teams with experts from the FBI and their French and Italian counterparts, as one united team to disrupt this plan to kill millions. Steinke nails this global thriller with accuracy and plausibility.”

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)

Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy

1. Finalist, Chanticleer Global Thriller Book Awards for High Stakes Suspense, 2023 The 2023 GLOBAL THRILLER Book Awards Semi-Finalists (chantireviews.com)

The Jake Fortina Series

1. Finalist, Series Award List for Genre Fiction, 2023 Series Award 2023 Long List for Genre Fiction | (chantireviews.com)
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