From Russia Without Love (21 page)

I’d like to thank SEAL sniper veteran Kyle Defoor for training me in assault rifle and pistol to help me prepare for this novel. In Afghanistan, Kyle was part of Operation Anaconda, where he fought in the Battle of Takur Ghar and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. The operation succeeded in killing hundreds of Al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists, taking away their control of the Shahi-Kot Valley.

I greatly appreciate Carol Scarr and Danielle Poiesz for their editorial advice on early drafts of this book.

Most of all, I am thankful for the support of my wife, Reiko, and children, Kent and Maria.

Since elementary school,
STEPHEN TEMPLIN
felt a need to write, dreaming of becoming a novelist. Now he is a
New York Times
and international bestselling author with the movie rights to one of his movies purchased by Vin Diesel. Steve’s books have been translated into thirteen languages. He is a “hybrid” author who maintains active book contracts with top publishers such as Simon and Schuster and St. Martin’s Press while also publishing independently.

After high school, he completed Hell Week, qualified as a pistol and rifle expert, blew up things, and practiced small unit tactics during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. Later, Steve left the Navy and became a missionary. Then, for fourteen years, he lectured as a tenured professor at Meio University in Japan, where he also practiced the martial art aikido. Currently, he lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

To connect with Steve and for updates about new releases, as well as exclusive promotions, visit his website and sign up for his VIP New Releases newsletter at
http://www.stephentemplin.com.