Siege of Lightning

Tom Clancy meets NASA in this gripping alternate history scientific thriller. "A brilliant tale of industrial espionage and sabotage. An insider's look at the secretive world of space exploration." --Nelson DeMille "Move over Tom Clancy, there's a new kid on the block." --Library Journal on Ultimatum Years before NASA planned to travel to Mars, and before the International Space Station ever reached orbit, the future of America's space program hung in the balance.After the tragedy of the Space Shuttle CHALLENGER, the technicians of NASA hoped to create a failsafe shuttle, incapable of malfunctioning. With the brand-new Space Shuttle LIGHTNING, all systems were go . . .Then lightning struck twice.SIEGE OF LIGHTNINGAmerica's greatest technological achievement has been sabotaged. First an engine malfunctions. Then, another. Now LIGHTNING is desperately trying to land, racing against time--and a powerful and unseen enemy will do anything to make the first flight of LIGHTNING its last . . ."Chilling . . . a riveting climax."Joe Weber, bestselling author of DEFCON One"Heart stopping . . . one of the best thrillers of the year."--Charles Ryan, author of The Capricorn Quadrant"Gripping, spine-tingling and explosively brilliant."--Guy Durham, author of Stealth and Extreme Prejudice

"SIEGE OF LIGHTNING is a technically brilliant tale of industrial espionage and sabotage.  An insider's look at the secretive world of space exploration, and a peek into the future as the globe realigns itself, politically and economically.  R.J. Pineiro's first novel has a fresh feel to it while his writing has the force and polish of a veteran novelist.  A very fine, original story, very well told.  Truly a good read."  --Nelson DeMille, Bestselling author of The Gold Coast and The Charm School    "SIEGE OF LIGHTNING is a chilling espionage thriller that comes off the launch pad and accelerates to a riveting climax." Joe Weber, bestselling author of DEFCON One   "I found it an exhilarating read, and I compliment the writer on a well-crafted story.  The pacing is excellent, the characters well-rounded and sympathetic.  And the author's handling of complicated space technology is particularly solid.  From the explosive opening of the prologue to the heart-stopping climax, SIEGE OF LIGHTNING marks a splendid debut for Mr. Pineiro.  He's created a hellbent-for-leather ride and one of the best techno-thrillers of the year. I look forward to seeing his next novel." 
--Charles Ryan, author of The Capricorn Quadrant 
   
"Gripping, spine-tingling and explosively brilliant as any thriller you're likely to read this year.  R.J Pineiro makes an outstanding debut!  This one moves like a singed cat.  SIEGE OF LIGHTNING's author is that rare combination of fast-paced thriller writer and top-flight techno-researcher.  Pineiro might just be the next Michael Crichton!  Not only an excellent first novel, but a damned fine one regardless of vintage." 
--Guy Durham, author of Stealth and Extreme Prejudice