I was introduced to Caitlin Strong in Strong Cold Dead and I just love that book. Since then have I read the book after Strong to the Bone and now the latest one Strong as Steel.

Caitlin Strong followed in her father and grandfather's (and great grandfather's etc.) footsteps and become a Texas Ranger. One can say she was born to be one and she's a tough woman that grew up learning how to shot rather than playing girly games. In this book, she and her lover Cort Wesley Master faced with a mystery that goes a long way back in time. In 1994 her father Jim Strong stumbled over a mystery of missing cargo, mass murder and three bodies who just seemed to have died at the same time, but there are no visible wounds. What is the link between this case and a massacre in the present time and some skeletal remains are found in the Texas desert?

What I love about these books is not only does one get a lot of action and a great mystery, you also get flashbacks to past Strongs. Like in this book, when we also get to follow Jim Strong as he tries to solve the train massacre and what happened to the cargo. This story, of course, is linked to the present case and I particularly like how it had a personal effect on Caitlin. I eagerly read on to see if my theory was right about Cort Wesley Master son Dylan's new "girlfriend" and I was right. That is one hell of development. Now I can go on and on about details like this one, and others like how much I love Caitlin's not so subtle ways of trying to get her boss to stop smoking. Or the fascinating case of the dead men without any wounds. However, let's not spoil too much. So, I will just say this, yes the books are great and you can read them as stand-alone. If you like reading about Texas Rangers, or just compelling crime novels with strong female characters. Then, this is a series for you. On a side note, they should really make a TV-series about Caitlin Strong and the rest of the Strong Texas Rangers. That would be perfect. ( )

Strong As Steel (Caitlin Strong Novels) by Jon Land tells a story that begins with Texas Ranger Jim Strong, who is consumed by a mystery that has dumbfounded the elite lawmakers from the start. In 1994 a freight train is found abandoned, with dead bodies in abundance and no cargo. The mystery begins as there appears to be no logical explanation for the deaths, there being no outward signs of injury and no evidence to point to the cause of death. Add to that the strange disappearance of a cargo that has no record of its existence, and Jim Strong begins his quest to find the answers.

Twenty-five years later, and Jim Strong’s daughter, Caitlin, finds herself asking the same questions as her father when more mysterious deaths occur that are suspiciously similar. Caitlin has followed in her father’s footsteps and is a Texas Ranger, and she has inherited her father’s determination and dedication to the job. She sets out to unravel the mystery of the elusive containers and to discover their curious contents, whatever they may be. But there are others at work with a similar goal but a different purpose. Enter Molinari, a religious zealot determined to protect the secret of the past using whatever means necessary to accomplish his task.

Then we have a little girl as the ring-bearer at her father’s wedding who witnesses a massacre that molds her life’s journey as she becomes the deadly yet revered Luna Diaz Delgado, determined to rule by fear. Such is the roller coaster of this novel, a reader’s journey of mystery, hatred, deceit and murder, yet interspersed with family loyalty, an enigma from the past, hints of the supernatural, and a man who talks to ghosts.

There is so much in Strong As Steel, the tenth book (no less) in the Caitlin Strong series that it leaves the reader breathless in anticipation and turning the pages with expectation that all will be revealed and then being thwarted as the mystery deepens. Caitlin is all that her name suggests; strong in character and mind, unafraid of the consequences of her actions, still desirous of making her father proud, and yet at times there are glimpses of someone compassionate and controlled.

If the synopsis for Strong As Steel does not capture your imagination, then just open the book and you will be drawn in from the first page. The fact that this is the tenth book in the series is testament to the standard and quality of the writing, the vivid mind of the writer, the strong and well-developed characters, the Individuality of the protagonists, and that’s before even starting on the suspense that is created within the pages, culminating in a satisfying yet surprising ending. This is one of those books that the reader becomes so engrossed in, the end comes reluctantly. Author Jon Land, writes with confidence and credibility and brings these incredible characters to life with ease. I am proud to recommend Strong As Steel by USA Today best selling author Jon Land, an excellent 5 star read for lovers of mystery, action, suspense and adventure. ( )

Caitlin Strong is a fifth generation Texas Ranger and a throwback to the days when the Rangers were considered fierce and awe-inspiring law enforcement officers. Her latest adventures mirror her father's adventures from 25 years ago and it has to do with lost cargo, deaths from an unknown cause, a fearless Mexican cartel leader known as the Red Widow Spider, and a mysterious religious group known as the Order. Twenty-five years ago, Caitlin's father, Jim Strong along with D.W. Tepper, was investigating the mysterious deaths of three men found on a train along with the murders of the train crew and several hired guns. That investigation led to a trip to Mexico and an encounter with the infamous Red Widow Spider or Luna Diaz Delgado. That meeting eventually led to Jim Strong rescuing Luna from a hit squad sent by the Order. Twenty-five years later and Caitlin is dealing with a local computer company with ties to Homeland Security that has been decimated by another hit squad sent by the Order. Caitlin's significant other, Cort Wesley Masters is dealing with his own problems as he's recently suffered a TIA (transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke) that has caused a partial paralysis of his right hand and arm. His eldest son, Dylan, is preparing to head back to college after taking a year off and seems to have been targeted by a pharmaceutical sales representative that is quite interested in both Cort Wesley and Caitlin in addition to being attracted to Dylan. Caitlin's protector, Colonel Guillermo Paz, has recently escaped from a near hanging in Caracas and is back in Texas working at a preschool. Their Homeland security link, Jones, is working behind the scenes to try and figure out what was taken off of the train 25 years ago, where it has been hidden all this time, what exactly was in the freight, and why so many people want it. Little does Jones know that Caitlin is trying to answer the same questions and the answers just might be the end of the world as we know it.

I've read all of the previous Caitlin Strong novels and just when I think it can't get any better, Mr. Land releases a new book with a storyline that knocks me off my feet. I wish I could say I read Strong as Steel in one sitting, but I had to take multiple breaks due to migraine headaches. This story pulled me from the very beginning and it was difficult to see where Mr. Land was leading because there are several twists and turns in the story (no, I'm not revealing what they are!) but the action and storyline packs quite a punch. I enjoyed revisiting with Caitlin, Cort Wesley, Dylan, Captain D.W. Tepper, Jim Strong, Jones, Guillermo, and Young Roger (a Texas Ranger tech guru). There were a number of interesting characters introduced in this storyline, including Dylan's paramour - Selina Escalante, the Red Widow Spider - Luna Diaz Delgado, and just one of the bad guys to beat bad guys - Enrico Molinari - an enforcer/assassin for the Order. There's a lot of action in this story and at first it seems like it will be taking a pseudo-religious turn like The DaVinci Code, well it kind of, sort of does, but not really (trust me, that will make sense when you read the book). Strong as Steel offers a darn good suspense-thriller read with some violence, drama, religious turmoil, and more. Yes, I enjoyed reading Strong as Steel and highly recommend it to anyone that has read the previous books in this series. If you're a fan of suspense or thrillers or like to read books with a lot of action, then I encourage you to read the entire Caitlin Strong series. I can't wait to see what happens next with Caitlin and friends. ( )

1959, Turkey: A freighter, all the crew dead, takes out the Port of Ordu, just like in a Jurassic Park movie.

1904, Mexico: A little girl watches as her entire family is slaughtered at her parents wedding.

1994, Texas: The entire crew of a train, plus a few spare bodies, are found dead.

WTH is going on?

Caitlin is 14 years old, so it is her dad, Jim, on the case..

Present Day: Here comes Caitlin…with guns blazing. She has a sixth sense when it comes to tracking down her quarry. She is surrounded by unique and interesting characters that play vital roles in the story. The characters will face some personal challenges, but Cort has no doubt…Right is right and wrong is wrong.

I am very curious how Jon Land will bring everything together. I never worry about action, because he supplies plenty and keeps me reading, wanting to know all the answers.

I love the paranormal elements that blend in so well with the normal. Paz has visions and Cort has a root beer drinking ghost that supplies plenty of laughs to go with the danger and mystery.

Jon’s description of Caitlin’s Barbie and Ken dolls had me busting out laughing. It’s the little things like that which make Jon Land’s writing so fantastic.

I know a series can become repetitive, dry and past it’s prime, but so far Caitlin Strong is going strong and I look forward to seeing what he puts her through next.

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