I know I said I wouldn't bother you again; but OH, Mr. Coonts, a First Strike Assault Team face down in cow shit! That never happened to James Bond! As you can tell, the Librarian finally located "Cuba" for me. I got it yesterday and was almost finished this evening, when the team hit the shit. Just had to "vent" to you. I am savoring this reading like a rare wine, as I know there are no more until your fecund mind produces another enriching experience. I am already "Jonesing" as I cannot find my next read. You are still the only author I ever felt compelled to try and contact. Cannell is bubblegum, and I am dissapointed. It is a lot to ask, but could you, or your email screener, suggest other authors? Of course, they would not be able to equal your accomplishments. Ah ha, humm. How sweet it would be if you were "just folks" and we could sit in the post office trading perceptions, taking turns being Devil's Advocate; while we played "Howdy Neighbors." The invitation for coffee-talk will always stand if you ever come back to the Greenbrier, and none would know you were here; unless you decided to drive up in a Hummer (my Power Ball dream). Should you ever need technical advice of a medical or nursing nature, it is here and free; and will be correct. Before I delete your email address, I will get a bit syrupy. The soul of an author cannot be hidden in his writing. Yours is a beautiful soul. Thank you for your service to the America you so truly love and understand; both on Active Duty and with your incisive writing.
Linda Hunter January 23, 2009
 
Stephen
I have been reading your Jake Grafton novels in order and have just finished Cuba. I have really enjoyed the stories as I'm a naval aviation nut.  I didn't feel completely satisfaied with Cuba though. I felt there was some things missing - hardly a mention of Callie and Amy. Plus, no mention of Jack Yocke as I thought since he was in Cuba in a previous novel, that he would have some sort of role in Cuba - would you care to comment?
Geoff Brown February 17, 2008
 
Just a quick note of appreciation. I recently re-read Cuba, which I enjoyed so much I re-read Liberty. You are that rare combination of writer and storyteller, far better than Clancy. I look forward to your next Carmellini novel. Thanks!
Paul Ziegler March 8, 2007
 
Mr. Coonts,
Just finished reading your book "Cuba" and enjoyed it much. I visited Cuba at an agricultural expo a couple of years ago, and your observations were right on. We met Fidel, he was impressive. Obviously very intelligent and well read and looked in good health. Hard to understand how he can let his country wither in poverty when it could be THE vacation destination for the U.S. He's to blame as are the politicians who don't want to normalize with Cuba. Anyway, wanted to let you know I enjoyed the book. Just discovered you, and have read both Intruder books and Cuba. I'm a Cussler, Flynn, Baldachi fan, now you're on my list. Which of your book do you think is your best?
Lynn Ketelsen September 4, 2006
 
Mr. Coonts, Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your book CUBA. I had an opportunity to go to CUBA in 1999 with some people from my church. From my observations while I was there you hit-the-mark in your portraying the people and government. Then being a fan of Jake Grafton, it made the book that much more interesting. Thanks again!--Rob Ross

"I recently picked up your CUBA book at a yard sale. I must tell you I did it by mistake, I thought it was a Dean Koontz book. Anyway I read it and it turned out to be an awesome book. Up till now I only read Dean Koontz books. But that will change. I will be on the look out for your books when I go looking for yard sales from now on. GREAT BOOK! P.S.( I am not cheap, I would buy them new, but I'm currently unemployed pending disability.) Thank you and have a nice day!" -- C.G., March 21, 2004

"Mr. Coonts, I have an unusual request from you. After reading your novel CUBA my wife and I had a baby girl. (Dec. 27, 2000 ). My wife had named our first son and it was my turn to name our daughter. I named her Mercedes. In Cuba, Mercedes Sedano was such a strong willed woman, I wanted our daughter to have a strong name. What I am looking for is to purchase an autograph copy of this book, so that when Mercedes is older she can read it and know why I named her Mercedes. If you could do this I would appreciate this gesture." --John Jeffs November 27, 2003

"Dear Mr. Coonts, I wish to thank you for the pleasure I have got from reading your books over the last few months. I discovered CUBA in our book store and enjoyed it so much that I ordered all your other books from our local Library. I thought you would be interested to know that your excellent writing has a following as far away as New Zealand. I shall be keeping in touch with your web sight, to keep up to date with any new books as they come available." --Gary Boswell, June 6, 2001

"Mr. Coonts I just finished reading CUBA. I lived there until 1974 when I escaped on a raft with three other friends. We all made it. I was drafted and served in Cuba's armed forces for over three years. I
admired your book so well researched. I feel the end came too easy and quick. Unfortunately I feel the end will be much more bloody and difficult . Thanks for the good time reading it." --alegoria Nov 29, 2000

"Mr Coonts~ I just finished reading most of CUBA that I found laying in the wardroom lounge, before casting it over the side, nauseated. I'll say one thing, Pat Schroeder, Janet Reno, Coughlin, Patricia Ireland and Hillary would be very proud of you sir. The way you were able to so adroitly emasculate yourself and suck up to the feminists, and tail hook hypocrites was most impressive sir! You have absolutely proved yourself to be a good dutiful politically correct eunuch a la Clintonian era. There were many good men that were drummed out of the Navy in the past 10 years because of your vaunted female hypocrites and their lies, only to turn around and defend that bastard in the White House lockstep last year. Your glorifying all these bimbo hypocrites in your book was pathetic sir. I'm sure you are well positioned in the George Stephanopoulos, Ken Bacon Hall of fame with that one by now. In my 24 years in the service of the USN I have never seen someone kowtow to the hypocritical military feminist lobby in such a degrading manner. OK you may have won over many of the soccer moms and feminazis and Cabinet style alternate lifestyle women, but in doing so you have alienated so many of us war fighters (we all agree that this was PC pulp), that came to respect you in "The Flight of the Intruder." When I really see a female LTJG TAO I'll call you. I have yet to see even a male one (non-LDO) in my time in CDCs and CICs. And all that bunk about the "finest pilot in the V-22s" as that other overbearing female, please sir who are you really trying to impress beside the White House West Wing, the rainbow flag coalition, et al. Well Mr. there is going to be a whole different sheriff in the White House tomorrow, are you going to change your style to reflect that new wind that may blow the opposite direction? Probably not by now. That book was enough to make Jake blow his chow. Good day Mr. Coonts"
--J K Langlois, November 7, 2000

"Although I have read several of your novels and enjoyed them, I was sorely disappointed in your shallow dig to President Clinton ("Cuba")... a liar of Clintonian Proportions. Lets keep your personal digs out of your fiction. If I want to read that crap I can find all of it I want in the "New Republic" Magazine. Unless, of course, you might want to refer to the 58 million dollars the Republicans spent to find out about the cigar, as they ignored the wishes of the American People to spend our money on their partisan politics." --Capt. Ron Ackerman, October 9, 2000

"Dear Mr. Coonts: It was really good to meet you and hear you speak this evening at Bibelot Books in Timonium. It's something I've looked forward to for a long time, though I wasn't ever sure it was going to happen. I meant it when I said, "CUBA is the least homogenous book about Cuba that I've ever read." Your multi-faceted view of Castro, as an institution and as a human being, was perhaps your most keenly insightful view you've offered us. I'm sure it brought previously unvisited perspectives to many of your readers; I know it did to me. HONG KONG is next on my reading list and I'm really looking forward to it." --Jeff Vaughn, September 26, 2000

"Mr. Coonts, I just wanted to drop a line and tell you how much I enjoy your novels. I am a police officer in the suburbs of Chicago and work straight night shift. When things calm down in the early morning I always try to find a little out of the way spot and crack one of your books. I've just finished reading CUBA last night and thought it was outstanding! I've read each of your books at least twice and must confess I've read FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER and INTRUDERS five times each. As I read those books I feel as if I'm right there in the A-6 with Grafton. I look forward to reading HONG KONG and wish you the best on future projects. You are a fine writer and I savor every chapter than I read. I've read hundreds of books and keep coming back to Jake, Toad and Rita time and time again. Thank-You for your writings and a chance to get out of my squad and into an A-6!" --Kevin Bretz, September 14, 2000

"Steve, I wrote you earlier this summer, after I finished CUBA; telling you how much I enjoyed it. Well, I just finished FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER, and I loved it. These Grafton novels of yours are incredible! I was amazed to learn that my favorite author lives in the same city as I after reading
the inside of the back cover of FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER. If you would like to help me with writing when school starts, That'd be great... Don't you think of quitting writing such great books, I'd be devastated! Thanks a lot." --Tom Hess, August 5, 2000

"Damn you, Coonts. Okay, now that I have your attention, I just wanted to commend you for the work done in CUBA. Damn you for writing such brilliant work. I couldn't put it down! With most novels, even the good ones, I take my time. An okay novel will get read in a month. A really good one gets read in a week. With CUBA? 36 hours. Tops. You're lucky they don't list your writing as a controlled substance! It's that addictive!" --Brad R. Torgersen June 27, 2000

"Dear Mr. Coonts: I have been a fan since my mother bought me UNDER SIEGE to read during a bout with bronchitis some years ago. I couldn't put it down, and went on to read the rest of your books. I have re-read them all many times, and they still excite and thrill me (I suppose it helps to have bad memory retention!). I have just bought CUBA, and saw the blurb about your website, and it is now bookmarked. 18 pages into the book, and I'm already riveted. Don't ever let Jake Grafton retire!!!" --Bert Wombacher June 2, 2000

"Mr. Coonts, I'd like to thank you for the excellent series of books you have authored. As a non-pilot but someone who has always been in love with flying since my earliest memories your books have taken me just about as close as I'm ever likely to come to military flying. I just picked up a copy of CUBA and would agree with one of the reviewers that one of the greatest strengths in your work is that characters are multi-faceted! It is why I prefer books with Stephen Coonts as the author over all others!" --William Croninger, May 14, 2000

"Steve, I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous books. Probably the best writing I've ever read was in FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER, when Grafton met up with an F4 pilot who'd already bolted two or three times in the middle of the night, in the middle of a typhoon, and had only enough for one more try. I must've read that whole chapter a dozen times, because I could almost feel that stick jiggling against the heavy wind, the A6 bucking and struggling to keep the right heading, the incredible fear of the F4 pilot being calmed and relaxed a bit by Grafton. What a ride it was! And what a shame that the scene was left out of the movie! So, please keep up the good work, friend. I just picked up CUBA, and I'll
be ready for the next book by this weekend!" --Alex Crossan May 2, 2000

"Dear Stephen, Just a short e-mail to let you know how thoroughly I have enjoyed your books over the last 8 to 10 months, I can' t remember which one I read first but once I had read it. I tried to read as many of your books as possible, I have just taken CUBA out of the library, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens, I just hope you write more books over the coming years to keep me going because you are now one of my favorite writers along side Clancy, Terry Brookes and Tolkien. My name is Peter Ferguson and I am from Scotland. By the way can't wait until September to read HONG KONG." --Peter Ferguson April 13, 2000

"You did it again! I was crazy about FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER, but was less enthralled by the Jake Grafton sequels. Not that I didn't enjoy them, but the situations just seemed a bit too contrived. But, you struck pay dirt with Cuba. I've just finished it and had to write to tell you that you really found the magic again with your latest entry into the Grafton series. The character development of all the new players, especially the Cubans, the pacing, the parallel stories all tying together as the big picture opened up are marvelous. I enjoyed Cuba more than any other book I've read in quite some time. Congratulations and thanks." --Philip M. Reed January 5, 2000

"Wow! I have always enjoyed ALL of your books, even while re-reading them. This book is a MASTERPIECE of writing. Tom Clancy could learn a few things from you. I only wish that I could have gotten an autographed copy of this one.........I'll probably read it again in a few months, it
was so well done." --Randy Donahue, November 22, 1999

"Mr. Coonts: I am a very busy lawyer, with cases all over the country, and travel too much. I find that with the stress of what I do (Plaintiff pharmaceutical products cases) my life seems a little better when I am involved in a book. I have read every word of every book you have written, and must tell you that the diversion that your writing supplies has become a vital part of my life. I used to be a heavy duty fan of Ludlum (got real boring and indistinguishable); Clancy (got too heavy and long winded); and still really enjoy Dale Brown, who I equate with your style. But, I really look forward to your next book, all the time. Cuba was fabulous. It showed a realistic and maybe too realistic scenario, and it held me from cover to cover. Please don't kill off Jake for a while. He will make a great Senator or Congressman one day, as the Chair of the Senate or House Committee on whatever. He'll also make a very cool SECDEF! I can not wait to see what you do next. It is great to see that there is life after law, for a recovering Lawyer, such as yourself." --Mike Hugo October 27, 1999

"Mr. Coonts; I purchased CUBA yesterday, read the first forty-five pages and will now decide if it is worth reading or if it belongs in the trash can. On page 45 you write, `...America was a fact of life, like shit.' It is regrettable that you would draw such a comparison since it was America that educated you and gave you an aircraft to toy with during your youth. The `like shit' was not only in very poor taste, but it was unnecessary. Where did our NAVY fail you?" --Merle L. Harbourt, August 30, 1999

"Just finished CUBA. Extraordinary book. Your best since FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER". It goes without saying that I look forward to all of your novels and have them all in hardcover. Keep up the excellent work, although topping CUBA will be difficult. What a movie or miniseries that would make!!!! Thank you for sharing your gift with those of us who enjoy a good book."
--Jerlobie, Aug 29, 1999

"I picked up CUBA last week at the local Costco. I have all your books in hardback at this time. Very much enjoy your writing. I am a 57 year old detective working narcotics for the San Diego Police Department (33 years now). This afternoon my wife and went drove down to Harbor Island along San Diego Bay and I finished the book amid the jets and helicopters from North Island Naval Air Station and the commercial jets leaving Lindbergh Field. Kind of added a sense of realism during the air attack over Havana. Keep up the excellent work." --Ron King

"Steve, I just wanted to tell you what I thought of "CUBA".............WOW
I had the good fortune of obtaining an Advance Reading Copy and just finished it last night. Laughing, I actually fell asleep at my desk here a few minutes ago. I could say "Don't do that Steve" but then where would that leave us other than wide awake and no Stephen Coonts. One of your biggest fans," --David Nye, June 25, 1999

"Now that is amazing timing. I just finished reading CUBA, came in to check my e-mail thinking as I did that I should send an e-mail to Stephen Coonts congratulating him on another winner, and discovered the e-mail announcing CUBA. One of the great things about the Jake Grafton series is that each book is like a visit with old friends. A good story line, believable characters and plenty of excitement would be enough to make the books well worth reading, but seeing Jake, Toad and Rita in action again is a tremendous bonus. Each time I finish reading one of your books for the first time I wonder how you can top that one. Then a year or so later you tell a story that is at least as good as the last one. Well done, shipmate!" --Jack Jeffords, Aug 10, 1999

"Terrific book, Mr. Coonts. I bought it as soon as it hit the shelf. Jake Grafton just keeps getting better." --Markus Wolfe, Aug 10, 1999

"KEEP THEM COMING , I'VE BEEN READING THE JAKE GRAFTON STORY LINE FOR YEARS. MY BROTHER EVEN STARTED INTO YOUR BOOKS A FEW YEARS BACK; WENT AS FAR AS NAMING HIS DAUGHTER CALLIE, HE LIKED THE NAME SO MUCH. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, HOPE TO SEE MORE OF IT."
--Neale Armstrong, Cayuga, Ontario, Canada, Aug 10, 1999

"I just finished "Cuba", and was pleased to see you had a website for those of us who are interested in your work. I have enjoyed the journey that you took me on, and wish to thank you for the hours of enjoyment that I have had thanks to your books. Reading for information has always been important to me, but I now look forward to reading for the adventure. Thanks to you and a few select authors
(Edward L. Beach, Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, etc.) I have found the true joy and fun of reading. I hope that the writing process is as much fun for you as reading your work is for me."
--Danny Will, August 14, 1999

"Once again, I find myself in awe at Steven Coonts' latest creation. I was introduced to Flight of the Intruder when my brother went off to College about six years ago. I found it on his bed. I opened it up that night, and didn't put it down until I finished it. I find myself camping out at the bookstore waiting for new books to come out. I bought CUBA about 45 minutes ago, and can't wait to get home to read it. Even while I am waiting for e-mail notification of new books, I find myself rereading the old ones, and still having the same awe and amazement as the first time I read them. Mr. Coonts, if you are reading this, again, let me congratulated you on an incredible book series. You have a talent unlike any author I have read. Congratulations on your latest book, and keep up the good work, because I can't wait to see what you come out with next!"