You step out into a night darker than the Devils hip pocket.  Your breathing is assisted by the oxygen bottle attached to your chest as you plummet towards the earth. Everything you need to accomplish your mission is attached to your body because when you do land it will be in enemy territory, where even the smallest mistake could be your last.  This is what the Army calls HALO, high altitude low opening, you call it all part of the job, because you are Jeff Barkil, one of the first Snipers to work in Southeast Asia.
In the tradition of W.E.B. Griffin we get a look at the covert operations that may have been happening in the late 50’s in Viet Nam through the eyes of Jeff Barkil an elite sniper working for the CIA during the time just before our involvement became public. Come free fall from 20,000 feet into the enemies’ back yard. Move through the jungle with the stealth of a natural predator as you stalk your targets. Learn the risks and benefits of working with a team.

This is every bit as good as Mr. Stephens first book “Bearkiller” if not better. A definite page turner.

Edd Voss- Author- Washington

REVIEWS for HALO

Another D. J. Stephens success!

You will become hooked after the first few pages of HALO!  This being his second novel, I know now that I can count on D. J. Stephens wonderful writing style.  A no nonsense, spell-binding and gripping story.  You are with him page after page as he writes.  That is the way a novel should be written.  I look forward to his next novel with great anticipation.

Georgia Ziller- Editor/Reviewer

A Real Page Turner

When I set out to read this book, I knew it was totally out of the genre I usually read in.  I absolutely loved it.  The talent this author has is awesome.  I found it difficult to put this book down because I just wanted to know what would happen next in this action packed story of courage.  D.J. Stephens has opened up a whole new world for me in the book he has written.

This book is a military action adventure set in the late fifties and early sixties.  After being recruited to join the CIA, Jeffery Barkil goes from op to op with the intent to kill.  He knows he may never get to come home with each mission he accepts.  Jeff has to use everything he has ever been taught and more.  He has to dig deep into his basic instincts in order to survive the jungles of Southeast Asia, out smarting the enemy who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.  Jeff knows his accomplishments will never be made public, because where he goes is top secret and no one knows what he does, except him and the top brass that sends him.

This is a must read for those who thrive on action and adventure.  Jeff is one of our unsung hero’s…

Tory Lynn author of “My charming Protector”

The author's experience as a skydiver is evident in this story.

Halo (High Altitude Low Opening) is an acronym referring to military freefalling.

Highly trained and fearless, the main character, Sergeant Barkil, takes the reader on eleven harrowing clandestine missions in Southeast Asia.  The missions are undercover operations by the CIA.  Getting caught means denial of the operations and people involved.  The author does an excellent job in providing the reader with a vivid portrayal of events as they unfold.  Preparedness, leaving nothing to chance, with the will to risk all for the sake of the mission, gives this story lots of suspenseful action.

Don is knowledgeable on the subjects he writes about.  He has made 1400 parachute jumps and 21 were HALOs. Over 1100 of the jumps were freefalls from over 12000 feet.  As for the Special Ops, Don went through much of the training referenced in the book.  Although the book is a work of fiction, he makes his characters and the story believable.

I highly recommend this book and give it a five-star rating.

Abe F. March-Author "To Beirut and Back", (Germany)