Matt Drake is an operative in the Defense Intelligence Agency, he is still dealing with his last operation in which he barely survived but members of his team were killed and his best friend was crippled. Now the government wants him to go back into the throws of Syria. He is to find a scientist who is part of creating a weapon of mass destruction. He then has to rely on one person to get out at the end.
A good fast-paced story once you get past the beginning. After the set up you are taken for a page-turner a very good book if you are into these types of books. All of the characters are even bad guys.

Great first book. An exciting story centered on Syria but encompassing Washington, politics, a captured soldier, and a new DIA hero named Matt Drake and his sidekick Frodo. Certainly a relevant story with lots of action. It will be interesting to see the next book.

For fans of Brad Thor and Vince Flynn, this is a fast-paced military thriller is loaded with weapons descriptions, fight action, and political intrigue. A Ranger suffering from PTSD accepts an impossible mission to go back into Syria to bring home a captured comrade. Great characters and page turning action. Highly recommended.

Absolutely nail biting and completely engrossing. From page one to the last page this book kept my attention. Full of action and angst complete horror filled moments interspersed with humor and anger make this book completely necessary for those of us who like military-action susupese.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Without Sanction is a book about Matt Drake, a DIA operator whose failed mission killed a family and cripple his best friend. Even after months he is not doing well. He is called back to duty when a chemical weapon is going to fall into ISIS hands and the one person who can stop it will only work with Matt.
He goes back to Syria. Matt is on his own. Everyone, the CIA, and his own government are trying to stop him.
This is a book of nonstop action; Matt must use his own recourses in country to help save the day. You have suspended belief and just let the story unfold. I thought a few of the characters needed more back story, and maybe I missed a few clues – I got lost a little in the reasonings for not helping Matt.
As in any good action story, the good guys win and will fight another day. I thought the authors writing was very good. Thank you, Net Galley, I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book ‘

Without Sanction by Don Bentley, a well written and engaging title. Has a good premise that draws you in fast and keeps you hooked simply had a little too much foul language to be truly enjoyable for me.

Indicated as the first book in a new series featuring Matt Drake a flawed hero, but one with the brains, patriotism and will to get things resolved. In a mission taking place before the beginning of this novel 3 men were killed and his best friend also with them was permanently crippled. Matt blames himself for the failure of the botched action. After three months of feeling sorry for himself and drowning his sorrows he is unexpectedly called back by his supervisor to undertake a mission into Syria. The task will be to extract a Pakistani scientist working for ISIS who has perfected a new and terrible chemical aimed at killing Americans. He has offered to bring the formula to the United States in payment of being taken out and granted asylum there. The condition put is that he wants Matt to handle the operation.
Matt undertakes the job after learning that an American agent, the only survivor of a raid into the area has been captured and will be beheaded by his captors with the execution filmed to be used as propaganda. There is also a background scenario that takes place in the White house. The president is facing reelection for a second term and there are two high level officers of the government that are looking to control his actions to control events for their own benefit. The back ground action is a great piece of writing to underline the actual scheming, plotting and double dealing that occurs in government circles. And of course plans are laid, discarded and done again by the people working behind the scenes. Unfortunately for Matt the president and those on his high level staff are playing off the rescue of the captured American in different ways in order to seek their own gain. Mr Bentley does indeed have a low opinion of politicians and their maneuvering to bring themselves the greater good by just discarding the needs of those caught in their schemes.
Don Bentley has done a great job in building Matt's character. He has his faults, his missteps but in the final analysis will do the right thing to protect lives and punish his enemies. An excellent beginning to what I trust will be an anticipated series based on well described counter terrorism operations