Literary Titan Interview March 1, 2025

My Most Crucial Audience

Charles Stewart Author Interview

In Sky Thunder, a specialized team of operatives infiltrates Russian territory in an attempt to sabotage the development of advanced weaponry. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

There were several things. While researching the following plot for the Colt Hawkins Series, I found information about China and an actual stealth missile, which they call Sky Thunder. The name alone caught my attention. Combined with an old book I read in high school, I believe it was from the 1970s called The Five Fingers by Gayle Rivers. It is a classic Vietnam War Novel.

I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?

All my action scenes are from combat or training scenarios I have experienced or witnessed.

The scenes would speak independently if I could add a “real” element to my writing. In the opening scene of Sky Thunder, Colt is having a flashback as he sleeps. The dream was a real-life sniper mission that I was a part of in Iraq when I was a soldier.

I think many of the writing of characters in my genre are made to be superhuman. So, I use this for several reasons, such as a flashback to show that Colt is vulnerable to what he has done in the past. I wanted my characters to have flaws, making them more relatable to my readers.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

That is an excellent question, and there are a few, such as the importance of perseverance and the search for identity. Those two resonate because I write to cope with my mental health and struggles as a combat veteran.

When I first started writing, I felt that if veterans enjoyed my stories, I won as a writer. They were, first and foremost, my most crucial audience. But I realized that there was more to it than that.

It is for anyone who reads my stories. Regardless of your life struggles, you have to find your balance, give yourself a mental health check, forget what everyone else is doing in their lives, and concentrate on yourself- Search for identity. I asked myself many times after I stopped wearing a uniform and was struggling with my mental health.

At some point, you have to “Stay in the Fight.” A fight for your self-perseverance. What do you have to do to make those adjustments or changes? I wanted to be an example that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If I can do it, anyone can.

Colt and all my characters are consistent in self-evaluating.

Can we look forward to seeing more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?

I have a lot going on. Book three of the Colt Hawkins Series, Rogue Vengeance, 75k words, is finished, and the final edit is complete. I am going to query a few agents on this work. I am finishing up book four, The Price of Freedom, which has over 100k words and is a pivotal piece in the series.

I also have a Dungeon and Dragon Fantasy Novel outlined for a series. I have outlined a one-off-only novel with the setting starting at the end of World War Two that will be an Adult Thriller.

Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon

Charles A. Stewart, a highly decorated U.S. Army combat veteran of Desert Storm, was also a sniper in Iraq and Afghanistan under Special Operations Command. During his twenty-six-year career, he served worldwide in the most dangerous places on earth. Charles was also a High Threat Personal Security Specialist for government agencies. Charles has completed his new book, “Sky Thunder”: a gripping and potent work of fiction that keeps the pages turning until its provocative conclusion.

“Sky Thunder” is the story of the men and women of one of the world’s most elite and secretive paramilitary organizations. Special Activities Division of the CIA, Former Tier One Operator Colt Hawkins is gritty, smart, honorable, battle-tested, and devoted to his fellow operators and his country, who are frequently put in harm’s way by the evils of the world.

Colt Hawkins has recently retired from the military and is now a CIA Operative engaged with NASA Director Dr. Liberty Starr. A new team has been assembled on their first mission in Morrocco to protect a CIA spy transferring a defecting Chinese Scientist. During the defection, Vlad Benchiko, the mastermind behind the Dallas bombings, and Wahid Madi and Amal Sefer, the two Iranian-trained radical terrorists who were also responsible for all the killing and destruction in Texas, catch Task Force 24 and the CIA off-guard, trying to stop the defection.

The scientist discovered a secret about Russia and China collaborating to develop the first strike weapon, a stealth missile called Sky Thunder. The new President is determined to obtain the innovative technology that America abandoned and orders the mission- seize the technology and destroy a secret facility deep inside Russia in the Caucasus Mountain ranges. Colt leads his team, U.S. Army Special Forces members, and U.S. Navy Seals into a never-attempted-before feat. Inside the White House, a Chinese double agent is a top advisor and part of the President’s inner circle.

CIA Special Activities Division Task Force 24 retrieves the technology. Another team is ambushed by Vlad and his army of mercenaries of Red Star Group. At the same time, the President gives the abort order, afraid of being blamed and giving the White House a black eye, leaving the CIA operatives inside Russia to fight for their survival, not giving up Dr. Liberty Starr and the CIA team with Washington insiders try to save Colt and the men and women in Russia.

An unbreakable bond is forged when people sacrifice their lives for each other to bring these brave men and women home.