“The president of the United States…is missing.”

At a ceremonial meeting in Amman, Jordan, four world leaders --- the President of the United States, Harrison Taylor; King Abdullah II of Jordan; Israeli Prime Minister Daniel Lavi; and President of the Palestinian Authority Salim Mansour --- have joined together for the signing of a historic peace agreement. However, moments before the event even begins, powerfully armed and innumerable ISIS troops on foot and in the air wage a shocking attack against the Jordanian palace, the location of the ceremony, and all those gathered to witness it. 

J. B. Collins, a correspondent for The New York Times, is there to report on the event, yet is caught in the carnage, as hooded ISIS foot soldiers, with pilots and their planes shooting heavy artillery, overrun the king’s compound. Along with King Abdullah II, Collins helps to rescue the Palestinian President, the Israeli Prime Minister and the King’s family, and they drive furiously to the airport, where Secret Service agents have taken President Taylor. 

But when they arrive, they discover that Jordan’s beautiful new airport terminal has been obliterated, along with many of the planes. Air Force One has disappeared. And there is no sign of President Taylor.

"With an uncanny ability to evaluate current world events and create a story based on what might happen next, Rosenberg’s thrillers are always impeccably crafted and compelling reads."

Thus begins THE FIRST HOSTAGE and a thrilling rollercoaster ride of a story. Collins is swept along from one explosive event to another. Denied publication of the President’s disappearance by his editor (due to lack of evidence), the correspondent breaks the story on Twitter, 140 characters at a time. Although he’d normally never publish a story without the approval of his editor, Collins feels that it is crucial for America to know that the President is missing. And the story explodes on the internet. With many of the world’s top reporters dead at the scene of the ISIS attack, Collins is one of the few who witnessed it and knows what’s going on…and is willing to tell the story from a Jordanian bunker, where he’s taking refuge with King Abdullah II, his advisors and military leaders (who, by the way, also censor his reporting abilities, as they’re desiring not to leak important evidence to ISIS).

During the search that ensues for President Taylor, the Jordanian and American militaries partner. It’s almost certain that ISIS forces have taken the President. But where could they possibly be hiding him? The military leaders have their suspicions, but should they risk an attack on what might be the wrong location? To further complicate matters, they believe that a mole is feeding critical information to ISIS. And one suspect is Collins. Can the FBI, the CIA, his Mossad spy friend Yael and Collins himself track down the mole and prevent the sharing of more crucial data? Before this adventure is over, Collins will step outside of his role of observer and reporter into a terrifying world of hostages, special ops and rescue missions. Most importantly, though, can they find and free the President of the United States?

Join Collins and a fascinating cast of characters in Joel C. Rosenberg’s latest incredible book. With an uncanny ability to evaluate current world events and create a story based on what might happen next, Rosenberg’s thrillers are always impeccably crafted and compelling reads. THE FIRST HOSTAGE is the second in the J. B. Collins series, following the equally exciting events of THE THIRD TARGET. I recommend that you get your hands on both books and settle in for an enthralling reading experience.