TITUS RAY

       Titus Ray is an agent with the CIA.
       He has been one for quite a few years, having joined the Agency in 1980 during the Iran Hostage crisis. When a junior agent reflected on that time and referred to Ray as an 'old-timer', he replied quickly that he preferred the word 'seasoned'. Either would certainly fit because since he had moved into the second half of his 20's. Recently divorced from a two year marriage that just did not work out, he needed something to occupy him and being an operative somewhere had always been in his mind.
       From his father Ray had inherited a dark complexion and thick black hair which has aided him greatly in his covert occupation. He could, if dressed properly, blend in well in any Central or South American locale. He could as easily be assimilated into just about every Middle Eastern region. Add to that his impressive skill in learning languages, of which he speaks several fluently, including dialects, and his ability to merge in is complete. Regarding that knack with languages, he says "It's just a gift. It doesn't take me long to acquire fluency in any language".
       Regarding his appearance, he is pleased with it for two reasons. The first is that it is attractive: "Years ago, someone had told me I was a pretty good-looking guy. Since then, no one had told me otherwise." The second is that it is not exceptionally attractive, therefore it is not remarkable: "My trainers at The Farm had described my face as one that 'blended'. They considered that a good thing. Put me in a restaurant, a bus station, a mosque, and I blended right in. I didn't draw attention".
       We pick up Ray's adventures nearing what many would consider the end of a career, especially in government-speak. He could be looking at retirement and considering the relationship he will establish with a female police officer in Norman, OK, he might himself be thinking it except Ray is by no means done and though he is getting older, he is still going strong.

Interesting line:
"I was a Level 1 covert intelligence officer at the CIA, and [he] was my handler. He handled things. Most of the time, I let him."

       A decent amount of publishing blurb-age is spent talking about Titus Ray's newly found Christianity and it does play a role in his new life. That made me hesitant because, though I attend services myself (not as often as I should), I have an inner fear of being preached to. Don't like it. Don't want it. However! I do like this series. A lot!
       This is some darn good writing. Really good. Prose that flow of the pages leaving delicious tastes on the tongue. Descriptions that put you wherever quickly and easily and pleasantly and completely enough you can smell the hummus. Action that is steady and important and intelligent. Spycraft that is so realistic sounding I believe it. And characters I would love to go out to dinner with - well the good ones (the bad guys, not so much).
       Preachy? Not enough to worry about, which I did and found I needn't have.
       This author can write!