Daniel Briggs #2Here it is. Thanks to the diligent work of the Novels Live team and our Beta Readers, Fallen is now LIVE and ready for you, my closest Corps Justice friends, to download for only 99-cents (this pricing will only be available for two days so don't wait). Due to my new exclusivity term with Amazon, this book will only be available to purchase on Amazon. It is also available via Kindle Unlimited if you've subscribed to that program. But for those who love your other devices, don't forget that the Kindle app is FREE to download. I'll shut up now and let you use the links below to get your copy. Enjoy and don't forget to leave a review! Book Description I lost track of the drinks... Deeper and deeper I go... This next stop may be my last. Another town, another problem. Former Marine sniper Daniel Briggs slips from locale to locale, the haze a comforting pillow, but inevitably the chips fall hard. Daniel finds himself in Maine, courtesy of a small hamlet called Old Orchard Beach. While everything seems quaint on the surface, the veteran sniper soon finds himself pitted between evils. Which one will he choose...or which one will choose him? Check out the rest of the Corps Justice novels >> HERE <<NEW FREE BOX SETI'm excited to let you all know that I've bundled the first two Corps Justice novels (which most of you have already read) with the first two novels from my good friend L.T. Ryan. We're calling the collaboration Noble Justice. He's a big reason I've gotten to where I am now, and if you haven't read his stuff, check it out today. Get a FREE copy of the box set now. Here are the links: Amazon US: http://bit.ly/1Bh5Tt6 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1K9TY5w Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Rav75D Apple: Coming Soon. PAPAL JUSTICEGood news. We just wrapped up the first draft of Papal Justice and next week begins the proofing and editing phase. The plan is to publish the new novel by June 20th. It's the longest Corps Justice novel to date, and the Novels Live crew and I had a blast building it. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading late into the night. Can't wait to get it into your hands. FALLENNext week I begin the second book in the Daniel Briggs saga. Check out the new cover and the blurb below... I lost track of the drinks... Deeper and deeper I go... This next stop may be my last... Another town, another problem. Former Marine Daniel Briggs slips from locale to locale, the haze a comforting pillow, but inevitably the chips fall hard. Daniel finds himself in Maine, courtesy of a small hamlet called Old Orchard Beach. While everything seems quaint on the surface, the veteran sniper soon finds himself pitted between two evils. Which one will he choose...or which one will choose him? NEW DECALSWe've got some new decals for the rock bottom price of $1.99 (includes shipping). Get yours HERE. ALL THE NOVELSWe have a lot of new team members and I know some of you are wondering where to find all the Corps Justice novels. Here they are in order, and all the links to purchase from the main site are HERE, or click on any of the book covers below. DANIEL BRIGGS NOVELS MEMORIAL DAY I hope you all have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget to pause for a second and say a silent thanks to those who paid the ultimate price.
Semper Fi, CGC Lethal Misconduct First, a big thanks to everyone who's purchased a copy of Lethal Misconduct this month. It's doing fantastic on Amazon. That would not have happened without you. If you don't have a copy yet, or haven't had a chance to leave a review, here's the link: http://amzn.to/1yjB9e0. Moral Imperative The Novels Live team and I have been hard at work on Moral Imperative. The first draft will be done by next Friday, the 26th. Expect the novel to be published right around the middle of October. It's been a lot of fun, and I think you're really going to like it. ISIS beware... Reviews Thanks to everyone who spent the time to leave a review for one of my books. You don't know how much they mean to me and they really help the series grow. End of The Year Plans I can't believe it's almost October. 2015 is right around the corner. But don't worry, that doesn't mean I'll be sitting around drinking Famous Grouse and eating bonbons. Disavowed will be the final novel published in 2014. Help kick me in the ass so I can get it out before Christmas. Next Year Due to the continued success of the Corps Justice series, I am fully committed to bringing you as many new novels as you can handle. That means next year is going to be busy. I'm planning eight to ten new novels in 2015 alone.
Ambitious? Yes. Doable? Totally. I'd love to know what else you'd like to see from Cal and the gang. What things are happening in the world that you want to see resolved? Feel free to let me know via email or in the COMMENTS section of this post. Thanks again for everything, and have a fantastic weekend. Semper Fidelis, CGC I don't know how much you follow the news. I can't stand watching it, but I do read it online. Have you seen the reports coming in from Iraq about the ISIS and the swath of destruction they're leaving? Conquering? Beheading? Murder? It's pissing me off. You know me. I usually try to give every side of the political spectrum a fair shake, but this time I've had enough. Since I can't pick up a rifle and swim to the desert, I'm going to write about it. It's all I can think to do. It's time for Cal and the gang to take their rodeo overseas...
This is where you come in. I'm going to write this novel LIVE and it starts now. That means that in addition to the other novel I'm writing, I will also be writing one chapter every day for the LIVE novel. This will become a full length published novel. I'd love for you to be involved and give me feedback as I go. It'll be raw and unedited, but fueled by the news coming in from overseas. Here's your chance. If you're pissed about what ISIS is doing, or just want to read more of my stuff, help me with the new novel by joining HERE. The first thing I'll need help with: coming up with a title for the book. Submit your ideas for the book title in the COMMENTS section below. Once I have the title I'll get a cover designed. You'll be there every step of the way. Like the choose your own adventure drill we had a couple months back, you will only be part of the project if you subscribe HERE. I'll say that again: if you are on the main Corps Justice list you WILL NOT be getting the LIVE updates. So if you want to wait for the finished novel, don't do anything. Totally cool. So what do you say? Are you in? Semper Fidelis, CGC Need that link again? Here it is: http://forms.aweber.com/form/38/1878681338.htm Box Set (Books 1-3) Free I've built my readership with the help of book giveaways. I'm happy to do it because I want a rabid team who loves Corps Justice novels. To that end, I've changed the first three book box set price to FREE to see how far we can grow the family. Help me spread the word by sharing them with your friends and downloading a copy for yourself. Get your own FREE copy and submit a review by clicking HERE to help me push the box set higher in Amazon's rankings. Thanks in advance! The Big Push Now begins the big second half of the year push. Here's what I'm planning as far as new releases:
Amazing Ideas I asked and you delivered. In my last update I mentioned wanting your ideas for upcoming novels. Without giving anything away, I think the combined power of the group gave me kindling to fire up at least four new installments for next year. If you haven't chimed in, feel free to do so by clicking HERE. Reviews Needed If you read and liked National Burden, I'd love help with some more reviews. As of today, there are 21 reviews on Amazon. Let's see how high we can boost that number. If you have a second, tell the world how much you liked it by clicking HERE. The Books In Order Some of you who are new to the Corps Justice family have asked what order to read my books in, so here's the list in chronological order (click on the titles to be redirected to the Amazon purchase page): Prequels: Short Stories: Upcoming Releases I'm hard at work on Lethal Misconduct. Look for an August release after a much needed R&R trip where I'll be sippin' and fishin' with some of my closest friends. Here's the new cover for the next, next Corps Justice installment, Disavowed. Basic premise: Cal's best friend, Marine Capt. "Andy" Andrews, is on loan to the CIA and gets nabbed by the enemy in Afghanistan. Disavowed by the CIA and the Marine Corps, Cal's the only one left who can save his friend. Lots of battles coming in this one. After the two books listed above, I'll have time to write one more novel to finish out the year. Tell me below what you think it should be about. The winner gets bragging rights and a shout out in the book. Back To War To Be A Graphic Novel! I'm really excited about this. Every since I was a kid I wanted to draw cartoons. Too bad I never picked up that gift. Stick figures and terrain models were more my thing. Luckily I met two very talented artists who've tackled the insane challenge of adapting Back to War into a graphic novel. When I'm saying these guys are amazingly talented I'm not exaggerating. They're shooting for a December 2014 release, and as we get closer I'll introduce you to them. You guys get to get an advanced sneak peek of some of their work. Take a look at some of my favorites: Interview With Author Steven Konkoly Some of you may have read some of Steven Konkoly's work. He's a former Navy guy who's tackling some awesome stories. Check out the quick interview I did with him HERE. Have any parting thoughts? Let me know by replying in the COMMENTS section or via email. Semper Fidelis, CGC >> Buy the rest of my books HERE << Tomorrow is the 4th of July where, in America, we celebrate Independence Day. It's a time for remembering our history and celebrating with copious amounts of hot dogs and beer alongside friends and family. For those who've served, it's a time to remember old comrades and shed a few proud tears at the sound of our national anthem. You don't have to be an American to know the feeling you get when your nation's flag is raised, and for a moment you pause to reflect what it means to you. This Independence Day I'd like to say how proud I am to be surrounded by patriots like you. We come from around the world, but we've joined together as a team, maybe even a family. Every time I get an email from one of you, and we spend a few minutes swapping sea stories, it takes me back to my time in the Marine Corps when I felt like I could take over the world. I feel that way again, and it's only been because of your unwavering support. With your help, I want to make Corps Justice a brand that is recognized around the globe as one that stands for patriotism and outstanding heroes. We don't have enough heroes in the world. This 4th of July, YOU are one of mine. Semper Fidelis, C. G. Cooper P.S. Thanks to you guys National Burden is climbing the charts on Amazon. P.P.S If you haven't had a chance to submit a review for National Burden, feel free to do so here: http://amzn.com/B00L2X37QS P.P.P.S Thought you might like to get a little taste of Lethal Misconduct below. "Lethal Misconduct" Excerpt (WARNING: SUPER DUPER LIGHTLY PROOFED AND EDITED. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...) Chapter 1 North Florida Regional Medical Center Gainesville, Florida 7:00am, April 6th He walked with a practiced air, looking perfectly at home in his blue scrubs and well worn camouflage patterned scrub cap. Hospital staff were too busy with morning turnover and rounds to notice him. Besides, he looked like any number of surgeons, trim, serious, all business. It hadn’t been hard getting into the most secure halls of the hospital. He’d been in too many to count and knew the level of deference given to doctors. He was a doctor, after all, just not a physician currently affiliated with any facility within the United States. It wasn’t impossible that someone would stop him, but it had only happened once in his travels. In the end, he’d reluctantly aborted that mission. Finding patients was the easy part. Selecting the right one was tricky considering his dwindling supply. Success was paramount. What he wouldn’t give for access to his old lab. But that was impossible. He ignored the bored look of a sleepy nurse and grabbed a chart from a metal rack. It wasn’t his first trip into the ward. He’d had to find his target beforehand, had to make sure the patient fit the profile. Failure would not be tolerated. He wouldn’t allow it. Examining the chart as he walked, the intruder scanned the notes confirming his own determination. Diagnosed weeks earlier. Cancer. Terminal. According to her physician’s scribbled notes, she’d been told, but didn’t believe she was dying. He opened the door to Room 307 after knocking lightly. “Hello?” Came the sleepy voice from inside and slight creaking of the hospital bed. The doctor switched on the light inhaling the smell he’d come to associate with impending death, antiseptic cleaning solutions and a forced cleanliness. “How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Miller?” he asked, still studying the chart, careful not to make direct eye contact. “Better, doctor. I really think the radiation is working.” Mrs. Miller squinted. “I’m sorry, are you one of my doctors?” “Not really. Doctor Peterson is an old friend. He wanted me to stop by and have a look at your progress. Just trying to go the extra mile.” Mrs. Miller nodded, relaxing. “That’s very kind of you, doctor.” “It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Miller. Now, feel free to get back to sleep if you’d like. I’m just going to do a quick check on all these beeping things over here and then I’ll get out of your hair.” Mrs. Miller smiled sleepily, her once round face now tightening around her cheekbones. According to her records, she’d already lost sixty pounds. Turning away from the patient, the doctor pretended to be checking the array of monitors behind the bed. Once he knew Mrs. Miller was no longer looking, he slipped a capped syringe out of his pants pocket. It took less than twenty seconds to inject the solution into the IV line that was providing Mrs. Miller with a slow drip of saline and electrolytes. He recapped the syringe and replaced it in his pocket, stepping around the bed to look down on the patient. Like every time before, he swore there was already a visible change in the patient, but he knew intuitively that it would take days for the drug to run its course. Patting the resting woman on her hand, he said, “Hope you feel better soon, Mrs. Miller.” She nodded with closed eyes and drifted off to sleep as he slipped out the door, now hurrying to leave, his guard up. This was the trickiest part, mostly because his adrenaline raced. He’d been careful to avoid the video cameras, opting for a circuitous route to the ICU. Not five minutes later, Dr. Hunter Price stepped out of the service exit, the smell of rotting vegetables hitting him from the dumpster sitting askew against the brick wall next to the door. Glancing around, he grabbed the backpack he’d stashed behind the garbage receptacle, quickly slipping on a pair of track pants, windbreaker and stuffing his scrub cap in the bag in exchange for the white Nike running visor. Price slung the backpack over one shoulder and headed toward the bus stop, knowing he was cutting it close before the next bus arrived. As he stepped to cross the street, still keeping his eyes downcast, he heard a car door shut. Looking up as casually as he could, his gaze locked onto the man standing next to a forest green Ford F-150, his arm resting on the side of the truck bed. He wore a pair of black wraparound sunglasses despite the overcast day. His dark tie and suit and made him look like a Secret Service agent, only with an added hint of menace that seemed to radiate from the man’s placid demeanor. Dr. Price increased his speed, noticing the man walking in pursuit, stalking like a panther. Fifty yards to go to the bus stop where three nurses stood chatting and puffing away on cigarettes. To his left Price heard the revving of a large engine. The bus was coming. He could feel the man behind him, closing the gap with his longer strides. How had they found him? He’d been careful, more so than in months past. And yet… The bus come to a halt and opened its doors for the waiting passengers who hastily took last drags before throwing their still burning cigs on the ground. He was fifty feet from the bus, forty. He waved to the bus driver who motioned for him to hurry up. He broke into a jog, thankful for the impatient public servant staring at him in annoyance. Dr. Price hopped aboard the bus, handing over his prepaid bus pass, glancing furtively behind him. “That guy with you?” asked the driver, pointing. “No, uh, he works for my wife’s lawyer. Trying to serve me papers. Can you step on it?” The overweight bus driver took a split second to make his decision, closing the doors with a hiss and stepping on the gas just as the man in sunglasses reached to knock on the door. Dr. Hunter Price breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.” “No problem. Just went through a nasty divorce last year. I fucking hate lawyers.” Price nodded and watched as his shadow passed far behind, still staring at the bus like a statue. Menacing in his posture. Dr. Price took a seat, his legs shaking, trying to figure out how he could avoid being found in the future. Then again, if he didn’t find a way to replenish his supplies, it wouldn’t matter. TO BE CONTINUED... >>BUY THE REST OF MY BOOKS HERE<< If you know of any service members who are currently deployed or otherwise, and looking for a good read, forward them this email and let them snag a free book on me. Here's where to send them: http://www.corpsjustice.com/start-here.html I used to love reading Choose Your Own Adventure books. Remember, the ones where you chose what happened next in the story?
I've always wanted to write something similar. Two days ago, it hit me. A lot of you guys keep telling me you want more, more, more. Okay, here it is. Help choose the adventure. In addition to the full length novels I'm writing, I want to write more. Here's how it'll work. It could be every day, every other day or every week, I'll write a new passage, anywhere from 200 to 1,000 words. At the end I'll leave a decision/cliffhanger where you get to vote on what happens next. Here's an example: Cal stepped across the putrid sewer grate, careful to avoid the broken glass in his way. Time was running out. He had two choices, should he A) take a trip through the rank sewer system, or B) take a chance scaling the dilapidated metal building? Based on your answers, I'll write the next part of the story. I won't know what happens until you tell me. One more twist: I'll also give you the power to add another option. If I really like it, I'll use your idea instead. Again, this isn't for everyone. You might not want an email from me every day and that's cool. Only sign up if you want to be part of something new and exciting here at Corps Justice. If I get enough takers, I start on Monday. If this little experiment works, I hope to do it over and over again. Oh, and did I mention that you'll also be one of the first to get a FREE copy of the finished story? Nice. If you're in, sign up here--->> http://forms.aweber.com/form/38/1878681338.htm Semper, CGC Based On Your Votes Thanks for your votes on the next novel in the Corps Justice series. Based on your feedback, National Burden is in the works. Tentative release date will be sometime in May 2014. What Did You Think? Hopefully you've had time to read Presidential Shift by now. I've gotten great feedback from some of you. Thank you. If you haven't written a review yet, I'd love one. Here's the direct link for you: http://amzn.com/B00IFTSTTC Veteran Spotlights I've had some great conversations with Student Veterans of America, United States War Dog Association and Adventuro-us. Check out the interviews and spread the word about these awesome organizations run by fellow veterans. With The Editor Adrift survived Round 1 of proofing and is now with my editor. If all goes to plan, you'll have the new Daniel "Snake Eyes" Briggs installment at the end of March. Here's the first chapter: Chapter 1 (Unedited) Your fault. The accusation floated along the edges of my subconscious, teasing me, blaming me, haunting me. I moved to swat the thought away, but my hand smacked into something hard. Wincing, I tried to open my eyes. They felt caked closed, rebelling from the night before. The smell of must and dirt made their way into my muted senses. Finally cracking my lids open, I saw that I was lying on my side, facing a hay bale. I tried to rise, my stomach lurching at the movement. I closed my eyes again, willing the nausea to subside even as the spike headache stabbed painfully. Where was I? After a few deep breaths, I eased to my feet, clutching a moldy wood railing for support. Tongue scraping along my parched lips, I looked around, squinting at the bright rays of sunshine streaming in through a crack near the door. “He’s around here somewhere,” came the shout from the sunlit morning. “Let’s check in the barn.” I ducked behind two stacked hay bales just as three figures stepped into the barn, cautiously peering into the relative darkness. As my vision adjusted, I saw that one of the guys, a hulking figure in overalls, had a bandage covering his nose, the next one, almost a twin to his buddy, had his arm wrapped in a sling. The others looking healthy, one sporting a baseball bat, the other a long crowbar. By their appearance, they looked like brothers, or at least cousins. “You two look behind the hay, I’ll take a look up in the loft,” Mr. Busted Nose whispered harshly. They’d find me in a second, and I didn’t want to hide. “You guys looking for me?” I asked innocently, standing up, stretching with a yawn. Their eyes whipped around at the sound of my voice. “You’ve got some payback coming, boy,” said the leader. “I’m sure we can talk about this, fellas. Why don’t…” I started as the farmboys cut off my lanes of retreat. “Ain’t gonna be that easy. You broke my nose and busted Honey’s shoulder. There’s…” “Wait, his name is Honey?” Honey’s face turned beet red. “Let me take him, Johnny. I swear he’s…” “I told you he’s mine,” said Johnny, slowly pulling an old revolver out of his pocket. “Now, it’s up to you whether you just lose your pecker or I fucking kill you.” I raised my hands, not wanting a fight, wondering if my weakened body would respond to commands. “I don’t want any trouble, why don’t I just walk away before we do something stupid.” “You shoulda thought of that last night, faggot. Tell you what, I’ll give you a chance. You take my cousins and win, then maybe I’ll let you walk away.” I looked over at his cousins, noticing the bulbous nose of one and the cauliflower ears of the other. They were fighters. “Let me guess, boxer and wrestler?” The cousins both smiled wickedly, showing off their yellowed teeth. Surprising they still had them all. “Doesn’t seem fair to me,” I said. “I’d be happy to pay for…” Without warning, the boxer cousin charged, swinging his baseball bat, aimed straight at my pounding head. Click. My mind switched and reflexes took over. Crouching under the lumbering swing, my fist smashed into his groin, his momentum taking him over my right shoulder. One down. Cousin #2 roared, but came on more tentatively, sobered by the easy takedown of #1. Thwap. Thunk, thwap, came the swings, hitting the elevated hay bales and railing, narrowly missing my dodging body. He was methodical, slowly corralling me into a corner. The chop came, and I stepped into it, catching his hands overhead, a dribble of tobacco juice seeping out of his grimacing mouth. We struggled there for a moment, knowing that in a straight up strength contest, #2 would win. Not a possibility. I stepped wide with my left foot, swung my right leg behind him, and kicked back, pulled forward with my arms, flipping him over my right hip. He landed with a thud, barely stunned, but I was on top. Take out the threat, came the order. #2 looked up, eyes wide, seeing the demon in my eyes, hand cocked, ready to deliver the death blow. “I think that’s enough,” came a deep voice, followed by the rack of a shotgun shell. I didn’t lift my eyes, still poised to strike, seething. “Let him go, son,” came the order from whoever had entered the fray. It took an extended moment. Inside, I uncoiled, easing off my opponent. “Now look here, Mr. Herndon, this guy attacked us…” “Let me guess. This happened at Pappy’s last night?” “Yes, sir. Sent me to the hospital with a broken nose, and Honey with a bum shoulder.” “Seems like I already heard the story, Johnny. A little bird told me you boys were harassing that pretty little waitress and this kid stepped in. Now, you gonna tell me that didn’t happen?” Johnny hesitated. “That’s what I thought. Why don’t you take your cousins on out of here. Enough fun for one day.” “But Mr….” “I said, get your tails off my property. I could just as easily call the sheriff for trespassing and assault. Your choice.” The leader of the redneck band grumbled, but ended up gathering the wounded and headed out the barn door... Rolled Sleeves, It's A Marine Thing
Adrift Update Good news for those of you who want more, and don't want to wait long. The rough draft of the Daniel Briggs novel Adrift will be done tomorrow. It tells the story of how our favorite Marine sniper, now home from war (before he meets SSI), lands in a small town and all hell breaks loose when a drunk Briggs tries to do the right thing. If you all like this book, there will be more exploring the depth of Daniel's pain and struggle with PTSD. I think you'll like it. Much ass-kicking involved. Tentative launch date will be sometime in March. The Next Novel With Adrift off my list tomorrow, next Monday I start a new Corps Justice novel. I have some ideas, but wanted to get your opinion. Voting ends Sunday, so please check out the survey now. Don't worry, there's only one question: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FDN5T6H Sales and Reviews Update Thanks again to everyone who has read Presidential Shift. Because of your support it's doing very well on Amazon. If you haven't written a review yet, please do so HERE. We've got 15 reviews so far. Let's see how many we can get. More reviews means more readers. Share, Share, Share Don't forget to share Corps Justice with your friends. Help me recruit readers to the family...
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