Tested Finale: XVI - Epilogue

11/28/2016

I finished the first draft last Friday (just like my boss <me> wanted). It took me a couple of days to whittle things down. I didn't want the ending to be overly dramatic. I think I hits it right, but I guess I won't know until you tell me.

Here's what I want to say as I conclude this most recent journey: THANK YOU for letting me show a little bit of my spiritual side. I'm usually a "keep your trap shut about 'that' stuff" kinda guy, but I really felt that telling a story through Daniel got my feelings out too. Thanks for allowing me to share, and thanks for continuing to keep me in line :)

Last, based on your feedback, I'm going to start The Loyalist, the second book of The Patriot Protocol series next. Here's a first look at the cover and then you can get started with the ending of Tested. Enjoy!

(CAUTION: The following contains unedited material that may be unsuitable for the grammatically inclined. Keep in mind that I don’t review what I write until after the first draft of the whole novel is done, so please keep your spelling and grammar fixes until the Beta Reader rounds.)

CONTENT REMOVED FOR PUBLISHING.

25 Comments

Rebecca W

11/28/2016 02:47:16 pm

Didn't see that ending coming! That was awesome! It's really great to see where Daniel came from, what he went through, and how he ended up with Cal and the gang. I now have a new understanding and love for Daniel. Great job!

Cheryl

11/28/2016 03:03:44 pm

Amazing resolution. This book has been a blessing. Thank you.

Faye

11/28/2016 03:03:55 pm

Awesome. Twins never entered my mind. Only you could surprise a bunch of Cooperfanatics. This really is a great read. Waiting excitedly for The Loyalist to begin. 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

Susan H

11/28/2016 03:25:09 pm

Definitely did not see the twin thing coming. They must have researched him after the bus station and decided to target him then? Or did I miss something or some other time they pinned the bullseye? Can't wait to read the edited and put together vesion! Well done Carlos! Glad to hear the next book choice as well, though I'd be glad no matter what it was.

Andrea

11/28/2016 03:26:43 pm

WOW! I agree - twins were my last thought. Gets confusing toward the end (just a bit) as we say hasta la vista and hello the next. Was the Veronica from the orphanage the one with Nathaniel? They did a good job of assimilating their characters? It would explain the wig as well. I remember something about St. Lucia commented on earlier in the story - nice tie in. Maybe I was reading too quick - but how did Pete die? Explains him not picking up the phone -

Thanks for sharing your more spiritual side - we all have that side. You expressed it with grace, beauty, but not like Bible thumping...plus we would have just that it was the character...

Take a break (deserved). I'm sure your family would love it! Although you probably have the Loyalist outlined and started...
Your boss needs to let up on you a bit!

Teresa Anderson

11/28/2016 03:57:58 pm

Carlos do not hide your spiritual side. God is calling to start adding it to your novels. There is a place and a market. Plus this generation needs to see strong men who are godly men. Please continue. This was a wonderful novel and I loved all the twists and turns. I was not able to guess the ending at all .... not twins, maybe a split personality.
Great job.

Mark

11/28/2016 04:30:46 pm

Great ending to a great novel, twins, didn't see that coming. Thank you for Sharing that, "stuff", maybe that's some of what's wrong with the world today, maybe more of that "stuff " needs to be out there. I'm glad to see the Patriot Protocol is coming back, looking forward to it. Keep up the great work Carlos.

Paul

11/28/2016 04:40:43 pm

Wow that took a turn I didn't see coming, but it also explainded some of the time line I was missing, and now we know where Daniel comes from the all the other novels. Great job....Looking forward to another

Judy Stone

11/28/2016 04:43:42 pm

Wow, you caught me flatfooted. I never ever suspected twins.

Thank you for sharing your spiritual side, it resonated with me and from the sounds of it, with my fellow novels live team.

Bravo, Carlos.

Tory Shade

11/28/2016 04:44:43 pm

I too was blindsided by the twin concept. Wow! Now I'm going to have to go back and reread. Great ending, BTW. Thank you for sharing.

Marsha

11/28/2016 04:50:41 pm

Excellent ending! I didn't see the twin thing coming, I had thought that maybe the mother was the other part, but I knew it had to be two women so I did have that part right.

Richard Ahern

11/28/2016 04:54:01 pm

Well done. Looks like standing on my head while contemplating your choice of endings did no good at all. Now I know I was on the right track about your family when I spoke of your mom. Thanks from all of us you touched, each in our own way, with your spiritual foray. Ok. The way I see it is Jill Stein is part of corps justice and has figured out a way to make CC the 45th Optus.

11/29/2016 04:54:32 am

I hate it when I don't proof predictive spelling 45th P.O.T.U.S.

Mary Sheerin link

11/28/2016 05:59:05 pm

Holy crap. This entire story has taken me by surprise. Never thought you'd have a women assasin but twin's. No ones life meant anything to them. Not natural. Very, very good.

G.Younger

11/28/2016 06:06:46 pm

Your masterpiece. Our joy.

Jerry Lovett

11/28/2016 06:34:18 pm

Vin

11/28/2016 06:58:46 pm

Another "BZ" for this one Carlos.
You got us on so many twists and turns I'm not sure I'll ever be able to figure out which way you're going. But then that's why you have us isn't it? We show you the obvious path and you take the one not so well considered.

You might add to your little black book of possible stories . . .
At some time in the future you might bring Daniel and the TJG back to Las Vegas to meet with Tom and/or Abraham. A story line in which Tom's Real Estate company gets wrapped up with the "Mothers And Fathers Italian Association" and needs help. After all, TJG wasn't just organized to fight international terror and they aren't only the presidents private anti-terror group, and some pro bono work at home would be a nice change of pace.

I'm also looking forward to you bringing another Corpsman into TJG. What good is a Jar Head without their "Doc?" My son's proudest day was when his Marine's started calling him "Doc." Then he knew he was accepted.

Connor Burke

11/29/2016 03:11:52 am

I love this idea.

Sandy Kaplan

11/28/2016 07:06:17 pm

Superb ending. Twins, that was truly the best twist yet! Very well done. Daniel has grown and the changes are great. The best way to showcase this.

Karen Lee

11/28/2016 07:56:54 pm

HOLY MOSES...CGC...I think this may be the wildest ride yet...so many twists and turns really didn't see that coming at all. This is a definite hit!!!

Kathy

11/28/2016 08:33:14 pm

Bravo! An excellent twist that I never expected! Twins! This was the biggest twist yet. Carlos you never cease to amaze and entertain with your stories. Thank uou

Craig Wilcox

11/29/2016 04:15:54 am

Beautifully done, Carlos. One of the best books I have read in many years - and I read a LOT! The final chapter was brilliant.
As usual, I stand ready for the next phase of your book.
Thank you.

Donna

11/29/2016 09:26:51 am

You'very done it yet again! Didn't see the twin thing coming ! So glad to finally really understand where Daniel is coming from, since he is one of my favorite characters in your books. We need way more men like him and I 'm sure their are more out there, we just don't know who they are, but I hope you will share more of them in your books!!! Thank You

Peg

11/30/2016 05:12:50 pm

Bravo Carlos. You managed to keep me guessing the entire time. I never thought of twins. Daniel has always been my favorite character besides Cal. I like his quiet strength and confidence.
So ready to read the edited copy.

Steve Paver

11/30/2016 05:23:54 pm

Great ending. I like the new Daniel much better.

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Tested Finale: XVI - Epilogue

CONTENT REMOVED FOR PUBLISHING.

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