Irish Winters's Blog, page 41
August 11, 2014
Best Day Ever!
One of the side effects of either my genre, military romance, or possibly my writing has become the men and women, the military members and veterans whom I've personally had the privilege to meet, either in person or through social media.
Today I was personally contacted by one of my all time favorite authors, Mr. Stephen Templin, who co-authored 'SEAL TEAM SIX - Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper. It is the true story of SEAL Team Six operator, Howard Wasdin during the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, 1993.
All I can say is - WOW. I am star struck and humbled for Mr. Templin's service, dedication, and love of my country. Dr. Howard Wasdin's too. He is another one of my heroes, something he'll never know but that's okay. I have a lot of heroes like Mr. Templin and him. They don't need to know me.
This book will touch your heart and ignite your love of country like no other.Never forget.Always be thankful for the real heroes.Every. Single. Day.
Today I was personally contacted by one of my all time favorite authors, Mr. Stephen Templin, who co-authored 'SEAL TEAM SIX - Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper. It is the true story of SEAL Team Six operator, Howard Wasdin during the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, 1993.
All I can say is - WOW. I am star struck and humbled for Mr. Templin's service, dedication, and love of my country. Dr. Howard Wasdin's too. He is another one of my heroes, something he'll never know but that's okay. I have a lot of heroes like Mr. Templin and him. They don't need to know me.
This book will touch your heart and ignite your love of country like no other.Never forget.Always be thankful for the real heroes.Every. Single. Day.
Free kindle e-book!
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend!Aug 30 - September 1st
MARK, In the Company of Snipers, Book 2Kindle version will be free on Amazon.com
Mark Houston has done the unthinkable. The United States Marine has fallen in love with his best friend’s fiancée. Now he has to tell Libby Clifton that Jon was killed in action. When Mark accompanies his friend’s body home to the quiet farming community of Spencer, Wisconsin, he discovers that all was not well between Libby and Jon. He dares to hope there might still be room in her heart for him—until she confides in him that he’s the only friend she has—the very last thing a man in love wants to hear.
She’s trying to move on. After the very public funeral of her war hero fiancée, Libby Clifford trades the sedate country life for nursing school in big city Chicago. Little does she realize that kilos of opium lay six-feet underground with the man she’s just buried. The cold-blooded cartel boss has proven he will go to extreme lengths to get his drugs back. Mark Houston, now working for Alex Stewart and his covert surveillance team, is determined to protect Libby. Three paths are on a collision course of murder, deceit, and betrayal.
Opium isn’t the only thing that’s buried....
August 10, 2014
Harley, In the Company of Snipers, #4
Harley is in the last round of edits and giving me the evil eye.The man needs to be published, so….It's time for a hint of things to come.
Thunder shook the ground. Shrapnel and bullets pinged too close and personal, pushing him to act. So that’s the way it was, under fire and his men forced to leave him behind. He was alone. Instinct kicked in. Training took over.Move it, soldier. Move it. Move it. Move it!
He steeled his jaw, stiffened his spine and secured his belt around his own bleeding leg, padding it with a rag from the dirty ground. The chemicals in the smoke provided an acid eyewash that would not quit. He could barely see to stagger away. His feet would not follow. No matter. He carved a drunkard’s path into the desert and away from hell. One more step. Then another. Time and distance. All he needed now. Three things were sure. He wouldn’t be taken alive. He’d live to fight another day. And he’d catch up with his men.Keep moving!
Confusion and guilt ruled the day. It sure looked like his men were dead back there. He was sure they’d begged for help. But then they were gone. That meant they were alive, that they walked away. Didn’t it? Parts felt real.Parts did not. Like that detached hand. How could those fingers tap like they were attached to Kent when they weren’t? Harley collapsed against a wall. Scrubbing the pain away, he tried desperately to remember or forget. The puzzle remained. Hadn’t he seen this same damned movie before?
Shreds of bizarre nonsense swirled inside his tired skull.“Nine o’clock team meeting, don’t be—”“Your favorite peppered shrimp—”“Mark’s baby girl... JayJay... looks like—”“Judy.”
The last word, that name tugged at his weary mind for further scrutiny. It meant something. He could tell. It was a pleasant name. Like the piercing beam of a lighthouse cast high above the pitch-black storm in his head, it calledto him. ‘Look at me. Remember me.’
Harley sucked in another breath of desert air, his soul whipped and beaten by the war. Who the hell is Judy?
Look for him early September at Amazon.com, paperback and kindle ebook!
Thunder shook the ground. Shrapnel and bullets pinged too close and personal, pushing him to act. So that’s the way it was, under fire and his men forced to leave him behind. He was alone. Instinct kicked in. Training took over.Move it, soldier. Move it. Move it. Move it!
He steeled his jaw, stiffened his spine and secured his belt around his own bleeding leg, padding it with a rag from the dirty ground. The chemicals in the smoke provided an acid eyewash that would not quit. He could barely see to stagger away. His feet would not follow. No matter. He carved a drunkard’s path into the desert and away from hell. One more step. Then another. Time and distance. All he needed now. Three things were sure. He wouldn’t be taken alive. He’d live to fight another day. And he’d catch up with his men.Keep moving!
Confusion and guilt ruled the day. It sure looked like his men were dead back there. He was sure they’d begged for help. But then they were gone. That meant they were alive, that they walked away. Didn’t it? Parts felt real.Parts did not. Like that detached hand. How could those fingers tap like they were attached to Kent when they weren’t? Harley collapsed against a wall. Scrubbing the pain away, he tried desperately to remember or forget. The puzzle remained. Hadn’t he seen this same damned movie before?
Shreds of bizarre nonsense swirled inside his tired skull.“Nine o’clock team meeting, don’t be—”“Your favorite peppered shrimp—”“Mark’s baby girl... JayJay... looks like—”“Judy.”
The last word, that name tugged at his weary mind for further scrutiny. It meant something. He could tell. It was a pleasant name. Like the piercing beam of a lighthouse cast high above the pitch-black storm in his head, it calledto him. ‘Look at me. Remember me.’
Harley sucked in another breath of desert air, his soul whipped and beaten by the war. Who the hell is Judy?
Look for him early September at Amazon.com, paperback and kindle ebook!
August 3, 2014
Roy Days - Huge Success!
Okay, so I did not sell a gazillion books.
I did better than that! I met more heroes. Actual heroes who served and are proud of it.
I got to meet L.A. Green, a Korean War Vet who taught me some self-defense movesright there in our author's booth. Wow.And the poster he gave me on America? Priceless.It's going on the wall of my office beside George Washington's Prayer at Valley Forge.
I got to meet Bill, another veteran of the Vietnam era who thought he didn't like romance. Ha.I could see it in his wife's eyes. They've been married thirty some years.That guys definitely knows something about romance. ;)
I met Randall (Army) and Dystini - two names I could write a romance book about - and just might.
And so many more.
Big lesson for me: I might be in a serious relationship with more than 14 fictional characters,but I love the real men and women who served honorably even more.It was my privilege meeting you and shaking your hand.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
***Big sigh***
I had the best day….
I did better than that! I met more heroes. Actual heroes who served and are proud of it.
I got to meet L.A. Green, a Korean War Vet who taught me some self-defense movesright there in our author's booth. Wow.And the poster he gave me on America? Priceless.It's going on the wall of my office beside George Washington's Prayer at Valley Forge.
I got to meet Bill, another veteran of the Vietnam era who thought he didn't like romance. Ha.I could see it in his wife's eyes. They've been married thirty some years.That guys definitely knows something about romance. ;)
I met Randall (Army) and Dystini - two names I could write a romance book about - and just might.
And so many more.
Big lesson for me: I might be in a serious relationship with more than 14 fictional characters,but I love the real men and women who served honorably even more.It was my privilege meeting you and shaking your hand.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
***Big sigh***
I had the best day….
August 2, 2014
Roy Days!
Another Book signing today in sunny Roy, Utah.Wish me luck!
July 6, 2014
I love America
I have stood and looked up into the faces of these bronze giants.The Iwo Jima Memorial is a reverent place.It's a good place to stop and think.To remember.To pray to God we are smart enough to learn from lessons which weas a nation of fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers have paid so dearly for….
”For all who bear its scars, the battle for Iwo Jima, 58 years ago (February 19-March 26, 1945), still looms gargantuan, unbelievable, devouring; not measurable by Guadalcanal, Peleliu or Belleau Wood, but by its own arena, complexity, ferocity and the character of its combatants, whose American casualties were one third of all Marine Corps casualties in the war.
Of the 3,400 coming ashore with the 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division, then -- Captain Haynes recalls only 600 were standing when the battle closed. Yet, it wasn't ferocity alone -- certainly Korea and Vietnam had that -- but a dedication on either side giving the Marines an enemy so resolved, inventive and so masterful as to make the ground itself a powerful ally.
For the 70,000 Americans, Iwo Jima was the step to the Japanese heartland and to the end of an awful war. For the 22,000 Japanese defenders, Iwo Jima was the defense of their very hearths and homes as it was part of the Tokyo Imperial Prefecture (county). It was assaulted by the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions of the Fifth Marine Amphibious Corps, which included supporting sea and air units.
Iwo Jima was the only Marine battle where the American casualties, 26,000, exceeded the Japanese -- most of the 22,000 defending the island. The 6,800 American servicemen killed doubled the deaths of the Twin-Towers of 9/11.”
(Excerpt taken from Iwo Jima: A Remembrance, By Cyril J. O'Brien)
”For all who bear its scars, the battle for Iwo Jima, 58 years ago (February 19-March 26, 1945), still looms gargantuan, unbelievable, devouring; not measurable by Guadalcanal, Peleliu or Belleau Wood, but by its own arena, complexity, ferocity and the character of its combatants, whose American casualties were one third of all Marine Corps casualties in the war.
Of the 3,400 coming ashore with the 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division, then -- Captain Haynes recalls only 600 were standing when the battle closed. Yet, it wasn't ferocity alone -- certainly Korea and Vietnam had that -- but a dedication on either side giving the Marines an enemy so resolved, inventive and so masterful as to make the ground itself a powerful ally.
For the 70,000 Americans, Iwo Jima was the step to the Japanese heartland and to the end of an awful war. For the 22,000 Japanese defenders, Iwo Jima was the defense of their very hearths and homes as it was part of the Tokyo Imperial Prefecture (county). It was assaulted by the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions of the Fifth Marine Amphibious Corps, which included supporting sea and air units.
Iwo Jima was the only Marine battle where the American casualties, 26,000, exceeded the Japanese -- most of the 22,000 defending the island. The 6,800 American servicemen killed doubled the deaths of the Twin-Towers of 9/11.”
(Excerpt taken from Iwo Jima: A Remembrance, By Cyril J. O'Brien)
July 5, 2014
Announcing Harley!
What is not to like about this guy?Release September 2014Amazon and kindle only
So what have I been doing?
Besides feverishly writing book #13?
I've been spending some serious book signing time with three of my favorite guys!
What a fun day at Layton Freedom Days!My very first customer was a Korean War Vet named Marvin.He was ex-Army and still full of mischief.I could almost see the young man he used to be.Marvin was the start to a very fun day.I'll also be at Roy Days and Peach Days.Stop by and visit!
I've been spending some serious book signing time with three of my favorite guys!
What a fun day at Layton Freedom Days!My very first customer was a Korean War Vet named Marvin.He was ex-Army and still full of mischief.I could almost see the young man he used to be.Marvin was the start to a very fun day.I'll also be at Roy Days and Peach Days.Stop by and visit!
June 4, 2014
Inspiration For the Day
I begin again with the words of author and motivator,James Owen, in my heart and in my mind.
"If you really want to do something,No one can stop you.But if you really don't want to do something,No one can help you."
There is no try.
Only do…Which are you?
"If you really want to do something,No one can stop you.But if you really don't want to do something,No one can help you."
There is no try.
Only do…Which are you?
June 1, 2014
Shout out to a real hero!
Retired Staff Sergeant Travis Mills!!!
Dear fans - Sometimes I have to take a break from my fine world of fiction and romance to enter a better place where real heroes live, breathe and inspire me. Below is an article from Mike Rowe, the guy on Dirty Jobs who also narrates Deadliest Catch. I totally love this guy. Mike's okay too.
"Say hi to Retired Staff Sargent Travis Mills, formerly of the 82nd Airborne, US Army.
As you can see, Travis has undergone a few structural modifications, most visibly in the leg department. Likewise, his left arm is more machine than flesh, and though his right arm appears to be around my waist, it really isn’t. Like the rest of his limbs, it’s been missing in action for some time.
I met Travis a few weeks ago in DC at The Science and Engineering Festival, and spent a half hour talking, mostly about Dirty Jobs. He wanted to tell me how much he and his buddies appreciated that show while on active duty. He wanted to know what it was like to work in so many “difficult and dangerous situations.”
Can you imagine? How exactly does one answer a question like that from a guy like this?
On the day we met, I was a little stressed out. I had just moderated a panel on the main stage, and I was rushing to the other end of the Convention Center to meet with a bunch of CEO’s to discuss mikeroweWORKS. I was late, and there were three-hundred and fifty thousand people between me and where I needed to go, all of whom wanted to say hello and take a photo. My security team was cutting a swath through the crowd, and I was trying very hard not to look like a complete douche. Then one of the event organizers ran over and grabbed my arm.
“Hey Mike, there’s a guy backstage who really wants to say hello.”
“That’s nice,” I said. “Tell him to get out here and do it.” I was walking fast, head down, determined to maintain forward momentum. If you stop in a situation like that, you never get started again.
“Well,” said the guy, “it would be easier if you came to him. It’ll just take a second.”
“Why? His legs broken?”
“Uhh...not exactly. But he’s just around the corner. I think he was in the war.”
I told the security guys to sit tight, and followed the guy down a long hallway, looking at my watch as we fast-walked into the backstage area. Then we ducked behind a blue curtain, and Travis Mills stood up to greet me. Actually, he kind of unfolded himself from a chair, and came toward me with a very wide smile. He then extended a prosthetic arm and offered a plastic hand, which I automatically shook.
“Mike Rowe! What an honor! I’m Travis Mills, and I’m very, very pleased to meet you.”
I’ve seen a lot of things over the years, and I’ve gotten good at pretending there’s nothing unusual when there clearly is. But I was completely unprepared for this.
“Ahh...shit,” I said. “What happened?”
“IED. Afghanistan.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
“No big deal. It’s been two years now. I’m good. Tell me something though - are you gonna do anymore Dirty Jobs?”
“Uhh...what?”
“Dirty Jobs, man! When are we gonna see some new ones?”
“Well Travis, that show was cancelled. I’m working on something new though that I think will be just as good. Maybe better.”
“Hey, that’s great! I got new legs and you got a new show! Tell me all about it!”
That’s how the conversation started. My show. My foundation. My book. Etc. But I eventually steered it back to him, and learned that Travis is one of only five quadruple amputees to survive that level of injury in the recent wars.
He has a motto: Never Give Up - Never Quit.
He has a Foundation. He’s featured in a new documentary. He also has a wife and a kid, and a deeply personal commitment to help other wounded Vets cope with their injuries. But when I asked why I hadn’t seen him in any of the typical commercials and PSA’s for wounded veterans, his answer was stunning. He said he didn’t consider himself to be wounded.
“I’m not a victim, Mike. And I refuse to be portrayed that way. Case closed.”
Fact is, Travis is missing more than a few original parts; he’s missing all traces of self-pity. And that’s presents a challenge for mortals like me. Because it’s a hell of a thing to feel put out because a crowd of fans are making me late for an important meeting, and then listen to a guy with no arms or legs tell me how lucky he is, and how much he appreciates all my hard work.
That’s called a gut-check, and I could use one from time to time. Especially on Memorial Day, when the biggest decisions I face are what to grill and which type of frosty beverage to enjoy. This year, as I resolve these and other important issues, I’ll think of Travis Mills. A guy who went out on a limb for me, in every way possible.
Thanks Travis. And Happy Memorial Day to you all.
Mike
PS. His story is incredible. Check it out, if you have the time.
http://www.travismills.org/about/
Dear fans - Sometimes I have to take a break from my fine world of fiction and romance to enter a better place where real heroes live, breathe and inspire me. Below is an article from Mike Rowe, the guy on Dirty Jobs who also narrates Deadliest Catch. I totally love this guy. Mike's okay too.
"Say hi to Retired Staff Sargent Travis Mills, formerly of the 82nd Airborne, US Army.
As you can see, Travis has undergone a few structural modifications, most visibly in the leg department. Likewise, his left arm is more machine than flesh, and though his right arm appears to be around my waist, it really isn’t. Like the rest of his limbs, it’s been missing in action for some time.
I met Travis a few weeks ago in DC at The Science and Engineering Festival, and spent a half hour talking, mostly about Dirty Jobs. He wanted to tell me how much he and his buddies appreciated that show while on active duty. He wanted to know what it was like to work in so many “difficult and dangerous situations.”
Can you imagine? How exactly does one answer a question like that from a guy like this?
On the day we met, I was a little stressed out. I had just moderated a panel on the main stage, and I was rushing to the other end of the Convention Center to meet with a bunch of CEO’s to discuss mikeroweWORKS. I was late, and there were three-hundred and fifty thousand people between me and where I needed to go, all of whom wanted to say hello and take a photo. My security team was cutting a swath through the crowd, and I was trying very hard not to look like a complete douche. Then one of the event organizers ran over and grabbed my arm.
“Hey Mike, there’s a guy backstage who really wants to say hello.”
“That’s nice,” I said. “Tell him to get out here and do it.” I was walking fast, head down, determined to maintain forward momentum. If you stop in a situation like that, you never get started again.
“Well,” said the guy, “it would be easier if you came to him. It’ll just take a second.”
“Why? His legs broken?”
“Uhh...not exactly. But he’s just around the corner. I think he was in the war.”
I told the security guys to sit tight, and followed the guy down a long hallway, looking at my watch as we fast-walked into the backstage area. Then we ducked behind a blue curtain, and Travis Mills stood up to greet me. Actually, he kind of unfolded himself from a chair, and came toward me with a very wide smile. He then extended a prosthetic arm and offered a plastic hand, which I automatically shook.
“Mike Rowe! What an honor! I’m Travis Mills, and I’m very, very pleased to meet you.”
I’ve seen a lot of things over the years, and I’ve gotten good at pretending there’s nothing unusual when there clearly is. But I was completely unprepared for this.
“Ahh...shit,” I said. “What happened?”
“IED. Afghanistan.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
“No big deal. It’s been two years now. I’m good. Tell me something though - are you gonna do anymore Dirty Jobs?”
“Uhh...what?”
“Dirty Jobs, man! When are we gonna see some new ones?”
“Well Travis, that show was cancelled. I’m working on something new though that I think will be just as good. Maybe better.”
“Hey, that’s great! I got new legs and you got a new show! Tell me all about it!”
That’s how the conversation started. My show. My foundation. My book. Etc. But I eventually steered it back to him, and learned that Travis is one of only five quadruple amputees to survive that level of injury in the recent wars.
He has a motto: Never Give Up - Never Quit.
He has a Foundation. He’s featured in a new documentary. He also has a wife and a kid, and a deeply personal commitment to help other wounded Vets cope with their injuries. But when I asked why I hadn’t seen him in any of the typical commercials and PSA’s for wounded veterans, his answer was stunning. He said he didn’t consider himself to be wounded.
“I’m not a victim, Mike. And I refuse to be portrayed that way. Case closed.”
Fact is, Travis is missing more than a few original parts; he’s missing all traces of self-pity. And that’s presents a challenge for mortals like me. Because it’s a hell of a thing to feel put out because a crowd of fans are making me late for an important meeting, and then listen to a guy with no arms or legs tell me how lucky he is, and how much he appreciates all my hard work.
That’s called a gut-check, and I could use one from time to time. Especially on Memorial Day, when the biggest decisions I face are what to grill and which type of frosty beverage to enjoy. This year, as I resolve these and other important issues, I’ll think of Travis Mills. A guy who went out on a limb for me, in every way possible.
Thanks Travis. And Happy Memorial Day to you all.
Mike
PS. His story is incredible. Check it out, if you have the time.
http://www.travismills.org/about/
