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Hap Stoner #1
Borderline Decision
Snatched by a Drug Cartel. Forgotten by His Government. Fight with America's Secret Military Elite to Rescue a U.S. Commander
Borderline Decision is the first in a series of military thrillers from author Hugh Simpson that feature U.S. Marine Pilot Lt. Col Hap "Kang" Stoner, who operates where governments fear to tread.
High-ranking U.S. military commander, Chuck Warden, is taken hostage by the ruthless Black Stone Mexican drug cartel, who work hand in hand with a treacherous Middle Eastern terrorist group.
Corrupt U.S. officials turn a blind eye. But Lieutenant Colonel Hap "Kang" Stoner takes action, leading a gritty squadron of Marine aviators on an unauthorized raid into Mexico to bring Warden home.
With intense action and stark realism, author Hugh Simpson pulls you into the pit of a gut-wrenching black ops mission where you'll... Borderline Decision opens your eyes to the chilling threat that lives at America's doorstep. You'll be forced to face the cold reality that your government conspires with people who want you dead.
All that stands between you and them are the silent heroes you've never met... until now.
"Borderline Decision takes you deep into daring black military operations you never hear about. The action is riveting and suspenseful. You'll live it, feel it, and ask for more." -Casey Demchak, Copywriter & Consultant
FICTION / Thrillers/Military/ Terrorism
Borderline Decision is the first in a series of military thrillers from author Hugh Simpson that feature U.S. Marine Pilot Lt. Col Hap "Kang" Stoner, who operates where governments fear to tread.
High-ranking U.S. military commander, Chuck Warden, is taken hostage by the ruthless Black Stone Mexican drug cartel, who work hand in hand with a treacherous Middle Eastern terrorist group.
Corrupt U.S. officials turn a blind eye. But Lieutenant Colonel Hap "Kang" Stoner takes action, leading a gritty squadron of Marine aviators on an unauthorized raid into Mexico to bring Warden home.
With intense action and stark realism, author Hugh Simpson pulls you into the pit of a gut-wrenching black ops mission where you'll... Borderline Decision opens your eyes to the chilling threat that lives at America's doorstep. You'll be forced to face the cold reality that your government conspires with people who want you dead.
All that stands between you and them are the silent heroes you've never met... until now.
"Borderline Decision takes you deep into daring black military operations you never hear about. The action is riveting and suspenseful. You'll live it, feel it, and ask for more." -Casey Demchak, Copywriter & Consultant
FICTION / Thrillers/Military/ Terrorism
- GenresFiction
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2018
3 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Simpson
2 books12 followersLeaving the active component of the Marine Corps after six years to pursue business, I was fortunate enough to grab a Pilot slot in New Orleans. It is during this time period I began writing. Not sure why. During my 20 years of active and reserve service, I flew H46 E’s, UH-1N’s, and AH1-W helicopters. Rounding out my Air / Ground experience, I served as a Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Officer. Deployed to West Pac twice and joined Mag 26 to deploy for Desert Shield / Storm / Calm. Our unit lowered the flag.
I have had a great civilian life. I resigned my downtown communications position to go to SW Asia, 90 days later I had gone from wearing suspenders working downtown to participating in the largest Marine Corps helicopter operation in history. The Marine Corps was my pizza fix, but my everyday life revolved around building a business. Leaving active duty in August of 1992, I started my first telecommunications company from the front room in my house. Today that calling card technology would be considered archaic, but at the time was cutting edge. As the cell phone appeared on the street and the calling card and pager industry vanished, I sold the company and created another technology communications company. Again, the technology was at the forefront of telecommunications, after six years, during a 2 a.m. board meeting, I was thrown out like a dog. I didn’t realize when my ass hit the sidewalk at the time, a God wink occurred. I had always written, but I did not know why. Now I do.
Since 2003, I have spent the bulk of my time at the Family Law Firm as the Business Manager. Three things occurred, my children went off to College, and began the journey to round out a skill I knew nothing about nor why I even bothered. Within last 18 months I fired my ghost writer and was introduced to Sarah Lovett. Between Ms. Lovett banging frying pans against my forehead, and then repeating the act on numerous occasions, the light came on to include my purpose in writing. Now after 31 years of kicking the tires in the writing profession, with the reader’s help, will light some fires.
Borderline Decision is the first book in a military thriller series featuring US Marine Pilot LtCol Hap “Kang” Stoner and his team of seasoned pilots who share the lifelong bond of combat veterans. Aided by Hap’s whip-smart and fiery S.I. Carla, Hap’s business partner in civilian life “Will Kellog”, as well as operatives of “Shadow,” a privately funded, black ops, international intelligence agency, Hap and “the boys” take action and right wrongs when and where governments fear to tread.
Borderline Decision, will be followed by the sequel, Caribbean Cabal (a tale that includes a hunt for Nazi gold), and Fairplay, currently a bundle of pages hot off the printer. My fourth, Big Shadow is in revision and I’m really looking forward to beginning the process of turning my outline into the initial draft of Unhinged. My sixth book, USA.2, consists of a bunch of thoughts racing through my head. Outline to begin soon. My recipe consists of mixing compelling and memorable characters with real life events, world and military history, and the current geopolitical situation—all sprinkled liberally with action and adventure! Once baked—I have been told—the result is a great story that always keeps in mind my goal of honoring “the boys” even as the thrills keep coming.
I have had a great civilian life. I resigned my downtown communications position to go to SW Asia, 90 days later I had gone from wearing suspenders working downtown to participating in the largest Marine Corps helicopter operation in history. The Marine Corps was my pizza fix, but my everyday life revolved around building a business. Leaving active duty in August of 1992, I started my first telecommunications company from the front room in my house. Today that calling card technology would be considered archaic, but at the time was cutting edge. As the cell phone appeared on the street and the calling card and pager industry vanished, I sold the company and created another technology communications company. Again, the technology was at the forefront of telecommunications, after six years, during a 2 a.m. board meeting, I was thrown out like a dog. I didn’t realize when my ass hit the sidewalk at the time, a God wink occurred. I had always written, but I did not know why. Now I do.
Since 2003, I have spent the bulk of my time at the Family Law Firm as the Business Manager. Three things occurred, my children went off to College, and began the journey to round out a skill I knew nothing about nor why I even bothered. Within last 18 months I fired my ghost writer and was introduced to Sarah Lovett. Between Ms. Lovett banging frying pans against my forehead, and then repeating the act on numerous occasions, the light came on to include my purpose in writing. Now after 31 years of kicking the tires in the writing profession, with the reader’s help, will light some fires.
Borderline Decision is the first book in a military thriller series featuring US Marine Pilot LtCol Hap “Kang” Stoner and his team of seasoned pilots who share the lifelong bond of combat veterans. Aided by Hap’s whip-smart and fiery S.I. Carla, Hap’s business partner in civilian life “Will Kellog”, as well as operatives of “Shadow,” a privately funded, black ops, international intelligence agency, Hap and “the boys” take action and right wrongs when and where governments fear to tread.
Borderline Decision, will be followed by the sequel, Caribbean Cabal (a tale that includes a hunt for Nazi gold), and Fairplay, currently a bundle of pages hot off the printer. My fourth, Big Shadow is in revision and I’m really looking forward to beginning the process of turning my outline into the initial draft of Unhinged. My sixth book, USA.2, consists of a bunch of thoughts racing through my head. Outline to begin soon. My recipe consists of mixing compelling and memorable characters with real life events, world and military history, and the current geopolitical situation—all sprinkled liberally with action and adventure! Once baked—I have been told—the result is a great story that always keeps in mind my goal of honoring “the boys” even as the thrills keep coming.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 22, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Good initiative but lacking sound judgement."
Hap Stoner and his partner, Will, together fun a successful business but they are also reserve marine pilots. Lieutenant Colonel Stoner is well liked and good at what he dkes, proud to be a marine and respectful of his command officer, the popular call signed Tuna Man. Patrolling the Mexican border alert for drug dealers and human trafficking, the team respond to distress flares coming from the vicinity of a secret dug in and cross the border to attempt the rescue of the handful of men under attack by a large group of armed men, this made more difficult by the helicopters carrying no ordinance. The illegal raid is successful in that two men are brought out sounded but alive, but Tuna Man is left behind and it is obvious that the U.S. Government intends to leave him there, not something his comrades intend to let happen.
This Audiobook is amazing. Complimenting the superb narration by Chris Ritchie, whose fast paced reading exactly mirrors the pace of the story text as well as individually voicing the numerous protagonists, there are frequent gentle background sound tracks and technical tricks to thrust the listener straight into the heart of the action. As well as being a stunning story of fierce fighting and terrorism, the whole feels amazingly real. It is exhilerating, terrifying and, despite the numerous players and alphabetical jargon, it is totally immersive and still easy to follow.
One of those books for which a very special super star is needed to add to the rating.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of Borderline Decision, by the rights holder, after requesting a copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. Story, narrator and production were all superb and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys military action or conspiracy thrillers. It is a whole new experience.
"Good initiative but lacking sound judgement."
Hap Stoner and his partner, Will, together fun a successful business but they are also reserve marine pilots. Lieutenant Colonel Stoner is well liked and good at what he dkes, proud to be a marine and respectful of his command officer, the popular call signed Tuna Man. Patrolling the Mexican border alert for drug dealers and human trafficking, the team respond to distress flares coming from the vicinity of a secret dug in and cross the border to attempt the rescue of the handful of men under attack by a large group of armed men, this made more difficult by the helicopters carrying no ordinance. The illegal raid is successful in that two men are brought out sounded but alive, but Tuna Man is left behind and it is obvious that the U.S. Government intends to leave him there, not something his comrades intend to let happen.
This Audiobook is amazing. Complimenting the superb narration by Chris Ritchie, whose fast paced reading exactly mirrors the pace of the story text as well as individually voicing the numerous protagonists, there are frequent gentle background sound tracks and technical tricks to thrust the listener straight into the heart of the action. As well as being a stunning story of fierce fighting and terrorism, the whole feels amazingly real. It is exhilerating, terrifying and, despite the numerous players and alphabetical jargon, it is totally immersive and still easy to follow.
One of those books for which a very special super star is needed to add to the rating.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of Borderline Decision, by the rights holder, after requesting a copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. Story, narrator and production were all superb and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys military action or conspiracy thrillers. It is a whole new experience.
January 14, 2019
Here we have the introductory volume to a new series. Our hero and chief butt-kicker is Marine Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Hap Stoner. Stoner runs a successful business in his civilian life and flies' AH-1 Huey Cobra helicopters for the Marines. This is a story of Marines aiding in the support and monitoring of our southern border to Mexico. Perhaps not so much in the capture of illegal aliens crossing our border but in the interdiction of drug smuggling and the slave trade. During an unusual firefight between Cartel and U.S. Forces, several Marines are killed and/or wounded with one Huey Cobra going down resulting in the capture of Colonel Chuck Warden. The story then focuses on the political wrangling, deception, and corruption of both governments in an effort to hide the truth. Stoner organizes an illegal rescue mission in the name of “No Marine is left behind”. The action is fast-paced and believable, and the characters well defined. Hap Stoner is a bit bigger than life but that’s normal for this type of tale. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
November 16, 2018
This is one of the best book I have read so far
I so loved reading this book. The suspense is unstoppable. It is the best book I have read so far. It feels like you are inside the crucial scene from the story. It is mind blowing. Traitors are around us and even in the military evil are present unfortunately. Colonel Hap is a hero and willing to die to bring back his troupes dead or alive. If you are a fan of suspense and military story, this book is hard to resist and cannot put it down once you start reading it. My hats off to the author, this book is beyond five stars for me.
I so loved reading this book. The suspense is unstoppable. It is the best book I have read so far. It feels like you are inside the crucial scene from the story. It is mind blowing. Traitors are around us and even in the military evil are present unfortunately. Colonel Hap is a hero and willing to die to bring back his troupes dead or alive. If you are a fan of suspense and military story, this book is hard to resist and cannot put it down once you start reading it. My hats off to the author, this book is beyond five stars for me.
March 25, 2019
Well-plotted and extremely detailed military action thriller. Suffers from some clumsy exposition in the early pages, but the writing improves. A real page-turner once you hit the main action. Looking forward to the sequel!
February 7, 2019
Nice book that moves at a good pace. A lot of military terms crammed in.
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October 20, 2020If you like our military and macho stories, its fun.
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June 25, 2019MWSA Review
Borderline Decision is a fun read. I read it twice. The first time, I read it at a fast, exhilarating pace that matched the story. The second time, I read it at a slower, more leisurely pace that allowed me to better experience the unfolding of the story.
The character of LTC Hap Stoner is a glorious action figure, living true to what he says, "Doing what is right and letting the man upstairs sort the bullshit." The Scorpion character starts out as a memorable bad guy, but does not live up to his potential evilness. Stoner is a strong, powerful character and deserves strong, powerful adversaries, perhaps more powerful.
Helicopter jargon is delightful and adds strength to the story even when the reader doesn't always understand it. The remaining military jargon is pervasive and sometimes distracting. Thank goodness for the Cast of Characters and the Glossary.
The plot line was energetic and suspenseful and surprises us when the story does not end when we think it will. To soften some of the military hardness, there are elements of affection presented through the Carla character and touches of the perverse through the Senator character.
Overall, the strength of the story is Hap Stoner. I look forward to his next adventure.
Review by Gail Summers (June 2019)
Borderline Decision is a fun read. I read it twice. The first time, I read it at a fast, exhilarating pace that matched the story. The second time, I read it at a slower, more leisurely pace that allowed me to better experience the unfolding of the story.
The character of LTC Hap Stoner is a glorious action figure, living true to what he says, "Doing what is right and letting the man upstairs sort the bullshit." The Scorpion character starts out as a memorable bad guy, but does not live up to his potential evilness. Stoner is a strong, powerful character and deserves strong, powerful adversaries, perhaps more powerful.
Helicopter jargon is delightful and adds strength to the story even when the reader doesn't always understand it. The remaining military jargon is pervasive and sometimes distracting. Thank goodness for the Cast of Characters and the Glossary.
The plot line was energetic and suspenseful and surprises us when the story does not end when we think it will. To soften some of the military hardness, there are elements of affection presented through the Carla character and touches of the perverse through the Senator character.
Overall, the strength of the story is Hap Stoner. I look forward to his next adventure.
Review by Gail Summers (June 2019)
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March 4, 2019Local Richardson, Texas author Hugh Simpson created a kickass tale of brotherhood. Book number 2 in this series coming in May.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews