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Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) by Lynn Hallbrooks

By Melissa Alvarez on Feb 13, 2012 with Comments 0

Blurb:
CIA Special Ops Team, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is sent overseas on a Top Secret mission. Once the mission is completed, they rapidly realize they are merely Pawns in an International Chess Game that turns into a Political Firestorm. As a result, they are disavowed. Accompanied by Firefights, Fate, and Faith, they finally find a way home. After arriving, they discover governmental abuses of the Constitution. Will they survive long enough to thwart these enemies of the State?

Book Genres: Fiction: Action/Adventure, Military, Political Intrigue

Description and Word Count: Novel ~194,000 (Mature Audience)

Average Starred Reviews: Amazon: 4 Stars / B&N: 5 Stars / Goodreads: 4.67 Stars

Price: $1.99

Review Quotes & Endorsements:

“Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is a suspenseful, action-packed, military novel. It falls into a genre in which I usually do not read. But, I did find it to be a compelling novel and very difficult to put down. The plot lines and even the romance holds the readers attention. I did, however, need to use the very useful glossary of terms in the back of the book. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel.” - Lauren B. Grossman, Smashwords

5 Stars – “A group of ex-military CIA agents are called upon for an undercover sensitive mission in Iraq. Betrayed by their country due to a corrupt government they find themselves on the run. This book is a great mixture of action and details. It is more geared toward the military minded but it was a great read.” - Greg’s review Jan 29, 2012, Goodreads

5 Stars Recommended for: People who like the Mack Bolan books or Dick Marcinko’s books. ”Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)” is quite entertaining. There is a lot going on in this book! It has adventure, action, suspense, intrigue, and even romance! I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. It’s a quick moving book that held my interest from prologue to epilogue. It strikes me as an alternate future much like the alternate histories that have been written. The style is much like the writings of Dick Marcinko (who is acknowledged as an influence). I think it does justice to that type of hard-hitting action adventure. There is a lot of military jargon in the book that could lose some readers. If you find something you don’t understand, skip to the back of the book where you’ll find an extensive glossary. The book is written from a distinctly conservative viewpoint that I personally enjoyed. If you don’t share that viewpoint, you might look elsewhere. If you do, I think you will find the book entertaining. It’s a fun book with a lot of layers. I look forward to more works by these authors. – Doug_DePew, Amazon/BN/Goodreads

“In “Call Sign: Wrecking Crew” the recent history and near future of our country have taken a different path than the one we know and expect. It starts off with a team of ex-military covert agents working for the CIA being called upon to conduct a sensitive mission from Iraq into Iran. They understand it to be dangerous, but what they don’t realize is the threats they face will come from unexpected places. Though they carry out their mission as ordered, nothing goes right from there on out. Before long they are on the run for their lives and can no longer count on the support they normally have. The US government has become corrupt from within. The current elected president is taken out of the picture and a fraudulent Vice President takes his place. Even getting back into the United States takes becomes an obstacle as everything they have ever loved about their country seems to be falling apart.

It only becomes worse after they finally arrive home. Those people still loyal to the constitution and American way of life depend on this now civilianized team to aid them in protecting the US and its interests. They soon begin to realize the corruption within the government goes far deeper than they thought possible. Yet while facing ever growing difficulties in doing what they believe is right, they will also gain allies and friends that prove they are not alone in their quest. The battle for survival is difficult and will test the team members abilities to adapt and overcome, but they keep faith that somehow they can save America from the dangerous path its political leaders have taken it. Regardless, nothing will ever be quite the same again.

This book was written with a particular audience in mind. I do not rate stories on whether I agree or disagree with the politics in them, as my mind is rather open, but I do feel fair warning should be given. This is a novel best read by active military, veterans, military and gun enthusiasts, Republicans and/or conservatives. I would tell those that are of a more liberal mindset that this book is not for you, unless you have a very open mind. In addition to this, the story is very detail oriented with extensive depictions on weaponry and military equipment. There are those that might find this tedious while others will delight in it, depending on preference. It should be known to prospective readers that a glossary of terms is included in the back of the book for those who need it. The story is told in third person omniscient, which is the most suitable POV for the large number of main characters involved. Also be prepared that at over 190k words, it is a long read, but don’t worry about it being dull at any point. I found it to maintain a good pace.

Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is a suspenseful and action packed novel that is certainly unforgettable. It takes a speculative look at today’s politics and puts an extreme spin on them that can be rather comical, but also very scary. In some ways it is a reminder that we can never be lulled into a false sense of security about our freedoms, as they could be taken away at any time if the wrong people get into power. If fictional stories like this intrigue you, I would highly recommend checking this novel out.” - Mistress of The Dark Path “Suzie”, Amazon.com

Chapter One or Long Excerpt:

The first chapter or excerpt is posted as submitted by the author. We requested that the author send us the text EXACTLY as published in the eBook.

Call Sign: Wrecking Crew * Storm Warning

Part I: Operation Sandstorm

Chapter 1

It is the beginning of a blistering hot Sunday in Houston, Texas. Mac, J.T., T.K., and Deb completed shooting at their favorite range. Despite the fact that they claim their only objective is to maintain their certification, they are heard squabbling over each other’s scores in a manner reminiscent of siblings fighting over a favored toy.

J.T. says, “Mac, I can’t believe that she beat my score.”

“I know, I think I trained her too well because she’s even beaten mine.”

Deb retorts, “Listen here, Mister. You didn’t train me. I already knew how to shoot long before you ever came into my life. I’ve just been waiting until the right time to show you.”

“Yeah right, Sister! Let’s go one more round and I’ll show you who trains who around here.”

J.T. is about to settle the argument once and for all when all of their pagers go off. They say in unison, “So much for a day off.”

~~~~~

Approximately 15,000 feet above ground, Crazy Larry is doing what he does best, sky diving, when his pager goes off. Looking at the Jump Master, he asks, “If I don’t jump, how long will it be before we land?”

The Jump Master replies, “About 30 minutes.”

Crazy Larry jumps, giving the impression that he did not wish to be late, but in reality he would have done it anyway.

~~~~~

In a small East Texas town, Reverend Martin is giving his Sunday morning sermon. While he reads the text from Genesis Chapter 47 verses 13 through 27 in his NRSV Bible, his pager, which is resting under the pulpit next to his carefully placed .45 caliber pistol, vibrates. Surreptitiously, he pushes the button and it stops. He quickly concludes his sermon as if time was running out for the 11 a.m. service. As he shakes hands with members of the congregation exiting the church, he ponders how many actually heard what he said or were they thinking of the secular things they could be doing, just as he was wondering what this mission is all about.

~~~~~

All members of the Wrecking Crew Team are trained to respond to their pagers by grabbing their gear and meeting at their team house. The team house used to belong to a local “Outlaw Biker” club from whom the team members purchased it. Now it serves as a safe house for them, their weapons, communication devices, ammunition, work clothes and tactical gear. J.T.’s well trained dog, Bear, is on constant guard.

Inside the place looks like the stage manager of the show Sons of Anarchy decorated it with a few female touches. While it isn’t true, some of the team did like the show. After they throw their gear in a corner, J.T., T.K., Deb, and Mac impatiently await the arrival of Crazy Larry and Deano, who are approaching the two-hour deadline for the team briefing.

As Crazy Larry bursts through the door still dressed in his sky diving suit, Mr. Winchester appears on the satellite communication system. The satellite dish is communicating through the 50-inch plasma screen that Deb recently installed. Mr. Winchester says, “Wrecking Crew is being activated. You’re to meet at Ellington no later than 2100 hours tonight. From there, you’ll be embarking a C-5, destination to be known only to the commanding pilots. Your orders will be awaiting you there. Are there any questions?”

J.T. says, “Just this, are we going to be wet and salty or dry and sandy?”

“Dry and sandy,” Mr. Winchester looks around the room, counting heads, “You seem to be missing a member of your team. I believe you call him Deano.”

J.T. answers, “He’s en route as we speak.”

“Very well, you have to be on that flight at 2100 hours, with or without him.”

The image of Mr. Winchester disappears leaving only static on the screen. Deb turns off the plasma.

While awaiting Deano, the team plans what to pack for a destination dry and sandy. Mac says, “Desert gear it is. God only knows what they have in store for us this time.”

As J.T and T.K. nod their heads in agreement, Mac goes behind the bar and reaches for a Kaliber non-alcoholic beer and unscrews the cap. After that, he reaches for a beer tap that has a specially created mechanism. When he pushes it in, instead of beer pouring out, a door unlocks behind him. Mac and T.K. go inside the hidden armory to gather weapons. Mac stacks them onto his rolling cart as T.K., ever the administrator, ticks them off his pre-made list, even providing the amount taken off the walls.

Mac murmurs, “I sure am glad that we have this place well hidden. No one would ever guess this old motorcycle shop is now our armory. The Banditos sure were smart in their set-up ‘cause you know, these days it is best not to advertise where the skeletons are buried, so to speak.”

Suddenly, the wheels of the cart squeal under the weight of the mounting weaponry. Mac thinks out loud, “A little WD-40 should take care of that” as he continues to push his way back to the door, arriving just in time to see Deano walk through the door. As the door closes behind T.K. and Mac, they hear J.T. holler at Deano, who is still in his Sunday go to preaching clothes, “Next time move your chocolate buns a little faster. The Company despises tardiness. I covered your butt this time. Who knows if they bought it or not? Get my drift?”

Mac reaches for another Kaliber and tosses it over to Deano as he says, “J.T., the man was at church doing his thing. What do you want him to do, blow his freaking cover?”

J.T. grumbles under his breath, knowing full well that Mac is right, but as team leader he has to be tough and not play any favorites at all.

T.K. and Mac start stowing the weapons into two boxes along with the appropriate ammo. Efficiently, they place the small arms in one box while the long rifles go into the other. Before they leave, everyone completes their individual check list. They make sure that all their personal gear as well as the tools of their trade is put together. Also, that the placement in their desert gear war bag is secure, for what they figure will be a long rough flight. They don their elite-looking, dark-colored matching polo shirts, khaki pants and black tactical boots. As Mac secures the team house, the others pick up their gear bags and toss them over their shoulders. After everyone and everything is loaded into the team’s Hummer, T.K. swiftly and expertly drives them to their destination.

~~~~~

As 2100 hours Sunday night approaches, the team loads the last of their gear onto a C-5A in one of Ellington’s hangars. This military transport plane was previously loaded with two armor-plated desert-camouflage HMMWVs aka Humvees, plus their two specially designed Desert Patrol Vehicles, which they simply call their dune buggies. Anxiously, the team awaits their orders, wondering where in the world this trip will end and if this desert that they are destined for is familiar or unfamiliar territory. As the aircraft is preparing for takeoff, J.T. is handed a sealed envelope which is stamped DO NOT OPEN. J.T. tosses it in the briefcase and straps in with the rest of his team, who are bound for parts unknown.

Author Bio:

David McKoy is a former Navy Petty Officer who has over 30 years of combined experience in Military and Private Security.

Lynn Hallbrooks is a former Air Force Sergeant who has over 30 years of combined experience in Military and Civilian Health Information.

Author Interview:

1) What sparked the idea for this book?

David McKoy is the one who was blessed with the visions of this book. He followed Glenn Beck’s television shows and read many of Mr. Beck’s books. In doing this, many thoughts came to his mind and thus the idea for Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) was born.

2) What books have most influenced your life most?

Outside of reading Glenn Beck’s books, David loves to read Richard Marcinko’s books. He had read everyone up until the time he started writing Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning). He wishes to not read any more until he finishes the final stories in the series. In this way he feels he will maintain his own writing style and keep influence of his favorite author to a minimum.

I believe that our book is a blending of the two school of thoughts. I think the Hollywood version of our book would be called “Glenn Beck meets Richard Marcinko.”

3) Are you a plotter or a pantser?

David McKoy is definitely a ‘pantser’. He writes and the words flow from his brain through his pen/pencil and onto paper faster than he’d like sometimes. Besides which, he’ll tell you, “English was never my best subject and doing outlines are even worse.”

4) What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The hardest part of writing our book, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) was that David is dyslexic and dislikes computers. That’s where I come in. I get the words on the computer in the right order then we go about the editing process from there.

5)Can you tell us what you’re working on right now?

Yes, we are currently working on book two of the Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series. The working subtitle is: (Inferno). We are hoping to have it available to readers before Summer 2012

Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share a little bit about ourselves and our books.

Thanks for reading!

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