Reading Selections From Beyond Visual Range

For the most part, COVID-19 has shut down the opportunity to meet with book clubs and fans of the Mark Rollins adventure series. I have always enjoy doing readings at those events. Since I can’t do it in person, I’ll occasional do so by way of the internet. Today I am reading from Chapter 12, The long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. Fans of Douglas Adams will recognize that the chapter takes its name from one of Adam’s books.

Author reading selections from Beyond Visual Range

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audio editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com. Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Win a Challenge Coin

The pictured item is it the challenge coin for the United States Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Drone, a remotely piloted aircraft system.

If you collect challenge coins you will want to add this MQ-9 Reaper to your collection.  If you are not already a collector, this coin would be a could start.  It weighs over two ounces with a 2 ¼ inch diameter.

MQ-9 Reaper is featured in my latest novel, Beyond Visual Range.  In the new book, a modern day Dr. Strangelove is set to deploy a super non-nuclear weapon from space. Beyond Visual Range is-a frightening, plausible thriller that Foreword Clarion Review described as right out of today’s news when it gave the book four stars.

Enter the contest to win one of the five challenge coins (a $20.00 value), I am giving away this week.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audio editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com. Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Win a French Beret

The Beret has been a significant feature in more than one of my books including my first, Mark Rollins New Career and the newest, Beyond Visual Range. That is me in the photo. It was taken at a sidewalk café in the 5th arrondissement of Paris near the Pantheon. The memory of my French Beret stayed with me and found its way into my novels. I have several black berets leftover from a book signing promotion.  If you would like one for free, enter your name and email address before August 20, 2020  for a chance to win one. Ten winners will be selected at random. To enter go to the contest page on the Tom Collins Facebook page.
PS: Guys, they look even better on the ladies.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audio editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com. Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Audible Editions of Mark Rollins Adventures

Beyond Visual Range joins Diversion and The Claret Murders on Audible. The other three books in the series will follow, hopefully by the end of the year. I do have a few promotion coupons reserved for Facebook Friends that are still available for Beyond Visual Range and Diversion. Email me before the end of the week, and be sure to indicate if your request is for Diversion or Beyond Visual Range. While I can’t require it, if you request one of the coupons please consider posting a review.

The audio editions are available from Amazon, Apple Books or directly from Audible.

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Signed copies of Collins’s books are available at www.tomcollinsauthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audible editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com.

Audio Edition of "Beyond Visual Range"

My seventh novel, Beyond Visual Range, is now available as an audio book. The Audible edition joins three other formats—hardcover, paperback and eBook editions. On June 28, Foreword Clarion Review described the new mystery as “a military thriller with a tinge of political realism” and gave the book four stars.

Collins writes from his home in Franklin, Tennessee, where his characters come to life and frequent familiar places in the bucolic Middle Tennessee landscape. What makes Collins’s latest mystery different from other novels in his Mark Rollins adventures series is that his Nashville heroines take the story into outer space.

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The Audible edition is available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com. Signed copies of Collins’s books are available at www.tomcollinsauthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Books, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble and other online bookstores.

What One Reviewer Had To Say

The reviewer preceded his review comments with the statement that Beyond Visual Range should be required reading. Since my writing is financed from royalties that would be great—I wish! While it will not become required reading, I hope you will read it and if you do, I hope you will post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or another book related site.

The technology exists. The possibilities are all too real... and frightening. Once I started into it, I couldn't stop reading until the end. It was captivating and well written all the way through.

Politics usually sends me off in another direction when I'm looking for something good to read, but the technical aspects got my attention. This novel peels the skin from the flesh and bone of our everyday life. Not only can this happen; some or all of it probably is happening. Not only is our future in the balance, our very existence is too.

Right now, you can still take advantage of the one month sale ending June 31st. Until then you can purchase the Kindle edition for only $0.99. July 1st the price reverts to $4.99. And don’t forget that the audio editions of Diversion and The Claret Murders are currently on sale for $7.49. Shortly Beyond Visual Range will also be available in an audio edition. Production has been completed, we are just waiting on Audible to distribute the finished product to Amazon, iTunes and other retailers.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook and audio editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Audible Edition $7.49

Amazon has the audio versions of both Diversion and The Claret Murders priced at the discounted amount of $7.49. Audible subscribers can purchase for just one credit. I don’t know how long that discount price will be available. So, if you enjoy listening to mysteries you should buy now! In addition, don’t forget that the eBook edition of Beyond Visual Range is only $0.99 for the rest of the month of June.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. .
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

One Week Special 99¢

For one week you can purchase the Kindle edition of my latest book for 99¢. This special promotion is running on Bookbub.com, but I am making it available to all current and first time readers of the Mark Rollins Adventure Series. After reading the new novel, please post a review on Amazon or other book sites. Beyond Visual Range is number 6 in the series. If you enjoy the story, you can continue to follow the adventures of the Rollins characters in the five other books in the series:

Mark Rollins’ New Career & the Women’s Health Club
Mark Rollins and the Rainmaker
Mark Rollins and the Puppeteer
The Claret Murders, a Mark Rollins Adventure
Diversion, a Mark Rollins Adventure

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Proud on the 4th of July

I’m proud to be an American! I’m proud of what this country stands for. I’m proud of the progress we have made throughout the course of our history as we have strived to become a more perfect nation.

I find the hypocrisy of some on Facebook inexplicable. They claim superior virtue and Christian values. Yet those same people are the dividers, the name callers, and belittlers—their claim of righteousness is debunked by their actions. Yet intending to demonstrate moral superiority by dividing us, they march on, useful idiots, unaware of how foolish they are.

Our politicians, our corporate executives, and the dividers among us who believe that virtue signaling will protect them are misguided. No one is exempt from the fury of the mob.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Mostly Peaceful

Douglas Adams is my number one favorite author. He is a satirist and only a satirist could use a phrase like “mostly harmless.”

The point being, you can’t be harmless if you are only mostly harmless. As satirist, he has a license for absurdity. The same should not hold true for our main street media.

Without license, without a sarcastic intent, the MSM routinely describes BLM protest as “mainly peaceful.” Which, I take it to mean that the protests are mainly, for the most part, on-the-whole, largely, predominantly, almost entirely peaceful; but, not entirely, utterly, totally, wholly, fully, absolutely, completely free of violence.

Wait, I’ve got it! The mostly peaceful protests are mostly harmless except for occasional injuries and damaged property.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Proud to be an American

As we approach the 4th of July,
I celebrate my country and what it stands for.

For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.

Southern Festival of Books Goes Virtual

Celebrating the written word since 1989.

Humanities Tennessee, the organizer of the state’s largest literary event, will transition the three-day festival to virtual access during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Readers and writers from across Tennessee, and the world, will be able to celebrate the joy of reading and lifelong learning while enjoying sessions online with more than 100 authors. 

“We will miss being at the beautiful Nashville Public Library and on War Memorial Plaza, with all of the buzz and energy that the Festival weekend brings. But the important traditions will carry on in new and exciting ways; the opportunity to hear writers read from and discuss their works, and the chance to engage in ideas and discourse that are vital today. Writers will join us from around the country, and we will also share some sites and literary history from Tennessee,” said Serenity Gerbman, Literature and Language Program Director for Humanities Tennessee.

Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.

For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Four Stars

Foreword Clarion Review just gave Beyond Visual Range four stars!
Here is the full review:

Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.

In Tom Collins’s timely novel Beyond Visual Range, drone technology collides with a political intrigue that’s reminiscent of current events.

Despite a time of great economic growth and nationwide security, President Tanner is in the hot seat amid allegations of misuse of power. The Speaker of the House leads the charge, raising allegations that Tanner violated his oath of office and ignored foreign sovereignty. In a staggering twist, a splinter group within the American military steps forward and threatens to use force if Tanner isn’t removed from office. Meanwhile, a pair of drone operators are swept up in the conspiracy, as the drones they pilot are commandeered and manipulated into striking foreign civilian targets. The commander, Major Samantha Miller, turns to Mark Rollins and his off-books team for help with preventing the future loss of life.

The book continues the adventures of Mark Rollins and the Women’s Health Club—which operates as a front for a private operations group that protects America from threats foreign and domestic—but functions as a standalone thriller. Context is revealed when needed, allowing the current issue of drone misuse and impeachment to remain in the spotlight.

Major Miller embodies the strong characterization present throughout the narrative. Ample space is given to the sudden loss of control of the drones while hinting at a mystery in Miller’s background—the accident that led to her winding up in a wheelchair. At first introduction, she seems to be noncentral, but careful backstory reveals and her professional relationship with Rollins center her as a capable, compelling lead. The primary cast—Rollins, his team, and a select group of military people and civilians—are equally developed.

Swapping between the drone threat and the impeachment proceedings, the story is well paced. In a literal twist, a threat from Earth’s orbit requires that the story enter space. Dialogue directs much movement, though exposition also comes through prose at the proper times. Intense sequences featuring military jargon stand out, and Major Miller and Rollins have distinct voices, helping to showcase events from both of their viewpoints. The book’s harrowing aerial battles and contemplative discussions are both grounded thanks to clear details and staging. However, when characters take notes or present material, unusual formatting overshadows the narrative; words run together in such spaces.

Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com. 
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Audible Editions of Mark Rollins Adventures

Two of Mark Rollins Mysteries are currently available as audio editions. If you are planning a car trip anytime soon, audio books make the journey shorter—or at least make them seem shorter.  Click the book titles below to purchase the Audible edition:

The Claret Murders

Diversion

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Readings from Beyond Visual Range

This is the opening segment of chapter one:

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Birthday Time #79

Thanks to everyone for the birthday greetings. Note the hair, the result of being deprived of access to my hair “stylist” due to COVID-19 sheltering rules.  I lost the hair during chemo treatments and never allow it back until now. While now returning, it is doing so as an unruly child.  It does not remember how to behave.

I am busy promoting the new book, Beyond Visual Range. If you are considering a belated birthday gift—I could use reader reviews on Amazon. They are important and slow to get started. People don’t like to be first. So, I need some brave souls to take the plunge.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Major Samantha Miller

The main character in my book Beyond Visual Range isn’t new to the Mark Rollins Adventure series.  Our heroine first appeared in the book Diversion where she was addicted to Percocet and almost died. Fortunately, Samantha Miller (Sam to her friends) was saved at the last minute by the Rollins team.

In Beyond Visual Range Sam is now Major Samantha Miller, an air force fighter pilot.  After her F-35 fighter crashes off the coast of Cuba, she becomes a drone pilot which she flies from her wheelchair.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

The X-37B Returns to Space

According to an article in Science Alert the mysterious X-37B space plane is returning to orbit, And for once we are being told why. Are you really sure about that? You can read the May 7, 2020 article by Christopher Wood by clicking on Science alert.  Or, you could just read about the X-37B in the fictional work Beyond Visual Range,  and  let your imagination run wild.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.
 Be sure to check out the latest Tom Collins Novel, Beyond Visual Range on Amazon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

The Book is on the Printing Press!

Ingram has the print editions of Beyond Visual Range in the print queue. Unfortunately, the company just sent out the following notice:

“Please note that we are extending our current print turnaround times for some U.S. order types as we work diligently to uphold our commitment to the publishing industry while also protecting the health and well-being of our associates.”

Nevertheless, I would expect to see the print editions on Amazon within ten days and the eBook editions within two to three weeks. I must admit that my predictions on turnaround times have not been exactly accurate to date.  However, I think you will find this sixth book in the Mark Rollins Adventure series worth waiting for. To remind you about the story check out the video below:

One of the interesting things about the content of this and other videos is in the background. Check out the artwork and the bookcase contents—I always do when seeing interviews on TV or watching other video presentations.  

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com.  Look for book number six in the Mark Rollins Adventure series coming soon.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

IS COVID-19 THE END FOR EARTH OR HUMANKIND?

OR, IS IT JUST TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK?

We have faced COVID-19 and we have learned that we can deal with it. While it is not “just another flu” we have discovered that what we fear most is not the disease but the ‘so called’ cure for it—sheltering in place.

Yes, it is a killer, but as Kay says in the Men in Black, “There's always an Arquillian Battle Cruiser, or a Corillian Death Ray, or an intergalactic plague that is about to wipe out all life on this miserable little planet...”

So, bring it on COVID-19 you are just one more death ray or plague for us to face down. There are even worst things out there, and we will deal with them just like we have face down the killers before you—the 1918 Spanish flu, the 1957 Asian Flu, the 1968 Hong Kong influenza, the 1976 Swine Flu, the 1977 Russian Flu, etc.

Faced with an enemy he was told could “wipe out [virtually] all life on this miserable little planet”, Trump did what he had to do.  It has been proven to be a Killer and that is a tragedy. But it is not, as we were originally led to believe, the destroyer of humanity.  So, common sense kicks in and as Trump says—"IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK!”

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Audio versions of The Claret Murders and  Diversion are available from iTunes, Audibles and Amazon. eBook editions are also available through Apple iTunes’ iBook’s Store and Smashwords.com. 
Published by I-65 North, Inc.