Jack Arbor, Thriller Author

High Caliber Thrillers

Jack Arbor

November 26, 2022

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This guy braced me for $20 after this photo.

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” ~ Mike Tyson

Endgame launches December 6th!

We made it. Two years in the making, 98,000-plus words, and multiple rounds of editing.

Endgame is finally done.

We missed a couple of proposed publish dates, but we got it done before the end of 2022, which was my goal.

Endgame is the sixth and final book in the Russian Assassin series. Assuming Max survives this story, he will go off into retirement and take a rest to heal his wounds, both emotional and physical.

Or maybe the author needs to heal his own emotional wounds. What started as a three-book series that I planned to finish in 18 months turned into six novels written over a period of eight years. There is an author’s note in the book where I get a little nostalgic about the journey, but suffice it to say the series took on a life of its own. There is a lesson in there somewhere, I guess.

EndgameSo what’s next?

It’s a good question. I have two manuscripts underway in a new series starring a minor character from the Russian Assassin series. The stories take place in the same ‘world’ as the Russian Assassin, so it’s possible Max may make a cameo at some point. The new series takes place in Japan, China, and North Korea where there are plenty of geopolitical tensions to explore.

But for now, Endgame goes live on December 6th

Thank you, dear reader, for your patience as we labored to make Endgame as good as it can possibly be. I hope you enjoy the story.

 

 

September 27, 2022

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Happy fall, everyone. Here in the Rocky Mountains, the leaves are popping and the snow is about to fly. If the forecasters are to be believed, we should get snow above 11,000 feet on Friday. That will make the social media marketers happy.

My father visited last week and we took the jeep up to Silverton for some lite four-wheel driving and leaf peeping. Along the way, we stopped into the Ouray Bookshop.

I was supposed to visit Mom in Florida this weekend, but the trip was delayed by a few days because of Hurricane Ian. Let’s see if I can make the trip work on Saturday. I hope everyone is safe down there as the storm surge hits Fort Meyers. The eye of the storm will likely pass right over my mother’s house, but she’s inland, so she’ll be fine.

Endgame Release Date
Dad taking shots along Maggie Gulch outside Silverton, Colorado

Although Endgame is my sixth novel, I’m always surprised by how long the editing and proofing takes. The manuscript went to the editor back in June, and we’re only now getting close to the publish date. If everything goes to plan, we should be ready to publish Endgame on Tuesday, October 11th. If not, we’ll go on October 18th. Watch this space for more information.

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Stay crispy,

Jack

 

June 19, 2022

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Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there!Jack Arbor and Cloey

Today, I’m in Ann Arbor, Michigan seeing my own father. It’s where I grew up, and I always enjoy visiting some of my old haunts like Sweetwaters Cafe (the OG location on Washington Street) and Zingerman’s Deli. But mostly I like hanging out on my father’s peaceful screened-in porch and getting some writing done. Both my father and his live-in girlfriend are artists so doing art is supported around here.

This is Cloey, by the way. Former show poodle now living her best life at my father’s place.

Announcement

Endgame, the sixth and final installment in the Russian Assassin series, is with the editor. It’s 94K words and 49 chapters plus a prologue and maybe an epilogue. I did my best to wrap it all up, but as always, you’ll be the judge. Will Max live to fight another day? Will Alex and Arina gain their old lives back? Will Kate Shaw exorcise her demons? Tune in this fall and let’s find out.

When Will Endgame Be Released?

Good question. I expect to receive the manuscript back in two months. It’ll take a couple of weeks to make the changes, then another couple of weeks for a final proof. Realistically, we’re looking at an October release. But watch this space for more updates.

Meanwhile, I’ll start the cover art design process and reveal that to ya’all as soon as it’s ready.

Get out there and enjoy the summer weather!

All the best,

Jack

 

May 14, 2022

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I’m writing at you from sultry Nashville, Tennessee where I was speaking at a conference. The topic was cyber security, and it was (obviously) related to my day job. If you’re wondering what my Tech Bro conference outfit is, here’s a picture. I did tuck my shirt in for the presentation. While it was fun to spend a few days with friends, and the discussion on cyber security went well, I’m excited to get back to the Endgame manuscript on the plane ride back to Colorado.

If you’re reading this and have recently sent me an email, I apologize for not having returned your note. The volume of email has reached the point where it is difficult for me to get back to everyone. I do appreciate everyone’s kind words.

Most of the emails are politely wondering when Endgame, book 6 in the Russian Assassin series, will be released. I’m currently on draft three of the revision process and will get it to my tireless editor in the coming weeks. If all goes as planned, Endgame should be released by this fall. Thanks for your patience.

Peace, love, and books,

-Jack

 

 

February 27, 2022

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Here in Beautiful Colorado, as my father likes to call it, it has been a great winter, so far. December was marked by record snowfalls, and while January was drought-like, business was good at the ski area. February snow has been, well, adequate, but March is usually when we see the most precipitation. My boss calls it white gold, but snow is important for more reasons than just the ski business. The water tables also benefit, which helps keep things damp and reduces the threat of forest fire in the summer. All things we think about up here in the mountains.

To answer your question, yes, I’ve been working hard on Endgame. After a break in Q3 and Q4 last year, I’m back at it. When I revisited the manuscript in early January, I realized that the second half needed almost a complete re-write. Now I understand why writers of series like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones struggle to wrap up everything in a nice bow. How will Max ensure his family is safe? Will Kate Shaw reclaim her position with the CIA? What will become of Arina and Alex? Will Max reconcile with Julia Meier? Will Spencer rebuild his cabin? Will Max live to fight another day, or will he make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure his family’s safety? How will things end for Baxter, Cindy, C, Badū, Gabrieli, and Kaamil? Tune in later this year to find out.

If you ask me, the writers of GOT really screwed up the last season. George is doing alright, though. No one is feeling sorry for him.

And before you ask your second question, yes, Goshawk plays a major role in Endgame.

Maybe I’ll get started on the cover soon.

While you wait, here’s a picture from a recent skinning excursion up Tiehack Mountain, which is part of the Buttermilk ski resort. To my left, on the right side of the picture, are the Maroon Bells, some of the most photographed mountains in Colorado.

Happy New Year 2022

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It’s been a year, that’s for sure.

Despite world turmoil, the continued devaluation of fiat currency, and the ongoing pandemic, it’s been a good year. Jill and I traveled to Costa Rica for two weeks, sold our house, went on a three-month “road” trip to California, Michigan, and North Carolina, and moved into our new house. I learned about the blockchain, bought some crypto at the all-time highs, twisted my ankle on a trail run in April, nursed it back to health, then twisted it again in November on the same trail. I saw my dad, met his new dog Cloey, saw my mom, and was sad when she had to put her dog Zoey down. The circle of life. Mom picks up her new puppy tomorrow. The puppy’s name is Gabby.

2021 Writing Recap

In the writing department, I spent time recovering from lockdown-induced writing burnout. The first draft of Endgame, Max Austin #6, is mostly done. I also re-published The Russian Assassin, Max Austin #1, to include cleaner prose and fewer cuss words. While the prose are completely re-written, the story hasn’t changed. Otherwise, I took a much-needed break to travel, see family, settle into our new abode, and keep from getting fired from my day job.

While I love writing, sometimes rest and living is necessary.

I took this in Asheville:

Grafitti, Asheville NC
Grafitti, Asheville NC
Which Brings Me to 2022

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to the eventual easing of the pandemic. I will rehabilitate my ankle and get back on the slopes. Jill and I will travel, maybe to Europe, more likely to Mexico. My crypto investments will go to the moon, so I can quit my day job and write full time. 😉

But most importantly, we’ll get Endgame published and wrap up the six-story saga of Max Austin’s fight against the consortium. Will Max survive the final onslaught of the nefarious forces against him? Will Arina come out of her coma and reunite with Alex? What will become of Kate’s career with the CIA? Will Max and Kate elope to a tropical island? Tune in later in 2022 to find out.

Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to You and Yours

In my household, the New Year is the main event. It’s a time for renewal, exfoliation, a celebration of the past year, and goal setting for the next year. On the ‘eve’, we’ll hunker down in front of the fireplace with some bourbon and nail down our 2022 goals. Then we’ll tune into Anderson Cooper and toast with champagne at 10:00 MT, midnight ET, and after that, we’ll turn it into a dance party.

Wherever you are in the world, I wish you and your family vibrant health, happy tidings, and good cheer.

Happy New Year!

-Jack and Jill