Author Don Bentley considers himself a 17 year overnight success, almost knocked Anne Rice over in an elevator and believes he in being a fan first to authors. His latest book is “Forgotten War”. Let’s go Beyond the Mic.
Welcome Don Bentley:
We’re joined on the Starline by the New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy “Zero Hour” and his own Matt Drake series the latest is “Forgotten War”. Before we continue we have to thank him again for his service for our country and we’ll tell you he’s a former Apache helicopter pilot so he doesn’t have to. It’s author Don Bentley.
Don, welcome back Beyond the Mic. You were deployed to Afghanistan as an Army Air Cavalry Troop Commander where you were awarded the Air medal with the “V” device for valor, the Combat Action Badge, and the Bronze Star Medal. Your book is dedicated to the eleven marines, one sailor and one soldier who gave their lives at Kabul’s Abbey Gate. “May we who remain prove worthy of your sacrifice”. Do you feel worthy still?
In “Forgotten War” your character Matt Drake heads back to Afghanistan as it falls to the Taliban. Does this book help you excise the demons from your past?
The team consists of a gunship pilot, washed up Green Beret, a DIA agent on vacation and an angry SEAL… you couldn’t find a way to get a coastie involved?
How did you come up with “Forgotten War” as a title?
The Rockin’ 8:
It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.
1. Favorite day trip from Austin not counting Fredericksburg?
2. What is your favorite type of coffee roast?
3. How do you decompress?
4. Were you a Keith Urban fan before or after he was married to Nicole Kidman and what’s your favorite song?
5. What’s one thing you miss doing from when you were a kid?
6. If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do?
7. Favorite pair of boots?
8. Best place you have vacationed with your family?
The Back Half:
One section of the book, Matt gives a vet his number and tells him “when it gets bad, call me” who do you call when it gets bad?
In what way did Kelcy Smith and Bryan Price’s friendship changed the way you look at your time in the service?
You say in your book 800,000 American men and women volunteered in Afghanistan and they should be considered “our nation’s newest Greatest Generation”. How has that war colored the way you look at the world?
You worked in corporate America before you started writing. How has your experiences from war to FBI to SWAT to electronics, to corporate America to writing change the way you see yourself?
Family
What’s the best thing about your son and daughters and how has your wife kept you sane?
Best Nelson DeMille novel?
You’ve helped others via tips for beer at the bar at Thrillerfest. What’s one tip you’ve given that you wish someone gave you at the beginning of your career? What’s the tip you gave your daughter even though she owes 14000 words?
You support authors via social media and at conferences. Why is giving back so important to you?
Best memory from Thrillerfest or Bouchercon?
One of your first jobs was designing a microprocessor controller for frequency agile radios. Ever think of falling back on that if this writing thing falls apart?
With all the clearances you used to have, how hard is it keeping yourself from accidentally using stories from your life in your books?
Best and worst part from your time as an FBI Special Agent?
How many times have you had to visit the team room?
So did you model Dee Moss after?
One Big Question:
Last time we talked Russia had invaded Ukraine. “The world needs hard men. Without the likes of you, evil would triumph.” Is there enough to keep evil from triumph?
What’s the biggest impact you have made by writing?
The Wrap:
Don Bentley’s wife thinks he needs to grow up, built a treehouse that stands the test of time, loves Ireland and a good aviator’s roast. “Forgotten War” is the book. Where can people find you?
Don Bentley thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.
Listen to Don Bentley take a Beyond the Mic Short Cut here on Hostile Intent.
Check out Don at his website here.
Visit Don on Facebook here.
