As the situation continued to unfold, Jodi found herself standing, staring at the hundreds of missile tracks bearing down on them. It suddenly became real. More than a dozen of those tracks were heading for the building above her — if those Patriots missed, she could die in the coming minutes. For the first time in a long while, she began to pray.
“First intercepts in ninety seconds,” someone announced.
Jodi met General Yen’s eyes. The old soldier managed a tight nod — acknowledgment of her contribution, and what they’d achieved today despite what might happen next. She’d bloodied the PLA Navy today, sending more tonnage to the bottom of the ocean than anyone since World War II. But now, in this moment as missiles closed in on them, none of that mattered.
“Impact in thirty seconds!” shouted someone.
“Oh God — brace for impact!”
Miranda and I hope you enjoyed
I want to share something personal — something that may sound strange to some. I felt a calling to write this series. A pull. A quiet, persistent voice inside telling me this story needed to be told.
That inner voice — some might call it instinct, others faith — has saved my life more than once. It guided me through harrowing moments during my time in Iraq, and again during tense situations while working across Europe. I’ve learned to trust it.
So why this story? Why now?
Because I believe we’re living at a turning point. Our nation, our world is standing at the edge of the greatest industrial and technological revolution since the dawn of electricity: the rise of Artificial General Intelligence. While our political and corporate leaders debate how to wield it, our adversaries are already preparing to weaponize it.
And that’s why I felt compelled to write this story.
If you truly value something — your family, your freedom, your homeland — you should be willing to protect it, to fight for it. Ask any parent what they’d do to protect their children, and you’ll understand what I mean. It’s no different at the national level.
Yes, every country — whether in Europe, Asia, or here in America — has its flaws. But those flaws don’t define us. What does define us is how we rise to defend what matters most.
Captain Alex Mercer’s story is one of honor and sacrifice. He’s a man who began his service as an enlisted soldier before earning his commission. He represents the warrior-scholar — someone who leads from the front and never forgets where he came from.
Sergeant First Class Ramon Torres reflects my own upbringing — a man who didn’t come from much but used military service as a way to provide for his family, improve himself, and continue a legacy of service to his country.
As this series unfolds, you’ll meet other characters like Alex and Ramon — men and women who understand the cost of freedom, who know that service matters, and that allies matter. And that, sometimes, war must be fought — not out of hatred, but out of love for what we refuse to lose.
As a veteran of the Iraq War, I understand war in ways I wish I didn’t. I’ve lost more friends to suicide than to bullets. I carry the physical and emotional scars of that war, as does Miranda — and even our children. But despite everything we’ve endured, I would answer the call again in a heartbeat if my country needed me. Not because I believe it’s perfect. But because I believe it’s worth it.
As we step into an uncertain future, I want to ask something of you — something hard. Show patience. Show kindness when you can. Show resolve when you must.
We can’t control the world around us, but we can control how we respond to it. If I choose to respond with grace, and you do the same, that ripple effect — small at first — can change lives.
As a wise man once said: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
If you are ready for the next chapter in this World on Fire series, you can purchase your pre-order copy here. It’s our goal to release our books ahead of schedule, but every now and then you have to allow for a little “kid” factor with a young family. The
