RECCE II (The Union Series Book 5)
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The cluttered, increasingly congested battlefield that provides the backdrop to the story continues to draw many parallels with conflicts being fought today, particularly in the Middle East. As I have mentioned previously- from an elevated perspective it might appear that all armed conflicts are simple, good versus bad scenarios, but a closer look will often reveal something far more complex, especially when invited coalitions and host nation forces are involved. Even NATO allies can sometimes have conflicting interests which can cause significant operational and strategic frictions between them. Without pointing out specific countries, a look into oil trade routes out of Iraq and Syria and the implications of a free Kurdistan might highlight some of those divisions. On the other side of the coin, host nation forces and indigenous populations can often be fractured and so deeply divided it’s almost impossible to piece them together. You will likely see more of this as the Union series progresses, which should hopefully make for some interesting storylines. Remember- the first dropships haven’t even landed on Europa yet and Andy’s tour is not yet over…
Aleksi and Einsatsgruppe-19 are the first SF unit that Andy has come into contact with; a tiny, theatre specific organisation who I decided to bring into the mix to add greater depth and to make it clear that Recce platoon are far from the top of the food chain. Since I am not SF myself- and I wouldn't want to end up in any trouble for saying something I shouldn't- EG19 are only very loosely based on any real UK SF unit. Though highly capable when assembled as a combat unit, EG19's main focus is to motivate, arm, train and direct the indigenous population against their oppressors in a manner which suits the Union's overall strategy. This makes them a thousand times more effective than they would be on their own, raising entire armies to attack an already weakened enemy, undermining his will to fight as his own people turn against him, and denying him freedom of movement on his own soil. Though I couldn't comment with authority, I suspect that similar operations have been conducted in the past, for instance with the warlords of Afghanistan fighting the Taliban, and undoubtedly in both Iraq and Syria today.
I hope you enjoy Recce II as much as I enjoyed writing it, and that it completes the story set by its predecessor. It certainly won't be the last of the series, so you can expect more of Andy Moralee as he advances through his career, and you definitely haven't seen the last book from me! If you find the time, please do me the honour of writing a review on amazon, even if it’s negative. Not only do your honest reviews help other potential readers to make informed choices, but they also give the feedback I need to develop further as a writer. Alternatively, feel free to drop a message on my Amazon author page, or follow me on twitter: @PhilAuthor
Thanks for reading! Phil
Books In The Union Series
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C.R.O.W. - Book One of The Union Series: Andy Moralee knew that life with his new company of Dropship Infantry would be hard, but nothing could prepare him for life in one of the toughest units in the Union army. New arrivals, nicknamed ‘Crow’ by their platoons, are the lowest form of life in his Company, and he finds himself at the mercy of unforgiving commanders and bullies, all the time knowing that the real enemy are waiting for him at the end of his journey through the void. The enemy know that the Union are coming, they have dug in and fortified, and they are ready.
C.R.O.W is a Military Science Fiction novel that follows Andy Moralee across the cosmos, and into combat against a well-equipped enemy prepared to fight to the very end.
Amazon links:
www.amazon.com (US/Worldwide)
www.amazon.co.uk (UK)
LANCEJACK - Book Two of The Union Series: Andy Moralee is no longer the young and terrified recruit who had last set foot upon New Earth two years ago. Decorated for his bravery during the final hours of the invasion and promoted to lance corporal, he is still troubled by his memories and haunted by nightmares. He finds himself unable to cope with life back on Earth, and so he returns to the red planet, the only place where he feels he belongs. But New Earth has changed as well. A growing insurgency threatens to turn the planet into a battleground once again, but this time the enemy has the ability to melt away into the population, and even turn the Union's weapons against them. Nobody can be trusted, even old friends. Quickly swept up in the gathering storm Andy finds himself in the command of a section that resents his early promotion, and during the battle that follows his leadership, his loyalty, and even his faith in his comrades are put to the ultimate test in the face of an enemy that will stop at nothing.
Amazon links:
www.amazon.com (US/Worldwide)
www.amazon.co.uk (UK)
EDEN - Book Three of The Union Series: Eden's beauty was testament to a centuries-old dream to turn a barren, rocky world into a paradise where mankind could live in peace. But Eden wasn't paradise. Torn apart by decades of colonial rivalry, the provinces were deeply divided, and as two rogue provinces begin yet another bitter fight, the Union is forced to step in before they go too far, causing the entire planet to descend into war.
Andy Moralee finds himself quickly sucked into the conflict, and nothing could have prepared him for the depths that humanity had sunk to out in the forest - where loyalty was achieved at the end of a gun. Ordered to ally with one side of Eden’s warring factions, he fears he now has two enemies to watch.
In a desperate moment, Andy must choose between his mission and the only thing that separates him from the evil that lives in the forest … his soul.
Amazon Links:
www.amazon.com (US/Worldwide)
www.amazon.co.uk (UK)
Link to my blog site:
http://militarysciencefictionblog.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/phill.richards.1238#
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