Nick Spalding

Nick Spalding has been a warrior, both military and civilian, most of his life. He's been in places and situations where decisive action is not only allowed, but necessary. But he's grown weary of that life. But he opted to drop out of that life and out of his chosen profession. He takes a job on the docks, one where the biggest decisions are whether and how tightly to snug the boats to the pilings against an incoming storm. The only other Anglo around, Mary Jo McWherter has also experienced war, hers in Northern Ireland. She too has dropped out and is escaping her own past. She works as a waitress in a road house near town. But for both of them, where you work doesn't change who you are. Some folks are just cut from a particular cloth. Some folks are only suited for a certain kind of life. When Nick and Mary Jo join forces, both romantically and as comrades, their services are in high demand. How long can it last?

Nick Spalding and Mary Jo McWherter partnered up in Book 1. Things are great when hell is all around, but sometimes you have to go in search of it. Now in Book 2, they've traveled to a different country, a different conflict. Nick Spalding has been a warrior, both military and civilian, most of his life. His partner, Mary Jo McWherter, was much the same. But Nick hasn't seen Mary Jo for awhile. Did she leave on her own? Was she taken? He has no answers, and the only new role he's able to assume is that of walking wounded. Fortunately he finds a safe house operated by an excellent amateur nurse, Marie Delacroix. Of course, Nick can't turn off his mind. He can't simply forget Mary Jo. He hopes maybe she's gone back to Ireland. But maybe she's heard a siren song of her own. Maybe from a place where Nick can't go. Maybe from a place he wouldn't want to go. Maybe Nick is about to receive the shock of his life. Still, every life is filled with strange circumstances that somehow all work out in the end. After all, life really is only a series of transitions.

In this third installment of the Nick Spalding story, Nick and Marie are facing a challenge of immense proportions. The Side has found the enemy has a secret: a vast underground munitions bunker. If that weren't enough, the Others have also brought in a massive weapon that will enable them to win the war and force capitulation of the country in a matter of hours. The only way into the compound is on foot, in secret, and only one man-and woman-is right for the job. Nick Spalding has been a warrior, both military and civilian, most of his life. He's seen the good and bad in life, and he always knows which side to come down on. He also knows he's probably destined to come down alone. With few exceptions for brief periods of time, his has been a solitary life. But there's something very different about Marie Delacroix, who made her debut in Book 2. For some reason, Nick is torn between wanting to keep her safe and wanting to teach her what she wants to learn: everything he knows about waging war. She wants to be his partner. A real partner in every aspect of his life. And she truly is unlike anyone he's ever known. Life truly is a series of transitions. And many of them are wrapped up in coincidence.