Fellow Vince Flynn Fans—

Now that I’ve sent the first draft of Capture Or Kill to editor extraordinaire Emily Bestler, I feel like I can finally catch my breath. 

To celebrate, I thought I’d use this month’s postto introduce myself. 

I’m a dad to three amazing kids.  My son is in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, and he’ll be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps once he graduates.  My oldest daughter is studying engineering at the University of Arkansas and my youngest is finishing high school. 

I’m extremely proud of all three of them, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

My wife and I are high school sweethearts and we’ve been married almost 28 years.  She’s an elementary school teacher who specializes in helping Dyslexic kids learn to read.  She’s my first reader and my target audience.  If reading one of my books makes her laugh, cry, or stay up way too late turning pages, I know I’ve hit the mark.

Speaking of my books, Capture Or Kill will be my 9th published novel.  Prior to taking the reins from Kyle Mills, I wrote four books in my Matt Drake series and four for the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan, Jr. universe. 

Besides writing, I’ve held a number of fun jobs including Army Apache helicopter pilot, FBI Special Agent and SWAT team member, and defense contractor just to name a few.  My wife likes to say that I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up, and while that might be true, I look at my career through a different lens.  Each one of my jobs taught me about the kind of people who would eventually become characters in my books. 

I am no Mitch Rapp, but I have stood in the same room with men who could be. 

Some of those men I’m lucky enough to call friends.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the jobs and people who’ve shaped me, and maybe a flying story or two, feel free to stop by my website and check out the podcasts and interviews.  This is great place to start: https://donbentleybooks.com/forgotten-war-interviews-podcasts/.

In closing, I always love to hear from readers and fellow Mitch Rapp aficionados.  Please feel free to reach out via donbentleybooks@gmail.com anytime. 

I try to respond to every person who drops me a note.

Have a fantastic April!

Best, 
Don