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The Hero’s World Falls Apart
Four Minutes to Zero follows a former SAS Sergeant whose wife is kidnapped by terrorists that want to create a New World Order, and he has to stop them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I used a template for writing the story which was described by author Kurt Vonnegut as ‘Man in Hole.’ This means that the story begins with the protagonist on top of the world. Life could not be better, Then , in a matter of moments, his whole world falls apart. Things could not be worse. Everything he does to try and put things right makes his situation even worse. Then, when things are as bad as they could possibly be, he pulls a rabbit out the hat and manages to come out on top. One example of this type of plot structure is the Hitchcock film ‘North by North West’ in which the hero’s world falls apart in minutes and he is chased across the USA and wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I just wrote from the heart and imagined a movie in my head and then described what I saw, using all my senses. I also ensured that there were quieter, more reflective scenes in between the action as constant action can become tiring.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the technical and military details you included? Did anything in your research surprise you?
I used the method advocated by the late film and TV scriptwriter Brian Clemens (who wrote The Avengers, The New Avengers and The Professionals TV series). He always wrote an initial draft of his scripts using just the information that was in his head. Then when he had finished that he went through the script again ,checking certain points against reference books. Nowadays you can find almost every piece of information you want on the internet. However, some pieces of information were classified, such as the exact appearance of the operations room and radar screens etc in a Royal Navy Type 31 frigate. So I had to use my imagination. I was once shown round the operations room of a Royal Navy Type 42 Destroyer in 1983 so was able to extrapolate from this ,making the technology newer. One thing that did surprise me was how technologically advanced Iran is. They were supplied with American F-14 fighters in the 1970s and have managed to keep them airworthy by manufacturing their own spare parts, something which US Intelligence thought would be impossible. Iran also makes very effective drones and have supplied thousands of them to Russia for use in the current conflict in Ukraine.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
I am sure that Rick Fernscale will return because he seems to have a habit of attracting trouble. As to what he will be up to in his next adventure I cannot say but I am sure it will be entertaining.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
From the writer of the award-winning ‘24 Hours to Doomsday’ comes another action-packed thriller full of cliff-hangers, twists and turns and heart-in-the-mouth moments which puts the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. ‘Four Minutes to Zero’ is a book which you will be unable to put down until you reach the last page.
Four Minutes to Zero
Former SAS Sergeant Rick Fernscale is shown in the opening pages of Four Minutes to Zero enjoying a luxurious life and expecting a child with his beautiful wife years after the events of 24 Hours to Doomsday. Unfortunately, his wife is abducted by terrorists, who tell him that he must fulfill a perilous assignment or risk losing her. When he discovers that the terrorists’ main goal is to drastically reduce the world’s population, he is forced to choose between saving the rest of the world and saving his wife. Four Minutes to Zero by Colin M Barron follows Rick in his action-packed, fast-paced race to save his wife and the world from the nefarious machinations of the rich and powerful.
Like Mission: Impossible and the Jason Bourne film series, Four Minutes to Zero keeps its audience on the edge of their seats with its high-risk missions and highly competent and trained protagonist. It was interesting to see Rick attempting to infiltrate a foreign nation with a strong military and surveillance system. Fans of espionage stories will like the scenes in which he attempts to blend in and hopes that the foreign soldiers do not discover his actual identity.
Colin’s tale is certainly complicated and exhaustive since it offers specific information about the firearms and other instruments used in the characters’ attacks. However, I appreciated learning that the Milan, a guided anti-tank missile, was utilized in both the Falklands War and the first Gulf War. Furthermore, the protagonist’s intricate, game-like attack strategies are clearly spelled out for readers, making the missions highly intriguing and exciting.
Four Minutes to Zero is a complete, dexterous combination of heart-pounding action and suspense, complex international missions and attack plans, extremely high stakes involving the most cutting-edge weapons, extremely powerful villains who want to rule the world, and well-developed characters with engrossing backstories. It’s the kind of book that makes you remember why you initially fell in love with action novels.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0BQMRNBK8
I Opted For Revenge
24 Hours to Doomsday follows a veteran SAS Sergeant who’s out for revenge when a terrorist group kills his wife. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I was looking for a very powerful emotional core to my story so I opted for revenge as that is a strong motivation. Many films and books have used this e.g. the ‘Death Wish’ series of films and their many imitations. More recently, the ‘Taken’ films used this theme and they were very successful at the box office. My first two novels had a sci-fi element but this time I had a rule that everything in the book had to be scientifically plausible and set in the real world so it features a drone attack on London and a terrorist carrying an explosive charge inside his body, things which the Intelligence Services have always feared.
Rick is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Almost everyone has suffered at the hands of criminals at some point in their lives and we have all thought of revenge. But most people don’t act out these fantasies because they are civilised people and also don’t have the necessary skills or weapons. In the case of Rick he is a highly experienced former soldier in the SAS with all the necessary skills, including unarmed combat and weapons training, to wreak havoc on his opponents and get away with it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One theme was that terrorists are not reasonable people and can only be defeated by military action. At the same time, I have gone into a lot of detail about why the terrorists act the way they do and I have attempted to explain their behaviour without condoning it. At the same time, I have charted Rick’s personal journey. He experiences a terrible trauma – the death of his wife- just two years after his first wife died – but overcomes a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, saves the world and finds lasting happiness with a new love.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book will be a direct sequel to ’24 Hours to Doomsday’ and continues Rick’s story. I will start this book later this year so it should be available sometime in 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
As he gets closer to the gang, he learns about ‘Operation Armageddon’, their plan to wipe out most of humanity. The pressure intensifies. Can he, with the help of the British Armed Forces, thwart the terrorists’ evil scheme and save the world? Will he ever find happiness again?
Find out in this highly-charged political, terrorist thriller that’s filled with twists and turns, military action and many heart-in-the-mouth moments to keep you engrossed.
24 HOURS TO DOOMSDAY
![24 HOURS TO DOOMSDAY: Terrorist thriller that’s filled with twists, turns and military action by [Colin M Barron]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DLDrK4iJS.jpg)
Sergeant Rick Fernscale of D Squadron, 22 Special Air Service’s life fell apart when his first wife, Helen died. He never imagined he’d find love again until he met Laura. As he and Laura embark on a pleasure cruise to celebrate their honeymoon, an object is spotted in the sky above. The object, a drone, is shot down and debris kills Laura. Angry and mourning, Rick sets out to solve the mystery of the drone. It is a mission that will change his life forever.
Author Colin M. Barron has created a compelling political thriller that is told with a command of military strategy and jargon that imbues the novel with an air of authority that few action adventure novels possess. The action feels organic and hard hitting but always grounded. Readers comfortable with military fiction will be able to follow this suspenseful narrative easily, but I felt overwhelmed occasionally by the amount of information given.
The dialogue throughout the book is sharp and fits the relentless pace of the novel. Rick is an intriguing character that shows more dimensions and depth as the story progresses and is someone who was fun to follow.
24 Hours to Doomsday is a riveting action adventure novel that takes the kinetic action of Tom Clancy novels and adds the depth of character of Robert Ludlum books. As an American, I enjoyed seeing British Armed Forces in combat operations as it gave me the thrill of military action with the exotic feel of a foreign power.
Author Colin Barron ends this novel with a nail biting twist that any action fan will surely appreciate. I don’t want to give away too much, but Kokorov attempts to kill Rick, and Andy Harrington steps in with stunning results.
24 Hours to Doomsday provides readers with a thrilling novel that parallels real life in the potential release of a deadly virus. This is a high octane terrorist thriller that is hard to put down.
Pages: 287 | ASIN: B096CNYYHV
LITERARY TITAN 