Original Paperback: Accidental Soldiers

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      Restless in retirement, billionaire J.W. Patterson selects a life of activist philanthropy. He sets his sights on battling corporate corruption and creates a clandestine organization specializing in undercover investigations. His core group consists of people now retired from relevant high-impact careers. A vivacious young woman named Darlene Forrester heads the field investigative team.

     Vincent Caldarano’s roots trace to Sicily, but he seeks a new path. His modern-day crime syndicate uses high-tech methods to exploit age-old vices.

     J.W. Patterson is smart, but not street smart. When his investigators collide unexpectedly with elements of Caldarano’s empire, the results are explosive. 

     Loyal followers of both men become accidental soldiers, thrown into a whirlwind of danger and intrigue.

    -You did it again, Bill............."Accidental Soldiers" was awesome! I tried to read this one more slowly, but I couldn't put it down!! From the first chapter to the end, I was captivated by the danger, action and honest to goodness suspense. You have a wonderful ability to make each chapter flow perfectly into the next and you make each of the characters so real. Also, the ending of this novel was a surprise...you ARE going to write a sequel to this one, aren't you??? The possibilities are endless!!

      - I really enjoyed the story and would think that it is easily as good as some of the most popular authors - Grisham, et al. The story kept me involved and anxious to see how it all came together.

   - I really like this story. It has great characters, great tension, a great plot… Good work!

Bill just finished your book and as far as I am concerned you are three for three. Enjoyed it very much. Tough to put down at night. Waiting patiently for The Alphabet Affair. Let me know if you ever write another book. 

   -You did it again, Bill............."Accidental Soldiers" was awesome! I tried to read this one more slowly, but I couldn't put it down!! From the first chapter to the end, I was captivated by the danger, action and honest to goodness suspense. You have a wonderful ability to make each chapter flow perfectly into the next and you make each of the characters so real. Also, the ending of this novel was a surprise...you ARE going to write a sequel to this one, aren't you??? The possibilities are endless!! 

   -This book is a triumph of imagination. Would make an incredible movie. Redford as J.W. Newman as Jim Brantley? Awesome thought to me.

       Accidental Soldiers is pure adventure.thriller We have a set of well-meaning retirees who find themselves facing unexpected grave danger. 

     The storyline inspiration was a real-life experience as a consumer protection journalist via a magazine I had launched called Unified Neighbors. We had run two scathing exposes on a modeling agency's deceptive practices. It was, new to our town, headquartered in Chicago.

     My phone rings. “Are you Corbin.” “Yes, who are you?” “I’m a guy representing Star Power Modeling. They want you to know they are very unhappy with your stories.” 

      “Well tell them to stop conning our readers, and the stories will stop.” 

      [voice goes dark, growlier] “Mr. Corbin, I don’t think you understand. My people are VERY unhappy with your stories.” 

     The novel’s construction includes character development on both sides of the conflict, allowing a look inside the operations of each organization, and inside the motivations of all key players. (Readers of spy thrillers might be reminded of Ken Follett’s Key to Rebecca in which he fully develops characters on the British and German sides of his conflict.)

     I completed the first draft of Accidental Soldiers in 2000 and finished final rewrite in 2003. I left the setting in 2000, therefore pre-9/11. It is coincidental that the key conflict unfolds in the vicinity of September 11. 

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Scheduled for Kindle availability  May 11, 2026