Enjoy getting to know, PHILIP CAINE:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Fiction : Adventure : Thriller
You’ve written four books: 4 Novels in the JACK CASTLE series
1) PICNIC IN IRAQ
2) TO CATCH A FOX
3) BREAKFAST IN BEIRUT
4) THE HOLLOW PRESIDENT
Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
THE PROLOGUE FROM THE HOLLOW PRESIDENT –
East of Kabul, the watery sunlight sparkled on the snow-covered peaks of the Paghman Mountains. At the controls of the C130 aircraft, Captain Mark Waterman spoke into the mic, ‘Hercules-901, Bagram control, request permission to take-off.’
‘Bagram control, Hercules-901, you are clear for take-off on Romeo-Two.’
‘Thank you, Bagram.’
The four engines purred as the big cargo plane lumbered onto the end of the runway. Waterman pushed the throttles to maximum and felt the control column shudder as the huge turbines roared into life. As the aircraft left the tarmac, the captain pulled hard back on the controls and banked to the south in a steady climb over the mountains that surrounded the ancient city.
The small fire had kept the man’s hands warm and fingers nimble. Through powerful binoculars he’d watched the plane move to the runway and climb into the clear morning sky. He’d prepared the weapon and checked it several times while waiting for the Hercules to leave the airbase. He lifted the cumbersome launcher to his shoulder and braced himself as the aircraft headed towards his position. His breath swirled around his head as he exhaled, then his finger gently squeezed the trigger.
The rocket shot skyward, the vapour trail white in its wake, screaming towards the target.
‘Incoming! Incoming!’ yelled Waterman.
The co-pilot fired the counter measures but it was too late. The ground-to-air missile struck between the first and second engines and the wing, loaded with fuel, added to the explosion.
The man eased the heavy launcher from his shoulder and watched as the huge fireball engulfed the doomed aircraft.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Write Forever
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Small Town
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
Amusement Park
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
The Rolling Stones
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
The Rolling Stones
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
STEPTOE & SON
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
AMERICAN RONIN
An ex-CIA assassin is recruited by North Korea to release a weapon of mass destruction, but what is the target, Washington, London, or Mecca? Only the killer knows where and when the deadly virus will be released.
MI6 dispatch Jack Castle to track down the rogue agent and prevent the unthinkable from happening. With thousands of lives at stake, will Jack stop the madman in time?
A fast moving international thriller that begins in Panama and culminates in Istanbul.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
ALISTAIR MACLEAN
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Mountains
Chocolate or Sour Candy? Chocolate
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Jimmy Fallon
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Either
Beer or wine? Neither
Flying or driving? Driving
Hemingway or Twain? Hemingway
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
Indiana Jones & Marilyn Monroe
Aladdin’s Lamp & HG Welles’s Time Machine
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house, or meet at their place of royalty?
Winston Churchill
Redrawing the borders of the Middle East
His place
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
Real Happiness
PHILIP CAINE: Author of the JACK CASTLE series of adventure novels.
Born in 1950, in Barrow-in- Furness, Philip’s working life began in the hotel business.
His career developed in the oil industry and 30 years were spent in places such as the North Sea, Algeria, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Russia.
From 2003, he spent 7 years in post war Baghdad, working with the American coalition, and a further 3 years running oil services companies in Dubai.
Philip retired in 2015 and began writing fiction (inspired by his time in the Middle East)
He is also a PUBLIC SPEAKER who, since retiring, has spoken at over 100 venues.
Jackson Paul Baer 