Rowan Drake's Blog
December 18, 2025
Airborne: Italy, Pre-Order Now Available
The airborne war in Italy is often remembered in simplified terms: daring drops, elite units, decisive moments. The reality was narrower, harsher, and far less tidy.
Airborne: Italy is a novel told from ground level, through the eyes of the men who fought it, corporals, sergeants, and riflemen navigating a war that rarely matched the plan drawn for it. It follows the buildup to Sicily and the early stages of the Italian campaign not as legend, but as lived experience shaped by discipline, friction, and adaptation under pressure.
This is not a story about perfect operations or invulnerable soldiers. It is about how units function when conditions degrade, how leadership is earned in habit rather than rhetoric, and how armies learn only after men have already paid the cost.
If you’ve followed this blog, you’ll recognize the themes: questioning the myth of elite infallibility, respecting the men by telling the truth, and looking honestly at how war is actually fought once it leaves the briefing tent.
The book is now available for pre-order on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and as Paperback, with release scheduled for December 28.
If you’re looking for World War II fiction that prioritizes realism over nostalgia and perspective over spectacle, Airborne: Italy was written for you.
Read the blog post here
Airborne: Italy is a novel told from ground level, through the eyes of the men who fought it, corporals, sergeants, and riflemen navigating a war that rarely matched the plan drawn for it. It follows the buildup to Sicily and the early stages of the Italian campaign not as legend, but as lived experience shaped by discipline, friction, and adaptation under pressure.
This is not a story about perfect operations or invulnerable soldiers. It is about how units function when conditions degrade, how leadership is earned in habit rather than rhetoric, and how armies learn only after men have already paid the cost.
If you’ve followed this blog, you’ll recognize the themes: questioning the myth of elite infallibility, respecting the men by telling the truth, and looking honestly at how war is actually fought once it leaves the briefing tent.
The book is now available for pre-order on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and as Paperback, with release scheduled for December 28.
If you’re looking for World War II fiction that prioritizes realism over nostalgia and perspective over spectacle, Airborne: Italy was written for you.
Read the blog post here
December 17, 2024
Announcing a new trilogy: Rangers, O'Conner
I am thrilled to introduce an exciting new book series: Rangers, O'Conner. This powerful trilogy tells the story of Charlie O'Conner, a Ranger who becomes separated from his closest ally, Jack Miller, during the intense battles in Italy during World War II.
Rangers, O'Conner captures the grit, courage, and emotional depth of wartime experiences. Charlie O'Conner and Jack Miller’s bond was forged during their grueling Ranger training and strengthened through their missions in Operation Torch, Tunisia, and the early campaigns in Italy. However, when the chaos of war tears them apart, O'Conner must draw on his training and inner strength to navigate the dangers alone, fighting to survive and remain true to their shared ideals.
This trilogy promises:
- Action-Packed Storytelling: Relive the tension and bravery of Ranger missions during World War II.
- Emotional Depth: Experience the profound bond between comrades and the resilience needed to endure war.
- Historical Detail: Dive into an authentic portrayal of pivotal battles and the Ranger legacy.
The first book in the Rangers, O'Conner trilogy is coming soon! Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and the official release date. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable tale of heroism, loyalty, and survival in one of history’s most turbulent times.
Pre-order links will be available shortly!
Join O'Conner on his journey and discover a story of courage and brotherhood that will leave you breathless.
Rangers, O'Conner captures the grit, courage, and emotional depth of wartime experiences. Charlie O'Conner and Jack Miller’s bond was forged during their grueling Ranger training and strengthened through their missions in Operation Torch, Tunisia, and the early campaigns in Italy. However, when the chaos of war tears them apart, O'Conner must draw on his training and inner strength to navigate the dangers alone, fighting to survive and remain true to their shared ideals.
This trilogy promises:
- Action-Packed Storytelling: Relive the tension and bravery of Ranger missions during World War II.
- Emotional Depth: Experience the profound bond between comrades and the resilience needed to endure war.
- Historical Detail: Dive into an authentic portrayal of pivotal battles and the Ranger legacy.
The first book in the Rangers, O'Conner trilogy is coming soon! Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and the official release date. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable tale of heroism, loyalty, and survival in one of history’s most turbulent times.
Pre-order links will be available shortly!
Join O'Conner on his journey and discover a story of courage and brotherhood that will leave you breathless.
