Lone Peak Ranch was a place where heroes once came and now come again, bidden and called. They found healing, brotherhood, love and happiness. The First is a story about Jack and Sadie, Ricky and Betsy. Separated by decades, their stories written through battle and hardship, where will their fates collide, and what will this place of seeming coincidence become to each one of them? Who is the mysterious benefactor who has reopened the gates of Lone Peak Ranch and given a new line of heroes a chance at a new life? Read on and see. . .
C. G. Cooper is the USA TODAY and AMAZON BESTSELLING author of the CORPS JUSTICE novels, several spinoffs and a growing number of stand-alone novels.
One of his novels, CHAIN OF COMMAND, won the 2020 James Webb Award presented by the Marine Heritage Foundation for its portrayal of the United States Marine Corps in fiction. Cooper doesn't chase awards, but this one was special.
Cooper grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and the travels of a Navy family.
Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Cooper was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve six years as an infantry officer. C. G. Cooper's final Marine duty station was in Nashville, Tennessee, where he fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle of Music City.
His first published novel, BACK TO WAR, came out of a desire to link back to his time in the Marine Corps. That novel, written as a side project, spawned many follow-on novels, several exciting spinoffs, and catapulted Cooper's career.
Cooper lives just south of Nashville with his wife, three children, and their German shorthaired pointer, Liberty, who's become a popular character in the Corps Justice novels.
Oh my! No one else has written a review of this very delightful book. Good! That means I’ll just have to step up to the review plate and swing away!
C.G. Cooper. Corps Justice fame takes a very long run on a long pier and lands on the other side brilliantly. This book, the storyline, the characters is a “first” for Cooper. The best part? No way are you going to regret reading it! This is a book that you want Cooper to sign so you can brag about having a signed copy. And, you need to brag, as the story fills you with joy in the telling, hope in the living, and love in the knowing. So, read it! I did and I loved it. I know having lived it.
Ever wonder how\why life has unfolded in the manner it has? Cooper knocked this novel WAY out of the stadium into the stratosphere. He examines how ALL people involved in war - those fighting it, people making soldiers, BUT also families with loved ones either fighting in the war or attempting to what they have seen or done. They, too, become victims of war. The often frequent "war" with PTSD and the struggle to reintegrate into society as a civilian is a central theme within the book. Knowing Cooper's military career, I wondered how much he drew from personal experience. You could feel is heart bleeding through the book. Daniel Briggs makes a beautifully written cameo which contributed to Jack's recovery in addition to an overlapping situation in war that leads to his new future. The lives intertwine in Jack's past helping a suicidal soldier. The advice Jack provides to assist the soldier in a roundabout way help Jack in the future. Though nebulous as it sounds, it makes sense. I recommend you to read this book. Just know you won't want to stop reading the stories of Ricky and Betsy in 1943 and Jack and Sadie - present day. The stories explore trauma, love, healing, spirituality, and transformation. Keep an open mind and heart while reading. This book awakens your heart and soul. All I can say is this book is deserving of all the high praises it has received in the reviews. Kudos, Cooper. This book brought me to appreciating the moment and cherishing loved ones AND live within the moment.
C. G. Cooper has written a masterpiece that is his best novel ever! It's an amazing story about two veterans each meeting an extraordinary woman!
Major Characters
• Sergeant Richard "Ricky" Lovejoy & Betsy Caramatti (1943) • Former Marine Jack Moses & Sadie Crawford (Present time)
Location
Lone Peak Ranch is a place formed by the National Park Service during WW II for veterans where they could visit for rest and recuperation (R&R) or participate during their medical rehabilitation.
This is a story of two couples intertwined between two time frames, occurring at a mystical and magical place found in the Rocky Mountains of southern Montana, where miracles can occur to unsuspecting people.
Once you start reading this book, you will find yourself transported to this wonderful place and indeed find it very difficult for you to stop reading.
Many veterans will especially find the magic and mystery in this book to be intriguing to them.
With the same depth of understanding and pureness of spirit, C.G. Cooper has shown over and over in his writing, he possesses the ability to transport his readers inside of his own imagination and take you by the hand, as well as by the heart. He brings his readers along on a journey of heart, spirit, love and the belief that we all are capable of believing in and finding the magic in and around our lives and those in it each and every day.
That until we choose to see it, our differences of experience may truly not be as large of a human divide than we think they are.
I love the characters that I met in this beautiful novel and look forward to being introduced to others soon.
Somewhat different than C. G. Coopers other works, this one actually pulls at the heart strings, but not in a normal romantic novel way. It is easy to see why it took a long time to write and get it so right. Although I am from different generations than either of the sets of characters, their experiences are seen and felt as if we are in the book. The format of moving between time frames as the charactors developed took a few chapters to get into the rhythm, but the parallelism of the lives and spirituality were aided by that format. It was also great to see Daniel Briggs adding to the story. I sure want to start "The Second" now rather than wait, but I understand the artistic requirement to get it correct, rather than out quickly.
I thought that this was a great book. It reminded me of the miracle that I experienced in Vietnam while serving in the Marine Corps. We were in a company sweep during the end of the 1968 Tet Offensive. The Marine about six feet in front of me stepped down into a shallow ditch and activated a 'Bouncing Betty' (mine). It exploded taking out him and the four Marines ahead of him. I was the closest to him and got off without a scratch. I would call that an absolute miracle.
I highly recommend this book regardless of your religious background or level of spirituality. It has an incredibly poignant lesson to convey to any human being. Jonathan Reskof
I would like to say that first, this book is a departure from every C. G. Cooper book I have read. It's a wonderful, gut wrenching beautiful story of finally believing in yourself and the others close to you. All of the primary characters have a story to tell. Most of hardship with deep scars. What unfolds is a story of magic, spirits coming into play from their past . I truly enjoyed Daniel Briggs appearance. In closing this is an epic tale that loves heals all. A truly magnificent read!!! My highest recommendation!!
THE FIRST(Lone Peak Heroes #1) by C. G. Cooper, is a story about people during WWII and decades that morphed into two couples.
Lone Peak Ranch is where heroes went during WWII to return and put behind the horrors of the war. It's where heroes first came and continue to go to reestablish brotherhood, healing, happiness and love.
How was Lone Peak Ranch established?? Who has picked up the gauntlet to keep it alive deep into the future???
This is a book well written by Mr. Cooper. It shows the depth of his writing ability, his care for others, and his country. This novel is a literary gem!!
THE FIRST sounded interesting enough for me to download, plus with C.G.Cooper as the author made it a great choice. I loved the characters as they felt real to me. I felt the pain and the love between the decades of the two stories. Thank you, Mr Cooper ! Reading your books always leaves my heart and mind in a better place. I've never served in the military but a few of my family have. You and others of the Military are appreciated! Be Amazing today and everyday! God Bless to you and your family.
I am a Vietnam veteran and my father was a disabled WW2 vet. I thoroughly enjoy the Corps Justice and Daniel Briggs novels as I enjoy many well written military novels. This novel was on a different level and touched my heart and soul in multiple feeling and spiritual ways. The story is one of bravery, endurance, love, compassion, recovery and redemption. It was very clearly written with the same love and compassion that resonates throughout the parallel stories of the novel. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series.
AN EXCEPTIONAL NEW SERIES THAT LIFTS FROM PREVIOUS SERIOUS & DELIVERS COMPLETLY NEW ADVENTURES
There were very interesting new characters with new missions, that drew in some previous characters such that it still feels like family. The new missions take the reader into new paths that are very worthwhile exploring as well as the deeper side of all characters & their memories. The Heavenly aspects are very interesting to explore as well as why FAITH is so important. The significance of LOVE also comes out strongly.
Nothing like I expected. Being. From a patriotic family, I chose this book expecting war weary characters. Being the niece of a WWII German prisoner, 2 purple heart recipient uncles, an Omaha Beach survivor, and etc, I expected a book of bravery and recovery. Then it became magic. Recovery, love, bravery, even horses. Great plot, breathless surprises, suspense, and well throw in some strong women ,and this book had it all. Well done Cooper! Don't miss this one! I'm off to The Second!
I have read all of C.G. Cooper's books. This is nothing like the rest. I love his writing and have loved all of the books I have read that were written by him. This is by far my favorite book of his. A timely novel about hope, love, the human spirit, and the struggle our veterans have faced in the past and still face today. A must read for sure. I can't wait for the rest of the books in this awesome new series.
One of the best tales that I have read outside of the Corps Justice Series
CC is by far one of my favorite authors. It didn’t surprise me how this book took a hold of my soul and I saw a bit of my own love story in it. For it was a miracle that I found my beautiful wife and we are far from perfect but bye each other’s side through illness and happiness. Thank you for reminding me it’s the small miracles that really count.
This isn’t a love story per se. It’s a story of challenge and the faith to overcome. The characters are beautifully written, the stories perfectly told. It weaves in and out so fluidly you don’t lose track for a second. Just travel the road of magic, love and healing. Cooper has outdone himself again. One of the best reads in a while !
I just finished this book and it’s a great start for a new series. Mr. Cooper leads you through the story and you will get it in the end. He said it was hard to write and I can only imagine. I hope that this series continues as it’s a set of stories that should be told. Thank you Carlos for another outstanding book.
Wow! At first, I was wondering where this was going. Then, back to the past,then back and forth. The Daniel Briggs appeared and 'bingo", I caught a glimpse. But my mind was blown away with the rest of the story. Such a great story. I can't wait for the next one in this series.
What a very different type of book to what C. G. normally writes. Different yes, but still worth the time it takes to read, and also thought provoking. Maybe, if we could all reach oot to each other wigh a bit more love, thoughtfulness and at time help, maybe, just maybe this world could be a better place.
…but I did on this one at the end. C.G. Cooper writes a thought-provoking novel that is in part historic fiction, modern thriller, love story, and spiritual lesson. And I’d one of those genres doesn’t get you it’s a mystery too! I’m along-time Cooper reader and this novel is his best so far.
Just when you begin to believe that all is lost, C. G. Cooper shows us there is hope for us all. Through this tale, I was again reminded that all I do affects those around me for the long term. This book reminds us to be good to others and it will be returned multiplied. Can’t wait for the next uplifting story from this master storyteller. What a gift
In somewhat of a departure from his normal style, Cooper tells a tale of hope and redemption. Through the story of two couples, decades apart, the hope for the world is explained in the idea that we have the ability to make a positive change in life if we each try to touch one soul at a time.
This has to be one of the warmest stories I have ever read. It was impossible to put down. To experience the innermost feelings of all involved was exceptional. And it was so good to see Daniel Briggs make an appearance.
is all you need to know. The premise given is the heart of empathy. The environment in which the story evolves, needs to be a reality, in mulitple places
Although it was different from most of his other novels I found The First to be a fantastic read. Faith, hope, love, and the legacy that a person leaves within the decisions one makes are the themes that touched my heart as I read.
A great start to a new series and a wonderful examination of some miracles. Always nice to have Daniel stop by and great tying in the past and the present. Great reading thanks
I completely enthralled with this book amazing g story and the character's are wonderful from beginning to end and especially Sadie and Jack so tender. I loved every word. Thank You C. G
My goodness! I just finished reading and tears are still in my eyes! Carlos! What a way to reaffirm my faith and hope in this age of unrest and distrust. Thank you. Kat
I enjoyed the fact that you incorporated the belief in God into a powerful way to live and serve others. The characters are well written with enough intrigue to pique the readers interest.
I love this book! I really enjoyed the way the story goes on from 2 different timelines and 4 different perspectives! Such a great storyline! This new Lone Peak Heroes series has quickly become one of my favorites!!! Such a pleasure to read! 🥰