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Def Con One
Air Force Airman Bryce Callahan reports to the missile silo base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to take up duties with the Base Security Police Squadron. There he meets Sergeant Todd Claymore, his training partner... who becomes his romantic partner, as well. Their lives settle into a routine as peaceful and pleasant as is possible while they're on active duty. That peace is broken when a squad of rogue Soviet commandos cross the U.S. border headed straight for Callahan's base, intent on destroying the ICBM missiles. Led by a Soviet general who controls an unsanctioned missile base in the Ural Mountains, the guerrilla action could easily explode into World War III. Caught up in the danger, Callahan and Claymore must face the enemy with courage to stop the attack and an all-out nuclear war.
212 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
John Simpson
276 books125 followersJohn Simpson, a Vietnam-era Veteran, has been a uniformed Police Officer of the Year, a federal agent, a federal magistrate, and an armed bodyguard to royalty and a senior government executive. He earned awards from the Vice President of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury. John has written articles for various gay and straight magazines. John lives with his partner of 35 years and three wonderful Scott Terriers, all spoiled and a breed of canine family member that is unique in dogdom. John is also involved with the Old Catholic Church and its liberal pastoral positions on the gay community.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 8, 2019
3.5 stars. Fast paced and yet not fast paced military- romance- thriller.
The action sequences were fast paced with well written Fighting/combat scenes. The story itself was not fast paced in that there were many sections of description, passages describing mundane day to day military life.
Bryce is young, Really young, only 18 and newly assigned to the Air Force base. He meets Todd who is a few years older And they are assigned as partners with various duties.
The story has the Russians as the antagonists looking to launch nuclear weapons against the Usa.
Price and Todd are part of a team guarding US nuclear missile sites.
When the Russians invade, in this futuristic scenario, Bryce and Todd are at the forefront saving lives and protecting nuclear weapons.
I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed Bryce and Todd's romance, it was an interesting window into the era and mind set of " don't ask don't tell". Really a wretched time for so many active duty.
The romance was kind of sweet, no internal conflict. Sort of but not quite insta love.
one star deducted for too many references to Todd's giant magically imbued all mighty 10 inch dong.
This is my 1st book by John Simpson but I think I'll be seeking out others. A kind of like his blunt no nonsense style of writing.
The action sequences were fast paced with well written Fighting/combat scenes. The story itself was not fast paced in that there were many sections of description, passages describing mundane day to day military life.
Bryce is young, Really young, only 18 and newly assigned to the Air Force base. He meets Todd who is a few years older And they are assigned as partners with various duties.
The story has the Russians as the antagonists looking to launch nuclear weapons against the Usa.
Price and Todd are part of a team guarding US nuclear missile sites.
When the Russians invade, in this futuristic scenario, Bryce and Todd are at the forefront saving lives and protecting nuclear weapons.
I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed Bryce and Todd's romance, it was an interesting window into the era and mind set of " don't ask don't tell". Really a wretched time for so many active duty.
The romance was kind of sweet, no internal conflict. Sort of but not quite insta love.
one star deducted for too many references to Todd's giant magically imbued all mighty 10 inch dong.
This is my 1st book by John Simpson but I think I'll be seeking out others. A kind of like his blunt no nonsense style of writing.
April 10, 2010
In this military drama, Bryce Callahan is a young newcomer to the Air Force base in Cheyenne in the very near future of 2012. The political and military tensions of the time are stretched thin as the very real threat of imminent war with the Soviet Union colors the actions of the country and military. Bryce is soon paired up with Todd Claymore who becomes his lover and long-term partner. Together, these two weather daily life within the Air Force, military threats, bombs, possible nuclear detonation, and finally investigation for discharge for being gay.
Although taken together this would seem an overwhelming amount of action for any book under 200 pages, Simpson handles the action deftly and accurately. It’s clear the author has intimate knowledge of the workings inside the military and furthermore the day-to-day activities of the men involved. The concise and intricate writing led to a fully developed and executed plot that ran heavily along the political and military implications of possible war in which two gay men happened to find love. The well-written actions involving nuclear warhead protection and possible world wars kept the story engaging and moving quickly without dragging at all.
Both Bryce and Todd were well defined if slightly wooden in their romantic interactions. Each man became animated when dealing with the various trials and tribulations of the Air Force and their jobs. However, when they were alone their declarations of love fell flat of dramatic emotion, but that seems to be by design rather than poor writing. This did lead me to not connect with the main characters, but the writing and plot were enough to keep me engaged in the storyline and interested in the outcome.
There were a few caveats in the book- one being the writing style, which tended to be long paragraphs of detail, interspersed with short rapid dialogue leading to a slightly jarring reading experience. Also the main character of Todd had an exaggerated dick – eleven inches. I can only say this was definitely an eye opening aspect of the character that caused more than one pause during the sexual encounters. In particular this led to some awkward sex scenes early in the book, but overall the scenes were few and far between as the author focused on the strength of his writing in the action plot.
If you enjoy military and political plots with gay characters and sensibilities in dealing with the archaic policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on a backdrop of potential nuclear war, this will satisfy on most levels.
Although taken together this would seem an overwhelming amount of action for any book under 200 pages, Simpson handles the action deftly and accurately. It’s clear the author has intimate knowledge of the workings inside the military and furthermore the day-to-day activities of the men involved. The concise and intricate writing led to a fully developed and executed plot that ran heavily along the political and military implications of possible war in which two gay men happened to find love. The well-written actions involving nuclear warhead protection and possible world wars kept the story engaging and moving quickly without dragging at all.
Both Bryce and Todd were well defined if slightly wooden in their romantic interactions. Each man became animated when dealing with the various trials and tribulations of the Air Force and their jobs. However, when they were alone their declarations of love fell flat of dramatic emotion, but that seems to be by design rather than poor writing. This did lead me to not connect with the main characters, but the writing and plot were enough to keep me engaged in the storyline and interested in the outcome.
There were a few caveats in the book- one being the writing style, which tended to be long paragraphs of detail, interspersed with short rapid dialogue leading to a slightly jarring reading experience. Also the main character of Todd had an exaggerated dick – eleven inches. I can only say this was definitely an eye opening aspect of the character that caused more than one pause during the sexual encounters. In particular this led to some awkward sex scenes early in the book, but overall the scenes were few and far between as the author focused on the strength of his writing in the action plot.
If you enjoy military and political plots with gay characters and sensibilities in dealing with the archaic policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on a backdrop of potential nuclear war, this will satisfy on most levels.
October 31, 2012
Liked the story, and Simpson’s writing is improving
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- As with Condor One, I loved the premise/setting. (This story occurs a few months after Condor One, but the two books aren’t really connected by plot or character.)
- Good (and infuriating) examination of the unfair and ridiculous nature of the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. (The “infuriating” comment has nothing to do the story or Simpson’s writing.)
- Brief mentions of one of the characters from Condor One. I like it when authors create a world that transcends their individual stories’ boundaries.
CONS:
- Slight romance. Don’t get me wrong: I liked the characters and was very much rooting for them at the end, but Simpson devotes so much time and attention to descriptions of the plot details that the characters’ relationship is left a bit underdeveloped.
- Some “telling” as opposed to (or in addition to) showing: “I ducked as a trash can flew over my head, signaling one of the fierce windstorms that swept this part of the country occasionally [good sentence]. The wind was so strong that trash cans were blowing through the air sideways [redundant].” However, this is MUCH less an issue in this novel than it is in Condor One, which just shows how much Simpson is improving as a writer. Well done.
- Some wooden dialog, but again, this is much improved over Condor One.
Overall comments: I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Worth a read if you’re interested in homosexuality in the context of the military (and of course, in the triumph of love in the midst of bigotry). Not for those who don’t like to read about politics and/or are looking for more “literary” prose (I know, I know, whatever THAT means).
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- As with Condor One, I loved the premise/setting. (This story occurs a few months after Condor One, but the two books aren’t really connected by plot or character.)
- Good (and infuriating) examination of the unfair and ridiculous nature of the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. (The “infuriating” comment has nothing to do the story or Simpson’s writing.)
- Brief mentions of one of the characters from Condor One. I like it when authors create a world that transcends their individual stories’ boundaries.
CONS:
- Slight romance. Don’t get me wrong: I liked the characters and was very much rooting for them at the end, but Simpson devotes so much time and attention to descriptions of the plot details that the characters’ relationship is left a bit underdeveloped.
- Some “telling” as opposed to (or in addition to) showing: “I ducked as a trash can flew over my head, signaling one of the fierce windstorms that swept this part of the country occasionally [good sentence]. The wind was so strong that trash cans were blowing through the air sideways [redundant].” However, this is MUCH less an issue in this novel than it is in Condor One, which just shows how much Simpson is improving as a writer. Well done.
- Some wooden dialog, but again, this is much improved over Condor One.
Overall comments: I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Worth a read if you’re interested in homosexuality in the context of the military (and of course, in the triumph of love in the midst of bigotry). Not for those who don’t like to read about politics and/or are looking for more “literary” prose (I know, I know, whatever THAT means).
February 27, 2009
This is a story written in two parts (I suppose I should be relieved it was all in one book!)
The first part dealt with an attack on a US Air/Missile base by a rogue Russian commando unit, and a missile strike. The hero (who is a nerd) acquitted himself with bravery killing 3 + 2 AND removing a bomb.
His mate is wounded but recovers. A medal ceremony ensues. After a heady 48 hours waiting to be nuked out of existence Def Con One (the state of alertness of the base) is downgraded and life returns to normal
Part 2 commences and lo and behold someone has dobbed them in for being gay. We go through the angst of that and they are acquitted but life gets difficult so they ask for a transfer and get one. End of story.
The president of the USA in this story is David Windsor who was elected in 'Condor One" he is openly gay and is supposed to be repealing the anti gay legislation for the military, and yet there was very little made of this when they were being threatened with dishonourable discharge, which seemed odd.
This book reads like a Boys Own Annual, and as if aimed at reluctant teenage male readers - short sentences with a limited vocabulary. I don't know why he even bothered putting in the sex scenes there is nothing exciting about them at all. I wonder where else this book is sold, but in my opinion AReBooks is not it's natural home.
P.S.
I would like to know what special meaning the word "snowflake" has for JS. He used it as a safeword in "Murder most Gay" and also in this one.
The first part dealt with an attack on a US Air/Missile base by a rogue Russian commando unit, and a missile strike. The hero (who is a nerd) acquitted himself with bravery killing 3 + 2 AND removing a bomb.
His mate is wounded but recovers. A medal ceremony ensues. After a heady 48 hours waiting to be nuked out of existence Def Con One (the state of alertness of the base) is downgraded and life returns to normal
Part 2 commences and lo and behold someone has dobbed them in for being gay. We go through the angst of that and they are acquitted but life gets difficult so they ask for a transfer and get one. End of story.
The president of the USA in this story is David Windsor who was elected in 'Condor One" he is openly gay and is supposed to be repealing the anti gay legislation for the military, and yet there was very little made of this when they were being threatened with dishonourable discharge, which seemed odd.
This book reads like a Boys Own Annual, and as if aimed at reluctant teenage male readers - short sentences with a limited vocabulary. I don't know why he even bothered putting in the sex scenes there is nothing exciting about them at all. I wonder where else this book is sold, but in my opinion AReBooks is not it's natural home.
P.S.
I would like to know what special meaning the word "snowflake" has for JS. He used it as a safeword in "Murder most Gay" and also in this one.
April 29, 2014
Well done, Mr. Simpson!
I really, really liked this book, I've been reading the whole night until 3 o'clock in the morning because I just couldn't stop.
It was so capturing and going to sleep without knowing the end was no option.
Both MCs, Bryce and Todd, were very hot and so adorable, tough, brave men, fearless but with a soft sweet core. A perfect match, I liked em both instantly.
The storyline was gripping and well written, the other characters in the book pictured were likeable, especially Staff Sergeant Gray.
"When I was in the Military, they gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one" (Leonard Matlovich)
I definitely will read this book again, it was a lucky guess when I picked up this one. Hope to read more good stories from this author!
I really, really liked this book, I've been reading the whole night until 3 o'clock in the morning because I just couldn't stop.
It was so capturing and going to sleep without knowing the end was no option.
Both MCs, Bryce and Todd, were very hot and so adorable, tough, brave men, fearless but with a soft sweet core. A perfect match, I liked em both instantly.
The storyline was gripping and well written, the other characters in the book pictured were likeable, especially Staff Sergeant Gray.
"When I was in the Military, they gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one" (Leonard Matlovich)
I definitely will read this book again, it was a lucky guess when I picked up this one. Hope to read more good stories from this author!
May 6, 2009
I liked this book. I liked the military story. It kept the action up and got me involved in the story. The Soviet Union is trying to rebuild it's former glory. Rebels take over a missile silo in Russia and send commandos into the US to blow up American missle silos and disrupt US military operations. They are met by resistance by members of the Air Force and defeated. While this is going on Bryce and Todd fall in love and are outed to OSI. They fight back. Quick read. Interesting to me.
February 9, 2010
Although fiction this story is yet another reason to get rid of "don't ask don't tell"
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews