The sniper, book one of four in the series. By Barrel Coops.
As he approached the cusp of thirty, David Styles faced a harsh reality. A bullet meant for him had killed Be-Bop, his spotter, and with that, Styles left the military armed with little more than a meagre pension. He dreamed of a decent job, a home, a family, and a slice of 'happily ever after.' But reality proved to be a stark contrast: unemployment stretched before him, and the companionship of a significant other remained a distant dream. He was adrift in a world that had moved on without him.
Out of the blue, an old army buddy resurfaced with an opportunity that seemed like a lifeline. It was a testing program for a pharmaceutical company, and for Styles, drowning in debt, it was a godsend. Despite his aversion to needles, the prospect of being paid for a monthly trip to Bristol for testing and the occasional injection was irresistible.
David Styles yearned for simplicity?a life without debts, a quaint house in the countryside, and a fresh start. Yet, reality had other plans. Unbeknownst to him, his life was about to take an unforeseen turn that would challenge his very being and force him out of the protective cocoon he had woven around himself.
When a pandemic struck and wiped out 95% of the population, Styles was en route to Bristol with 47 other ex-military individuals for their routine medical examinations. Realising the futility of continuing their journey amid such widespread death, they halted at Portland. Given that none of them had any dependents?a prerequisite of the testing program?they decided that establishing themselves as a group on Portland had strategic advantages.
Autorentext
After the tragic loss of my girlfriend as a teenager, I sought an escape. My pub upbringing introduced me to a traveling gypsy family, and they allowed me to join their journey under one condition: I had to contribute. Soon, they discovered my talent for spontaneous storytelling, known as "pantsing."
In villages and towns, I showcased this gift, crafting stories based on audience suggestions after Mahala's performances. My dyslexia prevented me from pursuing writing as a profession, given the cost of ghostwriters and publishing.
Now, with five children and a 50th birthday surprise, I've told countless imaginative bedtime stories. Reflecting on my time with the gypsy family, I've realised the profound impact of storytelling on people, contemplating the possibility of chronicling that journey someday.
Throughout my 30s and 40s, I occasionally returned to the stage for charity events, driven by my love for storytelling. My daughter encouraged me to write a novel, leading to my first series under the pen name Barrel Coops, named after her. It took just five months to write five books, with four more for editing, mainly due to my struggles with spelling and punctuation. After extensive feedback and courses, they are being rewritten for release in early 2024.
Despite dyslexia being a constant challenge, I'm committed to writing. I hope my stories will captivate and inspire you, bringing enjoyment to your life.