R.I.P. Vince Flynn.

James Gandolfini died today. So did Slim Whitman. I heard some people say these things happen in threes. They wondered who the third person might be. I'm sad to say that one of my favorite authors died today, and I've been sad beyond measure; certainly beyond measure for someone I didn't know outside of the pages of a book. A couple of years ago a conservative talk show host here in Atlanta was raving about the books of Vince Flynn. I had just gotten a Nook e-reader and decided to download a sample chapter of "American Assassin"...this is the novel where we learn how Vince's hero, Mitch Rapp, was recruited and trained by the CIA. Once I read that first chapter, I had to read the entire book. I read twelve more of Vince's books in rapid succession. Mitch Rapp is a hero that loves his country, doesn't tolerate bullshit, goes against the tide and challenges authority. There's a fair amount of butt kicking in the books as well. Rush Limbaugh was a personal friend of Vince. He spoke quite a bit about him on the radio today and you could tell his heart was heavy. He said Vince was a kind, humble, good-looking guy who cared about his friends, family and his country. He said Vince Flynn WAS Mitch Rapp. I think that comes through on the page when you read Vince Flynn's books. I'd been so busy in my life and with writing and editing my own book that I hadn't taken the time to read Vince's most recent release, "The Last Man", which I downloaded months ago. I think it's time now. I was happy to see that Vince's final book is due to come out in November. From what I read he was in a great deal of pain while he finished it. He leaves behind a wife and three children, but he also leaves behind countless fans of his books who are lucky to have Vince/Mitch with them forever in those pages. I count myself lucky to be one of those people. You'll be missed, Vince Flynn. I'm glad you're not in pain any longer. Keep kickin' butt.

I'm sad to say that one of my favorite authors died today, and I've been sad beyond measure; certainly beyond measure for someone I didn't know outside of the pages of a book.