What's Your Story: Profiles Of Fans From All Walks Of Life

VinceFlynn.com profiles fans of the Mitch Rapp saga, ranging from one of the 50 Greatest NBA players and award-winning actors to Veterans and grandmothers.

Read their stories below and submit your own.

What's Your Story: Dawn

Please share some of your background:
I’m a paralegal/legal assistant at a firm in Nashville, TN. I hike with my dogs and bake cakes, and cookies in my spare time. I had horses throughout my life until about 10 years ago. I’m embracing my 52 years of life as a cancer survivor and I love to travel.

When did you start reading Mitch Rapp? 
I started reading Mitch a few years ago when I saw Red War in a Barnes & Noble while I was “shopping” with my mom. She usually buys out the store when I don’t find a thing that interests me. Something caught my eye that said American Assassin and I stopped in my tracks. I had seen the movie and decided I need to get back to reading. I then read all of them multiple times and listened to the audiobooks.

Which book is your favorite?
There are so many! Consent To Kill and Red War are a tie. I say Red War because that’s the first one I read and brought me to the series.

Do you have a favorite character and why?  
I love Mitch because I like to think there are guys out there watching out for us. Scott’s loyalty, friendship, skills and banter is what every true friend is made of.

If you could be any character in Vince's novels, who would it be and why?
I would veer towards Anna to be married to Mitch, but Donatella so I would have her fighting skills & she made me laugh so much.

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Mitch Rapp, Vince or Kyle?
I’ve met some great people and have been introduced to so many fantastic authors through this series. It’s been a fun ride!

What's Your Story: Gary Nash

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There is not a Mount Rushmore of Mitch Rapp Ambassadors, but if there were, Gary Nash would be on it. Since we will launch the Mitch Rapp Ambassador program next month, we thought it might be a good time to revisit the fan profile Gary submitted on October 9, 2013.

Background
Former Marine infantry officer.    

When did you start reading Vince?
2003.

Do you have a favorite book?
Executive Power--because that was my introduction to Vince Flynn.  I quickly purchased the first four, and I've been hooked ever since.    

Who is your favorite character?
Mike Nash (Vince wrote in my copy of his book "to Mike's brother, Gary" at a book signing).    

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp? 
A compilation of several Marines I've known through the years.    

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, who would you be? 
Stan Hurley, because for him pain is weakness leaving the body.  Pain is good!    

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Vince and his novels?
The lines were long at the St. Louis Park Costco. When we were finally face-to-face with Vince, I "requested" that he never again write "ex-Marine".  He promised and then signed our 3 books. Several minutes, and several book signings later, we realized that I forgot to give him the USMC bumper sticker I carried.  We stood off to the side and after another signing, Vince looked up and said, "What can I do for you, Gary?"  He remembered my name!  We were overwhelmed!  
I have all 14 of Vince's books, 3 signed and 10 other signed with a personal message.  Only The Last Man is unsigned--how ironic! 

Semper fidelis, Vince.  You who wanted to be a Marine, now know that "the streets of heaven are guarded by United States Marines" (from the 2nd verse of the Marine Hymn).    

What's Your Story: Sheila Berklund

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Background
Mother of 4 (32, 33, 46 & 47) and Grandmother of 4 (14, 15, 16, 18). Married for almost 35 years. (Thank you Lord!) Retired from 18 years as an Educational Assistant and 6 years as a postal clerk.

When did you start reading Vince?
My youngest son, Adam, found out he had ADD in high school, so he wasn't much of a reader, unless he had too. The summer after his freshman year in college, he was living at home working his summer job at Reeds Sunnyside Marina in Balsam Lake, WI. I noticed a book in his room. I asked him what he was reading. It was one of Vince's books. He said he met him when they put in his dock at his lake place. It impressed me. When I got an email from Once Upon a Crime bookstore, (the BEST little bookstore in the twin cities!) that Vince was doing a book signing, I went. As I got up to him, I stuck out my hand and said that I wanted to shake the hand of the author who got my son reading in the summer. Then I said he put in your dock at the lake. Vince said, "Oh, Adam." I was stunned that he knew his name just like that. He signed the book with the message, "Thanks for taking such good care of us, Adam." Sure made this Mother feel good. That made me a fan for life.

Do you have a favorite book?
That's like asking which one of your children is your favorite. I like them all.

Who is your favorite character?
Mike Nash. A protégé of Mitch Rapp would have to be a great character.

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp? 
I think of a person who is proud of his country and wants to do what's right.

If you could be any character in Vince's novels, who would it be and why?
His cleaning lady. :)

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Vince and his novels?
Please keep Vince's books in the public eye so he won't be forgotten. We, his fans, miss him a lot. He was a fine young man.