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Jonathan P. Brazee
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Checkmate Kindle Edition

by Jonathan Brazee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
Corporations settle disputes on military reservations, broadcasting the battles to the addicted public.

For the mercenary miltechs who fight the battles, win and get a bonus. Lose and get paid the minimum . . . unless wounded, and the medical fees are deducted from their pay. Die on the field of battle? The United Alliance of Military Workers makes a one-time payoff to the family.

Surrender and lose their union cards, never to work again.

The miltech grunts are mere pawns, shuttled around the reservation in a never-ending attempt to outmaneuver the foe.

Jorge, Tasha, and Isaac are employed by PrimeMil, assigned to a light infantry chasseur company. Cut off from the rest of the platoon, a paycheck is the least of their worries. They need to survive the battle.

But with someone else pulling the strings, is there anything pawns can to flip the board? Read the story and find out.

"Checkmate" is a novelette of approximately 9,000 words and was originally published in The Expanding Universe 4 anthology.
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  1. Print length
    55 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 12, 2019
  5. File size
    394 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07T4FNM1Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Semper Fi Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 12, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 394 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 55 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan P. Brazee

Jonathan P. Brazee

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I am a retired Marine infantry colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife Kiwi and twin five-year-old girls, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie. I am a two-time Nebula Award Finalist, a two-time Dragon Award Finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling writer.

I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 100 titles published, 80 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, "Fire Ant" was a finalist for the 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novella, "Integration" was a finalist for the 2018 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel, and "Sentenced to War" was a finalist for the 2021 Dragon Award in the same category.

My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America where I'm serving as the Nebula Award Commissioner.

I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, writing, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, taking my girls fishing, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.

I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
49 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good thought provoking story.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The story was well told by the author. A good insight into what was going on in the soldiers minds as they fought and tried to make sense of everything going on. The story was fast paced and I enjoyed it
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Short
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Checkmark drops you into a new universe, and grabs you with action right away, and explains itself quite well complete with an epiphany for the main character at the end that cleverly shifts his POV. Enjoy the story, I know I did.
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  • Stephen L. Lent
    5.0 out of 5 stars For Military SF, You Can't Put It Down
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Col. Brazee provides the reader with something totally unexpected. Even though the story is presented from the Grunt's perspective, there is a second level to this book - how the Strategos are positioning their troops to defeat the enemy. You don't realize until the end that Lettie has gotten into her opposite's mind and made her see the troop placement incorrectly, thus causing the Valks to lose.
    The book was quite enjoyable and should have won a Nebula or Dragon for its realism, if nothing else. It also shows that Col. Brazee has the capability to change his writing styles with no drop off in keeping the reader glued to each page.
    One person found this helpful
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  • G. Grant
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story similar to Mack Reynold's "Joe Mauser" stories
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    this was a great read with a universe similar to Mack Reynold's "Joe Mauser" stories (Mercenary from Tomorrow, The Earth War, The Fracas Factor ) without Mack Reynold social polemics.

    This is a great story of how the strategist misdirects her opponent.
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  • Lisa M
    3.0 out of 5 stars OK
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It was just OK, or it is that I just don’t like short stories. It was flat characterization to me that the aahaa moment didn’t make up for.
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  • Al Way
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great series
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    All fits together nicely. Local girl makes good in a spectacular way! She has an interesting family too. Intriguing view of future society- may it never come to pass!!
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  • KATHLEEN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great concept for a war
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
    Great new concept of how to hold a war. Good story very well told. No spoilers but it doesn't take long to read so go for it. Brazee may bounce you around a little but it is always worth it.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mikey Schmidt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very cool story.
    Reviewed in Canada on August 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this premise! I know that it’s a short story, but it ‘got busy quick’ as a great short needs to.
    I hope that Brazee writes more stories in this world! I’ll read them all!
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  • Rita Whinfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Business only
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is what war is all about, Business. It’s sad, but it is true the money men and the politicians rule the wars, both home and abroad.
    Report

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