Jeff Adams on Writing a Teen on the Run in “Netminder (Codename: Winger #4)” (guest post, excerpt and giveaway)

Netminder (Codename: Winger #4) by Jeff Adams

Harmony Ink Press
Published May 28th 2019
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:

Jeff Adams on Writing a Teen on the Run in “Netminder (Codename: Winger #4)”

High school hockey player/computer genius/covert agent Theo Reese has been through a lot in the Codename: Winger series—from going on his first field mission, being injured in the line of duty and wondering who he can trust. In Netminder, the final book in the series, he’s forced to institute emergency protocols that he and his parents never thought they’d use.

He ends up on the run and cutoff.

Writing Theo on the run was interesting. He’s an agent with limited experience who has to be careful with every move because he has no idea what might happen. At the same time, he’s needs to find shelter for the night where he can try to figure out his next move. Of course he’s also a teenager without all the experience of an adult agent so he must work to keep his emotions in check.

The on-the-run element makes Netminder the most action packed installment of the series. Theo’s on a mission from the very start of the book—even if he doesn’t realize immediately what that mission actually is.

If you’ve been reading the series, I hope you find the conclusion satisfying. If you’re considering starting the series it’s a great time because Tracker Hacker, which is book one, is on sale during June 2019 for 99cents for the ebook. You’ll find that deal at all ebook outlets.

Meanwhile, here’s an excerpt that features Theo attempting to get a hotel room just a few hours after he took off from home on his bike.

Excerpt

The hotel looked decent. Surprisingly, it had a bike rack near the front door, which was even under an overhang. Now I wouldn’t have to talk them into allowing me to bring the bike to the room, so it didn’t get further soaked.

I took off the helmet and hung it off the handlebars. Looking around, I tried to take in everything as I ran my hand through my hair to dry it out as best I could. I pulled the lock from my pack and secured the bike.

Putting on my best confident look, I slung the pack over one shoulder, took my helmet in hand, and went for the door. The lobby was warm and made me shudder. I hadn’t realized how cold I’d become.

“Good evening, how can I—” The woman at the front desk stopped short as she looked up and saw my disheveled state. “Goodness. You got caught out in it. How can I help you? Checking in?”

She looked unsure, but at least she wasn’t telling me to get out as I dripped on the tiled floor. “I hope you’ve got a room. I was out cycling, trying to beat the storm and failed.”

I tried not to let my teeth chatter and sound like it was normal for someone to be on a bike on a night like this as if they were headed somewhere even farther away. It didn’t help that I looked my age. Some of my classmates could easily pass as college age, but I looked like a high schooler. Usually I didn’t care, but tonight I needed to sell being older.

“I have some rooms available, yes.” She continued to sound unsure. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask, are you over eighteen? I can’t give a room to a minor.”

I smiled, wanting it to look like I got this all the time. “Oh, yes, of course. Let me get you my ID and credit card.”

Dropping my backpack to the floor so it would only add water to the existing puddle, I retrieved the wallet with my fake driver’s license and the cards. The Massachusetts driver’s license identified me as Jason Robert Karr, age eighteen, along with a MasterCard that would get me through this transaction. Before I stood I slipped my regular wallet into the pack since I didn’t know when I’d be Theo Reese again.

I handed over the cards.

She studied them and then smiled apologetically as if sorry for doubting. “Do you have any room preferences, Mr. Karr?”

“Anything with a hot shower is fine.”

She nodded and clicked away on her keyboard. “Checking out in the morning?”

I hadn’t considered that. If I stayed here, I’d have a base of operations and Wi-Fi. If I wanted to get farther from Boston, I should arrange a new ID. Renting a car was tough if you were under twenty-five. I had to figure that out tonight.

“Two days, please.”

She studied her screen. “We can accommodate that.” She typed more, talking as she went. “Are you on a bike trip or something? I saw you ride up.” She gestured at the doors where my bike was visible.

“Yeah.” I wasn’t going to debate the cover she created for me. “It’s been great. Until tonight.”

She smiled and nodded as she ran the card key over the device that coded it for my room.

“You’re all set. Second floor, room two twenty-five. Elevators are just down the hall on your right. We have a continental breakfast served from six to nine. If you need anything tonight, there are vending machines on each floor and there are a couple of places that deliver as well. Can I do anything else for you?”

“Is there a laundry room? It’d be great to dry these things out.” I gestured at my wet clothes.

“Oh yes, of course. On the third floor in the corner.” She pointed. “If you’ve got some cash, I’ll give you some quarters.”

I dug five dollars out of my wallet and traded it.

“Thank you. I wouldn’t have thought of that right off.” She smiled again. I guess somehow I’d charmed her. “Thanks so much for your help.”

Blurb

After a summer that was nothing like he’d planned, teenage secret agent Theo Reese is back to school and to work with Tactical Operational Support’s IT department. His world turns upside down arriving home from hockey practice to a major security breach.

On the run, he soon discovers the TOS network is down and he’s cut off.

As he uses his unique skills to find out what’s happened, Theo discovers the evil agency Blackbird is responsible. A nemesis from Theo’s first field mission is out for him and will stop at nothing to force Theo to help Blackbird realize their goal of taking global control of the internet.

Getting help from some unexpected sources, Theo must stop the internet takeover while trying to keep those closest to him safe.

Author Bio:

Jeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a published author in 2009 when his first short stories were published. He writes both gay romance and LGBTQ young adult fiction…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.

Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty years, Will. Some of his favorite things include the musicals Rent and [title of show], the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams, and the reality TV competition So You Think You Can Dance.

He also loves to read, but there isn’t enough space to list out his favorite books.

Jeff is the co-host of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast, a weekly show devoted to gay romance as well as pop culture. New episodes come out every Monday at BigGayFictionPodcast.com.

Learn more about jeff at JeffAdamsWrites.com.

Giveaway

Tell me your favorite book or movie featuring an extraordinary teenager? Leave a comment before end of the day on June 5. Two commenters, picked from random, will win an ebook copy of a Codename: Winger book of their choice.

Jeff Adams On Vid, with Excerpt and Giveaway to Celebrate the Releases of ‘Audio Assault (Codename: Winger #3)’

Audio Assault (Codename: Winger #3) byJeff Adams
Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:

Harmony Ink Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Jeff Adams here today on tour for his latest novel Audio Assault. Welcome, Jeff.

✒︎

The Audio Assault blog tour continues today on Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Thanks so much to Stella or Melanie for hosting me for this third installment in the Codename: Winger series.

In this video post I talk about some of the changes that are in store for Theo in this installment and I’ll also let you know about some other exciting things happening in the Winger series this week.

https://youtu.be/qyhINoYQiFI

In the video, I read an excerpt from chapter four, which is also below in case you’d like to read for yourself. Don’t forget to use the Rafflecopter below to get your chance to win an ebook copy of Audio Assault or the grand prize signed paperback copy.

Excerpt

“So, I’ve got to go out of town again.”

“You just got back.”

At least he didn’t sound pissed, which might’ve been better than the disappointment.

“I know. Not work this time, though. Family thing. We’re going to see some college friend of Dad’s.”

“How’d you get roped into that? You’re here all the time when they travel.”

“I know.” I released his hand, rolled over to my side and propped my head up on my fist. “They pulled the parent card on me.”

“Damn.” He sounded as surprised as I’d felt earlier. “I didn’t think they ever did that to you.”

“They usually don’t. This means a lot to them, though.”

“Do you at least get to go someplace cool?”

“New York. I’ve never been, so that’s something. You might know who we’re seeing. Some music guy—Glenwood.”

“Are you for real?” Eddie bounded from the bed and went to his desk where he opened his laptop. “That dude’s only done some of the best music, like, ever—going back to when he was our age, like, twenty-five years ago.”

I hadn’t expected he’d shift to excited, or that we’d be back on my lack of music knowledge.

“Didn’t I get grief just a few hours ago for listening to old music?”

He looked at me with a mix of shock and disbelief. “There’s old and then there’s classic. Just listen.”

He played a few different songs—some of which I recognized from Dad’s collection. Instrumentally they were great, and his voice was pretty good too. I stood behind him to see the song list, so I could grab them from Dad.

It wasn’t that I was antimusic. I was just picky. It needed to have some complexity in the rhythm or the vocalist needed to be outstanding. Of course, a perfect blend of instruments and vocals was a ticket to my heart.

“Okay, those were really good,” I admitted.

“He’s an amazing songwriter and producer. And even though he’s got the huge company, he’s still creative, working with a lot of his artists. It would be nice if his daughter got all of his talent, but she’s mostly just a cookie-cutter teen pop singer. I mean she’s great to listen to, but you wouldn’t like it.”

Eddie brought up YouTube and typed in Sofia Glenwood. He played the first video that came up. She was beautiful, black hair pulled back tight and a body I was sure many straight boys fantasied about. He was right. I didn’t like it. It was bland without much creativity. Sofia’s voice was good, but she just wanted you to know why she’d be the best girlfriend.

Eddie caught my frown. “Exactly. How is she even in the same family? She’s famously turned down her father’s offer to collaborate. Her stuff sells, though, likely because her voice is good, and she had the family name to work with.”

“How do you know all this stuff?”

Eddie shrugged. “I watch TMZ.”

I reached around Eddie and did a search to see more about the family. They were gorgeous, and it was surprising that only Sofia was usually in front of a camera. Oliver Glenwood reminded me of Ben Affleck with the chiseled jaw and the perpetual five o’clock shadow. Marcella might as well have been an older Selena Gomez. Sofia was the perfect blending of her parents. Apparently Marcella didn’t do too much with the company, instead using her law degree to run the family’s foundation, which worked with a number of charities that benefited children, education and equal rights.

“You’re gonna have a week with the beautiful people. I think I’m kinda jealous.”

“I’m sure.” Sarcasm spilled out. “I can’t imagine I’ll hang around while Mom and Dad catch up with their friends. Besides, I’ve got work and school stuff to do. I wish you’d be there to explore the city with me. That’d be much better.”

“Totally.” Eddie spun around in his chair and grabbed my hips before he looked up at me. “Just watch out for Sofia. She’s got a rep, and you’re a hot guy.” He didn’t sound like he was kidding either.

“And I’m gay with a boyfriend, so it’d be a waste of her time.” I buried my face down in his Afro until I could plant a kiss on his scalp.

He looked up at me. “When will you be back so we can get our summer going again?”

“It shouldn’t be more than a week.” I stole a look at the clock on the computer screen and saw it was nearly eleven. “I should go. We’re headed out early, and I have to pack.”

Blurb:

Theo Reese is just like any other seventeen-year-old—with one small exception.

This summer all he wants is to spend time with his boyfriend, Eddie, and work on his MIT research project. His parents have other plans.

An old friend needs the help of Theo’s family. Oliver Glenwood is an ’80s music star who runs his own label. His wife and his daughter, Sofia, now a chart topper herself, are the targets of kidnappers. Oliver hopes they can eliminate whoever is behind the threat.

When Theo uncovers an even more insidious plot, the covert agency the Reeses work for, Tactical Operational Support, swoops into action.

Song files have been modified to steal personal data from devices and emit a tone that drives listeners into a homicidal rage. Theo and his parents race against the clock to stop this mysterious enemy from releasing the music on an unsuspecting populace and causing worldwide chaos.

Just when Theo thinks the mission couldn’t be more complicated, Eddie shows up in New York looking to hang out with his boyfriend.

No one ever said being a teenage secret agent would be easy.

About the Author

Jeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a gay romance writer in 2009 when his first short stories were published. Since then he’s continued to create, often with a hockey player at the center of the story.

Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty years, Will. Some of his favorite things include the musicals Rent and [title of show],the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams, and the reality TV competition So You Think You Can Dance. He also loves to read, but there isn’t enough space to list out his favorite books.

Jeff is the co-host of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast, a weekly show devoted to gay romance as well as pop culture. New episodes come out every Monday at BigGayFictionPodcast.com.

You can learn more about Jeff at JeffAdamsWrites.com.

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