Don Bentley is the New York Times Bestselling author of the Matt Drake thriller series including Hostile Intent, The Outside Man, and Without Sanction as well as one forthcoming title. Don also writes in the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan, Jr. universe with Zero Hour, Target Acquired, and one forthcoming title.

Don spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas. While deployed to Afghanistan as a Troop Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI, Don was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” device for valor. Following his time in the military Don worked as an FBI Special Agent and was a member of the Dallas Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

After leaving the FBI, Don worked for companies that developed technology for the U.S. Special Operations Community. He holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Ohio State University, and an M.F.A in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.

 Don lives with his family in Austin, Texas.

What You’ll Learn

7:52 Interview Begins

8:20 The beginning

Don Bentley talks about how he began flying Apache helicopters and the service he did as part of the ARMY. He shares how the first 3 books that he wrote, pretty much flopped but he could not have imagined that he would be writing Tom Clansy novels, because he read his first Tom Clansy novel when he was 14.

11:56 Go Buckeyes

Larry shares a story about both of his kids love Ohio football, one of them because he is part of the high school band and the other one simply loves football.

13:28 About the family

17:00 Daughter Relationships

Don Bentley talks about the father-daughter dynamics and how they are completely different than with a father-son relationship.

21:13 Martial arts

Larry talks about his experience with martial arts and why he took Krav maga with his son to help him with real world situations in school

22:58 30 years of lessons in marriage

Don Bentley shares a vulnerable time in his life when he lost his job due to downsizing and this switched the roles at home. He shares some insights and learnings about how things for him and his wife are no longer a halfway halfway game. He procures his family to make sure he is outserving them, regardless of what his spouse brings to the table. Going above and beyond for your family.

52:31 Impact Through Writing

Don talks about how writing for him is a way of impacting because for him it’s like the Ranger aoth of not leaving anyone behind no matter the cost.

Don Bentley’s Links

• Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/bentleydonb 
• Twitter-https://twitter.com/bentleydonb
• Website-https://donbentleybooks.com/

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