The Usurper by Cliff Ball

Cliff Ball · 08-15-2010, 06:44 PM

Hi everyone,

The Usurper is my 3rd novel, and is a political suspense thriller, with some alternate history.

You only think you know this story....

Gary Jackson is raised to hate. Hate the United States, and everything it has ever stood for. His mission is to destroy the country from within, allying himself with America's enemies, and one very powerful and malevolent billionaire, to accomplish the deed. Once elected to the highest position in the land, Gary puts his lifelong goals to work, and puts the USA onto the path of ultimate destruction. He stops at nothing to rid the USA of his political and spiritual enemies, until a small group decide they've had enough, and they want to stop him. Will they succeed or will the United States be relegated to the dustbin of history?

It's on Kindle, which is going for $2.99, at Smashwords, also at Borders, Kobo, Sony Reader, NOOK, and available for the Apple iPad

Thread to Shattered Earth, science fiction novel.

Cliff Ball
Author website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Cliff Ball · 09-21-2010, 08:16 PM

...............................................

Dr. Drib · 09-22-2010, 07:37 AM

Hello!

Welcome to MobileRead, Cliff.

I think you'll find a lot interesting discussions going on here at MobileRead.

We would also like you to become acquainted with our Posting Guidelines, especially - since you are an author - on self-promoted books. (One Book = One Thread," for example.)

If you have any questions, please let a Moderator know.

Don
(Moderator)

Cliff Ball · 11-03-2010, 02:28 PM

Hey everyone, The Usurper has been in the top 100 thriller e-books on Amazon a couple of times in October. Please check it out! It also has had 4 star reviews so far.

Cliff Ball · 11-13-2010, 09:08 PM

The Usurper was featured on The Frugal eReader this week:

http://www.thefrugalereader.com/2010...-ball-239.html

and was listed with other Indie authors on JA Konrath's blog:
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/1...ttle-help.html

Cliff Ball · 11-22-2010, 01:00 PM

The novel was featured on today's The Indie Spotlight, please check it out!

Cliff Ball · 12-09-2010, 07:45 PM

I managed to get another 4 star review on Amazon(and B&N), from a Brian Knapp, making it the 5th:

Cliff weaves an interesting story with enough connections to real happenings in the world today that this book seems to be non-fiction.

Just when you think you know where the story line is going Cliff changes up on you. While some things are predictable others are not, which adds to the enjoyment of the book.

Some events catch you totally off guard. While it may seem to start slow stick with it, you will not be disappointed.

Cliff Ball · 12-27-2010, 05:04 PM

Until December 30th, The Usurper is $.99 on Nook and Kindle, along with Out of Time and Shattered Earth. They will go back to being $2.99 after December 30th.

Cliff Ball · 01-01-2011, 04:18 PM

The Usurper is today's book on The Kindle Nation Daily

Kindle Nation Free Book Alert: "A dark and lovely elegy, filled with heartbreak that turns itself into hope and forgiveness" + 225 other freebies, plus ... Tom Clancy meets The Manchurian Candidate in Cliff Ball's "The Usurper" (Today's Sponsor) http://bit.ly/e6Gzkc

Check it out!
Thanks

Cliff Ball · 01-07-2011, 11:15 PM

I have a few updates:

5 copies of The Usurper to giveaway. They're early proofs:
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/7570-the-usurper

Character interview of the antagonist
http://syriasays.com/3/post/2011/01/first-post.html

Two Ends of the Pen Interview
http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/...liff-ball.html

Wacky Wednesday Interview
http://excusememissptd.blogspot.com/...rviews_04.html

On Smashwords, I have this novel on sale for $.99 for this month only with coupon code VH27E http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/18734

Cliff Ball · 02-15-2011, 06:18 PM

The Usurper is featured today on Daily Cheap Reads

http://dailycheapreads.com/2011/02/15/the-usurper/

Cliff Ball · 03-22-2011, 08:36 PM

Two new reviews, one from Goodreads and the other on B&N:

From Goodreads, from Heather, who won a copy of the paperback:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126805727

This is the first Cliff Ball book I've read...and I'd have to say that if he writes another political thriller ... I'm in! "The Usurper" is a fast-paced fictional story that has non-fictional elements in it of events that really happened. Cliff makes you think 'could this really happen?' He makes it all seem possible...which is a scary thought! This book had lots of twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of her seat throughout the book. I gave this book to my dad to read since he likes the same kind of books that I do. I'm sure he'll have a good review as well. Thank you Cliff for writing this book!

On B&N, from a reader named Linda:
http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communi...viewid=1575412

I agree with the other reviewer's statement that it is Clancy like. The characters don't have as much depth as Clancy's, but Clancy has developed his over many books. This book was very similar to current events, with a frightening back story created. This back story was, unfortunately, plausible - at least in the goal if not the execution. It builds off of the fears of the cold war and moves into the role and power of government in our lives, as well as the battle of capitalism vs. socialism. This was filled with lots of symbolism and relations to actual current events. In summary, a very good read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Plus, for one more week, this novel is on sale for $.99

Cliff Ball · 10-09-2011, 08:13 PM

4 star review on Manic Readers.com

The usurper, Gary Jackson, is a hateful soul. His entire life was planned by the Soviet Union before he was even conceived by a volunteer KGB agent. Gary was raised to hate the USA and all of its citizens and ultimately be the man of the countries undoing.

In The Usurper, we follow Gary’s mother for a short time but the star in the novel is undeniably Gary. He is trained and educated with the sole purpose of ending the USA during his middle aged years. The Usurper is filled to the brim with conspiracies and some elaborated history lessons. This is a terrific thriller but I would advise the reader to be open minded when reading due to Gary’s and the Soviet’s cold-heartedness. It would be relatively easy for a conspiracy theorist to become enthralled with this novel and the intricacies of Gary’s life. I did notice there are some points in the novel when the storytelling is very brief and dry, which I am not a huge fan of. However, there are many more other parts of this novel that are gripping and make up for that dry style of writing. Overall, The Usurper is an attention-grabbing story and an eye opener on many levels. Although The Usurper is a work of fiction, many instances could be comparable to some going-ons in our world today. Ball indeed did a terrific job with his imagination.

PLUS
an interview with 1st Author Interviews

08-15-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	The Usurper by Cliff Ball Hi everyone, The Usurper is my 3rd novel, and is a political suspense thriller, with some alternate history. You only think you know this story.... Gary Jackson is raised to hate. Hate the United States, and everything it has ever stood for. His mission is to destroy the country from within, allying himself with America's enemies, and one very powerful and malevolent billionaire, to accomplish the deed. Once elected to the highest position in the land, Gary puts his lifelong goals to work, and puts the USA onto the path of ultimate destruction. He stops at nothing to rid the USA of his political and spiritual enemies, until a small group decide they've had enough, and they want to stop him. Will they succeed or will the United States be relegated to the dustbin of history? It's on Kindle, which is going for $2.99, at Smashwords, also at Borders, Kobo, Sony Reader, NOOK, and available for the Apple iPad Thread to Shattered Earth, science fiction novel. Cliff Ball Author website Blog Twitter Facebook Last edited by Cliff Ball; 10-09-2011 at 08:18 PM. Reason: updating it

09-21-2010, 08:16 PM	#2
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	............................................... Last edited by Cliff Ball; 12-04-2010 at 04:11 PM.

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09-22-2010, 07:37 AM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Hello! Welcome to MobileRead, Cliff. I think you'll find a lot interesting discussions going on here at MobileRead. We would also like you to become acquainted with our Posting Guidelines, especially - since you are an author - on self-promoted books. (One Book = One Thread," for example.) If you have any questions, please let a Moderator know. Don (Moderator)

11-03-2010, 02:28 PM	#4
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	Hey everyone, The Usurper has been in the top 100 thriller e-books on Amazon a couple of times in October. Please check it out! It also has had 4 star reviews so far.

11-13-2010, 09:08 PM	#5
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	The Usurper was featured on The Frugal eReader this week: http://www.thefrugalereader.com/2010...-ball-239.html and was listed with other Indie authors on JA Konrath's blog: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/1...ttle-help.html

11-22-2010, 01:00 PM	#6
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	The novel was featured on today's The Indie Spotlight, please check it out!

12-09-2010, 07:45 PM	#7
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	I managed to get another 4 star review on Amazon(and B&N), from a Brian Knapp, making it the 5th: Cliff weaves an interesting story with enough connections to real happenings in the world today that this book seems to be non-fiction. Just when you think you know where the story line is going Cliff changes up on you. While some things are predictable others are not, which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Some events catch you totally off guard. While it may seem to start slow stick with it, you will not be disappointed.

12-27-2010, 05:04 PM	#8
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	Until December 30th, The Usurper is $.99 on Nook and Kindle, along with Out of Time and Shattered Earth. They will go back to being $2.99 after December 30th.

01-01-2011, 04:18 PM	#9
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	The Usurper is today's book on The Kindle Nation Daily Kindle Nation Free Book Alert: "A dark and lovely elegy, filled with heartbreak that turns itself into hope and forgiveness" + 225 other freebies, plus ... Tom Clancy meets The Manchurian Candidate in Cliff Ball's "The Usurper" (Today's Sponsor) http://bit.ly/e6Gzkc Check it out! Thanks

01-07-2011, 11:15 PM	#10
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	I have a few updates: 5 copies of The Usurper to giveaway. They're early proofs: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/7570-the-usurper Character interview of the antagonist http://syriasays.com/3/post/2011/01/first-post.html Two Ends of the Pen Interview http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/...liff-ball.html Wacky Wednesday Interview http://excusememissptd.blogspot.com/...rviews_04.html On Smashwords, I have this novel on sale for $.99 for this month only with coupon code VH27E http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/18734

02-15-2011, 06:18 PM	#11
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	The Usurper is featured today on Daily Cheap Reads http://dailycheapreads.com/2011/02/15/the-usurper/

03-22-2011, 08:36 PM	#12
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	Two new reviews, one from Goodreads and the other on B&N: From Goodreads, from Heather, who won a copy of the paperback: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126805727 This is the first Cliff Ball book I've read...and I'd have to say that if he writes another political thriller ... I'm in! "The Usurper" is a fast-paced fictional story that has non-fictional elements in it of events that really happened. Cliff makes you think 'could this really happen?' He makes it all seem possible...which is a scary thought! This book had lots of twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of her seat throughout the book. I gave this book to my dad to read since he likes the same kind of books that I do. I'm sure he'll have a good review as well. Thank you Cliff for writing this book! On B&N, from a reader named Linda: http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communi...viewid=1575412 I agree with the other reviewer's statement that it is Clancy like. The characters don't have as much depth as Clancy's, but Clancy has developed his over many books. This book was very similar to current events, with a frightening back story created. This back story was, unfortunately, plausible - at least in the goal if not the execution. It builds off of the fears of the cold war and moves into the role and power of government in our lives, as well as the battle of capitalism vs. socialism. This was filled with lots of symbolism and relations to actual current events. In summary, a very good read and I look forward to reading more by this author. Plus, for one more week, this novel is on sale for $.99

10-09-2011, 08:13 PM	#13
Cliff Ball Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 525420 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Device: none	4 star review on Manic Readers.com The usurper, Gary Jackson, is a hateful soul. His entire life was planned by the Soviet Union before he was even conceived by a volunteer KGB agent. Gary was raised to hate the USA and all of its citizens and ultimately be the man of the countries undoing. In The Usurper, we follow Gary’s mother for a short time but the star in the novel is undeniably Gary. He is trained and educated with the sole purpose of ending the USA during his middle aged years. The Usurper is filled to the brim with conspiracies and some elaborated history lessons. This is a terrific thriller but I would advise the reader to be open minded when reading due to Gary’s and the Soviet’s cold-heartedness. It would be relatively easy for a conspiracy theorist to become enthralled with this novel and the intricacies of Gary’s life. I did notice there are some points in the novel when the storytelling is very brief and dry, which I am not a huge fan of. However, there are many more other parts of this novel that are gripping and make up for that dry style of writing. Overall, The Usurper is an attention-grabbing story and an eye opener on many levels. Although The Usurper is a work of fiction, many instances could be comparable to some going-ons in our world today. Ball indeed did a terrific job with his imagination. PLUS an interview with 1st Author Interviews