Explore the world of action/adventure thrillers with heart!
Action: my books are laced with Military, FBI, US Marshals, DOJ, and Tateo Protective Services action.
Honor: a key belief of the protagonists in my books; honor, integrity, and sincerity refer to the highest moral principles and the absence of deceit or fraud.
Family: an important aspect of my books, as I highlight their successes, challenges, and bond.
Adventure: I strive to bring into my books fun and adventure through the eyes of my characters, and the marvelous sights of our great country, the United States of America.
Main Characters
Tateo Protective Services
Riku (R-ee-ku) Tanaka: Computer genius, founded Tateo Protective Services; a multifaceted operation; including Protective Detail Services, Threat detection and, and Investigation Services, and Asset Recovery Services.
Kanai (Ka-na-ee) Tanaka: Former Army Ranger Commanding Officer, resigned to help his brother, Riku, with the business.
Imelda Guerrero, Riku’s assistant and expert computer ‘hacker’.
Global Analysts, regions of responsibility; and all are US Citizens:
Amelia Baker, North America (Except Central America), and Caribbean Islands.
Paolo Santos, Latin America (Central and South America), except Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.
Rashid Kumar, Middle East, Egypt, Saudia Arabia, Oman, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan.
Hiroshi Sato, Asia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand.
Danique De Vries, Western Europe, Scandinavia countries Germany, Austria, Italy and all those to the west.
Security Crew: Threat detection and, Investigation Services –
Jasper Langford, ex British SAS; Alex Evans, ex Navey Seal, Team 4; Brian Turner, Ex Navy Seal, Team 6; (Ex) Marine, Malik Washington, Marine Special Forces and Rob Miller, Ex Army Ranger part time.
All Others
Rob Miller, left college to join the Army to fight the ‘War on Terror’. Former Army SFC with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He accepted a hardship discharge and bought an RV to travel the country to help his family, heal.
Wife: Ellie. Daughter: Evie, just turned 6
Parents: Father: Steve/Pops/Papaw. Mother: Pat/Mom/Memaw
Ellie’s parents: Father Chris Hunt/Grampa. Mother: Kim/Gramma
US DOJ: US Attorney General Jeremiah Austenaco, Deputy Attorney General Rachel Bennett.
FBI: Deputy Director Damian Jackson; Special Agent Gabriella Aguilar
US Marshals WitSec: Supervisory Deputy Marshal Ford Collier
SOCOM: Staff Officer/Liaison, Major Williams; Sergeant Morris, Clerk
US Army Ranger Teams:
Rebel Team: MSG Wilson, Rebel 6; SSG Perez, Rebel 5; Sgt Johnson, Rebel 1; SPC Morales Rebel 2; SPC Powell Rebel 3; Sgt Ward Rebel 4.
Renegade Team: SSG Garcia Renegade 6; SSG Clark, Renegade 5; SGT Rodriquez, Renegade 1; SPC Brown, Renegade 2; SPC Moore, Renegade 3; SPC Lee, Renegade 4.
El Avion Cartel Leader: Jose Vargas, Wife Sofia.
Character Spotlight
Kanai Tanaka (pronounced Ka-na-ee)
Kanai is Rob’s former Army Commander in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He resigned his Army Commission to join his brother’s company, Tateo Protective Services, Owensboro, KY, as the company has grown too big for his brother, Riku, to manage.
He is brilliant, engaged, and loyal to family, friends, and co-workers.
Kanai was born in Japan, and his family emigrated to America when his father obtained green card sponsorship from a large technology company in San Francisco. The entire family are now us citizens.
Kanai Attended San Francisco State University, School of Engineering on an Army ROTC Scholarship, and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He met Su-Jin at a campus function and they dated throughout college. They married 1 year after graduation. Upon Graduation as a Second Lieutenant, he went to Ranger School and served at various Army Posts and leadership positions, culminating as a Major in the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Kanai manages the Contract Security Services Division of Tateo Protective Services, comprising Protective Detail Services, Threat Investigation Services, and Asset Recovery Services.
Featured Book
New Book, Coming Soon!
Operation Phantom Hawk: Cartel Justice
An Action Adventure Novel by Gary A. Merrill
Who is the Government Traitor that helped the Cartel ambush the US Rangers?
The Cartel Leader’s wife thinks her husband is loco! Will the rescue succeed?
A crooked judge, millions of illicit funds disappear, a lawyer vanishes, does the traitor go to jail?
Like nothing else! Don’t miss the Action, Honor, Family, Adventure
What Readers Can Expect:
- More engagement by Tateo Protective Services
- New Characters and twice the action
- Nail-biting missions across the Americas
- Experience the marvelous sights and attractions of the US, with Rob’s family!
Featured Book
- 5
Action - Honor Family - Adventure.
New Book Coming Soon!
- TBD
Action - Honor Family -Adventure.
Reviews
What Readers Are Saying!
Excellent read, both my wife and myself have now read this book and agree, intriguing story with several unexpected twists! Definitely would highly recommend this one!
F&H in Prescott
Operation Phantom Hawk: Ambushed depicts the soldiers life on and off duty. Also, what the soldiers dependents have to endure when the spouse is sent to a place they know not where or when or if they will return.
An excellent read and heart moving. I can’t wait for the next book.
RHB.Jr
It’s not just a military thriller; this feels like a love letter to the families who sacrifice behind the scenes. Ellie and Evie broke my heart in the best way.
William Timothy
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from My Readers
Who are these books for?
These books are for readers who enjoy action and adventure thrillers that combine military action intermixed with family adventure and deep web sleuthing.
Will there be a series?
Yes, Operation Phantom Hawk: Ambushed is the start. The sequel, Operation Phantom Hawk: Cartel Justice is with my publishers and expected to be available in April or May 2026.
Where can I follow you?
You can follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Also, visit my ‘About us page”. A detailed biography coming soon.
Do I need to read the books in order?
- It is not required to read the books in order, however, book two, Operation Phantom Hawk: Cartel Justice will complete the Operation Phantom Hawk series. While a prelude in book two will provide readers a brief overview, you will benefit from reading Operation Phantom Hawk: Ambushed first.
- I haven’t decided whether subsequent books will be series or stand alone.
Are your books Fiction or Nonfiction?
Both Operation Phantom Hawk: Ambushed and Operation Phantom Hawk: Cartel Justice are fiction, created from my imagination.
Do you use AI to write your novels?
Never. My imagination and significant research go into every word of my novels.
