Clean Break

In this political thriller set in contemporary times, written by Eric Elmburg and author M. Rutledge McCall, America reels in shock after the unexpected death of the President just weeks after winning the primaries. He is hastily replaced on the ticket with a former Marine general, who wins the White House on promises of bringing strong leadership and fresh change to a beleaguered nation weary and numb from a decade of internecine bickering among her citizens over the direction of the country. And then, just 90 days into the new President's term, as the people are beginning to feel renewed hope that things will now start to improve, massive simultaneous terrorist explosions in two different U.S. cities hundreds of miles apart wipe out tens of billions of dollars worth of the nation's petroleum supplies. The President overreacts, issuing a series of executive orders that economically cripple the nation and do nothing to bring the perpetrators of the stunning explosions to justice.
Thousands of angry citizens take to the streets and America soon finds herself veering toward something different than anything she has experienced before. With the nation seemingly on the brink of internal collapse, conditions are perfect for someone to step up and shout Enough! A person of grit, wisdom, and selfless courage. This is the story of that man. His name is Ben Cannon.
Problem is, Ben is not only apolitical, he just wants to raise his kids, run his family business, and enjoy life with his beautiful wife, Kathryn. Still, like everyone else, Ben and Katie begin wonder what it would take for real change to come to America. They sense it'll take a person who has been pushed too far, perhaps someone with nothing left to lose, who is willing to do whatever it takes to fight for the principles upon which America was founded.
That person unexpectedly appears during a clash between police and protestors when an innocent woman is killed simply trying to get to her car and get home after work. The senseless death should never have occurred, and Ben steps up. But he happens to have history with the new President. Brutal, violent history, in the same Marine Corps special ops teams that bred the President. And the stage is set for the rending apart of the greatest nation since the end of the Roman Empire. And waiting in the wings to pick up the scraps if Ben Cannon and America's President go to war against each other is the perpetrator that financed the terrorist explosions that set the nation on this violent path.

Eric Elmburg grew up in rural Northeast Oklahoma. He's a graduate of University of Colorado, and he has a Master's Degree in Business from Southern Methodist University.

He's had a varied and successful business career as a partner and operator in a family-owned holding company. Along the way, he has led organizations in manufacturing, consumer products, real estate, and the energy industries. Mr. Elmburg was also an active member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) for 12 years.

After a decade long struggle with alcohol, he has now turned his focus to leading in the area of alternative recovery finding better methods of supporting people on their path to recovery. In his spare time, he enjoys boating, traveling, and hiking. Most importantly, his energy is derived from his three wonderful children who have been an amazing part of his journey.

Clean Break is Elmburg's first novel. Author M. Rutledge McCall was born and raised in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. He has been featured on TV shows including NBC's "Today," BBC News, PBS, CNN, KNBC News' "Nightside Cover Story," PBS/KCET's "Life and Times: Thinkers, Shakers and Newsmakers," "Larry King Live," ABC News 9 Australia, and others.

In early 2020, the 20th Anniversary Edition of McCall's widely acclaimed nonfiction book, Slipping Into Darkness was released (the book was optioned for film by David Sacks, Co-Founder and former Chief Operating Officer of PayPal and Producer of the hit movie "Thank You For Smoking"). And in late summer of 2020, his international thriller, The Christ Box, was released.

As a ghostwriter and developmental editor of more than 100 books, McCall's worldwide clientele includes people named in Newsweek and Forbes magazines' Most Powerful People lists, and he has worked with authors whose books have appeared on the best-selling lists of the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, the Wall Street Journal, and Amazon.com.