It's 9AM
It's "almost" time to start
5 Books. $5. One Penny a Page.
Hey it’s Chris,
When I did the math on this deal I realized something crazy.
It’s a penny a page.
Seriously.
One single cent.
Are you kidding me?
So here’s what happened.
Someone emailed me and said:
“Thanks for the free books, but I can’t spend $20 on the massive boxset right now.”
And honestly?
I get it.
That’s a big upfront commitment.
Even if it is the best thriller deal on planet Earth
(and I don’t throw hyperbole around lightly).
Some people want a taste first.
Which reminded me of something.
Back when I worked corporate in Orlando, I asked a girl out to a tapas bar downtown.
Tapas are those tiny little Spanish dishes.
Little bites.
Little tastes.
Before the big meal.
And that night involved happy hour drinks, some incredible food, and a kiss under a Florida full moon that probably cost me a lot more than a penny a piece.
Worth it though.
Which brings us back to books.
So if the Massive Thriller Boxset feels like too much right now…
Here’s the tapas version.
5 books
$5 total
That’s one penny a page of thriller action with The Shadowboxer.
Even better?
Inside the boxset there’s a link to grab another free book — PROTOCOL.
So technically you’re getting about 5½ books for five bucks.
Not bad for the price of a gas station coffee.
But this deal won’t stay up long.
So if you want the starter set before diving into the big boxset, grab it here:
Five books.
Five bucks.
One penny a page.
I fumbled the padlock on the backyard gate this weekend.
It’s one of those heavy brass numbers that’s supposed to be weather-resistant,
but the Arkansas humidity doesn’t care about marketing claims.
It was stuck.
Just a little bit of grit and oxidation making a simple task feel like a federal case.
I stood there, coffee getting cold on the porch, cursing a piece of metal.
It made me think about how much of our lives we spend fighting sticky locks.
Not just the physical ones, but the ones in our heads.
The routines that turned into ruts.
The “I’ll do it later” that turned into “I guess I never did.”
I remember my Papaw’s workshop in Pine Bluff.
He had a jar of mineral oil and an old rag that smelled like wood shavings and honest work.
He told me,
Don’t force the key.
Clean the hole.
He knew that most things in life don’t need a bigger hammer
they just need a little maintenance and a lot of patience.
Lately, I’ve been looking at my to-do list—the big one, the one that lives in the back of my mind where the “what-ifs” play poker.
It’s full of projects that are almost done.
The book series that needs one more title to feel complete.
The real estate rehab that’s waiting on a paycheck.
The fitness goal that’s eighteen pounds down but a hundred miles away from the next finish line.
We live in a world of “draws.”
A “W” and an “L” cancel each other out
and you’re left standing in the middle
holding a participation trophy
wondering where the fire went.
I don’t like drawing.
I like winning.
But more than that,
I’ve realized that the “almost” is the rust in the lock.
It’s the friction that keeps us from the next adventure.
I saw an interesting video about focus recently.
The lady asked, “How many red cars did you see on your way to work?”
Most people can’t say.
But if I offered you a hundred bucks for every one you spotted
you’d see a sea of crimson tomorrow.
The opportunities are there.
The “red cars” are idling at every intersection.
We just get so used to the gray landscape of the daily grind that we stop looking for the color.
I’m making a choice today.
I’m cleaning the lock.
I’m finishing one of those “almost” projects
One of the ones I keep saying some day too
Because momentum is the only thing that kills fear.
What’s the one thing you’ve been “almost” doing for six months?
Writing that first page?
Starting that side hustle?
Making that call?
Stop fighting the rust.
Lubricate the works with a little action and turn the key.
GET AFTER IT.
Grit Check: Bring Grit & Gratitude to Your Mailbox
You’ve told me you love the idea — “This is amazing!” “Great concept!” — and now it’s live.
Grit Check is your monthly dose of real, tangible inspiration:
A handwritten letter from me each month — reflections on grit, gratitude, stories from our community, and a personal nudge to keep going.
Simple goodies tucked inside: motivational stickers, a bookmark with a grit quote, a journal prompt card, maybe a packet of tea to sip while you read. Tiny things that spark big feelings.
Instant bonus: Free box set of my ebooks packed with resilience, gratitude, and thriving through the hard stuff.
Plus early access, member-only Q&As, and surprise perks throughout the year.
This isn’t more screen time — it’s a physical reminder to pause, reflect, and stay grateful while you grind. Upgrade today:
Monthly: $12/mo (cancel anytime)
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Spots are intentionally limited so every letter stays personal.
Click to join Grit Check and get your first one next month →
Let’s keep building that grit together — one real letter at a time.
With gratitude,
Chris