Kings of Earth

In the not-too-distant future, the world is engulfed by nuclear war. Giant piloted humanoid robots, called Mechs, engage in constant battle between U.N. forces and the Axis of Asia.Leo, a 29-year-old outlaw with a mysterious metal implant in the back of his head, was born into this war but doesn’t mind it—long as it continues to draw government attention away from his own criminal activities. Unsure of his origins, the young scrapper has made a life working for the Tijuana Cartel. When he is captured by U.N. forces, that life is suddenly tossed into complete chaos as he discovers the conspiracies surrounding his past; conspiracies that will leave him and all of Earth transformed forever. Leo will have to fight to ensure that transformation leads to Earth’s salvation, or our planet’s destruction will be imminent.

Joe Ponder was born in 1988 on an Air Force base in Georgia. His mother was a psychologist before becoming a Christian minister and his father a retired United States Air Force Major. Joe comes from a family of aviators. His grandfather was a Navy jet pilot and his uncle an Army helicopter pilot. Growing up a military brat, Joe traveled the world. After high school, he moved out on his own and got work as an aircraft mechanic. While living in Kentucky, Joe frequented a lounge called the Cat's Den, a gathering spot for local artists. There, he regularly wrote and performed poetry. Still turning wrenches as a mechanic, Joe decided to further his career and attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he met his future wife, Sam. Their son CJ was born in 2010. Joe's son and book, Kings of Earth, celebrate diversity. CJ is mixed with African, Pauite Native American, and Creole from his father's side and Laotian, Thai, and Chinese from his mother's side. After graduating with his aerospace bachelor's degree, Joe took an aviation maintenance management position in Texas where he lives with his family today.