James Pomerantz
&
Tom Hruby
Authors
James Pomerantz
James is a University of Missouri-Journalism alumni. He wrote his first novel in 1999 and cut his writing teeth in Chicago while owning 10 nightclubs and sports bars over many years.
The Breacher’s Playbook is the first novel in the Deklan Novak trilogy. Among the James Pomerantz book library are novels, Ghost Bandit, Undisclosed Sibling and The Spitting Image of My Father.
James also wrote a 2004 biography entitled They Call Me Sid Rock: Rodeo’s Extreme Cowboy, (Triumph Books, Chicago). The book was a colorful expose of Sid Steiner, 2002 PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler. The Steiner family is Texas rodeo royalty. Sid’s father Bobby Steiner was a PRCA World Champion Bull Rider. Sid’s son Rocker Steiner was the PRCA 2022 Bareback Resistol Rookie of the Year at 18 years old and finished fifth as a bareback rider in the 2023 PRCA World Standings. Bobby, Sid, and Rocker Steiner appeared in the hit show Yellowstone on Paramount, S3, E7.
James lost his wife, Mary, in 2019. They raised four kids in Winnetka, Illinois. James now lives in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Tom Hruby
Tom graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana in 2000. He played Varsity football as linebacker, fullback, and D-End in high school. He was also MVP on the wrestling team during HS Senior year.
After foregoing college, Tom became a professional MMA fighter in Chicago going undefeated at 7-0. After 9/11, Tom worked construction while he trained for the Navy and the grueling Navy SEAL program. He entered Navy bootcamp and BUD/s training in 2006 and graduated from BUD/s, Airborne School and SQT, receiving his SEAL Trident in 2008. He joined SEAL Team One as a Breacher in 2008 and served until 2016 with four deployments including Iraq and Afghanistan.
While still an active-duty Navy SEAL Pre-BUD/s Instructor (Lead Petty Officer LPO) stationed at Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC Great Lakes) in North Chicago, Illinois, Tom enrolled at Northwestern University as a full-time student and walked onto the football team as a linebacker after not playing football for 15 years. He played in the Big Ten for Pat Fitzgerald and the NU Wildcats from 2014-2016 at 32, 33, and 34 years old.
Divorced and the father of four boys, Tom currently lives at Hruby Ranch in Crown Point, Indiana.
Learn more about Tom on his website:
On Pre-Sale Now
The Breacher’s Playbook
“This is a tale of good versus evil,” said Pomerantz and Hruby. “Our main character, Deklan, fought his demons in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan as a Navy SEAL breacher, also known as an explosive expert, on the stadium grass of the Big Ten football fields as a linebacker, and now in Chicago as a special agent for the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children squad.”
The mystery thriller lays the groundwork for what the authors describe as a recurring character who is hard, fast, and mean as a razor wire. Deklan’s life path is one of determination and sacrifice in the face of defeat. That grit will be what he leans on in his new role as a tough FBI agent tasked with unraveling the disappearance of two children from a daycare center owned by his mother in this first installment.
This debut narrative, the first in a planned three-book series, is a fictional account based on Hruby’s real-life story.
Read an excerpt from The Breacher’s Playbook.
Joe Burdick –
I was so excited to get my book in the mail I stopped reading Pete Hegseth’s book so I could read Breacher’s Playbook. This book is well written, it’s action packed and definitely keeps the reader interested. I love and recommend it
Gary Jones –
Really great read, it was hard to put down and I’m already looking forward to the next one. I absolutely recommend this book.
Tim Niemiec –
Got a signed copy at a Chicago book signing through a friend. Plowed through it in a few days. Great read and looking forward to the next in the series!!
Coral Barney –
I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant to dive into The Breacher’s Playbook since it’s not a genre I typically gravitate toward, but I’m so glad I did! This book was full of suspense and action, impossible to put down once I started. The characters were complex and compelling, and the plot kept me hooked from beginning to end. I’m already eager to see where the story goes next. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Greg Taucher –
A terrific read … great storytelling … and writing that brilliantly wove together and integrated the myriad backstories and subplots into a very dynamic, heartfelt and at times, emotional tale of triumph, setback, opportunity and life its own self. I have read several of Pomerantz’s books and manuscripts (my favorite being “Real Men Hit from the Tips”), and his engaging writing style really – as in really – came through in “The Breacher’s Playbook”. The chapter(s) on “Hell Week” was some of the most powerful and transformative writing I have ever read … you literally go inside out with Novak during “Hell Week”. I cannot wait for the next installment in the Novak trilogy.
D. Eshoo –
This book had me drawn in right from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down and when I did, I couldn’t wait to pick up where I left. It draws one right into the action and that’s what puts this book in a class of its own. It’s a must read and I can’t wait for the next Declan Novak novel. As A parent of a Northwestern Football team player during Tom’s final year on the team I was able to meet and talk to him after the game. I learned that day that Tom Hruby and Coach Pat Fitzgerald are true American Patriots.
Denise Payne –
I put down my detective novel i was reading and started Breacher’ s Playbook by local author Tom Hruby. In the process,( outside of learning what a breacher did !) It was a lesson for me about some professions I knew very little about, the driving force which compels the personal actions of some people and the camaraderie created by groups whose livelihood depend upon each other. ( and what lengths these brothers in arms will go to for one another)
Needless to say, I am looking forward to experiencing the “next chapter” in Deklan Novak’s tumultuous life.
Denise Payne
Megan Foley –
I honestly couldn’t put The Breacher’s Playbook down – it was that good! From the moment I started reading, I was hooked. The pacing is perfect, and the writing is so sharp and vivid that I couldn’t wait to get back to it every chance I had. I read it in record time! The 2nd book can’t come fast enough! Do yourself a favor and grab this book. You won’t regret it! Highly recommend sharing it with fellow book lovers – it’s a must read!
Brooke Hruby –
Amazing read! Even thought it’s not a genre I would typically pick- the writing, characters, and story kept me hooked the entire time. I found myself staying up late to see what happens next! Can’t wait for the next one.
Kathy –
Just finished reading James and Tom’s book. It is more than just a story, it takes readers through a journey of what it takes to be an MMA fighter, Navy Seal, D1 Football player and FBI agent. The book captures the life of Deklan’s challenges and triumphs. All these acquired skills combined, paint a picture of a warrior. Great read!
Michael Kauffman –
Loving it so far! First read I’ve had in awhile that has kept me engaged and not wanting to put it down- this is definitely a page turner- I honestly think anyone whether you’re a big reader or not would enjoy this book, recommend 100%!
Rick Zink –
Great read!! Crisp writing, vivid locales and settings, and masterful character development. All this pays off as the story unfolds. The main character, Deklan Novak, in one you admire and definitely root for. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series!
Shelly Shahbaz –
Loved this book -I read it in a day! I cannot wait to read the next one.
Kiley Pomerantz –
A Riveting Must-Read!
“The Breacher’s Playbook” by James Pomerantz and Tom Hruby is absolutely fantastic! The story pulls you in from the very first page with its thrilling blend of action, mystery, and deeply human moments. Deklan Novak, the protagonist, is a brilliantly crafted character—tough, determined, raw, and relatable. The plot keeps you on edge, weaving intense FBI investigations with emotional stakes that hit hard. Pomerantz’s writing, Hruby’s real-life experiences as a Navy Seal Northwestern football player, and his investment into bettering his life and those around him are a beautiful match of the vivid writing, and the authenticity of the scenes make this book stand out as a masterful thriller. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next installment! Highly recommended!
Sue mayslak –
Great read