About the Author

Ann Bridges is a Chicago native who fell in love with Northern California while attending Stanford University. Now a longtime resident of San Jose, Ms. Bridges creatively incorporates the dynamics of her Silicon Valley business experience into new works of fiction. Extensive insider knowledge of operations, finance and marketing in the entertainment, communications and technology industries forman authentic underpinning for her sexy, intelligent style of Silicon Valley novels. Rare Mettle is a powerful sequel to her debut, Private Offerings, and will be followed by Kit's Mine, historical romance set against the Bay area's rich, 19th century past.

Reviews

"'Rare Mettle' is as fast-paced and exciting as a Dan Brown thriller, and kept me glued to the story to the very end. Ann Bridges delivers a very believable characterization of Chinese politics, plus mimics the behind-the scenes maneuvering of business dealings, too. A quick read, even for a very slow reader."
William DeVincenzi, Executive in Residence, Director of Gary J. Sbona Honors Program and Thompson Global Internship, Lucas College of Business, San Jose State University
"'Rare Mettle' offers the reader a chilling tale of a scenario which unfortunately has the potential to become reality. Written like a rare earth industry insider, Ann Bridges offers the reader a look inside the workings of the industry set against a suspenseful backdrop of characters caught in a web of political intrigue. Fast paced and energetic, 'Rare Mettle' keeps the reader guessing as to the eventual resolution to a problem that threatens the essence of American technology."
Anthony Marchese, Chairman, Texas Mineral Resources Corp.
"Ann Bridges has written a gripping fictional account of a serious real-world problem. Touching on contemporary issues of big-data mining, drones, and human rights, she builds a plausible and frightening story about America's absolute dependence on Chinese rare earth metals and the head-in-the-sand behavior of Silicon Valley elites and DOD bureaucrats when all the warning signals were flashing red. Ms. Bridges' book, Rare Mettle, should serve as both an entertaining read and a cautionary tale about the lengths to which regimes will go to insure their survival."
Robert H. Latiff, Ph.D., Major General (retired), USAF
"Ann Bridges' Rare Mettle gives a fascinating insight into the real and complex world of the rare earth industry today. The fast-paced story is full of political intrigue, interwoven with the personalities that are scattered throughout this diverse industry. The book is well researched and will give the reader an understanding of how these metals impact our everyday life through personal appliances to major industrial and defence applications that are essential to the 21st century. As an active participant in the industry for more than twenty years it is great to see this hidden story being exposed to a wider audience."
Ian Chalmers, Managing Director, Alkane Resources Ltd, Perth, Western Australia
"I was motivated to read 'Rare Mettle' after having read 'Private Offerings' by the same author. I'm always been attracted to books taking place in Silicon Valley where I have lived and worked for forty years. Most often non-fiction trumps fiction. Ann Bridges' stories, however, tend to be fast paced, full of twists and turns and feature good guys who are not always good and bad guys who are not always bad. One thing is certain, the author does her homework. In the context of a Venture Capital play book, behind the scenes of public diplomacy between the U.S. and China, and very sensitive and real issues like control of Rare Earth Elements, Bridges writes like she has 'walked the walk.' Her protagonists become likable despite serious flaws and questionable personal agendas. The pace of the action keeps you turning the pages. In the end the problems are solved...almost. You are left wondering if complete resolution will be found in the next book or tomorrow's newspaper."

Stephen Tritto, Award-winning Author, retired Silicon Valley executive
"Author Ann Bridges captures the dragon spirit of both Silicon Valley and China--bold, ambitious, and intelligent. With attention to authentic detail, she moves the story through the perspectives of powerful, complex characters, all grappling with universal issues--power and control, love and sex, fear of failure and drive for success. Best yet, she understands how to communicate the delicate balance of two fast-paced cultures, each vying for supremacy in a high-tech, high-pressure world in an entertaining, captivating thriller. My favorite aspects of 'Rare Mettle' are the ways she weaves the Chinese traditions and social mores through the story line. Ann Bridges uses a common Chinese idiom as a metaphor for an aging female Chinese politician; describes the odd but revered profession of corpse walker; and challenges the political hypocrisy of women's rights, environmental regulations, and religious freedoms. Well-researched, it serves as a great introduction to many issues facing America's relationship to China today and in the future."
Margaret Zhao, former Enemy of the State in Mao's China and Award-winning author
"Ann Bridges' exciting, reality-based 'Rare Mettle' is packed full of corporate and government agents engaged in an economic and geopolitical battle across cultures and vast geography. Based on extensive research, and including insider conversations, her story foretells America's weaknesses and possible consequences of decades-long, compromising policies chasing China's cheap manufacturing promises and stable global alliances. But what adds an element of timeliness and relevance is that the underlying technical facts setting these fictional players into motion are true; therefore, her depiction of the current commercial and National Security situation is accurate, valid and deeply relevant to U.S. economic standing in the world. This, of course, impacts the lives of every American alive today, and will define the lives and futures of our children. Through its compelling characters, 'Rare Mettle' presents a frighteningly disturbing, first-hand account of institutionalized policy failure and outright treachery that has in fact taken place at the highest levels of the United States government."
James C. Kennedy, President ThREEConsulting.com
Trade Reviews Forthcoming

"" Rare Mettle is as fast-paced and exciting as a Dan Brown thriller, and kept me glued to the story to the very end. Ann Bridges delivers a very believable characterization of Chinese politics, plus mimics the behind-the scenes maneuvering of business dealings, too. A quick read, even for a very slow reader. "
William DeVincenzi, Executive in Residence, Director of Gary J. Sbona Honors Program and Thompson Global Internship, Lucas College of Business, San Jose State University
" 'Rare Mettle' offers the reader a chilling tale of a scenario which unfortunately has the potential to become reality. Written like a rare earth industry insider, Ann Bridges offers the reader a look inside the workings of the industry set against a suspenseful backdrop of characters caught in a web of political intrigue. Fast paced and energetic, 'Rare Mettle' keeps the reader guessing as to the eventual resolution to a problem that threatens the essence of American technology. "
Anthony Marchese, Chairman, Texas Mineral Resources Corp.
" Ann Bridges has written a gripping fictional account of a serious real-world problem. Touching on contemporary issues of big-data mining, drones, and human rights, she builds a plausible and frightening story about America s absolute dependence on Chinese rare earth metals and the head-in-the-sand behavior of Silicon Valley elites and DOD bureaucrats when all the warning signals were flashing red. Ms. Bridges book, Rare Mettle, should serve as both an entertaining read and a cautionary tale about the lengths to which regimes will go to insure their survival. "
Robert H. Latiff, Ph.D., Major General (retired), USAF
" Ann Bridges Rare Mettle gives a fascinating insight into the real and complex world of the rare earth industry today. The fast-paced story is full of political intrigue, interwoven with the personalities that are scattered throughout this diverse industry. The book is well researched and will give the reader an understanding of how these metals impact our everyday life through personal appliances to major industrial and defence applications that are essential to the 21st century. As an active participant in the industry for more than twenty years it is great to see this hidden story being exposed to a wider audience. "
Ian Chalmers, Managing Director, Alkane Resources Ltd, Perth, Western Australia
" I was motivated to read Rare Mettle after having read Private Offerings Ann Bridges stories, however, tend to be fast paced, full of twists and turns and feature good guys who are not always good and bad guys who are not always bad. One thing is certain, the author does her homework. In the context of a Venture Capital play book, behind the scenes of public diplomacy between the U.S. and China, and very sensitive and real issues like control of Rare Earth Elements, Bridges writes like she has walked the walk. Her protagonists become likable despite serious flaws and questionable personal agendas. The pace of the action keeps you turning the pages. In the end the problems are solved...almost. You are left wondering if complete resolution will be found in the next book or tomorrow's newspaper.""
Stephen Tritto, Award-winning Author, retired Silicon Valley executive
" Author Ann Bridges captures the dragon spirit of both Silicon Valley and China--bold, ambitious, and intelligent. With attention to authentic detail, she moves the story through the perspectives of powerful, complex characters, all grappling with universal issues--power and control, love and sex, fear of failure and drive for success. Best yet, she understands how to communicate the delicate balance of two fast-paced cultures, each vying for supremacy in a high-tech, high-pressure world in an entertaining, captivating thriller. My favorite aspects of 'Rare Mettle are the ways she weaves the Chinese traditions and social mores through the story line. Ann Bridges uses a common Chinese idiom as a metaphor for an aging female Chinese politician; describes the odd but revered profession of corpse walker; and challenges the political hypocrisy of women s rights, environmental regulations, and religious freedoms. Well-researched, it serves as a great introduction to many issues facing America s relationship to China today and in the future.""
Margaret Zhao, former Enemy of the State in Mao s China and Award-winning author
" Ann Bridges exciting, reality-based Rare Mettle is packedfull of corporate and government agents engaged in an economic and geopolitical battle across cultures and vast geography. Based on extensive research, and including insider conversations, her story foretells America s weaknesses and possible consequences of decades-long, compromising policies chasing China s cheap manufacturing promises and stable global alliances. But what adds an element of timeliness and relevance is that the underlying technical facts setting these fictional players into motion are true; therefore, her depiction of the currentcommercial and National Security situationisaccurate, valid anddeeply relevant to U.S. economic standing in the world.This, of course, impactsthe lives of every American alive today, and will define the lives and futures of our children. Through its compelling characters, 'Rare Mettle' presents a frighteningly disturbing, first-hand account of institutionalized policy failure and outrighttreacherythat has infact taken place at the highest levels of the United States government. "
James C. Kennedy, President ThREEConsulting.com
Trade Reviews Forthcoming
"

" Rare Mettle is as fast-paced and exciting as a Dan Brown thriller, and kept me glued to the story to the very end. Ann Bridges delivers a very believable characterization of Chinese politics, plus mimics the behind-the scenes maneuvering of business dealings, too. A quick read, even for a very slow reader. "
William DeVincenzi, Executive in Residence, Director of Gary J. Sbona Honors Program and Thompson Global Internship, Lucas College of Business, San Jose State University
" I was motivated to read Rare Mettle after having read Private Offerings Ann Bridges stories, however, tend to be fast paced, full of twists and turns and feature good guys who are not always good and bad guys who are not always bad. One thing is certain, the author does her homework. In the context of a Venture Capital play book, behind the scenes of public diplomacy between the U.S. and China, and very sensitive and real issues like control of Rare Earth Elements, Bridges writes like she has walked the walk. Her protagonists become likable despite serious flaws and questionable personal agendas. The pace of the action keeps you turning the pages. In the end the problems are solved...almost. You are left wondering if complete resolution will be found in the next book or tomorrow's newspaper."
Stephen Tritto, Award-winning Author, retired Silicon Valley executive
" Author Ann Bridges captures the dragon spirit of both Silicon Valley and China--bold, ambitious, and intelligent. With attention to authentic detail, she moves the story through the perspectives of powerful, complex characters, all grappling with universal issues--power and control, love and sex, fear of failure and drive for success. Best yet, she understands how to communicate the delicate balance of two fast-paced cultures, each vying for supremacy in a high-tech, high-pressure world in an entertaining, captivating thriller. My favorite aspects of Rare Mettle are the ways she weaves the Chinese traditions and social mores through the story line. Ann Bridges uses a common Chinese idiom as a metaphor for an aging female Chinese politician; describes the odd but revered profession of corpse walker; and challenges the political hypocrisy of women s rights, environmental regulations, and religious freedoms. Well-researched, it serves as a great introduction to many issues facing America s relationship to China today and in the future."
Margaret Zhao, former Enemy of the State in Mao s China and Award-winning author
" Ann Bridges exciting, reality-based Rare Mettle is packedfull of corporate and government agents engaged in an economic and geopolitical battle across cultures and vast geography. Based on extensive research, and including insider conversations, her story foretells America s weaknesses and possible consequences of decades-long, compromising policies chasing China s cheap manufacturing promises and stable global alliances. But what adds an element of timeliness and relevance is that the underlying technical facts setting these fictional players into motion are true; therefore, her depiction of the currentcommercial and National Security situationisaccurate, valid anddeeply relevant to U.S. economic standing in the world.This, of course, impactsthe lives of every American alive today, and will define the lives and futures of our children. Through its compelling characters, Rare Mettle presents a frighteningly disturbing, first-hand account of institutionalized policy failure and outrighttreacherythat has infact taken place at the highest levels of the United States government. "
James C. Kennedy, President ThREEConsulting.com"