I was born on the West Coast, in Loma Linda, California, in 1975, and raised in Beaumont, CA – where some of my book takes place. I grew up with two brothers and one adopted sister. My parents were strong Christians and wonderful parents. They never fought, drank, or cursed; I had to visit my friend’s houses to see that. I was an Eagle Scout and loved to go camping with my family. We spent a lot of time off roading through the desert on ATC and dune buggies. I picked up my love of target shooting from Boy Scout camps. I still love to shoot, and, instead of riding the desert on my ATC, now I ride the waves on my wave runner.
I got married when I was 18, had two boys – Tyler in 1993, and Cory in 1996 – as a young father, I worked at Pizza Hut, until 1997; the same year my first wife and I were divorced.
I had the opportunity to help start a satellite plant in North Carolina for a micro connectors company, so I moved across the country to Salisbury. A year later I was offered a chance to become a tool and die apprentice, and worked as a tool and die maker for nearly nine years.
During these transitions I met the love of my life, Betsy, who is a school teacher. We were married 2003. We welcomed a baby girl, Sonja in 2007. I was unexpectedly laid off while my wife was pregnant. I then began working at a plastic company as a CNC programmer. Once again, after another lay-off in 2009, I decided to be a stay-at-home dad, and also started a computer repair business from home.
Another reason I didn’t return to work when I was laid off in 2009, was to help my parents with my brother, Nick, who was dying of a brain tumor. Nick was my baby brother, three years younger, and my best friend. It was always Nick’s dream to become a writer. I came up with a book idea for my brother to write years ago, but he became too sick, and the story was never written.
There have been a lot of changes in my life in the past five years – jobs, the loss of my brother, the birth of my daughter, and watching my sons grow up so, here I am trying to live out my brother’s dream, and it is to Nick whom I dedicate my first book. Nick was the model for one of my main characters. I do not consider myself to be a writer. I am, and always will be, a story teller. I have always made up stories in my head, and this is my first one that I wish to share with the world.
I am new to writing, but so far I love it and it has captured my attention completely. I love to read and never really thought that I would like writing as much as I do. Everything I write is from my head. I think out parts of the stories and make many revisions inside my head, so when I sit and write the story, it just comes out. The largest challenge for me has been the grammar, speed reading and emailing coworkers has not helped. Still, even with my challenges, I plan to finish writing three books. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them. I have finished my first novel in under a year. I have to give thanks to all my family and friends for all their ongoing support and encouragement.
Special Thanks, to my wife for putting up with another woman (Melabeth) who has become a big part of our daily lives. Also very special thanks to my test subjects –who have read every chapter after I had written it, and before they had been edited - they gave input and the motivation to keep writing. So, thank you Mom, Dad, Joyce and Bridget.
First to my oldest son Tyler, who will not read this "thank you" for some time. He is in boot camp right now. He joined the Army, and I am so proud, it’s beyond words of expression. I drove him crazy through his senior year with the telling of Melabeth, and to think, he only has two more years. I should be done with the series by then, maybe. So, thank you for all your support son.
To my second son Cory, who happens to be my biggest fan. Not only does he read his dad’s writing, but he has been my sounding board; he has allowed me to speak my story out loud for hours, refining the details of the story. I started writing this story Thanksgiving 2011, but I have been working on the characters' outlines, and overall ideas for much longer. Cory has been a great inspiration for me to write this story down on paper; I am thankful for such great boys.
To Bill Stanton, who put countless hours editing my book. Very special thanks, and if anyone finds any grammar errors; let be known that it was a full time job to find them all. Bill's expert advice has been extremely educational, and as I begin the task of writing the next two books, I will be better prepared. Bill is my father-in-law, and a professor of English for Clemson University.
And to my sister in-law Wendy, and my brother Donny, who own and operate their photography studio; Wendy photographed the model, and edited all of the book art. She is very talented in her skills and it is eye opening to see her work, from beginning to end. Wendy and my brother have brought a very personal touch, and face to my book, so thank you, for all your help.
Bio & Acknowledgements
