1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
- I'm a retired U.S. Army Colonel. My wife and I have two sons, both grown, married, and with children; therefore, I'm also a Grandpa.We love our family.
- I like to devour life, one big bite at a time. Life tastes so good!
- Music excites me - all types. Singing and playing guitar as I lead our Christian Contemporary service in Praise and Worship is awesome.
- As a life-long student of the Bible, I take groups of believers on a journey through Biblical concepts on a weekly basis and coordinate social activities for the groups.
- Community is important to me. I'm an officer in our Home Owners Association and encourage others to join in taking care of their property to create a wonderful place to live. Our home is on Belton Lake in Texas.
- Writing is now a passion.
- I like all types of sports. I'm a runner, golfer, and go to the gym two to three times a week to work out with weights.
- Watching movies is a great past time. I REALLY liked the Star Wars series.
Science Fiction will be a new genre for me to write about in the next few years.
2. Describe your book The Secrets of the Castle: Thunder and Lightning Series, Book 1 in 30 words or less.
Mix two boys, two dogs, mystery, and danger together with a world famous German Castle setting. Add in terrorists. Results? Heart-pounding adventure deep underground in the German hillsides.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
I had to learn to write prose in the first-person Point of View (POV) instead of writing military manuals in the third person POV.
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
The Hardy Boy series, The Tom Swift series, Issac Asimov's Foundation series and his other science fiction work. Robert Heinlein and many other famous science fiction writers have captured my attention.
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
Currently I use the Bookbuzzr book preview feature on Facebook and the Hangman game on Facebook. I write a monthly blog (zookbooks.org) using MailChimp to forward it to readers. I hired a Virtual Assistant to post daily on Facebook. I am now exploring Pintrest. I sell my books at booksignings in the local area, at bookstores, and at the Army and Air Force Exchange stores in Texas.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
Music, sports, Bible Study, spending time with family and freinds
7. What are you working on next?
The Salt Mines Mystery, Book #2 in the Thunder and Lightning Series will be released in April 2015. I am currently working on the third book in the series- an adventure in Salzburg, Austria.
