About
Originally from Beaver, PA, just north of Pittsburgh, I currently live in Arlington, VA, with my wife Megan. I moved to the DC area in 2002 to finish my Bachelor's at American University. After writing for various newspapers from high school through college, I endeavored to explore the imaginary and try my hand at writing fiction. My first novel, Polk's Soliloquy, was as much a labor of love and a grand experiment for me. I have numerous writing projects of various length I am looking forward to complete. I like to write as a release and most of my more personal stuff stays that way, while others become part of the stories I write.
Description
<p><span style="color:rgb(15,17,17);font-family:'Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.</span><br /><span class="a-text-bold" style="color:rgb(15,17,17);font-family:'Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;">B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree!</span></p>
Story Behind The Book
His name is Polk. He's living his dream life now under a week from his 23rd birthday, resting comfortably in a hammock between two large oaks in the back yard of his house in Virginia. He enjoys the rich sunshine that pierces the leaves of the well kept trees providing a heavenly glow capped by a majestic rainbow bridging the sky above his home. Polk breathes deep and feels the fresh air fill his lungs, and also detects the faint smell of steak, cooking gently on the nearby grill. He stands to check on the thick porterhouse slowly being kissed by the flames from the charcoal below. He hears the patio door open but doesn't turn. His wife grabs him from behind and hands him an ice cold beer. He says thank you and turns to kiss her, and looks straight into . . . his alarm clock.
It's 7:30 a.m., and Polk has to get up and go to work. His torso jerks up and looks around his apartment, quiet and alone. Disappointed, he collapses back onto the bed and slams the snooze button with his right hand.
"Nine more minutes, I'm not ready for reality just yet."