I've been a cop for 23 years. A former SWAT sniper, I am currently my department's lead hostage negotiator. I am also a writer. My first novel, Sniper Shot, debuted in 2005, and its sequel, Return Fire, is under contract and was supposed to be released in January, 2009, but the publisher (iBooks, Inc.) has thus far not released it.  The Dying of Mortimer Post, my third novel, The Dying of Mortimer Post (L&L Dreamspell), will be released in May 2010. I believe that you must be an avid reader in order to be a good writer. I describe myself as a plottist, and in order to be a good plottist, you must have a good imagination. My grades always reflected my imagination through school (I daydreamed a lot), which wasn't a good thing for me then, but proved to be good for my writing later on. Combined with having a cool job (SWAT sniper/cop), my natural storytelling ability, imagination, and creativity landed me my first publishing contract, and I've been writing steadily ever since.  Any author can tell you how difficult it is to get published, and to remain so. Good writing, a cool job, and good manuscripts often aren't enough. Too often, it's who you know that makes the difference. Unfortunately, I don't know those guys. However, I have been fortunate enough to land a second book contract, and I hope that from here on out, the road to further publication will be easier.  My favorite (and the most influential) authors are the late Gary Jennings (Aztec) and the great Nelson Demille (The Lion's Game). I love the verbal style and prose of Jennings, and the wit and sarcasm of Demille. Both are tremendous plottists, and I can see their influence in places in my own writing.  Though I write thrillers and mysteries, I tend to read more prose-driven books. I like the typical Oprah Book Club type books. Interestingly enough, I have read very little of the classics, a throwback to high school no doubt. To this day, I cannot read anything for any reason other than it's entertainment value. If I am assigned to read it, it had better grab and hold my interest or it will remain unread.

Sniper Shot was a recipient of the Military Writer's Society of America's 2005 Distinguished Honor Award.

I am a recipient of the Gresham OR Police Department Medal of Valor, and the Oregon Peace Officer's Association Lifesaving Award.