I was born in 1956, at the stroke of midnight during the worst storm of the century to that date, in the seacoast township of North Kingston, Rhode Island. The eldest child of a career naval officer, I attended 9 schools in 12 years, as we moved about the country.  My interest in local myths, legends and all things paranormal grew out of the ever-changing diversity of my upbringing.   My first novel, “Shadow of the Thunderbird”, was required reading at a large technical college in South Carolina. I have frequently lectured, appeared on or hosted radio shows, and presented at conferences on my books and interest in cryptozoology. I am often cited in the media as an expert on unknown or unexpected animals.    I was instrumental in salvaging Dan Taylor’s Nessie chaser mini subs, the Viperfish and the Nessa II, and am currently pursuing an interest in fossil diving. When I'm not exploring remote locations such as the Altamaha River, Mt. St. Helens or Loch Ness, I am content to write novels in my home study under the watchful eye of my longhair Tabby, Samwise. I now live in Greenville, SC with my wife Carla and our five children, where I am at work on my latest project.