I think, though, that I figured out a way to connect with the opposite sex …

It took more than fifty years, as well as a ton of living along the way, in order to make my discovery. Many different relationships, people, and experiences have found their way into my life and, with these encounters, an assorted lot of characters and ideas for stories floated through my brain.

When the time was finally right, I decided to let my fingers do the talking. It has always been fun to have what I believe to be a strong command of the English language, but I was no whiz kid out of college. For that matter, I didn’t have any connections to the major publishing houses either.

But, I decided to sit down and write a book.

The topics that frustrate a lot of Americans were rushing through my mind. Everyone is a little upset with the daily obstacles that normal life brings these days.

An issue such as the disparity that occurs in our country’s judicial system, and the attorneys who come with it, can leave some of us feeling helpless.

There is also the problem of political corruption.  How many Americans are totally disgusted with our politician, lobbyists, and members of our law enforcement?

Let’s not forget our system of taxation, which at last count indicated that at least forty-one different taxes were in force on the taxpayers of the United States. Forty-one! Is there any wonder that corporations and people alike are filing for bankruptcy at record numbers?

There are also health and lifestyle issues that affect Americans. Heart attacks and cancer are the primary killers in this country. The stress level of the American people is off the chart, due to finances, family responsibilities, and national affairs.  How about all of the single moms and the increasing number of broken homes that there are in this country? What is in store for the next generation with an overwhelming number of stressed, unhealthy, overextended parents?

We could go even further and talk about discrimination and greed. How about the ridiculous golden parachutes, bonuses, and perks that are granted to the executives of corporate America? These men and women are the ones who are responsible for the unheard of bailout that will come at the expense of the American citizens.  How can we productively vent our frustration towards their mismanagement?

At any rate, you might ask how all of these serious issues made me relate to women better. This is where an unexpected consequence worked in my favor.

My first published novel was meant to be written for the guys. The setting is a fictitious golf course high atop the Mississippi river bluffs on the east side of St. Louis. Oddly enough, women have become my biggest fans.

Maybe my fan base is based on the fact that women read more than men. Or maybe it is because the social commentary that I include about American life is appealing to women. Even though many of the characters are male and the common activity is golf, the topics of my books hit home to the everyday people in this country regardless of gender.

So, in my relationship efforts with women, it was the voice coming from my fingers and not my lips that has allowed for me to connect better with the opposite sex. Who was it who said that it’s better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you’re stupid than open it and confirm it?

James Ross has published a series of books that use the wonderful city of St. Louis as a backdrop. Lifetime Loser (2007), Finish Line (2008) and Tuey's Course (2009) all present a colorful cast of characters that come together on the Prairie Winds Golf Course. Situated high atop the Mississippi river bluffs on the east side of St. Louis the author uses his personal knowledge of St. Louis to fully incorporate the city into the plots of his novels. Residents of and visitors to the Gateway City will appreciate the author's fine storytelling and how he highlights his home city. All three novels from James Ross can be found at Xlibris.com or through his personal web site at http://www.authorjamesross.com/.