Jet Gatling - Man of Mystery

Jet Gatling is the central character in my latest book, Presence of Malice, and yet very little of the book is told from his point of view (only two short narratives, in point of fact.) I did that deliberately, I wanted Jet to remain a mystery to the reader, with a big question - is he the good guy or is he another bad guy? If a bad guy, why didn't he outright kill Dr. Gannery, the man he'd been contracted to take out, given multiple opportunities to do so? If a good guy, then why doesn't he warn of the bomb that takes out an entire hotel floor?

These and other burning questions are answered in Presence of Malice, hopefully to the satisfaction of the reader. All except one - how far is Jet willing to go? What lines in he willing to cross? What, if anything, will make him stop and reconsider his rage-blind determination to accomplish what he sees as necessary?

Add Jet to any situation and he immediately becomes the wild card. There's no predicting what he's going to do, or how he'll go about fulfilling his contract. Is he constrained by the same laws and moral code as the rest of us? Or have his years as a Navy SEAL, carrying out black ops for his government, placed him above the law? Did eight years as a prisoner in a Chinese prison, disavowed by the same government that used to employ him, tortured endlessly by his captors for information, unmoor his moral compass, send him adrift amid his own roiling rage, to redefine justice...his own way?

Read Presence of Malice and decide for yourself!

Politics Religion

I have maintained a strict "no politics, no religion" policy when it comes to my public writings, such as this blog. Believe me, that isn't always easy, especially this election cycle with everything that's going on. I long to speak out on my views, defend my beliefs and take to task the deliberately twisted rhetoric of the other side. I have opinions, expressed or not, and it goes against the grain not to express them in the public forum, be heard, and add my voice to the strength of those on the same side of the important issues of the day as me.

There are those who have told me that, given the public platform I've been able to gain through my publicity and my books, that I am even obligated to use it to add my voice to the public square, lend my reason and logic to the strength of my "side," and exercise my freedom of speech and the soap box I've been granted through my success in a way that matters for the lives of current and future generations.

But I'm not going to do that. I'm gong to resist the considerable temptation to do so. Why? Because if my opinions and convictions serve to sway anyone to my "side," it isn't really going to be many. Most people who hold convictions are usually pretty invested in those convictions, and it is going to take more than some Facebook posts, tweets, and blog articles to change their minds, even by one of their ostensibly favorite writers. And anyone so easily swayed is probably prime to be easily swayed back again. In the end, the difference I could make would be marginal at most.

Meanwhile, I risk alienating readers, who could learn more about my convictions and the motives behind them by reading my books and stories. My convictions are there, in everything I write, but they are not preached or brayed. They are woven into the fabric of the plots, the actions of the heroes and heroines, and even reflected (in the reverse way the a mirror reflects) in the actions and motives of my villains.

So don't look for me to be arguing politics or religion on this blog, or any of my public media. I have better, more effective ways of getting my points across.

I Love Seattle

I do, I really, do!

Don't get me wrong, Colorado will always be my home. Nothing compares to cool Rocky Mountain breezes on a hot summer day, the lovely moderate crispness and earthy colors of a Colorado Autumn, or the view of the lights of Denver as you emerge from the front range hogbacks that are the gateway between the rustic mountains and the metropolitan city.

But I have often had occasion to visit Seattle, and while most people have really only heard about the rainy weather there - in point of fact it's really not that bad - what I like to focus on is how much there is to do there, and how truly unique those experiences are from any other city in the world. Aside from the common tourist tracks of Pike Place Market, the waterfront shopping districts, and of course the Space Needle - all of which you absolutely must see - there are other less commonly known things I wouldn't have missed for the world.

Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were in Seattle, from Asian cuisine to health food, and of course seafood. There are art galleries, small intimate music venues, tiny little hideaway bars that are often convoluted to get to but well worth the adventure. There's the mysterious giant troll under the bridge (look it up,) the monorail, and amphibious bus tours of the historical city.

Most of all, some of the people I love the most live there: my best friend Lisa and her daughter Krystle to name two.

Anyway, all I'm saying is, if you get a chance to visit Seattle, don't miss it. It's well worth it.