Husband, father, communication professor, frustrated writer and novelist. I love Jesus, my wife and kids (and grandson), kayaking, football and science fiction.
Despite my better sense, I’ve been mulling over the sequel to the book I just launched, Soul Survivor. Here’s a taste: Salzburg, Austria After his introduction, the gray-haired man in his 60s got up from his chair on the platform amid applause from the small audience. He looked out over the thirty-some people in the … More Short Story: “The Serpent and the Dove”
It wasn’t just a dragon. It was an ancient dragon. And I was on its bad side. Wait, let me back up here. I’m a big fan of the game Skyrim, so much a fan that my character has gotten really good. And fighting things like dragons have become pretty commonplace. I’ve slain my share … More Lessons from a Dragon
I’m in a fortunate position in that I don’t have to rely on my writing as a primary source of income. Because of that, there’s a tendency to want to write what I want when I want it. But there was a day when I was just trying to get published. I focus on those … More Should You Write from the Heart? Or the Head?
Here’s another sneak peek at Soul Survivor, my new book featuring Connie Simescu, the UT Austin student caught up in a crazy war between good and evil. You can get the ebook for a limited time for 99 cents right here. After Ruth and Josh left in the ambulance, the U.S. marshals continued to search … More Sneak Peek #3: “Soul Survivor”
Looking back on the past six weeks, I was suffering from a bad case of T.M.I. Too much information. The signs were all around me. I had a full-time professorship, was launching two books, and served as head deacon of a 3,000-member church. Everything I did involved absorbing, processing and regurgitating information. I got to … More T.M.I.
We’re in the middle of final exams at my university. I’m also in the middle of a book launch. Actually, two book launches if you count the one that is being handled by Pacific Press in the Adventist Book Center system. In addition, I’m head deacon at an exceptionally busy church. So the past six … More Surveying the Wreckage of Another Year
Like most of my short stories, this one is based loosely on a dream. It was an ordinary police station, for the most part. The main desk where the sergeant usually sat was situated front and center, with half a dozen desks organized carefully in rows behind. Glass partitions separated a few, more private areas, … More Short Story: “The Night King”
Meet Connie Simescu. She’s fluent in nine languages, passable in nine more. She has a soft heart for the homeless, a wicked sense of humor, and a bad habit of getting into trouble. Connie survived an attempted kidnapping six weeks ago, thanks to her sister’s boyfriend and the grace of God. Now, despite her parents’ … More Introducing: “Soul Survivor” and Connie Simescu
We’re in the process of saying goodbye to a good friend and colleague in our department. Kyle Portbury, professor and filmmaker extraordinaire, is returning to Australia with his family after four years of teaching at our small university in north Texas. We’ve all grown very close, and it’s hard to say goodbye, but it’s one … More It’s Not About the Money. (Trust me.)
In the next few days, we’ll be putting the finishing touches on the cover of Soul Survivor, my latest Christian suspense novel. I’m really excited about it, especially since it combines characters from two of my favorite series, The Champion Series, and The Foundation Series. Here’s another look at it and some of the people … More Quick Look: Soul Survivor #2
The Great Adventure 