When I was nine years old, I caught the writing bug.  My fourth-grade teacher read one of my stories to the whole class—something I found both embarrassing and exhilarating, all in the same moment. I doubt that story would qualify as great literature, but it was pretty darned exciting for a bunch of kids caught inside on a rainy day, full of archers and knights, ambushes, and thundering cavalry charges.  I've been interested in history, especially military history, for as long as I can remember.  (As a three-year-old, one of my favorite books was a collection of illustrated stories about some of the great battles of history.  My parents grew a bit worried when they found me arranging my blocks as an Athenian phalanx and formations of Persian archers and cavalry to fight the Battle of Marathon, but it was too late...the damage was done.)

After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in English, I went to work in Washington, D.C.—doing my bit as a researcher for a committee of the House of Representatives.  Other jobs as a political and corporate speechwriter followed.  Along the way, I wrote adventures for a Star Trek role-playing game and created the background history for Battletech—which has now spawned a whole series of popular board games, computer games, and novels.

In 1985, I met Larry Bond while he and Tom Clancy were finishing their book Red Storm Rising.  Larry and I teamed up in 1987, and our first book, Red Phoenix, hit the New York Times best seller list as soon as it was published in 1989.  With bolstered confidence (or an inflated ego, depending on whom you ask!), I abandoned speechwriting to work as a full-time novelist.  Over the next nine years, Larry and I wrote four more novels together—Vortex, Cauldron, The Enemy Within, and Day of Wrath.

While writing these books, I  was also lucky enough to meet and marry a wonderful woman.  We live in Central Texas with our two children, Olivia and Rhys.  Pictures of them can be seen here!  Several more recent photos appear here.

The Tribune is the first book I've written under my own name, and it is the first in a planned series involving the same lead characters.  Writing The Tribune offered me the chance to begin telling a thrilling story—a story that blends action, adventure, history, romance, and a hint of the supernatural.  I think you'll like it.

In the years since The Tribune appeared, I've also written two fast-paced contemporary thrillers in Robert Ludlum's Covert-One series, The Lazarus Vendetta and The Moscow Vector.  If you enjoy international intrigue, cutting edge science, and spine-tingling action, these books are for you.  Both novels are available in bookstores now.

The Art of War:  Interested in military history?  Think you could teach famous  generals of the past a thing or two?  Learn more about wargames and battles in miniature—one of my favorite hobbies.

Marathons, the races...not the battle:  One of my brothers, Duncan, is a highly rated long-distance runner.  Want to see some of what it takes to run more than 26 miles in well under three hours and live to tell about it?  Check out his web site.
 

Return to the Main Menu.