Welcome!

Hello, I’m so grateful you are taking a moment to consider my first book and a little about me. Briefly, my love for books started with Mrs. Cook, my 7th grade journalism class teacher in Tampa, Florida. She is likely better known for having been the original ‘model’ for the Gerber baby! From there, I dug into new books and read voraciously.  I also chose to work my electives and study halls in the library, on school newspapers and yearbooks and worth mentioning delivery of daily newspapers from my bicycle’s basket.  In my junior year, I received recognition for two more of my memorable achievements;  Mr. Lee’s class for Creative Writing, and recognition from my high school Librarian as the ‘Best’ book dust cover installer they had ever had, the brownie included with the ceremony in the back room of the library was delicious! 

I have worked for many years in the publishing industry in sales, marketing, and management but have always had the desire to write and so I’m excited and full of energy and caffeine as I finally pursue this. My first title ‘Shooting Star’ is based on traits that Judy and I tried to instill in both of our children, and in particular Dr. Jennifer Arnold (Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL & reality TV star from the hit TLC series The Little Couple) who demonstrates today what it means to work hard, have goals, continue to pursue those goals, and to do something meaningful with your life through your family, your work, and your interests as also does her younger brother David.

I hope you find that I’ve managed to capture sending a good and relatable message to those who read my stories and those to whom they are read! They are meant to portray the power of dreams and efforts, a tenet of morality or good manners, or a family trait that’s grounded in love of life, others, and animals with a touch of joy and or humor through simply written and illustrated views of a holiday or a passion for a hobby or enthusiasm.

This book is the first of a series; The Flyin Lion and Friends as created when Jennifer was about two years old and had an at home medical emergency that required an ambulance ride to our Orlando, FL hospital. A small stuffed lion she had became her distraction and companion as I rode along with her and sang a spontaneous song, ‘I’m the Flyin Lion, You’ll Never Catch Me Crying’…. her Flyin Lion went on to accompany her for over 2 dozen more surgeries yet to come in future years. Because Dr. Arnold was gracious enough to write a heartfelt foreword for her father’s first book I am quoting her here;    

“Welcome to the Magic of the Flyin Lion”.