Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

 "Expiation" is my second novel and a third novel "The Illusion of Certainty" will be published in August. I live on the Puget Sound in Edmonds, Washington, just north of downtown Seattle. I retired from corporate life in 2008 and have been concentrating on writing since then. I live with my wife, Carol and have three married adult children and ten grandchildren.

Describe your book ‘Expiation’ in 30 words or less.

"Expiation" is about a young man who leaves his high school sweetheart to pursue a newspaper career in San Francisco. Thirty years later he is reunited with his long lost love.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

 I think developing characters is sometimes difficult but very time consuming. It is also one of the most rewarding parts of the writing experience. The other aspect of being a writer is that I feel I have natural talent to write...marketing books, not so much.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

 I love the books of Pat Conroy, Michael Connelly and I love good biographies. I relate very much to Pat Conroy's background and I really pay attention to his descriptions of his locations in Charleston and elsewhere in the South. "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Crime and Punishment" and "War and Peace" are absolute works of art.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

I have had about eight book signings. I find them interesting but somewhat unnerving. I feel like I am having more success with social networking. I have an active blog and am very involved on Twitter and Facebook. On Twitter I write about politics but network with many writers groups and literary blogs. I think I'm being successful in that arena and I am planning extensive marketing efforts to emphasize e books.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

 I love where I live on the Puget Sound and just two blocks from the beach. I spend a lot of time walking and outdoors. I run every day along the waterfront. It is a wonderful time of solitude plus good exercise.

What are you working on next?

My next book is "The Illusion of Certainty" and will be available in August. I'm very excited about this book. It deals with the uncertainties in our lives. The characters in the book think they control the events of their lives and then suddenly unexpected events occur which rock their lives. Uncertainty is always a part of our lives but we just either choose to ignore it or do not recognize it. The story has two parallel storylines which merge in the final part of hte novel. I will probably begin work on my fourth novel this winter.