How I Got This Way
Frank was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1943, but he’s a little fuzzy on the details since his memory boosters didn’t kick in until around 6 or 7. Concerning his earliest years, all he’s sure of is that World War II was in progress, but he didn’t have anything to do with it, since it was already going when he got here. During his first year, Frank lived in one small Texas town after another, as the Army Air Corps put his father through its “How to Identify a Good German” school.
After this, Lieutenant Simon sailed for England on the Queen Mary to
take care of Hitler, which left Frank free to exploit both sets of
grandparents, which he did with great flair and panache, while managing to
knock off the occasional aunt and uncle as targets of opportunity. Rest
assured, he took no prisoners!
The years after World War II were quite exciting, as Frank had to learn how to be an Army brat, since his father decided to make a career of the military. This lasted until 1947, when the Army Air Corps became the United States Air Force, and his father traded army brown for aviator blue. This also forced Frank to change careers, as he became an Air Force brat overnight. Not being one to complain, he took the bad along with the good.
Then came the trying years, from ages 5 through 22, when Frank entered into that great war between the generations, otherwise known as “school.” Not much is known of these dark years, except that numerous schools had a shot at Frank and most missed. Finally an armistice was signed when Southern Methodist University awarded him a Master of Business Administration as their contribution to his change of venue.
After college Frank served as a Navy Supply Corps officer onboard an aircraft carrier. On his first cruise he directed the shipboard computer system. The next cruise saw him in charge of the ship’s stores, barbershops, refreshment stands and the laundry. Of these functions, all were routine except the laundry. Can you imagine doing the wash for 3,000 sailors? If so, you’ve got a rather bizarre imagination, but let’s just say this — it wasn’t easy and at the time, not the least bit fun.
The long years that followed saw Frank engaged in a wide variety of day jobs, as he sought to finance his goal of writing fiction. At various times, he tried retailing, filmmaking, and a long line of computer related jobs, with varying degrees of success. Through it all, Frank’s vision was shaped, directed and occasionally bludgeoned.
Frank’s first writing success came when Les Stobbe placed his (Frank’s) foot in the door at Crossway Books. This resulted in Veiled Threats, Walls of Terror and Trial by Fire. Next came The Y2K Bug, The Raptor Virus, The Third Dragon and The Gathering Storm, all published by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Frank’s latest novels are two suspense thrillers, The Jewel in the Crown and Brevig Mission Plague, both published by Barbour Publishers. Brevig Mission Plague explores the all-to-real threat of bioterrorism.
Frank and his wife, LaVerne, live in Plano, Texas, which is a suburb north of Dallas. LaVerne is a native Texan, and Frank got here as soon as he could. Most natives allow as how he’s a naturalized citizen, even though his accent still needs a little work.