Crossroads and Mountaintops

About the Book

Two married couples of the “now generation” had it made, or so they thought. Good educations, excellent incomes, prestigious professions, and all the trappings of the good life had them set for the future. Good looks and healthy bodies added to the aura of life being a “bowl of cherries.”

A solid friendship between them had matured over a ten year span, with the wives being extremely close. Their husbands too were friends, although less dependent on each other because of their successful careers and other interests.

Upon reaching their mid-thirties, each couple’s “bowl of cherries” dwindled as they assessed the future. Something was missing—inner happiness. In its pursuit, each of the four made grievous mistakes at times of critical crossroad decisions. Finding the elusive mountaintop of happiness suddenly became their pressing goal. Ironically, that pursuit took each of the four into a lowly pit of degradation before finding their way.

About the Author

Serving as Director of Engineering for a Fortune 50 company provided me with numerous creative opportunities. Since retiring, and now with adequate time to pursue hobbies and special interests, my creative energies are now used in writing fiction - - an activity totally unanticipated or even considered while working. Writing not only fulfills creative urges, it has become a passion - - a productive use of time - - a legitimate reason for rising at three AM - - and a catalyst that makes me more aware of the world around me.

Simply stated, I write for personal enjoyment - - not for fame, fortune or any other hidden agenda. I am content to write a story or essay, lay it aside unseen by others, and then begin another. A person may consider any topic, issue or plot, but I have found that until a subject is researched and reduce to clear written words, earlier conclusions or assumptions are usually half-baked. Writing forces me to take the extra and necessary steps, especially when writing about controversial subjects. The fun of writing comes in organizing plots, developing interesting characters and reducing it to a lucid story, i.e., creating something from nothing. Allowing friends to read my manuscripts, or even publishing for mass consumption, is only icing on the cake and far less important to me than the inner satisfaction that comes with composing. The absence of a readership base will not deny me the joy of writing, nor will minimal writing talent. However, I am pleased to make my stories and essays available to friends and the public, and I actively solicit their feedback.

My writing style is simple story telling, easily comprehended, with plots sufficiently complex to engage the reader. Memorable characters also add zest. I can assure readers that my novels are uplifting and rewarding, and will never leave the reader in a “downer.” Further, my writing is suitable for general consumption, without filthy language, ribald humor, or provocative sex. Instead, it is wholesome narrative about mythical people similar to those we know and meet daily, people who become involved in unusual circumstances and unique personal relationships. Without apology, religious and moralistic values are woven into my plots, both overtly and subliminally. Readership range is suitable from late teens and older.

My genre is difficult to pigeonhole. In describing my stories, readers have generously used terms such as intriguing, suspenseful, venturesome and highly imaginative. My honest desire is that readers of my novels will enjoy them a half-measure of the pleasure I had in writing them.  

Undeniably, a person is shaped by his or her early upbringing and environment. Being reared in Danville, VA during the depression years of the thirties, poor by any standard, I had parents who during the worst of times lived respectably and trusted their God. Inducted into the Army prior to the end of WW II produced another influence on my life. Exposure to men of different backgrounds and being stationed in Italy gave me another view of the world while still a young teenager - - an eye opening experience to be sure. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1951, I moved to Winston-Salem, NC and began a career with a large corporation.

Advancement came in incremental steps, culminating in being appointed Director of an eighteen hundred-person engineering and related activities department. Successful career notwithstanding, the highlight of my life was marrying a wonderful person, Sara Watson, and having three outstanding children and two super grandchildren.