What motivated you to write a novel?

My professions were always technical and mandated objectivity, clarity, and facts. That said, I have a pretty good imagination and wanted to blend 40 years varied experiences, encounters and recorded notes and logs into a fictional story. Ah, not easy. But truth be told, it is the challenge of learning something new and difficult that sustains the motivation. If you’re not learning, you’re getting old!

How do you come up with a story line and plot?

That’s a hard one! I think most authors apply their experiences, curiosity, and interests, plus what they see going on around the world today or in the past. Blend in research and a dose of inspiration along with lots of disciplined hours of writing and frustration and something is bound to happen!

What inspired the picture of the mountain lion on the cover of the books?

Years back I was hiking with a friend and her dog near the mountains outside Yosemite National Park. Suddenly her dog ran ahead and over a high berm. Then we heard a blood curdling howl. Thinking the dog had stepped on some trap I ran over berm and right onto to the back of a jumbo size mountain lion in the process of sinking its claws and teeth into the poor pooch. At that proximity, one never retreats from a predator like that unless you want to be part of the food chain. So, the fight was on, close and personal. I whooped on the lion with my hiking stick as it decided if it wanted the dog or me. Finally, it retreated and climbed a tree and stared down at me. We grabbed the dog and went the other way. The dog fully recovered. The healthy lion disappeared into the wilderness. I never forgot that close encounter and to this day remain awed by the power and the eyes of that puma. They are, when and if seen at a distance, magnificent creatures of the forest. 

Are the flying scenes real?

Most flight scenes depicted can and have been done in helicopters with trained pilots. At one time LAPD helicopters have, on occasion, landed in the streets of LA. The riot scene depicted in the Legend of Tierra del Puma is “more or less” fiction. However, there were occasions where LAPD patrol helicopters have taken gunfire. Off-site landings in tight and rugged terrain are often done by trained aviators in the military, airborne law enforcement, search and rescue and firefighting professions.

Are LAPD helicopters flown back from Texas, where they are built?

Yep, at least when I was on the job. Officers would airline back to Texas, inspect the helicopters and fly them back to LA. On the return hop, they would stop for fuel or RON (remain overnight) somewhere if the weather, winds or time were an issue.

Is Tierra del Puma a real ranch in the Sierra?

Not that I know of. It is an aggregate of places that I have hiked around, north of Truckee, CA and reaching to Mt Lassen. However, many of the spots mentioned such as Webber and Independence Lake and nearby meadows are real, as well as beautiful. And they are protected by nature conservancy organizations, fortunately. What is real and near Donner Pass, are the old train tunnels and snow-sheds of the first transcontinental railroad.

Should these books be read in series, starting with “Legend of Tierra del Puma” and concluding with “Sierra Traveler”?

The answer is yes and no. Each book is a stand-alone read but has reflections to the first book, “Legend of Tierra del Puma.” The same primary protagonist characters are in all the books. However, by first reading “Legend of Tierra del Puma,” readers will gain a deeper perspective of the history and insights of characters and the land in which so much of the stories take place.

Is there a Sierra Puma Winery?

Again, not that I know of… yet. However, there are lots of vineyards, wineries, and microbreweries in the Sierra foothills.