This is where I get to talk about me and my desire to be accurate but humble in the same breath. I began writing at a young age and actually believed that I would be the next Hemmingway (without the grisly ending of course). But as with most of us, life had a way of sidetracking me through a long series of failed amours, job choices, and bizarre career chases. I have done everything imaginable from being in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, working in a hospital, selling women’s shoes, building houses and then eventually selling them. Most of my working life has been in the real estate field, which provided me with endless character and story lines. If you want to meet people at their ‘finest’, spend a few years in the real estate business. After over twenty years of that insanity, I ran screaming back to the computer and did what I’ve always dreamed of doing, and that would be to write.
Almost 30 years ago I surrendered to the ugly disease of alcoholism and became a sober member of society. Many revelations became apparent as the fog lifted. I felt I had wasted so many years on my hedonistic quest (oh, don’t get me wrong, it was fun for a while), but all I did was take and I wanted to give back. It was then I began to write and Nick Thomas came alive in my mind and on the pages. First, he was a champion of justice, an ex-green beret, ex-cop who could kill with a rolled-up newspaper or paperclip–everything I was not. Over the years of painful, ugly prose I came to the realization that Nick was not me and he was not real. I realized that if Nick were to be believable, Nick should be me–my alter ego…and from there Nick was re-born.
Nick is me. He is an incurable romantic, spiritual, sensitive, and intuitive street philosopher who serves as a good friend and informal therapist to any or all that will listen. But Nick is so much more than that. He is resourceful, tough and shows he is more than capable in dangerous situations. Nick is told by all who know and love him that he has some sort of White-Knight complex who will jump head first into situations better left to those more qualified.
Nick is also a mystery writer who lives in a cottage by the sea on the tip of Cape Cod. You will enjoy Nick’s tongue-in-cheek humor and his penchant for getting in the middle of some very dangerous situations along with a unique cast of characters.
I am most inspired by beloved Florida author, John D Macdonald, who penned the great Travis MGee series in the sixties and seventies. I fell in love with the character. Travis MGee was a footloose, cynical philosopher also with a white-knight syndrome, living aboard a houseboat he’d won in a card game. But MGee was the one you would want on your side when the chips were down. He was a lover, certainly not politically correct, who loved good gin and bouncing beach bunnies but tough as they come when needed.
Here’s hoping you will join me in the Nick Thomas experience. They are fun reads.
BACKFIRE, the fourth in the Nick Thomas Series, is ready to go. I am excited about this new one. A close friend was in trouble and reached out to Nick for help. In the blink of the eye, Nick is neck deep in an internet, sex extrotion scandal that gets him drugged, beaten and shot. Along the way some great new characters were born. I never know where they come from but you will come to love young Samantha and there is Nick’s half-sister, Piper. Deputy Piper Thomas takes on a life of her own. BACKFIRE is scheduled to launch 9/24/ 2021.
My wife, Kibbi, and I, live on the beautiful southeastern coast of North Carolina along with a fat, lazy Maine Coon cat, who we never go around naming, and the queen of the house, our Morkie, Zoey. We spend many hours walking the beach, playing golf, and thanking God for the life we have. So, my friends, that is me. Along the way, I believe I have become a very unique individual with a strong spiritual and sensitive side. A caring, good-natured, bleeding heart who believes he can make a difference in this world through his characters words and actions and I am asking for your help. Drop me a line, tell me how you feel and how you think we can make a difference together.
Please give my first two books The Nine Irony and Devil’s Parody a look. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Tom Rieber
Author & Supporter of Good Causes
