Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas

Spent the last twenty-five years in the road construction industry. Enjoyed the work but something was missing. I had written small works in the past but never took them serious until I was released from my employer one week before major back surgery. During the recovery process I came across an article about being a professional speaker. "I can do this, but what would I write and talk about?" The answer came quickly. I reflected back to August 19th, 2009 and how I was shown why my life had traveled this rocky road. Since then I have not stopped. Two books are about my life and the love I lost. Two more reflect the love I have retained for baseball and the last one is a comedy about a single father and his son. I am currently working on two novels surrounding WWII. One a vampire story, the other deals with one of the bloodiest battles on the Eastern front.
I have been married and divorced once with three grown children and three wonderful little grand-daughters. I currently live in the DFW area.

Jeff's Published Works

 

Love's True Second Chance

 

July 20th, 2009 7:00am I held her hand and kissed her face with the arrival of a sunny beautiful morning, hoping for a miracle. The shift change for nurses and doctors was in full swing. Staff checking in, charts being reviewed, doctors and nurses exchanging information; vital signs being verified. Debbie’s breathing is very labored as it had been for the last twenty four hours. I never knew if each breath would be her last. The cancer was running its course through her beautiful body at a terrible pace. An aide came in to change the sheets and clean her up. She asked if I would like her to wash Debbie's hair. I pondered the thought for a minute looking at the love of my live and replied in a hushed, choked tone, “She would like that. How long will it take you to change her bed and wash her hair?” She said about fifteen minutes. I stepped out of the room and called her friend Cathey to get an estimated time of arrival. She assured me she would be at the hospital within thirty minutes.

Debbie was in good hands with the aide. I decided to get a little air, purchase a coke and have a cigarette. I went to the store with one thought running through my mind, Is there anything else I can do for her? Had I done everything I could for the “love of my life”? Would God sit by her side and let her live out her life on earth or whisper in her ear, take her hand, and guide her to heaven? I had no control over what was happening to her.

Have you ever loved someone with all of your heart and soul? Have you lost a dear loved one to breast cancer? I have. I sought out my high school love for twenty-five years. We reunited in Jan of 2009 and were allowed to spend the most amazing seven months together.

Get a copy today to find out how deep one can truly love.

 

 

 Jeff and Debbie

 

 

Review by Ravenz Reviews

 

As I write this, I am still overcome by so much emotion from this story. First it needs to be said that this is a true story and the first non-fiction of its kind that I have reviewed. Secondly, I just want to take a moment to thank Jeff for allowing us a peek into the most significant part of his life. He opened his heart and soul so that the rest of us could see the love that he and Debbie shared.

With that being said, this is so much more than just a love story. This is one of friendship, love, pain, growth, goodbyes, grief, longing and of course, second chances. So often, so many of us go through life havign never found our true second half, let alone find it twice. When I reached the part of the book where Debbie breaks up with Jeff, and for the life of him, he doesn't know why, before he revealed the reason, I already knew. She didn't want to hold him back from having a chance to live his life when he left for college, and I could totally understand that. I can almost picture him laughing at that because he makes so many references to being a stupid teenage boy with no common sense. You weren't stupid Jeff. You were just being a typical teenage guy.

I truly did enjoy this book and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in just under a day and a half. I highly recommend Love's True Second Chance. As I said, it is so much more than just a love story.

Thank you again Jeff, for allowing me to see such an intimate part of your life. And I believe that Debbie is looking down on you with a huge smile, thinking "Yep, that's my man!", with utmost pride.

 

Why Did Everything Happen

 

 

 

 

The white stripes on the road are passing by at breakneck speed. The bus driver does not heed our cries "to get off the road and pull over!" The driver is fixed on his path no matter how much you plead for a different path. He just keeps shifting gears and presses down on the accelerator. "We have to get off this road. This isn't the path we chose!" That is only the beginning of the trip.

Join Jeff Dawson as he takes you on an unforgettable journey over the last twenty-five years. You will endure business failures, divorce, and the loss of his children as the world around him crashes down. And to top it off he will take you through the loss of a partner, his father and last but not least his high school sweetheart he reunited with after a thirty year absence.

He sets the tone immediately by describing his mind set in the fall of 1995. The company is going bankrupt, the mortgage companies are lining up with the courts to force eviction and to top it off he had to let the three loves of his single parenthood go live with their mother. The thought of suicide is strong he can taste it. But somehow, the thought of how they would remember their father is enough to pull him off the brink and somehow pick himself up and regroup.

It is a roller coaster ride with many more valleys than hills. Just as you believe that your life is on track and you can sit back and relax, tragedy or disaster comes crashing onto the tracks. Another business failure and the passing of his father. You feel his pain as he regroups again and finds a good job in Dallas and starts rebuilding his life. But wait, a new twist enters the picture. Jeff is not looking for love but it finds him out of nowhere. He connects with his high school sweetheart and has the most intensive love affair anyone could ask for. Unfortunately, cancer strikes her down after a brief seven month love affair. Now, all appears to be lost. No matter how hard we try, everything we have worked for and everyone we loved have been taken. All hope has been lost. But on August 19th,2009 in a little cemetery in Seagoville, Tx., all his pent up emotions pour out in a shower of tears and anguish. “Why, why has all of this happened?” Those questions are answered in a most unbelievable revelation.

So, (click on the button to buy this book), board the bus, take a seat and prepare for the ride of your life!

 

 

Occupation

 

 



 Are you ready for vampires to regain their standing in the genre? Are you ready for them to stop "sparkling" and take on a worthy opponent? Then wait no longer. This book will satisfy even the most "bloody thirsty" appetites with an added twist; one of the clans is able to release a very nasty bacteria into their respective hosts which after ninety
days or so unleashes a very ghoulish end to the recipients.

The Third Reich has Occupied Poland!

The plan of "relocating" the population is well underway with one problem the Germans could have never imagined. They unknowingly are removing the food supply of the Romanov and Boirarsky vampire clans. Needless to say, they do not care for each other at
all. Too much bad blood has been spilled over the past centuries.
Will they be able to unite and take on the true enemy; the Third Reich, or will they perish as the food supply quickly diminishes?

"Evil never tasted so Good!"

Get a copy today and find out if the clans succeed in uniting and dealing
the Third Reich their first defeat.

 

Coming Soon

 

Gateway Pioche

 

 

 

Who shot JFK? What happened to Judas Iscariot? Did we land on the moon? These are the question facing our tepid graduates as they travel through the chronicles of time.

Our group Judith, Larry, Abdul and Muki, strike-out for Vegas to enjoy the fruits of their labors. For the last six years they have crammed the books and graduated with double masters. It is time to take a break and relax.

Their luck at the tables is uncanny and doesn't go unnoticed by some of the local mob guys. They decide to make sure "what comes to Vegas, stays in Vegas."

As they crank the radio and exit Vegas with over $100,000, the local mob is hot pursuit. When the kids realize they're being followed a chase ensues through the small town of Pioche, Nv. They lose the would be pursuers and find themselves in the middle of an abandoned military complex. Or is it?

Will Professor Leonoid Rostov Skorzenzy reap his -REVENGE!

 

 

 

Contributed to...

 

Collection of Romantic Encounters

by

Savanna Payne

 

 

 

 

Gals, do have a good supply of batteries? You are going to need them. The next seven short stories are going to rock your senses and having you wanting more. Ever fantasized about a library encounter? Wondered what it would be like to run into an unexpected lover at the drive-in or how about being a pharmacist who recognizes an old school-mate and issues a most interesting prescription.

Wait no longer. Buy a copy today and prepare to be pleasured.

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 Author Interview

1) What inspired you to write your first book?

Well, I wouldn't call it inspiration as much as needing to tell a story. The love of my life had just passed away and I was in a world of grief. I found myself looking back at those I'd lost by cancer. I sat down and wrote a short story/speech concerning them. The original title was "God's Plan: a Glimpse Into One's Life," but changed it later to "Why Did Everything Happen?"

2) How did you come up with the title for each book?

Hm, Interesting question. The only one I struggled with the most was the WWII/Vampire book: Occupation. No, I take that back. The current book Gateway:Pioche was tough. It took over a month after the book was completed for my co-author and myself to agree on a title. The other titles were pretty easy.

3) Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

With the novels, not really. Just enjoy the read and have fun. Now, the auto-biographies, yes. Love is worth a second chance and no matter what your religion or belief, we are not nearly as in control as we'd like to think.

4) Are the experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Absolutely! The bio's are about my partner, my father and Debbie.

5) What books have influenced your life the most?

I'm probably an oddity (many who know me will agree with that 100%) when it come to this. Most of the books I have on the shelves revolve around WWII. I was never a touchy feely guy or felt like any author was truly reaching out and touching me. Seriously, if non-fiction books on WWII were running my life, most of my friends would have me committed. Not to say they don't still share those thoughts.

6) If you had to choose, which writer would consider a mentor?

That would have to be Bram Stoker. After writing the vampire thriller, I decided it was time to see how the master approached the topic. I love the way he intermingled dialog and scene changes effortlessly.

7) What book are you reading now?

How about a list? George Mann, Ghosts in Manhattan and the Infinity Bridge

Entitled- Frank Deford

Bunny on a Bike- Bev Spicer

Paradox-Progency of Innocence- Patti Roberts

And of course, The Art of War - Sun Tzu

How's that for a list?

8) Are there any new authors that have grabbed your attention?

Oh yeah. When it comes to the paranormal that would Sandy Wolters, Regina Puckett, Michael Rivers and Tim Greaton.

Globetrotting thrillers- Alex Lukeman

For women's stories and biographies that would be Irma Fritz.

9) What are your current projects?

Releasing a Sci/Fi thriller this month, Gateway: Pioche

I'm close to wrapping up a poetry book and slugging though the sequel to Occupation.

10) If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your books?

To be honest, the answer is yes. I released the vampire book without re-reading and checking the first editors work. That was a huge mistake. I spent three months looking for a good editor.

11) Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

You betcha. When I was 13 or 14, I wrote a play for Junior High about the "Last Ten Days of Hitler." It was a spoof like what Mel Brooks did with the "Directors." Sadly, the school didn't think it was appropriate material for general consumption. I even offered to change the names and scenes. They politely declined my offer. Those........I'll be nice. What did they know?

12) Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes. Waking-up and waiting on the characters to start talking. Some days they won't shut-up while others, it appears they have locked themselves in a dark hallway somewhere. Most disturbing.

13) What the hardest part of writing your book?

When it comes to Love's True Second Chance, the entire book. All the emotions I'd yet to release flowed out as I recounted the love and experiences we shared.

14) Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

How much I still miss her.

15) Do you have any advice for writers?

Yes, Patience, patience, patience. This isn't a foot race. There is no sprint to the finish line. It takes time to find your audience and keep them engaged with new works. Market as much as you can without going overboard and becoming a nuisance. But keep plugging along and plugging your book. Never admit defeat no matter how low sales currently appear. You never know when that one person is going to read your book and tell a slew of folks what a great read it is.

16) Do you have anything specific to say to your readers?

Buy, buy and keep on buying. I think that sums it up. Oh, please, please, please post a review and if you didn't particularly like the book, send me an email telling me what you didn't care for.

17) What would you do in a zombie apocalypse should it occur on Black Friday?

Easy. I'd let my vampire clans, The Romanovs and Boirarskys clear a path. Being vampires, they are immune to the bite and I'd be first in the check-out line. I believe that's a good plan.

18) If you could be any Christmas character, what would you be and why?

The abominable snowman from Rudolph. Why? According to my wonderful children, I still bounce. Something about my pear shaped figure comes to mind.

19) Favorite Christmas movie?

There are two. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and the original "Christmas Carol."

Next in line would be ,"It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart

20) Favorite Christmas CD?

Don't have a specific one. I think my kids would vote for Conway Twitty's Album. I used to wake them up with it back in the day

21) Favorite thing to do for the holidays?

Mail out Christmas cards, take the granddaughters to the model train exhibits in Dallas, drive around checking out the lights and last but not least, being around my kids.

 

Contact Jeff