He was born and raised on a small farm near Muleshoe, Texas, where long days and quiet surroundings taught him to rely on imagination for entertainment. During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Photographic Intelligenceman before returning home to earn his college degree. He later joined the U.S. Air Force, becoming a pilot and serving across the United States and in Korea. After sixteen years in the military, Jim retired and continued his aviation career as a pilot for American Airlines, flying both domestic and international routes until his retirement at age sixty. Never one to stay idle, he returned to ranching and the rodeo life he’d always loved, spending his days team roping and writing. His Assassin series, inspired by his military and flying experiences, combines realism, adventure, and humor, offering readers thrilling stories grounded in truth and imagination.