Meet Our Reviewers
Our Reviewers -
jim greenwald, Lead Reviewer - A graduate of Saint Francis University with degrees in Computer Science, Business Administraton, Business management, and a Masters in Human Resource management and Industrial Relations.
He lives in Bedford County, PA by a small stream, when it is not flooding and life is peaceful and quiet.
A cultural mix like most folks, he is; Ojibwe, French, and German.
All his grnadchildren are girls and no surprise his first great granddaughter is a girl also. Outnumbered for sure but enjoying it!
Michael D. Mullins - is a graduate Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia (now U. Va., Wise). He earned an undergraduate degree in English in 1974 after serving in the U. S. Army. He later completed an Associate’s Degree in Operations Supervision at Indiana University, Kokomo, Indiana.
Mullins is retired from Chrysler, LLC, where he was a supervisor/team leader. He served in other management positions prior to his employment in the auto industry.
In March of 1968, Mullins was assigned to South Vietnam as a soldier in the 199th Infantry Brigade, where he served as in infantry solder until March, 1969. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action during September, 1968. The experience led to his award winning book, Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers, in 2007. He followed that book with 2 more in 2011. He co-authored Kings of the Green Jelly Moon and published Out of the Mist, Memories of War. Those books also earned special honors. He has done 2 award winning audio books and an award winning poem/poster. He has a new book out in 2013. He co-authored Pass the Salt Doc with jim greenwald, which was released in February, 2013.
Married for 42 years, he is the grandfather of five. He is a board member of Military Writers Society of America.
His website is MichaelDMullins.com and his e-mail is mullins.m.1@comcast.net.
Lee Boyland has a degree in nuclear engineering, three years of active duty in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer and Nuclear Emergency Team commander specializing in nuclear weapons accidents and incidents. His military career continued as a civilian weapons designer and later the disposal of chemical weapons. These programs led him to hazardous waste management and founding several companies.
Currently he consults, appears as a guest on talk-radio shows nationwide, and writes with his wife, Vista. He was a member of a U.S. Government technology exchange team sent to China in 2003.
Lee Boyland is the author of two award winning techno-thrillers, The Rings of Allah (silver medal) and Behold, an Ashen Horse (gold medal), chapters of the Biohazards Management Handbook, and numerous technical articles and papers. Lee and Vista are finishing their third book, America Reborn.
Gail Chatfield worked for nearly 20 years she in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles with positions at AFTRA, the William Morris Agency and nearly ten years as the personal assistant to Farrah Fawcett. She currently leads writers workshops for active-duty military and veterans in conjunction with American Combat Veterans of War non-profit organization.
Chatfield is the author of the award-winning book, By Dammit, we're Marines! Veterans Stories of Heroism, Horror, and Humor in World War II on the Pacific Front. She is also an opinion columnist for the North County Times and a free-lance journalist. In addition to being a member of the Military Writers Society of America, Chatfield is also a member of the American Historical Association, San Diego Society of Professional Journalists and an associate member of the Third Marine Division Association.
Bob Doerr grew up in a military family, graduated the Air Force Academy, and then had a twenty eight year career of his own in the Air Force. It was a life style that had him moving every three or four years, but also one that exposed him to the people and cultures of numerous countries in Asia, Europe and to most of these United States. In the Air Force, Bob specialized in criminal investigations and counterintelligence gaining significant insight to the worlds of crime, espionage and terrorism. His field of work brought him into close contact and coordination with the investigative and security agencies of many different countries and with the FBI and CIA. This background has helped Bob develop the fictional plots and characters in his books. In addition to his degree from the Academy he also has a Masters in International Relations from Creighton University. Bob is now a full time author, with two mystery/thrillers already published and a third to be released this fall. His book Cold Winters Kill was a finalist for the 2010 Eric Hoffer Award. He lives in Garden Ridge, Texas, with his wife of 37 years, their pet dog, Skyler, and ornery cat Cinco.
Sandra Miller Linhart, author of The Elementary Adventures of Jones, JEEP, Buck & Blue ~ the pre-teen chapter book series.
Sandra Miller Linhart was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming. She had been a part of the United States Military community for over 20 years. Ms. Linhart has five daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandsons. She currently resides in Colorado where she is knuckle deep in her second installment of the Jones, JEEP, Buck & Blue book series, Stuck in the Middle, which follows the foursome's adventures in Middle School. Additionally, she's working on a YA book series, Hallie of the Harvey Houses.
Ms. Linhart's formal education includes CA Barstow College, where she studied Art & Design as well as receiving a degree in Sociology, focusing on family and child psychology, and the University of Georgia, where her picture book manuscript, Daddy's Boots received the 2005 Dixie Lee Connor Award for Best Children's or Young Adult Manuscript at the Harriette Austin Writers in Athens, GA.
Other published titles by Ms. Linhart include her picture books, Daddy's Boots, Momma's Boots, What If? and Grandpa, What If?
Charlene Rubush is a freelance writer and author, specializing in Women's Issues. Her experience as a former wife of a Vietnam veteran with untreated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, has led her to years of research on the subject.
She is an alumnus of Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida, where she earned a Creative Writing Degree, with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies. Her Senior Thesis, focusing on the unique problems of combat veterans wives, won her An Award of Honor.
Her ebook, Win Over Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Resources, True Stories, and Life-Saving Information for Combat Vets and Their Families, is now available on her blog/websitewww.winoverptsd.com. She also offers free reports on PTSD.
Hodge Wood lives on the lake with Beth, his wife of twenty-eight years, and they have two boys. A true street survivor, Hodge practiced occupational therapy for twenty years after the four year recovery described in his first book, Chum Water. Recognized as Oklahoma's Occupational Therapist of the Year - 1991, he has served in many staff and leadership roles with an expertise in Industrial Rehabilitation, private practice, and program development. From a hospital employee population of sixteen-hundred, Hodge was Employee of the Year Nominee 1996 (one of twelve) for Norman Regional Hospital's Service Excellence Exceptional Kindness (SEEK) award. After graduation in 1981 from the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, he became a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist and performed in a variety of rehabilitation settings as Staff Therapist, Chief of Occupational Therapy, Clinical Coordinator, and Program Director. Hodge created two private practices, started four new Industrial Rehabilitation programs, and re-established services for an Independent Living Center that gained Exemplary Status by the Rehabilitation Services Administration during his OT career. Hodge is an Officer on the Board of Directors for the Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (MAPVA). He was presented the 2007 - MAPVA Volunteer of the Year Award.
Hodge is an active member of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) and the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc (OWFI). He was given the prestigious 2008 MWSA President's Award for Extraordinary Contributions for both his military and lifelong service. Chum Water book received the 2008 MWSA Silver Star for a Memoir. Hodge is further published. He writes feature stories about veterans interests, details hunting experiences with disability, provides book reviews, and has penned grant and technical training manuals.
Betsy Beard - Betsy’s writing career began on October 14, 2004 shortly after notification that her only son, Specialist Bradley Scott Beard had been killed in action in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Finding some solace in pouring her heartache into a journal, she called it “hemorrhaging on paper.” The family discovered Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a national nonprofit Veterans Service Organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes, shortly thereafter. In 2005 Betsy trained to become a TAPS peer mentor, helping those more newly bereaved.
Joe Epley - Joe Epley is a guy who has worn many hats over his adult life -- Green Beret, television journalist, public relations executive, change agent and now, novelist. He also has canoed Arctic wilderness rivers, hiked the Australian outback and helped restore homes destroyed by hurricanes. For nearly 40 years, Joe led Epley Associates, a successful public relations firm in Charlotte, N.C., and achieved international recognition for his leadership in the field. He was president of the Public Relations Society of America, and at various times, head of its prestigious College of Fellows.
John Monteith - After he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1991, his career in the U.S. Navy included service aboard a nuclear ballistic missile submarine and a tour as a top-rated instructor of combat tactics at the U.S. Naval Submarine School. Since his transition to civilian life, he has continued to pursue his interest in cutting-edge technology. He currently lives in the Detroit area, where he works in engineering management when he's not busy cranking out high-tech naval action thrillers.Novels by John Monteith include ROGUE AVENGER, ROGUE BETRAYER, and ROGUE CRUSADER.
Bonnie Toews - A former trade journalist for the transportation, logistics, private security and mining industries, she has covered significant events such as the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Her eyewitness view contributes to the plight of children in war as a recurring theme through her novels. With hundreds of published articles and five business press awards in her portfolio, the former editorial director of Canada's Southam Business Information Group currently advocates for better care and treatment of Canada's veterans and is a member of the Canadian Veterans Advocacy, Military Writers Society of America, Christian Writers' Association and American Authors Association.
Terry Shoptaugh is a professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, teaching history and humanities classes. He is the author of five books, including Herman Stern and the German Jewish Crisis (2008); They Were Ready: The 164th Infantry in the Pacific War (2010); and Fighting for Their Lives (2011). A native of St. Louis, Missouri, and the son of a 1st Infantry Division veteran of World War II, he now lives in Moorhead Minnesota.
Fran McGraw - was born Frances Elizabeth Ogden in the house she grew up in on a farm in the Pecos River Valley community of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The fourth of six children, she attended Eastern New Mexico University and studied Journalism.
Married at age 19, Fran finished two years of college and worked as a secretary and bookkeeper while her husband, Jim, finished college and was commissioned a U.S. Army ROTC 2nd Lieutenant in 1960.
During the next 21 years in the military, the McGraw's had eight permanent-change- of-station moves and eight temporary duty moves. They spent three years in Verona, Italy, where their children were born; they lived in North Carolina, both New Jersey and Georgia twice, Alabama three times, Arizona three times, and spent three years in Hawaii where their children graduated from high school.
Ever committed to and the strong supporter of her husband, Fran watched as he finished the Army's Primary Fixed Wing Pilot training in 1964 and resigned herself to the fact that the man she adored had an insatiable desire to fly. She was destined to wait with their children while Jim completed two one-year tours of duty in Vietnam.
Always with family in mind, they endured the ups and downs of the military life as well as some not-so-good times when they returned to the civilian world. Jim retired as an airline pilot in 1999 and Fran retired in 2000 after a 26-year career with the federal service. Their children are successful professionals and she and Jim enjoy watching their six grandsons participate in school, community, and church activities.
Fran recently became the published author of Safe Landings; Memoirs of an Aviator’s Wife, that will allow her descendants to know not only the who, the what, when, and where, but also the why of her turbulent 50-year marriage. Her book won a Silver Medal from the MWSA in 2011.
Candace George Thompson - is the daughter of a 30-year career Air Force
Officer whose first mission as a B-24 Navigator was on D-Day. She was born in Kentucky, as were both her parents and like most service families, hers moved frequently. By the time she started 10th grade, she had changed schools 13 times.
After college graduation with a B.A. in Spanish she served in Venezuela as a Peace Corps volunteer. Her rootless way of life continued upon her return - Vermont, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon and New Jersey.
Candace is the author of “Still Having Fun, a Portrait of The Military Marriage of Rex and Bettie George, 1941 – 2007.” She has had articles and essays placed in “The Antiochian,” and three anthologies including “Coast Lines 2” published by the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group and MWSA’s 2012 “Silent Battlefields.”
Candace and her husband have now lived in Chicago for over 30 years – eight times longer than she has lived any place else. She’s happy to have finally found a home.
Richard Geschke - was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio during the 1950’s and 1960’s where he attended a Catholic Parochial school on the far west side of Cleveland. Later he attended John Marshall High School and graduated in 1965, after attending 4 years of college at Kent State University he graduated with an Army ROTC commission in 1969. He began his army career in November of 1969 and served in Germany, Panama and South Vietnam from 1969 to 1972.
Mr. Geschke is a published author who co-authored with Robert A. Toto “In Our Duffel Bags, Surviving the Vietnam Era.” Upon completion of his army service Mr. Geschke met his future wife Ann and started a family in the late 70’s and early 80’s with the birth of a daughter and son. Mr. Geschke has been employed in the automotive industry to the present time.
The Geschke’s live in Bristol Connecticut and enjoy visits from their children and grandchildren.
Barbara Allen - is the widow of 1LT Louis Allen, who was killed in Iraq in June of 2005. Her award-winning book, “Front Toward Enemy” chronicles the personal and factual accounts of her husband’s murder at the hands of a fellow soldier, and the subsequent acquittal of his killer. She is currently at work on her second book, expected to be published in 2014.
In addition to her work as an author and a freelance writer, Barbara is co-founder of Bold Biographies, a business dedicated to writing personal biographies for her clients to pass down in their families.
Barbara received a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University, and actively reaches out to other families grappling with the military judicial system. She continues to pursue the Purple Heart for her husband, as the government has thus far refused to classify Lou’s death as “Hostile.” She resides in NY with her four boys.
Joyce M. Gilmour - has been a member of MWSA for several years now. Her connection to the military comes via her son who served in the USMC for eight years. During that time, she helped to create and serve on the board of Marine Parents United. Through that organization, she was introduced to MWSA. She began her copy-editing business (Editing TLC) several years before retiring from the classroom. She spent 36 wonderful years with third graders. Joyce, and her husband, Wayne, raised five adopted children, all of whom are now living their independent adult lives. They live in Wisconsin and when she isn’t busy copy-editing, she spends much of her time reading. She reviews books for MWSA, Amazon Vine, and upon requests from authors. She also facilitates parenting classes based on the curriculums offered by the Love and Logic Institute. Her hobby is bird-watching; hawks and cardinals are two of her very favorites, but she enjoys the more than thirty varieties that visit their backyard each year. If you want to learn more about Joyce, please visit her website at: www.editingtlc.com .
Robert Flournoy – is a Vietnam veteran who served with the 1st Cav, Bob is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Economics. He left a 35 year career in the corporate world in 2008 and now owns his own equities trading business in Franklin, TN. A lover of the written word, he is a published author and has contributed to literary journals (Southern Cultures, The Front Porch), The International War Poets Association, and MWSA's Dispatches.
B. N. Peacock - lives in Manassas, Virginia with her husband Daniel Peacock, daughter Stephanie, Mr. Orlando Cat, and Fiona, the Golden Retriever. She likes books, classical music, traveling, and gardening. She is the author of A Tainted Dawn (Fireship Press 2012), the first of the Great War series. At present, she is working on the second book in the series, Army of Citizens.
John Zerr - published Noble Deeds in October, 2013. Previous novels include: The Ensign Locker and Sundown Town Duty Station. He has had poems and short stories published as well.
Zerr enlisted in the US Navy after graduating from high school and was commissioned via the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP). He holds engineering degrees from Purdue University and Naval Post Graduate School.
He also completed Navy Test Pilot School. He is a Vietnam veteran. He considers the highlight of his time in the service as the opportunity to serve as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. He retired from the Navy in 1995.
He lives in Missouri with his wife Karen. They have five daughters and a son.