Finding Rosie follows a young man fresh out of high school, trying to navigate his way through post-Vietnam War America, from his carefree surfing adventures to losing the love of his life in the Philippines. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Actually, the book begins during the height of the war in Vietnam. And just like Sutton, I joined the Navy Reserves to avoid being drafted into the Army and ended up stationed in the Philippines. While I was there, I told all my pals that I was going to write a novel about Olongapo City and all the bars when I got home, and I did. It just took me until 2017 to finish it.

Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?

I wanted people to see what the women of the Philippines had to do to survive the conflict in Vietnam. I tried to paint them as seen through the American characters’ eyes, the way I saw them, the way I remembered them, and avoided trying to see things through their eyes. Besides Rosie, there was Raquel, Flora, and Rosie’s sister, Margaret. I’m disappointed the reviewer didn’t hear them as well as I’d hoped. To me, they were the heart of the story. But it is a good, honest review, and I’m very grateful for it.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

That love can outlast our hopes and dreams, but there is always a price for hesitation. And that war will create casualties everywhere, not just on the battlefields.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

My next book will be called HYPNOTIZED, a tale of love and mystery that takes place in the town of Whittier, California during the summer of 1969. I’m hoping to publish it in early 2025.

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