I have published four books so far: Taking Lives, (August 2014) a prequel to the Lives Trilogy; Stolen Lives, (November 2015) Book One of the Lives Trilogy; Shattered Lives, (March 2015), Splintered Lives (November 2015) all in the thriller/mystery genre, and each has garnered outstanding reviews. Previously, I had a short story, Dusty And Me, (1989).    

I caught the writing bug in sixth grade. My teacher would give us a story prompts, which was an intriguing paragraph that we were to develop into a story. These were optional assignments and I think I did every single one. In seventh grade, I won a silver medal in a city-wide writing contest. I write in the thriller/mystery genre because that is what I enjoy reading. My favorite authors are James Patterson, David Baldacci, and John Sanford. I pride myself in creating enduring characters who readers cry for, cheer for, and laugh with (as witnessed in the reviews garnered thus far), along with settings that feel real and are visible to the reader.

This series, the prequel and Lives Trilogy, was written based upon my experience working with kids as a teacher, coach and counselor for 39 years, and as an adjunct educator with the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. Jacob was abducted in October of 1989 by a stranger wearing a mask and carrying a gun in front of his younger brother and best friend. He has not been seen since and only recently has there been a significant breakthrough in his case. As an adjunct educator, I presented child safety education workshops to school assemblies, and to parent and teacher groups. In writing this series, I tell an interesting and gripping suspenseful story in the fiction thriller/mystery genre, but use this forum to educate kids and parents about human trafficking. Reviews of this series indicate that “you’ll fall in love the characters.” Almost all of the reviews have said that they “couldn’t put the book(s) down.” I am humbled and honored that in two of the reviews, readers stated, “If you like James Patterson, you’ll like this author.”

I am currently a high school principal who resides in Virginia with my wife of 23 years, Kim, who is a middle school teacher and athletic director for 29 years, and with our daughters, Hannah and Emily.  My son, Wil, is deceased (July, 2014 in Chicago, IL), having been an innocent victim of gun violence, shot as he walked down the street on his way home by one gang member shooting at and missing a rival gang member.

Prequel, Taking Lives:

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they live in separate parts of the country, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their futures grow dark and dreadful as each search for a way out.

Book One, Stolen Lives:

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents has 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead!

Book Two, Shattered Lives:

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them.

Book Three, Splintered Lives:

A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for him?

Learn more and connect with Joseph at his weekly inspirational blog, Simple Thoughts From A Complicated Mind, Sort Of and on social media:  Twitter at @jrlewisauthor and on Facebook.