Rod Collins grew up in a family nurtured by the oral storytelling tradition of rural America. Good storytellers (like his grandfather, Charlie Troop) were always welcome at the supper table or around the campfire.True to that tradition, Collins created his award-winning, contemporary detective mysteries series featuring Sheriff Bud Blair. Book #5, "Not Before Midnight," is his newest.Rod retired from the US Forest Service in the fall of 1999, and wrote his first book before the year was out. He says, "I'm seven books into the late-life writing career. I just keep on writing. It's an impulse that greets me each morning. And I love it. Stories are the meat of life."Another of Rod's books, "Bitter's Run," is a stand-alone historical novel set in 1865, immediately following the end of the Civil War. John Bitter plans a solo trip across the Oregon Trail to his farm on Abiqua Creek, but The Good Lord and the beautiful red-haired lass, Morgan Eagan, have other plans.Rod is also the author of "What Do I Do When I Get There? A New Manager's Guidebook." This little book (called a "gem" by one reviewer), was the 2007 winner of the Pinnacle Book Award.Rod loves to hear from his readers. Get in touch by leaving a comment on his blog at brightworkspress.com/blog. And...of course...your reviews are always welcome. You're the reason Rod keeps writing.Here's a note from one of Rod's readers:Some artists paint with a brush,Some with a camera,Some with music, However, the artists who paint with words can take you into a story as if you are there.Rod Collins is terrific with words, and I love his characters.I even found myself falling in love with Nancy Sixkiller... and she isn't even real.I'm a total fan of Rod Collins' writing, and I look forward to his next book.-- IvanRead more about this authorRead less about this author