My love affair with books began at an early age. My parents divorced when I was young, and our life was very "stressful" for several years. I used books to escape, and it allowed me unfettered access to other worlds. I joined the Army when I turned twenty and served eight years. I met my partner online just before I left the military, and we had a happy life together until he died 12 October 2008. My life went into a free fall after that; I lost my home in September 2009, and my mother to brain cancer in June 2010. I am now trying to rebuild my life; I am going to become a professional poker player, and hopefully a professional writer.