This is the first appearance of my character, Jim Swenson. This is my first novel and my character’s debut. Because I am a retired U.S. Navy officer, I wanted Jim to be a naval officer, so I made him a U.S. Navy SEAL lieutenant. I wanted him to be tough as nails with an intimidating physique, so I made him 6.5 ft. tall and 250 lbs. of solid muscle. Jim attended Stanford University and starred on their wrestling and football teams. He was a Heisman Trophy winner. Jim studied martial arts as a teenager so that he could be a great fighter and never lose a fight. However, I also made him a kind and loving person who only fights to protect himself and those people unable to protect themselves. I had him grow up in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities in the world. I usually name my characters in my books. I named one of my characters Jim Swenson after one of my best friends from high school. The Marine Corps major Ed Reynolds in the following section is named after one of my business partners who has been a close friend for twenty years. Jim Swenson always wins. I wanted him to be able to do things that all of us want to be able to do. To stand strong and unafraid, never back down, and always ready with an intelligent reply. I made him wealthy so he could do what he wants to do and never need to rely on anyone but himself. I want my readers to be like Jim Swenson. I hope you do!