I first began writing about Steve and Lisa in 1974. In 2013 I found that original manuscript. And I still had no idea where I was going with that story.

In 2024 I joined a senior writers group in Wenatchee, Washington. That was when I decided to start writing again about Steve and Lisa. An abundance of life experiences now played a significant role in developing the story.

Initially this was to be a novel. But it soon evolved into a trilogy; Steve as a child, Steve as a teenager and Steve as an adult.

Little Boy Lost is the first of the three books, where we are introduced to Steve as a child. Insight is given as to his behavior before he is professionally diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder. The relationship between Steve and Lisa begins, as does Steve’s struggle with substance abuse.

Family dynamics play a pivotal role in Steve’s social and emotional development. There is a great contrast between the way his mother and his father express their love for their son.  And then there is Steve’s interpretation, where he blames his father for absolutely everything that has gone wrong in his life.

Hal enters the story as the vice-principal at Steve’s school. But relationships evolve and Hal soon becomes a central figure displaying a strong sense of support in the lives of the Shaels.

The second of the three books is Revelations. This book focuses on Steve’s senior year in high school. Steve is diagnosed as being bipolar and continues to struggle with substance abuse.

The third book in the trilogy is End Zone. This is the story of Steve as an adult. Steve is now an addict due to the chronic drug use over the years. 

Little Boy Lost is available as an Ebook on Amazon. Revelations will be available next month. Release of End Zone will follow in the fall of 2026.