Feeling incredibly grateful after The Navigator’s Letter pre-launch celebration. Surrounded by amazing friends, live music, and plenty of hugs, the evening was made even more memorable with The Navigator cocktail—bold, refined, and unforgettable.
It meant so much to open this launch to a hometown crowd. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate. I hope you’ll explore the book and join me on this journey.
Held in the author’s home city, the event offered local readers and history enthusiasts a chance to connect with the emotional journey behind the book. The evening included conversations about the research process, the wartime letters, and the true stories that inspired the mission.This gathering featured discussions about the research process, the wartime letters, and the true stories behind the missions—revealing it not just as a historical account, but as a deeply personal, profoundly human story.
Special thanks to Caitie Gallet and Abby Hart for capturing such incredible memories of the evening.
Click below for Release Party Video: Snapback Film & Photography
Photos by Abby Hart Photography
So honored to introduce The Navigator’s Letter aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City. Set against such an iconic backdrop, the evening was more than a launch—it was a celebration of courage, remembrance, and heart.
Sharing this moment with such a meaningful audience made it truly unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Hosted at the aircraft carrier, USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the event provided a powerful setting for sharing the story of World War II aviation. Surrounded by historic aircraft and the legacy of the era, guests were able to connect more deeply with the time and experiences that shaped the book—transforming the narrative from a record of events into an intimate portrait of the lives behind them.
Special thanks to Michael Sellers and Abby Hart for capturing such incredible memories of the evening.
Click below for book launch trailer: Michael Sellers, Frankenbite Productions
Photos: Abby Hart Photography
Chicago • Milwaukee • St. Louis • Fort Worth • Miami
From the Midwest to Texas and back to Florida, this leg of The Navigator’s Letter tour brought the story to vibrant communities across the country—each stop offering a meaningful opportunity to connect with readers, historians, and aviation enthusiasts who value preserving the legacy of World War II.
In the Chicago area, a wonderful evening at Anderson's Bookshop brought together an engaged and thoughtful audience. It was a privilege to share the research, the letters, and the deeply human story behind the mission with such an attentive crowd.
In Milwaukee, heartfelt thanks to Boswell Book Company for hosting such a memorable event. I was truly honored to meet so many readers and have meaningful conversations about this true World War II story.
St. Louis offered a deeply personal moment of reflection at Left Bank Books. With both myself and the roots of the book’s characters tied to nearby Hillsboro, Illinois, sharing The Navigator’s Letter there felt especially meaningful. I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and support in a region that feels so close to the story’s heart.
In Texas, the stop at Half Price Books was filled with energy and curiosity. Connecting with readers and long-time friends eager to explore the history and personal stories behind the book, made for an unforgettable evening.
Back home in Florida, special thanks to Books & Books for their incredible, unmatched support of authors and the literary community. As one of the country’s most beloved independent bookstores—known for fostering thoughtful conversation, championing diverse voices, and creating a true cultural gathering place—it was an honor to share this story there.
And throughout this journey, I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support—The Navigator’s Letter is now a National Bestseller. Thank you to every reader, host, and community who has helped bring this story to life across the country.
The visit to the United States Air Force Academy was one of the most meaningful stops on the journey. Speaking with cadets—future military leaders—offered a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that defined the World War II generation.
Meeting them was unexpectedly moving. While I had long understood how young WWII airmen were, seeing these cadets brought that truth into sharper focus—young men and women, much like those who once flew into unforgiving skies, entrusted with extraordinary responsibility.
A particularly profound moment came in the Academy’s judicial chamber, seated beneath an opening aligned with the North Star. It called back to walks in the park and my father’s lessons about Polaris—guidance that was both practical and enduring—and created a rare sense of connection between past and present.
It was an honor to get an early look at the Visitor Center. Designed with four rooflines that mirrors an aircraft banking into the sky, the building itself reflects the Academy’s spirit of flight and forward momentum. Inside, state-of-the-art interactive displays and more culminating with the main hall that opens to a panorama of the Rocky Mountains—an inspiring backdrop to the Academy's heritage and its future.
It was more than a visit; it was a deeply personal reminder that this story is not just history, but a profoundly human legacy carried forward by the next generation.
This event at the Atlanta History Center was especially meaningful to me—I grew up just around the corner in Buckhead, and Bob, one of the main characters and a real-life B-24 navigator whose remarkable story is at the heart of The Navigator’s Letter, has deep connections to Atlanta. It was an honor to share John B. and Bob's incredible journey, connect with history, and celebrate the courage of those who served. The event was standing-room only, a testament to the local interest and support for these stories.
The Atlanta History Center, with its rich collections and engaging exhibitions, provides a fitting venue for exploring both personal and national history. This stop highlighted the deep research, family connections, and human stories that brought the book to life. More than a museum, the Center is a space to understand our past, honor sacrifice, and keep history alive for future generations.
Hillsboro, Illinois—my birthplace and a town deeply connected to the story—was a meaningful homecoming stop on the book tour. Though I only spent summers here, it has always felt like home. The main characters, John B., Polley, and Bob, were born and raised in Hillsboro, making the visit deeply personal.
The Red Rooster Inn, lovingly renovated by Kendra and John, hosted a lively evening for locals filled with memories, conversation, and celebration.
The next day, I visited Hillsboro High School, speaking with six history classes. Students, well-prepared and full of insightful questions, engaged deeply with the stories of two hometown airmen. Through discussions of courage, duty, and family, I hope the visit offered students an inspiring lesson about rising to challenges and making a positive impact in their own lives.
In 2014, as part of a fact-finding mission for the book, I traveled to Romania to research the experiences of two airmen during World War II. I met with an aviation archaeologist, explored historical sites, and reviewed archival documents. The trip culminated with a presentation at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, where I shared the airmen’s remarkable journey, highlighting their courage, sacrifice, and offering attendees a vivid, personal connection to history.
Additional locations and events will be added as the tour continues. Check back for updates, photos, and video highlights from each stop.