I want to start by saying thank you for visiting my author page. I know that everyone's time is valuable and for you to take the time to stop here and look over my books and learn more about me really means a lot.
I was born in Port Sulphur Louisiana back in 1964. Port Sulphur is a small town south of New Orleans, a town that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. 1964 seems like such a long time ago, yet it passed by so quickly. Before turning five years old, my family moved to Kaplan Louisiana, another small town, this time it was a small town south west of Lafayette Louisiana. I attended Kaplan Elementary, Rene Rost Middle School, and Kaplan High School. I wasn't much of a great student because it wasn't until later in life that I learned the value of a good education and how much a person could learn if only they applied themselves.
I was seventeen when I signed a contract with the US Government and turned eighteen in Army basic training. How little did I know what doors would open for me. Not only doors for a small town exit, but doors to the world as well. My first duty station was in Furth Germany where I spent eighteen months. During that time, I returned home once. It was then that I realized that no matter how big the world was, the small town of Kaplan held the biggest spot in my heart. After serving my tour in Germany, I returned to the United States where I was stationed at Fort Stewart Georgia where I spent a year. I enjoyed being there however, every chance I had, I found myself driving back to Louisiana. After a little over a year in Georgia, I received orders to return to Germany for a three year tour of duty accompanied by my wife. This time I was stationed in Hanau, outside of Frankfurt. During these three years, I developed a great love for Louisiana, a pride like never before. I knew my roots were there and that someday, I would return. Sure I visited places like Paris, Austria, Denmark, the Czech border, and a town named Hell, but none compared to my hometown for settling down. When my three years were up, with my wife and new baby boy, I was then stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana. (So close to home.) After this duty station, I received my honorable discharge and returned to Kaplan.
It was there that I started my career. That was over twenty-five years ago. It was in this time that I was blessed with two more children, two beautiful girls and during that large span of time, I was afforded even more opportunities to serve my country. I traveled to Guam to assist with Typhoon relief and of course, during my return, spent a week in Hawaii. Soon after, I volunteered for a four month tour of duty in support of our troops in Iraq. I spent four months confined to a military airport in Mosul where I worked to help ensure that soldiers had decent living quarters to return to. My duties were to ensure that government contracts were followed. Following that tour, I returned home for a few months before volunteering to return for another tour. What better way to support our troops than to be there making sure they were taken care of once they returned to base. I held the position of Quality Assurance Chief over many inspectors and contracts. It was two weeks before returning home that a suicide bomber detonated himself only forty feet from where I was standing. Although I only received minor shrapnel, it was then that I really knew what our soldiers were going through. I really felt for them, but it wasn't a feeling of pity, it was a feeling of respect and gratitude.
Although I've always liked to write, it wasn't until 2014 that I tried it out as more than a hobby. I wanted to be published and with the new wave of self-publishing, I made a go of it. While most authors would say it is best to stick to one genre, I have been unable to. I have dipped into several. As you can see, my titles prove it. The time I spent away from Louisiana and the pride I have in my state is the reason that most of my stories are set in Louisiana. Who knows, maybe someday, they'll make another movie about a Louisiana story that was written by a Louisiana author in Louisiana. Okay, wishful thinking.
My biggest accomplishment is not my career, not even my books, my biggest accomplishment was to help raise three children to become productive adults. Three children that I am equally proud of.
I'm just a blue collar worker who enjoys writing and as I've told my children, I believe that a person can do anything they set their mind to doing. They just have to follow their dreams and work their tails off to achieve their goals.
Anyway, I do hope that I can entertain you for a while. Don't forget, I love to hear from readers. Leave reviews or use my contact form to send a message.
For current projects visit,
My Author Website
http://www.jstoute.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Stoute/326594510865179
Twitter
http://twitter.com/j_stoute64
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