My Work

Out now!

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Book cover

Brother, Mei Mei and Boudicca stand at the crest of a hill looking down on a riotous Ceilidh/Highland Games. There are several reasons I love this piece. First of all, this creation was done by my exceptionally talented daughter Penelope Cooper!

My art skills do not lie in the direction of drawing or graphic arts. Nonetheless, I sketched a few ideas and inflicted them on my poor daughter. With much patience, Penny took the concepts that I was feebly trying to portray and created this master piece. The book cover is amazing, but the full-sized picture is breathtaking in its scope and detail. The more you look, the more is revealed.

It takes a certain kind of magic to take your crazy dad’s ideas and make something worthy of hanging in any art gallery! Am I bragging? Yes! And I don’t care. Please enjoy.

The OFD Logo

I was informed that needed a logo to brand my book. Not knowing what I was really doing, I came up with the “OFD” logo. The paw print is from my Apricot English Mastiff Boudicca and the silhouette of an old fat dad smoking a cigar came from a snap shot that a dear friend took. So I reached out to a very amazingly talented graphic artist Grace Stephens to took on the job.

Grace’s rendition of my ideas surpassed all of my expectations! Grace’s talent is evident, but I have to add that Grace’s professionalism was noteworthy of any artist, bust especially one who is at the beginning of her career. This amazing young woman is going places!

The OFD Logo

The Orphan, the Marine and the Mastiff

Mei Mei was orphaned at the age of six. She has been alone for so long that she can’t remember a time when she didn’t feel lonely afraid and forgotten. Then one day, just as she was settling in with another temporary foster family, a case worker came and took her away again. Somehow Mei Mei had a brother. A grown-up Brother, and she was going to live with him. Mei Mei didn’t know who or what this brother person was supposed to be, but she was sure he wasn’t supposed to be the stern scarred giant that she meets in the caseworker’s office. Resigned to her fate, she has no choice but to go with this brother, but she doesn’t have to like him, does she?

Brother was born to a young teen mom. Fortunately, he was adopted and raised by good people. Brother joins the Marines and served with heroism and distinction for several years and many deployments all over the world. An IED ends his career and leaves him depressed, scarred, and broken. During a long and troubled recovery, he is surprised to learn that he is the only relation to an orphaned younger sister who is alone in the foster care system. The choice is clear, if he doesn’t adopt her, likely no one will. Can he make the change from a decorated war fighter to single parent?

As these two stranger siblings try to build their own family of choice, they will find themselves surprised by mystery enemies, brilliant friends, unexpected adventures, and the love of an apricot English Mastiff.

Some reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Mei Mei and brother. I would recommend it for young and old alike. I especially liked the true to life feel of it. I love how this blended family works. The mix of humor and mystery works for me. And I hope there's a second book in the works, I want more of these fun characters.

This book hooked me with its originality and suspense from the very first chapter. It was heartwarming to see the relationship between Brother and Mei develop and change. I enjoyed the fact that even though I grew up very differently; there were ways I could relate to each character. I am passing it on to my 12 year old daughter after my husband reads it. My favorite aspect of the book was that Brother and his friends (or chosen family) taught Mei both personal boundaries to set with others and her own actions. It was very encouraging. This story also took me through both the highs and lows of real life. Life is messy and it was interesting to see how they dealt with the good, the bad and the ugly together. I thought it seemed very realistic and I found myself easily picturing the scenes, smells and sounds. At the end of each chapter, I always wanted to know what happens next and found it hard to set down. I can recommend this book for all ages.

It was a pleasure to read this story. It takes you into the world of a child lost in the foster care system. Every new home full of new people, new rules, and unknown fears; until she discovers that she has her own strengths and people that she can call family. The author does a wonderful job of portraying the main character’s feelings in each situation and takes you along with her. You will laugh, you will cry, you will jump up and cheer for Mei.

A young girl who has not known family or familial love, a Marine who has known the love of a family of his own creation through service and deep, binding friendships, and the large mastiff who helps them to find their way to creating a new family. Mei is surprised to find herself plucked from the worst that "the System" has to offer by a Big Man, scarred both physically and emotionally by his service to his country. Come along on the journey that they take to grow from the small, scared, defensive, strong willed little girl and the scarred, patient, big hearted Marine who has never been responsible for caring for a "little one" to the united family, ready and able to take on whatever life throws at them. Meet the extended family of friends who stand behind them to guide, protect, and share their collective wisdom. Meet the Mastiff, Boudicca, who is a clutzy, clumsy puppy, but becomes the anchor for Mei and the Big Man as they take their first steps on this new path as they all begin a new life together.

If you’re tired of all the negativity in this world I cannot recommend this uplifting book enough for you. Phenomenal character development and a truly heartwarming story that will sometimes make you laugh, make you cry and leave you feeling good. Really worth reading, especially with your kids"

Additional work

Beyond The Picket Fence: Life Outside the Middle-Class Bubble – Kindle edition by MacYoung, Marc, Plume, Eric, Valdiserri, Anna, Juliano, Robert, Meek, Jenna, Jahn, Clint, Kane, Lawrence, Huston, Peter, Et all. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Beyond The Picket Fence: Life Outside the Middle-Class Bubble.

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