I was the youngest child in a big, noisy, New York Irish-American family. Ten minutes late to dinner and the food was all gone. Other kids in the neighborhood wanted to become cops, or firemen, or crime kingpins. I wanted to become Jimi Hendrix.I'm the author of five novels - SMOKED, THE TAKEDOWN, THE HIT, THE DROP-OFF and THE DEVIL & JOHNNY DOG FOOD. I'm also the co-author, with legendary actor Rutger Hauer, of Rutger's memoir, ALL THOSE MOMENTS, an L.A. Times bestseller. I've been featured or reviewed in major media throughout the world, including the Boston Globe, the New York Times, the London Times, the Daily Mail, Entertainment Weekly, Maine Public Radio, and many others.One of my favorite things is travel. I may be happiest when surrounded by people I can't understand, and who can't understand me, and I'm reduced to frantic hand gestures.I like to get things cookin'.