One of the things I love about having Greatful Moments is meeting amazing Authors and being able to share there work here with my friends and family. For me sometimes I meet an author through a book, and sometimes, I meet him through his dog. In the case of Robert John DeLuca, whom I know as Bob, I had the pleasure of getting to know a little about both.
When Bob first reached out, he shared a little about himself and his books. I also enjoyed hearing about Floyd, his dog, who has quite a personality of his own. As someone who believes our pets are part of the family, I had to smile at that introduction! Today, I’m pleased to introduce Bob to readers of Greatful Moments, where we enjoy discovering authors, books, and the stories behind the people who write them.
Bob writes the Marshall Morris young adult series, which follows a likable young man who finds himself in some unusual situations. His books combine humor, adventure, and the kinds of growing-up experiences that readers of different ages can enjoy. Before we get to know Bob better, you can explore his work on his official author website.
Meet Robert John DeLuca– Bob spent his career in finance and real estate development before turning more of his attention to writing. After raising four sons in Friendswood, Texas, between Houston and Galveston, he had plenty of real-life experiences to draw from when creating stories about young people, growing up, and the unexpected situations life can bring.
His writing includes the Marshall Morris series as well as the Nelson Family Saga, a separate series of thrillers centered on a Houston real estate developer and his dysfunctional family. Bob enjoys letting his characters lead him into interesting situations and then figuring out how they will get themselves out of them. That approach sounds like a recipe for plenty of surprises along the way!
Please, allow me to introduce Bob as I sit on my front porch in Texas and get to know him a little bit better come and join me.
1. What inspired you to write the Marshall Morris series, and how did Marshall Morris become the character at its center?
After a career in finance and real estate development, I had time to pursue a goal of self-actualization: writing a novel. The best advice I ever received was to write what you know.
Having raised four sons in Friendswood, Texas, between Houston and Galveston, I had an abundance of material to draw from. The stories are based on young adult coming-of-age issues, with plenty of humor and fun. Marshall is affable, athletic, bright, and easygoing. He is caring, a little clumsy, and prone to finding himself in unusual predicaments.
2. What makes Marshall stand out as a character, and what do you hope readers take away from his adventures?
The King in Purgatory is actually the fourth book in my other series, the Nelson Family Saga. Those books are thrillers based on a Houston real estate developer and his dysfunctional family. They do not involve Marshall Morris.
Marshall stands out because of his affable nature and his strong desire to help those who are less fortunate. I hope readers have fun, smile, and recognize some of the issues confronting young people today.
3. Your next Marshall Morris adventure, High in the Rocky Mountains, takes Marshall away from Texas. Without giving too much away, what can readers expect?
Marshall’s senior trip takes him to a national park in Colorado for a week of hiking, swimming, and boating. When Marshall hears that a young girl is missing, he is warned not to go looking for her. Nevertheless, he heads out alone and finds her.
Crissy is a diva who deliberately left on her own to spite her father. Marshall and Crissy encounter a cougar, poachers, and wolves, and they spend a cold night huddled together in the dark woods. Once they return to camp, Marshall is happy to be rid of Crissy. But that is when his problems really begin! Crissy wants to tell her friends about her new, handsome Texas boyfriend.
It sounds as though Marshall’s good intentions may lead him into considerably more trouble than he expected! Readers can find High in the Rocky Mountains on Amazon.
4. When you write a story, do you plan everything from beginning to end, or do your characters surprise you along the way?
I don’t plan my books from beginning to end, although I usually have a pretty good idea of where they will end up. I enjoy letting the stories develop and getting the characters into interesting situations. Then I have to figure out how to get them out! I don’t write dystopian or fantasy stories. I hope everything that happens in my books is plausible, within reason.
5. What would you like someone picking up a Marshall Morris book for the first time to know about you and the series? Are there more adventures ahead?
I hope readers enjoy the read and realize there are at least four or five other books in the series. The Marshall Morris books are categorized as young adult, but they are suitable for young people of all ages. I enjoy writing the stories and watching the characters’ antics unfold. The next book is already in my head. I’ve written it several times while lying in bed. No doubt, it is the best yet!
A Word About Bob’s Other Books– Although our conversation focused on Marshall Morris, Bob also writes the Nelson Family Saga. His book The King in Purgatory belongs to that separate series, so readers should know that it is not a Marshall Morris adventure. You can explore Bob’s books and learn more about his writing through his author website.
And Then There’s Floyd! I couldn’t finish introducing Bob without sharing a little of the personality that first caught my attention: Floyd’s!
Floyd has his own humorous way of talking about food, health, and his father’s books. In one of his messages, he explains that he is extremely particular about what he eats. He claims to start his morning by gobbling down his kibble in about 20 seconds, followed by a frosty glass of something he calls “Koimagembucha,” kale and bean sprouts, and a gooey glob of Cool Whip.
And, of course, Floyd insists that he never, ever begs from Mom or Dad. He even admits to crossing his paws on that claim! I don’t know if I believe him. What about you? But I do know I wouldn’t mind having a glob of Cool Whip. What about you?
Floyd also takes the opportunity to promote his dad’s books. In his message, he encourages readers to pick up The King in Purgatory and teases the trouble Marshall stirs up in High in the Rocky Mountains. I have to say, a dog who can combine food commentary with book promotion certainly knows how to get his message across! I wonder if he could teach Pheobie, Bear and Sandy how to promote my blog?
I enjoyed learning more about Bob, the experiences that helped shape his writing, and the character he has created in Marshall Morris. His stories bring together humor, adventure, and the challenges young people face as they grow up. I also appreciate that he draws inspiration from life rather than trying to make every story fit a formula.
And then there’s Floyd! As a dog lover, I couldn’t help smiling at his entertaining take on eating well and helping his dad sell books. If you’re looking for a new author to explore, especially if you enjoy young adult adventures with humor and a few unexpected twists, take a look at Robert John DeLuca’s books.
Visit Bob DeLuca’s author website to learn more about his work, and check out High in the Rocky Mountains on Amazon.
As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to introduce readers to another author and share a little of the person behind the pages. You never know when a new book—or a very opinionated dog—might bring a smile to your day! You will find these books inside our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List as I plan on letting Santa know he should bring copies of the books to all the good little boys and girls.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Greatful Moments — Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
