Legionary Books, LLC

Author portrait by Cody Earl Photography 

About the Author 
Since I can remember I have always had a passion for history. My love of Roman history started when I first watched the series "I, Claudius." I read the books shortly after and was hooked. I then proceeded to read every book I could get my hands on regarding Roman history. Some of my recommendations are detailed on the Author's Favorites pages of this site.

I got my start writing bodybuilding and physical fitness articles for Bodybuilding.com, as well as a lesser-know magazine, HardCore Muscle. I turned to writing historical novels when I was in Iraq. I started writing stories that I wanted to read, but could not find anywhere.

While we may hear stories about the Emperors and Generals of antiquity, we almost never hear the stories of the men who did the actual fighting under them. Sadly, most historical data is lost, the individual soldiers being long since forgotten by history. My attempt with Soldier of Rome is to tell the story of a common legionary and what could have happened throughout his career. Artorius is meant to represent every soldier of the Roman Empire who did his duty, endured unspeakable hardship and horror, and has sadly been relegated to being nothing more than one among the many to serve under more famous men.

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Military Career

Currently my "day job" is working as a federal technician for the Idaho Army National Guard.

Oddly enough, my career began in the Air Force, which I joined right after graduating from Meridian High School in 1993. I spent three years stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona before returning home to Idaho.

I joined the Army Guard in early 1997 and have worked full-time on Gowen Field in Boise ever since. I served in the Iraq war during Operation Iraqi Freedom III from 2004 - 2005.

Assignments and duty postions:

607th Air Control Squadron (USAF) - Communications Specialist

A Co, 2-116th Cavalry (IDARNG) - M1A1 Tank Crewman

C Co, 2-116th Cavalry - M1A1 Tank Commander

B Co, 2-116th Cavalry - Infantry Squad Leader (During Operation Iraqi Freedom) *Attached to 2-63 Armor Battalion, 1st Infantry Division

Troop C, 2-116th Armored Recon Squadron - Platoon Sergeant

Gowen Field Range Control / Joint Force Headquarters - Range Scheduling NCO / Supply Technician

Current Rank: Sergeant First Class / E-7
Date of Rank: 17 January 2007

With Staff Sgt Don LaMott just before a mission.
Barbarian Base, Kirkuk, Iraq. June 2005

Sergeant First Class James Mace

(U.S. Army Photo)

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 14 May 1975

Hobbies:

Writing
This one goes without saying. Before turning my attention to writing historical novels, I wrote for a couple of bodybuilding publications.

Physical Fitness

I'm a self-described "gym nutcase." Currently I'm on a two-a-day workout plan; swimming in the mornings and lifting in the evenings. My most significant inspirations have been Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dave Draper. I am also a Master Fitness Trainer for the Army.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
More commonly (although incorrectly) referred to as "Ultimate Fighting," mixed martial arts is the purest form of combative sports there is. Combining wrestling, boxing, kick-boxing, jiu jitsu as well as every other martial art on the planet, it is the ultimate proving ground. Being a wrestler myself, my all-time favorite mixed martial artists will always be Dan Severn and Don Frye.