Lonnie Beerman is a new author, his award-winning Tears of the Phoenix being his debut novel. Born in 1956 to a highly decorated Army Master Sargent, Lonnie grew up in the turbulent `60¿s on various Army bases or in nearby communities, witnessing the social chaos and political unrest. His father retired onto a farm in Tennessee when he was in middle school. Much of what he experienced during the ¿Army base¿ years, but especially afterwards, found its way into this story. Well-traveled in his personal and professional lives, Lonnie brings a heartfelt insight into the actions and reactions of everyday people in extraordinary situations. His greatest pleasure was to help his wonderful wife, Firoozeh raise two amazing children¿Christina & Christopher.