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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 2023)
sNok signflz DECEMBER 15, 2023 9 Tribal Officer Tyler Brown pens thriller hero of the best-selling police pro- cedural series created by Michael Connelly. <I9ve always had a strong passion for writing, and I9m planning to make this into a series,= Brown said. <The second book is already written. The character ages and shows growth throughout the se- ries. I like that I can write a story people can connect with. It9s some- thing I9ve always wanted to do.= <Tribal Honor,= is available now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The orst signing was held locally at ShredCity Fitness in the author9s hometown of Dallas on Sunday, Dec.10. TG Thriller Publication was formed by Brown to publish the book, working with an agent for new author distribution. It is now available in bookstores in all major cities, and an audio version with narrator Andrew Tell will be out in the coming weeks via Audio and Apple Books. <Tribal Honor= is dedicated to Brown9s aunt, Tribal spouse Liz Leno, who worked for the Confed- erated Tribes of Grand Ronde for many years and walked on earlier this year. þ By Sherron Lumley Smoke Signals staff writer The debut novel by Grand Ronde Tribal Police Cpl. Tyler Brown, <Tribal Honor,= hit stands Tuesday, Dec. 5, published by TG Thriller Publication. The author is a Grand Ronde Tribal member and also a part-time detective with the Polk County Sheriff9s Ofoce. He writes the book under the pen name, <T.G. Brown.= <Writing started as therapy,= Brown said. <I was inspired by authors who turned real-life ex- perience into exciting fictional stories.= <Tribal Honor= is for adult read- ers due to its sometimes graphic content. It falls within the crime thriller, action and police proce- dural genres, with a key theme being the brotherhood in law en- forcement. The case pulls the reader in quickly with heroes just as complex as the villains, such as central good guy Warren Lawson, a Tribal police ofocer on the octional Jericho Na- tion Reservation. <I don9t want a too-perfect charac- ter,= Brown said of his nawed hero. <I want him to be relatable.= The character9s vibe draws on the author9s experience in law enforce- ment, skill as a defensive tactics instructor and what he calls the <dark part of life.= <The darkness is a powerful force,= Brown said. <It takes a part of you. One character embraced it and one did everything not to. I9ve experienced that myself. It hits you, you9re human.= For martial arts fans, there are detailed oght scenes that call upon Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, wres- tling, Muay Thai and Krav Maga techniques. The moves are de- way of showing a close Photo by Michelle Alaimo relationship between two characters in the Tribal member and Grand Ronde Tribal Police span of a few pages, Department Cpl. Tyler Brown, right, shakes hands without drawing at- with Jared Dickerson after signing a copy of his tention away from the book <Tribal Honor= for him during an author central narrative. book signing event at ShredCity Fitness in Dallas This turning point on Sunday, Dec. 10. <Tribal Honor,= written under in tone is also renect- Brown9s pen name T.G. Brown, is his debut novel. ed in escalating con- nict, as the plot moves scribed in detail as Lawson battles toward climax in a crescendo of a murderous predator, gang war- action and violence. fare and twin Native brothers, who <That9s what I wanted, to end also want justice. the orst novel with a bang,= Brown Although Oregonians may recog- said. nize the book9s setting, as Jericho He draws inspiration from the Nation is placed near the actual Jack Reacher series written by towns of Willamina and Dallas, English author Lee Child, as well Brown insists the case, which deals as Detective Harry Bosch, octional with elder abuse, is octional. Some characters in <Tribal Hon- or= are also completely fictional, whereas others are based on real The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department has a nonemergency people, such as fellow Tribal ofo- text line at 541-921-2927. cers, the police chief and Brown9s <If you have a nonemergency situation or question, feel free to con- wife, Ashley. <The Ashley character is most tact my ofocer via text through this line,= said Grand Ronde Tribal closely inspired by real life,= Brown Police Chief Jake McKnight. <When one of my ofocers receives the said, referring to the hero9s love text, they will call you back when they have time.= interest. McKnight said that emergency situations still require calling 911. This budding romance woven For more information, contact McKnight at 503-879-1474. þ throughout the story is mostly just innocent banter, making the adult content of Chapter 55 jump off the page. Brown explained this was a Senior Miss Grand Ronde Tribal nonemergency text line TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICE CDL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde TERO Department is looking for Tribal members with CDLs who are interested in current employment opportunities or Tribal members who are interested in obtaining their CDL for future employment. • Must be 18 years or older. • Must show proof of completed ODOT physical and other requirements. • Four weeks to complete. TS OFFICE TRIBAL EM YMENT RIG H P LO • Employment opportunities available now. s a m t s i r Ch Drive F ood Spread holiday cheer and make a difference in our community! STARTS 11/28/23-12/20/23 HOW CAN YOU HELP? • Must obtain your CDL permit before you register. • TERO will assist with funding CDL course. 2023-2024 Anavey Smith is organizing a • Schedule courses when you are ready. DROP OFF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD AT A COLLECTION BIN MONETARY DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO ISKAM MK²MK-HAWS - 503-879-3663 Spread the Joy! Drop off Collection Bins located at the Grand Ronde Governance building, Community Center and Elder9s Activity Center Contact Jacob Boekhoff at 503-879-2146 or e-mail Jacob.Boekhoff@grandronde.org Ad by Samuel Briggs III