Gary Graham writes stories that sit at the intersection of literary fiction, adventure, and science. His novel Parallels That Cross follows archaeologist Mica and ornithologist Clay as their parallel lives cross in the Peruvian wilderness. He is also the author of the nonfiction guides Bats of the World and Texas Wildlife Viewing Guide. Book Highlights Parallels That Cross is a story about identity, destiny, love, and the wild places that shape us. Readers have connected with its vivid portrayal of the Andes, the authenticity of its characters, and the quiet power of its storytelling. The novel blends adventure, romance, and science in a way that feels both grounded and deeply human. It is a book that stays with you long after the final page. Gary grew up off the grid in Louisiana. One of his earliest memories is of his father telling him scary stories about nighttime creatures living in the Louisiana backwoods. Gary carried that tradition forward by telling similar stories to his own sons and to cub scouts around campfires. In doing so, he discovered the joy of a story well told and the power of an active imagination. He went on to earn a PhD at the University of New Mexico, where he conducted research on bats and birds in Peru. He camped in cloud forests, caves, and next to a wonderful Quechua family while doing his fieldwork. That research and the unexcavated ruins he visited inspired much of Parallels That Cross. His career took him to Austin, Texas, where he worked for Bat Conservation International and later as Director of the Wildlife Division for Texas Parks and Wildlife. He then became Executive Director of Audubon Colorado and worked for Western Resource Advocates in Boulder. While in Colorado, he climbed twenty-two fourteen-thousand-foot mountains. After retiring early to tell more stories, Gary wrote Parallels That Cross. The idea first came to him in 1993 while driving on a small country road in east Texas. He stopped the car, jotted down the concept, and carried it with him for thirty years. The novel follows two people whose lives run parallel until they finally cross in the Peruvian wilderness. It is a story about finding your way, even when the path is not clear. When he sent an early draft to his wife Lauren, an archaeologist who has worked in Belize for over thirty years, she helped him shape Mica's voice. Her review of his manuscript led to their reconnection after thirty years. He calls that the luckiest day of his life. His writing is grounded in real experience, from decades of fieldwork in South America to discoveries of rare bats and new plant species. He worked alongside some of the greats in natural science, including botanist Al Gentry and ornithologist Ted Parker. Gary now lives in California near his grandchildren, who keep him on his toes. He has two adventurous adult sons, one in California and one in Louisiana, who also help keep him busy. He continues to write, explore, and advocate for the wild places he loves.