Robert Mulkey was born in Silverton, Oregon and grew up in the mid-Willamette Valley. He attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, graduating with a BS in Sociology and a minor in Geography. His writing career started in high school and continued into college. Mulkey’s professional background stretches over thirty years and includes management experience in retail trade, transportation, logistics, real estate, and cable television. Upon graduation in 1982, writing took a back seat to economic issues however he contributed writing, editing and research for such organizations as BestPlaces.net, the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), Western Economic Research and the Oregon Secretary of State. He wrote two technical journals—Population Trends in Oregon and Population Trends in California and has been published in Portland's daily newspaper, The Oregonian. Mulkey’s first book, "This is My Lemonade—An Adoption Story" is the result of a lifelong search for identity, acceptance and validation. The book is unique in that it traces the journey of an adult adoptee over a literal lifetime as he juggles three families and two identities. The search took Mulkey from a comfortable, average existence in suburban Salem, Oregon to an international life in Europe where he met his father’s family in Italy. 'Lemonade' was inspired by family, friends and strangers who were fascinated by the unusual circumstances of Mulkey’s adoption and encouraged him to write a book about his experience. Mulkey’s next projects include a book on a children’s book, a humor book and a partner book for "Lemonade" chronicling his genealogical search for his mother’s family. Mulkey has recently relocated to Alba Adriatica, Italy where he is currently embracing his heritage, learning Italian and strengthening ties with the extended family on his father’s side. He plans on traveling to Lviv, Ukraine and Krakow, Poland to research his mother’s side of the family for his next book as mentioned above.