My Books

Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: How I Put Body and Soul Back Together Again After Afghanistan

Marine Sgt. John Peck survived an IED during the War on Terror that left him with a traumatic brain injury, amnesia, and cost him his marriage. He survived another three years later, one that left him with three and a half limbs missing. He’s one of only two living people to survive the flesh-eating fungus he contracted in recovery at Walter Reed, one that left him as a quadruple amputee. And that’s only the beginning of his story.

Rebuilding Sergeant Peck is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.

At left: John shakes the hand of his plastic surgeon, Dr. Simon Talbot, following his bilateral arm transplant surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The Mighty Moms were at the Barnes and Noble Store in Salisbury, Maryland for one of many book signing events throughout the country.

View more photos of Vets and Pets

Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed

Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed, which I co-authored with Kevin Ferris, is a book about the heartbreak and triumph of ten moms who have put their lives on hold to take care of their severely wounded sons and daughter at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The foreward was written by President George H. W. Bush, who stated, "In ways that are both heart-breaking and yet uplifting, Unbreakable Bonds celebrates two groups of heroes whom I pray for every night: Wounded Warriors and mothers."

The book has been critically-acclaimed by The Weekly Standard, The Philadelphia Inquirer, FOX News, ABC News, MSNBC, and many other national media outlets. It was released by Skyhorse Publishing on November 18, 2014, and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.

At left: The Mighty Moms were at the Barnes and Noble Store in Salisbury, Maryland for one of many book signing events throughout the country.

Vets and Pets: Veterans and the Amazing Animals That Help Them Heal

Vets and Pets tells fifteen emotional and entertaining stories of the incredible bonds between wounded warriors, veterans, and other service members and their service and companion animals. Whether these special relationships are with dogs, cats, horses, pigs, or even birds of prey, readers will discover how these remarkable animals help veterans return to civilian life and live independently while simultaneously bringing joy and confidence into their lives.

Tyler struggled to adjust to civilian life after losing both of his legs in Afghanistan, until he met his intelligent and willfully disobedient red European Doberman pinscher, Apollo. Vietnam veteran Patrick regained a sense of well-being and hope through the study of birds of prey. Max the horse has helped numerous veterans learn to trust, improve their communication, and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Mandi discovered that the intelligence and unconditional love of pigs were exactly what she needed to heal from an abusive past and a disappointing army-training injury. These are just a few of the uplifting stories that are featured in this striking collection.

In addition to exploring the unique, lifelong bonds that can develop between veterans and their animal companions, Vets and Pets spotlights extraordinary nonprofits that unite wounded warriors with service and companion animals, including Pets for Patriots, Hooves Marching for Mercy, Horses Helping Heroes, and Avian Veteran Alliance, among others.

Vets and Pets is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.

At left: Tyler Jeffries with Apollo.

Keep Chopping Wood

Keep Chopping Wood is an engaging and inspirational book that tells the colorful life story of Lawson H. (Mike) Hardwick, III, one of the most well-known businessmen and philanthropists in Nashville, Tennessee and around the country. He tells his story with passion and heart, from growing up as the son of a pastor, who founded a church in Nashville that grew to roughly 8,000 members during his tenure of over sixty years, to building many successful businesses, surviving depression and creating a corporate culture dedicated to serving others. His compelling story is also filled with life lessons on how to achieve a better and happier life which he shares in a lively and interesting manner. Readers from all walks of life will enjoy and learn from his many experiences and reflections as well as his captivating storytelling.

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.

Mike Hardwick is the founder and CEO of Churchill Mortgage Corporation and author of "Keep Chopping Wood".

Presidents, Kings & Convicts

From a colorful youth growing up in the governor's mansion, to a distinguished military career, and seeing firsthand the politics of world events during the second half of the twentieth century, Presidents, Kings & Convicts tells the story of Congressman Bob Clement's multifaceted life, and it reveals many previously untold stories about famous people.

This memoir narrates the shaping of his life as a moderate Democrat growing up in the south in the 1950s; it shares how Clement had a front-row seat to some of America's most significant events since World War II; it provides insights on the current crisis situations taking place in the Middle East and around the world; and it addresses the dysfunction and lack of bipartisanship among the nation's political leaders, as well as offers solutions for getting the country back on track.

Presidents, Kings & Convicts provides entertaining and captivating behind-the-scenes accounts of some of Clement's most memorable events and the people who shaped them. From personal stories of country music stars and other notable Americans, to the bipartisan meeting with the exiled king of Afghanistan and leaders of the Northern Alliance at the king's home outside Rome, Italy, Clement offers insight into his event-filled life and his storied political journey.