Teri Vance: Novelist to donate to Wounded Warriors

Chuck Pumphrey’s debut novel, “Body Trap,” came as a bit of a shock, even to himself.

“I surprised myself,” he said. “It took about five years to write.”

But the decision to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project came naturally.

“I’m a Vietnam vet and a disabled vet,” he said. “I come from a long line of soldiers. We’re a military family, it’s in my blood.”

Released last month, “Body Trap,” is a fantasy novel that follows Bernie through his recollection of his many lives, beginning with the Spanish Inquisition where he was burned at the stake for witchcraft.

Throughout the book, which begins when he’s in a coma-like state, he eventually recalls all of his experiences in his various lives.

“It’s a good story,” Pumphrey said.

Pumphrey, who served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1996 — active service, reserves and National Guard — moved to Dayton from Palmdale, Calif., about two years ago.

He said the book was originally rejected, but he got a call in 2013 saying the genre was hot and asking him to resubmit.

With some extensive edits and refining, he said, it was ready to go.

“One day, lo and behold, I opened a little box and there was the book,” he said.

He’s pledging 20 percent of the profits from his book sales — including two subsequent books planned in the trilogy, “Sanctuary Catch” and “Ensnared” — to the Wounded Warrior Project, which raises awareness and enlists the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.

“I have severe PTSD, and I go to the VA in Reno, which has been absolutely wonderful in helping me,” he said. “I see my fellow soldiers in various states of need. Anything I can generate will be a step in the right direction for them.”

Find his book at amazon.com.