Brett grew up in OKC, OK, where he graduated from U.S. Grant. He moved to the Lake Texoma area to finish college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. He is currently in his 28th year of teaching and coaching at Kingston Public Schools. He teaches Senior English and Creative Writing. One of his main goals for his students is to spark a creative interest in narrative or poetry expression.
Hayes is married and has four sons, five grandsons, and a granddaughter due in April. He has coached his sons all their lives in football, basketball, and baseball. The idea for Hayes’ second book, Finish Strong–Hlampko Hosh Tahli (Choctaw), came about during his third son’s, Paden Bryar, senior year. On graduation night, Paden asked his father a very tough question, “Who are you, really?” Paden only knew the dad-coach and not the dad-dad.
Like Father Like Son – Paden Hayes
Paden has followed in his father’s footsteps and is coaching middle school and high school athletics. His creative contribution to the fictional novel was accurately portraying the protagonist’s son’s true feelings and dialogue toward his father.
Although the main characters were a father-son relationship, it could have easily been a father-daughter, mother-son, or mother-daughter relationship. One of the main themes of the novel is communication, or in this case a lack of. Too many times parents get caught up in ‘life’ and don’t take the time to ‘STOP’ and ‘LISTEN’ to their children or listen to God when He wants to hear from them. Be a good communicator, but more importantly–Be a great listener! It’s never too late–Finish Strong–Hlampko Hosh Tahli!!!
THE RUNNING MOON
Native American Bryson Keahbone, a marathon champion, turns his back on the running world and society after the death of his wife. He spends the next two years running from the demons of his past, feeling like he is cursed for everyone that he has ever loved meets a tragic death.
Bryson returns to his native home deep in the black hills of southeastern Oklahoma, where he butts heads with his new, beautiful, control-freak boss, Principal Piper Hitchcock, who distrusts men due to an unfaithful ex-husband. Through Bryson’s friendship with Piper’s son, Jared, they both lower their protective wall around their hearts and begin to fall in love.
But like everything else in Bryson’s life, it would not last. Piper and Jared are kidnapped by a land-hungry demonic family, the Mongers. The only way Bryson can save them is to participate in the Mongers’ murderous game, the Running Moon. As Bryson competes, he must draw on his ancestral skills along with the help of a mysterious wolf to survive the game. During the Running Moon, Bryson makes a startling discovery that will change his life forever.
Finish Strong: Hlampko Hosh Tahli
“Hlampko Hosh Tahli”-Chahta for Finish Strong-has been a life force phrase that has been handed down along with a mysterious bullet for four generations of the Callaway family, dating all the way back to pre-statehood Oklahoma/Indian Territory. Deacon Callaway was more than ready to complete the fifth-generation cycle of sharing the story behind the phrase and passing the bullet on the chain to his eighteen year-old son, Bryar, during their scheduled float trip.
Life is but a mist-
Following sudden, unexpected news, Deacon lowers his barriers during their trip. However, before he can fully explain, they are viciously attacked. Deacon must answer the rallying cry of finish strong, drawing from God’s strength, his military training, Chahta heritage, and Bryar’s bravery to defeat the enemy that has attacked them.
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Dawn Corbett is a driven, self-motivated, elementary educator, and a molder of young minds. She has taught in public education for twenty plus years. Creating original content is something that she is passionate about and gets excited about. She knows the value of confidentiality, cooperation, and being a team player. Working as an editor and blog writer has given her a valuable opportunities to develop her own intellect and a different perspective on how to respectfully communicate with others in different styles.