Jarrod Guyer

For years, I followed a predictable routine-waking early, commuting, working, and repeating. It was the American Dream, built on hard work, yet something felt missing. But everything changed in early 2024.

One morning, after gymnastics, my wfe and daughter were in a near-fatal car accident when another driver mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake. The call still haunts me. My daughter suffered a broken leg and fractured arm, but thanks to proper car seat usage, her injuries weren't worse. My wife's injuries were severe-multiple surgeries, months in a wheelchair, and grueling physical therapy. During that time, I stepped away from work, compounding the stress of an already overwhelming situation.

As the world felt increasingly chaotic, we realized how lucky we were. Yet, we had been living as if we had endless time, stuck in routines that lacked meaning. So, we made a decision that everyone thought was crazy. We sold everything-our home, possessions, and the life we had built-to seek something new. With no set destination, we began traveling as a family, not just searching for a new home but for a new way of life.

During our journey, I rediscovered my love for art, sketching our travels and writing reflections. Over time, these sketches and notes became short stories, then deeper narratives. I wrote down old memories, blending them with imagined worlds, until I realized I wasn't just recording thoughts-I was creating something new. Writing became more than an outlet; it became a passion. I wanted to tell a story of someone misunderstood, facing adversity, struggling, yet pushing forward. I wanted a story as complicated as life itself-entertaining, raw, and relatable.

Between airports, train rides, and moving every few weeks, all those fragments came together to form Shadows & Secrets. Writing while constantly on the move was a challenge, but finishing that book was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

That journey didn't end with one book. Seeing readers connect with Shadows & Secrets deepened my purpose. Now, as I continue traveling with my incredible family, I'm already working on my second book and drafting my third. Most days, I'm sketching, writing, or cooking after a day of exploring. And hopefully, you'll pick up my books and find them just as entertaining and thought-provoking as I intended them to be.