Bruckner, Harald Lutz: - I was born in Germany during turbulent times and ventured to the New World where I've spent most of my adult life. My work and educational adventures have taken me from merchandising/retailing, the teaching of German and World Literature, to an academic career in Audiology, and the challenges of working with hard-of-hearing and deaf children and adults. Among my favorite academic subjects to teach were offerings in sign language. In 1981, I discovered the magic of painting in transparent watercolors and have never stopped painting. Moving to sunny Arizona from the High Country of Colorado in 2003, caused a major shift in my subject matter, changing from a primarily realistic orientation to one of total abstraction. Since my retirement from Academia, I've pursued my passions for travel, art, music, and the enjoyment of writing. The Merchant of Texas is my thirteenth novel brought to publication in the last eight years.