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click here for Book Purchasing OptionsMeet Sali Gear
Sali Gear is a retired Navy jet pilot, a nationally recognized Examiner and Clinician for the U.S. Pony Club, and a force of nature both in the skies and on the ground. Raised on the island of in the U.S. Virgin Islands and spending summers in New England, Sali developed a deep love for both adventure and animals early in life.
After earning her degree from the University of Florida, she was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, where she went on to fly high-performance jets and lead with precision and courage. A humanitarian at heart, Sali combined her passion for service and animals by founding Island Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to saving neglected and abandoned dogs.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma’s catastrophic destruction, Sali Gear sprang into action—not as a bystander, but as a seasoned leader driven by compassion. With the U.S. Virgin Islands reeling from the storm, Sali saw the heartbreaking crisis facing hundreds of displaced and abandoned people and animals.
In the wake of Hurricane
Determined to make a difference, she mobilized a large-scale, multi-island rescue operation—one that would come to be recognized as a model of grassroots humanitarian response. Drawing on her military training, aviation expertise, and an impressive network of contacts, Sali orchestrated a complex and time-sensitive mission.
Working under intense pressure and often in rapidly changing conditions, she personally oversaw the rescue, medical clearance, and safe transport of over 400 dogs and cats, airlifting them from devastated shelters and streets to safe havens on the U.S. mainland where they could be adopted into loving homes.
Her efforts not only saved lives—they sparked national attention and inspired others to act.Today, Sali continues to take to the skies as a commercial airline pilot, where she brings the same extraordinary blend of discipline, empathy, and leadership to her everyday work.
Whether she’s mentoring young aviators, flying international routes, or championing animal rescue initiatives around the globe, Sali Gear is proof that courage isn’t just about what you do in the cockpit—it’s about what you do with your whole heart.
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Meet Debra Parmley
Published since 2008, bestselling, award-winning, author Debra Parmley is a multi-genre author with more than 38 books in print. A Gemini, born June 7th, and sharing a birthday with Prince, Debra loves purple, imagining stories, and playing with words. She has written romantic suspense, military and contemporary romance, historical romance, urban fantasy romance, and poetry.
An adventurous author and world traveler, Debra has visited over 13 countries and climbs lighthouses because she is afraid of heights. In 2020 she and her husband sold their house and moved into a motorhome full-time to travel the U.S. As Debra Bishop, she writes fairytales and fantasy. Debra’s adventurous spirit extends far beyond the page—she has swum with dolphins off the island of Moorea in French Polynesia, walked the plank of a pirate ship in Grand Cayman, sailed on numerous cruises, and even escorted a bus tour through Scotland as a travel agent.
Married to her high school sweetheart for 44 years, whom she boldly asked out on a five-dollar bet, Debra draws inspiration from her Air Force veteran husband, often giving her military heroes the kind of happily-ever-after she believes they deserve.In June 2023, Debra faced the life-changing challenge of a brain blood clot that left her disabled.
Refusing to let this dim her creative fire, she moved near Chapel Hill, NC in 2024 to receive specialized neural physical therapy at UNC and continues to write and travel. Her belief that “every day we are alive is a beautiful day” infuses her life and every story she tells, whether she’s crafting heart-pounding romantic suspense or whimsical children’s fairytales.
Check out her work at:
DEBRAPARMLEY.COM
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We love sharing through our writing but Sali has always been the real hero in this journey. We look forward to hearing from fans of our fantastic heroine, Rawley West, and please… if you like the story, pass it on to your friends and family!