Book signing: “In the Eye of the Hawk” by Rex Barton

7 Cedars Casino, 270756 U.S. Highway 101, Sequim

Books available in the foyer from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28

Look for his book at major online publishers and through www.Rexbarton.net

Rex Summerford says he’s lived a colorful, adventure-filled life, but now the 73-year-old writer is about to do something for the first time.

He’s signing his first book “In the Eye of the Hawk” at 7 Cedars Casino, from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28.

The retired military and law enforcement man has turned his attention to writing with his life as inspiration. Shortly after moving to Sequim in October 2013, Summerford learned he had a brain tumor, which prompted him to reflect on his life. Doctors removed about 60 percent of the tumor and he continues to take chemotherapy drugs three days a week to reduce the rest of it, Summerford said.

But the news has created a new passion in him to tell his stories, he said.

Summerford first wrote his autobiography, “What If” about his experiences in law enforcement and serving as a military policeman in Germany in the 1960s. But he opted to release his adventure novel “In the Eye of the Hawk” first because he wanted to create a name for himself.

Using his father’s last name, Barton, as a pen name, he’s written several books and plans to release them starting this January or February with “The Mongoose Diaries,” a sequel to “In the Eye of the Hawk.”

Summerford said part of his books focus on his time in Germany helping refugees escape divided Germany and later his black ops missions working in Santa Barbara.

He recalls an incident where he was helping seven refugees in Germany escape through a border crossing when a security guard was closing in on them. A horn went off, Summerford said, and with the refugees by him in a ditch, he sprung up and killed the guard.

“That set the tone for my military career,” he said.

From here, Summerford has crafted his life stories, aside from his autobiography, into fictionalized versions of accounts like this.

Summerford’s book is available through major booksellers in softcover, hardback and digital versions and at his website www.Rexbarton.net. Look for “The Mongoose Diaries” in the coming months.