Readers might be surprised to find that a retired motorcycle police officer writes romance novels.  Robert Wheeler, a retired Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer, has published two novels, "Love Forever Lost" and "Beyond Yesterday."  Wheeler, a Southern California native who grew up during Hollywood’s heyday of the 1940s and 1950s, retired from the LAPD in 1980.  Post retirement he worked in the film industry.  In 1994, he pursued his goal of becoming a writer and subsequently published his first novel Love Forever Lost.  He is also the author of Beyond Yesterday. 

According to the book description of Love Forever Lost, “Sonia Gills is a prosecuting attorney for the Nimes County District Attorney’s Office when she meets prison inmate Paul Williams. Paul is serving time for his participation in an armed robbery. However, there is something about the case that intrigues the ambitious young lawyer. So begins the story of Paul Williams, a handsome man who took the rap to protect Martha Janet, whom he deeply loved.

After receiving an unduly harsh sentence, he never heard from Martha Janet again. Sonia is determined to learn the reason why Martha Janet abandoned Paul. Her first major break comes when, upon the death of the prison’s warden, a cache of letters is discovered in his personal safe. The letters are the collection of undelivered correspondence between Paul and Martha Janet through ten long years. Martha Janet’s father had conspired with the warden to prevent any communication between the separated lovers. Perplexing twists begin to unravel, all unbeknownst to Paul.

Tense and powerful, teeming with likable characters, author Robert Wheeler manages his complicated plot with skillful finesse, as he weaves an electrifying story. His ending is dramatic and emotionally charged.”

According to one reader of Love Forever Lost, “I was very surprised to enjoy each character. Not only was I fooled with all the twists, and accounts of life, the story brought back memories of a love I once had. Although the ending of the book was not my life, I did in fact cry at the ending. I hope the author continues to write more novels as I am sure he will soon be on the top ten list around the nation. If he isn't, then the world of readers will be missing a valuable writer. As I mentioned, the ending really pulled at my thoughts, I wish I could ask the author who it was. I believe each reader will have their own conclusion Thank you Mr. Wheeler, you really entertained me for three days of non stop reading.

Love Forever Lost Robert Wheeler  More Info Beyond Yesterday Robert Wheeler  More Info

From the History of the Los Angeles Police Department (lapdonline.org)

Tranquility in the 1870s was something wished for but rarely attained. Increased violence went hand in hand with increased prosperity. There were laws on the books that were not or could not be enforced. A population of 5,614 patronized 285 businesses, of which 110 were saloons.

Racial discrimination was commonplace, protected under an 1850 state law and upheld by the state’s Supreme Court as follows: "No black or mulatto person, or Indian, shall be permitted to give evidence in favor of, or against, any white person. Every person who shall have one-eighth part or more of Negro blood shall be deemed a mulatto and every person who shall have one-half of Indian blood shall be deemed Indian." Later, under the same reprehensible statute, all Asians suffered a similar denial of human rights.

Los Angeles managed to survive without what could pass as a bona fide police department until 1869 when six officers were hired and paid out of funds collected, for the most part, from fines and fees. They were led by City Marshal William C. Warren, who was gifted with $50 to furnish his headquarters and $25 a month for rent. The City Marshal also served as dog catcher and tax collector, and was paid 2Ѕ percent of all tax money he collected. Gambling and prostitution went unregulated, but in 1871 entrepreneurs were required to pay license fees.