Thomas Martin (b. 1980) is a native of Dundalk, Co. Louth, in the Republic of Ireland. While on a United Nations peacekeeping tour of duty in the Middle East as a member of the Irish Defence Forces, he opted to use his free time in what proved to be the most enjoyable and gratifying of ways. Hidden from prying eyes beneath a patched-up mosquito net and armed only with his trusted laptop, he set about freeing The Life and Times of Mr. Joseph Soap from his imagination. As an avid reader of autobiographies by distinguished public figures, Thomas had the idea of the 'everyday person in the street' joining the ranks of the great and the good on the nation's bookshelves, by penning his or her own life's story. Rather than relying upon epic encounters or scandalous tales often found in 'celebrity autobiographies', he wanted to write a book that proved that each one of us has a worthwhile story to tell, and free from the blinding showbiz spotlight, we all still live lives which are worth documenting for future generations to come. In addition to reading, Thomas's interests include current affairs and travel. He married Si�n in 2011 and describes himself as being very happily married. The Life and Times of Mr. Joseph Soap is his first novel. Find out more at www.thomasmartin.ie Or, follow him on social media at: Facebook.com/thomasmartinauthor and Twitter.com/thomasmartinaut