Our family's story of adventure, mysteries, and tragedy
Date Published: November 4, 2025
Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing
This book is for anyone who has stood at the edge of heartbreak and wondered if joy could still be real. Through lyrical storytelling and honest reflection, My Mountains offers hope without platitudes and peace without pretending. It reminds us that we’re not alone on the trail—and that sometimes, the steepest paths lead to the most beautiful views.
Whether you are grieving, searching, or simply longing for beauty again, this book will walk beside you—and leave you changed.
Interview with Chris Smith
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I had no idea what publishing a book entailed when I started, but a couple very successful author friends encouraged me to write my story. Like many things in life, every step felt scary. Just putting my thoughts down seemed daunting. Organizing the flow of the story seemed difficult. Finding a cover designer was difficult, and I had no idea of what I wanted. I can’t wait to write another book, not having those worries hunched over me while trying to express myself and create something.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
In high school, my best friend’s dad wrote a successful story about his work as a missionary in the jungles of Irian Jya, Indonesia. It was captivating hearing how he lived among headhunters and cannibals, with my friend as a 1-year-old baby. I began searching for every missionary story I could find. Stories became my passion, and it expanded to other genres, and led to home schooling my 6 children and reading aloud classic stories like Les Miserables, and The Scottish Chiefs and Little Women.
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I have 12 businesses. I am in the process of selling 6 of them to be able to focus on writing a second book. I absolutely love finding the right words to tell a gripping story.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I’m always looking for discovery, especially in nature, and with kids. I have 22 grandchildren. When each of them turn double digits (10), we plan a big adventure somewhere in the world. So far we discovered Madeira (Portugal), Bali (Indonesia), and lots of museums in the USA
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
My oldest granddaughter is 16 years old and quite reclusive. She loves drawing and writing. She has written a full dragon fantasy book already. I’ve been coaching her a little, but it really excited me to see her engage with other local authors at a local book signing I was in. It really excited her to meet other authors, especially another young lady who has successfully published some fantasy novels. I wish I was able to meet published authors when I was young.
What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?
When I let my wife read my manuscript for the first time, she was very quiet for a couple of days afterwards. I was worried she didn’t like it, and would tell me I wasted all that time writing. When I finally asked her what she thought, she started crying and asked why I didn’t use such nice words when I talked to her in real life. I told her it took me 2 and ½ years to come up with all those “nice” words. I made her watch the movie Cirano de Bergerac, and told her I was the handsome dud with no wit. I told her I was not the Cirano character who spun prose on the fly.
Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?
I read constantly. Often personal and business development. After a while those become predictable, and you find you don’t even need to finish them. I enjoy fiction also, but sometimes I find reading them empty as they aren’t real. When I’m reading personal development books, I skim through much of the “how to” sections but read every word of the personal story set up for each chapter lesson. I love stories. I love telling stories. Telling kids stories around a campfire on a camping trip are some of the most memorable times I’ve ever had. My book was written to be told around a campfire to my kids and grandchildren. It is a very lyrical memoir, that feels much like a novel. It is not a chronological biography. It is scene after scene that keeps you living in the story as one of the participants not able to put it down.
About the Author
Chris Smith is an entrepreneur and owner of multiple healthcare businesses across five states. He’s a father of six, grandfather of fifteen, and a natural leader who inspires others to pursue meaningful missions.
He feels closest to God in the mountains—hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and finding peace in wild places. My Mountains is his invitation to walk through hardship, hope, and the sacred beauty of life.
Chris loves people (but not crowds), old books, big views, and a life that’s honest, hard, and full of purpose.
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