Cliff was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He has been a Military Police soldier, Army officer, pastor, and author.

He names Michael Shaara, Steven Pressfield, Louis L’Amour, and Bernard Cornwell as the most influential authors in his career.

Cliff is an avid outdoor enthusiast, spending time in the mountains along the Utah-Idaho-Wyoming borders, where he lives  with his wife and sons. During breaks in writing, he enjoys speaking at conferences and churches about King David and his warriors.

He is represented by Joel Kneedler at Alive Communications Literary Agency.