Debut Author Spotlight ... Raquel Byrnes

A HEART FOR WRITING

by Raquel Byrnes

The Lord designed my heart to love writing. From my mother and father who fostered reading over television, to encouraging teachers, I grew up surrounded by people with a passion for the written word.

I’ve created stories for as far back I can remember. As a young child I’d draw out story scenes and act them out with my siblings and friends. One thing I do know is that they always had adventure and action in them.

A military brat, my family often moved every two years making me the perpetual new kid on the block. I was painfully shy and used stories I’d picked up from my many “hometowns” to break the ice. I shared tales from my years on Whidbey Island hunting for blue crabs on the stone shores and how I used to think Santa flew a helicopter because that is how he arrived for our Christmas party with my father’s Marine unit. Stories have always played a huge part of my life.

Throughout high school and college I continued to fill black and white composition books with whatever came to mind but it wasn’t until my husband encouraged me to take writing courses that I really fell in love with the craft. I dove in and found bliss. This was definitely my passion.

My husband and I felt led to homeschool our children and without understanding what the Lord was doing, I followed Him into the intimidating world of teaching. I loved it! Now, ten years later, my eldest is in high school and we are thriving in the homeschool lifestyle. An unexpected blessing was the time to write.

People often ask how I find the time to write with six children. Let me tell you, when we are all snuggling together on the couch reading, I get some great stuff written. Laptops are portable. Fencing lessons, swimming lessons, those hour-long wait times are golden writing opportunities. Have outline – will travel is my motto.

I began writing romantic suspense and found my calling. I love to create amazing stories of love and adventure with an edge-of-your-seat pace. This past year my Shades of Hope Series was picked up by White Rose Publishing. The first book in the series releases later this year. Purple Knot is a novel about a spunky private detective who teams up with her ex-fiancé to solve her best friend’s murder. It’s filled with Faith, Love and Adventure; the major ingredients in all of my stories.

I strive to create characters that highlight the trials and triumphs that we face in the real world. From helping a friend in a desperate situation to understanding the heartbreak of a child in foster care, I believe that inspirational fiction is a ministry. Sometimes taking a spiritual journey with a character you identify with can open up your eyes to the awesome generosity of the Lord.

PURPLE KNOT

by Raquel Byrnes

White Rose Publishing, June 2011
362 pages

A killer strikes.
A love rekindled.
A life-altering choice.

When her best friend is murdered, Reyna Cruz doesn't believe the police have the whole story. An investigator by trade, she has the talent to track Summer's killer, but when clues lead to a family connection and a vicious gang, she suddenly becomes the hunted. At the end of her rope, Reyna must decide to trust the God she believes abandoned her.

Wanting justice for his sister's murder, lawyer Jimmy Corbeau agrees to help Reyna-even though she's his ex-fiancé, and their break-up devastated him. Romance is reawakened, but so are memories of their tragic undoing. Jimmy must decide if he will fight for a future with Reyna or allow their past to derail the investigation and his second chance at love.

When the investigation goes awry and Summer's infant daughter is kidnapped, Reyna must put her life on the line. Will Jimmy and Reyna survive the desperate measures it takes to recover his niece, catch a killer, and secure a happily-ever-after for them all?

Raquel Byrnes lives in Southern, California with her husband of sixteen years and their six children. She considers inspirational fiction a wonderful way to minister to others. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-your-seat pace.

Visit her at www.raquelbyrnes.com or on her blog, Edge of Your Seat Romance, at http://www.nitewriter6.blogspot.com/.