Bio
Rachel writes novels filled with murder, mayhem, and romance that leave her readers reeling, hearts pounding, wildly hanging on through shocking twists and turns.
SIDE NOTE: A nightlight may be required. Some bleary-eyed mornings have been known to occur. Coffee is recommended.
Rachel began weaving tales well before she could actually write. Those early stories included danger and mystery, Barbies and G.I. Joes, a few sensational heroes and their villainous counterparts. Sometimes the hero had to time warp through a hole in her backyard to save the damsel in distress, and sometimes he only had to outwit the aforementioned villain.
Nowadays, she leaves the Barbies to her Extremely Cute Toddler (follow ECT’s antics on Facebook) and when she’s not riveting readers with the chaotic and sizzling mess of her character’s lives, she can be found poolside with her husband, toddler, and a super snuggly dog.
She enjoys football, reading, spending time with her daughter, and discussing the NFL draft with her husband. She also loves anything to do with the FBI, law enforcement, the military, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Book Spotlight: Disclaimer from author: No sex scenes. PG-13 on the language.
If seeing is believing, then forget what you know...
Prison Chaplain Dexter Knight is determined to move past one horror-filled December day—in fact, he has. He's even forgiven the woman responsible for his near-death.
Now if only he could shake the empty void in a place he knows was not always that way. If he could remember a woman well beyond her importance in his life, beyond the figment of his imagination his family assumes he created post-trauma, and the fragmented dreams he swears are real.
Internal Affairs Agent Charleen Davis wants nothing more than to fade back into her behind-the-scenes life. A string of undercover ops have left her with an entourage of concerned and overly involved friends, a sudden vested interest in Knight's Rescue Mission, and a therapist salivating over the thought of ending life as Charleen knows it.
But the information is already in the wrong hands and silencing Charleen is the beginning to an absolute end, where taking down innocent people is a foregone conclusion.
Hiding out is no longer an option. If Charleen hopes to beat this phantom, she'll need the one man who might dislike her more than the woman who nearly took his life. Because he—and his mysteriously absent wife—might be the only thing standing between her and death.
Between her and those dreams that aren't what they seem, because they aren't dreams at all.
Some secrets must be guarded. Some heroes aren't born.
They're revived.
**This book is part of a series. Reading the books in order will heighten your enjoyment of the characters within each story.**
Prison Chaplain Dexter Knight is determined to move past one horror-filled December day—in fact, he has. He's even forgiven the woman responsible for his near-death.
Now if only he could shake the empty void in a place he knows was not always that way. If he could remember a woman well beyond her importance in his life, beyond the figment of his imagination his family assumes he created post-trauma, and the fragmented dreams he swears are real.
Internal Affairs Agent Charleen Davis wants nothing more than to fade back into her behind-the-scenes life. A string of undercover ops have left her with an entourage of concerned and overly involved friends, a sudden vested interest in Knight's Rescue Mission, and a therapist salivating over the thought of ending life as Charleen knows it.
But the information is already in the wrong hands and silencing Charleen is the beginning to an absolute end, where taking down innocent people is a foregone conclusion.
Hiding out is no longer an option. If Charleen hopes to beat this phantom, she'll need the one man who might dislike her more than the woman who nearly took his life. Because he—and his mysteriously absent wife—might be the only thing standing between her and death.
Between her and those dreams that aren't what they seem, because they aren't dreams at all.
Some secrets must be guarded. Some heroes aren't born.
They're revived.
**This book is part of a series. Reading the books in order will heighten your enjoyment of the characters within each story.**
Interview
Not too many at this point. However, with the novel I’m currently working on (tentatively titled Threshold of Danger), there will be a few adventures I plan to experience right alongside them (fighter jets, anyone?). Join my mailing list for the exclusive details.
2 Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Yes. Twice. Once when I was too young to really understand anything about the writing process and a second time when I published my first novel, Linked. I never could come up with a name I liked—which is a little humorous given the number of names I match to the characters running around in my head.
3 What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Editor. Hands down. As a writer you are the hero, heroine, villain, and sidekick all rolled into one. The characters are distinct and vivid, every finite detail categorized. It can be difficult to see beyond this fictitious world of drama and intrigue. A good editor catches your grammatical errors and plot holes. A great editor jumps alongside your characters, wrangles those villainous writing issues, and helps you grow as an author. I can’t thank Lora Doncea at EditsbyLora.com enough. She’s got some great articles for the aspiring writers and readers alike.
4 How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Five. This is a rough guess, however. Only one of them is finished. Its original title was Given to Fear and featured my current series’ (Echoes of the Past) parents as they ventured through peril and deceit in order to discover love.
5 What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I’m somewhat of a seat-of-the-pants writer and my research is much the same. I’m slowly moving away from this practice, however. A little change is good, right?
6 What did you edit out of this book?
I always remove a good deal of detail/scenes from every book. With Knight Revival (on SALE for $0.99 for a limited time) I deleted about 20,000 words. It was, by far, the most challenging and rewarding novel I’ve ever written.
Prison Chaplain Dexter Knight is calm. Detective Charleen Davis is chaos. Only one of those emotions will keep them safe. Read an excerpt here.
7 Does your family support your career as a writer?
Absolutely. That’s not to say that there isn’t some juggling that occurs when I’m on a deadline (read: LOTS of pizza). My husband and #ECT (extremely cute toddler) are super easygoing and keep me sane.
Where to find Rachel:
GiveAway
To be entered for an Ebook copy of Knight Revival. Comment below but BE SURE TO LEAVE CONTACT INFO.
Thank you for the interview! Rachel Trautmiller is a great author!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview! Rachel Trautmiller is a great author!
ReplyDeleteHi,my name is Linda and I am one the Mistress if Mayhem's greatest supporters.
ReplyDeleteI love her books and I have lost of sleep after a reading marathon.
I must say I'm a Sweet Tea Southern Lady no coffee.
Thanks for the interview.
BTW, Skol Rachel.
Enjoyed the interview. I love Rachel's books. Don't include me in the drawing since I already have a copy.
ReplyDeleteNew author for me. cheetahthecat1986@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed meeting Rachel. Thanks for your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm always on the outlook for new authors and books that our church library readers would enjoy. Can't wait to read her books.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com