The Inspiration behind Novel Ruby Dawn

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I’ve invited Raquel Byrnes to share with us what inspired her to write Ruby Dawn (the book I introduced to you on Monday.

Take it away, Raquel…

Of the six children the Lord has blessed me with; four of them are adopted from the foster care system. During that journey to completing our family, I met some incredibly dedicated people and some that weren’t so great during the process of adopting.

What I noticed most of all was that a great many of the children become teens and then adults without ever being adopted. I wondered what God would do with someone who had been tossed about in the winds of this system. I know that many come in contact with loving, godly caretakers and workers and that seeds of hope and faith are planted in the hearts of these kids. How might the Lord bring them through this time and what kind of faith grows from trials at such a young age, I wondered.

The story of Ruby and Tom is close to my heart. Two souls who find each other in a dangerous place only to believe they’ve lost each other after a tragic accident. First loves, feeling that you’re alone in your faith, and seeing the amazing work God can do in the life of someone willing to surrender their heart and soul are subjects that really move me as a writer.

I have often found that when we feel most vulnerable and weak the Lord shows us how strong our hearts can be when fortified with faith.

Sometimes you have to trust in God’s promises, despite what it looks like at the moment.
–Ruby, age 16, Dresden Detention Center

Ruby Dawn explores the power of faith and the choice to trust God in the face of losing all that we love.

Thanks so much, for sharing with us today, Raquel. Wow, you must be one busy woman raising and homeschooling your brood in addition to carving out time to write.

Your Turn: Readers do you have any questions for Raquel?

I’ll start…Raquel, when do you find time to write?

Ruby Dawn and Forgiveness

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I’m excited to share with you today a bit about Ruby Dawn, a new release from Raquel Byrnes, a fellow writer with Hartline Literary Agency.  

The book just released so I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Raquel handled some elements similar to those in my upcoming release. (i.e. forgiveness, a past in youth detention, and a drug sting).

Here’s the back cover blurb:

A Painful Past.
A former street kid, Ruby now reaches out to runaways through her medical clinic in the worst part of the city, but her escalating battle with a gang leader puts that in jeopardy.
 A Love Returns.
Cavalier, a risk-taker, charming… Ruby’s first love is now on the right side of the law and the center of a dangerous DEA sting involving her clinic.  Tom’s disappearance ten years ago broke her heart and rattled her faith. As their romance relights, memories of what it costs to love him flood her with fear.
A Desperate Plan.
Ruby’s battle with the gang ignites a firestorm of danger, and a pattern of lies from within her own camp emerges. With Tom’s life in the balance and her world cast in shadows, can Ruby trust God as she once did…or has she strayed too far, for too long to ever return?  

So… here’s our discussion question for today…

Ruby once believed that God could make incredible changes in people, but when she encounters a dangerous person from her past, her faith is put to the test.

Your Turn: Has someone hurt you in the past returned and asked for forgiveness? Did you find it difficult to open your heart to them again? Is there a scripture verse that spoke to you?