About Rachel

Amazon Best Selling Author

My Story

I’m Rachel D. Russell, author, wife, mom, and bibliophile.

It’s true–I always wanted to be a writer, however, I took a long, winding road to get here.

Being super practical, I ignored my dream of being a writer (“Who can make a living that way?”) and pursued a degree in biology with a chemistry minor. That led me to a position as a park ranger. Which led me to working as a reserve police officer.

Which–wait for it–led me to federal corrections.

Over the next couple of years, I switched federal agencies two more times and that’s where my writing rediscovered me several years ago.

I started taking writing courses online, discovered Oregon Christian Writers, and attended workshops. I joined a local craft & critique group.

In December 2017, I began working with Susan May Warren at My Book Therapy through Novel Academy and the Storycrafters program. Her instruction and mentoring have revolutionized my writing and it’s been an honor to learn from her and the MBT staff.

In fall of 2019, I signed a contract with Sunrise Publishing for two books in the new Deep Haven Collection and my debut novel, Still the One, released in January 2021. My second novel, Then Came You, released in July 2021.

I have since signed another book contract for a third novel, also set in Deep Haven, that will be part of a three-book extended Deep Haven Collection.

I hope you’ll find my heroes and heroines are imperfect people. The exciting part is to see how they grow through the course of the novel.

God had a master plan, and He has guided the tapestry of my life, moving me on from law enforcement, weaving in a husband and two children, bringing me back to the desire of my heart.

And so, I write.

When I’m not typing away at my keyboard, I’m also a voracious reader, avid equestrienne, cat-fan, and believe humor is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

I’m a member of Oregon Christian Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and a blogger for My Book Therapy’s Learn How to Write a Novel blog.