Meet Debra Diaz

Although Memphis is my home town, I've now lived more years in a small city in Mississippi than I lived in Memphis--and I love it! Although I was searching for the "simpler" life, I've found that things are every bit as fast-paced as in a large city, but without the traffic, the crime, etc. And I've expanded my horizons quite a bit--attended nursing school (and dropped out), held a variety of jobs, got married, had two children... In between all these things, I wrote.

My writing background includes working from home as a columnist and occasional feature writer for a local newspaper. Years later, I also worked in the editorial department, and one of my early assignments had me hanging off the edge of a highway overpass to photograph graffiti! I've won regional awards in short story writing, and I've owned and operated a writing service.

My intense love of history is a major influence on my writing. I also like to incorporate romance and suspense within a historical setting, which I accomplished with Shadow of Dawn. This book is set in Richmond, Virginia, and follows the progress of the Civil War from 1862 through 1865, although most of the action takes place within less than a year's time. Naturally, a great deal of research went into the book, and much of it was from actual journals and records of those who lived through the exciting, and yet tragic, period of the War Between the States. I've written a couple of articles for this website with some fascinating facts about the war for those who share my love of history. The Links page will also be of interest to history buffs.

For reviews of Shadow of Dawn by a best-selling author and other experts in their fields, as well as comments from readers, a synopsis of the storyline, the first chapter ... and more ... click on the links above.