I could tell you I’m a USA TODAY bestselling author, but you could just as easily find that on Amazon. I write paranormal romance, urban fantasy, sweet holiday romance, and I’m working on my first solo psychological suspense/thriller. Soon, I’ll have an additional pen name for the latter. I love animals, particularly dogs, cats, and horses, and I believe in their right to a quality life. Here, I’d like to tell you about things you won’t find on Amazon.
I’ve always been a musician and writer while working as an after school site director, choral director, band director, university student advisor, college career counselor, mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor, social services liaison, editor, college entrance exam instructor, and an algebra, statistics, and writing tutor. Yep, no shortage of interests, here. LOL Despite all of that, it never occurred to me that I could actually publish any of my stories until much later, after winning a contest. It was also following a divorce, so I felt as if a large block of time had been magically revealed to me.
I studied classical piano and voice in college and received my bachelor’s degree in piano and vocal performance. Later, I received my master’s in counseling psychology and I’m a doctoral candidate in instructional design, ABD; however, I have no plans to complete my dissertation. While working on my doctorate, I was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to start dialysis. The illness and treatment changed my life in so many ways, I no longer had an interest in graduate school.
I hate unnecessary paperwork; I love people overall; but there are a few things I don’t tolerate well: people who hurt other living creatures that are unable to defend themselves equitably; bullies who enjoy arguing and creating havoc; people who value their own rights at the expense of others; people with the self control of toddlers, who think it makes them look smart to spout off argumentative nonsense and resort to name calling at the drop of a hat; and people who think they are better than others.
I love to dance, sing, play piano and other instruments, draw, paint, read, and create other forms of art, play with my dog, and binge watch action and paranormal shows, not necessarily in that order.
Authors who inspired me most are the late greats, James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, Leslie Esdaile Banks (LA Banks), and Patricia Highsmith, the still going strong Tananarive Due and Jacquelyn Carey, the ever popular Sherrilyn Kenyon, Nalini Singh, J.R. Ward, and the master, Stephen King.
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Email me: dariel@darielraye.com
Yep, that’s me in my Dad’s work boots. Daddy’s girl all the way.
It’s hard for me to remember a time when I did not love books and reading. I’ve also always loved anything paranormal, supernatural, and psychological, so naturally, I combined those elements when I started writing professionally.
Although I’ve always loved reading, I came to romance novels much later in life – after graduate school, in fact. My stories highlight interracial/multicultural relationships at their best. In my world, love truly does conquer all.
After over 20 years of work as a mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor, and college career counselor, I appreciate the value of finding a pleasant escape from the pressures of life. I’m an animal rights advocate, musician, and artist, and my favorite thing to do is spend time with my dog.
Come along with me and meet shifters, Nephilim, angels, demons, fey (alternate spelling), and other creatures that happen to speak to me or visit me in dreams. Recently, I’ve started a sweet Christmas romance series, 2 psychological suspense/thrillers, and a supernatural thriller series with romantic elements.
You’ll find my hangouts on this page, so join me in as many as you like. In the other picture, I’m in my high school band uniform 🙂
