Deborah Maxey’s passion for stories began as an eavesdropping child who found the tales of adults intriguing. Her love for people, insight into emotions, and desire to be of service, steered her to become a counselor. She developed a specialty in trauma and attachment, appearing as an expert witness in court hundreds of times, testifying for abused and neglected children. Training foster parents and other therapist on how to nurture relationships with traumatized children expanded her reach. As she practiced, her “writer self” was being fully developed. Along with a PhD in counseling Deborah sought to learn through college classes, conferences and coaching how to sharpen her writing skills, so that she could weave a great tapestry for readers, with rich characters that live out true emotions amid life’s plot twists. When she was called to be re-purposed, she closed her counseling practice and now devotes herself full time to writing Christian fiction, short stories, and devotions. Her work winning numerous awards. As wife, mother, grandmother, and worship leader at her church, Deborah leads a joyous life with her husband in their home on a small lake in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where two little Yorkshire Terriers rule the roost. Her favorite cathedral for prayer and worship are her daily walks deep in the forest. An award-winning fine artist, Deborah paints large oil canvases in the style of photorealism. Her art sales helped fund her doctorate and provide a rich knowledge base for her characters living in an art colony. Deborah proudly proclaims she is an Appalachian writer with deep ancestral roots. All things Appalachian: the topography, people, faith, dialect, traditions, values, recipes, and culture, fuel her imagination, propelling her to share her inner world through well-crafted words.