About the Author

From the time Deborah Raney opened the cover of "Tip and Mitten" in first grade, she has loved to read. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, Deb was inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s popular "Little House on the Prairie" series, and first tried her hand at novel writing at the age of twelve. However, after accidentally putting airplanes in a story set in the 1700s, Deb tore up her manuscript in frustration and vowed never to write historical fiction again. More than a quarter of a century passed before she dared to attempt another book.

After spending two happy decades as an at-home mom to two sons and two daughters, Deborah finally began work on her first novel––a contemporary story––after an intriguing discussion about Alzheimer's disease with her husband, Ken, and the couple’s teenage children. Drawing on her experiences working in a New York nursing home early in her marriage, Deborah crafted a fictional account of one family's struggle with Alzheimer's disease. A VOW TO CHERISH was published by Bethany House Publishers in 1996. The book was a 1997 winner of the Angel Award given by Excellence in Media. It has been translated into the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian languages, and is also available in a hardcover large-print edition from Thorndike Press. The novel is now out of print, but Deborah recently completed an update/rewrite to be reissued by Steeple Hill Books in 2006.

A VOW TO CHERISH was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title. The made-for-television movie aired in 200 major markets in September 1999 and again in December 2004. The movie is now available on video and on DVD in seven languages. See photos of the Hollywood PREMIERE of A VOW TO CHERISH, which Ken and Deborah attended in June 1999.
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Deborah's next novel, OVER THE WATERS, will be released by Steeple Hill Books in October 2005. The story was inspired by Deborah's parents' work with a children's home near Port au Prince, Haiti.

Her 2004 novel, A NEST OF SPARROWS from WaterBrook Press, was reviewed in Publishers Weekly, which said: "In this thoughtful novel by Raney...multifaceted characters and a fresh story line keep the pages turning. Raney intertwines poignant moments with genuine humor... This is one of Raney's best novels..."

PLAYING BY HEART , a touching romantic comedy from Barbour Publishing , was a 2004 finalist for the Christy Award created to honor novels of excellence in Christian publishing.

AFTER THE RAINS, the sequel to the award-winning BENEATH A SOUTHERN SKY is a nominee for Romantic Times Book Club’s 2002 Reviewers Choice Award. BENEATH A SOUTHERN SKY was the winner of five awards, including the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. It tied for first 2002 Faith, Hope & Love Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and was named Best Inspirational Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award.

Two other novels, IN THE STILL OF NIGHT and KINDRED BOND (both from BHP), are also sensitive portrayals of family struggles and relationships. In addition, Raney has coauthored a nonfiction book, CHILDREN'S SERMONS TO GO (Abingdon Press), with her sister, Vicky Miller. A second edition, MORE CHILDREN'S SERMONS TO GO, is also available, with 52 new object lessons suitable for children's sermons, Christian education classes, family devotions or home-school lessons.

Deborah has written essays and articles for such publications as Christian Parenting Today, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, Writer's Digest's Writing Success, Welcome Home, and Mom-To-Mom. Her short story, "Haiti Song," appears in THE STORYTELLERS' COLLECTION--TALES OF FARAWAY PLACES, a project of ChiLibris, an authors' group which donates all royalties to The Jesus Film Project. Another story, "Prairie Lessons," appears in the second edition, TALES FROM HOME. She has also contributed to TEATIME STORIES FOR WOMEN and TEATIME STORIES FOR MOTHERS (Honor Books/River Oak).

Deborah's biography is featured in Diane Eble's book, BEHIND THE STORIES (Bethany House Publishers 2002).

Deborah writes from her home in a small Kansas town, where her husband works as an artist and advertising manager. The Raneys have four children. They love small town life and are active in their church and community in a variety of ways.