I made that decision in January 1999 after a cross-country move from southern California to northern Virginia. A job change for my husband made the relocation a necessity, but it wasn't easy. I grew up in Los Angeles, attended both UCLA and UC Berkeley, and lived for eight years in a mountain community just south of Bakersfield. I'm happiest at the beach and have ridden out earthquakes. I know Interstate 5 like the back of my hand. I'm addicted to sunshine and can tolerate smog.
Packing up and moving to the East Coast was like yanking a palm tree out of the sand by its roots. Our adventure started with a cross-country drive. I'll never forget cruising down I-40 with my husband and sons in our old Dodge Ramcharger, our hearts full of excitement and nervous anticipation. Somewhere in Arizona, a thunderstorm struck fast and hard. When it cleared, we saw a double-rainbow arching over the highway. Like Noah in the days of old, I took at as a sign of a promising future and new opportunities.
For me, that meant writing a novel. As soon as we settled into our new routine in Virginia, I sat in front of the computer, named the heroine Susan because it was the first name that popped into my head, and promised myself that I wouldn't edit a word until I'd written "The End." I had no idea who Susan was or how the story would unfold. I just stuck her in a barn with a dead body and a grief-stricken rancher.
The writing wasn't very good, but something wonderful happened. Ideas came. My characters developed personalities, and I wanted to know what would happen next. That effort is under the bed gathering dust, but my second manuscript turned into Of Men and Angels, my first sale to Harlequin Historical.
Writing is a challenge and a joy, but the things in life that matter to me the most are faith, friends and family. I'm bone-deep grateful for a wonderful husband and two terrific sons who are married and on their own. I have beautiful grandkids, too! The promise of that double-rainbow in Arizona has been more than fulfilled. Life is good, and best of all, there's more to come.
Visit my website at www.victoriabylin.com
About the Author
Victoria Bylin is known for tackling tough subjects with great compassion. In 2016, Together With You won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary Romance. Her other books, including historical westerns, have finaled in the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and RT Magazine's Reviewers Choice Awards. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.
When He Found Me (Road to Refuge Book 1) Page 32
