Tonya F. McKinley was born in Neptune, New Jersey, on June 11, 1970.  She aspired to be an author for several years. Struggling to write a topic she was passionate about, she was motivated by a story of a young black female college student who went missing in Miami. The lack of media coverage surrounding her disappearance ignited the author’s creative desire to write her first novel, Hidden Tears at Lake Cascade. Working in Management for a Fortune 500 Telecommunications company, she realized that if she was able to inspire one employee to contribute to the success of the company through effective communication, her goal was achieved.  The writer used this type of inspiration and attention to detail to become the voice of so many young girls who went missing and their stories are silenced and unheard.    She is a member of the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.  She resides in Central Jersey. Currently, Tonya is working on the second installment of Hidden Tears at Lake Cascade, expected to be released spring 2011.