Debra Jayne East was born the oldest of six girls in Martinsville, Virginia. For as long as she could remember, she loved to keep journals, write poetry and short stories. She researched her family tree and suddenly she understood why. Her distant relative, Violet Florence Martin was an Irish author, born in 1862, who co-wrote a series of novels with cousin Edith Somerville under the pen name of Martin Ross in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Learning about her heritage encouraged her to follow her dreams. After she encountered a near-death experience during a routine surgery, she realized her time had come to follow her heart and realize calling to be a writer. Her first novel, Radiance:Love after Death was released by XOXO Publishing in June of last year. Debra lives in North Carolina close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoys photography, volunteering and spending time with her family.