The Ryder Chronicles

Reborn in Shadows is a gripping, award-winning tale of survival, identity, and second chances.

Miriam Ryder—a sharp-witted, chain-smoking transgender woman and recent amputee—isn’t looking for trouble. She’s looking to survive. After a near-fatal encounter with a powerful crime family, she’s forced into witness protection, finding refuge in the quiet Appalachian town of Jasper Hill. But small towns have long memories, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.

As Miriam struggles to rebuild her life, she finds herself torn between bigotry, lurking threats, and an undeniable connection with a fiery art teacher who sees past her defenses. But danger is never far behind, and in a town where whispers can turn deadly, safety is just an illusion. With her past closing in, Miriam must ask herself: how far is she willing to go to protect the fragile new life she’s built—and the woman who makes her want to stay?

Winner of Best LGBTQIA Fiction in the 2025 National Indie Excellence® Awards and selected for inclusion in the Library of Congress, Reborn in Shadows has been recognized as a work of lasting literary and cultural significance—preserving a powerful, underrepresented voice in contemporary fiction.

Heartfelt, suspenseful, and deeply immersive, Reborn in Shadows is a thriller about bravery, reinvention, and the power of love in the face of darkness.