Dear Reader,

When Zondervan asked if we’d like to collaborate as mother and daughter on a suspense series, we jumped at the chance. Before long our idea for the Rayne Tour Series was born. We both love music. And what better way to use our real-life experiences in attending concerts together than to write about a rock group?

We have pictures of us attending concerts going way back to when Amberly was in junior high. We always try to buy seats close to the front. We leap to our feet and scream and clap along with everyone else. We know what that crowd experience is like. The excitement, the energy. What would it be like, we wondered, to be backstage? To be a teenage girl with a rock star for a mom? All the money and fame and traveling. Is that kind of life pure fun and adventure — or does it bring challenges the rest of us never even think about?

And then — what if you threw a murder into the mix?

Our research for this first book in the series took us backstage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. On that private tour we saw what the crowd doesn’t see — the stage entrance, the dressing rooms, the special building exit for the performers. We heard stories about specific foods and furniture that musicians have requested in their contracts. We learned about security — something Shaley O’Connor is about to need more than ever …

As you read this story, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our shoutlife page at www.shoutlife.com/theraynetour.

~Brandilyn and Amberly Collins