Rachel Rivers Porter was born in the south of England, studied at St Andrews University in Scotland and trained as a teacher in the north-east, where she currently lives. She writes action-adventure novels with themes of friendship, family and reconciliation.
Rachel’s debut novel Kiss of the Tsunami is a gripping story about survival and sacrifice. Bandit’s Great Escape, her second book, was inspired by her gorgeous golden retriever who sadly is no more, but Rachel likes to think that Jessie’s spirit lives on in the lovable, faithful, fun character of Bandit.
Rachel teaches creative writing and gives acclaimed author talks in schools and the community. She is passionate about seeing children achieving more than they dreamed possible and growing in confidence. Using her creativity and experience, Rachel loves showing how to write from a character’s perspective, whether it is a teenage sea gypsy (Kiss of the Tsunami), a lonely old lady or an excitable little dog (Bandit’s Great Escape).
“I find inspiration in what I see around me. A conversation may spark an idea or a character and a whole new world rushes into my mind that I can’t wait to explore.”
Children’s and Young Adult Books
BANDIT’S GREAT ESCAPE
Perfect for animal lovers🐕who enjoy exciting adventures with fun characters.🐶This book will captivate the imagination and tug at the heartstrings. It’s a story of love, loneliness and the lengths we go to, for family.👨👩👧🐾
Bandit is a puppy who thinks that the happy days with his friend, 12-year-old Isla, will never end. But they do. Isla and her family move far away and he’s left with a strange old lady and her strict rules.
Forming an escape committee with some animal friends, he makes a daring plan to find Isla. Can Bandit use his wits to fight for survival and will the best friends ever be together again?
‘There’s no other way to put it, this is the best dog adventure I’ve ever read. Wonderfully written, it is exciting, captivating and full of heart.’ ~ Philip Kavvadias author of the Mission Microraptor series.
KISS OF THE TSUNAMI
A gripping story of survival in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
In the midst of death and destruction, two people from very different cultures are torn apart from their families and their destinies become entwined. Everything Marti and Krista had known is thrown into chaos, yet faced with loss, strangers can become friends, bringing hope and healing.
The fictional adventure is inspired by survivor stories after the devastating event that claimed so many lives.
Desperate to escape racial taunts, sea gypsy Marti has left his free-diving lifestyle, but when he sees the sea retreating to a thin line on the horizon, a childhood story flashes into his mind about the Laboon: the seventh wave that eats people. “When the tide disappears into the mist and the birds stop singing and the crabs crawl to the forest, you must run!”