The Work

Many roles and experiences have shaped Raymond's life as a storyteller: he has been a military school cadet, a U.S. Army Reserve officer, a civil and criminal trial lawyer, a mediator, a private pilot, a wilderness enthusiast, a world traveler, a husband, and a lifelong journaler. These diverse experiences enrich his fiction, providing it with depth and authenticity.

Raymond writes with a personal voice grounded by his Southern roots yet broadened by global adventures. He brings a special perspective from his legal and military background, often exploring themes of justice, resilience, and human connection. At the same time, he is fascinated by myth, identity, and the universal truths that bind us across time. He counts as his heroes Ralph Waldo Emerson, Karen Blixen, and Stephen Kumalo of Cry, The Beloved Country. There are others, to be sure.

Whether delving into contemporary political upheaval or weaving modern folktales, Raymond’s work seeks meaning in our struggles and dreams. His stories resonate with courage, love, and the resilience of the human spirit – echoing a career spent advocating and a life devoted to discovery. He won't apologize for challenging your views, either. To him, that's just an opportunity for a conversation.

When not at his writing desk or in the law office, Raymond plots new adventures with his husband, often catching a plane to a new destination or piloting his aircraft into the sunset in search of the next story.

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The Last Independence Day: Secession

In his debut novel, The Last Independence Day: Secession, Raymond presents a gripping political thriller set in a near-future America on the brink of a second civil war. On one fateful Independence Day, extremist politicians from 21 states sign a declaration of secession, fracturing the nation’s already fragile peace. The next day, a coordinated terrorist attack eliminates the President, Vice President, and Congressional leaders, throwing the country into chaos.

As law and order deteriorate, militias and opportunists thrive, leading to martial law and rising paranoia. At the story’s center is Jon Freeman, an ordinary Arkansas lawyer who reluctantly steps into leadership when his state joins the breakaway "Red State Compact" and enacts a repressive New Law. As his neighbors disappear and freedoms vanish, Jon evolves from a complacent family man into a determined defender of democracy, confronting Arkansas's authoritarian governor, Suzy "Buckshot" Landers.

Their intense struggle drives the narrative, as Jon must outwit a regime intent on silencing dissent while secessionist fervor spreads. Through his journey, the novel explores the fragile nature of unity and the high cost of independence, raising the question of what we would do to protect our ideals. The Last Independence Day: Secession is a cautionary tale about the perils of extremism and celebrates the enduring spirit of those fighting for freedom.

Behind the Book

The Last Independence Day: Secession was inspired by Raymond’s concerns as a lawyer and citizen during the turbulent political climate of late 2022. He wondered, “What if this really happened here?” and conceived the novel to explore a worst-case scenario.

While the story rankled many folks who identify with the right, the story's purpose served as a thought experiment about unchecked power: What if extremist ideologues took over state governments and divided the nation in the name of “freedom”? With three decades of legal experience, Raymond knows how fragile civil rights and democratic norms can be. He infused his deep concern for the nation’s future into a thrilling narrative.

Described as a statement against extremism, the book reflects Raymond’s frustration with the dysfunctional U.S. political system. It aims to warn readers about rising authoritarian rhetoric and encourages vigilance.

His legal expertise adds realism, while his moral conviction gives the story heart. The Last Independence Day: Secession is a thrilling novel that channels Raymond’s patriotism and hope for Americans to courageously stand up for democracy.

Huldufólk: A Modern Icelandic Folktale (2025)

Raymond’s second novel, Huldufólk, is a bold step into literary fantasy inspired by the myths and landscapes of Iceland. It weaves together the fate of an elven community and humanity in a tale filled with magical adventure and deep emotion.

At its center, Huldufólk tells a story of transformation and redemption, beginning in 17th-century Iceland where the secretive Huldufólk of Búrfell face a devastating loss and the resurgence of an ancient evil. The Draugr of Hekla, a malevolent spirit born of human envy, threatens the elves, forcing them to choose between isolation and reaching out to the human world they’ve long avoided.

The novel’s lush, elegiac tone draws readers into enchanting landscapes while exploring themes of grief, identity, and connection. The narrative spans from 1636 to the present, introducing characters like Ásgeir, a wise elven elder, and two modern figures: Rhys, a young man grappling with generational trauma, and Eirikur, a hybrid elf-human trying to find his place. Their poignant relationship challenges societal norms and embodies hope for healing a divided world.

Through intimate and haunting storytelling, Huldufólk examines the struggles between tradition and change, the weight of trauma, and the unifying power of love. Ultimately, it reveals that even the hidden people can find salvation in connection, leaving readers with a sense of the magic of empathy and unity in our own world.

Behind the Book

The origins of Huldufólk trace back to a deeply personal moment in Raymond’s life. In 2021, shortly after celebrating his marriage, Raymond embarked on a life-changing journey to Iceland with his husband. This pilgrimage as a newlywed would ignite his creative imagination in unexpected ways.

Raymond was immersed in Iceland’s stark, ethereal beauty—from mossy lava fields and black-sand beaches to glaciers and hot springs—and enchanted. Everywhere he turned, legends of the Huldufólk—the hidden elves—seemed to whisper from the rocks and hills. The trip planted a seed in his mind: What modern story could be born from these ancient myths?

The island’s landscape and lore awakened in Raymond a sense of wonder that he hadn’t felt since his youth. He began sketching the outline of a saga that would merge Icelandic folklore with issues close to his heart. Themes of identity and belonging naturally emerged—perhaps reflecting Raymond’s own journey as an openly gay man finding his place in the world, and as an American discovering kinship in a foreign land.

He envisioned a narrative about bridging impossible divides based on his experiences as a lawyer and lifelong adventurer. Over the next few years, Raymond nurtured this idea, writing Huldufólk largely in the early morning hours before court or late at night after long days of legal work. He poured into it the awe he felt standing under the Arctic sky and the introspection that comes with major life changes.

The finished manuscript, completed in 2025, is truly a product of love and exploration. In Huldufólk, one can sense the author’s reverence for Iceland’s culture and his empathetic understanding of outsiders yearning for connection. This modern Icelandic folktale stands as a testament to how real journeys can spark fictional wonders. It is a novel born of volcanoes and wedding vows, midnight sun and personal metamorphosis.