Rafael Amadeus Hines is a multi-award-winning, internationally bestselling author whose captivating thrillers have become a global sensation.

A native New Yorker with Panamanian, Jamaican, and Irish roots, he was born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Dipping into his early memories, he loosely based many of the characters in his first novel, Bishop’s War, on the people he grew up with, and adapted many of his own experiences into the book.

Rafael is a former Jazz club owner and restaurateur, and has worked in the financial and energy markets for over twenty years. On 9/11, he watched his office in the Twin Towers come crashing down and, like many other New Yorkers that day, anticipated follow up attacks to take place throughout the city. Years later, he envisioned a lone citizen soldier preventing these attacks and the hero, Sgt. John Bishop appeared on paper.

A voracious reader of suspense thrillers, Rafael’s writing career was inspired by legendary artist-authors including Elmore Leonard, John Sandford, Stephen Hunter, James Lee Burke, Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn. His ability to blend real-life intensity with masterful storytelling has earned him a dedicated readership of suspense enthusiasts and global audiences alike.

This one-on-one interview shares Rafael’s background and experience writing Bishop’s War.

Tell us about Bishop’s War.

Bishop’s War is a fast-paced, action-packed suspense thriller about Special Forces Sergeant John Bishop, a decorated war hero, and nephew of crime boss, Gonzalo Valdez.

When John returns home from Afghanistan as a highly decorated combat veteran, all he wants to do is win back his childhood sweetheart, reconnect with his loved ones, and put the war behind him. But, his hopes for a peaceful future are quickly shattered when he single-handedly takes down suicide bombers preparing to blow themselves up in the middle of Manhattan’s Union Square Park, triggering retaliation from a powerful Afghan warlord, local terrorists, and a psychopathic billionaire with powerful ties to The White House.

As tensions rise, John reconnects with his uncle, igniting a bloody, personal war. With the help of Special Forces allies, an NYPD captain, and a CIA deputy director, John is plunged into a high-stakes fight that takes him from the streets of New York to Yemen’s pirate-infested waters and the dangerous mountains deep inside Afghanistan. Not for the faint of heart, this is a high-octane, no-holds-barred thriller.

What inspired you to write Bishop’s War?

The inspiration for Bishop’s War came in pieces, starting with the tragic events of 9/11. My office was in the South Tower, and in the aftermath, I, like many others in New York City, braced for potential follow-up attacks that thankfully never came. In the months that followed, I had vivid dreams, and one night, a hero named John Bishop appeared and stopped an imaginary attack in a park near my home. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but the name and the dream stayed with me.

A decade later, while flying from New York to Houston, I found myself reading a bestselling thriller. As an avid reader, I typically devour books, but this one didn’t connect with me. Frustrated, I put it down and began thinking about writing, and just like that, I opened my laptop and decided to write my own story. So, in a way, the second spark for Bishop’s War came from reading a book I didn’t enjoy.

Lastly, I was inspired by a close friend of mine—a true American hero. He joined the Army with his son in 2001, intending to share the experience and serve together. But after 9/11, his plans changed dramatically. Now, 23 years later, he’s a highly decorated warrior with multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. His service and sacrifice deeply inspired me to write action-packed military thrillers with a badass hero from our Lower East Side neighborhood as the main character.

How did your background and experience influence your writing?

I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone was a storyteller. Vietnam veterans, firemen, cops and gangsters all hung out on my block and listening to their stories was way better than watching TV or going to the movies. I soaked up every word, and as a teenager, dreamed of becoming a writer. That dream sat on the back burner for years, but when I finally put pen to paper, the voices from those early days came rushing back, naturally shaping my passion for action-packed thrillers.

I’ve also been an insatiable reader my whole life, and by my late twenties, I was hooked on suspense thrillers with unforgettable characters and sharp dialogue. One of my all-time favorite writers is Elmore Leonard. From his early westerns to his edgy crime thrillers, Leonard’s ability to let his characters drive the story remains a masterclass I strive to honor in my own work.

What is one message you would like readers to remember?

While Bishop’s War and its sequel, Bishop’s Law, are gripping action-thrillers, at their core, they are also love stories. The heart of the Bishop Series lies in exploring the profound sacrifices made by the men and women of our Armed Forces—for each other and for our country. Equally central is the unwavering, unconditional love that binds John Bishop and his family. Through high-stakes action and deeply personal moments, I aim to show readers that even amidst chaos, love and loyalty remain the driving forces behind every battle fought.

Purchasing the Book

Bishop’s War has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Kirkus Reviews writes, “Hines dexterously keeps each of his many plot elements moving along furiously…a provocative, densely plotted action tale.” In addition, retired FBI Special Agent, Producer and Author, Tim Clemente writes, “An amazingly unique character-driven, action series… I loved every page of it.”

The book is available for sale on Amazon. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Bishops-War-Bishop-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01C3NDZQC/

To connect with Rafael and learn more about his work, visit: https://www.rafaelhines.com/. You can also find him on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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