Welcome back
Brandilyn. Why did you become an author?
I’ve always been driven to write. I wrote my first story
when I was seven, in second grade. First line of that story: “Once there was a
stallion named Betsy.” Grabs you right away, huh. :]
In the 1990s, already enjoying a successful career in
writing nonfiction and marketing, I began learning the craft of fiction. I was
planning to write novels for the secular market, but in June 1998 God clearly
told me He had other plans. He wanted my writing to be about Him. As a result
I’ve been in the Christian market since the sale of my first novel.
If you weren’t an
author, what would be your dream job?
Movie actress. I’d love the work, but I’d hate being
recognized on the street.
Methinks I shall remain an author.
If you could have
lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
2100. Just to see all the cool gadgets and medical marvels
we’d have by then. Plus, wouldn’t it be interesting to see your descendants?
Yes, it would. When
you start having great grandchildren, you gain a strong sense of what a legacy
descendents are. What place in the United States have you not visited
that you would like to?
I’ve been to every state but two—Alaska
and Maine .
Hitting both of them is on my bucket list.
You’re way ahead of
me. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I’ve had a very
longtime desire to visit Australia .
What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
Simply to relax and trust Him. Easy to say. Hard to do
sometimes.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Pitchin’ A Fit is book 2 in my Southern contemporary Dearing
Family series. The first book in the series is That Dog Won’t Hunt. The Dearing family members are boisterous,
loving, and quirky, down to the family Yorkie (who, naturally, won’t hunt).
This series mixes poignancy and humor as it deals with issues such as past
abuse and forgiveness. You can find purchase links for Pitchin’ A Fit on this page of my website.
(Ebook: $2.99 on all devices. Paper: $12.59, prime on Amazon.)
Here is the back cover copy:
The wedding for Ben Dearing and Christina Day is planned to
be picture perfect, and the boisterous family has gathered for the big event.
What could possibly go wrong?
Christina’s estranged mother, that’s what. The alcoholic,
abusive mother who wasn’t invited. Two days before the ceremony Edna Day
crashes the bridal shower and insists she’s staying in town for the ceremony.
What’s Christina to do? After her abusive childhood, standing up to her parent
calls for strength she’s not sure she possesses. Besides, if she tells her
mother to leave, the woman could get madder than she already is—not to mention
drunk—and shame the Dearing family in front of the whole town.
Edna wastes no time making enemies. Highly opinionated Jess
Dearing is set on running her out of Justus. Ben wants her gone, too. Even Lady
Penelope, the Dearings’ uppity Yorkie, will have nothing to do with her.
Meanwhile Mama Ruth is trying to keep the peace. And feed everybody.
Blending pathos and humor, Pitchin’ a Fit portrays
the constantly shifting emotions between an abusive parent and grown child. How
does a Christian forgive someone who doesn’t seem repentant? What is the
balance between forgiveness and maintaining healthy emotional boundaries? God
is there to guide everyone through this mess of a weekend. But certain people
may have plans of their own.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Getting married wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
Twenty-three-year-old Christina Day pushed blonde hair out
of her eyes and beamed a smile at the circle of women perched in the Dearings’
living room. They were all older than she. And Christina didn’t know anyone
who’d come to her bridal shower except for her future mother-in-law, Ruth
Dearing, and her three future sisters-in-law, Sarah, Maddy, and Jess, all in
their thirties. Most of the other women attended New
Life Church
in Justus , Mississippi , where the Dearing family had
worshipped for years. Christina had gone there only once. And that had been
five months ago in July at the Dearing reunion, on the day the crazy family
ended up posing for their annual picture on a row of old toilets—and Christina
decided she could marry Ben after all.
Not that the first event directly led to the second.
Christina wanted to marry Ben more than anything. From the
first day she met him at work in Dallas
she’d been attracted to him. Ben was far from the stereotypical computer
programmer nerd. His blue eyes could light up a room, and his friendly, boyish
face and laidback attitude charmed everyone. Their wedding would be wonderful
and simple, just the way Christina wanted it. The next two days would produce
memories for a lifetime.
She just had to get through them first.
“You okay?” Ruth Dearing mouthed to Christina from across
the room.
Oh, no. Christina gave her a big nod and smiled. Had some
expression given her away? Mama Ruth was so compassionate. She’d gone to a lot
of trouble to throw this bridal shower in her own home. Today was December
fifth, yet she’d held off putting up a Christmas tree to make room for all the
women. Still, she seemed so aware it may not be the easiest thing for
Christina. Ruth Dearing deserved to see only happiness on the face of her
almost daughter-in-law. Both Mama Ruth and her husband, Syton, had been nothing
but kind to Christina. And she hadn’t always deserved it.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I love to interact with my readers on Facebook.
On my website you can sign up
for my newsletter and read the opening chapters of all my books. On Twitter I’m
@brandilyn.Thank you, Brandilyn for sharing this new book with us. You know I've loved everyone of your books. I can't wait until my copy comes. It will go to the top of my to-be-read list.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
would love to win!! Angela in KY
ReplyDeleteI would love to have Brandilyn's book
ReplyDeleteLyndieb Duncanville T
This sounds wonderful. I'd love to win it to read more.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a great book and series! Thank you for the chance to win Pitchin' a Fit.
ReplyDeleteBritney Adams, TX
Thanks for the post, Lena. Readers--hope you enjoy Pitchin' A Fit!
ReplyDelete~ Brandilyn
This sounds like one I'd like! dee in NEBR
ReplyDeleteA fun title & a great first page thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Would love to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
I like stories with quirky characters. This sounds like a good read! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLoraine in TX
I look forward to reading how she handles the situation. I wonder how I would? Jan in sunny West Texas
ReplyDeletePitchin' A Fit sounds like something I've done at least once in my lifetime. I didn't know Brandilyn wrote books outside the suspense genre so this looks really good to me! Would love to win!
ReplyDeletePam in Ohio
I love Brandilyn's thrillers, but this sounds like a really fun change of pace. I'd love to read it. Sheila from OR
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice review. I'd enjoy this book.
ReplyDeleteBeth from IA
Yes, it is hard to simply relax and trust in the Lord! And handling the family crises that bring up past struggles, especially abuse of children and the influence of drugs or alcohol, makes it even more challenging to trust in Him. This sounds like a great series, and I would love to read this! Live in Phoenix, AZ
ReplyDeleteNothing like family to bring out the worst and best in us. What a great new series from Brandlyn. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteA J Hawke
Texas
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteConway, SC.
I can't wait for Brandilyn's newest book... I love them all!
ReplyDeleteMerry in MN
We have Brandilyn's books in the church library.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me the chance to win her latest book.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
This sounds great
ReplyDeleteLove her books! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMelissa O in NC