Along with many teenagers and older readers, I've been anxiously awaiting the release of the second book in The Rayne Tour Series. Now it's here. Today, we're talking to the mother/daughter writing team.Brandilyn, it was wonderful to see you at the ACFW national conference in Denver. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
You know, when I write my suspense novels I don’t even have a spiritual theme in mind. I set out to write a good suspense story, and through the dangers and characters, the faith element arises. In this way the faith thread becomes a natural and integral part of the story.
Amberly, what other books of yours are coming out soon?
Book three of the Rayne Tour series (not yet titled) is going to be quite a whirlwind. The story will pick up a year or so after Last Breath ends, with Shaley pulled into immediate and terrible danger. That’s about all I want to say regarding the plot now. We can promise you that the series will end with a bang. Book three will release in the spring of 2010.
How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?
Brandilyn: I made the decision to pursue learning how to write fiction in 1989, just after Amberly was born. Ironic, huh. Who knew we’d one day be writing together?
Amberly: I never really thought about writing fiction until the chance for creating the Rayne Tour series was presented to us. It’s been a wonderful opportunity. I don’t think being a full-time novelist is in my future, however.
Brandilyn, what can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Keep at it. That’s all you can do. Keep studying the craft. Read, read, read, write, write, write. I went through 10 years of rejections before I sold my first novel.
And I thought my eight years was a long time. Now Amberly, tell us about the featured book?
Last Breath picks up immediately where Always Watching leaves off. If you haven’t read Always Watching yet—read that one first! Don’t even read the first page excerpt for Last Breath below. You don’t want to miss the excitement and twists in Always Watching.
In Last Breath Shaley faces a burning question, and she’s determined to get answers. But when Shaley tries to seek out the truth, it may not be the truth she’s hoping to hear. Meanwhile new danger arises. Havoc wreaks in Shaley’s once again.
I really like this story. Maybe even better than Always Watching. I know readers of Always Watching are going to like it too.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Your father sent me.
You know, when I write my suspense novels I don’t even have a spiritual theme in mind. I set out to write a good suspense story, and through the dangers and characters, the faith element arises. In this way the faith thread becomes a natural and integral part of the story.
Amberly, what other books of yours are coming out soon?
Book three of the Rayne Tour series (not yet titled) is going to be quite a whirlwind. The story will pick up a year or so after Last Breath ends, with Shaley pulled into immediate and terrible danger. That’s about all I want to say regarding the plot now. We can promise you that the series will end with a bang. Book three will release in the spring of 2010.
How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?
Brandilyn: I made the decision to pursue learning how to write fiction in 1989, just after Amberly was born. Ironic, huh. Who knew we’d one day be writing together?
Amberly: I never really thought about writing fiction until the chance for creating the Rayne Tour series was presented to us. It’s been a wonderful opportunity. I don’t think being a full-time novelist is in my future, however.
Brandilyn, what can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Keep at it. That’s all you can do. Keep studying the craft. Read, read, read, write, write, write. I went through 10 years of rejections before I sold my first novel.
And I thought my eight years was a long time. Now Amberly, tell us about the featured book?
Last Breath picks up immediately where Always Watching leaves off. If you haven’t read Always Watching yet—read that one first! Don’t even read the first page excerpt for Last Breath below. You don’t want to miss the excitement and twists in Always Watching.
In Last Breath Shaley faces a burning question, and she’s determined to get answers. But when Shaley tries to seek out the truth, it may not be the truth she’s hoping to hear. Meanwhile new danger arises. Havoc wreaks in Shaley’s once again.
I really like this story. Maybe even better than Always Watching. I know readers of Always Watching are going to like it too.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Your father sent me.
The last words of a dying man, whispered in my ear.
Were they true? What did they mean?
Guitars blasted the last chord of Rayne’s hit song, "Ever Alone," as Mom’s voice echoed through the Pepsi Center in Denver. The heavy drum beat thumped in my chest. With a final smash of cymbals, the rock song ended. Multicolored laser lights swept the stadium. Time for intermission.
Wild shrieks from thousands of fans rang in my ears.
I rose from my chair backstage. Tiredly, I smiled at the famous Rayne O’Connor as she strode toward me on high red heels. In the lights her sequined top shimmered and her blonde hair shone. She walked like a rock star—until she stepped from her fans’ sight. Then her posture slumped. Mom’s intense blue eyes usually glimmered with the excitement of performing, but now I saw only sadness and exhaustion. How she’d managed to perform tonight, I’d never know. Except that she’s strong. A real fighter.
Me? I had to keep fighting too, even if my legs still trembled and I’d probably have nightmares for weeks.
Your father sent me.
I had to find out what those words meant.
“You’re a very brave young lady,” a Denver detective had told me just a few hours ago. I didn’t feel brave then or now.
Yes, I have to read that book! How can readers find you on the Internet?
Amberly: Join our Rayne Tour group on Facebook! Here’s the link. My personal page on Facebook is here.
Brandilyn: Please visit my Web site to read about all my books, including the first chapters. I’m also on Facebook. And Twitter. My “Fans of Brandilyn Collins” group page is here.
Thank you, Brandilyn and Amberly, for sharing this new book with us.
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