I met award-winning author Brandilyn Collins through the online CWGI – Christian Writer’s Group International about eight years ago. One day, after a post I’d written, Brandilyn wrote to me and asked if I’d heard of American Christian Romance Writers. I hadn’t, so she happily introduced me to that then fledgling organization. I joined in September of 2000 as the 71st member or thereabouts. Since then the name has changed to American Christian Fiction Writers with well over 1000 members. If not for Brandilyn, I might never have heard of the group, which led me to my agent, sold my books, or made so many wonderful author friends. I owe her a debt of gratitude.

At that time, Brandilyn had recently sold her first novel, a journey that took her many years. At present, Brandilyn has contracted a total of 21 books and is a respected suspense novelist in the Christian market. (Amber Morn, releasing this month, is book #16. The rest are in the pipeline.)

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™. Her first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn’s awards for her novels include the ACFW Book of the Year (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice. Her recent novel Crimson Eve was named one of the “Best Books of 2007” by Library Journal, as well as “Top Christian Suspense of 2007.”

Brandilyn jogs in the morning, works in her office all day and reads in bed each night before falling asleep. Sheesh. Sounds like a boring life. Except that she has the best husband in the world, Mark.

Brandilyn is also a talented speaker – she emcees the ACFW Conferences and has a wonderful sense of humor. She is a kind and caring person. Many have come to consider her a terrific prayer warrior. And of course, she is a good, sought-after, much-loved writer. :) (Some author friends are afraid to read her books due to the level of suspense. They belong to the Big Honkin’ Chickens Club. I am not a member of said club and will admit to having actually read some of Brandilyn’s work.) :)

The fourth and final in Brandilyn’s Kanner Lake series, Amber Morn releases this month. Here’s the blurb:

The whole thing couldn’t have taken more than sixty seconds.

Bailey hung on to the counter, dazed. If she let go, she’d collapse—and the twitching fingers of the gunman would pull the trigger. The rest of her group huddled in frozen shock.

Dear God, help us! Tell me this is a dream . . .

The shooter’s teeth clenched. “ Anybody who moves is dead.”

On a beautiful Saturday morning the nationally read “Scenes and Beans” bloggers gather at Java Joint for a special celebration. Chaos erupts when three gunmen burst in and take them all hostage. One person is shot and dumped outside.

Police Chief Vince Edwards must negotiate with the desperate trio. The gunmen insist on communicating through the “comments” section of the blog—so all the world can hear their story. What they demand, Vince can’t possibly provide. But if he doesn’t, over a dozen beloved Kanner Lake citizens will die . . .

You can purchase Amber Morn at these three online bookstores:

CBD, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.

I asked Brandilyn to give us some insight into how God is using her and her writing.

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Brandilyn: I can’t put a date on this. My friends from high school tell me I used to sit in church and make up stories in my head instead of listening to the sermon. Going back further, in second grade I won the prize for writing the best story in my class. Perhaps my destiny was set into motion that day. Especially since my story had such a brilliant opening line: Once there was a stallion named Betsy.

Jill: Can you share with me some of the highlights of your writing journey – something particularly memorable or humorous?

Brandilyn: Got a month or two? Seein’ as how I struggled for 10 years to be published in fiction, there were definitely some highlights along the way. Perhaps they should be called lowlights. Like writing and writing, and having doors slam in my face again and again. Then writing some more. Then more doors slammed. Then doors finally opening—only to slam at the last doggone minute.

I tell this story on my blog, Forensics and Faith. It’s told sort of in a suspense format, with ending hooks and everything. It’s over 60 posts long, but hey, if ya have a free afternoon, check it out. (Look at the list of stories on the left side of the blog for “How I Got Here.”) I promise to make you laugh some, cry some, and most of all be danged happy you’re not me.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope/plan to write in the future. Do you have a favorite genre?

Brandilyn: I have an only genre—suspense. Little hard to write romances with the logo “Seatbelt Suspense™” hanging after your name. Besides everybody now expects me to kill off people, and well, I can’t let them down …

Jill: Do you consider your writing the work God has given you to do for a lifetime or for a season of your life? If you could pursue anything else, what would it be?

Brandilyn: I consider it the work He’s called me to for the rest of my life. I took awhile getting here, but that was all part of the plan.

Jill: Are there people in your life who encouraged you, who are responsible for you becoming a published author?

Brandilyn: Well, I come from a family of authors, so there was certainly encouragement there. And my wonderful husband has been behind me all the way. Other than that, during the long 10 years of door-slamming, there was simply this little voice in my head that said, “You’ll make it, you’ll make it.” Must have been either blissful ignorance or God speaking, because at the time it certainly didn’t seem logical.

Jill: After so many books published, do you still have days where you question what you are doing or feel like you’ll never write another book?

Brandilyn: I don’t question that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I do question that I’m any good at it. This is rather convoluted, actually. A part of me knows I’ve studied the craft hard and know it fairly well, although there is always so much more to learn. But day to day, writing the current book—I just think it’s awful and will certainly be the one that ruins my career. There’s nothing to be done but keep writing—and praying a whole lot. Of course, I don’t have any choice but to keep writing. There’s this little thing called a deadline …

Jill: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Brandilyn: Sure, receiving letters from readers who tell me my books have helped them in some way. There’s a page called “Reader Feedback” on my website (www.brandilyncollins.com) that excerpts some of these letters. That page is always an encouragement for me to read.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Brandilyn: The best opportunity came through my being ill with Lyme Disease and God’s miraculous healing of that disease. Because I’m a writer, I’m hooked into the American Christian Fiction Writer’s email loop, which allowed lots of people to be involved in praying for me at that time. And because I’m a writer I have a website, which now includes the “Story of My Healing.” Many people have written me after finding that page simply by googling “Lyme Disease.” My testimony has reached many nonChristians in this way.

Jill: I remember that prayer time. I had such a strong feeling as I prayed for you that God was acting right then to heal you. It was awesome! And I’m so glad He did!

Next up for Brandilyn—Dark Pursuit, releasing November 7.

Back cover copy:

“Ever hear the dead knocking?”

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later

, recluse and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she is rebuilding her life.

In Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered. She is about to discover the third. The only possible culprit? Her boyfriend, Craig, son of the town’s police chief.

Desperate, Kaitla

n flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight may be the stunning answer to the illusive plot he seeks …

You can visit author Brandilyn Collins and get to know her better by checking out her website or her blog.

Thanks Brandilyn, for joining us this month on Spotlight!