Interview With Brandy Vallance, Author of “The Covered Deep”

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Now and again you get your backside handed to you in a contest. I have learned that you can’t win them all, not even close when the competition is strong. I didn’t even have a chance in Operation First Novel. Why? Because Brandy Vallance entered her book “The Covered Deep” and won the whole enchilada. The truth is I don’t feel bad at all having lost to her.

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Brandy Vallance

Brandy Vallance

The Covered Deep

The Covered Deep

Before we get to the meat of the issue (the interview and review) it’s time to show social media, faces, and book covers.

Brandy can be followed on Twitter.com @BrandyVallance. Her personal website is www.brandyvallance.com, and her Facebook author page is up on this link.

I don’t review books that are less than 4 stars. Brandy would get six if the system would allow it on Amazon.com.

Let’s start with her own book blurb:

Bianca Marshal is holding out for the perfect husband. Finding a man that meets the requirements of her “must-have” list in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has proven impossible. Bianca’s mama insists that there’s no such thing as a perfect true love, and that Bianca’s ideal man is pure fiction. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Bianca discovers a devastating statistic: her chance of marrying is now only eighteen percent. Unwilling to accept spinsterhood, Bianca enters an essay contest that propels her into a whirlwind search for her soulmate. Via the opulence of London and the mysteries of the Holy Land, Bianca’s true love will be revealed, but not without a heavy price.

In general that does not sound like a book I would read. But having met Brandy, and become friends, I knew it would rock the house. I was right. Here’s the review I put up on Amazon:

If you were expecting another semi-boring, safe, syrupy Christian fiction romance of a historical nature in The Covered Deep, you are in for a big let-down. What you get instead is a well researched, tightly written, delightful piece of period fiction written from a Christian world view.

Brandy Vallance is on the cutting edge of the new wave of Christian fiction writers. She writes great stories from the heart of a good woman with Christian beliefs. There is nothing formulaic in this book. There is nothing syrupy in this book. There is a lot of good plotting, splendid dialogue, and believable characters.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a solid reading experience that is friendly to Christian audiences. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes a darned good story. You don’t have to be a fan of Christian books to fall in love with Brandy’s style and skill.

I am looking forward to her next book more than you can possibly imagine. She is in a class all by herself, and since she’s leading the way for the next generation of writers in her genre, I have nothing but great expectations.

I received an ARC of this book for review purposes. I also was a finalist in the competition and couldn’t have lost to a more worthy winner.

On to the interview:

You don’t have a dog. But if you did, why would you name it Beacon?

Well, I do have a dog. And she’s named after the Loch Ness Monster. However, if I had another dog and named it Beacon, it would be because this creature had recently saved me from a deep dark forest where I wandered alone, void of all hope. The moonlight would slant, just so, and then . . .

You write Historical fiction at this point in your career. Have you considered another genre? If so, what would it be?

You know, I think I’ll be a historical romance girl all my life. But, that’s not to say I won’t dabble at some point. When I was in the seventh grade I played around with writing a fantasy. I’m pretty drawn to speculative fiction, because I love the supernatural element.

Like a lot of kids who grow up to be authors, you’ve “left the pack.” What’s the best part of having voices in your head?

Ha. You’ve got that right. I love that our characters are so real to us. I think the best thing about this for writers is that we’re never bored. Sometimes my flashes of inspiration are so real that I can almost see them.

The characters in your books are unique personalities. Where do you draw these writing skills from? How can readers who yearn to write pick up this ability to create people out of thin air?

Thank you! I think as far as characterization goes, the first thing you have to do is give your characters real emotions. If you can get to the real, raw, and the deep, you are going to have a powerful character. Pour lots of heart into them, no matter if they are the villain or the protagonist. Make the stakes high. Longing is a big one for me. I think when your reader can identify with the longing that a character has, you have won. What you want is for your reader to be able to see themselves in your characters. While they may not agree with a character’s certain course of action, they understand how or why the character made that choice. And that makes for a powerful story.

Being from the South, do you find a cultural influence that you have to fight in your writing? Or can you ignore that and step into another culture with ease?

This is funny because I’m sort of half north and half south. I spent most all of my summers in the Southern Ohio/ Kentucky area but I grew up in Northern Ohio. Maybe that gave me a rounded perspective, I don’t know. I think as writers we need to be able to step into any place and time with ease. That’s not easy, but I find that music really helps me. When I wrote the Holy Land scenes in The Covered Deep, I most always listened to Hebrew/ Arabic / eastern inspired music. You have to make yourself feel before you can get it on the page. This is one of the best parts of being a writer, I think. We get to experience so many things/places/lives. [Ed: I do the same thing with theme music when writing.]

Writing is your full-time job. What careers did you have before moving to writing?

I worked as a bank teller, believe it or not. I can hardly believe it myself. I’m definitely not a cubicle kind of a girl.

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I want to thank Brandy for her time in doing this interview. I encourage all of my readers to hit the link and buy this book to see what I’ve been babbling about for the last 6 months to all of my friends.

How Do You Shred A Man Card?

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I need to know pretty soon, because the howling for me to turn mine in will reach a crescendo very soon. Possibly today, more likely once the book review I plan on publishing Thursday hits. The problem is, the darned thing is laminated and won’t go through the shredder I have here at home. With fear of loss in my heart, and great joy in talking about a good book, I now launch into A Cliche Christmas.

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Let’s start with the pictures and social media:

Nicole’s website is www.nicoledeese.com and her twitter account is @NicoleDeese. You can visit her author page at Facebook by hitting this link. Last, but not least, she’s up on Goodreads as well. Good? Thought so. Go buy the book, A Cliche Christmas while you’re clicking.

Nicole Deese

Nicole Deese

A Cliche Christmas

A Cliche Christmas

On to the review I posted at Amazon.com:

This is the first Nicole Deese book that I’ve read. I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last. It’s a story about Christmas. In many ways it’s a story about telling stories about Christmas. No matter what you call it, you must call A Cliche Christmas enjoyable and well written.

Nicole touches a part of the heart in this work that crosses age and gender lines. While it is clearly written for the romance market, it’s so well done that even grizzled misanthropes (me) can find a great deal of pleasure in the work. I won’t give away the ending, or the middle for that matter, but it did cause the pollen count in my office to go up enough that my eyes were kind of moist. I wasn’t crying, let me make that clear – but it was a near run thing.

This book is ideal for later teens through the golden years. It’s not a kid story by any means. It’s not sappy. It’s got good characters and great scenes. Well worth the price of admission. I now understand why she sells so many books – she’s a great writer.

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Nicole is a high tech kind of author: she’s even added a book trailer. (I won’t have one for Assault on Saint Agnes, it would be rated R for some reason…)

Here’s the book blurb from her publisher:

2014 American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Award Finalist
Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.
Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché?

On to the interview!

You write romances at this point in your career. Have you considered another genre? If so, what would it be?

I honestly couldn’t imagine writing a fiction story that doesn’t have at least a smidge of romance woven into it. I do love to read a fairly wide variety of genres. (My favorites being: Dystopian, YA, Women’s Fiction, Fantasy.) But truth be told, a book doesn’t feel complete to me without a love story.
I know. I’m a sap.

Like a lot of kids who grow up to be authors, you’ve “left the pack.” What’s the best part of having voices in your head?

Two words: Yoga pants.
Okay fine, even though I really do love my everyday writing attire, my favorite part of the writing process is actually brainstorming for my next project. There’s nothing like the magic of new ideas, characters, twists, and plot lines. I’ve been known to talk on the phone for hours with my author buddies and never stray from Nicole’s Fiction Land. It really is that fun to me!

The characters in your books are unique personalities. Where do you draw these writing skills from? How can readers who yearn to write pick up this ability to create people out of thin air?

I usually envision a single character first. And while looking into his/her past, I ask these questions: What has wounded this character? What life experiences have shaped them and made them who they are at the beginning of my story? Once I have a good feel for that hero/heroine, I can then figure out who their love interest needs to be—usually with the “opposites attract rule” in mind.

Do you tend to limit settings to places you’ve lived or visited?

Thank goodness for GOOGLE! There’s A LOT I don’t know about the world, but what I don’t know is usually pretty easy to research online. I’ve watched many a YouTube video. I’m currently writing a story about estranged twin sisters that takes place in rural Montana (which most of Montana is rural—haha!) But thanks to videos and research sites, I feel pretty confident in my descriptions so far.

And of course when all else fails? I just make stuff up. Like Lenox, Oregon. The small-town setting in A Cliché Christmas. Though I grew up in Oregon, there wasn’t an exact fit I could think of that would work for this particular story. So I created Lenox, which is a cross between two of my favorite real-life Oregon cities.

Writing is your full-time job. What careers did you have before moving to writing?

I was fully submersed into the Domestic Arts prior to authorhood. That is to say, my husband supported me in every possible way so that I could stay at home and raise my babies. And now those babies are nine and six. And in full-time school.

Those years at home changing diapers and watching Barney ’til I wanted to ban the color purple from my life FOREVER were all kinds of crazy, but those years were also what inspired me to keep dreaming. To keep hoping for tomorrow. To keep reaching for the future. Because those years were the perfect catalyst to launch me into this season as a full-time writer.
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Thank you, Nicole. A Cliche Christmas is riding high on the charts at Amazon and Walmart. Best of sales to you!

Like all good authors in the modern era, Nicole included her own paragraph of propaganda. I’m always tickled to get that along with questions I didn’t ask in the interview. It makes me look good!

Nicole Deese Bio: Nicole Deese is a lover of fiction. When she isn’t writing, she can be found fantasizing about “reading escapes,” which look a lot like kid-free, laundry-free, and cooking-free vacations.
Her debut novel, an inspirational contemporary romance, All for Anna, has hit multiple milestones since its release in January 2013, including a 4.8 star rating on Amazon and more than 150,000 downloads on Kindle. She has since completed the Letting Go Series and over-the-moon excited about her new release, A Cliché Christmas, published by Waterfall Press, an Amazon Publishing imprint. A Cliché Christmas is available at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, and on Amazon.com.
Nicole lives in Frisco, Texas, with her husband, Tim, and her two rowdy boys, Preston and Lincoln.

Check, Please.

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I found these videos while trolling a veterans group on Facebook. Watch them and we’ll resume.

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

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I get choked up when I see this kind of thing in the media. I’m no hero, but I’ve served with them. I’m not wounded but I’m damaged. I’m proud of my experience and marvel at that of others. Most of all, I’m part of the family that put on the uniform.

For years I’ve tried to get the tab when I know it’s a fellow vet or active duty member. I’ve also handed out dozens of business cards with my personal cellular number. I tell them, “If you need to talk, this thing’s on 24×7. Especially in the dead of night.”

Just knowing that you can talk to someone helps immensely. Knowing that you’re not alone is such a huge part of being a good battle-buddy (a term that evolved long after my time, but I like it in this context.) We all need that connection. It’s vital to all of us.

I recently made a new friend. Another vet. Another squid (naval type) with a lot in common with me. We sat up in a bar until 0200 talking that first night. And repeated it the next. We’d not served together. We didn’t even serve during the same era. But in a twinkling we knew so much about each other. Instantaneous link formed. I talk to them a couple of times a week. Sometimes twice in a day. I marvel at that shared bond.

Today, when you go out and about, keep an eye peeled for veterans. Don’t just see us on November 11th each year. You don’t have to pick up the tab, or even say a word. Just a smile. A tip of the hat. Or a business card with your number if you’re already a member of the tribe.

You are not alone. We are all here to support each other if we’ll just let it happen.

My Fellow Veterans At A.C.F.W.

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The best part about having your own blog is the versatility. I tried to post pictures of my fellow veterans on Facebook this morning and the stupid thing wouldn’t go. Said the pictures were too big. Not so much. But now I’m just going to fling them up here.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

The photo credits go to the very lovely, charming, and talented Emily Hendryx at E.A.Creative Photography. She was kind enough to take these photos.

With the band

With the band

Without the band

Without the band

The folks in the pictures are all writers, all Christians, all have served in the armed forces. We have senior officers and mid-range enlisted in the photo. I love knowing this group and am proud to be in their number.

There are two pictures presented here. One the band photo-bombed us. I liked it enough to include it today.

Hope all of you have a great day and enjoy the pictures.

I Wish Amy Matayo Would Quit Writing So Well: My Man Card Is In Jeopardy.

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This is my third Amy Matayo review. I knew this was coming up so I had to think about buying a new handgun last week (A Sig P238) just to keep my man card for another year. (No, I didn’t buy the one with the pink grips.)

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It’s a bit daunting for most men to admit that they like Christian romances. It’s even worse when you’ve reviewed all the books by any given author. I’m a fan boy: I admit it right now. Once you start reading her books, you will be a fan as well. They are so well written, so tightly crafted, and so engaging that you forget they are romances. They are simply great stories with a boy and a girl. Amy brings her characters to life so completely that you will be cringing, cheering and crying (I didn’t cry – but then I never do…) at the plot twists. Her latest work, SWAY, is on sale now at Amazon.com. Hit that link and go buy it today. (I don’t review books I didn’t love, I bought this one. I need to talk to Amy about getting free copies from here on out…)

Amy is a friend of mine, we are both represented by the same agent, Jessica Kirkland, at the Blythe Daniel Agency. It has been my privelge to get to know Amy over the past year. She’s funny, smart, well spoken, and has such low standards that she engages in commentary with me on Facebook. I love being her friend. You can find her on Twitter.com with her usual insanity @amymatayo and her Facebook page is right on this link.

Let’s start with Art: Her picture and the book cover.

Amy Matayo

Amy Matayo

Sway

Sway

As most of you realize, I don’t do straight interviews. I ask silly questions. Because I am a bit deranged, let’s start with the Amazon review I did of the book (Amazon doesn’t show my name for some reason. Sorry, Amy!):

My Man Card Is Now Officially Up For Grabs.

I wish Amy would quit writing these books of hers. I’m in serious danger of losing my man card. Pink cover, romance, all the things that a guy like me isn’t supposed to enjoy. But I do.

Amy’s book, Sway, is like that big tub of caramel coated pecans you got from your Secret Santa. You know you shouldn’t eat the whole thing, but each bit is just a bit different, and worse yet, it tastes even better than the last bit. So at the end of the night you’re grinning from ear to ear and moistening your fingertip to get the last of the crumbs out of the bottom of the can.

This isn’t just a romance novel, it’s a great story with a boy and a girl. I’ve read all of her books, and each one is better than the last. Sway will keep you up late wondering what will happen next. I found it to be suspenseful, funny, touching, and beautiful. She’s a wordsmith in the truest sense of that phrase.

I hope my man card stays in play with her books. I look forward to the next one as well. Sway doesn’t disappoint in any fashion: it exceeds in a most pleasing manner.

Thank you, Amy Matayo, for a great book.

Now, for the interview.

You write romances at this point in your career. Have you considered another genre? If so, what would it be?

I have considered writing a trilogy about the benefits of plastic surgery for the middle-aged crowd—you know, the heroine could be an out-of-work bodybuilder who needs a complete work up to get her career back on track. New muscles, new stomach, new back—all the perks with none of the work. Or there’s my idea of a 10-book mega series centered around the WWE. But I’ve shelved both ideas for now. They’re just so exhausting to think about. So…

Romance is my thing. It’s where I think I’ll stay. Although I have ventured into the New Adult side of romance. I’m loving the genre right now.

Like a lot of kids who grow up to be authors, you’ve left the pack. What’s the best part of having voices in your head?

The best part is that I’m rarely bored. Even if I’m home alone (which—with four kids and a husband who all seem to need things at the WORST possible time—rarely happens), I always have a place to go. I’m always entertained. And I’m always surrounded by friends, even though most are of the They’re Totally Fake variety.

The worst part is that people are constantly trying to pull me away, and when I’m writing, the answer I most often give to people is, “Huh?”…while I’m still staring off into space. I really don’t understand why this annoys everyone.

The characters in your books are unique personalities. Where do you draw these writing skills from? How can readers who yearn to write pick up this ability to create people out of thin air?

I may be crazy, but I have a feeling that every kid at some time in life fantasizes about things. Being a super-hero. A model. A multi-millionaire (this is still my number one fantasy). The difference is that some of us take it a step further and write those fantasies down. Anyone can do that. And if you’re like me, the first couple of times may come out awful. Seriously, no one will EVER read my first two atrocities without some serious editing on my part. And by editing, I mean I need to throw both books in the trash and start over.

But…writing takes discipline, a fair amount of pushing through when you don’t feel like it, a lot of self-doubt, and patience. Some days it feels like the book will never end. Other days I’m convinced I suck as an author. And a few days out of the year—a very few days—I feel like I’ve come up with something that just might be worth reading. That’s what keeps me going.

As far as skills go, I have no idea where I draw them from. Mostly I just hope to have a little.

Being from the South, do you find a cultural influence that you have to fight in your writing? Or can you ignore that and step into another culture with ease?

It’s fairly easy for me to step into another culture. Google helps with that. Reading books and watching a little television also helps. Plus, I have a strong imagination. So strong at times that I’m glad no one can see inside my mind. I would be committed to an asylum for sure. But I’m okay with that.

Writing is your full-time job. What careers did you have before moving to writing?

I worked as a writing/editor in the greeting card industry for seven years, then I freelanced for a couple. I did some woodworking for a while—made frames, tables, etc. (I can totally work a saw—it’s a skill I’m proud of.) I worked as a substitute teacher at my kid’s schools for a few years—which I still do occasionally.

Now, I write. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Unless The Voice finally contacts me. I would give this up in a heartbeat for a chance to be on Adam Levine’s team. But…sigh. They still haven’t answered my 3497 letters. A girl can hope.

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Thank you, Amy. It’s been a joy to do this interview with you.

Now, go buy the book.