Sunday, April 26, 2009

A New Day has Dawned in Christian Fiction for Teen Girls



Author Bio: Brandilyn Collins, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Web of Lies, Dead of Night, Stain of Guilt, Brink of Death, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. Her daughter Amberly is a college student in southern California with loads of friends. She and her mom love attending concerts together. Their family divides their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Visit Brandilyn’s website at http://www.brandilyncollins.com/


Book Description: This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens’ death connected to her? Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this? As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom’s killer—before he strikes again.


Note from the Authors:

Dear Reader,

When Zondervan asked if we’d like to collaborate as mother and daughter on a suspense series, we jumped at the chance. Before long our idea for the Rayne series was born. We both love music. And what better way to use our real-life experiences in attending concerts together than to write about a rock group?We have pictures of us attending concerts going way back to when Amberly was in junior high. We always try to buy seats close to the front. We leap to our feet and scream and clap along with everyone else. We know what that crowd experience is like. The excitement, the energy. What would it be like, we wondered, to be backstage? To be a teenage girl with a rock star for a mom? All the money and fame and traveling. Is that kind of life pure fun and adventure—or does it bring challenges the rest of us never even think about?And then—what if you threw a murder into the mix? Our research for this first book in the series took us backstage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. On that private tour we saw what the crowd doesn’t see—the stage entrance, the dressing rooms, the special building exit for the performers. We heard stories about specific foods and furniture that musicians have requested in their contracts. We learned about security—something Shaley O’Connor is about to need more than ever ...~ Brandilyn and Amberly Collins




A Sneak Peek:

PROLOGUE


It’s not my fault I have to kill.


He’d been watching since the tour began. Eyes straight ahead, keeping cool, like he wasn’t even paying attention. But he noticed everything. Even got a sense for what was happening behind his back. His past life had taught him how to do that—out of necessity. When it was something bad, he felt a vibration in the air, pulling up the hair on his arms. And he’d know. He’d just know.


Sometimes he acted behind the scenes. Nothing that would be noticed. Just ended up in a certain place at a certain time—a presence that kept the wrong thing from happening. Other times he’d say what needed to be heard. Real casual, not sounding like a threat at all. No, he was just talking, shooting the breeze about some previous experience. But beneath the words there’d be a point: don’t cross me or mine.


Sometimes people were too dumb to get it. He’d give them every chance, trying to be the nice guy. Trying to do it the easy way. But no. Those kind of people had stubborn minds and black hearts. Couldn’t be trusted. They were headed for a fall and about to take some good people with them. His people.


That’s what it had come to now.


“Hey, can I see you a sec before you go?” He motioned, and the one who must die came, humming.


Humming.


Like a lamb to slaughter.




The Live Like a Rock Star sweepstakes has launched! Open to teens age 13-18 in the U.S. Grand Prize: an $850 night on the town, including dinner for six at restaurant of winner's choice and limo service. The first 200 entrants will receive a free copy of Always Watching. Send teens here to enter: http://www.brandilyncollins.com/books/aw_contest.html

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