Interview and GIVEAWAY with Brandy Bruce, Author of After the Rain!!!

Hi guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ; ) And since we are all friends, one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends, family, the teens I mentor, and everyone else at coffee shops/bookstores. Books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination, after all. So, consider this our virtual coffee shop. I’ll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today’s guest. ;-)

We're going to pry into the private life chat with my friend, Brandy Bruce! She is such a fun and genuine person, and if you don't know about her and her books, then you need to remedy that, like, RIGHT NOW! <3 I met Brandy online after reading and gushing about her novel, The Last Summer. (And it's AMAZING! If you need more convincing, read my review!) Her next novel, After the Rain, releases on February 4th, and it is also amazing!!! I know! I got to read it early! ;-)

Brandy Bruce is a mom, a wife, a book editor, an author, and someone who really loves dessert. She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, and The Romano Family Collection. Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Virginia.

Connect with Brandy on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest! 

Interview ~

What is your go-to yummy drink when you sit down to read and/or write? Almost every answer is acceptable. Just don't say carrot juice. ;-)

I’ve been drinking a lot more tea lately! I usually love coffee or cappuccino but lately I’m drinking French Vanilla chai.

I love chai! It's my go-to drink in new places! What is your favorite snack when you sit down to read and/or write?

Ugh. I’m such a snacker. I like anything and everything. Cheese cubes and grapes. Starburst candy. If I have some chocolate cherry-cordial Kisses nearby, I can eat the whole bag!

LOL! I can relate to the snacker life! Have you ever given a character one of your own “odd” habits? This is a safe space to share. ;-)

I think I’ve probably done that several times. But for one example, in The Last Summer, Sara likes Fruit Roll-Ups (so do I).

I'm having a Fruit Roll-Up craving now...LOL! What inspired you to write After the Rain? 

The story of The Last Summer had been written in my heart for years. But even during the writing of that book, I’d get these glimpses of what happened after. There’s one specific scene in After the Rain that takes place on a river. That scene came to me maybe ten years ago! And when I finally sat down to write After the Rain, I knew without a doubt that that scene would still make it in.

LOVED that scene!! Goodness, I have so much love for these books! <3 What is your favorite thing about writing in this genre?

There’s something wonderful about the time in our lives when we start to discover who we really are and where we want to go. I think this genre tries to capture that in real ways. The awkwardness. The emotions. Dreams for the future. Maybe falling in love.

YESSS!!! Love that about this genre! What is the hardest thing about writing in this genre?

As we move farther past that time in our lives (of falling in love), we know that you don’t stay in that place. Relationships change and get harder and deeper. I try to write my characters in such a way that while romance and falling in love are so fun—I want readers to get a sense of who these people are, to see their true-to-life strengths and weaknesses, to know that happily ever after is a process, and sometimes it doesn’t look like what we expected. It’s hard not to overly romanticize romance! (I hope that makes sense!)

Makes sense to me! I think you handle this so well in your books! What message do you hope to convey to your readers with After the Rain?

That it’s okay to change. For myself and many others, we’ve gone through times that make us maybe question what we’ve always believed. When we feel despair and not even a relationship can rescue us from those feelings. When we find ourselves wanting and needing change. I want readers to know that that’s normal and even good. Because becoming who we want to be doesn’t always just happen, sometimes we need to make that happen. That might look like someone realizing their career choice was wrong and they’re miserable and need to find their passion. Or perhaps they begin to shift ideologically and want to feel free to explore what they believe and ask questions. It might be as simple as needing to find new friends who are supportive and positive, rather than negative. We get older. We have more life experience. We learn. We change and grow. This can be painful at times, but when you know you’re going in the right direction—even if it’s different from what people expect from you—change can be good.

This is a powerful truth to learn...again and again! <3 Can you tell us a little about your next project? 

I have so many story ideas swirling around in my head! But I have to balance writing with my editing work as a freelancer. To be honest, I’d love to write one more novel that follows a certain character from these two books. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning toward diving in to that story.  

Everyone, please excuse my unashamed begging... PLEASE!! PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!! This character needs a story!!! <3 Reluctantly moving on...what is your (current) favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?

I’ve been thinking about the verse that says God restores the years that the locusts have eaten. In other words, he can redeem time that was stolen from you (or maybe wasted). He can breathe new life into someone who feels like they aren’t worthy, or someone who feels stuck because of years of heartache or abuse or disappointment. He can redeem that time. It’s been on my mind a lot lately. (Joel 2:25-32)

Love this SO much!!! Thank you for sharing this! <3 What are you currently reading? I always need more books to add to my TBR! LOL!

First Impressions by Sarah Price and Stepping into the Light by Candee Fick!

Those look so good!!!

Thank you so much for hanging out with us today, Brandy!! <3

Giveaway ~

Brandy has generously offered to giveaway one (1) ebook of After the Rain!

Debra Hart is moving on. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

As a radio show host, Debra spends her mornings as Miss Lonely Heart on air, empathizing with all the broken hearts in the Denver metro area. She spends her evenings watching old musicals and trying not to think about the guy who broke up with her and subsequently fell in love with one of her best friends. Alone in a new city, Debra meets singer Ben Price. Rock star appeal, with a day job as a worship pastor, Ben is everything Debra wants to avoid. But he's determined to be her friend, and it so happens she could really use one. Because try as she might, nothing seems to erase the anger and betrayal she feels. It's time for a new dream. but how does she start over when she doesn't even know what she wants anymore?

Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away one ebook of After the Rain!

This giveaway is open internationally.

This giveaway will close on February 6th, 2019, at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. If the winner does not respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, then a new winner will be drawn in their place.

May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

Enter using the handy Rafflecopter here ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by, my writerly, bookish friends! <3 See you next time!

Hugs,

V. Joy Palmer 

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

A Non-fiction Appointment with Dr. Michelle Bengston

Today we’re doing a bit of a switch. While we here at the Diamond Mine love our Christian Fiction, we will be focusing on Christian non-fiction this week. Because our world is so full of hopelessness, depression and suicide, Terry has chosen to focus on one person’s struggle through depression.

Please notice our giveaway this week is for everyone! Dr. Bengston's devotions, Prescriptions of Hope are free to download. Make sure you grab the link at the end of the interview.

TP: This is my first blog for the Diamond Mine. I’m so excited to be part of this. I contacted my very good friend and author Dr. Michelle Bengtson about her non-fiction book. She has much to offer and I’m wondering if you will bear with me and read what Michelle has to offer, mostly about her battle to write her book Hope Prevails.

You have a story to tell, about standing up through Jesus, to be able to fight depression.

MB: Yes, there have been many times when darkness has not only loomed but has pushed against me to the point that my back felt pinned against the wall. Right after I told God that I would pen the book He asked me to write, Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression, out of obedience to Him, I became deathly ill. I was unable to take care of my patients in my private practice, required two surgeries, was on medically-induced bed rest for over 5 months, and plummeted from 113 pounds down to a skeletal 74 pounds. This had the enemy’s handprint all over it.

To add insult to injury, the longer I remained ill and in pain, unable to work, the more depressed I got. The enemy had me right where he wanted me, and I began to believe the lie that I was joy-immune.

All I could do all day, every day was lie in bed, watch sermons online, pray, and listen to praise and worship music. A friend called me the night before one of the surgeries, and in genuine love and concern shared a Scripture that I knew I must hang onto.

I began searching for Scripture to help refute thoughts I was having. When I found them (i.e. like John 15:11 “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow” to refute the lie that I was joy-immune), I wrote them on post-it notes and posted them where I would see them around the house (on my mirror, light switches, dashboard, etc.) and each time I saw them, I recited them out loud. Speaking them out loud was crucial because Scripture says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

TP: What Bible verses help you?

MB: The verse I always stand on is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Even when I look at my circumstances and they don’t seem to make sense from a human perspective, it always helps to know that the situation never takes God by surprise, and He knows what needs to be done and how it will end.

There have been so many times when I have felt the push and press of darkness. I know that evil forces are not pleased that I stand for God, and I expose how evil works. When that push comes, I always remember God’s promise and declare, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD (Isaiah 54:17).

I also declare God’s promise from Psalm 91:5-7, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”

To combat worry and fear, I remind myself of Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

TP: You often meet early in the morning with Jesus, just a private walk and talk with Him, as your stay. Can you give us an example of that truth?

MB: No one wants to be the poster child for depression I had treated patients for over two decades when I became so ill and spiraled down into the pit of depression myself. Sadly, at first, I tried all the recommendations that I learned in school. While they helped, they were insufficient to eradicate my depression. It was only when I began to understand the spiritual root of depression and address that with God’s word, did I experience freedom. But there were days when I can recall thinking, “This is too hard. I can’t do the work today that is required if I want healing.”

Sadly, so many don’t know how to fight depression, and it’s been my mission, if you will, to help teach them. God has given us all the tools we need, but we have to do the work and use the tools in the midst of the battle.

There are days when I just “don’t want to” write or post the daily devotion or provide an encouraging post, but I know “I need to.” It’s that still small sense at my core that someone needs to hear it. I would want others to do that for me, so it encourages me to be obedient to the Father’s prompting. Invariably, someone will comment that it was just what they needed to hear or read that day. I love it when God allows us to partner with Him like that—it makes it all worthwhile.

TP: Darkness doesn’t just strike at us, but also our family. This is a truth for you too, yet in spite of it, how have these experiences brought you closer together?

MB: The day my book, Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through

Depression, released, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. That was no coincidence. All of our attention shifted from book release festivities and launch parties to doctor’s appointments, surgery, and chemotherapy. But together, we have tried not to focus on the problems, the things that seem impossible from our vantage point, and have instead tried to keep our focus on The Problem Solver.

We can choose to look at life and our difficult situations through a lens of worry, fear, and anxiety, or we can choose to live in the peace that Jesus came to give us, and trust that God will work things out for our good and for His glory. It is impossible to serve two masters. Either you trust the enemy (as evidence by worry, fear, anxiety, doubt, etc.) or you trust God.  The enemy is called the Father of Lies—he is incapable of telling the truth. But God is not a man, so He cannot lie. I’m putting my trust in the one who is always true to His word.

TP: Prayer bricks, all around you, building a hedge of protection, to help you overcome. How does this help you? Can you give an example?

MB: Years ago, when I first started writing this book, God very clearly told me that I needed a group of people praying for me. I didn’t know who to ask, and didn’t want anyone to feel pressured to say yes if I asked them. So I told God I needed Him to bring people around that He wanted to use to pray for my family and me.

I have been fortunate recently to have the support of praying brothers and sisters in Christ. Each morning, I wasn’t sure how I was going to make progress given the physical challenges, but with the prayer support of others, I finished the book on time despite what seemed like an impossibility to me.

Most recently, I received a cancer diagnosis after turning in my newest manuscript to my publisher. This was a complete shock to me. My husband and I were, in fact, on our way to see his oncologist when I received the call from my doctor saying the words no one wants nor expects to hear.

I subsequently underwent surgery and began treatment. I shared with praying friends, and many agreed to pray daily for me. It seemed that evenings and nighttime were the worst for me in terms of pain and side effects. Many nights, as I lay in bed with tears streaming down my face from the excruciating pain, I still experienced His peace, and over time the pain would lessen enough for me to get at least a little sleep. In those times, I knew someone had offered prayer on my behalf, because I couldn’t have made it in my own strength.

TP: Christian music seems to be a big part in your arsenal to overcome darkness. Can you give us an inside story of how Christian music, ‘in the moment’, was there for you?

MB: Many years ago, when I was enduring that life threatening illness and so many months of bed rest, I grew frustrated because I could do little other than pray and watch sermons online. One Sunday afternoon, a friend texted me a message telling me that she’d thought about me while at church and heard a particular song. So she wanted to share it with me. I listened to that song at least a dozen times. In listening to it, my strength and my resolve to fight grew stronger. So I began listening to praise and worship music literally 24 hours a day. Music was constantly playing in my room. I knew I was under spiritual attack, and Scripture says, “God inhabits the praises of His people” and the enemy can’t stand when we praise God, so he will leave. Even when I was in too much pain to verbally offer my praise to God, something would well up inside me and allow me to sing my praise to God in song. That’s exactly why at the end of Hope Prevails,  Hope Prevails Bible Study,

 and at the end of this new book on worry, fear, and anxiety, I included a recommended play list of songs which encouraged my heart in hopes that they will encourage others as well.

TP: Through it all, God is honoring your stand for Him. Now you have opportunity to speak up for Jesus through Fox National Radio tour. Can you tell us that story, how God placed you there?

MB: The real miracle is in the fact that I'm able to stand there and speak at all. Twenty years ago, I was petrified and hated public speaking! I turned down professional opportunities back then as a neuropsychologist for radio and television interviews out of fear. Over the next two decades, God did nothing short of a miracle in my heart. When Hope Prevails was getting ready to release, I was asked to do a radio interview, and I agreed. During that interview, I experienced joy like I had never experienced it before, and can vividly remember telling my husband, “This is what I was born to do!”

Over the last several years, I have had the opportunity and blessing to do many radio, podcast, and television interviews, and to speak to numerous church congregations.
Recently, I was at an event and met an individual who was previously a television journalist. He now owns his own public relations firm, and needed someone whom he could suggest to journalists to interview for health/mental health related issues. That has afforded me to be interviewed on several different topics on various different radio stations across the country, in the hopes that it will increase my opportunities to speak and share about God’s truth in a multitude of venues in addition to radio and television.
There is no greater joy to me than speaking and sharing the hope we have in Christ!

TP: Please join me in thanks to Dr. Michelle Bengtson for her interview today.

You can follow her at https://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com , or on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson/ , or get her books at Amazon or any major book distributor.

For this interview, Michelle is offering her Devotions of Hope for free for a limited time. https://drmichellebengtson.com/free-offer-prescriptions-of-hope/

Thank you Michelle for you interview.

Dr. Michelle Bengtson (PhD, Nova Southeastern University) has been a neuropsychologist for more than twenty years. She interned at the University of Oklahoma with "The Father of Neuropsychology," Dr. Oscar "Oz" Parsons, and completed postdoctoral training at both the Henry Ford Hospital and the University of Alabama Health Sciences Center. She lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with her husband, their two sons, and three dogs. Learn more at www.drmichellebengtson.com.

I’m looking forward to my next post, with a fiction author.

Interview by author and speaker Terry Palmer.