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Interview: Brandilyn and Amberly Collins on Always Watching

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California. Brandilyn is a bestselling novelist, known for her trademarked "Seatbelt Suspense". Amberly is a college student in southern California. Their first novel is Always Watching.

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California. Brandilyn is a bestselling novelist, known for her trademarked "Seatbelt Suspense". Amberly is a college student in southern California. Their first novel is Always Watching.

Why did you decide to write as a mother/daughter team?

Amberly: Well, initially when we were offered this opportunity it struck me as a great experience I normally wouldn't get on my own (if I wasn't the daughter of a bestselling author). So I jumped at the idea. I thought it would be different to have not only a mother daughter team but an author as young as I am to help reach the younger audience.

Brandilyn: My publisher, Zondervan, can be credited for coming up with the idea. Zondervan was launching a YA line and, since I was already with the house as an adult suspense author, they approached me with the idea of writing with Amberly. How could I say no to the chance to write with my wonderful daughter?

How did you come up with the idea for a “Rock Concert” setting for this new series?

Amberly: We’ve always enjoyed concerts together, so it seemed fitting to immerse ourselves and the story in a world we only on occasion get to enjoy.

Brandilyn: We also thought our readers would find the life of a rock star’s daughter both exciting and intriguing. What is life really like for a girl of such privileges? What kinds of personal struggles might she endure that the world never sees?

Tell us about Shaley O’Connor. What kind of girl is she? Is her character based in any way on Amberly?

Amberly: She's not really based on me except for the love of clothes. Certain aspects of her life I intentionally wanted to create because they were things I would like to have if I was a rock star’s daughter—for instance, the glitzy side of her life.

Brandilyn-what is it like writing for a younger audience?

Brandilyn: I’ve always found it interesting to write in the younger point of view. All the books in my Kanner Lake series, and some of my other novels have supporting characters who are teenagers. It’s a fresh, different voice. In writing this series it was very helpful to have Amberly’s insights in getting that younger POV right.

Amberly-what is it like having a bestselling author for a mom?

Amberly: Well..it’s interesting! She's somewhat of a scatterbrain sometimes and occasionally talks to herself when she walks away from her computer but is still stuck in her writing. But it’s fun. I'm proud she's made it as far as she has.

Brandilyn, you have a busy writing schedule for your adult titles and Amberly, you’re in college. How do you two find time to write together with your busy schedules?

Amberly: We've been lucky so far because we've been able to work around school and collaborate during breaks and summers. Right now in my free time I've just been doing plotting sessions for the 3rd book by myself until we’re together again.

This series is suspense and does involve murder, so how is it different than the “vampire suspense” titles popular in the general market right now?

Brandilyn: Through Shaley’s struggles, and all the murder and mayhem, runs a theme of truth—that God is with us always and is so willing to be a part of our lives and help us navigate this world if we choose to let Him. After the exciting story is done, I hope that truth sticks with the reader.

How do you hope Shaley’s adventures will inspire teens to live a life of faith? Why should teens read this series?

Amberly: I think it’s important for teens, whether they're Christian or not, to see how Shaley grows and learns about God during hard times. This message is subtle and not overbearing, so our hope is that teens can see how to reach out to God in times of need and walk with Him on a regular basis as well.

What’s next for Shaley and her mom in The Rayne Tour series?

Brandilyn: The second book, Last Breath, starts right where Always Watching leaves off. Always Watching solves the murder mystery within it, yet hints of a whole new mystery for Shaley arise. She must seek the truth about his new mystery in Last Breath. Book #2 is full of surprises, as is book #1. The most important challenge in a series is to write a second book as strong as the first. We both think we’ve done that.

Where can readers find out more about you both?

Brandilyn: The best place to start is my Web site, www.brandilyncollins.com. Information on the Rayne Tour series is on the “Coming Next” link. As we get a Rayne Tour page going on Facebook, we’ll link to it from my site.