Brenda Anderson’s debut novel, Chain of Mercy, released in April and her readers are eagerly anticipating the prequel, Pieces of Granite, next month. We’re celebrating the Coming Home Series today with an interview and a giveaway. You’ll find more information about that at the end of the post.

Book Blurb:

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women, and he proudly lived that prodigal lifestyle.

Until one disastrous evening, when that world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer clothes in his closet.

Five Questions with Brenda:

What was the inspiration for your novel?

That’s a tough question. I wrote CHAIN OF MERCY so many years ago, and the original “what if” idea that prompted the story isn’t part of the book. But I do know that as the story developed over time, it was very important for me to be open-minded. While Chain is not about abortion, the main characters in the story are all impacted by abortion in some way. I wanted to be honest with their perspective, whether it agreed with mine or not, and I wanted to see each characters’ heart as God sees them.

 If you could have dinner with three people (living or dead), who would you choose and why?

Another good question. Going back to Biblical times, I’d love to have dinner with Asaph. He’s actually mentioned frequently in the Bible, but I never hear people talk of him. He was a Levite and a gifted musician who wrote 12 of the Psalms. As a musician, I find that fascinating. Not only would I enjoy talking with him, but I’d love to hear his music.

Fast-forwarding a few years, I’d love to invite Jonathan Swift. I loved Gulliver’s Travels—no one can duplicate Swifts gift for satire. I can see him having all my dinner guests in stitches.

Lastly, I would invite Horatio G. Spafford, who penned the lyrics to It is Well With My Soul. To have the kind of faith he had under such tragic circumstances astounds me. I covet that strength of faith. There is so much I could learn from him.

In terms of writing a novel, are you a plotter or a pantser? Or a hybrid combo?

Definitely a pantser, which is ironic considering that in most every other aspect of my life I’m a planner. I love numbers and spreadsheets and outlines, but when it comes to story creating, I can’t plot. Knowing the story in advance takes away the joy of writing for me. I enjoy writing the story, being surprised by the plot twists, and then do heavy editing afterward.

 What can your readers expect from you in the future? Prequel, sequel, novella, etc.

Chain of Mercy is the first release in the Coming Home series, and next month the prequel Pieces of Granite comes out. Two additional books in the series, Memory Box Secrets and Finding Home will release in 2015. Memory Box Secrets continues where Chain of Mercy leaves off.

 Please share one piece of advice for aspiring writers you wish you’d known before you started this writing journey.

Be prepared to wait. For everything. Nothing moves fast in this industry, but that’s okay. I’d rather move slowly and get it right, than rush a book through the conception, birthing, and raising process, likely creating an underdeveloped work. When that book comes out, you want it to be the best it can be.

Brenda Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is currently President of the ACFW Minnesota Chapter. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, travel, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. Brenda lives near Minneapolis, MN with her husband, their three children, and one sassy cat. Learn more at www.brendaandersonbooks.com.

You can also connect with Brenda via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Watch Chain of Mercy‘s book trailer here

Chain of Mercy is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million and iTunes.

Brenda is offering an eBook copy of Chain of Mercy to one fortunate reader. Please leave a comment below with your name, valid email address and tell us who you’d have dinner with, living or dead. The contest closes on October 21, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.