Brandy Vallance Interview & Giveaway

The Covered Deep Weekend continues!!! Read my interview below and be sure to come back tomorrow to meet Bianca Marshal, the heroine from The Covered Deep.

Brandy Vallance Meet Brandy Vallance author of The Covered Deep! Over the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of getting to know her just a little bit better. She is a down to earth and gifted writer and I am so pleased that I was able to interview her and let you all in on how sweet she really is. One of the best parts of being a review blogger is to discover new authors that quickly become a favorite and I had the opportunity a few months ago when I received an advanced review copy of The Covered Deep. I read it and loved it and sent my feedback quickly.

I was so excited when Brandy agreed to do an interview for Christian Fiction Addict & a giveaway of her debut novel The Covered Deep that releases Tuesday, October 14th. Here is my interview.


CFA: What inspired you to become a writer?

Brandy: Someone once said that if you read enough, eventually you’ll want to write a book of your own. I think my love of books just translated into wanting to write. 

CFA: Random Question! I have read that you are a tea addict. Do you eat scones and listen to classical music while sipping your black tea? If not, please tell us what you like to indulge in with your self-confessed tea addiction.

Brandy: Why, yes I do! Although I try to limit the scones to every now and again. You should see all the empty tea cups on my desk! Tea is basically the fodder for my imagination. I also like to eat Himalania Dark Chocolate Goji Berries while I write because they give me energy. Sometimes I eat walnuts, which is random. 

CFA: Is your pinky up while drinking said tea?

Brandy: Only on Thursdays. 

CFA: I think we covered tea thoroughly. Let us move along. Tell us about your home life.

Brandy: I live with my adventurous missionary husband, a debonair son who has adopted my love of all things British, my beautiful daughter who reminds me to never lose the wonder, a Great Dane whose teeth chatter during hailstorms, and a cat who weighs too much to be sensible. 

CFA: Random Question! I am going to go out on a limb and assume you like (maybe even love, like I do) Jane Austen’s books. Which is your favorite and why? 

Brandy: I do love Jane Austen! I’ll probably have to say Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. Although, I love Emma too! I kind of used to keep the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice on auto play. And, I was so inspired that I had to sew my own Regency dress. And, of course, I drank tea while wearing it. 

CFA: Congratulations as a debut author winning quite a few awards for The Covered Deep. I know you must be excited to debut the book. How has it been so far?

Brandy: It’s very surreal to finally see the thing you’ve dreamed about for so long. When the books were delivered to my house for my launch party, I was afraid to open the box. And then I was afraid to touch a book. When I held a copy of The Covered Deep in my hands, my entire body shook. Then, I was afraid to see the pages. That new book smell is something else when you wrote the words! Now, I have that first copy that I touched on my office desk and that’s where it will stay. 

Something that’s been extremely fun is people posting on my Facebook wall pictures of 
themselves holding the book. Today someone took a picture of themself holding the book on a plane! It’s so fun to wake up every day and see something new. People from my past and even complete strangers have been so supportive! 

CFA: Can you tell us a little about The Covered Deep, behind the scenes?

Brandy: A lot of research went into the book, including corresponding with the British Museum in London. In 2011 I was able to go to London and stand in the King’s Library in the British Museum where Paul and Bianca meet for the first time. That was an amazing moment. For subtle details, I read Victorian etiquette books, fashion books, nineteenth century traveling books, etc. 

As far as behind the scenes of the writing, you would have probably seen a lot of me talking to myself and acting things out to make sure I got the body language just right. Then you’d see me laugh at some things Bianca said. There’s one scene with Joshua Tabor that still makes me laugh like crazy. 

CFA: Who was your favorite character to write?

Brandy: Oh, my. That’s a hard question to answer. I love all of them. I think getting into Paul’s deep POV was the most intriguing. 

CFA: In my review, I added photos of how I pictured (more or less) the characters. Do you agree with my choices? It’s okay if you don’t...lol.

Brandy: It’s so much fun to see who you chose! Very close indeed! I chose Katie McGrath for Madeline and I went off an old photograph for Bianca. You can see the photograph on my Pinterest board. I never did find exact photos for the other characters. 

CFA: Really neat board. Katie McGrath is so much better than my choice!

CFA: In the book you describe, in much detail, The Holy Land. Have you ever been?

Brandy: Unfortunately not. It is a dream of mine to go someday. 

CFA: Random Question! I read that you traveled throughout some of Europe. Which country was your favorite?

Brandy: Why England, of course. Although Scotland is a close second. 

CFA: So I really really liked The Covered Deep, as you already know from my review. When can we expect your next book? I’m not a patient reader; especially when I like the author’s works!

Brandy: Awww! Thank you so much. You’re going to love my second book! It’s a Scottish romance with gypsies and an English Royal Horse Guard *swoon*. It’s not sold yet, but hopefully soon! 

CFA: Brandy, I thank you so much for taking the time to join me at Christian Fiction Addict. I wish you much success with The Covered Deep and beyond.

Brandy: It has been a pleasure. Thank you!

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