Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Back Cover Review: Over The Edge by Brandilyn Collins


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Over the Edge
B&H Books (May 1, 2011)
by
Brandilyn Collins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e..."® Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Final Touch, third in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.


ABOUT THE BOOK
Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.

Janessa McNeil’s husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases—especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings—which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.

One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme—or their young daughter will be next.

But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.

Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.
“A taut, heartbreaking thriller. Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”
--Publishers Weekly
“Tense and dramatic. Holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle.” –NY Journal of Books

“A frightening and all-too-real scenario. Very timely and meaningful book.” –RT Reviews

“If you know someone who suffers from Lyme, you need to read this compelling novel.” –Lydia Niederwerfer, founder of Lyme-Aware
If you would like to read the Prologue of Over the Edge, go HERE

Watch the book video:



BACK COVER REVIEW:

I really enjoyed this novel! The book does everything that “seat-belt suspense” promises – keeps you gasping for air and holding on through the twists and turns. The characters were real-to-life and the plot could happen to anyone.

 I have some minor complaints but overall thought this book was excellent. The information about chronic long-term Lyme's seemed lengthy – although moving and heart-rending – and to know that people are actually suffering through this?! And the author has suffered with this terrible illness TWICE! ...I felt certain that I knew who the villain was halfway through the book…the result of too much NCIS? I don’t know. But still wanted to read on to confirm my strong suspicions and it continued to be worth the read.

MY LYME'S STORY
I requested this book because, well, I really like Brandilyn Collins’ writing but also because I had Lyme’s Disease when I was 16.

I had the unwilling honor of being the first person to contract Lyme’s from the state park that my family camped at (or was it in the state of Kansas?). I forget which but either way it didn’t feel like a great honor. My case was typical. We knew that a tick had bitten me and three months later the symptoms of achy joints and a rash started – the doctors said it was either Lupus or Lyme’s. My Mom kept me from experiencing any worse or chronic symptoms by insisting that they test for Lyme’s and start me on medication right away. Even so, I spent the better part of a year in pain and sleeping because of the Benadryl. It was several years before my energy levels were normal again.