Monday, November 29, 2010

OVER THE EDGE--My Novel on Lyme Disease

The novel I was born to write--Over the Edge--releases May 1, 2011. Here's a first look at the cover and the back cover copy. Short- and long-version trailers have been done (they're wonderful!) and will soon be available for viewing.

Over the Edge is my first novel to release from my new contract with BandH.

Back Cover Copy

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.

Prologue

A vision denied is a battle lost.

With a flick of his hand the blackened sky blipped into eerie green. Crouched on the house’s back deck, he adjusted his night goggles. The high bushes surrounding the yard illumed, the wizened limbs of a giant oak straggling upward in surreal glow.

He ran his hand over a pocket on his black cargo pants. The vial created a telltale bump against his thigh. His latex-gloved fingers closed around it.

Rising, he crossed the deck in five long strides. He surveyed the lock on the sliding glass door. Not enough light. He raised the goggles, darkness reigning once more. From a left pocket he extracted a tiny flashlight. Aimed its beam at the lock.

A common thief he was not. His mission had required intricate study of skills he’d never dreamed he need possess. The pick of a lock. A stealthy skulk. A means to render unconscious.

He pulled the necessary tools from the same pocket. Holding the flashlight in his mouth, he worked the tools into the lock, manipulating as practiced. The mechanism gave way with a tiny click.

He slid the door open.

Continue reading prologue.

13 comments:

Sheri Salatin said...

I cannot wait to read this book! I was diagnosed with Lymes last year and have spent over a year battling active lymes. Finally, with the help of a very good nutritionist, I am to the point where I can function again.
A very strange, debilitating disease. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Sheri Salatin said...

I just read your story on the website and wanted to comment again.
WOW! God is so good! :o)
I feel that there is a purpose in my life with the Lymes too, even if the only to keep me closer to God. I have had the opportunity to minister to many other hurting and sick folks because of my Lymes. God is so faithful to us. I am so unworthy of his love, but he gives it anyway.
His mercies are new every morning...
Blessings!

Karen Eve said...

This is going to be an amazing story. I am looking forward to reading it as I remember you pre-Lymes, during Lymes, and of course post-Lymes. I think this will reasonate with all who have a 'non-existent' condition. Blessings,

Gigi Murfitt said...

Brandilyn. I want to read it now! PLEASE! Bless you for everything you write about. I know this one was personal and I appreciate you taking it on. God Bless You. Gigi

Nicole said...

Great cover, exciting beginning.

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Sheri and all, thanks for your comments. Sheri, as hard as Lyme is, I'm glad it's given you a chance to help others.

Lydia N said...

Thank you for writing this book and sharing the stories of others and what they have had to go through. It is very much appreciated. I can't wait for it to be released! I hope you are continuing to do well. An update to my story, I got the all clear from my doc at the end of June and I am still doing quite well. I am no longer on any herbs or meds. I did come down shingles when I let myself become severely sunburn and underwent a stressful family crisis but other than the occasional head ache or putting my back out here and there lifting furniture, I am doing fantastic!

Marjorie Vawter said...

I'm really looking forward to reading this book. Love the cover, and the prologue leaves me wanting more . . . now! Guess I'll have to wait. :)

Edwina said...

Brandilyn,

This book sounds fascinating and I can't wait to read it! The cover is awesome - and gets it's point across. I felt like something was crawling on me!

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Lydia, what wonderful news that you're well. I'm so happy for you! I know what a long fight it is.

Dineen A. Miller said...

Brandilyn, had to stop in and say your cover is beautiful! Love the imagery. So excited for you about this book! Hugs!

Cynthia Ruchti said...

I'm sure many of us will read this story for the brilliant suspense it is, for the hope it will offer, and for the wonder of knowing someone understands. And Someone understands. May can't get here soon enough! I feel as if I should be "prayed up" before plunging into the story and reliving disease-moments (that turned into years) I'm grateful to now count as history.

Anonymous said...

Collins's description of her character's interior state as she reaches for the Bible is absolutely spot on. The way Janessa uses Scriptural passages and holds on to particular words or phrases in her despair fits my experience. I felt the parts of the book laying out spiritual phenomena were excellent, indeed among the best I've read. This site helps me to write my essay on this theme.