Paula Moldenhauer
Fiction Friday – Gone to Ground, Brandilyn Collins

Time to shake things up a bit at GraceReign’s Fiction Friday! Today I’m reviewing Brandilyn Collins’s book, Gone to Ground. Honestly, I’m a bit of a scardy cat when it comes to the Seatbelt Suspense Brandilyn is known for. I tend to avoid murder mysteries and thrillers . . .

But when I received the ARC for Gone to Ground from Broadman and Holman’s publicity folks, what could I do? Brandilyn is absolutely one of my very favorite ladies in the world of fiction writing. I had to support this women I so love and admire. (More on that later) So, I made myself brave and promised to read only during daylight hours.

I read this page-turner in two sittings. And it didn’t even really freak me out too much–except when the method of death was described in detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed Brandilyn’s characterization and really, truly wish her heroine, Cherrie Mae, lived on my block. That is one woman you want to know!

The story unfolded with lots of good suspense and sleuthing. In the story, a small town, Amaryllis, Mississippi, has been the victim of a serial killer. Three terrified women are sure they know who the killer is–but each woman suspects a different man!

I was soon caught up, as all of Brandilyn’s readers must be, in my own deducing of clues. Brandilyn is known for her surprise twist endings, and this was no different, though I pretty much pegged it, which made me quite proud. I’m curious if other readers figure it out, or if I’m just surprisingly brilliant. :O)

Seriously, I can wholeheartedly recommend Gone to Ground as a must read.

Now onto other tidbits about this favorite author of mine. Brandilyn Collins is one of those cornerstone folks in American Christian Fiction Writers. She serves as emcee at the national conference, is on the advisory board, and has been a friend and encourager to many, yours truly included.

Several years ago we had opportunity to pray together. She poured herself out on behalf of me. After the prayer session she told me that she felt my children were about to enter into a difficult season. If you’ve been a GraceReign reader for long you know Brandilyn was right on. She not only helped me prepare for the season, she committed to praying for my kids and faithfully did so for month upon month, year upon year. I’m not sure when the LORD released her from the prayer vigil, but I know she was there during four different academic struggle diagnosis and therapies, two broken bones, three surgeries, undiagnosed, debilitating food allergies, lots of personal trials, the near death of hubby, and the list goes on and on.

If you’re reading this, Brandilyn, I am forever grateful to you. I will always love you.

Okay. ‘Nuff said. Crying now. God is so good to send people who stand with us in prayer.

Now . . . fearless readers: Go buy Brandilyn’s book! And check out her story of how God healed her of lyme disease. You won’t be sorry!

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