I have seen today’s guest everywhere! Well, her books anyway. And – to my shame – I have not yet been able to squeeze in some time to read one. But my buddy Kav loves them which means I will too. And so will you!
Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Chapter of the Year, MN-NICE, from Minnesota. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 29 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.
You can connect with Brenda on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads. You can also sign up for her newsletter here.
Her newest book, Capturing Beauty, released February 7th from Vivant Press.
He’s a nature photographer returning to make amends. She’s a camera-shy naturalist seeking privacy. Their love for a boy brings them together, but the camera could drive them apart.
Photographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. Six years earlier, he had run from his tragedy-filled life in Duluth. Now he’s back in town to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too. When camera-leery Callie Beaumont steps in to bridge the relationship between Haven and his former family, he’s wary, but she’s his only hope.
Callie Beaumont is surrounded by beauty. Her parents are local news celebrities. Her sister is a model. And Callie is … Ordinary. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos.
Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son?
Yay! Hi Brenda! Welcome to the blog 🙂 Thanks so much for chatting with me. I start all of my guests out with a fast four:
Brenda: Tough one! I like them both, but I’d probably reach for an apple because you can eat them peel and all.
Carrie: True. They are much more convenient.
Brenda: Winter, definitely! And I live in Minnesota where we can have very harsh winters. But, I really dislike the heat and humidity. You can always put more clothes on, but you can only take so much off.
Carrie: Amen & amen.
Brenda: I like both, grew up with both on a dairy farm, but I’ll have to say cats because they’re so much easier to work with. And I do love a cat’s ever-changing attitude.
Carrie: Speaking of attitude, my dog Zuzu is not pleased with your answer. She does not feel cats are easier to work with… case in point, their ever-changing attitude 😉 Never fear though – Zuzu is fairly forgiving.
Brenda: Neither!
Carrie: Agreed.
Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Brenda: Reading or eating chocolate are what first came to mind. ? But then I’m reminded of Elastigirl in The Incredibles, an amazing, flexible, stay-at-home mom. She’s my hero! I may not be as flexible as Elastigirl, but as a former stay-at-home mom whose kids turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself, I can certainly relate to her.
Carrie: Reading and eating chocolate are excellent superpowers to have 😉 LOL. And yes! Elastigirl is all kinds of awesome. Being a mom of any sort – stay-at-home, work-outside-the-home, etc – is a superpower all unto itself!
Who is your favorite book character from childhood?
Brenda: Definitely Jane Eyre. I’ve always loved a non-traditional, non-perfect hero, someone who isn’t the prettiest or smartest, but has a big heart and has depth beyond the first impressions. Trixie Belden is a close second.
Carrie: I love that description of Jane Eyre (and heroines like her, of which there are far too few)!! And Trixie – gotta love Trixie!
If I asked your characters to describe YOU as an author, what would they say?
Brenda: My characters would say they see a bit of themselves in me, sometimes the good, and sometimes the bad. They would say that I’m honest about people, and that I always try to understand people and situations from multiple perspectives, not just my own.
Carrie: That’s so important – seeing people and situations from multiple perspectives.
In Capturing Beauty, your hero Haven and your heroine Callie both spend a lot of time absorbing the beauty of nature. Where is your favorite spot to go to be ‘wowed’ by creation?
Brenda: No surprise, my favorite spot is right up in Callie and Haven’s region. I love Lake Superior, and I could just sit at the water’s edge and marvel at God’s immense power. I witnessed a sunrise over the lake this past fall, and was awed by God’s ever-changing masterpiece.
Carrie: That is some of the most beautiful part of our country, up there. Second only to God’s country which is of course Kentucky 😉
Between Haven and Callie, who do you most closely relate to and why?
Brenda: I can really relate to Callie. Like me, she loves God, and loves His creation, and sees beauty in all He made, even in the earth worms. Yet she has trouble seeing herself as a beautiful creation. She knows it in her head, but has trouble convincing her heart of that. That’s where Haven comes in. ?
Carrie: Hmm… you and Callie had me until “earth worms”. But ohhhh how so many of we women fall victim to the same lies. That we aren’t beautiful enough … or talented enough … or just “enough”.
What do you most want readers to take away from Capturing Beauty?
Brenda: I’d love for readers to think about seeing beyond our first impressions. First impressions do matter, but they only give a shallow sneak peek of the entire story / person. It’s always important to move beyond the initial reaction and see the depth of what God has made. If we could all look at a person and see the heart God sees, the world would be a much better place.
Carrie: Amen. So true.
Again thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Brenda: Thank you so much for welcoming me, Carrie! This has been a fun interview!
Right now I’m working on Planting Hope, book #3 in my Where the Heart Is series. This story is about Callie’s model sister Jess and the local candy store owner. Planting Hope is scheduled for release this coming fall!
Brenda is offering an autographed copy of Capturing Beauty to one of my readers (continental US only). Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies.
What about you? Where is your favorite spot to go to be ‘wowed’ by creation?
For me, here in Arizona, it has to be the Grand Canyon…..totally mind blowing and beautiful!
it is stunning, yes!
I love to be by the water- lake, beach, river. I get to remember who is in control and how he feels about it
I love the ocean! So gorgeous!
I was going to say the mountains but the place I was most wowed by creation was the delivery room. I was blessed to be present at the birth of 2 nieces and 1 grandson. I was also blessed to be in the delivery room of a still-born baby girl. It was a powerful, moving experience. I was also there to celebrate the healthy birth of the next baby that came for my friend.
I love a garden in spring time (not my own, I have brown thumbs) when things are waking up. And I love the Autumn when things are getting ready for a long winter’s nap.
oh i love that, Andrea! So sweet
The ocean.. definitely!
i love the ocean!
We love the Ozark Mountains so much that we are in the process of building a home there to move there permanently. 🙂
oh how lovely! The mountains (just about any of them) are my happy place.
Thank you so much for welcoming me, Carrie! Loved the interview! (And my apologies to Zuzu – I really do like dogs! They are so immensely loyal and loving!)
Love hearing about all the places your readers go to be wowed by God. It always amazes me to think that the amazing beauty we see is just a dirty image of what we’ll see when Jesus returns!
Zuzu has already forgiven and forgotten 😉
“the amazing beauty we see is just a dirty image of what we’ll see when Jesus returns” — oh what a fabulously amazing thought!!
I am from the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, there’s hardly a more beautiful place. But the ocean soothes me. Isn’t it fortunate that I live in a state where the mountains and the beach are so accessible?
yes! So fortunate!
The mountains move me more than anything else.
me too, Susan!
The Irish countryside! You haven’t seen green until you’ve been to Ireland. And so many shades!!!!
Great interview, Carrie and Brenda. I’m not uber thrilled with worms either though my daughter had a pet worm once. Shudder. His name was Wormy and he certainly was. Double shudder.
LOL Kav!!!
The ocean definitely. Niagara Falls is magnificent.
yes, absolutely!
I thought about this question for a little bit because there are so many wonderful places that Wow me. I would have to say though that anywhere I have a view of the sunset or sunrise is the most profound. At those times, I always tell my kids that God is out with his paintbox again. 🙂 Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
sunrises and sunsets are so breathtaking, aren’t they?
Being a flat lander, the beauty of the mountains always takes my breath away. Especially during the fall season.
YES! mine too!
The beach by our house. The sunsets are breathtaking, the waves peaceful at times and the seagulls swooping are just beautiful and all this reminds me of God’s beautiful creation.
oh i bet! I’m partial to the mountains but I love the ocean too
Anywhere, but I’m partial to national forests with streams, lakes, waterfalls or a view that’s breathtaking!
I’m not so into the forest part of that, but I love mountain streams and mountain lakes and mountain waterfalls 😀
Definitely the mountains, especially our own valley surrounded by the mountains. Also The Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. Then, of course, there are the Alps around Interlaken, Switzerland. I love them all. One of my favorite places to go is Tony Grove Lake up the canyon near me. It’s up near the top of a mountain and it’s simply gorgeous there. It’s usually late June or early July before the road is cleared of snow (may be August this year, LOL), but the wildflowers in July there are breath-taking!
ohhh you’re making me want to get in my car and move up there right now!
Well, Carrie, a house just came up for sale a couple of houses down from me. “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood. . .Won’t you please, won’t you please, please won’t you be my neighbor?” (courtesy of Mr. Rogers) LOL Plus. . . snow in the winter!!! And I’d share my chocolate with you!
that’s so tempting!! LOL
Let’s see if I can sweeten the pot a little. One of my neighbors is the owner of the English Language Center here. They work with LOTS of immigrants, refugees and others who are trying to learn English. I’m pretty sure she’d be delighted to hire you.
ooooooooo!!!! You’re KILLING me!!! LOL
Any place that has the bright and beautiful colors are Autumn.
Marilyn
i love Autumn! Yes!
I love the mountains and dessert here Tucson.
the mountains are my happy place!
You girls had me at ELASTIGIRL!!! Since I’m somewhat clumsy, I wouldn’t trust myself to fly or run fast, but I can stand still and stretch like nobody’s business!! LOL! Can’t wait to read Capturing Beauty!
LOL!
I live less than 2 hours from Niagara Falls and of course that is an awe inspiring place to visit. But our favorite place to go is Allegany State Park where we have gone camping almost every year for more than 40 years with our 8 children and now 8 grandchildren. There are many beautiful places to hang out there in the woods.
Niagara Falls is just breathtaking! I have never been to Allegany State Park but it sounds beautiful!
I love reading of all the places God wows us. He really loves to lavish us with gifts, doesn’t He? I love the mountains and beaches, and streams that cut through forests. Visiting Ireland, Niagara Falls, and the Grand Canyon are on my bucket list. There’s nothing like watching a sunrise and/or sunset to see God’s paintbrush in action. That applies to autumn as well. And the miracle of a baby being born? How can you not be wowed by that?
I’ve been to Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon – Ireland is still on my bucket list!!!
God is so sweet to us, isn’t He?
I love going to Edisto Beach, SC.
I love to visit Cumberland Falls near Corbin, KY. Beautiful scenery, the falls that are called “The Little Niagara” and the Moonbow!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
such a beautiful place!