About Christine Brae
Four years ago, after experiencing a great loss in her life, Christine Brae decided that it was time to channel her feelings on paper and see where it would take her. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of many women with the same stories to tell. With an established fan base and a dedicated following, Christine has published five books: The Light in the Wound, His Wounded Light, Insipid, In this Life and Eight Goodbyes. All five books have debuted in the top 1,000 at Amazon and continued to rank in the Top 100 in their respective genres in the months following their release. Her sixth book, The Year I Left was released in August 2019.
Christine Brae is a hopeless romantic who writes about real life, flawed characters and the saving grace of unconditional love. Her experience of living and growing up in a foreign country plays a large part in her stories. Her full-time career and ability to travel extensively also add flair and individuality to the vividly written settings in her books. They transport the reader to faraway places and make them feel like they’ve been there before. Christine’s inspiration stems from the people she meets and the places that she’s seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style.
Christine holds a senior executive position at one of the world’s largest global advertising agencies and lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.
Read BookTrib’s reviews of Christine’s books, The Year I Left and Eight Goodbyes.
BOOKS:
The Year I Left (2019)
Biggest literary influencers:
Too many to name, but I have always loved Stephen King, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman, Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks.
Last book read:
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher and (still reading) Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
The book that changed your life:
I started reading and blogging when books by Tarryn Fisher, S.C. Stephens, Sylvain Reynard and Sylvia Day started becoming popular. There wasn’t one particular book, but rather a phenomenal trend in Indie Author books that engaged me enough to write and self-publish my very first book.
Your favorite literary character:
Hands down, Meggie Cleary from The Thornbirds (Colleen McCollough). She is strong, passionate and determined and has the love for all ages.
Currently working on:
The release of The Year I Left in August 2019.
Words to live by:
Every now and then, I go back to the very first book that really had an impact on me – The Thornbirds by Colleen McCollough – because of these lines. To me, they signify everything I have learned about humanity.
There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…. Or so says the legend.
Advice to new and aspiring authors:
Write for the love of it, not for the fame or fortune that is often elusive in this industry. Own your actions and your words, and know that only you can change your destiny.
