Interview & Giveaway! Barbara Brink ~ Author of Split Sense!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Barbara! Will you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here!

My husband and I enjoy riding motorcycles, and take weekend road trips during the summer. We meet interesting people find some great places to use in my stories. I grew up on the West coast but have lived in Minnesota for over twenty five years now. We have two adult children who live nearby, and two lovable mutts who sleep near my desk and keep me company while I write. I’m an avid reader and yet have an embarrassingly large TBR pile of books. I can never seem to catch up.

What is Split Sense about?

Separated for sixteen years by a web of lies and conspiracy, gifted twins find their destinies irrevocably linked. Zander grows up as the prize guinea pig for a powerful pharmaceutical company. They say he has a gift. He considers it a curse. He wishes to be free of the company and their mind games, but his father is caught up in the web of deceit and he can’t bring the company down without destroying his family in the process. Emma is sheltered in a small town with loving parents, oblivious to the fact that she is not their own. She also has a gift. The ability to heal with music. Together, the twins seek the truth, but someone is willing to commit murder to keep the project secret. For a boy who has been used his entire life, learning to trust isn’t easy. Through his sister, Zander has a glimpse of a loving God whose plan of providence brings them together at just the right time.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I’ve always loved to write but truthfully didn’t think about actually writing a book until after I was in my twenties and newly married. I bought an old typewriter and began writing, but really had no idea what I was doing. The busyness of life and raising children took over and I tucked my writing away until the kids were in their early teens. About fourteen years ago I sat down to write and haven’t stopped since. Well...I have managed to take food and bathroom breaks.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 


I’m the author of five published books. Entangled & Crushed are the first two books in a mystery series set at a California winery. I also have a two book Christian suspense series, Running Home & Alias Raven Black. I love reading mystery, suspense, and thrillers, so those are normally what I tend to write. My personal favorite so far is actually Split Sense. I really enjoyed writing Zander and Emma’s story as they discovered God’s providence even in the small details of life.

Where do you get your information and/or ideas for your books?


My ideas come from many different places. The idea for Split Sense came to me while watching a medical mysteries segment on Good Morning America a few years back. They were talking about a strange unexplained phenomenon they called, Synesthesia, that affects a very small segment of the population. These people are born with some “wires crossed” you might say. Their senses are jumbled in a strange way so that they might taste words or hear music notes as colors. I took the mystery a step further and wrote Split Sense.

What would you say is the best and/or worst part about being a writer?

Other than not having to dress up and drive through rush hour traffic to get to work, the best part is when I hear from happy readers who loved my story and can’t wait for the next one or they tell me the book really encouraged them and helped them through a hard time.

The worst part about being a writer is having writer’s block, running out of chocolate in my desk drawer, and getting a nasty review all on the same day.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?


When I’m not writing I’m involved with church functions, I do a lot of reading, go out to breakfast with friends, let the dogs take me for walks, garden, and spend time with my husband.

What are three things you wouldn't want to do without (besides the Bible, food, and family)?


I wouldn’t want to do without my car, my motorcycle, and my Nook.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet?


Yes! I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. I’m hoping to make a trip there soon.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

I have lots of favorites but I’ll choose Casting Crown’s, Who Am I.
One of my favorite comedies is, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, but one of my all time favorite movies is Last of the Mohicans, with Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe. I just think it is an awesome love story.

Do you have any favorite authors?


I have so many I can’t name them all but Patricia Cornwell, Diana Gabaldon, Sibella Giorello, Sally John, and RandyAlcorn are just a few.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

This week I’m meditating on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you tell us a little about it?


I’m working on a Young Adult novel as well as a third Fredrickson winery mystery.

Thanks so much for being here! Where can we find you on the web?


You can connect with me here:
My webpage: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEllenBrink
Twitter: BarbaraEBrink

Drop me a line. I love to hear from readers.

Book Giveaway!

Enter to win Split Sense! 

If the winner lives in the US they have a choice between an eBook or print copy of Split Sense, but if they live outside of the US, they will receive an eBook copy! Open Internationally!


Enter by filling out the Rafflecopter below (here is a tutorial, if you aren't familiar with Rafflecopter). The mandatory entry is to leave a comment on this blog post - after you do that, the other entries will become available. :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway