#MMBBR #Showcase In This Life by @ChristineBrae #FirstLine @BookTrib

In This Life follows the story of Anna Dillon, who wants to escape her busy life in New York City before she starts medical school in the spring. She ends up volunteering on a medical mission in Thailand with her best friend, Dante. There she meets the passionate and enigmatic Jude Grayson. They’re immediately drawn to him and they share a brief, but fervent affair.

Then Anna has to rush home for a medical emergency, and Jude promises that he’ll stay in touch. But he doesn’t, and Anna tries desperately to move on.

Five years later, and she’s married Dante, after giving up hope that Jude will ever return. And then one day, in a chance meeting, they come face to face again. Anna then she learns the life-altering secret of why Jude never called, and why they can’t be together. But passion that ignited on that Thai beach never died, and it becomes impossible for them to stay apart.

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Her second book, His Wounded Light was released in December, 2013.

Christine's third book, Insipid, is a standalone that was released in June, 2014, and her fourth book, In This Life is scheduled for release in January 2016. 

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

Christine is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management.

This book was quite the read.  It was a multilayered story that kept me guessing until the end.  I was instantly drawn into the story and the beautiful writing.  I found that there was a nice blend of setting, characters and story that keep me fully engaged throughout.  I am excited that this book was optioned for a film because I would love to see this book play out on the big screen.

#FirstLine One for me, please, Miss.

1.)    What inspired you to write In This Life?

I wrote In This Life at a time when I was searching for answers for the inexplicable things that had   happened to me in the last two years. My books are a reflection of my emotions and feelings at various stages in my life. The stories may or may not be all fiction, but the emotions, thoughts and words are real.

2.)    Was there anyone specific who you based Anna off of? What about Dante or Jude?

Yes, but if I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.

3.)    What was the hardest part about writing this book?

I think that the most difficult part about writing this book was trying to find the best way to give every character a personality and a voice. This book is focused on Anna and her journey as a girl and as a woman. But it is also a story about friendship and destiny. I wanted to write a story that would express the answers that I was searching for a few years ago. Something happened to me, something so out of the blue – and since I’ve always believed that things happen for a reason, I wanted to let people know – hey you know what, despite all your wishes, and prayers and everything you do to make things work out in your favor, sometimes, it’s just not meant for you. It’s a hard thing to accept, you know? And it took two years for me to really figure things out.

It was really a challenge to embody these characters with that one lesson.

4.)    In This Life was just optioned to become a movie? How does that feel?

Oh my gosh! I still can’t believe that it happened! I mean, how funny is it that someone reads your book by mistake, gets hooked, and contacts you about optioning it for film? And then, that person becomes your friend! Sometimes, I forget how famous Adrian and Emmanuelle really are. They are just so down to earth and real, it’s like finding a long lost friend and picking up where you leave off.

5.)     Are there any secrets or details that you’re allowed to share? Will you be involved in the screenwriting process?

I’m just so fortunate that the actors who optioned the book are keeping me so involved and updated every step of the way! As everyone knows, it takes a very long time to make a movie. Adrian feels so strongly about keeping the essence of the story intact, that they have been in discussions with screenwriters for quite a while. I am happy to report that we should have a screenplay in the next few weeks.

6.)    Is there anything else you’ve got planned for the future?

The movie option was the highlight of my 2016 year! I am so looking forward to the next phase of this process and seeing who will be cast as Jude and Dante! But I must tell you – I have a new book, Eight Goodbyes – which I just finished and am so proud to share with you this year. It’s a simple, not angsty, not tear-jerkery book that I really think you’ll enjoy. The movie and a new book and two book tours this year – I think I can tell you that I’ve got 2017 well covered.