Rayne Tour Series by Bestselling Novelist Brandilyn Collins and Daughter Amberly Debuts in May 2009 with Online Sweepstakes, Action-Packed Book Trailer, and More
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 21 /
Christian Newswire/ --Zondervan, a world leader in Christian Communications, is adding an exciting new suspense series to its Young Adult (YA) fiction line.
The Rayne Tour series is co-written by bestselling novelist Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademarked Seatbelt Suspense® and her daughter Amberly Collins, a college student. The first title in the series,
Always Watching, is available wherever books are sold in May 2009.
Brandilyn and Amberly Collins love music and have always attended concerts together. When they were asked to collaborate as a mother/daughter writing team on a new suspense series, they knew it had to involve concerts.
"We have pictures of us attending concerts going way back to when Amberly was in junior high," says Brandilyn Collins. "We know what the crowd experience is like. The excitement, the energy. What would it be like, we wondered, to be backstage? To be a teenage girl with a rock star for a mom? All the money and fame and traveling. Is that kind of life pure fun and adventure-or does it bring challenges the rest of us never even think about? And then-what if you threw a murder into the mix?"
The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O'Connor, 16-year-old daughter of a rock star. On tour with her mother's popular band, Rayne, Shaley lives in a whirlwind of backstage secrets, hotels, security guards, and limos.
In the first book, Always Watching, Shaley stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage during a concert. Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this? As the clock runs out, Shaley must find the killer-before he strikes again.
Research for Always Watching took the mother/daughter team backstage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California to see the stage entrance, dressing rooms, the special building exit for performers, and more. Most importantly, they learned about concert security-something Shaley O'Connor will need in this series.
"When we were first offered this opportunity of co-writing a book I was 16 years-old," says Amberly. "I was intrigued by the idea because I knew I could connect to my peers in a way an adult couldn't. I could teach the power of God in an understandable and exciting way."
The debut of The Rayne Tour series comes one year after Zondervan launched a new YA fiction line in May 2008, expanding its offerings in a publishing sector the LA Times recently called "booming." Zondervan offers YA titles in genres including Chick Lit, Science Fiction/Fantasy and now, Suspense.
In 2007, the YA market accumulated nearly $25 billion in general market sales. Zondervan consumer research shows that 40 percent of teens read 2-3 books a month, while nearly a quarter (23 percent) read four or more books per month. According to Barna Group research, 85 percent of teens prefer fiction to non-fiction. Research also reveals that there are 24 million teens in the U.S. and 75 percent have engaged in at least one psychic or witchcraft-related activity during their teen years. In response to these mainstream trends, Zondervan's YA Christian fiction seeks to publish well-written, entertaining books that meet the spiritual needs of teens.
Online Promotions-Sweepstakes, Book Trailer, Facebook and More
Pew Internet & American Life Project 2009 research shows that 93 percent of teens are online and that the use of social media – from blogging to online social networking to creation of all kinds of digital material – is central to many teenagers' lives.
The Rayne Tour series is being promoted heavily to teen readers online. The LIVE LIKE A ROCKSTAR SWEEPSTAKES is a chance for teens ages 13-18 to win an $850 night out on the town, including dinner for six at a restaurant of their choice and limo service. To enter, teens must promote
The Rayne Tour online. They can post information about the new series and the sweepstakes on their Blog, favorite social media sites, or other Web site. The first 200 entrants will receive a free copy of
Always Watching. Official rules and entry details are available
on this page of Brandilyn Collins' Web site.
About Brandilyn and Amberly Collins
Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California. Brandilyn is a bestselling novelist, known for her trademarked "Seatbelt Suspense." Amberly is a college student in southern California. The two love attending concerts together. For more information, visit
www.brandilyncollins.com and
http://shoutlife.com/theraynetour
Advance Praise for Always Watching
"This solid teen mystery, the initial entry in a new series, will appeal to young girls and adults who enjoy a good yarn." --Library Journal
"... a fast paced whodunit set against the intriguing backdrop of rock star celebrity. [Brandilyn's] adult fans will find much to rave about, while new teen readers will love the youthful voice and perspective that Amberly Collins brings to the table ... Mother and daughter have stormed onto the YA scene in exhilarating style." --Jake Chism, The Christian Manifesto.
Always Watching (ISBN 978-0-310-71539-9, $9.99, Softcover, Ages 13-16) will be available wherever books are sold in May 2009. Last Breath (ISBN 978-0-310-71540-7, $9.99, Softcover, Ages 13-16) will be available wherever books are sold in October 2009.
About Zondervan
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com.
