Brand, Irene B. 1929-

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BRAND, Irene B. 1929-

PERSONAL: Born December 1, 1929, in Southside, WV; daughter of Jabez Clarence (a farmer) and Margaret (a homemaker; maiden name, Dalton) Beard; married Rodney Paul Brand (a bank officer), April 7, 1956. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Marshall University, A.B., 1966; M.A., 1970. Politics: Republican. Religion: American Baptist. Hobbies and other interests: Travel (Europe, South America, Scandinavia, New Zealand).

ADDRESSES: Home—2770 U.S. Route 35, Southside, WV 25187. Agent—Knight Agency, P.O. Box 550648, Atlanta, GA 30355. E-mail—ibrand@zoomnet.net.

CAREER: Point Pleasant Junior High School, Point Pleasant, WV, teacher of French and American history, 1966-89. Writer, 1977—; public speaker. Also served as church organist and choir director.

MEMBER: Christian Writers Fellowship International, Romance Writers of America, National Education Association (life member), Daughters of the American Revolution, West Virginia Writers.

AWARDS, HONORS: Loving Cup Award of Excellence, inspirational romance category, Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference, 1986, for Where Morning Dawns; Annual Koala Award, Christian Writers Fellowship, 1991, for The Hills Are Calling; Just Uncommonly Good Writing Award, West Virginia Writers, 1997; Celebrate Women Award, General Federation of Women's Clubs of West Virginia, 2001.

WRITINGS:

fiction

A Change of Heart, Thomas Nelson, 1984, published in Romance Reader No. 2, Barbour Books (Uhrichsville, OH), 1990.

A Mighty Flame, Thomas Nelson, 1985, published in Romance Reader No. 2, Barbour Books (Uhrichsville, OH), 1990.

Where Morning Dawns, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1986.

Come Gentle Spring, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1987.

Love Is the Key, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1988.

Freedom's Call (first volume of a trilogy), Fleming H. Revell (Old Tappan, NJ), 1990.

The Hills Are Calling, Mountain State Press (Charleston, WV), 1990.

The Touchstone, Fleming H. Revell (Old Tappan, NJ), 1990.

Unbidden Secrets (second volume of a trilogy), Fleming H. Revell (Tarrytown, NY), 1991.

Golden Prospects (third volume of a trilogy), Fleming H. Revell (Tarrytown, NY), 1991.

Heartstrings, Heartstring Press, 1992.

In This Sign Conquer (in "The Legacies of Faith" series), Kregel Publications (Grand Rapids, MI), 1996.

Like a Burning Fire (in "The Legacies of Faith" series), Kregel Publications (Grand Rapids, MI), 1996.

Afterglow, Heartsong Presents, 1997.

Feud at Craigievar Castle (e-book), Mountain View Press, 1999.

The Sunset Sky (e-book), Mountain View Press, 1999.

"love inspired" series; romance fiction

Child of Her Heart, Steeple Hill, 1998.

Heiress, Steeple Hill, 1998.

To Love and Honor, Steeple Hill, 1999.

A Groom to Come Home To, Steeple Hill, 1999.

Tender Love, Steeple Hill, 2000.

The Test of Love, Steeple Hill, 2000.

Autumn's Awakening, Steeple Hill, 2001.

Summer's Promise, Steeple Hill, 2001.

Love Almost Lost, Steeple Hill, 2002.

Song of Her Heart, Steeple Hill, 2003.

nonfiction

History of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, privately printed (Huntington, WV), 1972.

Today's Women, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1984.

Meet Mary and Martha, Standard Publishing (Cincinnati, OH), 1985.

Only a Clay Vessel (biography of Leota Campbell), McClain Printing, 1985.

Work represented in anthologies, including Once upon a Time: Four Modern Romance Stories with All the Enchantment of a Fairy Tale, Barbour Publishing (Uhrichsville, OH), 2000; and German Enchantment, Barbour Publishing (Uhrichsville, OH), 2002.

Contributor to books, including Missionary Program Builder No. 3, Lillenas Publishing (Kansas City, MO), 1980; Take It from Here, Lillenas Publishing (Kansas City, MO), 1980; Programs for Advent and Christmas, edited by Vincie Alessi, Judson, 1981; Special Events in the Church, Lillenas Publishing (Kansas City, MO), 1982; and Programs for Lent and Easter, edited by Vincie Alessi, Judson, 1983. Editor of the children's series "The Caravan Club," West Virginia Baptist Convention, 1998. Contributor to church publications and other periodicals, including Mature Living, Cross & Quill, Capper's Weekly, Charleston Gazette, Panorama, Goldenseal, Wonderful West Virginia, West Virginia History, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Baptist Leader. Newsletter editor, West Virginia Baptist Historical Society, 1994-97.

SIDELIGHTS: Irene B. Brand once told CA: "I wanted to write for as long as I can remember, and even as a child I tried my hand at a novel. I continued writing inconsequential things until [the 1970s] when I started to consider myself a writer. From the first, I was successful at writing articles, plays, and program materials, but not until 1984 did I publish a book. I've had several in print since that time.

I'm a firm believer that it's necessary to write every day if one is to be successful as an author. While I don't sit down at the computer and 'type' each day, I always have a book in progress—research, thought, or actual writing. It's also important that an author read widely and consistently. The most difficult part of writing for me is the first draft. I like research, editing, and rewriting, but the initial writing takes all of my brain power.

The writing of inspirational romances seemed the opportunity to provide a choice for readers who don't like sensual romances but still prefer light reading. All of my writing reflects my fundamental Christian beliefs and daily life, although none of my characters are autobiographical.

"My book A Mighty Flame, set in England, was influenced by my husband's and my trips to Great Britain. Many of the incidents in the book were personal experiences. This is also true of the historical romances, as we've visited Roanoke Island, North Carolina, and have made several visits to Jamestown. My first romance, A Change of Heart, was set in Nebraska, my husband's native state, which we visit each year."