Sarahlyn Bruck
Author Interview - Sarahlyn Bruck
Author of Light of the Fire
In this heartrending story about healing from past mistakes, two estranged friends face the twenty-year-old accident that forced them apart—and the consequences of the secret that still haunts them.
Twenty years ago, an out-of-control prank ended in an accident that destroyed the high school gym and threatened the futures of star athletes Beth and Ally. They move on with their lives carrying their secret while someone else is blamed, but the years reveal that no one truly comes out unscathed.
Now, both women are at a crossroads: Beth returns to her hometown after a concussion ends her professional soccer career, and a surprise pregnancy disrupts Ally’s idyllic family. The only thing either of them are sure of is their desire to mend their estranged relationship.
But the old friends aren’t just battling new problems when their former classmate Jordan begins to investigate the crime for which his father was convicted. As their secret comes back around to threaten their futures once more, Beth and Ally will have to decide whether to run away from the truth again or face it once and for all.
Author Interview - Sarahlyn Bruck
Author I draw inspiration from:
Oh goodness—starting with a toughie! I draw inspiration from so many authors—from Geraldine Brooks and Donna Tartt for setting, John Irving and Steven Rowley for character, Kiley Reid, Kevin Wilson, and R.F. Kuang for voice. But for me, no one is better at transporting me into a totally different world and keeping my eyes glued to the page than Ann Patchett. There’s something about her amazing ability to take readers far away from their own lives and deep into the world of her novels that I find absolutely inspiring! Her latest, Tom Lake, is an excellent example of that, but so too are Bel Canto, State of Wonder, Commonwealth, The Dutch House. She is just magical.
Author Interview - Sarahlyn Bruck | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I spend most of my reading hours on a couch in my office. But I also love taking my book outside and reading when the weather warms up.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Sally Milz, the protagonist of Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy. In a word, she’s hilarious. She’s also a writer on the fictional sketch show (ala SNL), The Night Owls. If we were stuck on an elevator, however, I might be interrogating her on all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that go on at T.N.O., which in this scenario, she is more than willing to dish.
Author Interview - Sarahlyn Bruck | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The last book I read:
I just finished The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner and loved it. She’s based in Philly (like me) and her books are always infused with local details.
Author Interview - Sarahlyn Bruck | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I do pretty much all of my writing and editing on a computer. However, I process information best by taking notes by hand. So when I research, I typically have paper and pencil ready to best understand whatever it is I’m reading or watching.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
In addition to author, I’m also a full-time writing professor at a community college. I love my job and feel very lucky to be able to both write and teach.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Italy. For so many reasons. The art, the culture, the people, the food, the architecture. It was the center of our world for such a long time. And my family and I had planned a trip there that was supposed to happen summer of 2020. And of course it didn’t happen. So now I want to go.
My signature drink:
Oh gosh, so boring but coffee in the morning and wine at night.
Number one on my bucket list:
That Italy trip for one! But I’m also looking forward to watching my daughter grow up and see what’s in store for her.
Find more from the author:
https://www.facebook.com/sarahlynbruck/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahlynbruck/
https://twitter.com/sarahlynbruck
Author Bio:
Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary, book club fiction and is the award-winning author of three novels: Light of the Fire (coming January 2024), Daytime Drama (2021), and Designer You (2018). When she’s not writing, Sarahlyn moonlights as a full-time writing and literature professor at a local community college. From Northern California, she now lives in Philadelphia with her family.
For the latest book news, events, and announcements, check out her website, https://sarahlynbruck.com, and subscribe to her newsletter. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @sarahlynbruck.
