Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel Amarra grows up isolated and alone, vowing to never repeat their mistakes. But when Jesse Cain enters her life, Isabel falls hopelessly in love with him. Every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion.
As time goes by and Isabel leaves her teenage years behind, her needs and perspectives change. Then she meets Alex Ailey, who shows her a love that is selfless and freeing.
Despite everything, Isabel fights to stay with Jesse, determined to hold on to what they once had—until she can no longer deny her true feelings.
But if Isabel lets go, can a second love ever be enough to make her forget her first.
We chat with Christine Brae, who also writes as Anna Gomez and recently released a book with actor Kristoffer Polaha, about her upcoming book, The Light in the Wound, which releases September 21st, 2021 from Vesuvian Books.
Anna Gomez, you’ve had quite a year so far. Moments Like This (From Kona with Love #1), co-authored with actor Kristoffer Polaha, released March 9th and you’ve already completed book two. Now, you have another book under your pen name releasing in August. Tell us about it.
Hi there, thank you for having me. You are absolutely right about this year. I feel immensely blessed to have so much going on. I’ve always thrived on being busy and wouldn’t have it any other way! I am so excited that Vesuvian Books is publishing The Light in the Wound duology, which I wrote with the hopes of a screen adaptation (fingers crossed). Though written quite a while ago, it is a story that is relevant now and applicable to the world today. I think I was slightly ahead of my time with this one.
Is there a particular significance to the title and cover?
The Light in the Wound is about a young girl, Isabel Amarra and her years growing up in a dysfunctional family. It is these experiences that she bases her future decisions on—so focused on never repeating the mistakes her parents made. It delves into a young woman’s relationship with her mother, and how that affects how she sees the world. Years ago, I came across the quote by Rumi, “The Wound is the place where the light enters you.” And there is something so hopeful in knowing that light can only penetrate through weakness and pain. Believing in that makes you stronger and more resilient.
I love the cover so much! It’s so light and airy and hopeful. There’s a little darker pink color where her heart is, which is so symbolic. The designer, Michael Canales, did an excellent job. And I’m going to tell you another little secret; Michael didn’t know this, but my mother’s name is Pinky. When he chose the colors for the cover, I felt like it was meant to be.
I understand this is inspired by true events. Tell us about that.
When my mother passed away suddenly ten years ago, I had not been able to see her for ten years before that. Writing this book about her was very therapeutic for me. While I was writing it, I realized how colorful my life had been, how it would be great to open up a different world—culturally—to my readers. So yes, it is based on true events.
In the past few years, as my career and life have become intertwined, I have been offered a chance to write a memoir about my life as an immigrant and successes in my career. I think this book will tie-in to that perfectly when the time comes.
What are the messages or lessons you’d like to convey in this book?
Quite a lot, actually! That life evolves and the seasons change, and what may be important to you now may not matter to you as much as life’s experiences begin to shape you. This book also talks about a daughter’s love, a child’s love, and the love and loyalty that families can have for each other. From my perspective, this book is a personal testament to my resolve never to regret anything I’ve ever done in my life, for love.
So, a new job, another book in your current series, and now this release. Any other projects you’d like to tell us about?
Kristoffer Polaha and I were so floored by the response our readers had to our first book together, Moments Like This. This week, we just finished writing our second book in the From Kona with Love series entitled Where the Sun Rises. With a release date of February 2022, we’re going to be deep into our campaigns and promotion toward the beginning of Fall. The audio book for Moments Like This, narrated by Kristoffer, is set to release this summer. So, between The Light in the Wound and preparing for our next book in the Kona series, I will be keeping busy for the rest of the year.
And I still can’t believe that I was able change careers in the current environment! I start in mid-May, and I cannot wait to throw myself into making an impact in a new company with a new team.
All good things.
