Title: Home Wrecker
Author: Brenda Perlin
Pages: 274
Genre: Fiction
Description
Home Wrecker is the first book in a three part series that
follows the main character, Brooklyn throughout her childhood, adult life and
then what seems like an “endless” journey towards redemption for her and her new
love interest, Bo.
Brooklyn and Bo, each unhappily married to someone else, have to
decide whether to stay with their spouses or give up everything for each other.
What would Brooklyn's husband and Bo's soon-to-be ex-wife do to break them up?
When I first started reading my copy of "Home Wrecker" by Brenda Perlin, I thought it would be one of those books where they describe there lives, stretching it out to seem like some horrible dull life with misshapes and miseries. Turns out it wasn't. It was real. Good things happened. Bad things happened. But this book was overall well written. Brenda didn't complain at all, and sometimes even blamed herself a little when something happened to her. The first part of the book was more of a biography of her life, and the second part was a bit more entertaining. It was explaining her life. I really did enjoy it! And, I certainly cannot wait for the sequel! I give this book 5 out of 5 book-o-saur paws.
Meaning: To me, this book kept telling me that when life get's hard, you have to keep moving and fight for what you really want in life; in this case, love.
Here is a little more about Brenda:
Bio
Brenda
Perlin was born in Los Angeles, California in the Sixties. She studied acting
and photography after high school. Later, her true passion was ignited when she
became interested in health and fitness and became a fitness instructor. At
twenty-nine she started writing Home Wrecker during the time she was getting
married. She put her story down shortly after the wedding and didn’t pick it
back up until she was forty-six and going through a divorce.
She now
resides in Orange County, California.
If THAT wasn't enough about her, then check out our interview!
Me: What inspired you to write "Home Wrecker"?
Brenda: Hello Alex! Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate your kindness!
I really started writing my story when I was getting married and was frustrated over all the silly details that went along with a wedding. That was over 16 years ago. I put my story away in a drawer and had not looked at it until years later when I was going through a nasty divorce. That was when everything changed and so did my story. I then picked it back up and the whole plot changed.
Me: Interesting. How do you feel about people reading all about your life?
Brenda: In a way it has set me free. Since Home Wrecker is such an open and honest account of my life I no longer have ANYTHING to hide. My private life is out there and in a way it makes me feel lighter. I worry less about being judged because I realize it doesn’t matter what other people think as long as I am happy and being true to myself.
Me: Wow. I would never be comfortable with that.
Brenda: I think that is because you are young. I would have felt the same way you do. Now it is liberating. See, something good does come with age. I am not sure if it is wisdom but it is certainly life experience that helps one grow.
Did you change any names in the book? Your name here is Brenda, but in the book it's Brooklyn.
Brenda: All the names are changed mostly to protect myself from the legal system. If it wasn’t for that, I would have preferred to have kept the true names. Most of the characters in the story know about the book. Though I can’t say too many are happy about it.
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Sometimes in life you have to go with your gut. My gut told me that my story needed to be told even though some people might get hurt along the way.
Me: I completely understand.
Brenda: Then you are wiser than most.
Me: At the end of the book, you refer to yourself as a home wrecker. Do you really believe that?
Brenda: Actually I think I let myself off the hook. It might sound like I am calling myself that but in reality what I am saying is the house was already wrecked on it’s own. It took a lot to wreck our house and I do take responsibility for some of it. I believe it was wrecked from the beginning but I was reluctant to walk away from my commitment. My wedding vows did mean something to me as surprising as that may sound considering everything that has happened.
Me: I personally believe that you had no responsibility in that, but that's just my opinion
Brenda: That is nice of you to say Alex. I wish I were completely innocent but I surely am not. We are all human and make mistakes. It is an imperfect world and we are all so far from being perfect.
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Me: How did you feel when you learned about your illness?
Brenda: That is a tough one because some people in my condition are not walking today. Many doctors thought I would never walk again!
When I was first diagnosed with this chronic illness called Transverse Myelitis in 2007 it turned my life upside down in an instant. When I realized there were certain things that could never be fixed I was quite devastated. At the time I got sick I was a personal trainer and prided myself on my healthy lifestyle. Once I got sick I had to see myself differently. I was no longer the same girl. I shed a ton of tears and have had to learn to accept my fate. Through all that, I have found that I am a survivor and I won’t go away without a fight.
Me: That's so inspiring for me to hear.
Brenda: Sometimes we are stronger than we think we could ever be. Maybe that is part of the reason why I am as fearless about telling my life story with all the gruesome details. I certainly have survived much more than a little bit of scrutiny.
Me: Do you still have much difficulty with it?
Brenda: I do have daily issues but I am walking. Everyday that I can walk out the door is a real blessing. I will never take that for granted again. It could be soooooo much worse than it is so for that I am grateful!
Me: Do you still go to the gym and teach classes?
Brenda: My teaching days are over but I am still able to workout. I just have to find the things that are not hard on me physically. I get some nerve pain and tingling in my feet (be thankful for the little things... it is god awful.) I can still do quite a lot. I just have to be careful not to overdo it or run myself down. It sucks. It is better to be healthy and carefree but this is my path and instead of fighting it I have to find the good in it. I think the good that has come from it is compassion. I think my heart is more understanding of those who suffer real problems not just bad hair days. I still hate bad hair days but I can put it all in perspective.
Me: That sucks. I would never be able to do that. I couldn't bare it.
Brenda: I know. I agree but sometimes in life you have to tolerate more than you would wish to. That is the way the ball bounces as the saying goes. I hope you will never have to experience anything as bad.
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Me: Do you regret not divorcing Gerard earlier?
Brenda: I really do hate having regrets. Regrets are hard to live with. I am a believer that things do happen for a reason. There were many reasons for me to be with Gerard. For one thing, being with him really brought me closer to my dad. Also, had I not been with Gerard I never would have met the love of my life. That is the yin and the yang to the story. When there is bad...there is also good. Yes, I wasted some good years with Gerard but had I not..who knows? Maybe things could have been worse for me. I think I am at a very good place.
You are asking me some very wise questions! I am impressed!
Me: So true. Everything happens for a reason.
Brenda: Whether we like it or not. Go figure!
Me: Did you expect Gerard to call Ruth and say those lies?
Brenda: Never in a million years. I new he was angry. That was a given but he was a private person and I thought he would have gotten his revenge in a different "quieter" way. He did find a very good partner in crime. He was able to stay behind the scenes while she did his dirty work. He is no dummy! I will give him that.
Me: I still don't understand why someone would ever do that.
Brenda: I mean I "knew" he was angry. Oops!! Writers need editors...big time!!!
Me: Do you think your parents would be proud of you at this moment, for everything you've done with your book and life?
Brenda: To answer your first question...Gerard's world had just fallen apart. I think I can understand him a lot better than Ruth. She on the other hand was not in love with her husband. She made that very clear. She just loved his money. She was caught off guard that he walked out the door before she did. I am sure she did not like feeling replaced. She also didn’t love that I was so much younger than she was. Karma stings!
My parents would have been proud of what I have accomplished. They didn’t expect too much from me but they loved me and supported me. My dad would have been over the moon for me getting my book published. Though he would have felt bad about what has happened to me since he has been gone. I am glad he has missed this chapter of my life but I wish they both could have met my new love. They would have really appreciated his open and kind personality. They would have gotten a kick out of him. That is for sure.
Me: And for the last question, will there be a book 2?
Brenda: I just finished a compilation book with 7 other girls from all around the world. There are some great stories about life, love, disappointment, and redemption. I hope people will look for it on Smashwords. It is called 8 Slices of Cake and it will be available on ebook starting Thursday, February 7. Just in time for Valentine’s day.
Right now I am working on editing down book one. John Emil Augustine who wrote a book called Love Seen From Hell is helping me with both books. He inspires me to be true and not hold back.
Book two is going to be even better than book one, in my opinion. Let’s just say I am having more fun with it. It will be called Home Wrecker: The Brooklyn and Bo chronicles. It is a first person account from both main characters from book one.
The first part is based on the main character, Brooklyn. Now that she has found what she considered, her “soul-mate” in Bo, she would have to continue to defend herself against even her closest of friends, family members, and Bo’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Ruth.
Part two Bo is based on Brooklyn’s boyfriend. In this story Bo narrates his interpretation of events that transpired throughout his life.
Bo reminisces on his tough childhood growing up in Northern California. He reflects on his three failed marriages, recounts intimate details to an affair he had with a woman while he was still married and chronicles the seemingly endless struggles over his last divorce from a man’s perspective. This story is an honest yet at times gut wrenching account of one man’s life.
Me: Wow I am sure excited to read it.
I really appreciate the time and effort you took to grant me this interview. I thank you for the full answers and am excited to share this with the world.
Brenda: Thank you! I will be excited when there is an ending. If things do not settle soon there may have to be a book three. I do love the idea of a trilogy! Thank you again for reading Home Wrecker and giving me such a nice review. Reviews like yours makes it all worth it!
The interview was really fun, and my first! Brenda gave me the best answers.
Make sure to check out all of her links!
FACEBOOK: HOME WRECKER: THE BROOKLYN
AND BO CHRONICLES
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
TWITTER
8 Slices of cake
LinkedIn
Thank you for taking the time to interview me and leave such a nice review for Home Wrecker. That means so much to me. I am happy to say Home Wrecker is now available on Amazon.com again!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKBWWIU/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ask_-Q2UF.0KXY062
Thank you :)
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