A Novel
I am so excited to get to share the title of my upcoming standalone novel! By Light and Darkness is coming in 2027!
The title for this book was taken from Exodus 13:21: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.” By Light and Darkness is the story of a young woman and her brothers and sisters who travel hundreds of miles without knowing where their food and shelter will come from. Reading this verse in my personal study one day changed the title of the book when I thought I had decided on a different one. Shortly after writing several variations on the title page, I settled on “By Light and Darkness”. A few minutes later I came across these verses of Psalm 139 completely at random: "Even there shall Thy hand lead me and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me'; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee, but the night shineth as the day. The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. For Thou hast possessed my reins. Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."
That was not the only time I came across it. It happened over and over again at the most random times. I saw the word “light” accompanied by the word “darkness” so many times that week! Needless to say, I did not change the title again.
The theme of dark vs. light is prevalent in our everyday lives. Almost every story ever written/told is a battle of good vs. evil. The characters of this book battle the known enemy of the Great Depression, but as the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly obvious that there is more than one battle being fought. The darkness that is unknown is the enemy hardest to defeat.
Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement! It means more than you know! I am so incredibly excited to share this book with you all! The story is dark at times, but the night shineth as the day!
- Brianne
Coming Soon
It has been over five years since I searched my computer files looking for a prologue written in 2018. It was based off of a few quick moments that would not let me go, that demanded to tell a story. At the time, that story was called "We Seek a Homeland". On November 1, 2025 that prologue became the completed first draft to a novel. In the spring that novel went to its first round of editing. It is due back in August as a second draft - that second draft is my 2027 novel: BY LIGHT AND DARKNESS!
Back in 2018 I didn't realize how long this book would take. I didn't know its meaning, or the bits of life that would inform it. All I knew was the voice of a little boy calling to his big sister - a voice I knew even though I had never heard it with my ears. His little, scared voice rang in my head until he and his sister's story began to unfold. Then, seven years later, I found that story taking me right into that moment when Homer cries out for his big sister, Reen, and everyone realizes things are about to change.
In seven years I had almost forgotten that moment, but the story had not and it's Creator had not. And there was much more to be said. Now as I sit with the first printed copy of those words, marking it up and looking ever upward, it does not seem real that I have a book coming out in 2027. I think that's because it isn't real. I don't have a book - I never have had it - what I have is a marvelous Creator Who is still creating, and, by His goodness and faithfulness, somehow I had a small part in learning from His creation.
By Light and I will see you guys in 2027, in print, and filled to the brim by the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
The Cover
There were several people who poured into the completion of this cover! A million thank yous to Diren Yardimli, who took my limited description of the story and captured it all into one beautiful design; Neslihan Yardimli of Book Cover Zone; Olivia Merritt Photography, who took all the promotional photos; Hannah Knowles, for her portrayal of Reen; and several others who worked hard to bring this story to life. This cover would not have happened without this amazing team!
