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Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

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Essays, General Thoughts

A New Family Member: An official introduction

As many of you know, we lost Buddy, a dear four-legged and furry member of our family back in September 2020. By December, we were feeling the pull to adopt…

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March 29, 2021
Essays, General Thoughts

The importance of traditions

Childhood memories What do you remember most from your childhood? It’s likely you remember big events and any trauma you might have experienced. Those types of things tend to leave…

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March 27, 2023
General Thoughts

Living with Ulcerative Colitis

Today, May 19, is World IBD Day. For the first 20 years of my life, I lived blissfully unaware of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC). Sure, I’d…

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May 19, 2018
  • Author read 75 books in 2025
    General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    2025 in Book Reviews

    January 4, 2026 /

    I met my goal of reading 75 books in 2025 while I also finished writing and editing my sixth novel, Four Hearts, which was released on December 16. Here are my best reads: Top 10 best reads for 2025 (traditionally published) Apostle’s Cove (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger Flight Patterns by Karen White If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean Misery by Stephen King The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5) Broiler by Eli Cranor Best nonfiction reads for 2025…

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    2024 in Book Reviews

    December 31, 2024
    Illustration of older lady waving.

    I’ve been old (but not necessarily wise) my whole life

    June 18, 2024

    Rejection

    November 4, 2017
  • Illustration of animals, presents and a snowman with text reading Happy Holidays
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Embracing the Holidays

    November 28, 2025 /

    I’ve written before that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s still true, and I keep the season pure in my home. I decorate for the seasons, which is a more recent development, but since I’ve lived outside my parents’ home, I’ve always waited to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Some people prefer to decorate earlier, and I pass no judgment on what they choose to do in their own homes. When did autumn start to disappear? Maybe it’s my age, but it feels like autumn (or fall) gets shorter every year. When retailers have Christmas decor out before Halloween, it can feel like harvest or the season…

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    The Life and Times of a Not-Starving, Starving Artist

    January 16, 2020

    My husband: the best example of a good father

    June 17, 2017
    A woman looks into a mirror while measuring her waist

    Believe It or Not, Getting Fat Isn’t the Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

    May 27, 2026
  • Novel cover for Four Hearts by Brandi Easterling Collins
    Novels (my writing updates)

    Four Hearts: Coming soon

    November 19, 2025 /

    After many years in the making (technically), Four Hearts is finally out for preorder on Amazon. The publication date through Luminesce Publishing is December 16, 2025. My sixth novel I’m so excited to share Four Hearts with everyone. I love these characters, Noelle, Austin, and Ashton (as well as all the supporting ones). Here’s the blurb: With Y2K one month away, everyone’s on edge… High school guidance counselor Ashton Spriggs wants nothing more than to support her students. From the overachiever, Noelle, who’s hiding a problem at home, to Austin, the smart, yet failing, boy with a shiner, Ashton is torn between being their friend and the adult they need.…

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    The Life and Times of a Not-Starving, Starving Artist

    January 16, 2020
    Book cover featuring woman standing on a stage with text: When Does Life Begin?

    Writing update: When Does Life Begin? publication and sneak peek

    September 8, 2023

    New year, new look, exciting news!

    January 13, 2018
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Recent Posts

  • In My Multiple Hobby Era
  • Believe It or Not, Getting Fat Isn’t the Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me
  • Movies I Will Watch Again and Again
  • 2025 in Book Reviews
  • Embracing the Holidays

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