Happy Thursday, friend! Welcome to an interview with author Addison Brae about her latest novel, Off Edge on its very special publication day. Let’s welcome Addison and learn more about this book!
Get to know the author: Addison Brae
Hi Addison! Welcome to Armed with A Book. Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
Hi Kriti! Thanks so much for inviting me to chat today. Reading and writing has been a big part of my life since I was a kid but didn’t have the confidence to write entire novels until a few years ago. Now I’m hooked! Recent work with artificial intelligence has inspired my work-in-progress, a chilling speculative thriller about how AI might affect our human relationships in the future. Unfortunately authoring novels doesn’t pay for the shoes, vintage clothes, and travel I enjoy, so I’m a public relations and marketing consultant by day. That means I write a lot of articles, video scripts, and web content. My fiancé and I are also having fun planning our wedding!
What inspired you to write this book?
Off Edge is based on a dream my dad had about a Russian figure skater who died tragically. The story came together in my head as he talked about the dream. He was kind enough to allow me to turn his dream into a novel…and here’s Off Edge.
What makes your story unique?
What people find unique about a story is different for each reader. While writing, there are three things I hope readers find unique. First, almost 71 million youth athletes participated in team sports in 2023, and girls’ participation on the rise. Sports are a huge part of many of these teens’ lives, but ice skating isn’t a common topic in fiction. Second, some of these athletes may dream of making it to the Olympic Games and others may just be curious what it would be like. Off Edge Takes all readers there.
And finally, there are about 1.8 million adopted children in the U.S. and about 95% of infant adoptions are open adoptions. While about two-thirds of birth parents stay in touch with their child after they are adopted, one-third do not. Like Docia, the main character in Off Edge, these young people have a giant missing puzzle piece. Where did they come from? Why did the birth parents give them up? What’s their story? The gaps often overwhelm them leaving some with emotional and other problems. Docia discovers her parents have lied to her and learns her truth on the world stage – with fans, friends, and foes watching.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
Docia’s fierce determination to discover her true identity, unerase her career, and find the passion to skate again will engage teen readers, ice skating fans, and anyone who’s ever experienced betrayal from someone they trust.
Did you bring any of your experiences into this book?
My childhood and most of my teen years were in a town with only a roller rink, and my first experience skating on ice was with school friends in England. Dad’s dream was especially appealing as the story’s premise since I learned to ice skate as an adult. I even competed, which is one reason the skating scenes feel so real. I got to know a number of competitive figure skaters who helped bring authenticity to this story. Also, many of Docia’s struggles are based on watching friends in high school and college who are adopted struggle with the same issues.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?
My favorite scene is at the end of chapter 17 when Docia sees the guy who almost ruined her career and her competitor who is trying to sabotage her reputation Velcroed together. This pushes her to a low point. She then realizes she’s the only one who can take control and turn her life around. The scene still gives me chills. You’ll know the scene when you get to it. This quote is one of my favorites a few chapters following this turnaround.
“I’m ready to take charge of my life for once. I want to know my story. Who I am. Where I came from. I want to get to know my real father. If I make a mistake, I want it to be mine. Not my dad’s or mom’s or Lena’s, or reporters’, or fans’, if I have any left.” ~Docia
Where can readers find you on the Internet?
Website addisonbrae.com
Social media Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook
Author pages Goodreads, BookBub
Off Edge
Contemporary fiction, 2024
Do you know what it’s like to win an Olympic gold, then have it stripped away? I do.
Gold is every figure skater’s life dream. At fifteen, I experienced the thrill of wearing the medal for a few minutes until judges accuse me of being too young to be eligible. That’s when I realize my father’s ultimate lie could cost more than my title.
During our daring escape from Russia, I pressure my coach to tell the truth about my adoption. But the quad combination and two world titles aren’t enough to keep the scandal from erasing my career and identity. Disgraced, disqualified, and devastated, I can’t face a rink, fans, or daily life. My controlling dad’s betrayal lights a fire to break free from his bad decisions. My best friend and a journalist who will tell my story step in to stop the downward spiral and help me uncover my past.
Content Notes: None.
Book Excerpt from
Off Edge
Violent shaking rouses me. “Docia. Wake up! Docia! You’re supposed to catch up on your schoolwork.”
I half open my eyes to see Mom, hands on hips. “Go away. Asleep.” I squeeze the sofa pillow I hugged since Lily dropped me off.
“Not anymore.” She clicks the lamp switch on and I feel the outside chill when she sits on the edge of the sofa. “Mr. Fuentes called when you didn’t send your assignment. What’s going on? You know those assignments need to be in before we leave for New York.”
Why does she have to be the only mom who still keeps a perky tone even when I’m in trouble? I bury my face in the corner of the sofa cushions to shield my eyes from the lamplight.
“You can’t disappoint him.”
“My interview with Joy went long, and I forgot. I’ll send it tomorrow.”
“They’ve already made exceptions for you to not go to school every day.” Mom leans over and strokes my hair. “Any more late assignments and he might give up on his star student.”
Yeah, right. I’m not star anything anymore. I pop up on the sofa and stand with the blanket wrapped around me. “Let him give up on me.” I walk toward the stairs. “Everyone else has.”
“Docia, we’re in the middle of a conversation.” Her tone is no longer cheery. “Why did you talk to Joy again without mentioning it to me?” I continue up the stairs. “Don’t make me tell your father.”
“Go ahead.” I stop on the landing. “What can he do?”
“He’s trying to help you.” Her voice switches from authoritative to desperate. “He’s still your father. He cares about you.”
“Funny way to show it.”
“That’s not fair, Docia. He has given up so much for you.”
“Yeah, like what? And ruined my life in the process. You’re not even my real parents. I’ll find them so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
There’s no usual cheerful response. In fact, Mom says nothing. Her mouth goes from gaping open to shut. The muscles in her face tighten when she clamps her teeth together. Then she walks away, leaving me looking down from the top of the stairs.
I slam my door, lie on my bed, and squeeze my stuffed penguin, Fred. The fiery orange sun peers through my window and hovers above the horizon. As it slips away, the words Lily said as we left the rink replay in my head. “It’s time to face this.”
How can I? I’ve done nothing on my own. Mom tells me when to study, when to eat, when to sleep. Lena makes every skating decision—when to practice and how long, ballet, strength training, programs, music. And Dad’s like a symphony conductor who directs it all. He tells me what to think, who to trust, what to strive for. I always do as I’m told. When I do, everyone’s happy.
They lied to me. Ripped away everything I knew. My parents. My country. Everything I am. They left me on a giant empty stage for everyone to stare at. The imaginary crowd laughs at me, “Look at the fake. What a freak!”
I squeeze Fred as an ache sets into the pit of my stomach. How do I know who to trust anymore? Who can help me show I did nothing wrong? Prove I’m not an imposter?
Interested?
Add Off Edge on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, B&N.com, Google Books
Goodreads, BookBub.
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