Brestin grew up in aChristian home. She recalls having a spiritual experience withJesus in 1966, soon after her older sister told her of having one with God.[1][3] At the time, she and her husband Steve (d. 2004) were living inIndianapolis, Indiana, where he was studying to be a doctor.[3][4][5] She has five children.[6]
In 1975, Brestin wroteProverbs and Parables, a Bible study guide for the residents' wives group that she had started at her husband's medical school. It sold 120,000 copies.[1] She then wrote six more study guides, including three with her husband, which covered marriage and parenting. She wrote her first book in 1984,Finders Keepers.[1] After attending a week-long class at the School of Christian Writing, she was invited to submit a manuscript for an award. With encouragement from her editor, she did, and won.[1] This led to her second book,The Friendships of Women, in 1988,[7][8] which sold over 1 million copies.[4]
She went on to write other books, which includedFalling in Love with Jesus (2002, co-authored withKathy Troccoli)[9][10] andIdol Lies (2012). She has spoken at women's conferences and has been a frequent guest onMoody Radio andFocus on the Family.[6][11]
^abYonke, David (March 14, 2009). "Author uses her own experience to help with grief; Writer lost husband to cancer".The Blade. p. B7.ProQuest380792931.
^abAmende, Kathaleen E. (2013). "Contemporary Repercussions".Desire and the Divine: Feminine Identity in White Southern Women's Writing. Baton Rouge:Louisiana State University Press. pp. 140–141.ISBN9780807150399.
^abCutrer, Corrie (July–August 2003). "Power of two: author Dee Brestin & recording artist Kathy Troccoli dish on their surprising bond--and the unique treasures unlikely friendships can bring".Today's Christian Woman. Vol. 25, no. 4.GaleA106913752.
^Burke, Laurie A. (7 June 2010). "Comfort Following Loss: Using the Psalms as a Balm: A review of The God of All Comfort: Finding Your Way into His Arms by Dee Brestin. Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2009. 108 pp. (ISBN 978-0-310-00000-0). $16.99".Death Studies.34 (6):566–571.doi:10.1080/07481181003772655.
