Moving along

Well, I didn't make the cut in the ABNA semifinals. *sad face* I was disappointed, but drank my champagne anyway. My fans and friends rallied around me with the sweetest things to say. Five more people finished the book and loved every minute of it, craving a sequel. But the best was my brother made me the most awesome book trailer EVER! So if I'm not what ABNA wants, I surely have found a large following of people who do... YOU! And, it's for you I write anyway. So, I'm a winner after all.

But, without further ado, here's the trailer... that ROCKS MY SOCKS!!!





Want to read my book now???? *evil grin* You can get it here on Amazon

Thanks for being such the best fans ever!

Hugs, Brenda

a refreshing journey

Remember in Shrek 2 when Fiona and Shrek meet the parent's? And they all say "This is it"? Well. This is it. After 5 weeks of waiting, today is the day... I find out whether book baby goes from the 250 to 50.

So, it's refreshing in two ways. One, the contestants find out sometime today on the website (refresh) who's the top 50 from 250 and two, all the wonderful positive feedback I've received from readers.

This journey has been a fantastical one! From the first imagining of the 'falling scene' to the name picking, character creating, situation brainstorming and birthing it all in one of my most favorite places in the world, Santa Cruz. Then, having Dee Dee read with so much enthusiasm, I had to finish the book. To Dori and I finding each other on Authonomy and her wonderful kind editing offer. I'm in the ABNA contest because of her sacrific and help. To Nate, for daring to dream and just do it with Sherwood! To my PSP gals, who taught me the ability to do graphic design. To the design team at church who taught me how to make things for print. To Lori, who proof read my final copy. To Abra, who showed me the world is at my fingertips and we can break the mold and be our own system of promotion! And then the many friends sprinkled in the mix who have or are reading the book, and holding my hand today. I love you and you lift me up so I can fly! But, God must receive the glory for this. He gave me the talent and I'm using it to inspire young girls to decide to make good and healthy choices through fantasy fiction.

So.... *refresh*.... come what may today, I'm ready for either outcome because I'm already a winner in the hearts and minds of so many.

Thanks for helping my dreams come true!

Hugs always,
Brenda

My confession....

So, last night, after reading more of Glass Houses, I'm officially a WHIMP. I had to sleep.... with.... my.....*hangs head*.... light on.

Sigh.

Hubby fell asleep on the couch and I was too embarrassed to ask him to come to bed (and he's usually grumpy), so until he joined me on his own, I slept with the light on.


It's really not that scary, but I'd close my eyes and imagined cold clammy hands coming to get my neck, or my toes, whatever was out of the covers, and freaked. So... note to self: don't read vampire books late at night!

Don't forget, there's two ways you can win a copy of The Emerald Talisman (which shouldn't be read late at night either) -- On goodreads, or on my blog here.

Good luck!

Now back to writing and reading... in the daylight.

Hugs,

Brenda

Do you know where your vampires are?

I do.

I've received a few 'scared' comments from readers and even heard one needed a nightlight because they kept seeing the 'glowing eyes'. Honestly, I didn't think my book was all that scary because I'm a HUGE fraidy cat so I was surprised. My imagination is overly active to a fault. I'm still afraid to swim alone, even in a pool because of JAWS. To me though, my story seems tame, but I think that's because I know where my vampires are and they stay there, in my world with Julia and Nicholas.

Yesterday, I started Glass Houses and got a taste of my own medicine. After the main characters were stalked and attacked, I was all freaked out and had difficulty falling asleep. Luckily, I don't sleep alone. But I'm not going to read this book at night anymore.

So, I apologize. My book could scare you. You are now warned.

Hugs, Brenda

Rave Reviews -- Yeah!

First I want to thank all those who have given feedback for the contest. If you've been following my blog, you see it's on my mind... a lot, as I wait for the April 27th results and Publishers Weekly's review.

I'm happy to share these reviews with you!

Amazon.com Review

Overall, I thought this excerpt was a fun read, with a bit of suspense thrown in for good measure. There were a lot of areas of Julia's life that were not explained, and her character was like a chameleon that kept changing in every new scene, so I couldn't really get a handle on the type of person that she is portrayed to be. Hmm..on second thought, maybe that is exactly how a 16 year old is supposed to act! I yhink that a younger audience might really like this story. It should definitely be considered a fantasy genre.

Amazon.com Review

I would like to read this story. The plot, hook, characters and setting unfolded rapidly grabbing my interest from the start.

Really catchy beginning -- Ericka "Bookie" (5 stars)

I like the fact that you don't know much about what's happening in the beginning, or exactly who it is that is hanging from this cliff... Though you suspect it to be the main character, there isn't much that really solidifies that fact, holding my interest.

The rest of the excerpt slowly builds momentum, but it's in that first preface that you get a sense of the excitement from this author. I wish there was a little more to read!

Worth another round in this fight for sure!

Twilight meets Lost Boys -- J. Abbott (5 stars)

The author does a great job drawing you into this book. A mysterious stranger, students disappearing and a dark secret remembered are just a few of the things that makes this a page turner. It is a great book that I finished too quickly and now I have to wait for volume 2.

and my favorite... From Author Abra Ebner of The Knights Angels Series (5 stars)

When I first began reading this book, I truly lost track of time. When the excerpt came to an end, I was admittedly dissapointed - I wanted more... Luckily for me, she has the full version on Kindle, and I was not let down!

The excitement I felt in the first few moments of this book carries throughout. Her characters are well developed and concise, emitting a feeling of true connection to the author herself. She speaks with knowledge toward the fleeting emotions of a sixteen year old, and the sudden romance we all once had.


___________

*grins*

Thanks everyone.

Hugs, Brenda

Little fish.... big pond

Being a little fish is rough. First day of high school, first kiss, first day on the job, first love, first day of marriage, first baby, second baby, first day you start your business, first time you price a customers job, first novel... It's never comfortable. I know it's so cliche', but the older I get the more I realize I know nothing! And growing pains are just that -- painful yet wonderful.

As I watch my two love bug boys playing trucks and the clouds float by in the sky, I'm reminded it's okay to feel completely crazy when embarking on a new adventure. I don't need to be afraid of the unknown. My novel won't please everyone, but already, it's made a difference in the enjoyment of people's lives (if not taken over all their free time for two days -- muahaha).

And as I wait, come what may April 27th, I'm reminded of the important things in life. God's mercy, family, love and loyalty. I'm doing what I dreamed... loved by the most wonderful man and husband, being a mommy, raising my boys, making a difference and adding my creative touch to the lives around me.

If only my pep talk would help with my anxiousness. *smile*

Have a great day!

Brenda

What I'm reading now...

While I wait, I'm writing and reading. What am I waiting for you ask? Well, for the review from Publishers Weekly (eeeek) and some other YA bloggers who love to review new books. Many have a lot of books on their plates, so I wait.

What am I reading? Wondrous Strange. Actually, I've never read any Farie novels before and love this one, though I'm a slow reader these days. I can only seem to get a few pages in when I fall into bed. Running after a toddler and preschooler (boys) will do that. Luckily the rain has stopped and good weather is promised, so we'll be outside and I can sneak more in.

The story is so well described and I love the tension between Kelley and Sonny, who I believe end up together later. The creatures are fabulously drawn and the mermaid scene with Chloe is masterful when she steals a lullaby from Sonny in exchange for information (I have a thing for mermaids too).

The parallels to my story hit me every time I get to a new scene. It's wonderful how writers spin those same archetypes (I think that's what they are called) over and over, just in different ways.

Actually, today is pedicure day and I can't wait. I get to read while I'm there too!

And, I promise, I'm working on book 2... 9,000 words written as we speak!

Thanks for making my dreams come true!

Hugs, Brenda

Contest!

Enter to win a book-bag and signed ARC copy of The Emerald Talisman! Do extra 'stuff', get more entries! International!

Copy and Paste the entry form in the comments!

_____________ Name
_____________ Website
_____________ Email Addy
____ Tweeted Contest (add URL) +1
____ Fan of EmeraldTalisman on Twitter +1
____ Blogged  (add URL) +2
____ Became Facebook Fan +1
____ Became Follower of Blog (include username) +2
____ Referred by (friends name) +1 you +2 for friend
Winner will be announced May 1st

Manic Thursday ?

Yes. It's like the Monday that won't end. It's really silly I'm so worked up over this ABNA contest, but it's stressful. The last time I had to wait for something similar was when my husband and I were dating. We were 5 hours apart, so time between the weekends was grueling for those 15 months when one of us would drive to the other person. It felt like our wedding day would never come and now, it's 8 years with two beautiful kids later. So, I can wait 19 days, right? *bites nails*

Need a distraction. DISTRACTION.

While I wait, I write. I have 6,700 words so far of book 2. A far cry from the projected 84,000 or so  but we all have to start somewhere. Many of you who have finish The Emerald Talisman are wanting the sequel and I'm going to deliver, contest or no contest! Ugh. I need a time travel thingie where I can just see the outcome.

I remember with my second son, we really wanted a girl (well I did) and I did the ring test early. It didn't go in a circle, but clearly back and forth predicting a boy. So from that point on, I knew it would be a boy. I got the early hint. So at the ultrasound, I wasn't surprised, though I love surprises. Well, good surprises. So, I'd just like to skip ahead a few pages and see the results because I hate disappointment, though I know I'll survive. Success is a journey right? There will be plenty of other opportunities.

*sigh* I'm a mess. Please forgive me. So far I've received a ton of wonderful comments on my facebook and I'm so grateful and thankful. You all love my book even if Publisher Weekly might not.

I truely <3 my fans! You've made my dream come true.

Hugs, Brenda

Friday's webinar, chocolate explosions and the slogan contest

I think we got more chocolate Sunday than Halloween and there's still more I didn't get in the photo. I'm not complaining. I <3 chocolate big time. And it's going to come in handy April 27th while I wait for the contest results. But I wish there weren't as many calories attached to the tender morsels.

Friday night's book kick-off webinar was a success (mostly). I was bummed though to find out some peeps wanted to attend but didn't get their confirmation email. The next time, I think I'm going to remind people earlier and make sure people get their confirmations. It's hard to do tech support and run the webinar at the same time. Though my son was watching on his own webcam and entertaining the guests while I fumbled in the background. He made great 1/2 time entertainment.

Abra, author of Feather Series and upcoming Knights Angels came for the festivities and was a wonderful guest speaker. We also had a drawing for a signed book which Joanne was the recipient. 

We also announced the slogan contest going on from now until May 15th. I'm asking for people to come up with one liners that represent The Emerald Talisman. The winner gets their slogan printed on a shirt or book bag! There's no limit to entries! Click here to enter. You might even get some chocolate too!

Thanks for making my dreams come true!

Hugs, Brenda