Thursday, December 30, 2010

Tick tock

Wow, is it really going to be 2011 in a day and a half? And I missed wishing you all a Merry Christmas (though I did it on Twitter and Facebook). Shame on me. This month has been a whirlwind.

This year, in reflection has been one of the growingest (is that a word?) years for me. On a whim during a dark time in my life, I wrote a novel in 2008 to give me light. With the help of my dear friend Dori, it was edited in 2009 and entered into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest January 2010. To my shock, it placed it in the top 250 out of 5,000 Young Adult novels. On a wing and a prayer, Obsidian Mountain Publishing was born and birthed The Emerald Talisman into the world on 3/23/10.

Then, in the midst of taking care of two wonderful (and busy) preschooler boys (ages 2 and 5), I wrote its sequel, The Sapphire Talisman, birthed 12/15/10. I designed, promoted, marketed, networked, begged, borrowed and stole to get my work in front of as many readers as possible. I'm very proud of The Talisman Series' success. To date, both books hold a strong 4 star rating on GoodReads and TET has been shelved by over 1,000 readers.

In the process, I've made some incredible book blogger friends: Eleni from LafemmeReaders, Jessica from Bookaholic, Jen from Extreme Reader Book Reviews, Julie from 5 Monkeys, Yara from Once Upon a Twilight and Kari from A Good Addiction (to name a few). They all have been a tremendous source of encouragement and support in promotion and feedback for me. I can't even begin to thank them enough.

Little did I imagine in my journey I would be introduced to some incredibly talented authors: Abra Ebner- Knight Angels, Book of Revenge; Estevan Vega, Arson; Laura Kreitzer - Shadow of the Sun, Soul Stalker; Lisa Sanchez - Eve of Samhain;  Robin DeJarnett - Whirlwind; Kristie Cook - Promise; Killian McRae- 12.21.12, Kristin Miller, debuting Dark Tide Rising. They've been a huge source of encouragement and so gifted. I'm devouring their works as quickly as possible.

My beta reader and Wonder Woman, Lisa aka Lucy Wolfe, who was sent from God by a random click of the mouse. Without her, my sequel wouldn't have been on time. A million hugs to you my dear friend. And I'd be lost without the folks who surround me at home (Donna, Lori, Michele, Corinne, Samantha, Savannah, AnneMarie, MOPS... gosh, I know I'm forgetting someone) and my dear husband makes all of it possible by being my helpmate and support. I love you dearly!

I am happy. Blessed. Loved. Lucky. What an amazing year.

Thank you, everyone, for your support and enthusiasm. In 2011, I have a few goals: finish up the Talisman Series with The Onyx Talisman and start a new series. I'm excited to grow again and share it with you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hugs always, Brenda

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Winners of Remake Contest!

Thank YOU all for your participation! I had a very hard time picking my favorites since all the entries were phenomenally done. Below are the three winners, if you haven't contacted me already, please do. As for Kathleen Brown's Cover please e-mail Eleni at lafemmereaders@yahoo.com. 
 
Thank you all!

Here we go...

First Place Winner:

JL's Cover!

This embodies the book exactly. I love how on the cover, Alora (the bad girl) is holding the talisman and not wearing it. Without revealing what happens, it's very symbolic. And her walking on the bridge looking into the oncoming storm on the horizon... Oh and does a storm come. And you included a back page with Julia and possibly Nicholas... possibly someone else. I wonder... Wonderfully done!

What he won:

Finished copy of The Sapphire Talisman
A Sapphire Talisman necklace
A shout-out in Brenda's acknowledgment's section in the third installment

Second Place Winner:

Bere @ SueƱos en la Luna!

This girl makes a perfect Alora: "sweet looking" but has a devious look in her eye like she's up to no good. Also, it's shot at night with the moon up in the corner. My vampires can't go in the sun, so this is perfect!

What you won:

Finished copy of The Sapphire Talisman
(donated by Kim from The Book Butterfly -- thank you hun!)
Bookmark and a shout-out in the acknowledgments section in the third installment

Third Place Winner:

Kathleen Brown's Cover!

This is also a great dipiction of Alora (my bad girl). She's smug with her head lifted high like she knows something we don't. And with the flame just going out, it's almost a foreshadowing of the light going out for our hero/heroine. And she's wearing the talisman... Hmmmm.... Interesting.

What you won:

Bookmark and a shout-out in the acknowledgments section in the third installment
A 50% discount on The Sapphire Talisman if wanted.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

BIG DAY! 12/15

Wednesday is the big day! Book release for The Sapphire Talisman (though you can already purchase today at Amazon and Kindle early if you want).


For the celebration, Eleni and Jessica have a big TWITTER party planned. Never been to a twitter party? It's easy!

To join, follow these steps:
Step 1: Use tweetgrid to join the party at http://tweetgrid.com/party

Step 2: You should see this page.
 
Step 3: You want to enter in the party hashtag which is: #sapphiretalisman
Step 4: Enter in the hosts: @lafemmereaders, @brendapandos, @totalbookaholic
Step 5: Enter in YOUR ID
Step 6: Press JOIN THE PARTY

What you see is the party on the left, hosts in the middle, your tweets on the right.




Step 7: Enter in your id and password (it's secure)

Then you are ready to PARTYYYYY! :) There will be fun trivia, prizes and cyber food! Hope to see you there!!!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Praise for The Sapphire Talisman

I'm happy to announce, from the early reviewers from the recent book tour on Teen Book Scene, a few were selected to be published in The Sapphire Talisman .

Congrats! Thank you ladies! Feel free to post button on your blogs!

“. . . an enticing and compelling follow up to The Emerald Talisman. The unexpected plot twists and defined characters helped me once again get lost.”
– Eleni, La Femme Readers

“The Sapphire Talisman forever left me on the tips of my toes with all the twist and turns it managed to pack in between the characters and their relationships. It’s definitely one of the best sequels I've read in a long time. . .”
– Lauren, Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf

“. . . a well written and unique series that will appeal to all kinds of readers. Whenever I thought I might know what was going to happen, Brenda threw a curve ball and completely took me by surprise.”
– Kelsey, The Book Scout

“By the time I got to the end of the book I was biting my fingernails and hoping for the best.”
– Katie, Katie’s Book Blog

“. . . a roller coaster ride from the beginning to the end.”
– Yara, Once Upon a Twilight

“I am still reeling from just recently finishing the last page.”
– Jessica, A Fanatics Book Blog

“. . . an outstanding, and worthy, successor to The Emerald Talisman . . . engaging and deliciously vampiric read.”
–Corrine, Lost For Words

“. . . is full of suspense, mystery, action, romance, and surprising moments of humor that will grab the reader from the first page. Curious to see what's in store for readers next.”
–Jessica, Confessions of a Bookaholic

"A stellar follow up to The Emerald Talisman! Once again I found myself turning pages late into the night because I had to know what happened next!
–Jennifer, Extreme Reader Book Reviews

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

My First Manuscript... in 7th grade.

Only a few more days everyone! I'm so excited to share my baby with you. I'll be stalking the mailman daily to deliver my books *please be on time*. I hoped to have them early, but you know how it goes this time of year. Let's just pray they come by the 15th for Christmas deliveries... Please don't hate me if they don't.

When people ask me "Have you always aspired to be a writer?", my answer is no. I found out yesterday, actually ...*hangs head*... I've been lying. While rummaging through boxes for old tax files (don't ask), I found my first manuscript "Erica and the 7th grade". Mind you, there's a handwritten and typed version (on blue paper). I almost fell over with laughter at how stinking cute my first attempt was. I faintly remember back to how painfully long it took to type, hunting and pecking for each key (hadn't taken typing yet). I'd also drawn little pictures of all of my nine characters (the poor mother). This household had 7 children, ranging from ages sixteen to two. Six girls and one boy...Oh my. My father was a computer wiz... go figure.

Here's an excerpt:

So, I guess I knew what I wanted to do in 7th grade. I just needed to apply myself... I think someone told me that somewhere. *ponders*

Only 1 more week! Squeeee!

Hugs, Brenda

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

#4 Song for The Sapphire Talisman



Lonely Girl by Oceanlab

Staring at the top sheet
Listening to my hearth beat
Wondering how to say it
Playing over one track
Wanting you to come back
Want to have you here

Lying on a cold sheet
Jump into my car seat
Drive down to the river
Nightlight its reflecting
Somehow I'm expecting
Your voice in my ear

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl

Lying in the long grass
Watching as the clouds pass
Hands held in silence
Your arms right around me
Feeling glad you found me
Feeling like I'm home

Wish you would remember
April to september
Wanting to be near me
Racing for the sunrise
Staring into my eyes
You and I alone

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl

Lay back in my own dream
Playback on a big screen
You and me together
Why give up a love found
Wish that I could write down
What you mean to me

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl

Was it so wrong
No you said you loved me
Could it be so easy
Just to walk away

Monday, December 6, 2010

Song #3 The Sapphire Talisman


Between the spaces where we long to be
Beyond together and alone
And at the edge where you fade into me
We find a shelter we call home
Escape the shadows that were holding me
Slip these chains of flesh and bones
And in the seconds where we know we’re free
This is the place where we call home
When there’s no where left to run
Run with me
Let the moment be a sanctuary
When its all that you’ve become
Set it free
Let this moment be a sanctuary

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Song #2 for The Sapphire Talisman

Here's another song for the playlist:

Armin Van Buuren vs. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Not Giving Up on Love Lyrics
I know your feeling restless
Like life’s not on your side
It’s weighing heavy on your mind
But when we stand united
Our hearts they beat in time
And I know we’ll make it all alright
Let’s bring it back to you and me
There’s no one else around
Now don’t get lost in gravity
‘Cause I want you to hold me now
Nothing else matters
It’s just the two of us
And if it all falls down
Nothing else matters
I know we’re strong enough
I’m not giving up
I’m not giving up on us
I said I’m not giving up
I’m not giving up on love
We’re of the same existence
No lock without a key
We can’t deny it’s meant to be
Cause I feel it inside
Taking over tonight
I’ll be there when the storm is breaking
In this moment I’m yours
You can always be sure
That together we’re gonna make it
So baby won’t you hold me now
Nothing else matters
It’s just the two of us
And if it all falls down
Nothing else matters
I know we’re strong enough
I’m not giving up
I’m not giving up on us
I said I’m not giving up
I’m not giving up on love

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Theme song for Sapphire Talisman

As we wait for the big day, I thought I'd share a song that embodies the feeling in the next book. And the imagery in this video is amazing.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

10 Books to gift for Christmas (13 actually)

I've been asked to participate in a Christmas Countdown blogging event with Amaterasu Reads and Fragments of Life. It's wonderful they are promoting such great books and authors for others to explore. They are also reminding readers that books make excellent gifts too. I couldn't agree more.

Here's the schedule:

December 13 – Kick-off Giveaway of The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith + Review

December 14 – Interview with Adele Griffin + Giveaway
December 15 – Interview with Christy Raedeke + Giveaway
December 16 – Interview with Holly Cupala + Giveaway
December 17 – Interview with Amy Holder + Giveaway
December 18 – Interview with Inara Scott + Giveaway
December 19Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver Review (Prize Pack Giveaway)
December 20 – Interview with Kimberly Derting + Review of The Body Finder (Prize Pack Giveaway)
December 21Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers Review (Prize Pack Giveaway)
December 22Interview with Brenda Pandos + The Sapphire Talisman Review
December 23 – Interview with Julie Chibbaro + Review of Deadly (Prize Pack Giveaway)
December 24 – Review of Misguided Angel (Prize Pack Giveaway - Revelations)
December 25 – Prize Pack Giveaway
I'll remind you when the time comes.

Hugs, Brenda