Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year & Trilogy cover release

Happy New Year everyone!

I can't even begin to express my thanks to all of you for making 2011 huge for my writing success. All my books have hit Amazon best selling lists, include The Emerald Talisman listed at #6 on the top of Amazon free list and Onyx has become a HUGE hit! Right now, there's 18 five star reviews listed and I've received countless emails from pleased fans, even one with OMG in the title (lol!). I'm relieved everyone loves the end.

I'm also excited to share the cover of the e-book complete trilogy being released in a few days on Amazon and B&N! Isn't it gorgeous???

Today is also the last day to post a review and enter the drawing for the Onyx faux talisman. Don't miss out!

As I reflect, I can't help but remember the hard times and wonderful times. I appreciate all your support and encouragement during my son's open heart surgery. Also, I'm thankful for all the new friends I've made along the way. I can't wait for 2012 and what it has to bring, good and bad.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Happy New Year! See you in 2012!

Hugs, Brenda

Friday, December 16, 2011

Signed Copies Onyx Talisman Pre-sale

I forgot to post the pre-sale as promised. In my defense, I actually left my house, got my hair done, did some Christmas shopping and spent my birthday money on some adorable shoes and a coat, and visited Starbucks for a peppermint mocha. And then I stalked myself for reviews.

So here it is: the pre-order print of books for The Onyx Talisman with matching bookmark!

$11.99 
$9.99 until 1/31/12



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Onyx Talisman Book Birthday!

Happy Birthday The Onyx Talisman! 

I can't believe this day is finally here. It's been a journey like no other. I literally feel like I've run a marathon, but it's here... early by a day! But this time, it's bittersweet and I'm sad to see this series come to an end. I can't believe all the sweet emails I've received from fans over this series and you've touched my heart tremendously. And because you love my characters as much as I do, the book has been dedicated to YOU!


Buy it NOW on Amazon
Buy it NOW on B&N



The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing (December 16, 2011) 

Series: Talisman #3 

Add it to Goodreads

Synopsis:
"Alora looked back and the corner of her lip turned up. “It’s always darkest before the dawn, Julia. Good luck.”
Her words sent chills up my spine as she vanished. "

Unrest stirs deep in Scotts Valley. Filled with uncertainty, Julia anxiously awaits Nicholas’ return. Phil, hurt and unsure of his place as a sober vampire, holds the pieces of Julia’s fragile psyche together, secretly hoping Nicholas stays away forever. Scarlett bides her time, plotting for the perfect moment to prove herself and earn redemption. But somewhere in L.A., Alora conspires to reclaim her talisman and strip Julia of everything she holds dear.

Little do they know, a war is coming and more than one vampire would like to see the Prince of Vampires overthrown. As more and more vampires show up from nowhere, addicted to her scent, Julia must pick her allies carefully before it’s too late. Can Julia bargain with fate? When the time comes, will she even have a choice? Find out how it all ends in this explosive grand finale of The Talisman Trilogy.

WIN YOUR OWN TALISMAN!


CONTEST DETAILS
For those who write a review of The Onyx Talisman and post on either B&N or Amazon (or both), can be entered into a drawing to win a life-sized replica Onyx Talisman of their very own or a T-Shirt custom designed my me, you're choice.

Enter HERE or below:




Thank you to everyone for making this dream possible. To Kristie Cook, Lisa Langdale, Lisa Sanchez, Nicole and Jaime ... all my love and thanks are yours!

Stay tuned for the announcement of a twitter party and the physical book release in January, 2012! Pre-sale starts TOMORROW!

Hugs, Brenda

Monday, December 12, 2011

EVERBLUE is a Best of the Best in 2011 novel

We interrupt the countdown to Onyx (which is 4 days people, well, 3 days and 15 hours if you look at the countdown --> ) to announce something SUPER exciting. Everblue, my Mer Tales novel, was picked as a Best of the BEST in 2011 by Nicole at Books Complete Me.

*insert screaming and flailing of hands*

Holy carp!!

Of all the amazing books out there, I have no idea how bloggers choose anyway, I'm so thrilled and honored to have Everblue chosen for this prestigious title. Thank you, Nicole.

So, if you follow the link, you can read the sweet things she said about Everblue and some questions she asked me AND enter to win a signed copy with matching bookmark. Go... go right now!

*swoon*

Okay... back to the countdown of Onyx... *bites nails*

Hugs, Brenda

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Onyx Talisman comes in 6 days

I wanted to give a quick exciting update. Yes! The Onyx Talisman will be available through Amazon/Kindle and B&N/Nook Friday, December 16th and I just have to say, my team ROCKS! Without their dedication and help, it wouldn't have happened. Donna Wright, Kristie Cook, Lisa Sanchez, Lisa Langdale, Nicole from Books Complete Me and Jaime from Two Chicks. Muah!

I can't believe the day is almost here and I am so nervous! The pressure to deliver a satisfying ending is... HUGE! I've bit down my nails, worn off my fingerpads  and forked out quite a lot in nanny money to make this date. And I hope it will be worth it. Anyway, there's still last minute things to do, so I'm not talking on here long. I'll be sending out a newsletter the minute it's available. Sign up here: BrendaPandos.com to receive it.

Thanks everyone for all the lovely well wishes and prayers for my family. Missing a deadline hurt like heck and I'm glad you all were so kind to me. My son's heart is doing awesome and he's running around faster than the rest of us now. Modern medicine is absolutely incredible.

And actually, this book is dedicated to YOU!

Thank you.... sniff.

Hugs x a million,

Brenda

PS. Physical books will be available online sometime January 2012. A presale will be posted Friday, the 16th for those who want signed copies!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Onyx news and first chapter teaser

As you can see, Onyx isn't being released today as planned. Life's been a little crazy in my world. Good news is things have been improving for us and I am so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes for my son. And as long as we stay on this drama-free course, the ebook of Onyx should be out in December and physical books in January.

I apologize to all of you who have been waiting so patiently and can't wait to share with you the last installment of the Talisman series.

So, without further ado, here's the first *unedited* chapter of The Onyx Talisman!!



“I need some ore,” Phil said with a scrupulous grin behind his fanned out cards—eyes flirting directly with mine. “Anyone got any?”
Three ore cards mocked me within my undisclosed hand, along with a few others. If I traded my ore—which I really didn’t need—he might win again. His smug aura told me he pretty much had this game in the bag, it was just a matter of time.
“I’ll trade for a brick?” he asked, his sharp canines revealed in his smile. No one budged, though I sensed a few were tempted. “Two bricks?”
Katie caved first. “Okay. Here.”
Within moments of the trade, Phil switched out his city for a settlement, pleasure beaming from him like a strobe light.
“Nice,” Tyler said with a twisted grin.
“Pschtt!” I spewed and nudged Katie in the arm, pretending to be upset. “Why did you do that?”
“I need a brick and Phil’s sitting on a brick factory over there.” She pointed at the board and shrugged.
True.
Tyler’s turn was next. As I watched him palm the dice, my competitive side itched for lady luck to grace me this turn. Normally the rolls I needed came up all the time, but not in this particular game of Settler of Catan.
Scarlett sat off to the side and read her worn Tales by Edgar Allen Poe. The fact she enjoyed the stories as much as she did gave me the creeps. Her mind reading abilities had ousted her from playing any games with us—not that she’d play anyway.
Tyler blew into his partially closed fist. “Come on karma! Papa needs a new set of shoes.” He shot us a coy smile then winked at Katie.
I withheld my comment as Katie giggled. If she got the karma she deserved, she’d lose every game. Quick as a flash, Katie grabbed his hand and kissed his fingers before he could fling the white cubes. The interruption discombobulated his throw, causing them to skitter from his hands, across the table, and onto the floor. I peeked over Tyler’s knee and watched one of the die move of its own accord from a four to a five.
Scarlett coughed. Her icy-blue eyes peered at us momentarily over the binding of her book
“You so cheat,” I accused Phil, who at the moment looked bewildered.
“I didn’t do it.” Phil held up his hands—truth rolling off him in huge waves. “This is crap anyway.”
“That was so a four.” I pursed my lips and raised a brow as guilt billowed out of Katie like a hole in a balloon.
She snickered and waggled her eyebrows. “What?”
“Yeah. No fighting.” Tyler flipped it back to a four and finished his turn.
Katie’s turn was next. I crossed my fingers for something I could use.
“Eight,” she called out. While she traded out her cards and pieces on the board, I playfully mad-dogged Phil. Our competitive sides quietly bantered with one another through our eyes. My turn was next and I only had one chance to finish him off. Without looking, I kept an eye on Phil and felt for the dice when Katie’s shock and sudden elation sliced right through my psyche.
Her squeal, followed by her inhumanly fast flit around the table, upset the board onto the floor. Annoyed, I pushed away from the table and moved over to the couch opposite Scarlett, away from Katie’s blatant display. Though she rarely won, I wouldn’t indulge her poor sportsmanship with any type of congratulations.
Phil came over and sat next to me—a little too close, actually. His wonderful natural scent filled my lungs and tempted me to bury my nose in his neck.
“Awww, don’t pout,” he whispered in his honey golden voice.
A huge part of me wanted to lean over and kiss him right then and there, but I knew his powers of persuasion were running at a high level. I fought the temptation and pulled out my iPhone instead, searching for a text from my missing boyfriend Nicholas—an obsession I couldn’t kick.
“I’m not,” I said defiantly. “If I would have gotten one more turn, I would have won. Katie was lucky.”
“I see.” He touched the tip of my nose then pointed to my touch-screen. “Anything exciting happening at drama-high?”
With a smirk, I put the phone away in my pocket. “No. Not today. But that reminds me. My Dad’s out of town this weekend and—”
“No,” Phil said quickly, flipping from sexy to cold in an instant. “Out of the question. We’ve already discussed the dangers as a group, not to mention I will not escort you to L.A. without your father’s knowledge. Not after what happened.”
His words sent little pin pricks of pain radiating across my chest. Every day I’d conspired a way to get Phil to take me to L.A to see Nicholas and every time he’d tell me no. Since the big showdown four months ago, the only word I’d received to even suggest he was on the mend was a letter stating he missed me along with some song lyrics he wrote and a reassurance he’d return soon. That was a month ago.
The lyrics lay neatly folded in my pocket next to my phone. I’d continually read and reread them, looking for clues to what he was thinking. But all I could decipher was that separated ships never docked at the same pier at the same time. Was that how he saw our relationship? Something that could never really be?
“I can’t keep doing this day after day. I have to find out something,” I finally said with clenched teeth.
“I know.” Phil looked at me tenderly while he massaged my shoulder, infusing me with his stress-releasing charm. “Patience, my dear sweet Parker. Patience.”
I sunk into his chest. Whether I liked it or not, Phil did make me feel better. My spirit mended in his presence and I was beginning to need him—like a drug. I shut down my empathy and closed my eyes so I didn’t have to watch Katie and Tyler snuggled up together on the opposite couch as they started a movie. She of all people didn’t deserve the happiness wafting around us and lately my jealousy was getting the better of me. I didn’t want to be a love buzz-kill, but their blatant displays often rubbed raw the longing in my heart.
But, for some reason I always returned to hang with the Fab Five. Sam, my absent BFF, had all her free time sucked up with Todd, her boyfriend. So, I had no choice but to melt into the coven’s regular routine where my melancholy mood was understood, for the most part. Phil and Katie were our sober vampires, Tyler and I were the inducted humans, and Scarlett was the token den mother—a very motley group. After school, Tyler and I would cruise over and hang out at Nicholas’ abandoned house where Phil and Katie hid during the daylight hours.
“Do you have homework?” Phil asked while petting my hair.
“Mostly studying for finals,” I murmured. “I also need to finish my History report.”
Phil scoffed. “So glad I never have to finish high school.”
I nudged him in the side. “Brat.”
After a few minutes and with much reluctance, I slid down onto the floor and pulled out my backpack. My report wasn’t going to write itself. Phil continued to try to distract me by playing with my hair, but eventually succumbed to the movie.
I started to read about Betsy Ross, the subject of my report, but my mind drifted. The group didn’t know it, but I’d devised a new plan. Sam and I were going to Disneyland for a few days as soon as school was out for summer. She’d scored tickets from her aunt and during the trip somehow someway, I’d get to Preston’s house and see Nicholas in person. I had to. 
I refocused my attention back to Betsy Ross when I felt it. A storm of rage sped towards Nicholas’ house and whomever the feelings belonged to, they weren’t about to let a door stand in their way from getting inside. I stood up, eyes glued to the sunlight blocking barrier as I held my breath, hoping that someone was Nicholas.
“Parker, what’s wrong?” Phil asked before Scarlett’s warning screamed in our minds.
“Hide!”
The sudden movement of vampires escaping the scene launched my notes into the air like confetti, leaving Tyler and I alone to deal with whoever was about the come through the door.

Copyright Brenda Pandos 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Winner Genesis Swag Pack

Congrats to Michele Luker for winning the Genesis swag pack! And thanks to everyone else for stopping by and leaving comments!

Check out Kristie's blog for the winner of the BIG grand prize!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Winner of hop and NaNoWriMo


We have a winner for the Girls Gone Goblin Blog Hop!
Congrats @kadburytweets !!! She'll enjoy a Kindle copy of The Sapphire Talisman!

And what's NaNoWriMo you ask? No, I didn't lose it and start talking gibberish, it's National Novel Writing Month where writers from all over commit to writing 50K words in a month. And where I'm going to finish Onyx for a December release. If you didn't know, I had a little chaos happen in my life with my 6 yr old son needing heart surgery last month (along with other things) which set me back in my writing goals. But I know you're dying to find out what happens with Julia, Nicholas and Phil, so I'm going to make miracles happen!

I don't typically write with wild abandon, but I'm going to do my best and start by getting this post finished, my trance going, my coffee brewed and my chocolate unwrapped!

Wish me luck!

Hugs, Brenda

Friday, October 28, 2011

Romance Girls Gone Goblin hop

It's... gasp, October 28th? Holy CARP!!! What the heck??? There's something to say about being in the hospital time warp and losing two weeks of my life, but seriously?!?

Okay (pants)... *flips hands* I have TOO much to do!

So quickly, I'm going to giveaway something that's super easy for me to giveaway...

1 lucky commenter will get a copy of:

THE SAPPHIRE TALISMAN (kindle copy)



It's book #2 of my Talisman series and just in time for Onyx Talisman that should be out super shortly! (gasp!) It's filled with betrayal, hot blood sucking vampires and oh the bad boys. Are you team #Phil or #Nicholas ?

Just retweet the sentence below and comment with your email, and you're entered. Giveaway until 11/1/11

I'm ready for #ONYX, how about you? #giveaway #RomanceGirlsGoneGoblinHop http://brendapandos.blogspot.com

Friday, October 21, 2011

Genesis Release Tour

Today I have Kristie Cook, author extraordinaire and fabulous friend, on my blog to talk about her upcoming novella release: Genesis, which you can get right now Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella. I had the privilege of critiquing Genesis and let me tell you, it’s a perfect fit to her Soul Savers Series. I also was the cover designer for Genesis, which was created long before I’d had a chance to review the book. Typically I don’t “design” in the dark, but Kristie described her vision for the cover and knew exactly the elements needed to convey the feeling of the story. Have you ever seen an angel with a bat wing and a feathered wing? It coins the “match made in heaven and hell” so visually, I couldn’t have thought of a better way to describe that saying in her novels better.

Promise and Purpose, the first two books of the Soul Saver Series, introduces Tristan and Alexis with a very vast and complex lineage. Since the books are in Alexis’ perspective, the reader only knows what she knows, which is limited. So Kristie saw the need to explain and set up the history to better. Hence the birth of Genesis. But it’s not a boring history lesson. You get sucked into Cassandra and Jordan’s world right away, intrigued with the evil creatures lurking around them, along with the mystery, the suspense, and oh the passion!! We learn that the Amadis history is quite messy filled with revenge and deception. But it all boils down to a choice: will they see good or evil in their futures.

It’s definitely a must read for lover’s of the Soul Savers!



Take it away Kristie:

Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella releases this month and it’s a bit different from the other Soul Savers books. Although the fantasy world I created is the same, the real world is not. After all, it takes place over 2,000 years ago, around 200 B.C. So it required a lot of research to understand life in Greece during that era. For each stop along the release tour, I’m sharing something I learned and how it ties into the story.


I do a Foodie Friday feature on my blog every week, so it’s a perfect day to talk about food of the time. With Brenda as my lovely hostess, we’ll focus specifically on bread, which I’ll explain in a minute.


The Greek diet consisted of the triptych of bread, olives (including olive oil) and wine. In fact, breakfast was often bread dipped in wine, and the midday meal was the same, perhaps with cheese, figs, olives or dried fish added. They didn’t have forks then, so bread served as the eating utensil and also served as a napkin – after eating, they’d wipe their hands on a piece of bread and then toss it on the floor for the dogs. 


Bread was usually made with barley flour, although by the time of Genesis, wheat was being imported. It was expensive, though, so only wealthier households tended to buy wheat flour for their bakers or they’d buy wheaten bread in the marketplace. By 400 B.C., there were 50-70 different kinds of bread in Greece.


Most ordinary households would have an oven made of pottery, allowing them to make their own bread. These were often flat breads, which is what I imagine the characters in Genesis to mostly eat.


So how does Brenda fit into this? Well, as my critique partner, she challenged me on how Cassandra, one of the main characters, could make bread without an oven. I’d known bread to be around for thousands of years, even in primitive cultures that wouldn’t have “ovens” anything like how we know them. And I’d done my research, so I had an answer.


There are two ways – using clay pots and coals or using a flat pot or metal pan to cook the bread. The first way is done by topping the pot of dough with another rounded pot and surrounding both with hot coals from a fire. The heat would be trapped inside, allowing the bread to bake.


The pan method produces pita or flat bread – the dough is simply cooked in a frying pan, likely with olive oil on the bottom, over coals, and flipped once to cook both sides to a golden brown. Here’s a somewhat quirky recipe to try to make your own flat bread (though the process isn’t quite how Cassandra would have done it, the idea is there).


Thank you for hosting me, Brenda! And thank you for challenging me – that’s what a good crit-partner is supposed to do.


You, good readers, can win a Soul Saves swag pack! AND be entered to win the Grand Prize at the end of the release tour. All you have to do is comment below. For more details on the tour and the big giveaway, check out the tour page.

Sources:
http://historylink102.com/greece3/food.htm
http://www.cooksinfo.com/edible.nsf/pages/greeceancient!opendocument&startkey=greeceancient
http://greekfood.about.com/od/discovergreekfood/a/food_intro.htm

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Update on Onyx

Sorry you haven't heard from me lately. Life has flipped me on my head. My six year old had heart surgery last week and it's been a roller coaster for our family the past month. I'm happy to say, he's doing 100% better with his super "Sonic" new heart valve, but I'm 50% grayer. No one ever told me the stress a mother endures. Here he is smiling... finally.

Anyway, needless so say, this set me back with The Onyx Talisman's deadline. So, if I'm quiet, it's cause I'm writing and editing like a fiend! It may not be released on November 16th like we thought, but it will be out this year definitely! Please don't be mad.

Sign up at www.brendapandos.com for my newsletter so you'll be notified the minute it's available. I can't wait to share it with you!

Thank you for understanding!

Hugs,

Brenda

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Emerald Talisman Kindle Free & Everblue Tour wrap up...

What a whirlwind this past week has been. This post was supposed to happen days ago, along with another laundry list of things to do.

Anyway... we went camping this past weekend and drove through Placerville, CA on the way. We saw this sign and I swooned! I'm going in the next time I'm in town.

My Everblue tour is over.... sniff. I enjoyed every minute of it and want to thank Eleni from the bottom of my heart for hosting and to all the wonderful bloggers who took time out of their busy lives to read and write such eloquent reviews. I am blessed! Muahh!

These are the last of the reviews:

September 14 - Jessica - Hopeless Bibliophile = Review
"Pandos takes a lore that we all know, and puts her own delicious spin on it. Hold on, you're in for a ride."
September 7 - Nicole - Books Complete Me = Review
"WOW! I loved this book. ... Ashlyn wants her life to change, while Fin wants his to stay the same - that is the best way to describe this book!"

September 8 - Anna Tee - The Bursting Bookshelf = Review
"For being so enjoyable and gripping, I give Everblue a 5/5 without question."

September 9 - Evie - Bookish = Review + Giveaway
"Deliciously sweet and dangerously seductive, Everblue by Brenda Pandos is an absolutely and indisputably fantabulous beginning to a new awesome Young Adult series that will win you over in a blink of an eye!"

September 9 - Alyssa - The Book Blog Experience = Review 
"I feel like even though mermaids aren’t real that readers can relate to the characters and the book. This book will make you angry, happy and cringing..."


And it's ALWAYS fun to find mystery reviews... this made me smile:

Shawna graciously put this on GR 
"There was just enough detail to let you picture it vividly in your mind while taking you hostage with her beautiful word usage. From page to page I kept getting more enthralled into this book. It was more than just the amazing story that held my attention, it was also the writing. "

Oh, and if you didn't know, The Emerald Talisman is free right now on Kindle. And, it's ranked #8 in free books right now. Squee! :) Enjoy a treat on me if you've been wanting to read it!

Hugs, Brenda

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Week 3 - #everblue blog tour



This has been yet another fun and exciting week. Thank you for your questions, Inga, Yara, and Valia! More questions will be answered next week from bloggers! Stay tuned.

August 29 - Inga - Me and Reading = Review
"It was a book which simply blows you away to a fanciful and magical world! When I turned the last page, I cried, because the ending of the book was beautiful and I was totally frustrated – because I wanted more!"

August 30 - Cynthia - Book Reader Addicts = Review
"The story made me laugh, hold my breathe, and made me upset. I got so emotionally involved that my husband thought I was going crazy. "


September 1 - Heather - Nightly Reading = Review
"Brenda Pandos has done it again! She has created a storyline that has completely sucked me in! The Mer Tales series is unlike any other that I have read and I was engrossed from the first pages."


September 2 - Lauren - Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf = Review + Giveaway
"Unique and enjoyable, Everblue is well worth a read! However, that ending? Crazy! I need the sequel ASAP."


Others in the wild:

Garrett at The Mer Blog (how appropriate is THAT?):  Review
"Everblue by Brenda Pandos has such an addicting, mesmerizing quality to it. I would open the book up, telling myself I would only read one - maybe two - chapters, only to look down at the page and see I've read over 100 pages..."

Amy at Amy's Book Den: Review
"This has become my top favorite mermaid story of this summer. Just when I thought I´d give up on them, in comes Everblue and sweeps me away with its amazingly wrought world, creative mer-cursing, and captivating plot."

Thanks everyone for taking the time to write up reviews for your readers!

Hugs, Brenda

Friday, August 26, 2011

Vblog Nuttiness & Week 2 Everblue Tour news

This week I recorded a vlog to just give you a taste of the glamorous life of an author (NOT). Actually, it's why I don't can't do vlogs often...



Week at a glance:

Aug 22: Jaime- Two Chicks on Books - Review + GIVEAWAY 8/30
"This story had me sucked in on page one and kept me up until 4a.m. reading. I guarantee once you pick up this book you will not want to put it down!"

Aug 22: Jessica - Confessions of a Bookaholic - Review + GIVEAWAY 9/9
"...continues on with the fabulous, descriptive writing style readers have come to enjoy through Brenda's Talisman series. Readers will easily dive into this story!"


Aug 23: Kate - Yzhabella's Bookshelf - Review
"With Everblue, Brenda Pandos presents wonderfully imaginative world building, well rounded character development and a perfect timing for establishing conflict, which all helps to create a treasure of a tale that proves her talent and will do much to further establish her footing in this highly competitive industry."

Aug 24: Jennifer - Extreme Reader - Review
"Recently there have been quite a few mermaid themed YA books released, but Everblue tops the charts! The story was absolutely captivating!"

Aug 25: Katie - Katie's Book Blog - Review
"... this is not your typical mermaid story, especially seeing as the mermaid it is about isn't a mermaid at all. He is a merman. I have never read a book written from the point-of-view of a merman and it was very refreshing. Seeing the underwater life through the eyes of a guy is not something I thought I would enjoy but it was really interesting."

Aug 26: Yara - Once Upon a Twilight - Review + GIVEAWAY
"Everblue is not my first mermaid book that I've read. Everblue is the first Mermaid story I loved though."


Other Reviews:
Nimue @ My Bookish Obsession - Review
"I have heard about Mermaid/Mer people books in the blogosphere but hadn't read one ever... I wasn't sure what to expect but Everblue definitely surprised me positively."
Other Giveaways:
By Dark Angel (Ends 8/31) darkangel88.com/?page_id=2753

Post your questions in the comments below and I'll answer them week on my Friday vlog 
(leave your email too)!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Week 1 - #everblueTour highlights...

Week one of the tour has commenced and it's been a nail bitter for me. The desires for each book are the same: a page-turner, something (mostly) original, adoration for the characters, a believable story. It's the fun and hard part of writing and a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I know my story won't resonate with everyone, but when it comes down to it, I like writing and want to provide something people like to read, plain and simple. Whew... glad I got that off my chest.

This was the line-up and some high-lights (and you all get cookies too!) --

August 15 - Heather - Proud Book Nerd = Review
"I knew going into this that I’d probably like it, as Pandos has shown that she’s got the ability to craft a really good story. And this one, wow. Even better than I’d expected. "
August 16 - Kristie Cook - Author = Review
"I love this book. It's a sweet escape with lovable characters, especially the adorable Fin. "
August 17 - Emily D - Red House Books = Review
"Overall, I very much enjoyed Everblue. Brenda is awesome at weaving a story together and making you feel like you're there with the characters. And while I might not have liked all the characters or elements in Everblue, I felt engaged as a reader and really, that's more important to me."
August 18 - Steph - Fangs, Wands and Fairydust = Review
"...an excellent choice for many teens as the struggles the kids go through are pretty similar to what they may be going through. That time of life is one where things you believe are true change as you comprehend how the world really works. It's kind of funny that fantasy is a place to work it out but maybe it is exactly the fantastic aspect that allows kids the room to do so without their own world being threatened."
August 19 - Eleni (Host of the tour) - La Femme Readers = Review
Eleni, my friend since the beginning of my writing career and fabulous supporter of my work, touched my heart with her review. Thank you for hosting!!
"The dual narrative that was going on between Ashlyn and Fin created a great balance for both stories. It helped me connect with the human side of things, while also losing myself in the fantastical sea world. Overall, it was a delightful mer tale that will leave you wanting the sequel! "

Extra bonus: Jena wasn't in the tour, but she tweeted me the review and it's delightful, so I'm including it too: August 20 - Jena - Shortie Says = Review 
"I just adored this book. I loved the creativeness of the world, how it's told from duel viewpoints, the romance, the friendships, I just loved it all. Being able to be inside Fin and Ash's head and follow each of their stories was just brilliantly done." 

And she was the first to comment on the fin at the end of the E of Everblue. Extra cookies for her!
Thank you, ladies for your insight and reflections! I'm so honored you'd take the time to comment on my latest story!

Hugs, Brenda

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

In the WILD....

I'm borrowing this idea from my good friend and author Kristie Cook. First, I'm super excited to be able to sign Kindle copies now at kindlegraph.com and would love to see where else my babies have found homes.

I'm going to do a regular post to show off such pictures. All you have to do is upload it in the form below and authorize that I can use the photo, and I'll post them here on my blog and facebook! (I reserve the right to censor photos)

Fun!

I also hope everyone enjoyed the twitter party on August 6th. I'm especially grateful to Jaime from twochicksonbooks. I've mailed all the goodies out, so if you were a winner, be looking for those!

In the Wild - Books/Ebooks of Brenda Pandos
Questions marked by * are required.
1. Your Name: *
2. Your Email: *
3. Your Message:
4. Permission *
  • I give Brenda Pandos permission to use this to promote her work.
5. Upload *
 

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Twitter Party Tonight for #everblue

I'm excited! Trivia questions are ready to go for the book release party tonight. Prizes will be e-books, swag packs, cool blue nail polish, a pretty feather for your hair and signed BOOKS.

If you've never done a twitter party before, don't worry--it's easy. Here's instructions: Joining a twitter party.

Host: @brendapandos @arnoldjaime13
Hashtag: #everblue
Time: 6pm PST
Location: twitter.com

Did I mention I'm excited? Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Twitter Party for Everblue 8/6 #everblue

You're invited to my Everblue Release Twitter Party Saturday, August 6th. If you never been to a party before, check out this post how to use Tweetgrid to follow along.

The party hashtag is: #everblue

The hosts are: @brendapandos & @arnoldjaime13

I'm excited Jaime will be hosting with me. She's a fab blogger and super awesome promoter of twochicksonbooks

There will be fun, trivia, games and awesome prizes including this feather to match mine:

Books, bookmarks, Kindle/Nook e-copies too!

And also look forward to the blog tour coming up August 15th.

There will be giveaways of the book every Friday and v-blogs from me answering questions from bloggers!

I'm excited! You can get your copies here Kindle , paperback copies on Amazon, and Nook.

Hugs, Brenda

How to join a Twitter Party

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
Step 4: Enter in the hosts:
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!!!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

V-blog book birthday Everblue

Here's my crazy v-blog to celebrate the fun day (love my expression). I hope you enjoy. The paperbacks on Amazon aren't quite up, but there's a sign-up to be notified here. Also, you can get signed copies for $8.99 (regular $11.99) this week here. And there's Kindle and Nook too!

This day wouldn't have happened with all the support from my friends and family in my life. Thank you! 

TWITTER PARTY!

Saturday at 6:00pm PST I'll be hosting a twitter party #Everblue. There will be trivia, games, prizes and giveaways. Don't miss out! Everyone will have an opportunity to win!

Hugs, Brenda


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Everblue Book Birthday

(big sigh)

Let me tell you . . . on the eve of my book birthday (it is available on Kindle now), I'm celebrating another victory. I've been in the hospital all week with my 5 yr old who had complications after a balloon valvoplasty and it's been a long but short week. I'm happy so say after , we are finally going home!

And . . . I've been waiting for Everblue to hit Amazon and Kindle.  And it's hit Kindle already! Yay!

This day wouldn't have happened without my crit partners, Lisa Sanchez, Lisa Langdale (bomb-beta) and Kristie Cook. All of them have been instrumental in crafting my new baby into something I hope you'll love as much as I do. And to Carol Oates, who helped make sure Badger was true to life!

I'll post a v-blog tomorrow to celebrate!

Thanks! And enjoy! The hardcover should be up tomorrow sometime on Amazon.

Hugs x a million,

Brenda

Friday, July 22, 2011

Pre-sale NOW! Everblue's $8.99

Everblue (Mer Tales #1)
PRESALE
$8.99 (includes bookmark) 

Shipped week of 8/1-8/6



Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.


Ashlyn is about to discover what she’d thought to be true her whole life, wasn’t, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

T-Shirt Winner!

So... let me tell ya, this was the funnest contest I've ever done and the most difficult to choose!

Winner: Don't messy with Tessie 
submitted by Samantha Snow

But I did have two others submit similar titles, so it was so hard to judge. I'm sending all who entered a signed bookmark and bookplate (contact with your information)! 

Thanks for entering!

Devon for: Don't mess with Tess (you taste like chicken)
Misty for: Tahoe Tessie, isn't she messy?
Cody for: If you want to hear (or see or know) the tale of Tessie, visit Tahoe
And there were a few spins on Loch vs lock:
Krystal for: Tessie has the Loch on the mystical imagination
BooksNyarn for: Tessie has a Loch on Tahoe

I've decided to set up a shop to sell shirts and other Everblue items. The proceeds will be donated to March of Dimes. Look for that very soon!

Release day is only 9 days away! Eep!!


Congrats Samantha! 
Now it's your turn. What was your favorite? Comment below!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Everblue Teaser

Only 19 more days until Everblue, my mermaid paranormal romance will hit internet shelves. I'm so excited! Today I've posted an excerpt on author Lisa Sanchez's blog for the Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza.

Also remember, I'm still looking for slogan's for my Tessie T-shirt contest HERE.

Also look for the review only blog tour hosted by Eleni from LaFemmeReaders. There will be giveaways, reviews and friday vblogs.

Lots of fun to add to Summer!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

CONTEST to win early copy of Everblue!!!

I need you help.  Everblue (releases 7/31) is centered in Lake Tahoe. If you don't already know, the lake has it's own folklore about a monster, much like Lochness, that lives in the deep waters. They call her Tahoe Tessie.

I'm looking for a creative, original, T-shirt slogan about Tessie.

If your slogan is picked, your slogan will appear in the book, your name in the acknowledgements for providing the slogan and you'll get an EARLY copy of Everblue, signed of course!

Contest runs from July 5th- July 16th. I'll post my favorite, and 2 runners up here. The runners up will get something cool too.

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Everblue Teaser

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've actually blogged anything. As you know, my latest book is coming out July 31st, Everblue. I'm so excited about it!

When I'm editing, I listen to trance. The beat keeps me motivated and gives me emotion to put into my scenes. This song came on and I'd heard it before, but I just about fell over when I really listened to the lyrics. It perfectly describes Everblue.

Here's the lyrics:


Cosmic Gate feat Kyler England – Flatline
Do you know the power you have over me?
I’m a safe, but you’re the key
In my defense I try not to lose control
I’m cryptic, but you crack the code
My heart skips a beat when you look at me
Suddenly I can’t breathe, I’m falling to my knees
Last thing I recall is how you catch my fall
Then I wake in your arms, baby you’re my Prince Charming
Baby you’re my Prince Charming
When my heart’s on a flatline
Your kiss brings me back to life
When my heart’s on a flatline
Your kiss brings me back to life



I hope that tempts your reading tastebuds! Everblue, coming July 31st!