Brenda Pandos's Blog, page 18

Devotion Cover Reveal from my bestie Author friend, Kristie Cook

I'm excited to announce the cover reveal of Devotion, Kristie Cook's third book in her Soul Savers Series, to be published in February 2012. But not only did I design the cover, I had the privilege to read the early release copy and .... *swoon* ... it's AMAZING! Betrayal, secrets, powers and loads of passion, it's a page-turner. But I can't take all the credit for the cover, though. Kristie had a vision in mind and she knew exactly what to say to help me create what she wanted. I wish I could show the mock-up procession from start to finish.

You need to pick up all three books right now if you haven't, Promise, Purpose, Genesis so you'll be ready to devour DEVOTION in February!

With powerful abilities gained from the Ang'dora and Tristan back by her side, Alexis thinks she's ready for the next challenge—protecting her son from what appears to be the inevitable. But she has so much to learn about her powers, her new world and the people in it. Nothing is what it seems to be on the surface, including the Amadis. Having believed the secret society to be definitively good and righteous, she discovers she couldn't have been more wrong.


Power-hungry politicians comprise the council and make impossible demands. A traitor lurks among them all, inciting trouble that could destroy the Amadis and, ultimately, humanity. The Daemoni wreak havoc in the human world, with the ultimatum that they'll continue attacking innocents until Alexis and Tristan are expelled from the Amadis' protection. The couple's own society begins to shut them out. But that's not all.


There's a secret. A big one. And faith and hope in Alexis and Tristan will be restored if she can uncover the truth in time.


But the search for answers leads only to the discovery of more betrayals by those closest to Alexis. Her devotion is put to the test—devotion to her husband, to her family, to her people and to her beliefs—leaving her to question whom she's fighting for and why she should even bother. But if she won't fight … who will?

Add from Goodreads Kristie's Blog  Facebook

Winner of Talisman & Onyx book tour sign-ups

Congrats to Desiree! 
She was the lucky winner (via random.org) of the life-sized faux onyx talisman. Here's her review on Amazon:

"Wow wow wow Brenda you totally made me cry! After anticipating for your book to be released I devoured it from beginning to end, thank you I loved it!!!"

I wish you all could have won. Every review touched my heart and I'm HONORED to have each of you as fans. This is something I never saw in my writing future and your feedback drives me to write more and write better. Somehow, someway, by God's grace I ended up in the middle of something great and I'm thrilled to share that part of my life and entertain you. The rewards are immense and I thank each of you! You all are getting something special in the mail from me very soon!

For those of you waiting for physical copies, I expect them the end of the month. If you're a book reviewer and have read the first two books, I'd like to invite you to join the book tour hosted by Jaime from twochicksonbooks in March 2012. **Unfortunately, I need to limit international peeps to five (Canada/Mexico only) and to first come first serve because of shipping costs and shipping time.** 

Please sign up HERE.

Happy New Year! Make it COUNT!

Hugs, Brenda

Get a new e-reader? #IndieBookFair

Did you find a newKindle, Nook, or iPad under the Christmas tree? Browse the Indie Book Fair and find a new ebook to break in that reader!

These great new bookswere released Nov 2011-Feb 2012 by Indie authors, priced right so that taking achance on a new author doesn't have to break your wallet. (Check out my previous Internet Book Fair for other great Indie finds.)
[Indie = self-publishedor small-publisher, for the purposes of this post, because no matter how we're published, we're all in this together, trying to get theword out about our books]
Note: Links are givenfor Amazon, but most authors publish across all e-book formats. Clickon the author's name for additional purchasing options, includingpaper copies.
For Your Browsing Pleasure
Contemporary (Adult)
Build a Man  by Talli Roland (Chick Lit) Slaveto the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Hollandlongs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, everypitch she sends out disappears like her clients' liposuctioned fat, never to beseen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to beBritain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe andeverything in between -- giving Serenity a story no editor couldresist. With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own columntracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be asuccess, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy's life. Butwhen Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to coverall the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for herdream job. $0.99on Amazon
TheGolden Sky  by ElisaHirsch (Memoir) Thenight I met Cade I never would've thought that two years later, after wewere homeless street musicians in Hawaii, we would have a little girl andanother baby on the way.  Our son was born with the type of birthdefects that make televangelists cringe. The "death home" gave him a reallynice funeral, the kind I'd never wished to attend. We lost it after that,totally cemented in our grief.  Cade got into drugs, joined a rockand roll band, and I kicked him out of the house. That was how I met: Earl(an old man and unlikely best friend), the "big sag" (a middle aged womanwho still flashed folks), Todda (the stripper next door), and Chris(a cowboy who fell in love with me). It wasn't until I killed a rogueskunk, and my daughter nearly choked on a fry, that I gave my husbandanother chance.  But could our marriage recover from the death of ourson? $2.99 onAmazon
SomeoneElse's Fairytale  by E.M. Tippetts (Contemporary Romance)  JasonVanderholt is the hottest actor under thirty with legions of screaming fans.Chloe Winters is a college student who hasn't gotten around to watching most ofhis movies. When they meet by chance, he is smitten, but it justisn't her fairytale. In fact, it could be her worst nightmare as her past,attracted by the bright lights of the media, comes back to haunt her. $0.99 on Amazon

Historical Romance(Adult)
The Duke's Divorce  by Anne Gallagher Available late January 2012Asimple trip to the Scottish Highlands finds the Duke of Cantin with a bride hedoes not want.  With her impeccable beauty and fiery disposition, Fionatakes Society by storm.  As their prearranged divorce proceedings drawnear, can Fiona change his mind? Check author's website.



Literary Fiction
String Bridge  by Jessica Bell Greek cuisine, smog anddomestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expectingwhen she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen toplay in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' careerand her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer andplots a return to the stage—and the person she used to be. However, theobstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy thatawaits ... $6.99on Amazon ALSO:  Music Sample!
Mystery
Sherwood Ltd.  by Anne R. AllenSherwood. The name immediatelyconjures up images of Richard Greene, Michael Praed and Russell Crowe. Or maybethat sly fox in the Disney version. Only, in Anne R. Allen's latest rom-commystery the fox is a coyote and there's no Robin Hood. Or is there? In herusual inimitable fashion Allen peels back the layers, one hilarious subplotafter another, until you just never know what's real and what's not. Ratherlike the Robin Hood legend. When the Manners Doctor, Camilla Randall, fliesinto Robin Hood airport with a suitcase in one hand and a book contract in theother she thinks she's leaving all her problems behind and is about to start anew life. If you look very carefully you may just spot the Sheriff ofNottingham, Maid Marian and even Little John hidden away. But as for Robin Hoodhimself... You'll just have to read it and find out.  $2.99on Amazon

Short Stories andAnthologies
The Initiate (CloudProphet Trilogy)  by  Megg Jensen (YA Fantasy)Overa thousand years ago, the gods left Eloh's people and took their magic withthem. To win back their favor, her people sacrifice ten female initiates everyten years. No has ever survived. There has never been a Chosen One. Forced intobecoming an initiate, Eloh will try to find a way to beat the odds, stay withher boyfriend, and survive the fires that threaten to consume her. But will herlack of faith in the gods and her disbelief in their magic doom her to apainful death? $0.99 on Amazon
Eight  by Karly Kirkpatrick (YA Paranormal Short Story Collection)Prepareto be thrilled and chilled by Kirkpatrick's eight short tales in EIGHT. Theseeight stories, while short, pack a big punch. There are demon spirits, zombies,and even some human baddies. Each story comes complete with author'scommentary. It also includes the previously unreleased short Grenades. $0.99on Amazon




{CoverComingSoon} In His Eyes  by The Indelibles (YA Anthology) - Available February 14th Justin time for Valentines Day, The Indelibles bring you a one-of-a-kind youngadult anthology! Twenty original short stories, all from the point of view ofour favorite male characters - some are old flames from our novels and somewere dreamed up especially for this anthology. Let these imminently crushable,swoon-worthy guys show you what romance looks like – in his eyes. Add to GoodreadsTBR
The contributors to IN HIS EYES includeaward winners, frequent "Top 100" placers, and hot 2011 debut authors: S.R. Wells, C.K.Bryant, Elle Strauss, Susan Kaye Quinn, Jessie Harrell, Magan Vernon, LisaNowak, Heather McCorkle, RaShelle Workman, Ali Cross, Karen Amanda Hooper, CoryPutman Oakes, Laura Pauling, Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Sarra Cannon, Katie Klein,Cheri Lasota



Transcendent: Tales ofthe Paranormal  byLani Woodland, Melonie Piper, Rita Webb, Wendy Swore, Melanie Marks, Heather McCubbin and Evan Joseph (YA Anthology)Discover the secrets of a siren, fly with a hawkgirl over the mountains of Montana, and flee supernatural party-crashers as thedécor comes to life in this magical journey through paranormal stories. Alongthe way, watch for ghosts in a haunted house, or ride through the moonlightwith a stranger. Save a comatose boy who has lost his soul, and don't forget tobring your garlic and wolfsbane—you never know when the shadows will snag you. Transcendentincludes eight stories of magic, love, death, and choice by some of the newestnames in young adult fiction. $0.99on Amazon


Young Adult
Open Minds  by Susan Kaye Quinn (Paranormal/Science Fiction) When everyone readsminds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep. Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someonewho can't read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can't betrusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the bestfriend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf's mind and nearlykills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family andan increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she's draggeddeep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyoneshe loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her. $2.99 on Amazon
Bound  by C.K. Bryant (Paranormal Romance) When a photo shoot endsin tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia,has been keeping a secret.Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira's life forever and thrusther into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. Whathappens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself andthe shape-shifting warrior she's falling in love with. No longer the timidmouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental andphysical strength to endure and survive. $3.99 on Amazon
Become  by Ali Cross (YA Urban Fantasy)Sixteen-year oldDesolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it's cold andlonely and totally predictable. Instead, she's sent back to Earth where sheBecomes the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi isforced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her Choice has been made—thatshe has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, hascreated her to be. What she doesn't count on, is a reason to want tochange—something she's never had before—a friend. $3.99on Amazon
Exiled  by RaShelle Workman (YA SF Romance) Worldsdivided them. Chance brought them together. Only love will save them.
An alien princess exiled to Earth. An arrogant boy. One week to get back to herplanet or she'll die. And, her only chance for survival? She must help the boyfind his soul mate.
Piece of cake! $0.99on Kindle


The Secret of SpruceKnoll  by Heather McCorkle (Urban Fantasy)Followingthe tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knollto live with an aunt she's never met. Little does Eren know the entiretown of Spruce Knoll is filled with "channelers"—a magical group ofpeople who immigrated to the small Colorado town when theywere driven out of their own lands. Channelers are tied to the fateof the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they—and they alonehave the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Soon, Eren learnsshe not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden,his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad though. $4.99 onAmazon 
Destined  by Jessie Harrell (Retelling) WhenPsyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the mostbeautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love withthe one creature even the gods fear. As she feels herself slipping closer intothe arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tendertouch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come toexpect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.  $0.99 on Amazon

Darkspell  by Elizabeth Mueller (Paranormal Romance) Winter Sky believes sheis everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold. Asseer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter's protector against thedarkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magickal realm shealways thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.Will love prove thicker than magick? $3.99 on Amazon


Untraceable  by S. R. Johannes (Thriller) Grace has lived in theSmokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught herabout wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. When her dad goes missing on a routinepatrol, Grace refuses to believe he's dead and fights the town authorities,tribal officials, and nature to find him. One day, while out tracking clues,Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and asecret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Gracetravels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father. Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships andlives. Soon she's enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. Andit's going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer)for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves. $2.99on Amazon


Rival Demons (Book 5 ofthe Peachville High Demons Series)  by Sarra Cannon (Paranormal Romance)  Available January 20th After narrowly escaping death atthe hands of the Order of Shadows, Harper finds herself thrust into the strangeand beautiful world of the shadow demons. But crossing through the portaldoesn't mean she is safe. The Order of Shadows is determined to bring her homeand transfer the Prima line to the Harris family. They send their most vicioushunters after Harper. Hunters who will not stop until they have found theirprey. Determined to keep her safe, Jackson takes her deep into an undergroundworld filled with dangers of its own. Here, Harper will begin a journey thatwill teach her more about herself and her own path than she ever imaginedpossible. Addto Goodreads TBR
The Legend of VictorStandish: Under a Voodoo Moon  by Roland D. Yeomans (Urban Fantasy/Romance) Can love kill? Yes... if you love a ghoul who hungers for your flesh only slightly less than shedoes your heart.  Yet to the lonely street orphan Victor Standish, who hasrisked his life for a meal, to find love (even for one magical French Quarternight) is worth dying in the morning. $2.99 on Amazon  All profits go to the Salvation Army.


Getting Sideways (Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series)  by Lisa Nowak (Contemporary) Getting shipped off to live with hisuncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Thena wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody's making every effort toget his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for theperfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers'license—but there's no escaping the nightmares that haunt him. Achance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Codyrealizes he'll have to live up to Race's legendary status. But that's the leastof his worries, considering he doesn't have his dad's permission. All he has todo is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing's safe. Yeah, sure. That'llbe easy. $3.99on Amazon
Tangled Tides  by Karen Hooper (Sea Monster Memoirs) YaraJones doesn't believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one. When a hurricanehits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled upin an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sidesbelieve Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening thesealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should bedone. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far moreprecious. Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop atnothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara.The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, andthe merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or shemight open the gateway to a love that's deeper than the oceans. $4.99on Amazon
Here  by Denise Grover Swank (SF Romance)Sixteenyear old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friendMonica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a newtalent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies andMonica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one canexplain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of theaccident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before. Classmate Evan Whittaker paidJulia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he'svolunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can't ignore thathis new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that hewears a pendant she's been drawing for months. When the police show up onenight looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her thatMonica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he's reallyfrom.  $2.99 on Amazon
The Veil  by  CoryPutman Oakes (Paranormal Romance)Seventeen-year-oldAddison Russell is in for a shock when she discovers that she can see theinvisible world of the Annorasi.  Suddenly, nothing is as it appears tobe—the house she lives in, the woman who raised her, even the most beautifulboy in town all turn out to be more than what they seem.  And when thisstrange new world forces Addy to answer for a crime that was committed longago, by parents she has never known, she has no choice but to trust Luc, themysterious Annorasi who has been sent to protect her.  Or so he says . . .$7.99on Amazon
Embrace  by Cherie Colyer (Paranormal Romance)Madisonis familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change tookher long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenlyhate her. It's responsible for the death of a local along with a host of othermysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks herluck is about to improve. Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome andintriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he's a guy harboring a secret,but she's willing to risk the unknown to be with him. Her world really spins out of control, however, whenher best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren't there anddesperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can't find theanswers, Madison seeks her own. Nothing can prepare her for whatshe is about to discover. $6.99on Amazon
Onyx Talisman  by Brenda Pandos (Paranormal Romance)Unrest stirs deep in Scotts Valley. Filled withuncertainty, Julia anxiously awaits Nicholas' return. Phil, holds the pieces ofJulia's fragile psyche together, secretly hoping Nicholas stays away forever.But Alora secretly conspires to reclaim her talisman and strip Julia ofeverything she holds dear. Littledo they know, a war is coming and more than one vampire would like to see thePrince of Vampires overthrown. Can Julia bargain with fate? Find out how it allends in this explosive grand finale of The Talisman Trilogy. $3.99 on Amazon
Howto Date an Alien  by Magan Vernon (Science Fiction) Highschool senior Alex Bianchi's estranged father gets her an internship at CirceOperations Center to pad her college applications. But Circe isn't your typicalmilitary base. It's an alien-run operation center and not all of the aliens arefriendly, especially the one that tries to kill Alex on her first day. WhenAce, a dark-eyed Caltian, enters and saves the day, she can't help but be drawnto him. Can these star-crossed lovers survive when they're on the brink ofintergalactic war? $2.99on Amazon

FireseedOne  by  Catherine Stine (Science Fiction/Thriller) Fireseed One is ajourney into a tricked-out near-future earth where 18 year-old Varik hasinherited a vast ocean farm, following the suspicious drowning of his Marinebiologist father. When Marisa, a beautiful and devious terrorist, destroys theworld's food source, Varik is forced to travel to a lethal hotzone, teemingwith dangerous nomads and a strange cult to search for a magical hybrid plantthat may not even exist. The catch? He must take Marisa along, the only personwho seems to know way, way too much key information.  $2.99 on Amazon





The Missing  by M.A. Leslie (Paranormal)Eight-year-old, Ethan Doyle is just a normal kid whose biggest problem in life was to fight for the attention of his busy parents from his older twin siblings. But, after his aunt and uncle tragically die, his family takes in his teenage cousin, Kelsey, and moves to a spooky old, manor house in a new town. At first, everything seems fine, but when he begins to see and speak to a spirit named Lucas, his biggest problem becomes, just staying alive. Lucas was ten years old when the spirits of the house came to him and asked him for help setting their spirits free. Unfortunately, he never made the deadline and as a result the spirits took him and made him a part of the house as well. As he soon finds out, the only way he can save his own soul is to save the souls of the missing boys in the house. With his own deadline in place, Ethan enlists the help of his cousin Kelsey to solve the twenty-year-old mystery of THE MISSING. $0.99 on Amazon




Princess Kandake  by Stephanie Jefferson (Fantasy) Available February 1, 2012 In Nubia a woman can be whatever she chooses. At 14,Kandake knows exactly what she chooses...Prime Warrior of Nubia. But hergrandmother has said that she will follow her father on the throne. Refusing toabandon her warrior dreams she continues to train. When her brother is kidnapped,Kandake learns she must be both queen and warrior to win his release! See Author's Website 




Middle Grade
Blink of a Dragon  by Eisley Jacobs (Fantasy)Discovering she's connected to dragons is onething, but when another dragon is caught hanging out in the fifth grade, Meia thinksthings couldn't get any worse. Is she ever wrong! Trouble is brewing in thecosmos and Deglan believes this new dragon holds the answers, but his hopes arecrushed when the leader of the exiled dark dragons ambushes them. The fate ofthe dragons and possibly the whole world falls to Deglan and Meia as theysearch for the only creature powerful
enough to send the dark dragons back into theabyss. What they encounter along the way makes the adventure worth fightingfor. $6.99Paperback preorder

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

Signed Copies Onyx Talisman Pre-sale

Oops.

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 1/1/12

Also, don't forget to enter to win my review contest! One lucky winner will win a faux Onxy Talisman.
ENTER HERE

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 AmazonBuy it (soon) on B&N


The Onyx Talisman by Brenda PandosPublisher: 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 DETAILSFor 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:


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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

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

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!

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 grinbehind his fanned out cards—eyes flirting directly with mine. "Anyone got any?"Three ore cards mocked me within my undisclosed hand, along with a fewothers. If I traded my ore—which Ireally didn't need—he might win again. His smug aura told me he pretty much hadthis game in the bag, it was just a matter of time."I'll trade for a brick?" he asked, his sharp caninesrevealed 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 himlike a strobe light."Nice," Tyler said with atwisted grin."Pschtt!" I spewed and nudgedKatie 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 pointedat the board and shrugged.True.Tyler's turn was next. As Iwatched him palm the dice, my competitive side itched for lady luck to grace methis turn. Normally the rolls I needed came up all the time, but not in this particulargame of Settler of Catan. Scarlett sat off to the sideand read her worn Tales by EdgarAllen Poe. The fact she enjoyed the stories as much as she did gave me thecreeps. Her mind reading abilities had ousted her from playing any games withus—not that she'd play anyway.Tyler blew into his partiallyclosed fist. "Come on karma! Papa needs a new set of shoes." He shot us a coysmile then winked at Katie. I withheld my comment asKatie giggled. If she got the karma she deserved, she'd lose every game. Quickas a flash, Katie grabbed his hand and kissed his fingers before he could flingthe white cubes. The interruption discombobulated his throw, causing them toskitter from his hands, across the table, and onto the floor. I peeked overTyler's knee and watched one of the die move of its own accord from a four to afive.Scarlett coughed. Her icy-blueeyes peered at us momentarily over the binding of her book "You so cheat," I accusedPhil, who at the moment looked bewildered."I didn't do it." Phil heldup his hands—truth rolling off him in huge waves. "This is crap anyway.""That was so a four." I pursed my lips and raiseda brow as guilt billowed out of Katie like a hole in a balloon. She snickered and waggled hereyebrows. "What?""Yeah. No fighting." Tylerflipped it back to a four and finished his turn. Katie's turn was next. Icrossed 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-doggedPhil. 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 suddenelation sliced right through my psyche. Her squeal, followed by her inhumanlyfast flit around the table, upset the board onto the floor. Annoyed, I pushedaway from the table and moved over to the couch opposite Scarlett, away fromKatie's blatant display. Though she rarely won, I wouldn't indulge her poorsportsmanship with any type of congratulations.Phil came over and sat nextto me—a little too close, actually. His wonderful natural scent filled my lungsand tempted me to bury my nose in his neck."Awww, don't pout," hewhispered in his honey golden voice. A huge part of me wanted tolean over and kiss him right then and there, but I knew his powers ofpersuasion were running at a high level. I fought the temptation and pulled outmy iPhone instead, searching for a text from my missing boyfriend Nicholas—anobsession 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 tipof my nose then pointed to my touch-screen. "Anything exciting happening at drama-high?"With a smirk, I put the phoneaway in my pocket. "No. Not today. But that reminds me. My Dad's out of townthis weekend and—""No," Phil said quickly,flipping from sexy to cold in an instant. "Out of the question. We've alreadydiscussed 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 pinpricks of pain radiating across my chest. Every day I'd conspired a way to getPhil to take me to L.A to see Nicholas and every time he'd tell me no. Sincethe big showdown four months ago, the only word I'd received to even suggest hewas on the mend was a letter stating he missed me along with some song lyricshe wrote and a reassurance he'd return soon. That was a month ago.The lyrics lay neatly foldedin my pocket next to my phone. I'd continually read and reread them, lookingfor clues to what he was thinking. But all I could decipher was that separatedships never docked at the same pier at the same time. Was that how he saw ourrelationship? Something that could never really be?"I can't keep doing this dayafter day. I have to find out something," I finally said with clenched teeth."I know." Phil looked at metenderly while he massaged my shoulder, infusing me with his stress-releasingcharm. "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 inhis presence and I was beginning to need him—like a drug. I shut down myempathy and closed my eyes so I didn't have to watch Katie and Tyler snuggledup together on the opposite couch as they started a movie. She of all peopledidn't deserve the happiness wafting around us and lately my jealousy wasgetting the better of me. I didn't want to be a love buzz-kill, but theirblatant displays often rubbed raw the longing in my heart.But, for some reason I alwaysreturned to hang with the Fab Five. Sam, my absent BFF, had all her free timesucked up with Todd, her boyfriend. So, I had no choice but to melt into the coven'sregular 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, Tylerand I would cruise over and hang out at Nicholas' abandoned house where Philand Katie hid during the daylight hours. "Do you have homework?" Philasked while petting my hair."Mostly studying for finals,"I murmured. "I also need to finish my History report."Phil scoffed. "So glad Inever have to finish high school."I nudged him in the side."Brat."After a few minutes and withmuch reluctance, I slid down onto the floor and pulled out my backpack. Myreport wasn't going to write itself. Phil continued to try to distract me byplaying with my hair, but eventually succumbed to the movie.I started to read about BetsyRoss, 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 assoon as school was out for summer. She'd scored tickets from her aunt andduring the trip somehow someway, I'd get to Preston's house and see Nicholas inperson. I had to.  I refocused my attention backto Betsy Ross when I felt it. A storm of rage sped towards Nicholas' house andwhomever the feelings belonged to, they weren't about to let a door stand intheir way from getting inside. I stood up, eyes glued to the sunlight blockingbarrier as I held my breath, hoping that someone was Nicholas."Parker, what's wrong?" Philasked before Scarlett's warning screamed in our minds."Hide!"The sudden movement ofvampires escaping the scene launched my notes into the air like confetti, leavingTyler and I alone to deal with whoever was about the come through the door.
Copyright Brenda Pandos 2011

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