Brenda Pandos's Blog, page 19

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

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

Romance Girls Gone Goblin hop

[image error] 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)

[image error]

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

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!

[image error]

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


[image error] Genesis
A father who reveals his truth.
Twins who take different paths—one light, one dark.
Angels who have plans for them both
And Demons who do as well.
So the Earthly battle for souls ignites…

A tale that is over 2,000 years old, this is the story of the Amadis beginnings.

Promise
When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can't be real, she decides it's time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family's secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he's not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family's secret society, the Angels' army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan's minions and Tristan's creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

Purpose
Lost in despair, Alexis teeters on the edge of an abyss, her lifeline of hope fraying into a thin thread. If it snaps, she'll plunge into complete darkness. With the help of her son and her writing, she's been able to hold on. Until now. Erratic impulses, disturbing delusions and her own demonic blood threaten her sanity. When she's forced to choose between hanging onto hope or letting go to serve her Amadis purposes, she faces a decision with inconceivable sacrifices.
Alexis runs to the one place she thinks will provide answers, only to find herself at the center of another battle of good versus evil, not only with the Daemoni, not only within herself…but also against the worst opponent imaginable. But even if she wins, what will she lose?

About the Author
Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, with the first two books, Promise and Purpose, available now and the third book, Devotion, coming February 2012. She's also written a companion novella, Genesis, coming October 2011.
Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: www.KristieCook.comSeries Website: www.SoulSaversSeries.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorKristieCookTwitter: twitter.com/#!/kristiecookauthTumbler: www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/kristiecookGoogle+: plus.google.com/102746226001674797330/posts

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

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

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

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)!

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

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
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