Brenda Pandos's Blog, page 24

My First Manuscript... in 7th grade.

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

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

Here's an excerpt:

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

Only 1 more week! Squeeee!

Hugs, Brenda

#4 Song for The Sapphire Talisman

Lonely Girl by Oceanlab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Song #3 The Sapphire Talisman

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

Song #2 for The Sapphire Talisman

Here's another song for the playlist:

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

Theme song for Sapphire Talisman

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

10 Books to gift for Christmas (13 actually)

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

Here's the schedule:

December 13 – Kick-off Giveaway of The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith + Review
December 14 – Interview with Adele Griffin + Giveaway December 15 – Interview with Christy Raedeke + GiveawayDecember 16 – Interview with Holly Cupala + GiveawayDecember 17 – Interview with Amy Holder + GiveawayDecember 18 – Interview with Inara Scott + GiveawayDecember 19 – Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver Review (Prize Pack Giveaway)December 20 – Interview with Kimberly Derting + Review of The Body Finder (Prize Pack Giveaway)December 21 – Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers Review (Prize Pack Giveaway)December 22 – Interview with Brenda Pandos + The Sapphire Talisman ReviewDecember 23 – Interview with Julie Chibbaro + Review of Deadly (Prize Pack Giveaway)December 24 – Review of Misguided Angel (Prize Pack Giveaway - Revelations)December 25 – Prize Pack Giveaway

I'll remind you when the time comes.

Hugs, Brenda

Cyber Monday - Talisman Series

It's Cyber Monday... do you have that special gift for the Twilight and Vampire Diary lovers in your life? The Talisman Series gift set is a perfect gift!

Books come gift wrapped from you and signed with special note from the author (me) with bookmarks. (Will be shipped on December 15th)
$25 TODAY

Purchase The Sapphire Talisman in time for Christmas!

$15.99
$11.99
Want the book gift wrapped? Personalized? Let me know!
(will be shipped 12/15)

Want a talisman to go with it? Order here

Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Brenda

Thanksgiving at Julia's house

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. My birthday, the 25th, landed on the same day, so I enjoyed pumpkin pie and birthday cake. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for so many reasons, and I have tons to be thankful for! Let me know what you're thankful for in my comments ;)

Here's a snippet scene of Thanksgiving at the Parker's that was posted during the blogtour I thought you'd enjoy.

"I'm stuffed," I said as I patted my tummy. "I don't know how it's possible, but this Thanksgiving dinner was better than last year, Auntie Jo. Thanks."

Dad, Luke and Uncle John followed in a chorus of praise to the cook.

"Oh, it was nothing." A blush crossed Jo's glowing cheeks. "And I'm the one who looks like she ate the whole turkey." She chuckled.

Uncle John reached over and rubbed Jo's pregnant belly. "Oh, the Buda-belly." He purred. "Not much longer, Mommy". They exchanged a tender moment, and then Jo removed his hand and stood, taking her plate to the kitchen.

I caught Luke's horrified expression and rolled my eyes. The corner of his lip crinkled up. This wasn't the first time Uncle John got inappropriately mushy over Jo's burgeoning stomach.

"Josie, don't you dare. You've done enough today." Dad cast his glance in our direction. "Luke, Julia, you need to clean up the dishes." He took his plate to the kitchen then ushered Jo into the living room. "After you, Sis."

Moments later, I heard the TV come to life.

"Yes, Sweet-pea. You go rest your little tootsies. The kids and I will clean up." John said behind Dad, exuding jealousy. I guess he wanted to follow them and watch the game instead.

The cutesiness did me in, though, seeming to be in overdrive since Jo's pregnancy. I bit my lip to stop from smirking when Luke reflected the same annoyance. We exchanged glances and stood up at the same time.

"You get the table?" Luke asked under his breath.

I nodded and scurried to start scraping the excess food onto one plate and stacking the others. We'd cleaned up together so many times, we had the process down to a science. The faster we worked, the quicker we could get to watching football and do pass interference on Uncle John, the King of awkward questions.

"So, Luke. How's school?" John asked while fastening a "kiss the cook" apron on over his own pudgy stomach. He obviously had packed on a few sympathy pounds on Jo's behalf over the past few months.

"Great." Luke shouldered around John and looked in the cupboard. "What should I put these left-over potatoes in?"

"Just put them in a Ziplock," Jo said from the living room. "I don't have much room in the fridge."

"Good idea, Dear." John said, planting himself against the counter as Luke tried to work around him. "Taking any interesting classes?"

"Yah…. Dude, where are the Ziplock bags?"

"Oh." John fumbled around, opening drawer after drawer unable to locate the bags like he'd never set foot in the kitchen before.

"In the left-hand drawer next to the silverware, Hun." Jo said.

"Ah. Found them. Thanks, Beautiful."

I was in Pergatory.

Jedi mind trick. Jedi mind trick. I'm not here. Don't talk to me.

I kept to myself in the dining room, working as quickly as I could while Luke averted John's questions one after another until his curiosity landed on me.

"So, Julia…"

Ahhh… Run Forest, run!

I muscled past John with a heaping stack of plates but he followed, empty handed.

"What's new in the boy department?"

Who says "boy department"?

"Nothing. Why?"

"Everything can go in the dishwasher, but the plates need to be hand washed," Jo called over our conversation. "Please."

"Got it," Luke called back. The sink was already filled with soapy water and I set the plates directly inside.

Luke washed. I dried and put away like we were being timed.

"Oh, I just wondered," John continued, this time actually pulling apart the turkey and storing the meat in bags. "I would think they'd be lined out the door. Do you flirt enough? Give them hints you like them?"

My cheeks burned and I wanted to sink into the tiled floor.

"I'm doing fine in the boy department, John. Seriously. How's work?"

And as if I'd just turned on a toy train, John unloaded on us from his frustration with his micromanaging boss to his insubordinate workers.

And like two whirlwinds, Luke and I cleaned up the rest of the kitchen in a snap, "aha-ing" and "oh-wowing" at the appropriate times.

Within minutes we were finished, all accept the turkey pan John labored over, stripping every last scrap of meat off the carcass.

We stood nearby and waited for him to finish so we could wash the pan.

"Oh, don't worry. I've got it," John lied. He obviously wanted us to insist we wash the pan for him. Luckily, I knew not to fall for it—emotion reading bonus.

"Cool," I said and tossed my wet rag in the drainer. Luke followed suit and we abandoned poor Uncle John in the kitchen, alone with only his naked turkey to consol him.

Only a few more days until The Sapphire Talisman is released! I hope you'll join the twitter party!
Hugs, Brenda

Week at a glance

Lots happening on the Sapphire Talisman tour. If you've been following, here last weeks posts:


Monday, November 8: Natalie at Mindful Musings
(Author Interview)
Tuesday, November 9: Jessica at A Fanatic's Book Blog (Review)
Wednesday, November 10: Emily at Red House Books (Guest Post: Movies & Books)
Thursday, November 11: Kelsey at The Book Scout (Review)
Friday, November 12: Jen at Extreme Reader Book Reviews (Character Interview: Nicholas)

And for book birthday, you can enter here to win a copy:


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Goodreads Book Giveaway








The Sapphire Talisman


by Brenda Pandos



Giveaway ends December 15, 2010.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.




Enter to win

Monday Author Bloghop

Meet an author, sponsored by Lisa Sanchez. Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Make sure you join in the hop. This is a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are!

I'm Brenda Pandos, author of The Emerald Talisman and the soon to release (12/15) The Sapphire Talisman. EEk! So exciting! Leave a comment and introduce yourself!