Brenda Pandos's Blog, page 25

Reviews are in

After a nail-biting wait, reviews are coming in! There will be a total of 15 this month to tempt your reading taste buds before the big release day!

Check out each day of the tour for interesting posts, giveaways, reviews and contests!

Okay, with out further ado.... here's review #1 from Katie's book blog:

The first thing I liked about The Sapphire Talisman was the fact that Nicholas finally revealed some of his secrets and so did Julia.  Finally things were out in the open between those two.  I felt like they could finally grow because they knew everything about each other.  Then things took a turn for the worse.  Obviously I'm not going to tell you what happened but I will say that their relationship went through the worst situation it possibly could.  I was shocked at everything that happened in The Sapphire Talisman and the wait for the next book is going to be even worse.

The action in The Sapphire Talisman took off from the very first page and didn't slow down at all.  By the time I got to the end of the book I was biting my fingernails and hoping for the best but knowing it was going to be bad.  I was just really glad that there was some closure between this book and the next.  The wait will still be bad but at least I know some of what is going to happen.

Overall, The Sappire Talisman is an amazing book and the best possible sequel to The Emerald Talisman that I could have imagined.  The Talisman series is one of the most unique vampire stories that I have read and Brenda Pandos is an amazing author.  I know that I will love whatever she does next.






And review #2 from Eleni at LaFemme Readers.

The Sapphire Talisman was an enticing and compelling follow up to The Emerald Talisman. Brenda's flow of writing has developed since the first book. Her artistic potential and storytelling skills succeeded in formulating a wondrous continuation. The unexpected plot twists and defined characters helped me once again get lost in Brenda's creativity. This time around, Nicholas and Julia switched roles. Instead of Nicholas protecting her, Julia turned into a feisty and courageous young lady. In the hands of Alora, a malevolent vampire, Nicholas succumbed to his half vampire darkness, leaving Julia to fend for herself. However, before evil fell upon him, Nicholas had a heart fluttering likability that I felt lacked in the past. The relationship between the two blossomed into a sweet and tight bond. I must say though, I was amused by his change and actually preferred the evil version better.

Then again, I am biased since one of my favorite characters abruptly came back. Due to spoilers, I won't mention his name. The only thing I will share is that this certain individual tickled me with butterflies. His cocoon of love for Julia made me swoon like a little school girl. He had the perfect balance that all vampires should embody, and did I mention I am in love with him? Moving on, throughout the fight for Nicholas's freedom, Julia's ability to sense emotions and auras came in handy. I was glad to see that she no longer acted naive and actually functioned without being around him. All in all, the sequel surpassed my expectations and left me longing for the next installment. I am eager to know what lies in store for Julia and Nicholas. Will their relationship sustain the damaging cracks or will she maybe move on to someone else? Hm, we shall see, hopefully Brenda releases it soon! I also wanted to share with you the back cover which I think is breathtaking -- definitely captured Alora's attitude to a T!





I'm so excited and thrilled. Thanks Katie and Eleni for a heartfelt and honest review!

Hugs, Brenda

Day 1 Blog Tour

Day 1 starts with an interview with Julia at
Book Crazy with Jenn.

Check it out!

Enter to win The Sapphire Talisman each Friday on the month long tour! Check back to find out where and how!

Hugs, Brenda

Deleted Scene

A very good friend and author of the Knight Angels Series, Abra Ebner, has recently released her sequel, Book of Revenge. Her blog tour promoting the release is wrapping up just as mine is beginning.

For fun, I was asked to guest blog and include a deleted scene from The Sapphire Talisman that was a direct reference to Knight Angels, Book of Love (book #1). Julia and Samantha (my characters) go to the movies and see Knight Angels and had comments afterward.

But don't let me spoil it for you. Go to A Good Addiction and read for yourself!

Also, sign up for a chance to win Abra's amazing book.

Be looking for links to the book tour starting NOVEMBER 1st to kick off The Sapphire Talisman!

Hugs, Brenda

Scary Story

For the Haunted Halloween event with Jessica at Confessions of a Bookaholic, I was asked to guest blog a scary story. So this is what I picked. Enjoy! My Scary Story by Brenda Pandos
My overactive imagination creates interesting drama in my life, especially when I sleep. For instance, I still can't swim alone, even in a pool, thanks to Jaws. And, for a long time, I couldn't go potty without looking down into the bowl to check for critters. So, I avoid horror and scary things at all costs. But my imagination is very helpful with my creative writing, so I can't go wrong there.

I've always been an active dreamer, talking nightly in my sleep. Many times, it's just an endless puzzle I'm trying to solve, salt and peppered with visions of the daily events that makes so much sense when I'm half awake, but slips away once I become lucid.

So, when my husband and I were first married, I seemed to be more active than usual. I'd freak him out, frequently talking and/or getting out of bed, scared or worried about something or another. He'd just consol me (probably to get me to be quiet) and I'd go back to sleep. But one night, I woke up and saw what I thought to be an alien, flutter from the curtains, fly under our sheets and possess the love of my life before my eyes. At my gasp he tried to consol me, reaching out, but I screamed bloody murder and fought his arms in absolute panic, afraid the creature inside was coming to get me next. Once my mind became clearer and dear hubby was able to grab me and talk me down from my hysteria, I burst into tears, thankful he was still himself and not some horrible creature I'd dreamt him to be.

I'm happy to say, after nine years of marriage, he sleeps through most of my night activities except when I see spiders.

Enter to win a copy of The Emerald Talisman HERE

Phil Fix

http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2010... had a spookacular guest post on Once upon a Twilight and I thought I'd post it here as well.

Phil, *fans self*, paid me a visit...

Phil Fix

  I'm feverishly finishing up edits for The Sapphire Talisman early Friday morning before the kids wake up when there's a knock at the door. I stop and listen. I hadn't expected anyone. Who the heck would be out this early? My heart hammers for a moment. Maybe it's the postman? I jump up from the couch in excitement.
     My swag must be here! Yippee!     Expecting to see the postman, I throw open the door (after I put on a robe over my jammies, of course) and smile. But it's not the postman.     "Hey, Brenda."     My eyes grow big as saucers, mouth thick with cotton. "Phil? What are you doing here?" I breathlessly ask.     "I see you are still writing with lots of cliché's," he says with a chuckle.     I purse my lips, then frown. "Should I invite you in?"     "Up to you," Phil says with a shrug. "You're wearing the talisman, but even still, I assure you're safe."     Darn it.     "Oh," I blush, pulling my dingy robe tight around my body, and then glance around my living room. Toys and kids books lay scattered across the dirty floor, laundry looms on the other couch. "Here, sit down." I move my laptop and idea journal from the couch onto the floor.     Phil saunters in, hot as ever and I try not to think dirty thoughts. He is fifteen years younger than me and I'm a happily married woman. Oy vey!     "Wish you could read my emotions, don't you?" He says, coy as ever.     I stick out my tongue. "Wait? How did you know about that?"     "Psscht. I read your novel."     My mouth gaped open. "You did? How? When?"     "Off Amazon," he snorts. "You didn't create a dummy."     Well, that's true.     We sit and look at each other for a moment. I don't know why I'm nervous. Maybe it's because he is so adorable in person, I can't help but gawk. And, I've not showered yet.     "So, what brings you here?" I finally ask, running my tongue over my teeth checking to see if I'd brushed (I did).     "I kind of want to see what you've got written in those pages over there," he cranes his neck to look at my screen, which I push out of his view.     "Why?"     "Well, I . . . kinda heard a rumor."     "A rumor?"     He licks his lips. "I've been reading all the book blogger reviews, and a lot of your readers are kinda wanting me to come back." He gives his leg weakening grin.     I turn away and compose myself, trying my best to keep a poker face.     "Well, would you like to come back?"     Phil's face lights up and he raises his right eyebrow.     "I take that as a yes?"     He continues to smile. I try not to swoon.     "Don't play those games with me, you little cutie. You're going to have to wait like everyone else."     Phil huffs. "But even your Grandma said that I didn't know what I was doing and that I deserved another chance."     I smile and admire how observant he is. Never far away from my own reality, I suppose.     "Fine," I say and motion for him to come closer.     In a flash he sits next to me, eager for the news. With great willpower, I withhold my hand from grazing his thigh. Instead, I cup my hand over his ear, first inhaling his incredibly sexy scent, and whisper. "We'll see about the next book."    "Brat," he said with pouty lips, before checking out the window. The morning light just starts to filter into the sky.     My shoulders slink down. "Morning, huh?"     "Yeah," he says in disappointment. "I have to run."     We both stand up, just as Aaron starts to say "Mommy" from his bedroom.     I give Phil one more sheepish glance. "I hope you're not disappointed with the next book."     He smiles back reassuringly. "I'm sure it'll be great."     "Come back in a few weeks, and I'll give you an ARC, okay?" I interject quickly, realizing our time is limited to seconds now.    "Deal."     And with a brush against my cheek, the door opens and he's gone.     I walk over, holding my fingertips where he kissed me and look out before closing the door. "Oh man, these boys are going to be the death of me. I can't wait for him to read the next book."

     Only then do I smile wickedly.

I hope that tempts your tummy for what's to come December... eek! If you haven't read The Emerald Talisman, you can enter here at Once Upon a Twilight (Thanks Yara!)

Done!

I'm happy to announce, The Sapphire Talisman is finally finished and off for proofing and everything else that happens so it's available on December 15th! Yeah!!!!

I'm also happy to announce the blog tour for The Sapphire Talisman will kick off November 1st and I'll keep you updated here.

This is the cover. Isn't it pretty??? Alora is so mean looking. Eek!

Anyway, I'm excited and nervous to share my second book-baby with you!

Hugs, Brenda

Presale!

Presale time! Whoot! Just in time for Christmas, pre-order your book today!







Pre-Order a copy of 
The Sapphire Talisman HERE! 
Includes a bookmark and necklace.


$20





Book only

$15.99Special Price $11.99

Winners of Remake Contest!

Congrats to Caitlin of Scarrlet Reader for her entry in The Emerald Talisman cover remake contest. I had a super tough time judging and got help from hubby and Abby to choose. Here's the rest of the entries at LaFemmeReaders.


I felt like the image Caitlin chose was super powerful, depicting the power of the talisman in her hands. Also using the spooky forest at the bottom adds to the drama which perfectly matches the story. Congrats!

Your prize: The Emerald Talisman, The Sapphire Talisman, bo...

Blog Tour August 1-31st

The Emerald Talisman is on tour! Check out my guest posts/interviews hosted by LeFemmeReaders.

1) Kristen (Bookworming in the 21st Century) - Guest Post on August 1st
2) Sherry (Flipping Pages for All Ages) - Guest Post on August 4th
3) Kate (The Neverending Shelf) - Guest Post on August 7th
4) Jennifer (Extreme Reader Book Reviews) - Interview on August 10th
5) Kris (Voracious YAppetite) - Interview on August 13th
6) Lauren (Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf) - Interview on August 15th
7) Yara (Once Upon A Twilight) - Guest Post on August 16th
8) Khelsea (Once Upon A Review) - Guest Post on August 18th
9) Kelsey (The Book Scout) - Interview on August 21st
10) Emily (Red House Books) - Guest Post on August 23rd
11) Erika (Kiss My Book) - Guest Post on August 26th
12) Jessica (Confessions of a Bookaholic) - Guest Post on August 28th
13) Kaila (Reading the Best of the Best) - Guest Post on August 29th
14) Eleni (La Femme Readers) - Guest Post on August 30th

Congrats to Cailtin, Amelia and Miriam: winners of the Cover Remake Contest!

Redesign the cover and win cool stuff!

I've had a blast with this amazing tour by Eleni from LaFemmeReaders! She has amazingly organized the whole thing seamlessly and I owe her tons of thanks! :) Reviews from bloggers are also forthcoming  until all the girls read the book that's going from place to place and will be a nice segue into the sequel. Shortly, I'm going to be posting information if you are interested in participating in the ARC tour of The Sapphire Talisman in November where you'll get your own copy of the book! I'll ...