I’m not 50 Shades of Green (with envy)

I keep hearing the buzz about the E.L. James trilogy.  The e-books are flying off the virtual shelves and into digital devices everywhere.  Instead of seeing faces, I see the paperback version with that grey tie or the mask or better still, the handcuffs staring at me.  Or there are 50 types of tablets that display the spicy scenes that are rocking the readers’ worlds.

My friends ask me, “Did you read 50 Shades yet?”

I answer, “No.”

“Are you going to?” they ask.

Again, I reply, “No.”

“Why not?” they ask.

“I don’t need to.”

This answer is given because I don’t need to be seduced by words on a page or a screen.  And I have two very good reasons why the Fifty Shades Trilogy is not on my reading list.

1. I have written a sensual thriller that could rival the threesome.  You can buy it HERE if you are in the U.S. or HERE if you are in the U.K.
2. I have a very attentive husband who could write his own version of the secret seductive pleasures that no woman can resist (which is why I tell people that he is the model for my male characters)

Although I probably will not read her books, I applaud Ms. James in her success and wish her all the best.  I don’t discourage anyone from reading the trilogy.  In fact, I hope that you enjoy every luscious syllable.  I just hope that after you have read it and you are looking for something else to read, you will find my books interesting.   

So, go ahead, finish reading that trilogy and come on back to the worlds that I have created.  The scenes are a “shade” lighter on the spice but they are still full of adventure.  I look forward to (gently) rocking your world!      

Scroll back up for a nice selection of worlds created by me J

Becoming Brianna

As I hold the paperback copy of Enchanted Heart in my hands, I realize that this is a bittersweet time for me.  I am so happy that I have finally accomplished my dream of being published (and in print). But at the same time, I am sad that my son Brian is not here to celebrate with me.

You see, he was my biggest fan.  When he was nine years old, he sketched the cover picture to the novel that I had been working on.  I still have that novel tucked away in a box with his drawing proudly displayed on the top.  I’ll probably never publish the book that I had had titled Return to Paradise. It is too precious to me. It was his and mine and I am not ready to share it.

When I was sending out endless copies of my work to publishers, agents and other media, he would ask me “Are you in print yet?”  He would hurry to the mailbox to see if I had gotten an acceptance letter every day after school.  And when he would see that I had gotten another rejection letter, he would say, “Don’t give up, Mom. It will happen.”

After he graduated from high school and started college, I sent Golden Dreams to an agent and he would come home for the weekend and ask, “Any news?” I’d have to say,”No.”  And he would repeat his mantra, “Don’t give up, Mom. It will happen.”

In November of 2005, I signed with an agent who promised that my book would sell quickly. I was so excited to tell him when he came home from college for Christmas in his freshman year.  He gave me the biggest hug. I can still see the proud smile on his face.

 

Unfortunately, he was killed in a horrific house fire just a few days before Christmas.  He had gone to a friend’s house to spend the night along with some other boys.  The fire started while they were sleeping and Brian died along with two other beautiful and passionate young men. It was such a hard time for me.  And as the years crept by, the pain was only lessened by my undying love for my son and the knowledge that he is watching me with that huge proud smile of his and whispering in my ear, “See, Mom? I knew it would happen!” I just wish that I could hear his living voice saying those very words…

This is why I have taken his name. I will be forever Brianna in honor of him. His name will be on every story that I write and every poem that I pen.  

Now, as I hold the paperback copy of Enchanted Heart, I see his name (my name) and I cry with both joy and sorrow.  I thumb through the printed words and whisper to him, “We did it!” As I cradle the book in my arms, I say, “I never gave up!” And with a heavy heart, I utter, “I wish you were here to see it.”

But, he is, I tell myself.  He is in my heart and his memory influences so many things in my life.  My drive to succeed is purely due to his encouraging words, which meander in my mind like breaths of blessed inspiration.  I still won’t give up even though I finally have a book in print.  I won’t give up chasing a dream that is beyond a loving child’s hopes for his mother to succeed.  Now, my dream is immortality.  I want his name, even though it is the female version, to live forever. 

Grandma Was Green

I am a little bit Irish, on my Dad's side. The other side is pure Cherokee.  But they all had stories to tell, which is probably where I inherited my ability to weave an interesting tale.  My Dad's mother, Grandma Ruby was the best storyteller of all! We would sit on her porch swing on hot summer days in Corpus Christi, Texas and she would tell me all about her childhood, with a little embellishment, of course. Sometimes, she would make up a story and keep me mesmerized for hours.  One day I told her that she should write a book and she asked, "Who would want to read it?" I replied, "I would! I love your stories." She took a deep, decisive breath and rocked the swing with her foot for a moment before she said, "I don't think that what I have to say justifies killing a tree."

The truth is, her stories are priceless, at least to me.  I would never have pursued a career in writing if I had not been exposed to her storytelling early in my life.  So, in honor of Grandma Ruby, I interject a tidbit of her life into my own stories. I might model a character after her or bring to light a certain scene that depicts one of her adventures.  But every word that I write is dedicated to her.

Someday, trees will be sacrificed in order to placate the many readers who prefer my novels in the physical form.  For now, I have them in e-book format.  I wish that Grandma Ruby had been exposed to this new way of publishing because she might have been more apt to publish some of her awesome stories.  So, it is up to me to pass on the tradition of telling them, even if they come from my own inventive mind...

Dedication to a fellow author

Today, I learned that a fellow author and friend has passed away.  I was very saddened by the news, mainly because we had lost touch over the past few months.  Although I saw her posts on Facebook and "liked" or "shared" her links, we didn't interact the way we used to on the forums where he first met.  I am saddened that I was not able to tell her goodbye or that I am very proud to have known her.  What is most sad is that her wonderful work will end with the awesome books that she had written and there will be no more.

I dedicate this post to my friend, Linda Evans, a great writer and an even greater person.  You will be truly missed.

For those of you who did not know Linda, here is the bio from her author page.  I hope she does not mind that I copied it and pasted it here so that others will know the woman who touched so many lives.

   "L.C. Evans began her writing career with short stories and essays before branching out into novel writing. More than a hundred of her stories and humorous essays have been published in such magazines as Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Woman's World, Horse Illustrated, and Ladies Circle among many others. Over the years Ms. Evans has won awards in writing contests and has kept busy honing her craft by taking writing courses and attending writing seminars. She was recently a featured presenter at the Carolinas Writers Conference in Wadesboro, North Carolina. After traditional publication of Talented Horsewoman, the first of her Leigh McRae horse mystery novels, Ms. Evans decided to take control of her career by trying her hand at indie publishing.

"All this means," she says, "is that I pay for my own editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, and all the other publishing expenses. However, I also get complete control over my books, and that means I can keep the price low. Readers on a budget will still have access to my books. I care deeply about all of my readers and I take great joy in the many fan letters readers send me."

Please help me honor L C Evans by purchasing her books so that her name and her undeniable talent will live on.


Here are the links to her books

  The Witness Wore Blood Bay






We Interrupt This Date



My Planet or Yours?




Talented Horsewoman





Please join me in honoring a wonderful woman and a talented author by making her books #1 bestsellers.

Love you, Linda! 

My New Cover

Before Christmas, with JD and Pame's help, I designed the new cover for Enchanted Heart.  I am very pleased with it.  Here is what I came up with.

While I was at it, I designed my author card which I place in stacks or tacked to bulletin boards around the surrounding cities and counties.  I have friend who travels the country that does the same thing for me.

Oh, and I made my book marks to give away at book signings.  I'll keep you posted on the locations and dates.

I'm so excited about meeting all of you in person!

~Brianna~

Free Book Day was very successful!

I would like to thank all of you for downloading your free copy of Enchanted Heart!  There were over 1,350 downloads! The last time I checked last night, this is what the ranking looked like:

I am so pleased with the exposure that this promotion gave my book.  I am hoping that those who read it will tell their friends about it.  When the paperback is released in a few weeks, I look forward to seeing you all at my book signings.  By the way, it is still free for Amazon Prime members.

Now, I would like to ask you to keep an eye out for the free book offers from my fellow authors at Fantasy Island Book Publishing.  All you have to do is "Like" the FIBP Fan Page to keep informed. Every day, there are a new batch of free books so, you should grab them while you can.

Enchanted Heart is Free on Amazon!

This is an older post ~ just to keep you apprised of the many things that I do for my fans ~ I'll keep you posted :-)

On December 16, Enchanted Heart will be FREE for one day only! In celebration of the upcoming paperback, the free copy is presented by the next best-selling author (me) and Fantasy Island Book Publishers.  You can download it on your Kindle or PC or any other mobile device with the free apps located on the book's webpage.  Just click on the link above and it will take you directly to the book's Amazon site.

I am so excited about the coming weeks.  I know that it will be a whirlwind of events, book-signings and personal appearances.  But I am up for the challenge! When I am in your area for a book signing, please drop by and say "Hello", pick up a free autographed bookmark or buy the paperback.  I am looking forward to meeting most of you so that I can personally thank you for all of your support.

~Brianna~

New update

The formatting and editing for Enchanted Heart are underway as well as work on the cover design.  I am getting more excited by the day.  Soon, it will be in print and available at Barnes & Noble book stores.  Later, you will be able to buy it at many other book stores. It is already for sale on Amazon.com.

For the time being, why don't you borrow it from Amazon.com?  All you need is a Prime membership and you can read it for free!  Just click on the link above and it will take you directly to the book's page at Amazon.com.  Then, don't forget to keep a watch out for the print version at a store near you!

I will be having book signings after the print version comes out, so be sure to come by and give me a hug and I'll sign your book!  In the meantime, you can go to Kindlegraph and request an autograph from me.  I'll be happy to send you one!

I'll keep you posted on the progress of everything.  Thank you so much for your continued support in my journey as an author.

~Brianna~

Want updates?

Do you want updates on the print version of Enchanted Heart? Fill out the form below and I will keep you informed as to the progress of the book.  Thank you so much for your support!

My Fantasy has been granted

Sad to update: Fantasy Island Book Publishing is now defunct. I'll keep you posted...

I am very pleased to announce that I have signed with Fantasy Island Book Publishing.  They are going to release Enchanted Heart on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and then they will be getting it ready to print!  It is scheduled to be on the book shelves for Christmas!  I am so excited to have this opportunity to work with such a great group of people and especially grateful to J. Darroll Hall for believing in me as a writer.  You will be able to buy the print book in stores soon or skip the store and buy it directly from their website.  http://www.fantasyislandbookpublishing.com

My journey as a writer has been a long but delightful one.  And now, I have taken another avenue toward having my work in print.  I look forward to many more steps that will take me toward new and better horizons.  I invite you to join me and Fantasy Island Book Publishers on this wonderful adventure.