Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Powerscourt, Ireland 2007

Are you wearing your green? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love Ireland! 🍀

I've only visited twice, but both times were amazing, and I hope to go back again soon. The folklore, the green hills and steep cliffs, the AWESOME sweaters (my favourite writing sweater was made in Ireland) and of course a few of my favourite people (ah-hem, DUNNE) make it the perfect basis for my latest novel, SKIN.

Aran sweater and a selkie story...a great combination!

Hope you are having a fantastic St. Patrick's Day, and have a great weekend!    

Brenda

Teaser Tuesday: SKIN Sequel

I've been typing away at SKIN #2, tentatively called SWIM, and it's going surprisingly well. This sequel thing is not my forté, but I hope to keep picking away at it to get the sequel out this year. 

We'll see. 

Ocean and Sam are back, but there's all sorts of trouble in selkie-land, A.K.A. Prince Edward Island. Starting with Ocean's mom. Here's a sneak peek: 

“What is the problem tonight?”

He’s beautiful sitting there in the dim porch light, freckles barely showing. 

“You,” I say.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. It seems she’s having second thoughts about my ‘involvement’ with a nasty Black.”

His grin stays, but the corners of his eyes shift. He doesn’t like to be associated with his father. 

“Well, that is a problem.” He faces the water, the lilt in his voice coming out more because he’s upset. Like Irish music playing to the tune of his emotions.

“I told her I wasn’t an ‘involvement’,” I say.

This catches him, and he turns back to face me again. “No?”

I try not to smile. 

“No. Involvement is too businesslike. I told her it was lust.” 

If only life could stay that simple, huh? Don't worry, things don't stay fun and simple for long. I'm 165 pages in, and Ocean and Sam are in a lovely mess. Unfortunately you'll have to wait to find out what that means. 

Enjoy your day!

Brenda

Teaser Tuesday: SKIN

Ahhhh. Coffee by my side, warm golden retriever at my feet, kids at school, hubby at work and a whole day of writing and organizing things ahead of me. Nice.

Step one is to get some blog posts up and running. I spent most of the pre-Christmas build up getting Dependent's 2nd Edition back up and online, so I thought I'd give my new release some love today. 

Here in Virginia it's cold and snowy and as much as it's nice to see the snow, I'm missing warm days on the beach. I love my golden retriever foot-warmer, but hot sand is so wonderful! And a nice cold lemony drink....sigh. I'm also working on the sequel to Skin...and the northern Atlantic beaches aren't so warm in October and November. Brrr! No wonder I need that coffee.

PEI in summertime...

To fortify you on the cold, dark days of winter, here's a little beachy teaser from Chapter 1 of Skin:

...When I get to the edge, Declan’s puny frame is already knee deep in one of the pools, and all I can think about is how good the water will feel on my toes. Wet sand is not satisfying at all. I want the real thing.

Then, like it’s some big event that I’ve been waiting my whole life for, I step in. 

The water reacts. 

It’s like a brain slap. A sense of recognition hits me, and a roll of emotion I’m not ready for swells up from under my feet, shocking me right to my chest. I gasp and step back, almost tripping over my own feet in my haste. 

Hmmm...what's happening there? If you want to read more, and haven't already purchased my latest YA, you can find Skin on Amazon HERE. Don't forget to review it when you've finished!

Happy Tuesday!

Brenda

IT'S HERE!

LAUNCH DAY IS HERE! 

Today is the big day! SKIN is live on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca in both paperback and ebook form! You can also find it at Barnes and Nobel and on Smashwords, on Chapters.ca (only in ebook format so far) or...go into your local bookstore and ask them to stock it! Also go to Vicki Weavil's blog and show her some love for being today's blog tour host!

Today the BIG EVENT will be held at Laughing Oyster Bookshop in Courtenay BC. More info HERE. 

R to L: Tina, Yelena Casale and that's me in the green scarf!
Hope to repeat this adventure again soon!

SKIN had a long and rocky road to publication, but it will always hold a special place in my heart, because it is the story that helped me find my wonderful agents at Literary Counsel. I had basically given up on the agent idea, when my wonderful Twitter friend and crit partner, Tina Moss, suggested I submit to her agent. Less than a month later, I had a signed contract in my hand. 

The decision to submit that last time was a true turning point in my literary career. Since then I've published DEPENDENT, written two other full length YA manuscripts, and have made writing a part-time career. I'm still learning, but I hope to continue doing this for a long time to come.

So, you've ordered you amazing copy of SKIN online, or bought it at your bookstore, what do you do next? (Other than reading it, of course!)

*TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT YOUR BOOK! I really would love to hear how you purchased your copy. Post on my Facebook page to let me know. Or tag me on Instagram or Twitter. 

*WRITE A REVIEW! I cannot tell you how important reviews are in the indie publishing world. Even just an 'I liked it' or an 'It really sucked' makes a HUGE difference in an author's ability to market her books to a wider audience. Go back to your online store and click on the review button and review away.  Go to my Goodreads Page and pop another review on there. Go to a different online seller and see if you can review it there. PLEASE, tell me what you think. Even if you hated it. (Which I hope you didn't!)

*RECOMMEND IT TO A FRIEND! Or a colleague, or the grocery store clerk, or your sister, or your fitness instructor or the creepy guy you sat beside on the bus. Tell someone about it on Facebook. Pinterest/Instagram/Twitter. Please, please share.

*SUPPORT MY BLOG TOUR PARTICIPANTS! If you haven't already, click on the links to blog tour posts (like Vicki Weavil's mentioned above) and have a peek around. They are all authors, and have been kind enough to help me make this launch a success. They all have great work. Buy their books. Spread the love. <3 p="">

Thank you to all who have supported my adventures in writing so far. I hope you enjoy reading SKIN.

Brenda

Last day of May! 

TWO DAYS 'TIL LAUNCH!!!

Go on over to my writing friend and agent-mate Jody Holford's blog ...

And when you're done...buy one of her books! 

An excerpt!

Today feels like a beach day, doesn't it? 

So here's a beachy excerpt!

News, news, news!

Guess what? 

SKIN PAPERBACKS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

It takes some time to get these things to trickle out to where they need be, but today when I checked, I was ecstatic to see that SKIN is already available in paperback form at the following places...

Amazon.com (for my lovely American friends)

Amazon.ca (for the Canadian Crowd) and

Barnes and Noble

So what are you waiting for? GO! Get your copy! Tell a friend! Share the news!

And if your an ebook person, it's only a few more days 'til you can download it. Don't forget, American readers can click HERE to enter to win their copy of SKIN for free!

Giveaway!

Today, instead of a blog post, I'm hosting a SKIN giveaway!

Click HERE to win your copy of SKIN!

(sorry, US readers only)

Good Luck!

Meanwhile, at the Blog Mansion...

Find me over at Johnny Worthen's blog today! 

...And bring a towel. 


Brenda

Blog Party Begins!

Today is the first day!

So excited to share SKIN with you! Pop on over to Danielle DeVor's book blog, and take a look at what she had to say about SKIN!

http://ddevor.weebly.com

Don't forget to pre-order your copy! (click on the pic on the right)----------------------------------->

Brenda

Pre-order anyone?

The SKIN ebook is now available for preorder on Amazon!

(Click above to go to the website)

Paperback will be up soon also! :)

Thank you to all of my incredibly patient friends, family and followers who have been waiting to get their hands on a copy!

Don't forget, SKIN will be launching on June 2nd! 

Brenda

ARCs are here!

YAY! Look what I've got in my hot little hands!

So excited to have a visit from my friendly neighbourhood deliveryman this morning! My beautiful advance review copies of SKIN have arrived! Things are shaping up for a fantabulous launch day on June 2nd at Laughing Oyster Bookshop in Courtenay! 

Be warned...numerous Prince Edward Island trivia, seal pictures and shameless self promotion to follow! It's going to be a month of fun build up to the launch.  :) 

Want to take part in the excitement? Review SKIN on your blog? Find out how you can participate in launch day? Let me know below!

Brenda 

SKIN COVER REVEAL!

Happy Day-After-Valentine's Day!

I have the absolute best friends, family, followers and fans, so today I bring you love in a different form...the cover release for SKIN!

Scheduled to publish via Fortunate Frog Fiction (my wee froggie personal publishing company) in May of 2016, SKIN is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance set in one of my favourite places on earth, Prince Edward Island. Think red sand beaches and windswept dunes. Think lighthouses and wild roses. Starfish, seagulls and...Selkies! 

Here's a bit about it:

With a name like Ocean, you’d think moving to Prince Edward Island would be simple. But since she crossed that huge bridge to the land of red sand, Ocean’s life has been far from normal—it’s been downright dangerous. Trouble seems to follow her, and she’s got the bruises to prove it. 

And then there’s her mysterious neighbour, Sam...who seems to know more about her history than she does herself. 

When Ocean finally steps into the salty waves with Sam, she realizes that her life has been based on a lie, and that she is missing something...something she never knew existed. 

Her skin.

Ready to see it? 

And now...

*

*

*

*

The first peek of my new novel, SKIN...

*

*

*

*

*

*

You're almost there...

*

*

*

*

*

Ta Da!!!

*

*

Isn't it pretty? Glendon at Streetlight Graphics has done an amazing job of taking my musings and turning them into a beautiful design. Thank you to my family, friends and even my agent, Fran, for putting up with the back and forth of fine tuning it. I can't wait to share more of SKIN with you in the next few months, and bring another book baby into the world in May. Please let me know what you think in the Comments!

Happy Day-after-Valentine's Day!

Want to find out more about SKIN? Interested in participating in my release party,  reviewing an ARC or highlighting SKIN on your Blog? Comment below or message me on Facebook or Twitter! Don't forget to follow me!

Brenda

SKIN Cover Reveal Party Coming Soon!

???????????????????????????????????????

????????????????????????????????????????

The cover art for my YA Paranormal Romance, SKIN is finished! It's FABULOUS. So excited! Can't wait to share my beautiful Streetlight Graphics cover with you on a day we all need a little post-Valentine's pick me up...Monday, February 15th! I am planning a grand virtual celebration, and I need your help!

Want to party with me? I would love your help spreading the word. Comment below, or facebook/twitter pm me and I'll connect with you for the details. Will also be happy to return the favour for other authors.

You're going to love it!

Brenda

Thoughts on a New Year... And an Announcement!

Another Christmas (or holiday, if it's your preference) season has come and gone.

Ski season is here!
Enjoying the view from Mount Washington.

It was a bit of a wacky one in the Dunne household, what with my day job, hubby's work, kids performances, parties and the like, but it was so good to at least have a few hours to sit on my tushie and think. A few quiet moments in the insanity to reflect on the ups and downs of 2015, and make some plans (or at least attempt to make plans...more on that later) for 2016.

So. 2015. Was it a good year for you? It was for me. Looking back over my year, the word that comes to mind is BUSY.  I finished a manuscript. I got my power sailing license. I started a choir (and we sang for 23,000 people in November!) I worked, I wrote, I sailed, I sang, I skied, I sold a few books and I spent a whole lot of time moving forward. It was a great year, all in all. But, wow. I hardly stopped.

After a year like that, you can see why sitting on my tushie for a few hours was a good thing. I was ready for a break. Ready to sit and reflect and make plans (and eat...there was lots of eating...).

As I look ahead at 2016, it's difficult to make any real plan for one reason--it's a posting year for us. That's right, once again the Dunne clan will be packing up shop and moving forward, to some yet-unknown destination. In all likelihood we have another cross-continental move ahead of us. It makes me cringe a teeny tiny bit inside, thinking of another summer of boxes and fast-food meals, but it's also exciting. We have a pretty good idea where we will end up...but I can't share it with you until we have that marvellous piece of paper in hand that tells us for sure. Let's just say it will be a big change for us, but one that will be amazing in many ways. :)

But a new home is not the only thing that will be happening for me this year. I have a surprise for you all! Something pretty darn exciting. Something I've been considering, thinking on, mulling over and pulling my hair out about. But finally I've come up with a plan, and today you get to hear it!

So...

In late May, 2016, I will be publishing a NEW BOOK! 

Time to charge up the presses!

Yes! After much thought, and lots of soul-searching, I've decided to warm up the Fortunate Frog Fiction printing presses, and self-publish (yes, SELF publish) my third novel. It's a new story (sorry, TREASURE fans...still working on my sequel, but more on that another time), which I've hinted at before, a modern-day YA fantasy set on the beautiful shores of Prince Edward Island. I can't wait to share more about it in the next few weeks! 

It's called SKIN. 

So there you go. 2016 is going to be a GREAT YEAR. It's so good to be back at the self-pub table, getting ready to move forward. January and February will involve some work with graphic designers and editors, some final edits and I hope to have a cover reveal by the end of February. 

I'll leave you with this photo...a scene for warmer days, and wondrous possibilities...one you might just see in SKIN...

The beautiful dunes of Prince Edward Island.

Stay tuned!

Brenda