facebook-header-2 (1)Happy Book Birthday to my author bestie, Brenda Pandos! Her Supernatural Chronicles: The Vampires releases today! This is the third book in the Dynamis in New Orleans series, the follow up to my book, The Wolves, which released last week. Be sure to read them all and collect the relics as you go. There will be a scavenger hunt when all of the books have released on Dec. 21.

Let’s get to know Brenda a little better!brenda_pandos

What would you be doing right now if you were not an author?

If I wasn’t an author, I’d most likely be working in some managerial capacity as a Computer Information Systems Analyst for the State of California, which is what I was doing prior to writing. I’d needed to quit in order to take care of my son with special needs, and shortly thereafter my writing career took off.

5 years ago: what were you doing?

Five years ago, I’d published my first book in March and was gearing up for my second release of, The Sapphire Talisman, in December. This was the original cover of my first book. I had a 1-year-old and a child in therapy 40-hrs a week, and I ate way too many cookies.

Do you have a certain writing ritual?

In order for me to start writing, I have to have something to drink in front of me, preferably wine, ice tea or passion tea, and then some lip balm, and my outline book map (we don’t say that ugly word, ‘cause my inner rebel doesn’t like to be reined in).

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

My toughest criticism in the beginning was “mean girl” reviews. I don’t mind constructive criticism because I’m always looking to grow in my writing. It’s the, “I’m glad this was free,” “I want the last 4-hours of my life back,” “simply awful,” “everyone else who gushed over this book is an idiot,” rants. A reader once wrote a 4K+ word review (with typos mind you) that included homemade meme’s making fun of my story. I had to realize that unhappy trolls are everywhere, and their need to feel better about themselves stretches far and wide, including author’s work that I love. So I read said author’s bad reviews, laugh at how ridiculous they are, and it makes it all better, because in the end, I love my characters and so do my fans. And they’re the ones who matter. #booknerdsrock

Ever fangirled over another author? Who was it?

Absolutely! My “fangirling” is clamping my mouth shut and staring awkwardly, for the most part, while I nudge my friend and say, “Is that…?” I’ve totally fan-girled Jennifer Armentrout, Abbi Glines, Rachelle Mead, Veronica Roth, Jacinda Wilder, Hugh Howey, Denise Grover Swank, Maggie Stiefvater, Nancy Holder (Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer)… the list goes on. It’s fun to get all verklempt, act like a nerd, then realize they’re real people, too, and get to know those who you aspire to be.

Is there an author you’d like to meet?

I would love to meet Stephenie Meyer as Twilight was the catalyst that inspired me to write The Emerald Talisman, which has changed my life.

Biggest writing pet peeve?

My biggest writing peeve is when I get my book in print, and I find a mistake. Ugh! It always feels like my book is truly ever finished.

Do you read other’s reviews of your books?

Yes, I do. When a book releases, reviews help me gauge if I’m resonating with my fans, and I love seeing my work through another person’s eyes… well, not the mean girl ones, but we’ve already been there. (I digress)

Thanks for taking the time to learn about me! And when it’s time to vote, don’t send #teamvampire off the island. Oh, wait… you’re relic hunting. Did I mention I was blonde?

About The Vampires

cover-vampireloresAfter narrowly escaping annihilation, eighteen-year-old Julia Parker and her vampire friends are on the hunt for their next big thrill.  When a blood-penned riddle triggers Julia’s thirst, the vamps fear they’re being lured into a trap. And when the note’s ‘ink’ drives Julia into a rage/frenzy, her friends are left with no choice but to destroy it.

Though Julia returns to her normal self, the threat isn’t over. The letter warns that a sacrifice is required in order for them to keep their immortality. As each minute passes, the group starts becoming weaker. Unsure how to satisfy the letter’s author, they go to New Orleans anyway, but this is no ordinary trip. Evil lurks in the shadows, feeding off Julia’s bloodlust and preparing to stake her and her friends at the first opportunity. And with the moon coming into position, they’re running out of time. If outside forces don’t bring the coven down, Julia herself may be their undoing. Because fulfilling the riddle will cost Julia one of two things: a treasure she holds dear or her own immortal life. Failure is not an option.

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BIO:

Author Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband, two energetic boys, eight chickens and a grumpy orange cat, though her kids keep begging for a dog #notadogperson #catrulesthehouse, that isn’t happening soon. She avoids cooking and housework by writing fast-paced stories about kissing, hot mermen, bad boy vampires, and occasionally zombies–not all in the same stories… #issues. When she’s not writing, or wrangling her kids, she’s sleeping… or making up crazy #hashtags, failing at her latest Pinterest replication #lamechef or delivering a really bad pun. More than anything she loves to hear from readers. Feel free to email brendapandos@gmail.com or write on her facebook wall.

Visit her at http://www.brendapandos.com.

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