About Brenda

I am a writer, lover of sideshows and tattoos. I have kids, a partner, two dogs, a naughty parrot and a life that is full. My life is a circus and I wouldn't have it any other way. I review books, blog about life as a writer with ADHD and publish my photographs on my blog Writing While Distracted . I celebrate my passion for food and cooking on my food blog Quinby Kitchen Sideshow .You can find me on Facebook by clicking here . If Pinterest is your thing, I am there too, and you can find me by clicking here .

Review Exile of the Seas

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Brenda

Remember when I reviewed the first book in this series, Prisoner of the Crown? No? Well, the link is here. I ended that review with a warning that the second book in the series, Exile of the Seas would be would be a one-click if you read the first book. To say that Exile of the Seas exceeded my already high expectations would not do the book justice. We left Princess Jenna at the end of the first book, a woman recovering from abuse, ready to die rather than return to her former life. This book continues Jenna’s story of transformation. The character ARC in this book is, even more, satisfying as Jenna takes on a new persona and becomes stronger and finally confronts and escapes her abusive husband in a very satisfying way. There is a touch of romance in this book, and Jeffe Kennedy handles the complicated subject of Jenna’s past abuse respectfully and believably. It isn’t used like a plot you’d see on a porn from this weblink, or many others. I read this book in one sitting because I was enamored with the characters and was caught up in the plot. For you Twelve Kingdoms and Uncharted Realms fans, this book ties in and gives some insight into Jep, one of my favorite characters in this shared universe (my review of Jep’s book is here). Bravo Jeffe, you’ve kept me up and made me teary (in a good way) again.

About Jeffe Kennedy

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author whose works include novels, non-fiction, poetry, and short fiction. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow, received the Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship for Poetry, and was awarded a Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award. Her award-winning fantasy romance trilogy The Twelve Kingdoms hit the shelves starting in May 2014. Book 1, The Mark of the Tala, received a starred Library Journal review and was nominated for the RT Book of the Year while the sequel, The Tears of the Rose received a Top Pick Gold and was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2014. The third book, The Talon of the Hawk, won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015. Two more books followed in this world, beginning the spin-off series The Uncharted Realms. Book one in that series, The Pages of the Mind, has also been nominated for the RT Reviewer’s Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2016 and is a finalist for RWA’s RITA Award. The second book, The Edge of the Blade, released December 27, 2016, and was a PRISM finalist, along with The Pages of the Mind. The next in the series, The Shift of the Tide, released August, 2017. A high fantasy trilogy taking place in The Twelve Kingdoms world is forthcoming from Rebel Base books in 2018. She also introduced a new fantasy romance series, Sorcerous Moons, which includes Lonen’s War, Oria’s Gambit, The Tides of Bàra, and The Forests of Dru. She’s begun releasing a new contemporary erotic romance series, Missed Connections, which started with Last Dance and continues in With a Prince. In 2019, St. Martins Press will release the first book in a new fantasy romance series, Throne of Flowers. Her other works include a number of fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns; the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion; an erotic contemporary serial novel, Master of the Opera; and the erotic romance trilogy, Falling Under, which includes Going Under, Under His Touch and Under Contract. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com, every Sunday at the popular SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and pretty much constantly on Twitter @jeffekennedy. She is represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

http://jeffekennedy.com

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeffe.Kennedy

https://twitter.com/jeffekennedy

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1014374.Jeffe_Kennedy

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Rainbow Snippet June 23-24

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Brenda

Hello all, I hope everyone had a great week last week. I took last week off to spend time with my family. Today is my eleventh wedding anniversary. Between us, we have written eight books, had twins kids, loved three dogs and a onery parrot, survived two major surgeries, a broken arm, and the medical adventures of both sets of our parents and there is no one on the planet I would rather do it with. Wishing all of you happiness and love. I hope you enjoy today’s snip.

From Both Ends of the Whip

Vivian brought a chair over, and Octavia sat down and held Bridget on her lap. “The stairs are too narrow for you to carry her.” She poured a glass of water and held it for Bridget while she drank. The heat from Bridget’s body warmed Octavia. The cellar air was cool as the sweat dried on her skin. She shivered.

Vivian frowned. “I should have asked Martin for blankets.”

“I can walk.” Bridget lifted her head and shifted in Octavia’s lap. “Mistress.”

Vivian touched her face. “You’ll be no use to anyone if you fall down the steps.”

Bridget snorted. “I was a line cook for five years. I’m not frail.” She stood up and poured herself a glass of water and chugged it down. She placed her glass on the table and smiled. She shifted her gaze between them. “And I’ll crawl up the stairs if it means I get to watch the two of you together.”

Vivian shook her head. “You are a menace and have learned nothing.” Her tone was playful. “Very well. Get up the stairs before I decide to persuade you.” She picked up the quirt and pulled the tails through her fingers.

Bridget quirked her mouth. “Not sure that’s motivation to behave or not.” She picked up her clothes from the table. She turned her back to them and sashayed up the steps swinging her hips.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Rainbow Snippets( https://www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowSnippets/)is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).

In this groupyou’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

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Rainbow Snippet June 9-10

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Brenda

More from Sum of the Whole this week, my first novel and the beginning of a series I had not planned to write. I like to call Rowan House my accidental series because I didn’t intend for it to be a series but secondary characters sometimes demand their stories be told. My only regret is not starting a series bible sooner. I have started one now as I’m fairly certain the series which stands at three books now (Sum of the Whole, Both Ends of the Whip, and Knotted Legacy (September 2018) will be six books in total. Today’s snip is a bitter moment between Sarah and Jaya.

From Sum of the Whole:

Sarah walked over to Jaya and reached up to touch her face. “It’s not because I don’t care for you.” She pulled the number tag from her collar and dropped it in Jaya’s palm. Jaya looked down at the small disc in her hand and found no words for the gift she had been given or the pain that wrapped itself around her heart and refused to let go.

“I’ll stay with you tonight if it pleases you.” Sarah’s fingers rested on Jaya’s chest.
“It pleases me.” Jaya closed her fingers around Sarah’s tag, letting the hard edges dig into her palm. The familiar pain of loss filled her. She let Sarah lead her to the bed and pull her down. Sarah settled Jaya’s head on her chest and carded her fingers through Jaya’s hair. The silence between them deepened, heavy with unspoken thoughts and whispers of shattered love.

Jaya stayed awake after Sarah had drifted off to sleep, savoring the feel of her body against her and memorizing the way her breath puffed out against her skin and the quiet noises she made in her sleep. She eased out of the bed and crept to her dressing table, where she pulled a small cedar box from its hiding place. She opened the lid and dropped Sarah’s shiny brass tag next to Deidre’s tag, blue-green now with the patina of time. She ran her fingers over the tags and closed the lid on her pain as she shuttered her heart.

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Writing: Job or Business?

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Brenda

I was reading a thread a few weeks ago about writing, specifically about the need to write every day and the idea that if you didn’t, you weren’t serious about being published. One of the you-must-write-everyday proponents wrote, “I treat writing like my job and show up every day.” As I turned that thought over it occurred to me “Is writing my job or my business?”
Now, in case I have been unclear in the past, I’m am firmly in the camp that recommends writing when you can, making use of whatever time you have to write. Working this way has seen me through four published books with another novel set to release in September. A job usually has set hours and an expectation of working a set time. As a small business owner, in addition to being an author, I can tell you that working on your business is a matter of finding/making time to do what needs to be done. Owning a business involves thinking and dreaming, strategic planning, cash flow management, and setting goals.

Just showing up every day and putting words on paper does nothing if you don’t have a plan for what to do with those words. If having your book traditionally published or indie publishing is your goal you have to have a plan, and then you must take advantage of every second you have to work your plan.
As someone with a day job, who is also a spouse, a parent, and a daughter with older parents and in-laws this is the only way I’ve been able to get any writing done with the goal of publication. I’ve researched publisher sites and calls for submission databases sitting on the couch while my kid with a fever dozed next to me. I’ve written in hospital waiting rooms while various family members were having surgery, and in medical offices and occupational therapy waiting rooms, and very late at night when the house is quiet, and I can’t sleep.
When my kids were little, I had exactly 2 hours and 45 minutes to write between when I dropped them off at pre-school and when I picked them up. I wrote like a fiend during that time, unless I need to grocery shop, or had to run some other errand that would have been incredibly stressful with three-year-old twins in tow. Writing every day does not make you a writer or indicate the level of your seriousness. The things that indicate a serious approach to publishing your work are writing, editing, submitting your work, finding ways to improve your craft, and working steadily towards what you want. Writing for publication is not just about writing, it is about learning your craft, striving to make the next book better than the last, and most of all it is about not listening to people say you have to do X, Y, or Z to be considered serious writer. You do you. Find your way. Don’t listen to people who insist there is only one way to do anything, even me.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Rainbow Snippet June 3-4

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Brenda

A blast from the past this weekend, a snip from my first novel in the Rowan House series.

From Sum of the Whole:

JAYA STOOD IN the courtyard in front of the stable. The soft sounds of birds interrupted the morning quiet. Perfect, so utterly perfect. She had been up most of the night thinking about the ride she had planned. A woman led a large bay, fully tacked out for Jaya. What was her name? Jaya had considered her before settling on Sarah. The faded jeans fit her like a second skin, showing off her curves. She had the sleeves rolled back on her loose chambray shirt to reveal the exquisite vine tattoos accentuating the defined muscles in her arms.

“I didn’t get your name.” Jaya tugged her black kidskin riding gloves on.

“Octavia.” The woman met Jaya’s appraising gaze with one of her own. “Mistress.” A switch or a bold submissive. Enticed by the woman’s boldness, Jaya considered altering her plan for the morning.

Octavia held the reins and ran a hand down the horse’s neck. “He’s a real gentleman, Mistress, all seventeen hands of him. A real goer but he won’t leave you if you don’t make a fence.” She did nothing to hide the amusement in her eyes. Jaya supposed many people who came to Rowan House imagined themselves as better riders than they were. It had been years since Jaya had taken the time to ride.

“I’m not planning on riding a steeplechase.” She climbed the mounting block and settled into the saddle. She checked the fit of her stirrups and adjusted the length.

“He’s a good fit for you.” The woman frowned as she caught sight of the crop Jaya had in her hand. She raised her chin and pointed to it. “You’ll not be needing that, Ma’am.” Her voice was loud.

Jaya rubbed the bay’s neck. “Rest easy. I would never use a crop on…” She raised the crop and traced the edge of Octavia’s cheek with it, looking in the woman’s eyes. “Any horse. This is a pleasure ride this morning.”

“Do you fancy company, Mistress?” Octavia rested her hand on Jaya’s boot, her eyes full of hope. “I could show you some sights.” Her generous mouth spread wide in a smile. Jaya wanted to dismount and kiss the cheeky grin right off her face. She cupped the woman’s cheek and traced her thumb over her full lower lip.

“Maybe tomorrow.” A purposeful scuff of boots on gravel made her look up. Sara stood in the courtyard in tan jodhpurs and a white shirt. Her brow was furrowed and her mouth set in a thin line. She stood with her hands on her hips.

In this group you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Rainbow Snippet May 26-27

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Brenda

More from Italy this week. My wife and I made our plans to travel to Oslo and Stockholm this summer and I already have some characters kicking around in my head that will have a grand time on this summer’s adventure.

From ONE

THEY STOOD ON the sidewalk, close but not touching. Lana reached over to hold Mac’s hand, her long fingers cool in Mac’s sweaty palm. She gripped Mac’s hand, her fingers loose and relaxed. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
Mac raised her shoulders and let them fall. “Dunno. I have a list of things I should see from my friends and a guidebook. “
“Would you like company? I have some time before things get crazy.”
Yesyesyes. Play it cool. Fuck it, be honest. No lines. She deserves better. Be better. “I’d love to spend more time with you.” Mac gave Lana’s hand a small squeeze and her pulse quickened when the barest hint of a blush spread across Lana’s face. The quick squeeze of her fingers on Mac’s hand kindled the spark of want and hope in Mac’s chest into a roaring flame. Lana’s limousine turned the corner, its headlights illuminating the street and sidewalk. Mac turned to face Lana. She tugged on her hand and pulled her closer. Now. Kiss her now. No. Don’t. Don’t fuck it up.
Lana rested her hand on Mac’s chest, her fingers wide. She looked into Mac’s face. Heat like a smoldering fire burned in Lana’s eyes. Mac trembled. Lana looked down before she leaned forward, pressing the length of her body against Mac and kissed her softly on the cheek. Mac swallowed hard. The sound of tires on pavement announced her car’s arrival. Mac froze. No no no. Why didn’t I kiss her? Damn car. They broke apart as the car glided to the curb. Lana trailed her fingers down Mac’s shirt, stopping short of her belt buckle before she stepped off the curb.
She looked back at Mac over her shoulder with her hand on the car door handle. “Tomorrow then? Nine?”
“Sure.” Mac stuffed her hands in her pockets.
“Ciao.”
“See ya.” Mac stood in the cool night air and watched the car pull away. She touched the spot on her cheek where Lana’s lips had been.”

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Review: Prisoner Of the Crown

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Brenda

Prisoner of the Crown, the first of a new book series by Jeffe Kennedy, the Chronicles of Dasnaria. It is set in the shared universe of The Twelve Kingdoms and Uncharted Realms to other glorious series by Jeffe Kennedy. This book is NOT a romance. I’m going to say that louder for the people in the back. IT IS NOT A ROMANCE. Seriously. It is a very dark novel and a fantastic story of a woman coming into her power after being raised as a helpless pawn in the affairs of the Kingdom of Dasnaria. And I mean dark. We meet her as a young woman, raised in the seclusion of the seraglio. Written in the first person, we follow Princess Jenna’s growth as she matures and begins to understand her role as a pawn in a risky plot to wrest power from the current King. She experiences horrific abuse at the hands of her family and husband. What I love about this dark story is Princess Jenna. She is an inspiring character as she not only survives the abuse thrust upon her but thrives in spite of her family. A model of strength, intelligence, and a reminder that there are different measures of bravery.

As always with Jeffe Kennedy the book is well written and expertly paced with rich description and an intriguing plot. While this is the first in the book series the ending was satisfying. Be warned you will undoubtedly be ready to one click the next book in the series.

About Jeffe Kennedy

http://jeffekennedy.com

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeffe.Kennedy

https://twitter.com/jeffekennedy

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1014374.Jeffe_Kennedy

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Review: Grounds for Remorse

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Brenda

If you like your characters quirky and fun Tallie Graver will become a favorite. Misty Simon’s Grounds for Remorse is a funny, lovely, cozy mystery. The second in the Tallie Graver series, this book is engaging and full of Misty Simon’s trademark humor and cleverness. Told in first person, the novel follows Tallie as she solves a locked door murder mystery and tries to keep her best friend Gina, out of jail. The novel is well written, engaging, and clever, the solution to the mystery satisfying. If you are new to the series, this book works very well as a stand-alone, but do yourself a favor and go back and read the first in the series. Tallie is a classic armchair sleuth and if cozy mysteries are your thing then this book is a fantastic addition to that tradition. A great summer novel, perfect for a tall glass of tea and front porch reading.

Misty Simon loves a good story and decided one day that she would try her hand at it. Eventually she got it right. There’s nothing better in the world than making someone laugh, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband, daughter and two insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at [email protected]

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

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Sister Friends, Growlers, and Rainbows

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Brenda

Sister Friends. Chosen family. The women who are there, no matter what, the ones who don’t give a rat’s patootie what your house looks like. The ones who are always ready to come for a sleep-over and eat whatever is in your cabinets and refrigerators. The ones who will parent your kid if you’re not there to do it. The friend you can tell anything to and know that they will 1.) not judge you, 2.) call you on your ish if you need it, 3.) cheer you on and tell you to go for it. My wife and I are fortunate to have a number of sister friends. This weekend one of our local sister friends came to visit. She’s fun and funny, and hella smart. Our kids get along and disappear to play their own games, so we can sit and sip good beer, and talk about anything and everything. We help each other, offering love and support in our personal lives, and in our professional lives.

Four years, 175 blog posts, and five books ago we sat in my living room one icy cold January after we had tucked the kids in bed, fueled by some amazing stout we spent the evening brainstorming this blog. We voted on a name from several I had written down, and in general mapped out my career. Fast forward to this spring, more beer, family talk, writing advice, career goal discussion, and after a hard rain, a rainbow. Fitting, and accurate for our time together. My wish for all of you is sister-friends and rainbows.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Writing-While-Distracted

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

Rainbow Snippet May 19-20

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Brenda

Hello Snippeters, I’m writing this on my porch, it is raining like hell and the sun is shining which is always special and I’m hoping for a rainbow. This week’s snippet is from One. A book I released last Fall. Set in Italy it is a favorite story of mine as it reminds me of a fabulous trip I took with my wife.

From ONE:

“THE NIGHT-MANAGER let them in through the small barred door next to the drive. The parking lot of the hotel was paved with cobblestone. Lana held Mac’s arm as she picked her way across the lot, her heels and the three glasses of wine she had consumed with dinner making it hard for her to navigate the rough round stones. They walked to the tiny walled garden at the back of the hotel. Small brass candle lanterns lit the wrought iron tables and benches in the seating area, bathing the entire area in a seductive pale golden light. The smell of warm bricks mingled with the floral scents of the late blooming flowers that overflowed their terracotta pots surrounding the tiny oasis.

“I’ll be right back.” Mac left Lana sitting on the high-backed bench. She turned to look at her. Damn. So beautiful. So perfect.She lingered in the doorway watching Lana unobserved, memorizing everything about the night and the woman who waited for her. They had spent dinner laughing and talking about racing and engines and favorite drivers. Smart. Sassy. Passionate. She made Mac ache for things she hadn’t known she wanted.”

In this group you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Writing-While-Distracted

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories