Update!

Sorry I've been AWOL lately, everyone! Things have been CRAZY for me! My husband and I moved--twice. Why twice? We moved because he got a new job two hours away from where we were living. The commute was not fun. So we stayed with family until we were able to move into our new house.

I've also been really sick lately. For those of you who don't know, I have a nervous system disorder that keeps me from doing...well, much of anything most days.

Now, the news you've all been waiting for--FORESHADOW update! It's still in the editing process, but should be out soon. I approved the cover proof the other day, so I should have it soon to share with everyone. As soon as I have a release date, I will let everyone know. I'll tell you one thing, though: there will be a giveaway to celebrate its release!

In other writing news, I'm about 2/3rds of the way done with OVERSHADOW, the sequel to FORESHADOW. I have other projects I'm also attempting to work on, that are in various stages of completion.

I also have a website now! Check it out: http://breaessex.com/ You can also email me now at brea@breaessex.com.

That's all the news for now! I'm planning to be back next week with Why I Love Wednesdays and Six Sentence Sunday, so stay tuned!

Six Sentence Sunday

Here's another six from FORESHADOW, book one of The Shadow Imperium! How would you like to have Rae's crazy nightmares?

The fog thickened around me and began to coalesce. I could hear laughter echoing from within the fog. It was horrifying. I couldn’t get past whatever was forming behind me. I threw my hands over my head in a futile attempt to protect myself and crouched down, sobbing hysterically. I was expecting the worst, but praying for a miracle . . .


© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Six Sentence Sunday

             I had no idea where Logan had gotten his skill with swords. Maybe it was just a natural outcome of his training in self-defense. His two swords moved as if they were two halves of the same weapon and that weapon was an extension of him.

            The fight moved so quickly I could barely see what was happening. One of the devils’ swords caught one of Logan’s weapons. The flats of the blades slid across each other and Logan’s wrist twisted, his sword clattering to the floor.

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Six Sentence Sunday

Here's another six sentences from FORESHADOW, book one of the Shadow Imperium series:

            “Can anyone tell me something about Zoroastrianism?” he asked.

            Tristan, sitting on the other side of me, raised his hand. When Mr. Villar pointed at him, he answered, “They worship a Creator called Ahura Mazda.”

            “Hey, I’m down with Zoroastrianism—I could worship my car!” Logan cut in with a laugh.

            “Ahura Mazda is not the same as your car,” I shot back, rolling my eyes.

            “Who do you think the car was named after?” he asked sarcastically.

Want more of Logan's obnoxiousness? Check back next Sunday!

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Six Sentence Sunday

I'm returning to "Foreshadow" this week for another six!

           A dark fog eddied and swirled around his body.  Lightning crackled at his hands.  He raised his arms and flung them forward.           

            I cringed as the lightning surged toward us.  I couldn’t move fast enough to get out of the way.  I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the shock.  




© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Playlist Archive: Fallin For You

I thought I'd share another song from my Foreshadow playlist today: "Fallin For You" by Colbie Caillat. I couldn't find the full video to post, so I just posted one with the lyrics. I may have mentioned this before, but I don't choose songs for each chapter of my books. I write really short chapters and that would be a lot of songs! Instead, I choose songs that go with overall themes of the books.

I put this song on my playlist for several reasons. I really like Colbie Caillat. I think she has a great voice and is really talented. I think this song really fits for when Raena starts "falling for" one of the guys (I won't tell you who, because that would spoil things). I think it summarizes her feelings fairly well: she wants to tell him, but she's not sure if she should--especially considering everything else that happens.

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.
*Disclaimer: I do not own the video in this post.

Playlist Archive: Bad Romance

I thought today I would share a song from my Foreshadow playlist: Bad Romance by A Smile From The Trenches. Now, I know this is originally a Lady Gaga song, but once my friend showed me this version, I just had to stick it on my playlist.

Now, I don't generally do a song per chapter when I write. I tend to just choose songs for my playlists that go with the theme of certain scenes, or relationships. I chose this song because I thought it fits Rae and Andrei's relationship. The two of them definitely have a bad, crazy romance going on.

Character Archive: Casting Logan Conner

As promised, I’m back today with my “casting” of Logan Conner, Raena’s other “main guy”.

Raena calls Logan annoying, but smoldering hot with a heavenly voice. He’s in all her classes at school and he’s extremely cocky.

I chose Chace Crawford to “play” Logan. Now, Logan actually has black hair, but other than that he’s Logan to a T.

You’d probably recognize Chace Crawford from the TV show Gossip Girl. Here are a couple of clips of him:

What would you like to see next Monday? More castings? Character interviews? Or songs from the Shadow Imperium series playlist? Leave your vote in the comments below!

Six Sentence Sunday #4

I'm back for Six Sentence Sunday with another excerpt from Foreshadow!

            “Why can’t I help out a pretty girl in distress?”  He winked at me again.

            “I’m hardly in distress,” I told him, ignoring the rest of his comment.

            “Ah, but there you are wrong.  You are in distress.  You are distressed at the prospect of not being with me every waking moment,” he said dramatically.

Want more? There will be another Six Sentence Sunday next week!

Character Archive: Casting Andrei Petrov

I know I promised a character interview with Raena today, but instead (by request) I’m going to share my “casting” of Andrei.

Andrei Petrov is one of Raena’s “main guys”. Raena describes him as a “golden god”. He’s a police officer, a college student, and very charming.

I chose Chris Hemsworth to “play” Andrei. After all, who better to play god-like Andrei than someone who has already played a god in the movie Thor?

The above picture is actually a couple of years old, but it’s exactly how I picture Andrei.

Here’s two trailers for Thor, which is Chris Hemsworth’s latest release. The first is a little more of him kicking butt, while the second has more dialogue.

Next week I’ll be sharing my “casting” for Logan Conner, Raena’s other guy so be sure to check back!

Six Sentence Sunday #3

I'm back with Six Sentence Sunday! Since I've posted more serious excerpts the past two weeks, I thought I would share something a little lighter this week.


Logan pulled his aviators down the bridge of his nose so he could peer at me from above the rims.  “Well, if it isn’t Raena,” he murmured in a heavenly voice. 
“It’s Rae,” I told him flatly.  “No one calls me Raena.”
He leaned closer.  “And you can call me the guy you’ve been waiting for.”




Want more? Six Sentence Sunday will return next week!

Six Sentence Sunday #2

Here's another sneak peek from Foreshadow!

I counted one, two beats of his gigantic midnight wings and then he was on the ground behind me. He reached down and grabbed me around my waist, pulling me up from the grass. I struggled and attempted to kick him, desperately trying to get loose from his grasp. He held his sword at my neck and I froze. The sharp blade bit into the soft area underneath my chin. The point punctured the skin and I could feel a thin ribbon of blood snake its way down my throat and drip onto my new blouse.  

Want more? Check back next Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday

Here's a small sneak peek from Foreshadow!

            I stood on the edge of the pier, gazing out at the flat, grey ocean.  There were no waves and the sea looked like murky glass that stretched as far as the horizon.  In one hand, I held a plastic box containing my mother’s ashes.  In the other hand, I carried a bouquet of her favorite flowers—pink carnations.

           A breeze stirred my hair, carrying with it the scent of salt and fish.  The fog hanging low on the water mirrored the fog clouding my mind.  

Want more? I'll be putting up another sneak peek next Sunday. Stay tuned!

Foreshadow Teasers

I'm posting teasers on my Facebook page, if anyone wants to join in:  http://www.facebook.com/breaessexfanpage

Foreshadow on the Nook!

Great news!  Foreshadow will now be available for Nook.  Details can be found here

Foreshadow Excerpts

I announced on my Facebook page yesterday that I will be releasing an excerpt from Foreshadow every Friday until release day (April 9th).  You can find today's excerpt here.

Cover Update

I now have an official model for the cover of Foreshadow.  I'm not going to say who it is just yet, only that she's a good friend of mine and is absolutely amazing for doing this for me!  We're both very excited about the cover.  I've been busy planning the cover and I can't wait to share it with everyone!

With regards to the interior of the novel--I completed my formatting and it's all ready to go!  I'm just waiting for my final edits to come back.

Foreshadow Release Date!

I'm going to be self-publishing Foreshadow.  I'm still looking for an agent, but in the meantime, I wanted to make it available for anyone who wanted a copy.  It will be available in paperback and for Kindle.  I have it set for release on April 9th.  I know a Saturday release seems a bit odd, but it's in honor of what would have been my grandfather's birthday.  I will have links for you once it's available!

Foreshadow Pitch

For those of you who were asking me what Foreshadow is about.  If you don't know what a book pitch is, just kind of think of it as the description on the back of the book.  It's basically a few sentences telling you what the book is about.  And yes, this is vague on purpose.  You wouldn't want me to spoil anything, would you?

Death.
That’s what Rae Davenport’s past contains: the untimely death of her mother and the death of all she knows.
Lies. Betrayal. Nightmares.
This is Rae’s present. An ancient supernatural force is stalking the earth once more—and haunting Rae’s dreams. Everything seems centered around Andrei and Logan, the two new men in her life. She feels drawn to each one in a different way, but is one her enemy? She hopes she will survive long enough to find out.

Foreshadow is now on Goodreads!

A close friend of mine listed Foreshadow on goodreads.com.  For those of you who don't know what goodreads is, it's a site to list what you're reading/have read and review books.  There are also groups (book discussion and otherwise), quizzes and more!  Anyway, it's very exciting to have Foreshadow listed on there--it makes it feel more like an actual book.  Well, it is an actual book, just not published yet.  It doesn't have any reviews yet because no one has read my final draft.  Here's the link, in case you're interesting in checking it out:

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/

Foreshadow on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10159598-foreshadow