Sabrina's Blog

So excited for the Read Local Author Fair 2014 in Stillwater next weekend. If you're nearby or feel like an impromptu road trip, I'll hope you'll come see me. I'll have print copies of both Lost Haven and Road to Nowhere for sale.  Remember, I'll mainly be blogging over at my website: www.SabrinaAFish.com , I'll try to post important event updates here, but anything else will be posted on my website only. I hope you'll come over and check it out. Don't forget to subscribe to my e-mail newsletter and/or leave a comment!!

Hey bloggy friends, Just a reminder that I'll now be blogging from my website: www.SabrinaAFish.com Please join me there for new updates including my cover reveal and giveaway for my upcoming Shine novella, Road to Nowhere. I hope to see you there! Have you checked out Lost Haven , my first Shine novella? It's available on Amazon for $0.99 now!

Hello loyal followers! Thank you, as always for once again visiting my humble blog. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Unfortunately, change is in the wind and it is with a heavy heart that I bid adieu to my time on Google Blogger. With the publishing of my first novel, my rapidly growing trophy company, and need for directing traffic toward my website, I'll now be blogging exclusively from my webiste: www.SabrinaAFish.com If you're interested in keeping up with me, please go to my website and visit the Blog tab. I'll post Mondays as usual, but I'll also be adding Funny Friday posts. ~Sabrina P.S. Have you checked out my latest novella, Lost Haven ? If not, now is the perfect time as it is on sale for $0.99 in anticipation of the upcoming release of its sequel, Road to Nowhere.

Over the last month, I've been experiencing a building allergic reaction. Like a potion or spell gone wrong(or is that right?), a small patch of itchy and very tiny little blisters will pop up, drive me crazy, then disappear a few hours later. I ignored it at first, determined to see it as nothing other than a freak rash. I really should know better. I need the antidote or counterspell, if you will. You see, I'm allergic to formaldehyde.  Yeah, you read it correctly. This nasty substance, which puts any self respecting, evil witch's brew to shame and gives embalming fluid and fingernail polish it's nasty odor, builds up in my body over time until it's gained enough momentum to break my entire body out in a rash of tiny blisters that itch to no end. Weird, I know. I've only broken out a total of 4 times over the whole of my 31 years. The 1st time was due to an everyday use of fingernail polish when I was a teen. I stopped coloring my nails and the outbreak...

As many of you know, my first published work, Lost Haven-A Shine Novella was published in March. Having prepared for this day, I had my self-promotion tools lined up and it did very well. What many of you may not know is that I own a trophy company with my hub. The month of May is what I like to refer to as our 'hell month' as it is end of school awards time. Unfortunately, with long sixteen hour plus days, I barely had time to eat much less keep up with my promotions. With constant deadlines, I barely thought of my debut novella. My numbers plummeted. I knew self-promotion was important, but after this experience, I now realize it more than ever. So, I'm going to share 3 promotion tips that I've found to be the most important. 1. Consistency- This one has been made painfully clear for me. You have to keep up a consistent effort to promote your work. It won't promote itself. You can't expect to promote for a short amount of time, then just stop and ...

I'm a light gamer. I say 'light' because I don't play all the time, I don't care about building a community of gamer friends, and I'm not obsessive about gaming. Most gamers probably wouldn't even consider me to be one of them. I use gaming as a place to go when I need an escape when I'm between good book series. I play Guild Wars 2 on the computer occasionally, I like Minecraft, and I love pulling out the old Playstation 2 to play Dark Cloud 2. I like playing PvZ: Garden Warfare on Xbox with my kiddo and Candy Crush and Doombad on my iPhone. Like I said, 'light' gamer is definitely a good description for me. My 7 year old, however, is well on his way to being a serious gamer. He already knows more than I do. Lately, his favorite thing is to watch videos on YouTube by his favorite little teenage gamers. He thinks these teenagers and their melodramatic antics as one of their characters is destroyed and must be respawned, is hilarious. It...

A to Z is over! *Cue the streamers and confetti* I'm so happy to announce that I made it through the whole month, picked up several really interesting new blogs to follow, and made some great new friends. I hope everyone enjoyed getting to know some of my favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy characters. My goal was to introduce you to at least one new story you'd never heard of and judging from your comments, I was successful. This week, I experienced another happy dance worthy moment: I received my very first box of books in the mail. Not going to lie...I smelled, kissed, and waved them around like a lunatic. In case you aren't certain: Dreams do come true, folks. *shakes out shameless plug* If you haven't checked out Lost Haven yet? It's now available in print or e-book on Amazon. The audio version will be available later this month.   This last weekend I attended the annual OWFI Conference, a local writer's conference that I enjoy volunteering for each y...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~Z~ is for Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander from Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth Series In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help . . . and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence. In a dark age it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold dominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that challenge or become the next victims. Beyond awaits a bewitching land where even the best of their hearts could betray them....

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~X~  is for Xena Warrior Princess In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess, forged in the heat of battle...Her courage will change the world. So I know this isn't a character from a book, BUT she is one of my favorite female characters. She's strong, sexy, brave, and an all around bad ass!! I love her. She's the heroine from my childhood. I used to watch this on TV and dream of adventures and saving the world just like her. *sigh* Have you checked out my debut novel?!! It's a girl superhero novella approp...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~W~ is for Wyl Thursk, the main character in the Quickening Series by Fiona McIntosh. In Book 1, Myrren's Gift , Wyl's life takes a major turn when the witch, Myrren, bestows a gift on him as Wyl witness' her death. Wyl is a young man destined to be his King's General, but finds himself out of favor when a new King is crowned. The new King is jealous of Wyl's popularity with the previous king and with the people. When Wyl witness' the death of a young girl accused of being a witch, the witch gives him a gift. This gift changes Wyl's life and is the impedus that propels the story...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~V~ is for Vin from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy A thousand years ago evil came to the land. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk labor as slaves in volcanic ash fields. A troublemaker arrives. A rumored revolt depends on an untrustworthy criminal and a young girl who must master Allomancy, metal magic. Mistborn is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson. I've chosen one of the main characters, Vin, as my letter 'V'. She is a strong female character who is beaten constantly as a child and learns that no one can be trusted, yet she still finds lov...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~T~ is for The Ghost from Nalini Singh's Heart of Obsidian, Book 12 in her Psy/Changling Series Step into New York Times bestseller Nalini Singh’s explosive and shockingly passionate Psy-Changeling world… A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred. A woman whose very existence has been erased. A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself. A deadly price that must be paid. The day of reckoning is here. From “the alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) comes the most highly anticipated novel of her career—one that blurs the line between madness and genius, between subjuga...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~S~ is for Sazed from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy A thousand years ago evil came to the land. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk labor as slaves in volcanic ash fields. A troublemaker arrives. A rumored revolt depends on an untrustworthy criminal and a young girl who must master Allomancy, metal magic. Sazed begins as a minor character in book 1 of this trilogy, but by book 3 his roll is much larger. As a Keeper he collects knowledge of any and all religions to keep them from fading into obscurity. I love Sazed because he is the character that gave me the ins...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~R~ is for Richard from Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth Series In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help . . . and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence. In a dark age it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold dominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that challenge or become the next victims. Beyond awaits a bewitching land where even the best of their hearts could betray them. Yet, Richard fe...

My Theme for the  2014 A to Z Challenge  is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~Q~ is for Titus Quinn from Kay Kenyon's Bright of the Sky Kay Kenyon, noted for her science fiction world-building, has in this new series created her most vivid and compelling society, the Universe Entire. In a land-locked galaxy that tunnels through our own, the Entire is a bizarre and seductive mix of long-lived quasi-human and alien beings gathered under a sky of fire, called the bright. A land of wonders, the Entire is sustained by monumental storm walls and an exotic, never-ending river. Over all, the elegant and cruel Tarig rule supreme.  Into this rich milieu is thrust Titus Quinn, former sta...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~P~ is for Pia Giovanni from Thea Harrison's Dragon Bound Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful—and passionate—of the Elder Races. As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~O~  is for Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars I had to stretch a bit for this one, but hey, her adopted last name begins with 'O' so it counts right?!! *grin* A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . . Luke Skywalker lived and worked on his uncle's farm on the remote planet of Tatooine, but he yearned to travel beyond the farthest reaches of the universe to distant, alien worlds. Then Luke intercepted a cryptic message from a beautiful, captive princess . . . and found himself catapulted into the adventure of a lifetime. Luke Skywalker, proud Princess Leia, and headstrong Han Solo . . . ...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~N~ is for Nora Salvatore from Melissa Drake's Daughter of Mythos Fifteen-year-old Nora Salvatore thinks wizards, fairies, dragons, and demons are the stuff of myth, but she is wrong. Nora is thrown head first into a life of magic and chaos after learning of a mysterious legend surrounding her birth and the magical powers she is supposed to possess. When an army of demons from a parallel world plans the eradication of mankind, only she can close the portals and keep the demons at bay. Can she learn to harness her new-found powers in time to stop them? Daughter of Mythos is a fast paced young adult fantas...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~M~ is for Marissa Coulter from Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass In a landmark epic of fantasy and storytelling, Philip Pullman invites readers into a world as convincing and thoroughly realized as Narnia, Earthsea, or Redwall. Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford's Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors. First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city su...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~L~ is for Liath from Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars Series Crown of Stars is set in Novaria, a continent heavily inspired by medieval Europe. Over the course of the novels it is revealed that 2,700 years prior to the present a war erupted between humanity and a race of elf-like beings called the Ashioi. Human sorcerers were able to banish the Ashioi homeland to another plane of existence, but in doing so unleashed a vast cataclysm upon the world that devastated much of humankind. Humanity recovered, initially under the rule of the mighty Dariyan Empire, and later under its successor states, guided by the...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~K~ is for Kvothe from Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name ...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~J~ is for Jaenelle from Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy The Black Jewels Trilogy is an epic dark fantasy and the saga of one young woman's destiny played out against the backdrop of three powerful realms... Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch saw an ancient prophecy come to life in her dazzling web of dreams and visions. Now the Dark Kingdom readies itself for the arrival of its Queen, a Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But she is still young, still open to influence--and corruption. Whoever controls the Queen controls the Darkness. Three men...

My Theme for the 2014 A to Z Challenge is: SciFi/Fantasy Characters in Novels I'll introduce you to a new scifi/fantasy character from the plethora of novels I've read over my lifetime. My goal is to entice those who maybe haven't read much in the genre I write and share why I find these characters so interesting. I hope you'll enjoy taking the ride with me. ~I~ is for Ishmael from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Ishmael is one of my favorite villains because he isn't evil for evil's sake. He didn't give in because of a lust for or promise of power. He runs on logic. By logic, he's reasoned that the D...