One of my favorite things about blogging is you just never know who is sitting on the other side of your computer. Sometimes you get a comment from someone, and you never hear from them again. Other times, you find one comment leads to another, and then yet another. Before you know it, you have a new friend.
But, who is this person? Sure, they seem nice, but do you really know anything about them? Do you know about their life outside of the blogosphere? Probably not… But, one day that may change. I know it did with me.
Last summer, I gained a new follower. She commented on my blog, I commented on hers. Before I knew it, we struck up a friendship, and we started emailing each other. It was only on one of these emails I noticed she was a published author, of numerous books. I started reading her first, and was hooked. They are amazing.
Her name is Brenda Youngerman, and she has a new book Skewered Halo that was just released. You can order it here, or get a signed copy from her here.
If you have read any of Brenda’s books, you know they are page turners that you can’t put down. Skewered Halo is the same way….
It is the story of a girl, Diane, who while has the ideal childhood on the outside, has anything else but the ideal life on the inside, thanks to her older sister. How harmful words can be. Diane finds this out, when her sister whispers unthinkable words to her when she is just a little girl, which she believed. These words influenced her entire childhood. But, childhood only lasts for so long. Or does it?
When Diane leaves home for school, she feels that she is finally able to put her past behind, and move on, and find happiness. Which she does, for a while at least… But, sadly it seems that wherever Diane goes trouble follows, and so many people are lost in the process. Who is responsible? What is really going on? You wonder this and more, as you quickly turn the pages….
Like all her books, Skewered Halo is a page turner, one that will hook the reader from the very first line, and keep you hooked until you reach the last page. And, then, like all her others, you will be wishing for more…
I interviewed Brenda a few months ago… You can learn more about her HERE.
36 comments
Kathy Radigan
February 23, 2012 at 6:54 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for introducing a new author to me, this sounds like a great story and one that I would really like. I love that about blogging too, it gives you access to people that you might not ordinarily meet in your everyday life. Thanks again, I always enjoy my visits to your great site!
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm (UTC -4)
Kathy – I really think that you will love Brenda’s books… Isn’t blogging amazing… I am so thankful that I met you as a result
Susi
February 23, 2012 at 7:16 am (UTC -4)
I really have to get myself together and get some of Brenda’s books. I want to start at the beginning and work my way through!!! This one sounds great… I grew up with a little sister. So, I can’t wait to see what this story is all about.
Tami AKA My Kid's Mom
February 23, 2012 at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
You’ll love them! I ordered Disrupted Lives last November and since then I’ve started at the beginning. Just finished Restored Hope EARLY this morning – you won’t be able to put them down.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
Tami – that is exactly how I feel about her books. I read most in one (or two) sittings. they totally captivate you!
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
Susi – yes you do… what are you waiting for? they are all real page turners that you will love… trust me
Beth Ann Chiles
February 23, 2012 at 7:25 am (UTC -4)
Oh I am excited!!! I have read 4 of hers so far and now I can add yet another one to the list!!! Thanks so much for posting this—I did not know that it was coming out already!!!
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
Beth Ann – I am lucky, I got a sneak peak… but this one is just like the others.. a real page turner that will hook you from chapter one, and make you want more
Tami
February 23, 2012 at 7:47 am (UTC -4)
Isn’t is cool to make friends through blogging. I met a blogger friend in December when I adopted my new kitty from her sister. We cried and cried. It made our friendship all the better.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:44 pm (UTC -4)
Tami – the blogging friends you meet are amazing.. I have had the opportunity to speak to two of my blogging friends (one being brenda) on the phone several times and it is amazing. the way we develop friendships online really blows me away… love your kitty story!
Old Kitty
February 23, 2012 at 8:53 am (UTC -4)
What a most intriguing book! Thank you for the info and review, Hilary! I think that’s why I love blogging – you get to meet truly amazing gifted lovely people! Take care
x
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
Old kitty – i think you will love them… And I agree, the people you meet blogging are truly amazing!
Brian
February 23, 2012 at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
How cool, I read her blog frequently but often don’t have time to comment.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
Brian- she is an amazing lady, one who I have had the opportunity to speak to on the phone many times…
My Inner Chick
February 23, 2012 at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
–Love new authors.
Thank You! The book sounds Great
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
Inner chick – check out her books, trust me, you will love them!
Brenda youngerman
February 23, 2012 at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Has it been less than a year? Seriously?
I feel like we’ve known each other forever — how easily I just grab the phone and call you!
Thank you for this wonderful post and the ‘insight’ into Skewered Halo! I hope everyone enjoys it as much as you did.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm (UTC -4)
Brenda – yes, it is… shocking, huh? It was last summer that we “met” and I feel the same way.. I love when we speak… Not only is it easy, it is fun… true friendship.. I feel like I know you forever… I am sure, everyone who reads skewered halo will feel the same way I do….all your books are amazing.. big hugs!
RoryBore
February 23, 2012 at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I just finished her first 2 books — I read them in like 4 days! couldn’t put them down. So looking forward to reading all her others too. Readers – you won’t be disappointed, and I am quite certain your life will be impacted in a major way.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
RoryBore – I felt the same way you did… I read until the book was over.. totally into the story… Brenda is an amaxzing writer, i just wish she could write faster
Monica
February 23, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for sharing the book – I’ll add it to my Goodreads list and check it out.
It is certainly amazing and cool the feeling of community among the blogging world.
hilaryg
February 24, 2012 at 9:52 pm (UTC -4)
monica – you will love all of Brenda’s books, trust me
we really are lucky to meet such great people through blogging.. If you told me I would have met such amazing people when I started, I would never have believed you 
Shawn
February 23, 2012 at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
This is why I love the blogosphere! I started my blog as a way to chronicle a new chapter in my life..just for me and the family. From there, I charted off into the territory of Pet blogs and ended with my marathon blog.
Through these blogs, I have “met” so many wonderful bloggers. We have shared good times and bad, rejoiced in our success and cried during the dark moments.
I have enjoyed reading blogs of accomplished author’s , as well as the everyday writer like myself. In this world we are equal..women (and men) jotting down our thoughts, hopes and dreams while making friends in the process!
hilaryg
February 25, 2012 at 8:14 am (UTC -4)
Shawn – thanks for sharing.. I am always so interested in learning what motivates someone to start blogging. I am always in awe that you maintain three blogs… Although, it did take me a while to make the connection that Chloe & Cycil were your felines
I am not always the sharpest…. I feel the same way about the friends I have made. I can’t wait to share my happiness and sorrows with them. when I started my blog two years ago, I never imagined that I would have such great friends now as a result..
victorias_view
February 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
It sounds intriguing! I might have to add it too my list
hilaryg
February 25, 2012 at 8:15 am (UTC -4)
Darcie – I think you will really enjoy Brenda’s books, although I do recomend starting at the begining and working your way through. Many characters reappear, and while you don’t need to read all books, or all in order, I think the experience is better that way…
Jessie
February 24, 2012 at 1:46 am (UTC -4)
This does sound like a really good book, thank you for sharing it!!
ICLW #6
hilaryg
February 25, 2012 at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
Jessie – happy iclw!!! The book is great, I really recommend all of her novels
William Kendall
February 24, 2012 at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
Very cool!
hilaryg
February 25, 2012 at 8:36 am (UTC -4)
William- the book is cool and so is the author
Susi
April 30, 2012 at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
Now I have read the book and completely agree with you. It is a page turner and I can’t wait to read Brenda’s other books from the first to the last!!!
hilaryg
May 1, 2012 at 8:21 am (UTC -4)
Susi – I told you! All her books are page turners… I have never read books so fast…. And I like the way she brings back characters….
RoryBore
April 30, 2012 at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
what a great party! great cupcakes, eh? (whoops, Canadian got out there for a moment!)
I have read her first 2 novels…..cannot wait to read this newest one and all the others.
hilaryg
May 1, 2012 at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
RoryBore – I love the line “whoops, Canadian got out there for a moment!” I spent the weekend with my Canadian friends – love the accent and especially love the way you guys say about…. Her books are great.. You will love them all! real page turners!
Marsha Cooper
April 30, 2012 at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
Wishing for me is right! (and in the case of this one—a different ending, but won’t say more than that for the sake of those who have yet to read the book)
hilaryg
May 1, 2012 at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
Marsha – I can understand… But I also can so see a sequl to follow up… and I think that would make it perfect…