Jen Barry

11 Songs that Should Have Hit Number 1 Before Taylor Swift’s Track 3

October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 by Jen Barry, posted in Artists, Music

Look, we all make mistakes. The problem with Taylor Swift’s mistake is that she and her record company made millions of dollars and probably pissed millions of people off.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it goes like this: She released an album with a fake-out track—Track 3—which consisted of 8 seconds of static. That’s it. And it charted. In fact, it hit number one on the Canadian iTunes chart. Guys. NUMBER ONE. FOR 8 SECONDS OF STATIC.

Do you know how many bands out there put out fantastic music and never once see their names on bestseller charts? It’s a lot. A LOT. So, I thought I’d share with you 11 songs that should have topped the charts before Taylor Swift’s Track 3. I mean, really, every song in the world should have, but these are some beautifully crafted pieces of music that deserve the accolades Swift’s 8 seconds of static is getting.

Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes Sun Goes Out

Swear and Shake Like You Do

Bobby Long Devil Moon

The Shins Simple Song

Johnny Flynn Lost and Found

Keri Noble Dancing in the Morning

Kiernan McMullan Can’t Sit Still

Various Cruelties Chemicals

Kate Tucker Where Are You

Jukebox the Ghost Girl

Colony House Keep On Keeping On

Now YOUR turn. Which songs would you have liked to see on the charts before Track 3?

ETA: Looks like iTunes may have been responsible for the glitch, but Swift and Company haven’t commented yet.

Early Praise for The Morning Star!

October 20, 2014 by Jen Barry, posted in Kingdom Series, The Morning Star

So, since the slightly early release of The Morning Star for Kindle, a few reviews have come in. I thought I’d share some of my favorite lines with you!

Between an incredibly likable female protaganist and her oh-so-desirable fairy king boyfriend, you’ll be swept away into an entirely believable fantasy. As Lily begins college at Julliard, she struggles with normal problems, like bullies in her classroom and the fact that an evil fairy queen is after her. Well, maybe some of her problems aren’t so ordinary. But this definitely isn’t an ordinary book, either. – Amazon reader

The long-awaited sequel to The Kingdom certainly doesn’t disappoint. – Goodreads reviewer

I loved how Jennifer pulls the Irish legends into America. It makes Ireland seem closer to home. I loved this story and could not put it down. I read it straight through. – Goodreads reviewer

Yay! Thanks so much to those who left lovely words about the book. I’m so glad to share these thoughts with all of you. If you’re waiting for the print version, no worries. The proof arrives this week, so it will be available soon!

The Morning Star Is (Almost) Here!

October 14, 2014 by Jen Barry, posted in Cover Reveal, Kingdom Series, The Morning Star

Wow. Well, this post has been a long time coming. I finished my first draft of The Morning Star back in 2010. Words flowed like water, and I finished the manuscript in less than three months. During my first round of edits, my laptop was stolen, along with the manuscript. Guys, I hadn’t backed up my story. All I had were bits and pieces I’d shared with my critique circle, but that didn’t even equal 5,000 words. I pretty much had to start over.

The second time through was much harder. Not only did my heart break every time I sat down to write, but I also couldn’t remember some of the amazing plot points I’d introduced (or solved) during my first go-round. I struggled through the second draft over the course of a year and a half, writing and rewriting as I remembered some of the more important details. In the meantime, I managed to write two other books straight through (and back them up DAILY to avoid further heartbreak), but The Morning Star was always there, screaming silently that it just wasn’t complete. A good friend talked me through some of the ideas I’d shared with her and reminded me of one I was so, so, so excited about, and that was it. I had the rest of the book.

Now, it’s here, finally. The second writing was brutal, but I feel the story is so much stronger. With the additional time, I was able to really flesh out some of the story, eliminate things that don’t matter in the long run, and really do Lily and Rioghan justice. I have to thank some INCREDIBLE people for their help in this journey – people who may not even realize how much they helped. As always, Melissa Fox, for her open and honest editing and her amazing friendship. Tiff Nichols, for always knowing where the commas go (and don’t go). Eva, Niki, Steph, and Gen for keeping me excited. And Grant Gill for this amazing cover.

The official release date is October 20, just in time for Halloween. That’s perfect, because this time, Lily and Rioghan investigate some American legends, like the Headless Horseman, and travel New England in the fall. I hope you’ll mark your calendars and pick up your copy when it becomes available. As always, it will be for sale on Amazon first, but you’ll eventually be able to get it from any of your favorite booksellers – both print and electronic.

Five Whole Books for .99!

October 2, 2014 by Jen Barry, posted in Uncategorized

The Oracles of St. Ambrose: Going Under is part of a five-book anthology, Bewitched Beginnings. The whole anthology is only .99 for a week. That’s five whole YA paranormal and fantasy books for less than one dollar. Click the cover below to buy!

Bewitched Beginnings: Five full length YA Paranormal novels included in one bundle. Delve into the supernatural worlds created by Angel Lawson, Magan McMinimy, Jennifer M. Barry, Erin Danzer and Sharon Rose Mayes and follow the stories of strong young men and women as they hold their own against the forces of nature.

Wraith by Angel Lawson

Freak. Weird. Crazy. These are the names tossed around seventeen-year old Jane Watts by her fellow classmates. But things aren’t always as they seem. Sometimes there’s a reason for talking to yourself in the hallway at school.

Jane struggles with adjusting to her new home and school after an abrupt move. She wants one thing in life—to be like everyone else at school, but that’s hard to do when you’re the new kid. But she does manage to make one friend, Evan—he’s sixteen, charming, and protective. Everything a girl could want in a best friend…with one minor caveat.

He’s dead.

Caught somewhere between life and death, Evan is tied to Jane and the living world unable to complete the journey to the other side. She thinks he’s here to be her friend, to take care of her, and that’s why no one can see or hear him.

That is until a new boy shows up at school after a rumored stretch in Juvie. Connor can see Evan and he’s not convinced the ghost is being completely honest. From his own experience ghosts tend to need something from the humans they connect to and Evan, despite his arguments isn’t any different.

Jane is resentful of Connor’s intrusion but realizes soon enough he’s right. Evan has secrets about his past and not only did his life end tragically but members of his family are still in danger. Jane must face her fears and battle Evan’s human demons to free both of them.

Going Under by Jennifer M. Barry

Chase Bradford, king of New York City’s high school elite, is dragged to Nashville for his senior year at St. Ambrose Academy. On his second day, the Queen Bee is found dead in the school swimming pool. Chase isn’t surprised, since he saw a vision on the water’s surface during swim practice just hours before Cheyenne died.

Before Chase can properly freak out, he discovers snarky writer Natalie and narcoleptic computer genius Bryan also possess unusual abilities. The three must work together to discover how Cheyenne died and why…before the killer can get away with it. But Natalie and Bryan are from different social circles and pose a threat to Chase’s elite status. High school politics are nothing new to Chase, but the psychic abilities are.

The list of suspects isn’t surprising, since few people actually liked the popular queen of the elite. Chase, Natalie, and Bryan follow every vision, every lead – even Cheyenne’s own father – right up to the shocking end.

Twins of Aurora by Magen McMinimy

Life seems relatively normal for eighteen-year-old Avalina, who spends most of her time hanging out with her outspoken best friend, Jess, her twin brother, Aiden, and his best friend, Nick. Avalina fights against the overwhelming crush she has on Nick, harassment from her cruel ex-boyfriend, and an over protective brother while trying to make it through her senior year of high school.

Their lives are forever changed when the mysterious Araios, who looks remarkably like Nick, appears at a party in their sleepy little town in Northern Idaho. Araios holds secrets Avalina has long forgotten, secrets of a past based in a world of magic, mythical creatures and a royal lineage.

Follow the group of friends as they travel through this thrilling new world while Avalina learns to control the magic she needs to save everyone from the darkness that threatens to destroy Aurora and all who live within it.

Into the Spiral by Erin Danzer

Being struck by lightning is just the beginning…

Seventeen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Lambert wants to get out from under her older brother’s shadow. When Ronnie gets a tattoo and then is struck by lightning, she suddenly finds herself able to see and hear things in shadows that don’t appear to others. Then Ronnie meets Gavin Clearwater, the hot new guy in all of her classes and finds out he can see and hear the same things she can.

Gavin tells her about the Spiral Defenders, a group of warriors that travels through space and time to defend the planets of the Spiral. After meeting the Commander of the Spiral Defenders and realizing his intentions might not be pure, Ronnie struggles between following her destiny to become a Spiral Defender and trying to regain the life she had before being struck by lightning.

Blood Pact by Sharon Rose Mayes

Riley Spencer has spent most of her life doing what is normal for her: attending school, spending time with her mother, and training to hunt vampires. It was how she grew up as part of the organization and when Nick comes to town and joins her team everything changes. Now Riley and the rest of her team begin to question everything they have learned about vampires and the organization that trained them to hunt the vampires that hide in the world.

Win a Kindle Fire!

You can win a Kindle Fire just by telling others about Bewitched Beginnings. The link for the Rafflecopter is below.

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Our Sweet Girl, Rosie

July 21, 2014July 21, 2014 by Jen Barry, posted in Uncategorized

Today we said goodbye to a long-time companion, our sweet girl, Rosie. Rosie was a rescue kitten who almost didn’t get rescued. Liam went with the intention of taking one cat, but after seeing shy, quiet Rosie in the corner of the cage, he thought again. After a week of agonizing, he had to go back and get her. And that’s how her life with Liam began.

When I met Rosie, she was skittish but accepting. We quickly became friends and went on several adventures together. She and her sister, Luna, moved with us to New Jersey and braved life with a dog for the first time. Then we all packed up and moved back to Tennessee after a year. By the time we settled here in Nashville, Rosie and I were tight. She still preferred Liam, but I suppose I could never fault her for that. He was her savior, after all.

Rosie was like a prize to all who visited. Because she was so shy, she rarely came out to greet anyone, preferring instead to hide under a bed or in a cabinet somewhere. Those precious few who did get to meet her and even spend time with her commented on her beauty, her gentle nature, and her silky soft fur.

Don’t be fooled into believing Rosie was a pushover, though. She knew how to stand her ground, especially when facing down Luna or the newest member of our family, Hurley. She was a fierce warrior when her turf was challenged but always returned to peaceful acceptance when the battle was over.

Liam had fourteen beautiful, loving years with his darling girl. I was fortunate to have almost ten. I can say with certainty we will never stop missing our sweet, fierce, loyal, shy, loving little girl, Rosie.