Category: Kingdom Series

Early Praise for The Morning Star!

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!

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The Morning Star Is (Almost) Here!

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.

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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.

The New Cover!

by Jen Barry, posted in Books, Kingdom Series, Martin Sisters Publishing, Uncategorized

Check out the new cover for the edited, expanded, new edition of The Kingdom, coming VERY SOON (like, maybe even tomorrow). Special thanks to artist Tali Pryor and designer Melissa Newman. Let me know what you think!

Taking Your Requests

by Jen Barry, posted in Books, Kingdom Series, Martin Sisters Publishing, Music, Side Effects

I feel like a radio DJ, taking requests for blog topics, but the truth is that I just didn’t know what to blog about. To my utter disappointment, Liam has followed his beer-making instructions step by step, so there have been no major mishaps. With nothing else to talk about, I had to ask on Twitter what people might want to read. My first request was to discuss some of my upcoming projects. This makes me happy. I love talking about what I’m working on.

First of all, I know that some people may be waiting to hear some news about The Kingdom and The Morning Star. There will be official news very soon, but I can tell you that the series will now be published through Martin Sisters Publishing. The first book has gone through a total re-edit, complete with some additional content – though not so much that anyone who has the first edition will miss out.  While reworking the first book, I’ve also been working on the edits for The Morning Star so that the quality carries through the series. I hope people are still eager to learn more about Rioghan an Lily, and I’m so glad I have a chance to do this right through Martin Sisters.

There is also a follow up to Side Effects in the works. I’m seventy-five percent through with the first draft of Soundtrack. As with Side Effects, this novel will deal with teenagers who have very real problems. Though it’s not exactly a sequel, Isaac and Grace lovers will get to read some more about them through the eyes of new characters in the same universe.  Becky Honeycutt and Travis Robinson, who were both mentioned briefly in the first novel, are teens from different social circles who take the time to learn more about each other. Travis, the popular, basketball-playing bully, suffers from ADHD–

We interrupt this program to bring you the news of a triumph in the kitchen. Jen Barry managed to create Chicken Parmesan for the tenth time without burning it. Her husband announced that it was “delish.”

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog, already in progress.

–and Becky, the invisible girl, learns how to help him through his studies using music therapy. It’s been a lot of fun researching the disorder and getting to know these characters. I think people will love these new characters as much as they love Isaac and Grace, if not more.

I’ve also completed the first book in a new series, which will be called The Oracles of St. Ambrose. This series will focus on three teens with extraordinary powers and how they learn to trust their abilities and each other to solve mysteries. There’s already a page for it here on the site, so you can learn more about the first book, Going Under. I hope people will love Chase, Cinnamon, and Bryan as much as I do.

I’ve also got a few books for adults in the works, though these are moving a little more slowly. Jinx is the story of a ridiculously unlucky girl and how she learns to live with her misfortune and love in spite of it. I’m also constantly writing and rewriting a book set in my hometown of Oakdale. With factual elements and a fictional plot, the lines keep blurring too much for comfort. It’s a labor of love, and I won’t put it out there until I get it just right. Finally, there is a collaboration with an author friend, but that’s a secret.

With so much going through my head at any given moment, I often just spend my time with the character who is speaking the loudest. Sometimes I take six months to a year to finish the first draft of a project, and every once in a while, I sit down and write straight through one in a month. One thing is for sure; I have plenty to be going on with. I don’t imagine I’ll stop writing any time soon!