Migraine Awareness….

Tags

#amwriting, #wip, ACHE FOR ME, Aylesford, Burn, Camryn & Carter, migraine, Nate & Belle, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler

So, June is Migraine Awareness month and of course those of us with this affliction are well aware of them, but I have been especially knocked out this year. In fact, I am WAY behind on both books I’ve been working on–ACHE FOR ME and BURN– but as soon as they are actually books and not, well, the collection of chapters I have so far I will share them with you.

Actually, since I haven’t posted anything in, like, four months, maybe you’d like an excerpt or two? Yes?

ACHE FOR ME (The Everetts of Tyler, Book 4)

Carter feigned sleep as long as he could, wondering what was going through Camryn’s head as he did. She’d been sobbing the night before, obviously shaken, and he hadn’t known what to do for her besides gather her in his arms. The decision had been the right one, but it’d been torture for him holding her and knowing that was all he could ever do. When her fingers slid across his biceps, feeling the muscle for a moment before trailing to his shoulder, he had to make himself known or pin her to the bed and take what he wanted.

“Morning.”

Her hand immediately left his body. “Do you work out?”

She was wondering why he didn’t look like the nerdy pushover she remembered. He’d always stayed fit, but with brothers like his he’d been the runt. Smart, but not particularly athletic. In a family full of professional athletes, he was the one who played chess. He propped his head on one hand. “I’ve been learning martial arts with your brother.”

She laughed. “The doctor and the lawyer.”

“Caleb is the teacher. Mason and I are learning.”

“The doctor, the lawyer, and the banker?” She paused. “You’re lifting, too.”

“Gotta stay healthy,” he replied before steering the conversation away from his physique. He might be learning some moves, and he did have a weekly session with a trainer, but he wasn’t vain. “What do you say I make coffee?” he asked before rolling away. It was morning and he’d held Camryn in his arms all night. He needed to make a quick and inconspicuous exit before she noticed more than his muscles were hard.

BURN (Aylesford Book 1)

Giving up on sleep herself, Belle headed for the bathroom, dropping onto the low stool tucked under the built in vanity. She had the look of a woman well-loved, but she needed to get into the shower and get started on work. She had new inventory coming in for fall and nowhere to put it, so despite the lack of a building, she had a business to run. A chill snaked down her spine. Did the arsonist mean to kill her when he burned the store down? Everyone knew she lived above her shop. She rubbed her arms. This wasn’t mere destruction of property, this was attempted murder. Pure hate. Who hated her enough to kill her? And for lingerie and sex toys?

She shook her head. There was a strip club in Tyler, and at least two full-blown sex shops in Sheridan. She swallowed. Hers was the raciest store by far in Aylesford, but it was tasteful and her ads weren’t any more risqué than the national chains. Shit, the largest chain in the world had fashion shows with nearly naked women wearing wings on national television. Seduction was small potatoes compared to that. She shrugged. Maybe not such small potatoes in a conservative southern town.

She’d met some push-back when she’d first opened, but had paid it little mind. Women needed to feel sexy, and their men—or women, she wasn’t judgmental—ate it up. So, who, then? Who would try to kill her to prove a point, to drive her away or at least shut down her business? She rubbed her temples. She didn’t have the answers, but she had a lot of questions. It’d been three days since she lost her shop, and there was always Gabe’s theory the arson had something to do with Nate. He’d said he hadn’t dated in months because of her. She ignored the curl of warmth that settled in her belly at the thought. She hadn’t dated either because it was pointless. No other man had elicited the chemistry she had with Nate. She’d just ignored it for too long.

She tugged at her hair to get her mind back on track. If Gabe was right, maybe someone wanted her out of the way because she wanted Nate to herself. He was an incredible specimen of male perfection, but to kill to get him? She watched her expression sour as she thought about what happened to Mason Everett not long ago, and prayed Nate was safe.

Editing, Writing, and Reediting

Tags

#amediting, #amwriting, #wip, Burn, DANCE WITH ME, Nate & Belle, SPEEDING

Today was a rare grown-up snow day, and tomorrow will be as well.  Kentucky was slammed with a big winter storm and Lexington ended up with over ten inches of snow and a high in the teens, so everything shut down.  Given the chance to write instead of earning a real living today I tried to embrace it (well, around the barometric migraine) but all I managed to do was edit what was already there and decide that as much as I like the bones of this book, I’m not loving it the way it is.  This happened with Live For Me as well, so I’m not surprised, but I really don’t enjoy removing words when I feel like I should be adding them.

At the same time, I know Dance With Me is in need of some editing it didn’t get three years ago when I started this whole writing thing, and Speeding needs not only editing, but an actual ending, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Speeding might need to be wrapped before Burn can really move forward.  It’s a frustrating thought, but the Aylesford series really begins with Reid and Kendall.  So… yeah, I have a lot of work to do.

So… I suppose I should stop complaining and get back to work!

Questionable Calls, Misremembering, and Edits

Tags

#amediting, #amwriting, Aylesford, Brian Williams, Burn, Seahawks, Superbowl

Being a Seahawks fan has been a teeny bit difficult the past week, for the obvious reasons.  Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson and everyone else have defended the call to pass when it seems the entire world was screaming, “You should’ve run!” but one thing that rings true for me as a lifelong football fan and former tight end/wide receiver (totally not kidding– I also played hooker in rugby during college), is that if the play had worked as planned, it would’ve been a touchdown and no one would be saying anything.  Because Butler made a great play (a rookie corner with no interceptions until that spectacular one), the game was over.  It was probably the best Super Bowl in recent memory, a constant give and take by two incredibly well matched teams, and for that I am grateful.  Honestly, last year’s blowout by the Hawks was a bit boring and that’s coming from a fan.

This week also has one of the most respected newscasters on television turning out to be a little bit of a fiction writer.  Now, we all know the news is not just the facts, and there is always a slant depending on the particular channel or publication, but inserting oneself into a situation is certainly not the way to honor the veterans who were actually there.  Can Brian Williams recover from this?  Time will tell.

For me, well, I have been struggling with Burn for the last, well, forever.  I love Nate and Belle, but I’m not loving the way their story is turning out, and the villain is crazypants, but too prominent in the current version of the book.  So… you will be getting the first of the Aylesford Series this year, and hopefully the last of the Everett Series as well, but, well, not for a while.  Thank you for bearing with me– this whole working 40+ hours a week and raising children thing really gets in the way of writing– and I truly hope when I actually have a book ready, you’ll love it.  Until then, how about a snippet?

“So, now Gabe doesn’t think the arsonist is after you?” Belle asked, hating herself for the deflated feeling that came with the thought he might send her back to Claire’s.

“No one is sure anymore. He seems to think it’s sex, or at least things related to sex or sins being targeted, but that’s so broad, so crazy, I have no idea where to start.”

She gave him a saucy smile. “You’re about the sexiest thing in Aylesford, so you’re definitely in danger if that’s the case.”

He returned her wicked grin. “Likewise.”

She had to step away so she wouldn’t jump on him in the middle of a conversation that might mean both their lives were in danger. Her stomach pitched when she told him, “I’ll pack my things.”

The smile slid from his face, replaced with a fierce look. “You said you wouldn’t run.”

“Oh. I.” Her heart was beating double-time. He wasn’t going to send her away, and now he thought she didn’t want to be here.

“You’re mine, Isabelle Baxter.” His green eyes were intense as he laid his claim, but he didn’t move toward her.

“Yours?”

His brows furrowed. “Didn’t I make myself clear this morning?”

He hadn’t said much, but the intent was there, especially after she’d begged him to leave bruises. Still, she needed to hear the words. “You didn’t say—”

“Actions speak louder than words, sweets,” he told her before closing the space between them. “I can’t leave you vulnerable, and I refuse to let you go.”

She swallowed. She’d never seen him like this, determined and possessive, and she liked it. “I don’t want to go,” she started.

“Then don’t.”

“But if the arsonist is after me, I will not put you in danger.” She spun away from him. “If something happened to you because of me—”

He turned her to face him, cut her words off with a kiss. “You told me once that I put my life on the line for strangers all the time. Why shouldn’t I risk myself for you?”

She studied him, taking in the hard look in his eyes, the ticking muscle in his jaw. He was a firefighter, a hero, and she had hidden behind that, hidden from him for years because of that fact. Now that she had promised to accept his nature, his need to make a difference, to save people, she had to back up her words with actions. “What if you lose your home because of me?”

“A house can be rebuilt, Belle.” He pulled her to him again. “You can’t be replaced.”

“Neither can you,” she said quietly as she laid her head against his hard chest.

Well, hello there, 2015!

Tags

#amwriting, Aylesford Series, Burn, Happy New Year, resolutions, SPEEDING

Fourth quarter was a tough one for me, and I have not been blogging nor have I spent much time on social media. So, hi and Happy New Year!

One of my resolutions for this year is to write more– I’d really like to release more than one book this year!– and one of those books needs to be the as yet unfinished SPEEDING that started me on this journey. Looking at it now, I see it needs A LOT of editing and revision to go along with the final chapters, but that is something I would love to do this year. I will also be taking it down from the site in the next few weeks so when it is finished and released it won’t bring up any plagiarism alarms, and it will of course be free (charging for something I’ve offered for free for years seems a bit, um, wrong.)

BURN is first up, and it in full swing, with characters you know along with new ones that will anchor the Aylesford stories. That said, how about a snippet with some old and new characters?

“You’re living with Nate? Oh my god!” Kendall shrieked as she sat down to lunch, meeting Belle, Claire, and Taylor.
Belle felt her cheeks heat with color. “It’s not like that.” At the disbelieving looks of her friends, she gave in. “Okay, it’s kinda like that, but not.”
“Sure, that makes sense,” Taylor commented, a smile on her lips.
Belle took a deep breath, held it a moment, blew it out and tried to explain. “He wants to keep me safe. After my building was burned down, they’re worried.”
“So, naturally, you move in with a yummy firefighter you’ve had the hots for forever,” Taylor finished.
“And the other part? Where you said it’s kinda like that?” Claire asked.
“We kissed last night, and let’s just say…” Was there really a word to describe it? She settled on, “Wow.”
“That’s all you’re giving us? Really, Belle?” Claire complained.
“How’s Owen these days?”
“Touché, sister mine.”
“That’s what I thought.” She stared her little sister down. “You’d better not forget.”
“Tell!” Kendall ordered.
Claire looked away, took a breath. “Belle made me promise to go after Owen if she took a step with Nate.”
Kendall and Taylor both gasped at that. “What? You’re dating Daniel,” Kendall sputtered.
“He’s boring!” Belle drew the word out.
“Boring, huh?” Taylor asked, eyes on Claire.
“Total vanilla, home to watch TV by nine, meatloaf every Wednesday, boring,” Belle continued with a smirk.
“Maybe not that boring,” Claire defended halfheartedly. “He’s just so… So…,” she trailed off to search for a word.
“Just so-so?” Taylor asked.
“We broke up this morning. It was,” she paused, “really easy.”
“He wasn’t feeling it either?” Kendall asked.
“Guess not,” Claire agreed with a shrug. “We were much better friends than lovers.” She blew her hair out of her eyes. “We really weren’t great lovers.”
“So, what’s your plan, baby sister?”
Claire shook her head, her cloud of dark hair flying. “I called him.” Three sets of eyes focused on her as she swallowed and continued, “I left him a message and asked him to call.”
“A message?” Belle repeated.
“I called his office.” When Belle rolled her eyes, Claire added, “After hours. Tonight.”
“Please tell me you left him your cell.”
“I’m doing this, Belle. I’m making the first move. I’m sorry if it’s not as big as you moving in with your lickable firefighter, but I’m doing it.”
“Good for you,” Kendall encouraged.

If Weather Could Kill….

Tags

#amwriting, #snippetSunday, Burn, Nate & Belle, snippet

This summer has been especially brutal for me as one of my biggest migraine triggers is barometric pressure changes.  I have managed to add to BURN, but although I’m not as far along as I’d like this book shouldn’t take a year and a half to land on your ereader of choice (probably.)

So… What do you say to a hot snippet from BURN?

She crept into Nate’s room, stopping to take in the smörgåsbord of muscle lying among the twisted bedclothes. Intellectually, she knew fighting fires was hard work, understood that he worked hard for the rippled abs and bulging biceps, used them to do good work, but as a woman she couldn’t help but sigh. This is how men were meant to be built. Strong, protective, unyielding. She couldn’t wait to trace the furrows with her tongue, to line up his rock solid body with her much softer one. She’d taken two steps toward him when he startled her, his voice low and roughened with sleep. “You’d better be ready.”

“I’m here,” she answered, suddenly unsure of herself, all the reasons she’d stayed away swirling in her mind.

“You have about five seconds to leave,” Nate said, an almost menacing edge to his voice.

She swallowed, grateful for the darkness surrounding them. Hopeful she sounded confident, she promised, “I’m not leaving.”

“Then come here and let me touch you. I’ve been dying to touch you,” he growled, and she was powerless to deny him. She closed the space between them, vaguely aware she was holding her breath. If he had been dying to touch her, so too had she been desperate to touch him. He rose from the bed, his gloriously naked chest rising and falling with short pants, his fully aroused cock tenting his boxers. Her mouth watered. She wanted to lick him all over, to take him down her throat, to feel him explode within her, swallow his salty essence, but all she could do was stare.

“Come here,” he commanded and she obeyed. As soon as she was within touching distance he had her plastered to him, his mouth on hers. He devoured her, exploring her with his tongue, owning her mouth, stealing her breath. She wrapped her arms around his strong neck and jumped, throwing her legs around his waist. He was so strong he held her easily, allowing her to climb him like a tree.

He continued to ravage her mouth as he turned and pressed her to the bed. “I have dreamed of you here,” he whispered. “Tell me you’re really here.”

(c) Hayden Braeburn

 

Holy Overbooked Summer, Batman!

Tags

#amwriting, #wip, Burn, Nate & Belle, snippet

Ya know how those short people who eat money in your house take all your time?  Well, why is summer worse than the school year?  LOL.  I love Girlchild, but I think we’re going to need a driver just to take her to all her scheduled events, and when you add Boychild to the mix, well, we’d better open up an account for lunches and gas money.  *sigh*

So, instead of listening (well, okay, reading) me lament about my wonderfully popular kiddos, how about a snippet from BURN?

 “Uncle Nate, Uncle Nate!” the children screamed in unison as they jumped into his open arms. She guessed them to be about seven or eight, cute as hell, and they obviously adored their uncle.

“You guys are so big!” he exclaimed when he caught them, feigning falling over. “I won’t be able to pick you both up before too long.”

“Nu-uh,” the girl protested. “You’re strong!”

“The strongest man ever!” The little boy chimed in. “You’re stronger than Superman!”

“Nah,” Nate disagreed. “I’m not that strong.”

“You save people,” the little girl said. “Momma says you’re a superhero.”

She liked the sound of that, even if it made her stomach turn to think about him running into burning buildings.   

Villains Running Amok!

Tags

#amwriting, #wip, Burn, Nate & Belle, snippet, villains

I’ve been working on BURN for the last few days, and I have to say the villain has been running amok.  It’s not a bad thing, but I keep having to go back and rethink/rework the story line every so often.  When it’s finally finished, I hope it will be a book worth reading, and I have to say the Aylesford series is shaping up to be more on the Erotic Romance side of things, although definitely with suspense and action (surprise!).  So, since I’m off-schedule blogging, and I need to go get ready to go to the day job (which I really do love, ignore me when I whine), I will leave you with a snippet.

 Nate stood beside Gabe, the damage to the building appalling. They’d fought the fire hard and technically won, but Juliette Jamieson had a lot of clean up and rebuilding to do before she could teach here again. He turned to his friend. “What the hell kind of connection is there between a lingerie shop and a school of dance?”

Gabe thought about that for a moment before answering, “Sex and dancing are sins?”

Sins? “Are you kidding me?”

The large man frowned. “No. The church Liza belonged to before she met me wouldn’t even allow ballerinas to join.”

He must’ve spent Sunday school learning about the Golden Rule or miracles or something. “So, Belle’s store sells sex,” he thought back to those Sunday school lessons, “or lust, and Juliette teaches dance?” He paused. “That’s not one of the deadly sins. That much I remember.”

“But dancing is sexy.”

He thought most dancing was boring, but who was he to judge? “If this arsonist is targeting sexy things, we have a problem.” Aside from the absurdity of the idea, sexiness wasn’t universal. “What class was Juliette teaching when the alarm went off, anyway?”

A strange expression lit Gabe’s face before he answered. “See, there’s where my theory came from,” he started, his face unreadable. “She had a guest teacher scheduled to teach—get this—cardio pole-dance.”

“Cardio what now?”

An Interview, a Guest Post, and a Snippet

Tags

Author Interview, Burn, Just Romantic Suspense, Kame, Romantic Suspense, The Book Queen

An interview, a guest post, and a snippet walk into a bar…

No, really, this week I was interviewed by Kame and The Book Queen, so if you want to know more about me, check that out here: 

I also guest blogged at Just Romantic Suspense, talking about my books and how Haleigh is giving me fits so LIVE FOR ME isn’t finished yet.  I hate that I missed my intended release date, but I’d much rather give you the story Haleigh and Caleb want to tell instead of something forced and, well, crappy.  Check that post out here: 

And, since it’s Wednesday, a snippet from BURN!

 “Sister mine, you’ve got classic abandonment issues. I personally think Nate’s a great guy, and, good Lord is he beautiful, so I say go for it.”

“Tell me again why you dropped out of school?” Belle asked, letting what her sister said roll around in her head. Claire knew her so well, and was the only person who would would dare bring up Mitchell Baxter’s death in her presence. Nate was right when he’d challenged her. She’d be a mess if something happened to him whether or not they were dating, even if she ran away to Australia and never saw him again. So, why not try? Good Lord, she wanted to try. But if he got tired of her, where would she be?

“I didn’t drop out. I took a break.”

“For five years?”

Claire pinned her with a chastising look. “Shut-up. I love my shop.”

Despite Claire’s extended break from school, Belle knew her sister lived to brighten people’s days with flowers. “I know, I’m just giving you hell.” She sat on Claire’s cheery yellow couch. Why had she never noticed everything here was yellow? She sighed. The resistance she’d had to Nate wasn’t just about his heroics. “If I love him, and he leaves me…” she trailed off.

“What if he doesn’t? What if he’s your Forever?”

What a thought. “What if he’s not?”

 

This Working for a Living Thing is Overrated

Tags

Burn, Dance With Me Free, free ebook, Night Owl Reviews, snippet, Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt

So, last week I worked like the proverbial dog, and didn’t get much writing, editing, facebooking, blogging, or actual living done.  Today I’m writing, but as I am behind on Live For Me, I’m afraid the release date will have to be pushed back.  As soon as I have a light at the end of the tunnel (ha, look at me and the cliches today), I will give you the updated release date.  *sigh*

Good news?  Well, I can give you a snippet, at least.

 Belle smoothed the borrowed t-shirt dress she wore, laughing a little as she did. She and Claire certainly resembled one another with dark hair, tawny eyes and pale skin, but Belle was three inches taller and more than a cup size bigger. She grimaced into the full length mirror. The green was flattering, but the dress was too tight across her breasts, a little baggy in the middle, and very, very short. She sighed. It would have to do for now. She shuddered at the idea of buying bras and panties from a department store, but she didn’t have a choice unless she planned to go commando for at least week. As she slid her feet into a pair of flip-flops that almost fit, she opened her tiny borrowed purse and laughed again. Claire had tucked a couple hundred dollars, a pack of gum, and a note that read, “You’re strong, you rock, and you’ll get through this,” inside. God, she loved her baby sister.

At the sharp knock on the door, she opened it to find not one, but two drool-worthy men on the other side. “Morning, boys.”

Nate and Gabe stood together, grim looks on their handsome faces. This couldn’t be good. She opened the door wider to allow them in. “Spill.”

Instead of answering her, Nate growled, “You’re not going out dressed like that.”

She knew it didn’t fit well, and the lack of undergarments was more apparent than she’d wanted, but she couldn’t go out in pajamas or a bathrobe, so here she was. “What do you suggest I wear? I don’t exactly have much to choose from.” She tilted her head, watching his reaction as Gabe chuckled in the background.

“Honey, I will buy you whatever you need, but you can’t go out like that.”

She was afraid she’d melt under the heat in his eyes and wished she were wearing underwear for fear of the wet spot she was sure she’d make if she sat down. She brushed her hair off her face, pulling the dress taut over her aroused nipples and heard Nate’s shaky breath. Excitement slid through her body. How she’d love to give in, just once. Oh, who was she kidding? Once wouldn’t even be close to enough. Pushing the thoughts aside, she quirked a brow. “Okay, I’ll let you take me shopping.” He opened his mouth to argue but she rolled right over him, “But first, you have to tell me why you’re both here.”

Oh!  And one more thing before I sign off for a while– DANCE WITH ME is FREE on Amazon, Smashwords, ARe, and Kobo!  Feel free to share, gift, or delete your copy and redownload the free version to help Dance climb the charts!  (Hey, it’s a thought, right?)

And…. Don’t forget about the Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt!  TONS of prizes up for grabs, and great reads!

Being Sick Sucks!

Tags

being sick sucks, Burn, flu, Live For Me, Sevens, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know I was out sick all of last week with penicillin-resistant strep AND the flu. (I know, I’m an overachiever, aren’t I?)  So, I’m behind on my writing schedule, not to mention life in general, so I apologize if I don’t update as much as usual.

That said, since I was tagged in a game of Sevens this week, I think I’ll give you a little more than the seven sentences I put on my Facebook wall.

Caleb knew he had to relax, but knowing and doing were entirely different things. He hated what Dylan was relaying to him through his office phone, hated that Cass had nearly been killed he wasn’t sure how many times in one day, but Dylan swore she was safe now. There was something else in the Ranger’s voice he couldn’t pinpoint, but it didn’t matter too much. Nugget was found, she was safe, and her injuries would hurt, but weren’t life-threatening. He sighed. His family had been through so much in the last few weeks, first with Mason, then the destruction of his parent’s house, and now Cassidy. He ran a hand down his face. How much more would they have to go through? At least his sister had a big man ready, willing, and more than capable of killing for her.

His thoughts went to Haleigh. How could anyone hurt her badly enough to elicit a panic attack from the mere thought of danger? He remembered she had a daughter, a tiny carbon copy of herself and his blood went hot. Someone, presumably her baby’s father, had hurt her. Had he hurt the baby? For the third time today he found himself wanting to know her story and turned around to talk to the woman in question, instead finding an empty room.  

 “Why would someone target me? We’re not even involved.” Not in person, at least.

“When the two of you are in the same place, anyone within ten feet of you is in danger of catching fire.” Gabe let out a bark of laughter. “Hell, I’m surprised this house is still standing.” He shook his head at both of them. “Why have you fought it so hard?”

Nate muttered, “I don’t know,” at the same time Belle shot him a look that said, “shut-up.”

“Evidently it didn’t do any good, since whoever is after you torched her place anyway,” Gabe said, all humor gone from his voice.

She turned to face Nate then, searched his impossibly handsome face for answers. “Why is someone after you? Are you safe?”

He gathered her to himself again. “I don’t know.” She winced when she heard herself whimper, and he explained, “I don’t know who might be after me or why, but I swear I’ll keep you safe.”

She felt safe in his arms. “Only if you keep yourself safe, too.” She pulled away enough to look at him. Taking a deep breath, she decided to explain herself. “I know why I’ve fought this,” she whispered.

He brought his face down to hers, his lips a fraction of an inch above hers. “Why?”

“You put yourself on the line to save others everyday. I can’t love you just to lose you. I can’t do what my mother did.”