Hayden Braeburn's Blog, page 4

Argh!

^ Sad, but 100% true.

I’ve been wresting with both books this week, maybe because I’m buried to my neck in RL work, so yesterday I sat down to examine the plot twists in both Live For Me and Burn.  (Hence the very silly, but true meme up there).  Good news?  I am happier and in a better place with both books.  Bad news?  Cross your fingers that Live For Me will come out on the new, updated release date…  If it’s ready, then it will.  If it’s not?  Well, it won’t.  I’d rather give you a book I feel is good than one that is on time (and I’m sure you’d appreciate that as well.)

So… Since it’s been so long since my last post…  a snippet from Live For Me.

“Why, Caleb?” she asked. “Why have we become your pet project?”

He had to sit down. “You can’t believe that. Not after all this time.”

“There’s nothing else it could be.” She paced away from him, her long legs eating up the small living room as she did. “You’re not Georgia’s father, and you can’t be interested in me,” she continued.

He bolted from the couch at her belittling of herself, crossed the room to stand before her. “What makes you think I can’t be interested in you?”

She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. “I am, well, I’m plain.”

“Plain?” He raked his gaze over her features, from her shiny blonde hair to her sapphire eyes to her full, pink lips. “He was blind, Angel.” He continued his perusal of her, from her graceful neck, to her plump, high breasts, to her slightly rounded stomach, and long, long legs. “I have always been interested, Angel.” He tilted her chin to look straight into her eyes. “If I thought you’d let me, I’d kiss you right now.”

 

 

 

Tagged: #amwriting, Haleigh and Caleb, Live For Me, plot twists, snippet

An Interview, a Guest Post, and a Snippet

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?”

 

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

This Working for a Living Thing is Overrated

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!

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

Celebrating 10 Years!

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. This song makes me think of him, and since I reeeeeally need to be in the writing cave today, this is probably my shortest post to date.

Love and hugs to you all– I will share a snippet Wednesday!

Tagged: 10 years, anniversary, This Life Would Kill Me, Thompson Square

Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt!

Today’s post will be short and sweet (I seem to be doing that a lot lately), but it’s super fun.  I (and a bunch of other fab authors) are part of the Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt over at Night Owl Reviews, and there are ah-MAZE-ing prizes!  So… yeah, click that link up there and enter!

Okay, so that was probably the shortest post ever, wasn’t it?  How about if I give you an excerpt from Live For Me?  Will that make up for it?

“The Everetts don’t care about things like that. Hell, if I were ten years younger, I’d go after him.”

“You wouldn’t need to be younger,” Haleigh started with a shake of her head. Robin was thirty-five to Caleb’s thirty, and not old by any stretch of the imagination.

“No, it would have to be you. That man has never had a steady girlfriend—and I can’t tell you the last time I recall him having a date—yet it’s been over a month of spending every non-working moment with you and your daughter. That means something, Hales.”

She smiled at the nickname. “It means I ought to spare him my drama.”

“If he didn’t want your drama, he wouldn’t be there.” She placed her hands on Haleigh’s arms, forced her to look her in the eye. “I know you think you hide it well, but anyone who knows you, who cares about you, who has spent more than ten minutes in your company, knows your life before was bad. No one knows the story, but we all know there is one.”

She’d begun to wonder what the town knew, but she wasn’t telling, and they weren’t asking. “It’s not important.”

“If it keeps you from doing what you want, from living your life, then it is important.” She bit her lip. “What’s that saying? You can’t move forward while looking over your shoulder? The past is the past, and you can’t change it. The future hasn’t happened, but you can control what choices you make.” She paused at Haleigh’s slight nod. “You deserve to be happy.”

Tagged: Live For Me, Night Owl Reviews, snippet, Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt

Best Indie Romantic Suspense Nominee!

I can hardly believe it, but Fight For Me is one of three books nominated for as one of the best indie Romantic Suspense books of the year!  Of course, since it’s a reader’s choice, there were some awesome readers who nominated Cassidy and Dylan’s story, and hopefully we’ll be able to hold our own against some amazing competition.

So, for this very short blog post, I give you the link (the badge above takes you to the category list), and if you feel inclined to vote for me and Fight For Me, you have my thanks and appreciation.

Now, it’s off to work on Live For Me, or Caleb’s story will never be finished!

Tagged: Indie Romance Convention, Indie Romance Reader's Choice Awards, Reader's Choice Award

Awesome Reviews at The Jeep Diva!

Both Everetts of Tyler books were reviewed by The Crazy Granny over on The Jeep Diva this week, and Dance came away with 4.5 Stars while Fight received 5 Stars!

Read both reviews here:

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The Jeep Diva

Great reviews aside, I haven’t been writing like I’d like on Live For Me– although I am making progress, there is a slight chance the release date may have to be pushed back a bit.  We’ll see how Haleigh and Caleb (and Georgia) work out their lives (and if they work them out well together with no gaping plot holes, crappy dialogue, or stupid grammar…)  That said, today’s snippet!

She was cleaning up her office when a chill crawled up her spine, making her turn to look out the door and down the hall. Instincts on high alert, she took a deep breath to keep from panicking and searched the corridor for something or someone out of place. Finding nothing, she returned to her office, but the unease didn’t dissipate. Afraid something had happened to Georgia, she fished her phone from her bag.

“Mommy!” Georgie greeted from Caleb’s phone.

“Hi, baby. Are you having fun?”

“We seed a billion animals!”

“A billion?”

“Uh-huh. And we had hot dogs and ice cream!”

At least she could say Caleb was true to his word. “I’m happy you’re having such a good time, baby girl. Can I talk to Dr. E?”

She heard Georgia tell Caleb it was his turn, and braced herself for the sound of his deep voice in her ear. “We’re fine, Mommy,” Caleb said through a laugh when he took the phone from Georgia.

“I wasn’t worried,” she denied, causing his laughter to intensify.

“Yes you were, and that’s okay.”

She sighed. “Having fun, Doc?”

“More than I thought possible. I promise she’s fine, and I won’t let anything happen to her. You don’t have to worry, Angel.”

It was silly that his endearment made her feel better. Ignoring the niggling sensation something was still wrong, she said, “I’m glad you’re enjoying the zoo. I’ll see you both after work.”

 

 

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, DANCE WITH ME, Fight For Me, Five Star Reviews, Live For Me, reviews, Saturday Snippet, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler, The Jeep Diva

Wednesday (barely) Snippet!

The small brunette smiled broadly as she walked into the therapy space. “So, m’dear, make a move on the doctor you had your eye on yet?” she asked with no preamble.

She shook her head, her ponytail flopping around behind her as she did. “Not really,” she half-answered. She didn’t want to tell Robin that Caleb had been living with her for a month, yet she’d never even brought herself to touch him, let alone make a move.

Robin squared her shoulders, raising herself to her full five foot one. “C’mon, Haleigh, you can’t just let him get away. What if he’s interested?”

“Why would a man like Caleb be interested in me?” she asked, her hand flying to her mouth when she realized she’d named him.

“Caleb Everett?” Robin asked, eyes wide. “Word is he hasn’t been home at all in the last few weeks.” She shot Haleigh a sly look. “Where exactly has he been all this time?”

“I don’t know,” she lied, but knew Robin didn’t believe her. She doubted she was very convincing anyway. She’d been lying for years, but even if she’d given an Oscar-worthy performance, she’d opened her mouth and blurted his name.

The other woman made a scoffing noise. “How can you believe he isn’t interested if he’s been staying with you for so long?” She tilted her head to study Haleigh. “Do you not see how beautiful you are? God, I’d kill for skin like yours, and imagine if you wore a little makeup.” She paused. “You’d be a knockout.”

A knockout? “Are you on painkillers?”

Robin’s face scrunched up at the question. “You really don’t see it, do you?”

See what? She was pale, with blonde hair that badly needed a trim, blue eyes that were too close together, lips that were too full, breasts that were too small, and hips that were too wide. “I’m certainly no model.”

“That’s what you think. I say you let me make you over. See what happens then.”

She eyed her patient and friend, a woman who always looked put together even when she came in for sessions, her hair perfect, her makeup artfully applied. “Maybe I should.”

“You bet you should. You’ll knock his socks off.”

Even if she did, she had no idea what to do with him afterward. She winced inwardly. For a woman who’d been married for three years, she had absolutely no idea what to do with a man who didn’t just take whatever he wanted. Caleb wasn’t the type to take, he was the type to give, and that scared her more than anything else.

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Book 3, Caleb and Haleigh, Live For Me, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler, Wednesday WIP

Let’s Take a Minute to Talk About Piracy

Yesterday I found that both Dance With Me and Fight For Me were available at multiple pirate sites, and Fight alone has been downloaded more than 30,000 times.  Oh, I know not all those downloads would’ve been sales, but Fight is $2.99, and I haven’t sold anywhere near that many copies through the legitimate stores where it is available–Amazon, B&N, ARe, Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks– EVERYWHERE, so it’s incredibly perplexing to me.

The thing that is most bothersome is that even if 10% of those downloads had been through a legitimate store, that would’ve been about $6,000 in my account.

God, I wish I hadn’t done that math just now.

As an indie author, that’s not money coming out of a publisher’s pocket, that’s money coming out of my own pocket, money that would be used to support my family, and I know the majority of other authors on all the pirate sites aren’t millionaires either.  All of us–traditionally or indie published– have bills to pay and families to feed, and aren’t lounging around on a resort somewhere thinking up our next blockbuster.

So, before I put my soapbox away, I’d like to point out that most readers wouldn’t dream of pulling a paperback off a shelf and walking out of the store with it, and ebook piracy is the exact same thing.  It doesn’t seem so since it’s not a physical item, but stealing is stealing.  It just is.

Also, just one more thing before I put up my soapbox and get back to writing.  Books take a long time to write, and need things like editing, cover art, and other important aspects before publication.  For indie authors, that’s all paid upfront by us before we make one cent from the book.

Generally we price lower than the NY market, but let’s stop to think about something for a moment:

Food for thought, yes?

Okay, rant over, soapbox put away.  Time to get back to writing Live For Me.  I’ll be back Wednesday with a snippet!

Tagged: ebook piracy, Food for thought, Indie Authors, Let's Take a Minute, Piracy

Great Reviews!

Um, I am REALLY late in writing this post, but I hope you forgive me.  Fight For Me was featured on Kindles and Wine with a 4.5 star review AND on TBQ’s Book Palace with a 4 star review last weekend (see, I told you I was late!)  Hopefully, the tweeting and facebooking (yeah, that’s totally a word), sent you over there, but in case you missed them, here are the links:

I have also been working too much, and not writing enough this week, so today’s snippet is a short one.  Chris Delmonico’s POV showed up in this book, too (gotta love a persistent man, dontcha?), and we learn a little more about his family and his past in this book.  (For all you Chris lovers out there (I’m looking at you, Heather), I promise his book is coming this year, but BURN is necessary first, I swear).

Chris Delmonico brushed graham cracker crumbs from his jeans. When he’d pushed for this assignment, he hadn’t really thought it through beyond catching the asshole preying on preschoolers, but after being snotted on, painted, whined at, and bitten, he was ready for a break.

“Mister Chris?” a little redheaded girl he was fairly certain was named Ainsley asked while tugging on his hand. “I hafta go potty.”

Yeah, being a detective was awesome. Everything he ever wanted. “Okay, sweetie, let’s go.” He stood up to walk her to the kid sized bathroom inside the classroom, praying she was as well potty-trained as she was supposed to be. He knew one day he might want kids of his own, and he liked them—really, he did—but a room full of other people’s children, not related to him in any way, grated on his nerves.

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, 4 stars, 4.5 Stars, Chris Delmonico, Kindles and Wine, Live For Me, review, snippet, TBQ, The Book Queen, The Everetts of Tyler