Hayden Braeburn's Blog, page 5

Holy Crap!

Excuse me while I pinch myself….  Nope, it’s real.  Fight For Me is nominated as one of Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews BEST OF 2012 in Contemporary Mainstream.  See, I’m not making it up, I swear:

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews BEST OF 2012. Voting closes 2/17

The field is chock full of amazing authors and books, and although I always thought actors were full of it when they said, “It’s an honor to be nominated,” I now know it’s true!  I mean Jill Shalvis is on the list, and Robyn Carr, and a whole bunch of other amazeball authors.  Also on that list is a friend of mine, Julieanne Reeves and her Romantic Suspense, Razing Kayne.  (Yup, that’s a buy link.  I’m nice like that).  Fellow Kentucky Independent Writer, Kallypso Masters is nominated for BDSM (that link is for the first in her series– if you haven’t read her series, read it in order), and every single book on the list is a winner and worth adding to your TBR pile.

And now, since it’s been a long time since I’ve given you a snippet…

Her lips were compressed, her shoulders tight, and he knew it was killing her to leave the baby with him. He also knew she had little choice, and so did she. When she finally gave him a quiet, “Maybe,” it was as good as done.

Georgie’s face broke into a broad grin. “Pomise?” she asked as she wrapped herself around his leg. “I wanna see monkeys, and giraffes, and ephalants!”

He hauled her back into his recently vacated arms. “Yes, baby doll. We can see all the animals.” He still couldn’t believe he was looking forward to a day at the zoo as much as the preschooler he held. “And we can have hot dogs for lunch.” He ignored Haleigh’s choked sound at the mention of processed meat and added, “Ice cream, too.”

“Wet’s go now!” Georgia practically yelled in his ear. At least one Carlisle was excited.

Haleigh was still visibly agitated, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. Sure, he was aware he’d stirred the pot throwing in hot dogs and ice cream, but she needed to trust him. Not only was a doctor, he’d never let anything happen to any little girl, much less one he tucked in at night.

 

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Best of 2012, Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews, Live For Me, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler

*Cough*

So… I recovered from the whole strep/flu sickastravaganza, and now I’m–you guessed it– coughing! It’s terrible! I’m drugged, and I refuse to miss work, but it’s not what I’d call pleasant or fun.

I have also been behind writing Live For Me, so let’s hope Caleb and Haleigh’s story is ready for editing by the beginning of April.  Otherwise… Yeah, let’s not talk about otherwise just yet.

Speaking of Live For Me, a snippet:

He was always amazed by how quickly she could go from a tantrum to excitement, but he nodded instead of laughing. “Yes, baby. I hoped your mommy could come with us, but she needs to work.”

“Mommy, you hafta go,” Georgie directed, her bossy tone nearly making him laugh again.

“I can’t, sweetie.” Haleigh’s hair flew around her face as she shook her head. “Mommy has responsibilities,” she went on, slicing Caleb with an icy look.

Georgia’s bottom lip came out in a pout again. “Working is icky.”

This time he did laugh. “Indeed, my little baby doll.” He hugged her close before she wiggled to be put down. “Mommy needs to make people feel better.”

“Nuh-uh. Mommy’s not a doctor. She’s a ferpist.”

“A therapist,” Haleigh corrected. “Mommy has people on her schedule, and she can’t just bail.” She glared at Caleb. “Mommy has bills to pay.”

 

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Caleb and Haleigh, cough, Live For Me, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler

Being Sick Sucks!

So, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know I was out sick all of last week with not only 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 Facebook this week.

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.”

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

Happy New Year!

So, the world didn’t end (shocker!), and we’re headed into 2013.  What do I have planned for this coming year?  Let’s see…

April 30th– Live For Me, The Everetts of Tyler Book 3

June– Burn (Aylesford Series)

August– Neighborhood Watch (Aylesford Series)

October– Book 4 of The Everetts of Tyler, originally titled Burn For Me, but that may change.

So, are you now asking, “Hey, what’s this Aylesford Series?”  Well, it’s a series based in Aylesford (no way!).  The first one, Burn, is centered on firefighter/EMT Nathan Reynolds and lingerie shop owner Isabelle Baxter.  I haven’t worked the blurb to a point where I’m happy with it yet, but I will soon.  For those of you who have read Fight For Me, Neighborhood Watch was teased at the end.  This one focuses on Detective Chris Delmonico and Nate’s sister Allison Reynolds Quinn.

“Okay, so what’s with the title change for Camryn’s book?”  My thought was having a book titled Burn and another one titled Burn For Me, even if they are separate but interrelated series wasn’t a great idea.

And with that, I need to get back to writing Live For Me and Burn and agonizing about the title of the next Everett book!  Best wishes to everyone for a safe and prosperous 2013.

Oh, you wanted a snippet?  Okay then…  Why not one from Burn?

Isn’t the cover awesome?  Another Jimmy Thomas pic and Jodi Jo design!

 He tossed his hands in the air. “I haven’t even been on a date in months because of you.”

Her heart nearly stopped beating. “Right. Women are always throwing themselves at you.” She adopted a high pitched voice, “Nate is sooo hot! Nate is sooo brave!”

She could tell he almost laughed, but thought better of it. Instead he raised an eyebrow at her. “Oh, do they say that?”

She pushed at his solid chest. “You know they do.”

“And it bothers you?”

“Hell yes it does.” Dammit.   

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Aylesford, Burn, Happy New Year, Jimmy Thomas cover, snippet, The Everetts of Tyler

‘Tis the Season

So, between working a million hours, trying to move, get Christmas together, and write a book, I am drinking coffee at 10:30 at night and getting exactly nothing accomplished.  Usually about this time of year I’m just doing a couple of those things, but the whole house-buying process is… well… stressful.  The VA has tightened its standards (awesome, btw), and they already take a long time to close, but add in holidays and it’s infernal.  Okay, so that’s maybe a *bit* of an exaggeration, but I’m sure you understand.

In other news… Wait… I have no other news.  Work, move, play Santa, and write.  That is all my news.

And… just because I like you (or because it’s Wednesday), I give you a snippet.

It had been almost four years since she’d escaped the prison that was her former life, and in that time she’d never longed for a man to hold her, to comfort her, to just plain touch her like she meant something, like she was worth something, like she mattered. She twisted her hands in her lap. Could she do it? Could she touch him in a way that wasn’t therapeutic or professional? She lifted her left hand to lay it on his shoulder, but he stood before she had a chance to try.

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Caleb and Haleigh, Live For Me, snippet, Tis the Season

Research

So, I was researching medical school and residency and the like last night and found that dear Caleb is pretty young for a surgeon at 30.  Of course, he’s brilliant, driven, and doesn’t have to worry about student loans considering his family, so that helps.  Not to mention that Aylesford Memorial is a small hospital, funded in part by the Everett and Jamieson families, with both Charles Everett and Booker Jamieson sitting on the board.  That’s not to say he doesn’t work hard, we all know he does, but…  Wait, I’m rambling now.

**Please ignore the rambling of the author**

Anyhow, it’s Wednesday, and I thought I’d give you a snippet.

He always prayed he would be taking care of minor accidents and not literally saving lives, but some days were better than others. He loved what he did, but he had seen things he never wanted to see again, repaired the aftermath of men, of parents, who didn’t deserve their women and children, and lost patients he tried everything to save. He may only be thirty, but he felt much older most of the time.

“I won’t be hard to find if I’m needed,” he stated unnecessarily. If something major occurred, he knew they’d call him, no matter where he was, what he was doing, or whether or not he had just come off a double shift. Sometimes working in a small town hospital was grating.

 

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Caleb and Haleigh, Caleb Everett, Live For Me, medical school, research, The Everetts of Tyler

Cover Reveal!

I might not be writing as much as I’d like, what with all the working I’m doing this season, but Jodi Jo (my amazingly talented friend and designer) has created the Live For Me cover and it’s fabulous if I do say so myself.

Oh, and since it’s Sunday…

For the second time in his life he wanted to kill someone. How anyone could hurt this woman he didn’t know, but if he ever met the bastard face to face, it wouldn’t be pretty. “I’ll keep you both safe,” he promised before he thought it through. Was he prepared to take them home with him? Would it help?

Stricken, Haleigh looked up at him with wide blue eyes. “How?”

Wasn’t that the question? 

Tagged: Caleb and Haleigh, Caleb Everett, Cover Reveal, Jimmy Thomas cover, Jodi Jo, Live For Me, The Everetts of Tyler

Moving on to Live For Me

Tis the season and all that, but since Live For Me is due in springtime (think April/May), then I better get crackin’ on Caleb’s book, huh?  So far I have to admit I am falling a little in love with the gentle, patient doctor and it’s interesting just how different he is from the alpha that Dylan is.  So, since it’s Sunday and I’m writing, I though I’d give you a snippet.

 

She needed him to help keep her mind on other things, so she asked, “Why do you call me Angel?”

He caught her chin in his hand, forced her to look him in the eyes. “You remind me of an angel. Ethereal and beautiful.”

“And fragile,” she finished, turning her face away from him. “I don’t know what you’re thinking when you look at me, but stop. I’m no angel, Caleb.”

 

 

 

 

Tagged: #amwriting, #wip, Book 3, Caleb and Haleigh, Live For Me, Six Sentence Sunday, The Everetts of Tyler

Fight For Me on Reviewing Vixens

I’m beginning to think this book is pretty good.  I know that sounds silly, but every time you put something out there, you never know what others will think.

Reviewing Vixens reviewed Fight For Me this week, and gave Dylan and Cassidy’s story 4 Whips and 4 Kisses, saying, “It’s a well written suspense with romance around every corner, the friction of our two main characters along with the looming threat hanging over everyone made an excellent read.“

The full review is here:

So now, I’m moving on to Caleb’s story, Live For Me, and since I missed yesterday’s Sunday Six, a snippet!

Blowing out a breath, he rushed to the couch to find Georgia pale and curled in a fetal position, her brow slick with sweat. “Where does it hurt, sweetheart?”

“Tummy,” she answered, her little voice tired.

“I’m Dr. E, and I’m gonna make you all better. Is that okay with you?”

“E-I-E-I-O,” she sang softly. 

 

Tagged: 4 star review, book review, Caleb Everett, Dylan and Cassidy, Fight For Me, Live For Me, Reviewing Vixens, The Everetts of Tyler

The Everetts of Tyler Series on Sugar and Spice Reviews

Janet at Sugar and Spice Reviews reviewed both Dance With Me and Fight For Me (Five stars apiece!) and both books are featured over there (you know the drill, just click the link).

I’m amazed by all the reviews (no, really, I’m not fishing here, I swear).  My favorite parts of each review…

You can’t help but fall in love with Katerina and Mason. The secondary characters help develop the story and really draw you into their world.

 

 

 

Their passion for each other just leap off every page.  And what’s not to like about lots of hot, sweaty sex!   The suspense, danger and mystery kept me intrigued till the very end! 

 

 

 

So, now between working a million hours this holiday season, moving into our newly purchased house (still waiting for closing, but cross your fingers for us that it’s soon!), and trying to be a half-decent wife and mother, I am also working on Caleb’s book, Live For Me.  And… Since I won’t be doing a post tomorrow, how about a snippet from Book 3?

Her thoughts went to what he had said before she’d rudely fainted. “You’re afraid there’s a bomb?”

He nodded. “It’s possible.”

She felt herself get woozy and slid down the wall to sit on the floor. “I don’t like that idea.”

“I’m not fond of it either.” He knelt in front of her to study her intently, his dark chocolate eyes taking in every inch of her face. “Your pupils are dilated, your breathing erratic. Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

Before she could protest, he’d scooped her up, her arms automatically locking behind his head, her nose finding its way into the crook of his neck. His scent was intoxicating, and she was thankful she could blame her heart rate and breathing on a panic attack. She was safe with him. Safe enough to wallow in the connection with another human—a man no less—her body finally acknowledging that she was a woman after years of being nothing.

 

 

Tagged: book review, DANCE WITH ME, Fight For Me, Five Star Reviews, Live For Me, Saturday Snippet, Sugar and Spice Reviews, The Everetts of Tyler