Hayden Braeburn's Blog, page 9

Sunday Six

[image error]

Yesterday Fight With Me went from 12,700 to 15,185 words, so I made good use of the the rainy yucky day!  So, shall we do six sentences even though I didn’t get signed up this week?  Yes?

“I.” She closed her mouth, her eyes tracking the lights in the ceiling, and he prayed the rest of the sentence was “want you.”

She spun away from him, walking down the hallway toward the bedrooms. He held his breath to see where she went, and almost let out a whoop when she walked in his room. “Throw me down and have your way with me, Dylan.”

There was a God and He was good. “Gladly.”

Tagged: #amwriting, Dylan and Cassidy, Fight For Me, sequel, Six Sentence Sunday, The Everetts of Tyler

Wednesday WIP

So, yeah, there are 4 minutes left of Wednesday, but we’ll go with it (besides, on the west coast there are 3 hours and 4 minutes, and it’s already Thursday in Australia, so who cares, right?)  ANYway…  As promised on Wednesdays, a snippet of the current WIP, FIGHT FOR ME.

If Dylan kept looking at her like that, she was afraid she’d walk across the ceremony and offer herself to him in front of God and everyone. She closed her eyes. She was here to honor her brother, not have eye sex with a groomsman. Oh, but his golden eyes were full of promises she wished he could keep. She watched him subtly shift on his feet and was rewarded with a glimpse of the tent in his tuxedo pants. Served him right, she was standing there in a damp thong and there was nothing she could do about it either.

Tagged: #amwriting, Fight For Me, Wednesday WIP

Multiple POV

Those of you who have been reading me know I am one of give multiple POV (point of view for those of you who haven’t been to an English class in while).  In other words, I put you inside more than one head.  It has come to my attention lately that perhaps that isn’t the strongest way to write a book, and doesn’t allow for an emotional connection to the characters.  

SPEEDING is a serial, manifesting in my head almost as episodes of an on-going story, so I feel it necessary to switch from Reid and Kendall to, say, Jason and Adrienne.  DANCE WITH ME is the first in a series, introducing characters that will be further explored in subsequent books and tie-in stories.  

So… my question to you as readers is: Is it jarring and disconnecting to see through more than two main character’s eyes?  Are the POV changes smooth and easily understood?  Do you hate reading me and just follow my blog as torture?  Bueller?

Tagged: multiple POV, point of view, POV, writing

Celebrate Indie Authors!

This week we’re celebrating our nation’s independence and we’re also celebrating Indie Authors.  There are a lot to choose from (my Favorite Authors page is a mix of Indie and Traditionally published authors, just a by-the-by), but for this blog hop, I’ve chosen to spotlight fellow Kentucky Indie Writers author, Kallypso Masters.

Kally is a series writer, but not a traditional series writer.  I know that sounds weird, but bear with me, here.  Her not-to-be-read-as-stand-alone series begins with a prequel book, Masters" target="_blank">Masters At Arms introducing readers to the three Masters in her series.

Masters" target="_blank">

Masters at Arms begins the journey of three men, each on a quest for honor, acceptance, and to ease his unspoken pain. Their paths cross at one of the darkest points in their lives. As they try to come to terms with the aftermath–forging an unbreakable bond–will they ever truly become masters of their own fates? Or would fate become masters of them?

The first book after the introduction belongs to Master Marc, Angel" target="_blank">Nobody’s Angel.

Angel" target="_blank">

When Marc rescued Angelina from an abusive Dom at his fetish club, he never imagined she’d upend his safe, controlled life. But his SAR partner, Luke, a widower, thinks Angelina has been sent to him by his dead wife. Marc knows only he can fulfill her sexual needs, but won’t hurt his friend. When the abusive Dom stalks her, she turns to Marc for help and learns a submissive has power too.

Master Adam’s book, Hero" target="_blank">Nobody’s Hero follows

Hero" target="_blank">

Retired Marine Adam Montague has survived many war zones, but can he survive the war Karla Paxton has declared on his heart? Karla fell in love with Adam at 16; nine years later, she’s determined to make 50-year-old Adam see her as a woman. But can she submit to his Dominant personality? And will she be able to get him to surrender to her and lay his ghosts to rest?

Damian and Savi’s story, Nobody’s Perfect is scheduled for ASAP.  Kally won’t release it until it’s (ha) perfect, and this couple has a ton of issues and baggage to work through before they find a happily ever after.

Savannah Gentry, now Savi Baker, escaped the torture and degradation forced upon her by a sadistic father for eleven years and has made a safe life for herself and her daughter. When her father threatens her peace of mind—and her daughter’s safety—Savi runs to Damián Orlando for protection. Their one day together eight years earlier changed both their lives and resulted in a secret she can no longer hide. But being with Damián reawakens feelings she wants buried—and stirs up an onslaught of disturbing flashbacks that leave her shaken to the core with little hope of ever being a sexual being again.

Damián has his own dragons to fight, but has never forgotten the one perfect day he spent with Savannah in a cave at the beach. He will go to the ends of the earth to protect Savi and her daughter, but can never be the whole man she deserves after a firefight in Iraq. Besides, the trauma of war and resulting PTSD has led him to find his place as the Masters at Arms Club’s favorite sadist. Savi needs someone gentle and loving, not the broken man he has become. But he sees that the lifestyle he’s come to embrace also can help Savi regain control of her life and sexuality. How can he not help redirect her negative thoughts and actions if she needs him?

Kally has more books planned in the series, and I will reiterate her caution–these are NOT stand-alone novels and should be read in order.  Each story is amazing in its own right, and while the is BDSM a strong element, the emotions are the driving points of these books.  Hers is what I have heard referred to as “Gateway BDSM” in that even if it’s not something you’re into, you read, love, and enjoy these books.  Personally, I think we all benefit from a little kink now and then, whether or not we live in a vanilla world.

((hugs))

Wednesday WIP

Is it Wednesday again already?  I have two snippets for you today, one from SPEEDING and another from FIGHT FOR ME.

From SPEEDING, Chapter 12

“It’s perfect!” Annie exclaimed.

Kendall appraised their handiwork and dusted her hands across her jean clad thighs. “What do you think your Dad will say?”

“He’s say,” she started, deepening her voice to mimic Reid, “at least it’s not pink,” before dissolving into a fit of giggles.

 Kendall couldn’t help but laugh along with with her. Reid’s guest room had been turned into a purple haven for Annie, complete with a desk and laptop. She felt it was the least they could do, and since Reid refused to take money from Kendall for the bills, she had plenty to make Annie’s room truly her own. “He’ll love that you have a room that’s a reflection of you,” she finally said.

“I hope so. We used three coats of paint. This place will be purple forever!”

Kendall couldn’t help but grin. After all Annie had been through, she didn’t expect her to smile and giggle so easily. “He loves us. He wouldn’t care if we painted the whole house pink.”

Annie shook her head, her ponytail flying. “He’d hate pink.”

“Maybe, but if it made us happy, he’d live with it. That’s just the way he is.”

Kendall was right, and it awed Annie. “I’ve never known anyone like that.”

“Me either, sweetie. Me either.”

~*~

From FIGHT FOR ME

“Detective Davis offered personal police protection,” Cassidy told Dylan over pizza. She had opted for hand held fare after last night’s attempt at casserole ended with a very frustrated Dylan and a very dirty table.

“Refuse it,” Dylan growled.

She already had, but was interested in Dylan’s hostility. “Why?”

“I don’t trust that man as far as I can throw him. He is not watching over you.”

Well, then. “Proprietary much?”

“I protect what’s mine,” he stated plainly.

She ran her gaze over his long, tough body. He was gaining mobility in his right arm, but she doubted he could pull the trigger and hit what he meant. “Dylan,” she started, cut off by another low growl.

“I can protect you better with this half-workin’ body that that bastard can fully functional.” He took a sip of water. “How do you know he wasn’t the one who blew up your precious Blue, anyway?”

She scrunched up her face. “He’s a detective.”

She said it as if that meant something. “The other cops on your brother’s case don’t trust him. Chris thinks he’s as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.”

She shook her head. “Crooked as a dog’s hind leg? Where are you from?”

Snippet Saturday

First, DANCE WITH ME is featured on RomCon this week!  It was scheduled for June 28th, but posted early, so if you haven’t already read it, pop by and make a comment to win a copy in the format of your choice.

Next, let’s do a snippet from FIGHT FOR ME, second in The Everetts of Tyler series.

She jerked her hands from her friend’s grasp. “It’s not like that. He’s just here to heal, and then he goes back home.”

“And home is where, exactly?”

“Outside Aylesford.”

“So, forty minutes from you?”

“When you put it like that…” she trailed off, not sure where she was going with the thought.

Rochelle shot her a scathing look. “Cassidy Everett, I have never known you to be a coward.”

“I’m not being a…” She stopped, not allowing herself to think about Rochelle’s point. “Let’s just get that flippin’ plea agreement figured out and put this case to bed.”

With a sigh, Rochelle sat back down at her desk. “Fine, but ignoring the problem never makes it go away.”

“I’m ignoring you anyway.”

“Me, you can ignore. Six and half feet of muscled white man at your house? Honey, you can’t ignore that.”

“I can sure try.”

Just for fun, maybe we’ll do a snippet from SPEEDING, too.  Chapter 12 is coming along, and should be finished and posted by the end of the month.  Thanks for hanging in there with me for the loooooong stretches between chapters!  This snippet is from Chapter 10.

He came around the truck to wrap her in his arms. “God, I love you,” he told her before covering her mouth with his own.

She looped her arms around his neck as she jumped to wrap her legs around his waist. “Show me,” she demanded breathlessly between kisses.

He carried her easily, much as he had that first night, unlocking the door and pressing her against it once they were inside. “Right here, right now,” he told her before taking her mouth again. “I want you all the damn time. I think about you when I should be doing something else. I can’t believe you promised to be mine forever, and you’ll be an amazing mother.”

She anchored her hands in his hair, staring into his deep blue eyes as she said, “We will be amazing parents to Annie and anybody else we’re blessed with.” She kissed him sweetly before pulling away to give him a wicked smile. “Until then, why don’t we practice?”

Wednesday WIP

So, let’s try something new today.  A short post from my current WIP, FIGHT FOR ME (The Everetts of Tyler, Book 2).

~*~

Sunlight poured through the window the following morning, piercing Dylan’s eyelids. Normally he would be out running before the sun was up like this, but that was before. This morning was interesting because there was a soft, beautiful woman across his lap, her head pillowed against his chest, her hand dangerously close to his morning wood. “Cassie, honey, you need to move,” he whispered against her ear. She moved, but not how he’d meant. Now she practically straddled him, and while his brain was telling him to be a gentleman, his body had other plans.

Cassidy felt the heat of his body, heard the rapid beating of his heart, and knew she wasn’t dreaming. Holy God, she’d slept on Dylan all night. She sat up slightly to find he was more than awake beneath her. “Dylan?” she questioned very quietly.

He clenched his jaw and left fist. He’d promised not to hurt her, and not to rush things. “I’m going to stay still while you climb off,” he instructed.

What a gentleman. “What if I want to stay where I am?”

“Don’t mess with me, woman. If you don’t climb down right now, I am not responsible for my actions,” he growled, his eyes darkening with promise.

Music

I love music in most forms.  Personally, I am a vocalist and while I can read music and have tried my hand at writing it, I can’t particularly play any instruments save for plucking out the correct keys on the piano (slowly).  Music has played a big part in my life, and that definitely carries into my writing as well.  So… Let’s have fun with music, shall we?

First, an important song from DANCE WITH ME.  I chose this because I love the lyric, and it happens to be a waltz.  Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You.

A song that has featured while writing FIGHT FOR ME is this one, Fall Into Me by Brantley Gilbert

While we’re at it, as I was plotting the rest of the series, Thompson Square’s new song Glass struck a chord.

And Jo Dee Messina’s Burn

As you can tell, I tend to gravitate toward country music–I love the stories, the feelings evoked.  I do, however, enjoy listening to many genres.  Now, for the question of the post: What songs inspire you?

Oh, I also wanted to point out the new addition to the blog.  I have added a page devoted to The Everetts of Tyler series, with blurbs and the release schedule.

Lucky Sevens

I was tagged by a friend, Eden Summers, to do Lucky Sevens and it sounded like fun.  

Here’s the challenge. Post seven lines from an unpublished work of fiction.

• Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript

• Go to line 7

• Post on your blog the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating

• Tag 7 other authors to do the same

So, from FIGHT FOR ME, page 7:

He winced. The hard wooden chair was not comfortable in the slightest and Peters was questioning him like he’d done something wrong by protecting Mason.

“How would you characterize Ms. McClaren’s mental state when she obtained your services?” Peters asked.

Dylan tilted his head, catching Cassidy’s narrowed eyes from her seat behind the prosecution. “If you’re asking if I thought she was insane, I am not a medical professional. All I can say is she was hysterical.” He might not have a fancy degree, but he wasn’t an idiot. He was not getting backed into a corner by this pompous attorney.

And, since we haven’t been there is a long time, let’s see what’s on page 7 of SPEEDING, shall we?

I will never give you the right to be the boss of me again.” Nearly spitting on the application she had tossed, she turned and stomped out the door, making sure to slam it as hard as she could. It may be juvenile, but it felt good to slam a door.

Making the dramatic exit was one thing. Following it through was something else entirely. She left the car Kyle had purchased and registered in his name for her in the Jamieson, Trenton, Parker & White lot, and walked into the heart of downtown hoping for a sign. She didn’t know if she was hoping for a “Help Wanted” sign or a sign from God, but right now she’d take either. 

A Six Day Week

The problem with the whole working thing is that sometimes I don’t get to write like I’d like.  This week I’m working Monday through Saturday, so I will be writing at night, but we’ll see how the work count comes out.  Good news?  I’m definitely writing.  Bad news? Well, I have SPEEDING and FIGHT WITH ME to work on, and Cassidy and Dylan are flowing better in my head than the next installment of Kendall and Reid.  Chapter 12 will be this month, though… I just have to switch gears from Tyler back to Aylesford.  Easy, right?

So… That said, how do you feel about a snippet from FIGHT FOR ME?

She should step away. Run away. Anything. Instead of heeding the warning bells in her head, she skimmed her hands up his washboard abs to his hard chest. How could he look so amazing in a sling and gauze? She scooted closer until her hard nipples were against his bandaged torso, separated by only the thin cotton of her shirt. Aching to be closer to him, she shifted to encircle his neck with her arms. He was so tall, she still had to tilt her head to look into his molten gold eyes, the heat of his body burning her through her clothes. She shouldn’t be here like this, but she didn’t care. She could worry and feel guilty tomorrow.