Official website of Leah Braemel

Snippet Saturday: Your choice

Leah B — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:01:13 +0000

Today is Author’s Choice of Snippet … Since today is my eldest son’s birthday, I tried to find something relevant, but I don’t have any birthdays in my books. Something I may have to rectify in future books.

So I decided to make it Readers’ choice and put a call out on Twitter and Facebook — this snippet from Private Property was suggested by Slick Reads on FB. So here you go…

You must be 18 years of age or older to read this.
Copyright © 2009 Leah Braemel
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

“Just read the letter. It’ll prove I’m who I say I am, and am doing what we were hired to do. Or if you don’t believe the letter is legit, call Mr. Rodriguez yourself.”

She rattled off Mark’s cell phone number while wondering why he still hadn’t responded over the headset.

When he unfolded the paper and started reading it, his eyebrows arched and his lips compressed into a controlled smirk.

“My Sexual Fantasies.” His eyes flickered up and he grinned while Jodi narrowed her eyes, trying to figure his game. “Sounds like an interesting letter your boss wrote, sweet pea.”

…a wickedly delicious and daring story taken directly from most women’s fantasies… ~Shannon, The Romance Studio

Just what she needed—a smart-ass.

“Just read the damned thing,” she ground out.

“I am reading.” He unfolded the paper again. “My Sexual Fantasies. One, to try anal sex. Two, I want to be fucked by Mark while tied up and blindfol—”

What the hell? Jodi snatched the paper from him with a gasp and stared in horror at the list she had jokingly made for Mark.

“This is a mistake,” she stammered. “It was supposed to be the letter Mark—I mean Mr. Rodriguez had written explaining exactly how we’d breached security and his recommendations to make the estate safer.”

He chuckled and looked over his shoulder to the French doors. “Is that what it was supposed to say, Mr. Rodriguez?”

Jodi followed his gaze. The knapsack at his feet, Mark leaned against the doorframe, thumbs tucked into the belt of his jeans that rode low over his hips.

Tension drained like a plug had been pulled, Jodi sagged against the wall. Until she realized Mark was not out of breath, nor was he treating the other man with caution. In fact, he was downright relaxed and smiling. She straightened, vowing vengeance for his screwup with the list. And for not letting her know he was all right. And for not warning her someone was about to walk in on her. Not to mention the vibrator still buzzing away deep inside, driving her insane.

Happy Birthday “Princess”

Leah B — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:57:14 +0000

It’s Guitar Hero’s 27th birthday today. Since he doesn’t live at home, we celebrated during his visit home last weekend. When we went out to buy his birthday cake of choice (a Dairy Queen ice cream cake), we asked him if he wanted anything written on it. He replied in his usual droll fashion: “How about Happy Birthday, Princess.”

So…as is usual for this family the old axiom, “be careful what you wish for” came into play:

(I love that the clerk even used pink icing for it.)

Happy Birthday, Guitar Hero

Hidden Heat up for pre-order at Amazon

Leah B — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:46:49 +0000

Did you notice something new over on my sidebar?

Well, look at that? You can pre-order Hidden Heat: Hauberk Protection, Book 4
for your Kindle already.

I’ll post as it becomes available on the other sites too. And an excerpt is coming soon too.

Susan Edwards: Getting Down and Dirty

Leah B — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:01:43 +0000

Okay, get your mind out of the gutters! Or perhaps I should tell you to put your mind in your garden for a few minutes while we chat. I’m embarking on a huge gardening project–a 26 foot medicine wheel garden–which has taken me a couple of years of planning and researching. What I decided on was to incorporate elements meaningful to me. As I love outdoors, nature, etc. I planned my space to use the themes of Earth. I have sections for the four elements (Air, Earth, Water, Fire), the four seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer), the Sun, Moon, Stars. I have herbs, and lots of just plain beautiful flowers on order.

I also pulled into the design the aspects of Native American research from my writing which I’ve adopted into my own life. The number four is an important number in many NA cultures as well as the number 7 which I also have plans to use. Then there are circles. I have an outside circle 26 feet of hedge. Inside that, is another circle–a pathway to walk around. Inside that there is yet another circle. This circle is split into 4 areas with paths (4 of them) leading to a smaller circle in the center which will be close to a grassy knoll. And yes, there is yet another much smaller circle inside that where we’ll have a small fire pit to enjoy in the evenings and maybe roast marshmellows!

Circles have so many meanings. Life travels in a circle such as the seasons from birth of Spring to death in Winter to life reborn once again in spring. Our lives travel in circles, meeting and merging then separating and one of my favorite that I live by: What goes around, comes around.

I should also mention that around my garden area, my husband will have his vegetable garden.

Okay, so how does this tie in with writing? Aside from being a wonderful place to take my laptop and write (when done of course), it made me think of my characters in my newly re-released books (White Wolf, White Nights, White Flame, White Dreams).

First, in the mid 1800′s, growing your own food was part of survival. Jessie and her brothers (White Wolf) would most certainly have grown some of their own food. They lived by the goodwill of the land. And on the Oregon Train, Jessie, Wolf, along with James and Eirika (White Nights) ate what they could find along the trail. Unlike Native Americans though, living with the land, on the land and surviving their trek across the land was new to many if not most of the travelers looking to start anew in Oregon. Those who understood the land and nature, the good, bad and ugly were the ones to survive and/or lead others on their westward trek.

The Lakota Sioux on the other hand were very well versed in survival. Unlike many other tribes and cultures, the Sioux didn’t “garden” for their food but instead harvested what Mother Earth provided. They understood the seasons, the circle of life. And even though they didn’t ‘work’ the land, they honored and respected and took care of the land–their mother. After Emma arrives in the village of Striking Thunder (White Flame), she learns to love and respect not only The People, but the land which provides for them. Raised in a city, living outdoors at the whim and mercy of nature is an eye opener.

In White Dreams, Star Dreamer leaves the land she’s known all her life for the city, turning her back on all that she’s ever known. But even in a city, she realizes that nature and all that she holds dear is close at hand.

In our past, we depended on the land for the animals raised, crops and food grown and also for travel–those who left their homes and bravely set out without knowing what was in store for them. Today, we don’t notice the land in the same way–we drive on asphalt, see buildings, houses and shopping malls instead of crops (most places) and gardens. We don’t barter what we grow for what someone else grows. If the weather turns bad and ruins crops, prices might go higher but we are not truly affected. Our ancestors went hungry or went without money if their crops were destroyed.

Having a garden isn’t part of our survival now. We go to the local supermarket for our fruit and vegetables. We want flowers? Again, supermarket or other store-bought sources. We travel and pay money to view gardens or go on the internet or buy books. It’s a fact of life. But it’s also sad.

There is nothing so rewarding or even calming than digging in the dirt, letting the life-giving dirt fall between your fingers. The feel, the smell, the connection is still there I believe but life is so busy, even crazy, that we forget to just stop and smell the flowers or touch the leaves, or admire the textures of Mother Earth. Our yards if we are lucky to have a yard are planted to be “care-free” and sometimes planted with conforming to the neighborhoods instead of our own hearts.

Tomorrow, a 40 odd square foot of my backyard goes under the blades of a rototiller and then my journey of getting down and dirty begins. And as I spend time with Mother Earth, I’ll think often of my ancestors who didn’t ‘garden’ for a hobby but depended on what bounty they grew for their survival.

So let’s hear from you. If you could have any type of garden (food, herb, English Country, formal, etc.) what would choose and why? What would you plant? And what would a garden of your choosing represent to you. Do you think that working in the soil means anything to people in this day and age? Does it meet some kind of instinctual, emotional, or ingrained need inside us or have we as a race (those who don’t grow food commercially) gone beyond the need of connecting with our Earth Mother. And of course, any other comments are welcome.

Happy Reading (and Gardening). Check out my website in a week or so to see progress of my Medicine Wheel Garden. Also, news of a new contest coming soon.

Susan Edwards

Coming April 2012

White Dove, White Deception, White Vengeance & Summer of the Eagle

Find more about Susan and her books on her website: http://susanedwards.com or her blog http://susanedwardsauthor.blogspot.com/ . Or you can follow Susan on Twitter http://twitter.com/susan_edwards or on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Edwards/40226247104

Cast your vote!

Leah B — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:52:12 +0000

Samhain is holding its annual Sammie awards. Not that I’m soliciting votes for Deliberate Deceptions or anything *wink-wink* but take a look at this snippet and then look at Deliberate Deceptions‘ cover. Didn’t the cover artist capture the essence of the story perfectly?

His lips hovered centimeters above hers, his breath warm on her cheek, his eyes locked on her mouth. She expected him to lean down, to take charge, to kiss her. But he didn’t. Instead he held himself in check with a rigid control, as if he were fighting a battle. And winning.

“I don’t want just one night, Lauren. I want it all back again—us, the way we were. We both know that’s not going to happen.”

All her doubts crumbled into dust. He wanted her still. “We don’t know that.”

She tilted her chin and closed the distance between them until her lips brushed his. He didn’t move, letting her tongue slide against the seam joining them but not allowing her entry. She wouldn’t beg but if he wouldn’t accept her kiss, she’d find another way past his defenses.

Her hands flattened over his chest, seeking his shirt buttons. He didn’t move as she undid them one by one. His stomach muscles tensed when she parted the opening of his shirt and touched bare skin. She affected him, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. She was so close. If she could just convince him to let go, to give her a chance…she traced the curve of his stomach, up to his pectorals. Love me. Please.

Since I’m heads down in edits, I borrowed this directly from Samhain’s own site. Now go vote!

Curtains up! Light the Lights! The SAMMIES are coming, all right!

The categories that require your vote are:

Reader’s Choice Best Cover Art eBooks 2011

Reader’s Choice Best Cover Art Print Books 2011

Reader’s Choice Best eBook 2011

Reader’s Choice Best Print Book 2012

Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BQG585Rto cast your vote. Voters are permitted three choices per category. Voting begins today and runs through March, 19, 2012.The survey allows each participant to vote once. The blue links for each book/cover are hot and will take you to Samhain Publishing site so you can look at the cover or read the blurb for each book listed. Cast your choice for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place in each category. Then scroll to the NEXT button at the bottom of the page, this will take you to the next category. Repeat until you get to the last category. When you have voted for your choices, be sure to click on the DONE button at the bottom of the last page so your vote will count. Remember, each reader gets to vote once for the poll.

We’re asking everyone to participate by casting your vote. After all, these are the Reader’s Choice categories! Your opinion counts!

That’s right Samhellions, it’s time to vote for your Samhain Publishing favorites for 2011. The SAMMIE Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012, starting at 2 p.m. EST in the Samhain Publishing Cafe.(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/samhaincafe/)

Everyone, mark your calendars, shop for your dazzling Red Carpet outfit and get ready to celebrate our SAMMIE winners! We can hardly wait to announce the winners. Party! Party! Par-tay!