Guest blogging at Bitten by Paranormal Romance

I'm over at Bitten by Paranormal Romance today as part of their "7 Days of Summer Erotica Heat" extravaganza. I'm giving away a copy of my backlist, so if there's one of my books you haven't read yet you have a chance to win it today by leaving a comment.

Historical vs Contemporary: Which would you read?

Do you buy an author no matter what genre they write, or do you buy each particular book based on the blurb?

I'm about to submit a proposal to my editor at Carina about a story I've got outlined and the first three chapters written. It's inspired by a conversation in Texas Tangle a lot of people have commented on--the dinner scene with Gramma Barnett, where she reveals that her grandparents had been in a permanent threesome. The story I have planned would follow how the grandparents ended up in that arrangement. Which means we're talking 1890s Texas--historical.

But I've also heard a lot of contemporary readers say they refuse to read historicals.

Which makes me wonder if instead of working on the prequel I should first work on a sequel, following Dillon's brother Griffin.  I've got an idea of what I want to do with him; I've even written the first chapter. I have a strong idea of the external conflicts and the direction the story can go. (For Texas Tangle fans, yes, Dillon, Brett and Nikki will appear, as will Gramma Barnett, Dillon's parents Faith and Jackson who will all be embroiled in the fallout over D/B/Ns lifestyle decision.)

This is Gandalf aka Merlin in Texas Tangle

I still want to write the prequel, the characters are really talking to me. Actually they're yelling at me lately for even considering delaying their story. (I don't need a psychiatrist. Honest. Other writers will understand that statement.)

Mainly it's a matter of timing -- do I write the contemporary follow-up to Texas Tangle first, then the historical prequel? Or the historical prequel followed by a contemp sequel?

Which do you want to read?

Libraries are Spicy!

I've loved the Old Spice ads -- I crack up every time at the "I'm on a horse" ad.

I was fascinated when the Old Spice man went on Twitter and responded to people's tweets (and Facebook comments too) including to Alyssa Milano,




There are about four more videos, including a response by Alyssa (dressed only in a towel in her bathroom) and George Stephanopoulos (who asked what else President Obama could be doing...)




He even responded to someone asking him to comment on libraries:





Now it's spawned a "New Spice" response -- in favor of libraries and studying, who can resist?  (Thanks to Vivi Andrews who posted this over on her blog)

More reviews in for Texas Tangle

Having a book you've worked on for ages finally release, it's not only exciting, it's a little scary.  Will readers like it? Will they hate it? Did I miss ... something that everyone else will catch and think WTF?

Or maybe it's just me...

Anyway, each time I see a tweet or an email coming talking about a review for one of my books, I go through this mental debate--"should I look at it?" Maybe I should get someone else to read it first and give me a thumbs up or down. (I do know other authors who take this route.)  But inevitably I end up clicking on the link or opening the email and reading it myself. So I was thrilled to open the email to read Lea's review of Texas Tangle over at Blackraven's Reviews:

...how many synonyms are there for tremendous, enjoyable, fabulous and awesome? If you’re looking for an emotional, sensual, heartwarming story, this is it. I will definitely be recommending all of Leah Braemel’s books to my friends, and Texas Tangle will be a birthday gift to my sister.

Just go get Texas Tangle and you’ll see what I mean! This book is a must read.

Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Lea!

Then two days ago I opened my email and found another note saying that the lovely ladies of Whipped Cream Reviews (That's the Long and Short of It's erotic site) have left me a review too. Tiger Lilly said:

I closed this book, having laughed, cried, sighed and smiled. Plus the three of them together is really hot. I had to check the screen for singe marks. If you want a story that will stick with you long after the last page, then you need to read Texas Tangle. I give it 4 cherries.

And today? I just received an email from Night Owl Romance. Chris had just posted her review -- it's another Top Pick review, folks!

This story was totally different from other ménages I’ve read in the past....Dillon’s grandmother stole the show when she gave her opinion at the dining room table. I about lost it. A very emotional story that explores how a ménage can develop, and it’s not just for the thrill of kink. We watch all three parties change, grow and make discoveries that help them mature and realize what they really want.

Can I once again express my appreciation to all reviewers, no matter whether they liked Texas Tangle or not--I find it exceedingly difficult to define what it is that I liked about a book (or what I didn't) and summarize a book the way they do.  So here's a huge thanks to them all for taking the time, and making the effort.

Playing Around

I told you the other day I was going to Mike Weir's Charity Classic in Toronto. (for those of you who don't follow golf, and I'm assuming that's probably most of you, Mike Weir is one of our premiere Canadian golfers. A few years back he won the green jacket at Augusta. Gizmo Guy is a huge golf fan, and to cheer on a Canadian to the win of such a prestigious event...well, he's got a big picture up in the office with the newspaper article from the following day.)

I don't mind watching golf, I even play it occasionally. And since Mike's event involves a mixture of professional golfers and celebrities I thought it would be a nice day out.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day. The course was lush and challenge (and I'm just talking about walking it as a spectator) 

Team Dillon!

One of the Texas Tangle reviewers, Sparklybearsy, said in her review that she was Team Dillet (because she couldn't choose between Dillon or Brett) so when I saw the name on this caddy's vest I immediately thought of her.   Yup, Team Dillon was there!  In reality, it's not named for my Dillon but for the guy in the striped shirt--Kevin Dillon from Entourage.

Camillo Villegas

If I ever write a story involving a professional golfer, I'm pretty sure I'll be using Camilo Villegas as a model -- he is one seriously cute golfer.  You may have heard about him --he's often called 'Spiderman' because of the unique way he reads a green.

Cdn golfer Stephen Ames and Dragons' Den Robert Herjavec

They set the rounds up so the amateurs get to play 9 holes with a celebrity and 9 holes with a professional golfer.  Some of the celebrities were Damon Allen (he's a famous Canadian football player), Steve Nash & Martin Brodeur (two players on Canada's gold medal winning Olympic Hockey team), Jon Montgomery (medal winning Skeleton racer from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics), along with hockey players Dion Phaneuf and Steve Stamkos. Musician Tom Cochrane was also playing and entrepreneur Robert Herjavec whom Canadians know from Dragons' Den and Americans may know from the Shark Tank. Oh and I already mentioned Kevin Dillon. And last but not least, Samuel L. Jackson. Yup, that's the famous Samuel L just beyond me in my paper cowboy hat (yes, really, it's made of recycled paper, but it's as durable as all get out)  I got close enough to touch him, almost, while he was signing autographs but missed him by that || much.

Me and Samuel L. Jackson

I did get to meet one other celebrity that day -- though he wasn't on the golf course. Erik Estrada was there on Monday to help promote one of the sponsors. For a guy who is 61 (OMG did that make me feel old) he looks fantastic. Yes, he was wearing his CHiPs uniform, complete with knee high leather boots, though as Gizmo Guy pointed out--no gun. Of course, this is Canada, after all!

Leah and Erik Estrada

And since it was a golf match, I guess I should mention that there were professional golfers there as well -- naturally enough Mike Weir was there, as were Trevor Immelman, Fred Couples, Luke Donald, Canadian Stephen Ames, Luke Donald, Anthony Kim, Sean O'Hair, Retief Goosen and straight off his second-place finish at the British Open the day before, Paul Casey. (yes, I did know all those names, thank you.)

Gizmo Guy went back the next day with Curly -- GG likes the practice days as you're allowed to take your cameras which you're not allowed to do on tournament days. And you can imagine what'll be on the television this weekend...

Mike Weir