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I am happy to welcome Lee Brazil, a favorite author here, to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! Lee is going to settle into our author interview chair, answer some questions and talk about all the books we’re focused on today! There are three blurbs and excerpts to read and a contest to enter. Make sure you check them all out! Now on to our interview.
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My Interview with Lee Brazil…
Lee, how do you keep the writing process fresh as prolific as you are as an author?
I think that’s a really tough question to start out with. The key I believe is to keep seeking new experiences in the real world. Walk, read, browse life. When writing doesn’t excite me, it drags. It’s slow going and feels like pulling teeth to get a sentence down. For me, that is when I know its time to pack up the backpack and get out of the office. I’ll go up to the park to hike, or down to the river to walk, or even off to the hardware store.
What is your favorite thing about writing?
My favorite thing about writing is knowing that whatever happens, whatever awful things the characters do to one another, they’re going to end up okay. Every day terrible things happen in our world, and we can only sit back and watch or read them and shake our heads and hurt for those involved. But in the pages of a book, the words of a story you’re writing, you can be assured that everything is going to be all right. Real life doesn’t guarantee happy endings, my kind of fiction does.
What dreams have you been able to live out (if any) through your stories?
LOL. Well, you’re full of the tough questions today. I think I actually live my ultimate fiction every day – my theme is love, and I was fortunate enough at thirty to meet a wonderful man and fall in love. That’s the story I try to tell in all my novellas. I’ve been able to explore things like crime solving with Pulp Friction that sort of fulfill a childhood fantasy. Hm… Scooby Doo and The Hardy Boys have to take credit for that little fantasy- growing up on mysteries obviously had some impact. I never would have read Dashiell Hammett et al if it weren’t for Saturday television. Um… Did I answer that question?
Chance or Cannon? Rory or Finn? Which would you choose?
Finn. Uncovering the complexities of a man who at first seems to have his whole life together, a man who is captain of his own ship and comfortable with the role? Oh yes, it’s been fun trying to get into his head and tear him apart.
If you have written stories all your life (as many writers have), what is the biggest change you’ve have seen over time?
I have written stories all my life, and poetry. I think I’ve become less literary, more focussed in my writing. Before I wanted to tackle everything, explore the whole tangle of emotions and ideas that jangled in my head. Life and experience have taught me that you can only deal effectively if you narrow your focus. For me, that focus is love and romance and their role in our lives.
Do you have a favorite Muse? Or many?
I consider Havan Fellows my Muse. Why? Because since we met she has been there, reading what I write, encouraging me, helping me find direction when I lose creativity. When she tells me something I wrote is good, I can believe her, and when she tells me its off, I know she’s being honest and that what I write will be better for her input. Occasionally I’ll find a picture or a phrase that inspires me to an idea, or a story. I do my best work when Havan and I sprint and share. It’s incredible to me how that connection works, but nevertheless, it does.
What book is a comfort read for you?
When I need a comfort read I have a shelf of books that I go for – it holds all sorts of things, some John Sandford novels, a few The Cat Who books, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, some Larry Niven, some high fantasy from the 80’s – Dragon Lance sort of things. Tolkien, John Jakes, Taylor Caldwell’s Captains and Kings.
On my kindle, I have a slew of m/m. If I reach for it, I’ll often find myself re-reading things like Amy Lane’s Chase in Shadow or Litha’s Constant Whim, and Ally Blue’s Love Like Ghosts.
Thanks, Lee. This has been great. I always learn something new each time you stop on by! Now on to Lee’s stories.
Book Names:
Less Than All,
A Gentleman Never Does,
Randall’s Romance
Author Name: Lee Brazil
Author Bio:
Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it’s nevertheless one hundred percent true.
Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.
Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don’t belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don’t fit?
Then turn the page and see… there you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.
I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now, it’s why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it’s why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.
If I’d had my way, I’d have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and that’s the best thing in the world to be if you ask me, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.
If I hadn’t learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.
Author Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.brazil
Twitter: @leebrazil
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crawlinbedwithlee/
Publishers: Lime Time Press, Breathless Press, Evernight Publishing
Cover Artist: Various
Blurbs/Excerpts/Sales Links:
Less Than All Blurb:
Nicholas Danville doesn’t trust his lover to share the depth of his attraction.
He knows full well Victor must marry to fulfill his duty to his aristocratic family.
Assuredly marriage will mean the end of their liaison.
A youthful indiscretion leads to a humiliating encounter between Nicholas Danville and Lord Victor Ware. Nicholas is sent home in disgrace, and Victor continues life in the Ton. Years later, Nicholas’s reproving parents send him to town to attain a degree of polish before he prepares for life as a member of the clergy.
A chance encounter with an old friend leads to a new confrontation between Nicholas and Victor. This time, the attraction between them burns brighter, Nicholas is old enough to know his own mind, and Victor is done with self-denial.
From ballrooms to gardens and opera houses, Victor sets about proving that a passionate liaison between two men is possible even under the narrow gaze of the Ton
Less Than All excerpt:
Peter had evidently taken the time to pull his glossy Hessians back on because Victor had swallowed half the glass before he heard the door click behind him. Lifting the glass to study the amber liquid in the firelight, he spoke without turning around.
“I pay you an adequate allowance to cover your own establishment Peter, exactly because I do not wish to find hordes of drunken revelers have invaded my home.”
“I’m glad for Peter’s sake that you’re a generous man, My Lord Ware. But I’d hardly call our little gathering a horde.”
Victor whirled about to find Danville lounging in altogether too close a proximity. A single lingering glance impressed upon Victor the slender lithe frame, lovingly outlined by tight buff colored breeches, fine white linen shirt open at the neck. Both his discreetly embroidered waistcoat and his black tailcoat hung open. Danville’s inappropriate dishabille enticed him as the devil tempted sinners. He held up a hand as though to ward off the smaller man, but Danville stepped impossibly closer, and Victor groaned as his blood thrummed and his head swam.
Strong arms wrapped around his neck, tugging his head down, and soft wet lips pressed lightly against his mouth. “I’ve waited years for this moment, Ware.”
Then Victor gave up listening, gave up fighting the response of his body as an agile tongue probed the seam of his lips, seeking entrance. He accepted Nicky’s kiss, opened his mouth to suck at the questing tongue. He chased Nicky’s tongue for what seemed like ages, his body hardening and heating with lust.
His arms closed around Nicky’s slender waist, hauling the man close so he could seek solace for the ache of his prick in grinding against the silk of Nicky’s evening breeches. The shattering of his whiskey glass on the hearth broke the mood, and Nicky pulled away, retreating to the door.
“I’m going now.” He paused, hand on the doorknob. A strangely earnest expression crossed his face as he tilted his head to glance back at the stunned Victor. “Shall I return? Or do you forbid Peter’s friends the run of your home?”
He slipped from the room while Victor struggled to frame a coherent response.
A Gentleman Never Does Blurb
Short of funds, Gareth proposes to wager for love. Does Gideon dare play out this hand?
Gideon Westwood is passing time at a debutante ball when he encounters a man from his past he’d give anything to avoid.
Unfortunately for him, Gareth Belmain isn’t in the mood to be pushed aside.
A wager leads to a walk in the garden and a kiss to angry words.
Will a public challenge put an end to any hope they might have for a future together?
A Gentleman Never Does Excerpt:
“If you’re short of funds, I don’t wish to gamble with you for money.”
Gareth smirked, painted lips twisting. “Such an honorable man you are. Fine then, if we shall not play for money, then we play for love.”
A chill washed over Gideon. He shifted on the delicate chair, fearing it might splinter if he abused it too much. “For love?”
Gareth whispered, “You were used to love me dearly. We could play for that.” Gideon’s dismay must have shown on his face, and again he cursed his inability to master the stoic boredom society expected of its young men and women.
“Or maybe not. What stakes would you care to play for, my Corinthian friend?”
The sardonic emphasis on Corinthian hurt a bit, as he had no doubt that Gareth intended it to. It angered Gideon that Gareth held such power over him still, to arouse his emotions, his body this way. Instead of answering the question Gareth had asked, he let his hurt and anger have sway. “Why are you without funds? Too many hours of shopping in Bond Street, my dear?”
Gareth’s blue eyes flickered and his narrow jaw tightened. Gideon’s gaze focused on the tight pinch of his full lips. Those lips had touched his… He bit back a curse as his pantaloons grew uncomfortably tight. “Fuck.” The coarse word was a hoarse whisper that he hoped no one else picked up on.
Gareth’s tension faded and his eyes sparkled with mirth. “No, dear heart. A gentleman never pays his tailor before his gaming debts. If you must know, I played a little too deep the other night at that new hell, off Curzon street.”
The lure of cards had always been impossible for Gareth to resist. They’d often played together at school and through long rainy days at home. So Gideon knew that Gareth might be susceptible to the lure of the cards, but he wasn’t a bad player. While losing wasn’t unheard of, it was rare. “I can float you a bit till quarter day if you like.” Gideon offered.
“Kind of you, but no. If you were inclined to lose to me, that would be one thing. But I am not in need of charity.” The cards were snapped down onto the table sharply. “Cut.”
Randall’s Romance
When Randall Gretton’s father leaves his family behind to seek out his lost love, Randall finds an unexpected sympathy in his father’s actions. The dashing soldier takes completely to heart his father’s advice to his children, “If you are fortunate enough to find love, then seize it.”
Is a chance encounter at a masquerade Randall’s chance at lifetime love?
Randall’s Romance Excerpt (NSFW)
He closed the door behind himself and turned the key in the lock. The book room was lit by a single porcelain candelabrum on the mantel piece. In the flickering candlelight he located Terence at the fireplace, swirling a snifter of brandy in his hand. Terence turned his head, tensing at the sound of the key turning in the lock.
“Never fear. It’s just me. I’d about given up hope of finding you; there are so very many highwaymen present tonight. Next time you must choose a more singular disguise.” Checking the room carefully for any other entrance, Randall realized Terence had chosen the perfect place for their encounter.
The highwayman glanced back at him, dark eyes glittering through the slits of his long mask. “I’d hate to draw attention.” Hi voice was muffled by the mask, but Randall caught the faint foreign accent he aped and rolled his eyes.
Randall felt his blood heat as that hooded gaze traveled down his form. His cock stirred and this time he made no move to hide his interest. “Truth, Terence, attention is to be avoided, but there is something to be said for ease of recognition in these circumstances.”
He crossed the Aubusson carpet to stand in front of his lover, drew the man to him. Terence came willingly enough into his embrace, but when Randall tried to raise the man’s domino to reveal his features, Terence caught his hand in a gloved grip. “No. Just in case, we must be discreet.”
“I did lock the door, you know.” Randall buried his face in the fabric and tightened his arms, crushing Terence along his length. The man’s costume was a miracle of tailoring, for he seemed to have even added padding to his narrow shoulders and lifts to his boots.
“Yes, but that might not be the only key.”
Continue reading “In the Spotlight: Lee Brazil~Master of Regency Romance (Tour and Contest)” →
Midsummer Law
A Rose By Any Other Name
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