Why Go Anywhere When Home is So Nice? Laura Breck

Laura Breck

My birthday is coming up in less than two months, and the family is intent on finding someplace fun to go to celebrate it. (Yes, it’s one of those big ones we don’t like to talk about!)

They’re talking beach…

Biking the desert…

Hiking a mountain…

But fall in Minnesota is something to be experienced! The crisp air, colorful leaves on the trees – or fluttering to the ground. Bonfires and marshmallows, long walks in the woods, short days with plenty of time to read in the evening after the sun disappears for the night.

If you’ve never experienced fall (or summer or winter or spring) in Minnesota, I invite you to do so soon. We have a beautiful state, and many romantic sites.

Speaking of Minnesota romance, our multi-author anthology, Love in the Land of Lakes, supports the Midwest Fiction Writers Sunshine Fund – money set aside to help writers who need a little boost to help them succeed.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, and just as many love stories. Love in the Land of Lakes brings you seventeen of these stories, from two childhood sweethearts connecting on the end of a dock on a warm summer's evening, to a city boy's chaotic weekend at his girlfriend's primitive cabin. We bring you the story of a savvy horse who leads her owner to love in post–Civil War farm country, and the haunting romance of an ageless gambler who inhabits a historic riverboat and charms the boat's new owner.

A kaleidoscope of sunshine, snowstorms, and thunderstorms grace our contemporary, mystery, historical, and paranormal stories as the authors of Midwest Fiction Writers spin lovely romances that will send you drifting into happily ever afters.

All proceeds from this book will benefit Midwest Fiction Writers http://www.midwestfiction.com/ in providing learning opportunities for writers of all levels.

Our Stories:

A Cut Above the Rest by Rhonda Brutt - Rachel knew that a simple haircut had the power to change someone’s life. What she wasn’t counting on though, was how it would change hers.

Bobbers 'N Bait by Laura Breck - The evocative marketing gimmick at the new bait store in town has the fishing outfitter all hot and bothered.

Coming Home by Jana Otto - A young widow’s faith and courage are tested when she falls in love with her husband’s best friend.

Dancing in the Moonlight by Rose Marie Meuwissen - Anna Thorstad never imagined reopening her parents' lake cabin would also open her heart to love again.

Henrietta's Man by J.S. Overmier - A savvy horse carries her Civil War-torn soldier north in search of healing and a future.

Her Stranger by Michel Prince - Each night a stranger comes to Rachel’s cabin door. What is it that makes her fall into his arms?

Hook, Line and Stinker by Ann Hinnenkamp - An LA makeover artist comes home to Minnesota and must use all her skills to tame a wild man.

Hooked by Barbara Mills - An avid outdoorswoman takes her city born and raised boyfriend for a chaotic weekend at her family's primitive cabin on the lake.

Lake Dreams by Rosemary Heim - Olivia had her life all planned out. All except for that one impulsive night with her childhood crush. Can he convince her the result is worth the risk?

Lake Secrets by Mary Schenten - A weekend getaway at the scene of the crime has Elly struggling to keep a secret from her best friend.

Love in the Land of Lakes

Enjoy the rest of summer!

Laura

~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance

LauraBreck.com

~Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas

~Dancing in a Hurricane

~Love in the Land of Lakes

Is This Possible? Six Inches of Snow on April 19?

Laura Breck

My husband took this picture from his office window. Two days ago, there were about 40 robins on the lawn.

Yes, it's beautiful, but where is Spring?

On a warmer topic, my Romance Writers of America chapter's fundraising anthology received a fabulous four-star review in Romantic Times Magazine.

LOVE IN THE LAND OF LAKES
by Various Authors
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Anthology
Sensuality: MILD

RT Rating

This anthology’s contributors boast that readers will indulge in 17 stories of “love, laughter and life,” and each author delivers on that promise. Although the novelettes are quite similar, the entire collection individually gives fans of romance a message of hope, a whisper of a kiss and just enough spice to keep it interesting. Additionally, all proceeds from the purchase of this book are going toward providing training and learning opportunities for writers.

Some of the collection’s standouts include Jana Otto’s “Coming Home,” where a young widow learns to love again. Her late husband’s best friend is on military leave and she invites him to a weekend getaway at the cabin in Lake Makawa. Who will be the first one to profess their love? In “Lake Dreams,” by Rosemary Heim, a childhood crush comes into fruition 10 years later. One single kiss and a steamy night together could turn into a lifetime of happiness — or anguish. And in, “Hooked” by Barbara Mills, a young woman who loves the outdoors takes her city-slicker boyfriend to her family’s cabin on the lake and teaches him a thing or two about fresh air and boatloads of loving. These and many more tales will jumpstart your heart! (MIDWESTFICTION.COM, Feb., 263 pp., $13.99 )

Thank you, Romantic Times, and thank you Mother Earth for providing us with moisture four our ground, even if it is in the form of April Snows instead of April Showers.

Has the weather been odd in your corner of the world, too?

Have a great weekend,
Laura

~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance

LauraBreck.com
~Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital formats at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace
~Love in the Land of Lakes is available in digital format at Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace

March May be Mad, but I Love This Month!

Laura Breck

Here in Minnesota, it’s starting to warm up. We’re getting rain instead of snow. Days are longer and the sun is warmer. But watch out! This weekend is the MN State High School Boys Hockey Tournament. Next weekend is the Western Collegiate Hockey Tournament. Traditionally, one of these two weekends brings our state a whopper of a snowstorm.

And we didn’t get it this weekend. Uh oh!

Besides being the WCHA weekend, next Saturday is St. Paul’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. It’s a day-long celebration that’s based on the Irish tradition, but is celebrated by revelers of every heritage. The parade at noon is always interesting, with local Irish families marching and singing and wearin’ o’ the green.

After that, March madness slows down around here as we wait for spring to really set in.

If you’re eagerly awaiting spring, as we are in Minnesota, I’d love to suggest a wonderful book for a wonderful cause.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, and just as many love stories. Love in the Land of Lakes brings you seventeen of these stories, from two childhood sweethearts connecting on the end of a dock on a warm summer's evening, to a city boy's chaotic weekend at his girlfriend's primitive cabin. We bring you the story of a savvy horse who leads her owner to love in post–Civil War farm country, and the haunting romance of an ageless gambler who inhabits a historic riverboat and charms the boat's new owner.

A kaleidoscope of sunshine, snowstorms, and thunderstorms grace our contemporary, mystery, historical, and paranormal stories as the authors of Midwest Fiction Writers spin lovely romances that will send you drifting into happily ever afters.

All proceeds from this book will benefit Midwest Fiction Writers http://www.midwestfiction.com/ in providing learning opportunities for writers of all levels.

 
You can enter to win a paperback copy at Goodreads.
 
Hope your March is going well so far,
Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
~Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital and paperback formats at Amazon and in paperback at Createspace
~Love in the Land of Lakes is available in digital format at Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks and Amazon, and in paperback at Amazon and Createspace

 

The Perfect Valentine's Day Gift for the Romance Reader in Your Life

Laura Breck

Is your sweetheart a romance reader? Or do you deserve to buy yourself a great Valentine’s Day gift? Seventeen authors of Midwest Fiction Writers have put together an anthology of short romances based on the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota.
 
Love in the Land of Lakes has a story for every taste. And the proceeds will go to educate romance writers at every level of their careers.

My story in the anthology is a fun one, romantic, but lighthearted. Here’s a little sample:

Excerpt from Bobbers 'N Bait: Liz dropped her head for a second. This must be the guy who owned Renton Outfitters, their only competition on this side of the lake. Darn. She thought he was some conservative fanatic upon which she could unleash her mightiest verbal barbs and then never have to see again.

But, no. He was a neighbor. A business owner. Her direct competition.

"Can we start over?" She held out her hand. "I'm Liz Darlington."

He eyed her hand as if it might easily turn into a snake. After a second he took it in his.

In his big, strong, hot hand. The tingle of awareness rippled up her arm and into her chest. A little shiver of delight brought goosebumps to her skin.

"JT Renton." His voice rolled low and sexy.

She'd noticed the tenting in the front of his shorts earlier, but nearly three-fourths of the men who came in today had the same reaction. As Nikki said, The less blood in the brain, the better our sales are going to be. A marketing genius.

"JT." She took back her hand. "I apologize for going all God Bless America on you. I didn't realize why you were here."

He nodded. "I wanted to check out the competition. I had no idea your open house would create such a stir."

She smiled. "We're all about stirring."

A corner of his mouth quirked up. "You are that."

********

Love in the Land of Lakes is available in digital format at Smashwords All Romance Ebooks and Amazon 

Paperback coming soon!

Learn more about the anthology at Midwest Fiction Writers.

Have a romantic Valentine’s Day!

Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital and paperback formats at Amazon and in paperback at Createspace

Pride, Service, and Karma - How Do They Figure Into Our Lives?

Laura Breck

I believe in Karma. It's that intangible force that brings good things to us when we live our lives in positive, helpful ways. When we do bad things, watch out! Karma brings bad things back. And when we forget why we're doing good things, Karma will send us a reminder to curb that non-altruistic pride.

I once read that true generosity is the quality of helping others without expecting anything in return. I try to live by that motto every day. When my writers' group, Midwest Fiction Writers, a chapter of the Romance Writers of America, put out a call for someone to organize and publish a fundraising anthology to benefit the chapter, I knew this was something I could do to give back to the organization that has helped me become the writer I am today.

The anthology project has been a long, time-consuming challenge, and an experience I am glad I chose to participate in. The seventeen-story anthology, Love in the Land of Lakes is in the last few weeks of production, and will be published in digital format and paperback by the end of January (keeping my fingers crossed.) For more information, and to sign up for the mailing list, please click here.

 

Remember what I said about helping others without expecting anything in return? Earlier this month, our 2012 chapter awards were given at our monthly meeting. I was surprised and honored to receive the MFW Chapter Service Award for my work on the anthology.

The trophy is lovely, even though it is difficult to photograph, but I tried my best.

I showed it off to my family, told my friends about it, and was thinking of posting it on Facebook, when Karma did its thing to curb my pride. When the e-mail went out to all members of my writers' group announcing the 2012 award winners, my name was not on the list.

Bazinga, as Sheldon Cooper would say. A very humbling reality check for me. It served well to remind me why I had donated my time to organize the anthology. Not for the reward of a trophy, and not for bragging rights, but for the joy of giving of myself and the opportunity to help where I was needed. Lesson learned!

Working with sixteen fabulous authors, one incredible cover artist, two amazing editors, and a whole slew of talented beta readers - all volunteering their time - I realized how lucky I am to be a part of this project. All these people donated their time and talents to make the anthology the professional and creative book that it is. Thanks, Karma, for sending this opportunity my way!

All my best,
Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital and paperback formats at Amazon and in paperback at Createspace