Selena Robins, Author

Please join me in welcoming, the talented and multi-published romance author of passionate, provocative and decadent romance novels; Leah Braemel.

In our interview, Leah tells us what movie best describes her life and other tidbits about her life.

PLUS, in honor of the upcoming holidays, Leah is generously giving away a digital copy of I Need You for Christmas (one of Leah’s favorite stories since it’s set in the area where she grew up). (Giveaway details below).

The Interview:

Selena: What five things that you deem to be romantic would you put in a time capsule for future generations and why?

Leah: I suppose it depends if the capsule is for future Braemel generations or just anyone.  Either way I’d include laminated print outs of a couple of love letters my hubby (whom I fondly refer to on my blog as Gizmo Guy) wrote for me, one for this year’s anniversary and one from 2010 (yup, he wrote those without encouragement from me, and presented them to me unasked, which to me was very very romantic).  (Do they count was one item or two?)

Selena: Who’s counting when it’s something so sweet. How would you fix the letters in the capsule?

Leah: I’d tuck in the tiny basket of flowers that adorned the top of my wedding cake – they’re a symbol of our love too, and how long it’s lasted; I’d probably write a note giving advice for how to keep a relationship going (I figure 35 ½ years of marriage gives me some clout in the expertise department.)

Selena: Gizmo Guy is as romantic as you are. Love it. Yes, 35 1/2 years of marriage does make you an expert and I think younger couples will benefit from your wisdom.

Besides marriage and children, what would you consider to be the best moment in your life?

Leah: Opening the email from Angela James saying she was offering a contract for Private Property.

Selena: Congratulations on your contract! What is the most romantic thing you’ve done for the hero in your life?

Leah: I must admit this question stumped me. What I might consider an everyday event and not even think about others may find romantic – a friend of ours chuckled at how even though we’ve been married for so many years we still hold hands when we’re walking down the street. And I can’t think of any grand gestures I’ve done. So I emailed my hubby and asked him. His reply “Putting up with all my quirks/stubbornness/weirdness for 35 years…marrying me in spite of the above….Taking me to New York/Myrtle Beach/Kansas City for your conferences when you didn’t have to.” (Personally I think I could say the same about him marrying me in spite of all my quirks/stubbornness/weirdness, though I’m betting he didn’t know about some of it until after we were married. And some quirks I think I developed to deal with his quirks and I have to be stubborn to put up with his stubbornness, LOL.)

Selena: LOL! I can relate to a hubby accepting and even embracing quirks, as I have a few of my own. Holding hands is romantic and taking care of each other when the other has a nasty cold or virus, may not sound romantic to some, but I think it is the meaning of romance.

What do you feel are the occupational hazards to being an author?

Leah: Considering I’ve been in physiotherapy for the past couple of months, a very real occupational hazard is repetitive stress injuries. For me, a rotator cuff injury caused by sitting at my computer for too many hours without a break, but some authors fight carpal tunnel syndrome. Either way, writing can be hazardous if not done right. 😉

Selena: Ouch! Sounds painful. Knock on wood, I haven’t endured any of those, but I have suffered from fatonmythighs if I sit too long and don’t get to the gym.

Have you ever pulled off a prank and if so, what was it?

Leah: I’m not much of a prank player but once the boys grew up and lost some of the Santa excitement, we came up with a scavenger hunt every Christmas day based upon a prank I pulled on my hubby one Christmas about ten years back. My hubby had asked for a new computer system for Christmas. Which I’d told him there was no way he was going to get. I’d split up the components of the computer and wrapped them individually and hidden them in various parts of the house – and then  I put a couple of small presents like socks under the tree, and let him think that was all he was getting. I’d put a note with instructions of where to find his present in his stocking, which he always checks last. We’ve made that a regular ritual any time someone asks for a major present like that. Or sometimes for a small present, just to add some excitement to the day.

Selena: Love traditions and that one sounds like so much fun. Have you ever met a hot cowboy up close and personal and interviewed him for your book?

Leah: No hot cowboy meetings, unfortunately (though I saw some very cute cowboys at the Royal Winter Fair this November.) I have met a cowgirl up close and personal, and have emailed a Texas rancher’s wife quite a bit. (Although she’s an integral part of the ranch chores so I hate to make it seem like she’s not a rancher too.)

Selena: What are the three essential wardrobe staples a romance writer must have while writing?

Leah: It depends upon the time of year – for winter time like it is now up here in Canada, fuzzy pajama pants are de rigueur for me, along with a sweatshirt or hoodie, and a thick pair of slippers. In summer, I guess a t-shirt (and that’s probably optional depending on who’s around, LOL), shorts/loose skirt. Of course there may be some writers who aren’t surrounded by people or have windows people can see in or just don’t care and decide any clothing is optional. 😉

Selena: Comfy PJ’s a must in the winter, I agree. I like to sit by a window, so having clothes on is mandatory. What movie best describes your life?

Leah: LOL, this one stumped me.

Selena: I’m thinking I should have a “Stump the Author” title when interviewing. LOL I know, it is a hard question, because I don’t know if I could even answer it for my life…my husband says, “Any Lucille Ball episode would do.” So, after thinking about it, what did you come up with?

Leah:  The only one that kept coming to mind was Christmas Vacation and I thought “that’s not right.” So I went down and asked my hubby – his first response? “Christmas Vacation!” Maybe I should have taken Griswald as a pen name, LOL. (As a side note, I’ve often thought the creators of the comic strip Zits had hidden cameras in our house.)

Selena: LOL! Thank so much for joining me on the blog, Leah, it’s been great fun chatting with you. To finish it off, let’s have a quick fire word association game.

Christmas – tree

Pot Roast – slow cooker

Chocolate – Toblerone

Passion – writing

Sons – love

Interview – questions

Crazy – ME!

Check out Leah’s new

Contemporary Western Romance 

Losing his father was hard enough, but now Ben Grady must face the fact that he and his brother may not be sole owners of their beloved ranch. To protect his family’s legacy, he’s forced to rely on the legal prowess of the woman who stars in his erotic fantasies: Allie O’Keefe. Ben’s never forgotten the illicit encounter they shared fifteen years ago—or forgiven himself for letting her go.

Allie thought she’d moved beyond the scandal that cost her Ben in the past. But working so closely with the seductive rancher arouses the wild child within the cautious woman she’s become. Though she tries to keep business and pleasure separate, Allie soon gives in to temptation, and discovers Ben’s sensual skills surpass even her X-rated memories…

Allie has every intention of leaving Bull’s Hollow forever after her investigation is complete. But there are a few complications. Not the least of which is that while saving the ranch, Allie’s lost her heart.

Available Now:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Carina Press

Meet Leah Braemel

 

The only woman in a houseful of men (even the cat and dog are male), Leah Braemel loves hiding away from all the testosterone to let the dust bunnies fend for themselves while dreaming up sexy heroes and the heroines who challenge them.

You can visit Leah at her website.

Follow Leah on: Twitter, FaceBook, Goodreads

The Giveaway

For your chance to win a digital copy of Leah’s book; I Need You for Christmas, simply leave a comment in the comment section.