Lauren Dane Stops By with an Excerpt (+ Giveaway) for Laid Open!

Posted September 13, 2012 by Rowena in Giveaways, Promotions | 53 Comments


Book Binge: We’ve got an excerpt from Lauren Dane for her upcoming release Laid Open.

Check it out:

Brown Siblings: LAID OPEN by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2012, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group
Releasing in all digital formats October 2

I didn’t think it would be this hard to leave him.” Ben said this in an undertone to Todd. They were at Brody and Elise’s, dropping Alexander off. They’d be getting on a plane in a few hours, but for that moment, Ben watched his son clap his hands, dancing around with Rennie as baby Marti hopped up and down, spinning in her little bouncer.

“We won’t break him or lose him, I promise.” Elise smiled up at Ben, taking his hand and squeezing it. They sat around Brody and Elise’s kitchen table, guzzling coffee.

“He might break you.” Erin winked at her brother, who rolled his eyes.

“Babygirl, if I can survive you and Adrian and Martine’s impromptu four A.M. wake-up calls, I can handle Alexander.”

Alexander heard his name and came over, patting Brody’s knee. “Yo! Hey, Bo.”

Alexander had nicknames for everyone. Brody was Bo because at first he couldn’t say Brody. It had stuck, and from the smile on Brody’s face, he didn’t mind that one bit. And the yo had come directly from his uncle Adrian, who always said it.

Brody bent to pick Alexander up, plopping him on a bouncing knee. “Hey, monkey. Do you want to stay here with us for a few days?”

Alexander thought a moment and then nodded, a grin on his face. “Zoo?”

“Totally. We’re going to the zoo later today with uncle Adrian and Gillian and Miles too.”

“Yes!” Alexander clapped.

Miles was another cousin, the eldest of the bunch at fourteen, and Alexander loved him with the same glee he did everything else. Miles was a quiet kid, but as all new members of the Brown family found out, Browns simply never shut up or got still. It was best to throw yourself into the experience and enjoy it. And Miles was a good example to Alexander. He worked hard in school, got good grades, had manners and cared about his family.

Erin leaned over to kiss Rennie when she came into the kitchen. “Morning, Ren.”

“Hiya, Aunt Erin. Will you take lots of pictures? I like to see the pictures you all take when you go sunny places.” She sent a hangdog look to her mother, who snorted.

“Nice one. Try looking a little wistful instead of just sad.” Erin grinned. “Brody, why do you deny your children sunny vacations? Why you gotta be so hard?”

“I’m mean that way. I have a log book I keep with all the ideas I have to be mean to my daughters.”

“Daaad.” Rennie laughed.

Ben glanced at Todd, who looked down at his watch. No use putting it off any longer. They had to get going, and the cleaner they made the break, the better. Alexander had stayed with Brody and Elise overnight a few times and he wasn’t upset in the slightest.

Didn’t mean his parents weren’t, but that was life.

Ben stood. “We should be on our way.”

Erin looked in Alexander’s direction. He was happily handing Marti blocks, which she threw down five seconds later. He laughed and started over. She laughed and threw the blocks again.
Ben watched her swallow hard as she turned back to Brody. “You have our numbers if you need anything. The medical info is—”

“In the folder you brought today, along with the resort’s information and your flight dates and times.” Brody finished his sister’s sentence. He stood and hugged her. “Babygirl, have a good time. You know he’s going to be just fine here.” He lowered his voice. “You gonna be all right?”
Being around crowds and being jostled were hard for her. They were often trigger events from a long-ago attack that nearly killed her and did kill her daughter. She was the strongest person he knew, but it wrecked them all when she had her moments.

“I promised to take half a pill once we ate a little. I’m all right. I promise.” She looked up at her big brother and he hugged her once more before stepping back.

Totally unaffected, Alexander grabbed his toast and happily shoved it into his mouth. The trouble on Erin’s features melted away at the sight.

“Thank you, guys.”

“Nothing to thank us for. We love having him here.” Brody kissed her forehead. “Enjoy this time. I’ll see you guys in ten days.”

She bent and hugged Alexander. “Remember we talked about you staying here with Brody and Elise?”

“And Nee.”

Rennie grinned.

“Yes, monkey, Rennie and Marti too. Momma, Daddy and Pop have to go to the airport now. Be good for your aunt and uncle, okay?”

Alexander nodded, his cheeks stuffed with toast. “ ’Course!”

“Love you, monkey.” She stood up to let Todd move closer.

“Should we bring you back a shark, pickle?”

Erin groaned as Todd hugged their son. “Good lord, he’s going to expect one now.”

“Can’t keep him in the bathtub though. Maybe a smaller one.” Todd winked at Alexander, who giggled.

Ben followed, breathing his baby in. “Love you.”

“Love you!” Alexander blew them kisses as they headed out to the car. And then he turned and went back to his toast.

Thanks to Lauren Dane for stopping by and sharing an excerpt with us. Laid Open will release on October 2, 2012 at e-retailers everywhere.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Lauren Dane has graciously offered up 3 kindle or nook pre-orders of Laid Open. All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on this post and let us know how much you love Lauren Dane. Please include a valid email address with your comment. Giveaway ends on Friday 9/14/12 at 11:59pm PST so get your comments in! Winners will be announced next week.

Good luck!

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53 Comments

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53 responses to “Lauren Dane Stops By with an Excerpt (+ Giveaway) for Laid Open!”

  1. Jenn C

    Oh goodness, I’ve been waiting for this one forever! Lauren is fantastic and Laid Open looks like it is just as fabulous as her others. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  4. lostinagreatbook.com

    The Brown series was my introduction to Lauren’s work, and I feel like I fell into their world completely. I love them – I’ve promote them to friends and on my blog, and can’t wait to catch up with Erin & Ben & Todd. So excited for this release… Oh, and congratulations on it as well!
    lostinagreatbookATyahooDOTca

    Reply
  6. Beckey

    I have been waiting for this one <3 Lauren's books...
    🙂
    My favorite is the one she did with Hart 🙂

    Thanks for the chance for this one 🙂

    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

    Reply
  7. Martika

    Oh, I am so excited for this story! I absolutely love Erin, Todd, and Ben and the whole Brown family. The Brown Siblings Series is so good and is usually at the top of my favorite books list. Alexander is too adorable!

    Reply
  9. kandj7299

    I absolutely love the Brown Series. I cannot wait for this book and I would love to win it. Thanks for having this giveaway!!

    kandj7299 at verizon dot net

    Reply
  10. Anonymous

    I’ve never been to Seattle. After reading Lauren’s books I totally need to come visit and imagine for a moment all her characters live and breathe around me. Including supernaturals;) it’ll take me 23 h but I’m sure it’s worth it!Agatahelena@gmail.com

    Reply
  13. LexieA

    I adore her. Her Books are amazing. Story, hot scenes everything… Reading her book I complete forget the outside world and I live and breathe with characters.

    Reply
  17. Sassy

    Oh how I have wait to read more about the Brown Sibling. Love them!!!! I love Lauren Dane. I started with the Chase Brother, & the Cascadia Wolves, I do love the de La Vega Cats. I just love all her work. My friends always ask me what a good read, & for course I tell they have to read Lauren Dane book. Thanks Lauren!!!!

    Reply
  19. winnie

    Really looking forward to this book as I’ve definitely enjoyed reading this series! Thanks for the giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  22. Corinne

    I love Lauren’s “Brown Sibling” series, every page/chapter & book, BUT my absolute fav is Erin/Ben/Todd’s story….I CANNOT wait for this addition to their story!! Thanks for the chance in this fantastic give away!! =) Hooooly cow, forgot to add email address twice: abbeycat34(@)yahoo.com

    Reply
  23. Leticia

    Love the excerpt! I discovered the Brown Family last year and WOW! They are as real as a family can get. They laugh together, argue together but most importantly they love together. This whole series is fantastic and I cannot wait for this new novella and a glimpse back into Erin, Todd, and Ben’s relationship. Thanks Lauren!

    lbotello402@yahoo.com

    Reply
  27. cait045

    I love the Brown series and love that their stories don’t end. I like that Lauren continues them in the other books and I am so excited for this novella. I love Erin, Todd, and Ben!

    usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom

    Reply
  28. Melissa

    I love all of Lauren’s book but the Brown Sibling series is my favorite.I would love to win an e-copy of Laid Open! Thanks for the giveaway!

    melissalamb(at)musfiber(dot)com

    Reply
  29. Lisa Meisenburg

    Oh my god!!! I soooo can’t wait for more Erin, Todd and Ben. I absolutely love the Brown family. Thanks Lauren Dane for being an excellent author of awesome boooks!!!!!
    24catwoman@mchsi.com
    Lisa Meisenburg

    Reply
  31. erin

    Thanks for a fabulous post and congrats to Lauren on the upcoming release! I haven’t read her books yet, but they are on the top of my “want” list 🙂

    Reply
  33. Casey

    How much do I love Lauren Dane? THIS MUCH! Lol I really do love all of her books! I cannot wait to read Laid Open!

    c4casey(at)comcast(dot)net

    Reply
  38. Christina Garner

    I have been anxiously awaiting for this book to come out! I love the Brown/Seattle series by Lauren Dane!

    Reply
  41. Aurore

    Thank you for the snippet. It’s so sweet. I love Alexander, he’s such a cute little boy.
    I absolutely love Lauren’s Brown siblings series. She writes wonderful characters. I’m reading Sway just now and I’m loving it. I can’t wait for Laid Open and Tart. Thank you for the great giveaway!

    aurore.linnea@gmail.com

    Reply
  42. Anne

    I’m a big fan of the series and I’m glad now that everyone is matched up that we get a peek in how things are going..

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply

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