Writing While Distracted

Complex Dimensions

Double Six

Rainbow Snippet November 16-17

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Brenda

Monday is release day for Double Six, the fifth book in the Rowan House series. It seems fitting that it is releasing during NaNoWriMo as I drafted it during last year’s NaNoWriMo. I had a lot of fun writing Elaine’s story, her character is impetuous and full of surprises. This year for my NaNoWriMo project I am working on the second book in a brand new series. Today’s snip is from Double Six.

ELAINE TAPPED ON Petra’s door.
“Just a minute,” Petra called.
Elaine wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. Petra yanked the door open. “Yes?”

Elaine stared at the dark smudges under Petra’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

Petra swiped at her face. “I was testing some new mascara. Not so waterproof.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow. “Do you have plans for this evening?”

Petra gestured to her room. “Other than finishing my packing and washing my face? No.”

“Would you be interested in participating in a going away scene?”

Petra pursed her lips and rested a hand on her hip. “Where?”

Elaine tilted her head. “The large playroom.”

Petra’s mouth curved into a blade-sharp smile. “Is there a theme?”

Elaine rested her hands on the doorway to stop herself from grabbing Petra and kissing the cheeky expression off her face. “Innocence lost.”
Petra’s smirk was replaced by a feral smile. “Time?”

“Eight.”

“I’ll be there.”

Books available at

Complex Dimensions

Double Six

Rainbow Snippet November 9-10

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Brenda

The fifth and most likely last book in the Rowan House series, Double Six releases on November 18th. I say most likely because I always call Rowan House my accidental series. I didn’t plan for it to be more than one novel but the women of Rowan House all had stories to tell. The last book is Elaine (Cook) happy ever after and today’s snip is from Double Six.

Petra bit into a lavender lemon shortbread from her plate. She closed her eyes and chewed, a blissful expression on her face.

Elaine laughed. “Robin has many talents. That is her signature shortbread.”

“That is sinful.” Petra took a sip of her tea.

“How do you know Lucia?” Elaine bit into her favorite chocolate biscuit.

Petra’s eyes shuttered. “Pass.”
“Why?”
“Why do you want to know?” Petra’s expression was

neutral, but her eyes were hard.
“Lucia is part of my family now. You’re the first

person she has ever mentioned in her life other than Madame. I’m curious. I don’t care if you were involved. And neither will Martha if you’re concerned.”

Petra snorted. “Involved. That’s one way to put it.” She took another sip of her tea. “I met Lucia in Japan. Madame sent me to her.”

“As her what? Sub? Chaperone? Minder?”

“She was studying shibari and was required to bring someone with her to be her canvas.”

“You went willingly? Or was it Madame’s will?” Elaine twisted her napkin in her hands.

“I wanted to go. There was no place for me at the Onyx.” Petra’s tone revealed nothing, her face a mask.

Elaine placed her plate on the table. “I don’t understand what kind of hold Madame had. How she was able to draw strong women such as yourself, Lucia, and my sister to her side, have them beg to be hers.”

“Don’t you?” Petra tilted her head to the side. “How many women have asked or begged to be yours?”

Elaine shifted in her seat. “That’s different.” “How so? Because they were subs?”
Elaine picked up the teapot. “More tea?” “No, thank you.”

Elaine could sense Petra’s eyes on her. “Not going to answer?”

“I don’t know what to say.” Elaine sat back in her chair.

“Probably enough sharing for today.”

“Goddess, I hate that word. I don’t like sharing. I don’t want to know. I think we should all keep our secrets and fucked-up feelings inside where they belong.”

“So they can fester? Fuel your anger and pain?” Petra snorted. “And here I thought you were a sadist.”

“I am.” Elaine studied the pattern on the carpet. “And what good does it do to share? It’s not like anyone really cares.”

“Or stays around? That’s the rest of it, isn’t it? You don’t expect anyone to stay if you’re honest.” Petra’s gaze burned. “If you keep everyone at arm’s length, hold back, always stay in control, you don’t have to worry, do you? And yet you were surprised when Roxy left.”

Elaine stood abruptly. “You don’t know me. Three scenes, a few chats, and you think you know me. The audacity.”

“I didn’t say I did. I said I wanted to.” Petra placed her plate on the cart before she pressed her napkin to her mouth.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.

You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list and receive a free erotic short story HERE

Check out more information about her upcoming releases and appearances at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet September 14-15

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Brenda

Happy Weekend Snippeteers! It’s time for another snippet. My novel Complex Dimensions now is available for pre-order now from Ninestars’ website as well as Amazon. This week’s snip finds Veronica and Millie in the kitchen, enjoy!

From Complex Dimensions:

MILLIE WORE A black tank top and her faded jeans rode low on her hips as she stirred a small red pot of soup. The smell of potatoes and beef filled the tiny space that served as the kitchen.

“Beef stew?” Veronica peered into the pan.

“Scotch Broth. Barley, potatoes, beef, mutton, peas, carrots, some onion.”

“Sounds like my grandma’s beef stew, except she doesn’t put mutton or barley in hers.” Veronica’s stomach growled.

Millie pointed at two bowls on the counter. “Hand me those and I’ll serve. I lived on this at Uni.”

Veronica passed her two bowls and Millie ladled the soup into them. “Spoons?”

“Top drawer. Crisps are in the cupboard.”

Veronica collected two spoons and pulled a lurid orange and yellow bag from the cupboard. “Nik-Naks Nice ’n’ Spicy. What the hell are these things? Nice and Spicy. What does that mean? Are they really?”

Millie tilted her head at Veronica. “You’ve been here four months and not had Nik-Naks?”

“I’ve been a little busy.” Veronica rested a hand on her hip, raised an eyebrow, and met Millie’s gaze.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s 2018 Top 100 Vacation Reads list. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Complex Dimensions, the fourth book in the Rowan House series

Rainbow Snippet August 31

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers! Tomorrow is the start of September and in our house the countdown to October because we are all Halloween freaks. In the spirit of Halloween this week’s snip is from my paranormal novella Shifting Flames.

Shifting Flames is part of the Soul Burn duology with Megan Hart that will be published by Ninestar Press in January 2020.

From Shifting Flames: Eve’s gaydar had pinged solidly the moment Celeste had pulled off her helmet and made eye contact. Observing the elegant and sexy woman before her, Eve wondered about Celeste’s fierce insistence on privacy and how she was ever going to work with her. The tantalizing prospect of breaking down Celeste’s walls while keeping her own boundaries in place titillated Eve.

“Would you like some wine?” Celeste used the sprayer to rinse the sink.

“I would.”

Celeste turned to her and dried her hands on a dishtowel. “Red?”

Eve smiled. “Do I look like a red wine drinker, or are you guessing?”

Celeste inclined her head toward a walnut-paneled cabinet. “That’s the wine chiller, see if anything there suits you, if not we’ll make a trip to the cellar.” She hung the towel to dry and opened the cabinet behind her extracting two red wine glasses and a corkscrew. She placed them on the kitchen island.

Eve worried her lip with her teeth wondering at the shift Celeste’s demeanor as she examined the wine bottles labels. Charming hostess or stoic loner? Which one is the real Celeste?

Books available at

Complex Dimensions, book four in the Rowan House series

Rainbow Snippet August 17-18

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers!

I’ve had a lovely break including a fantastic 10 day digital detox, and I’m ready to get back to work. This week’s snip is from a paranormal romance I’ve had on the back burner for several years and plan to finish this fall. The working title is Helen and Lucinda. This is a first draft so please be forgiving.

From Helen and Lucinda:

Lucinda relaxed her grip, tracing her claw down Helen’s face. “Not a threat. I have a gift,” sliding her hand to the back of Helen’s neck she gripped it hard. With her other hand she ran a nail across her breast. Golden liquid seeped along the line of the wound. Lucinda touched her finger to Helen’s lips “Drink and be mine. Forever bound. Blood by blood, lifetime by lifetime.”

“Why now?” Helen gripped Lucinda’s waist with both hands.”I have nothing to give you”

“You fear loosing me to Lilith. This is my pledge to you. Drink and know you are bound to me.”

Helen lowered her head and lapped the glistining drops of blood Lucinda offered. Sweet and coppery, Lucinda’s offering filled her mouth.

“Your gift to me will be freeing Lilith from the stone.” Lucinda pressed a kiss to the crown of Helen’s head

Helen sighed as she swallowed the last of Lucinda’s gift. A tendril of desire curled up from her belly spun out from her center and she pushed her body hard against Lucinda craving more of her dark gift.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet July 6-7

Posted on July 6, 2019 by Brenda

Hi all,
This week I’m busy doing laundry and packing for The Golden Crown Literary Society’s annual conference. It’s a short drive from my house to Pittsburgh, and I’m stoked to meet a bunch of folks in real life that have been so very supportive of my work. My fantastic publisher and the ever fabulous Natasha Snow have created another gorgeous cover for my next novel, Complex Dimensions, set to release in September.

I’ll be reading from the manuscript during my Author Spotlight so if you’re at the conference on Thursday, July 11th come on by and listen. I’ll be reading with four other authors, including Erin Zak and Carsen Taite.

This week’s snip is from Complex Dimensions.
Millie looked up and grinned. “You okay?” A tiny smirk twisted her mouth. “Have I stunned you with my Scrabble talents?”

Veronica laughed. “Dude, you have thoroughly spanked me. All I have left is Us and Ns. And nowhere to play them.”
Millie grinned. “You’re good. The last person I played with I beat by three hundred points.”
Veronica leaned back in her chair as a tiny flare of jealous ignited in her chest. Ridiculous. I am ridiculous. She’s not mine. So what if she played Scrabble with someone else? “Thank you. We played a bunch growing up. I’m rusty.”
“If that’s your version of rusty I better be prepared for our next game.” She stretched and her shirt pulled tight across her chest and Veronica had to look away before she embarrassed herself. “I hate to say it but I’ve got to go and try to get some sleep. I’ve an early pickup tomorrow.”
Veronica stifled her disappointment. “It’s okay. Maybe we can do this again sometime.”

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s 2018 Top 100 Vacation Reads list. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Twitter here Sign Up for her email list for sneak peeks and more at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet June 29-30

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Brenda

A steamy Saturday here, and I spent the morning making dolmas from the grape leaves pruned from my backyard vines. A dear friend came over and shared his mother’s recipe and they were delicious. It made me think of all the wonderful food I wrote about in Both Ends of the Whip, my novel inspired by a trip to a vineyard in Northern Italy and so this week’s snip is a throwback from that novel.

Both End of the Whip is the second book in the Rowan House Series and was my first experiment in writing a poly romance. I hope you enjoy this snip.

From Both Ends of the Whip:

Vivian lifted her chin, her gaze steady. “I have the contracts here. They’re for six months. That should be enough time for all of us to decide if the arrangement is acceptable.” She lifted an elegant black fountain pen from the desk and uncapped it. With a flowing hand she signed her name to each document. She held the pen out, and Octavia walked to the desk. Her fingers brushed against Vivian’s as she took the pen, and a tingle of desire worked its way to her core. Octavia signed her name on the contract. Damn. Get it together. This is trouble. So much trouble. When she was finished, she laid the pen on the desk and glanced up into Vivian’s eyes. The tingle turned into a strong wave of heat. Looking away from Vivian, she stepped back.
Vivian picked up the pen and held it out for Bridget. With slow steps Bridget walked to the desk, her focus fixed on Vivian’s face. Octavia noted the small tremor that shook her hand as she took the pen from Vivian and the way Bridget lowered her gaze when Vivian looked at her. After signing her name, Bridget held the pen out with both hands, palms up, an offering. Vivian’s lips curved into a smile as she took the pen from Bridget’s uplifted hands.
She didn’t smile at me. What the hell is wrong with me? So what? Get it together. She’s our employer. Nothing more. Damn, she gets to me. And to Bridget.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippets June 1-2

Posted on June 1, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers,

This week’s snip is from a project I started years ago and recently dusted off. When I started it I had no idea how to structure a novel and get to the end. Six years and seven novels later I feel like I have a handle on that part. I’ve written contemporary romance for the last six years but this spring I wrote a paranormal novella. It was fresh and fun and I and decided I needed to revisit this story. On Friday, I scored a fantastic premade cover from the fabulous May Dawney. Check out her designs here. And now I can’t wait to work on this story again.

A rough draft snip from Helen and Lucinda (working title)

Helen rested her hands on the rough stones of the parapet. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead and soaked the band of her eye patch. Moonlight made dense black shadows on the worn grey blocks of the tower floor and the soft rustling sound of wings cut through the humid night air. Helen’s breath hitched, and she shivered in spite of the heat.

Moonlight made dense black shadows on the worn grey stones. The soft rustling sound of wings cut through the humid night air. Helen’s breath hitched, and she shivered in spite of the heat. Her thin nightdress accented her curves and she plucked at the fabric that clung to her heavy breasts and half-hard nipples.

Lucinda’s winged form blotted out the full moon as she glided to a stop in front of Helen.

“Miss me?” Lucinda’s eyes glittered, bright against her pale green skin.

Unable to look away from Lucinda’s obsidian eyes, Helen swallowed on a dry throat before she whispered her answer. “Yes.”

“Sorry I kept you waiting.”

“You’re here now.” Helen took a step forward, lifted her chin and fixed her gaze on Lucinda’s lush mouth.

“So I am.” Lucinda twined her long arms about Helen, and her wings curtained around them as she pulled her into a tight embrace.

Helen sighed against Lucinda’s mouth as she tipped her head back and relaxed into her touch and the urgency of her kiss.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s Top 100 Vacation Reads list for 2018. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet May 25-26

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers,

I’m celebrating this week because I submitted my erotic paranormal romance duology with Megan Hart to my editor at NineStar press. Today’s Rainbow Snippet is from my story in the duology, Shifting Flames.

Eve and Celeste have been two of my favorite characters to write and I expect that I will write more paranormal romances after dipping my fingers into the genre, so to speak. I’m taking some time off this summer to noodle my next series and spend some time with my family but I will keep up with snips. Be sure to check out the other fabulous snips from other others at #rainbowsnippets

From Shifting Flames:

After lunch Eve returned to the study. Celeste was standing at the window her hand against the pane of glass, staring out at the valley.

“Are you okay?” Eve placed the cup of coffee she had brought with her on the desk.

Celeste turned from the window and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry for before. I’m ready to work now.”

Eve sat and opened her laptop. “Why don’t we set some guidelines, map out what is most important to you as a storyteller, then we’ll work through the scenes and dialogue to make that happen.”

“Are you a magician? You think we can really tell the story in one-hundred ten scenes? I must have been mad to agree to this.” Celeste turned back to the window, her hands clenched into fists.

“Look at me.”

Celeste turned back to Eve.

“We can do this. It may not be exactly what you want but if you’re serious we can make this happen. Trust me. Please.” Eve held Celeste’s gaze. “Don’t give up on this.”

Celeste rested her hands on her hips and inclined her head toward the window and the snowstorm outside. “It’s not like I could send you away.”

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexy times, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. For news about upcoming releases, appearances, sneak peeks and giveaways sign Up for her email list at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at