P.M. Briede's Blog

The first book in my newest series, The Delacroix Series, released today for $0.99! Make sure to get your copy!Death of a Chorus Girl

Don't miss your chance to get The Underground for $0.99 on Amazon!The Underground

For those of you that don't know, I am an LSU alumni and a huge LSU football fan. I love Les Miles, the way he coaches and how he is to his players. So this is for all my fellow alumni followers, Marja, Mallory, Otto, and Julie-Ann! If there are more of you out there and I missed you, please bring it to my attention as I love learning about the more things we all have in common. And, of course, Geaux Tigers!

Ready for the conclusion to the Grace Series? While your wait is over. The book is available at Amazon for $0.99 for a limited time so get your copy today!

They walk among us, weave in and out of our lives as they see fit, pushing us towards calamity. Who they are today may not be who they are tomorrow.

I am drawing a line in the sand, one they crossed long ago.

Having now learned that every betrayal, every tragedy I've faced in my life was orchestrated by exiled angels, I'm tired of being manipulated. And not only me, but also my friends and family. There's no such thing as freewill. We're all just pawns in a giant chess game for the fate of eternity. I desperately wish I could walk away. But at this point, I can’t, and I refuse to stand by any longer and watch people get hurt; watch people die.

The exiled plan is becoming clear, chaos and destruction across the globe. Everything we think is senseless, these are all just tactics from the exiles to turn humanity against itself. I'm left with no other alternatives. But how do you infiltrate an enemy when you can't trust the face or identity of anyone? Yet, I hold out hope. I have an exile on my side, a double agent if you will, who can no longer stand idly by.

So this is it. Charlotte Grace is going on the offensive. I may not be much, but you better hope that I'm enough.

So I've been to a couple book events over the past few days, and at each one, "your favorite vampire," seems to always come up. While I don't write about vampires (though I do love to read and watch them), here's my two cents. Joss Whedon knew what he was doing when he extended Spike's character arc in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. James Marsters created a irreverent yet lovable and ultimately redeemable character. He reveled in being bad. He struggled with being good. And he fought for his soul, and his love, attaining one but not the other. Without Spike, there would be no Klaus (Originals) or Damon (Vampire Diaries) or probably even Eric (True Blood). They're great characters in their own right, and I do enjoy them, but Spike broke the mold. This is a character who failed, repeatedly, but never gave up and for this reason he reigns supreme in my heart.

So I actually have been following through with a somewhat New Year's resolution to exercise more. I did good in the beginning, actually enjoying running, biking, and a little weight lifting. Then after a couple of months, the drag set in. I wasn't enjoying myself as much and time seemed to last FOREVER. Yet the last week or so, I realized why. Going to the gym is when I read. It's 30 minutes to myself where no one bugs me. So a good book is so important for me, something I can get lost in and make the time fly. Previous to this week, I'd been stuck in a book I just couldn't sink my teeth into. But this weekend I came across something, at least for me, is imaginative. So if you're looking for something with some fun paranormal fantasy and mystery, check it out.

So I am an admitted recluse. If I don't have a reason to leave the house, I typically don't, which is why I require a full time job. I'm lucky in that I really enjoy it though it doesn't stroke my creative side. I like the outside. It looks great through my windows. When I vacation I love to stop and visit it for a few hours and marvel at its wonders. You know, make sure it's still there. But there seems to always be a downside. It's too hot. It's too cold. It's too crowded. There are bugs (not my favorite). But today, I ventured out to find a perfect day. The right amount of sunshine. A perfectly clear blue sky. A perfect breeze. And my kind of bugs dropping by for a visit, butterflies only, please. I went for a bike ride. Played at the park and playground. Strolled around the open mall. Put up a tent in the backyard (about the only camping you'll ever find me doing) and ran through the sprinklers. Then I remembered the days when the best part of my day was swinging on the swing set. So I ask, what's your summertime escape. What reminds you of your childhood?

Preparing for my upcoming Facebook event (be looking for invites! ) I've been perusing the Grace series and craving Cajun. Curious I did a search for Jambalaya Day. I figured, there's got to be one. After all, the donut has its own day. But alas, while there is a day for gumbo (October 12th if you're interested) there is not one for Jambalaya. I realize that summer is probably not the season to want a hot and spicy dish, but I do. I love jambalaya. I love that there is no one way to make it, no one ingredient. It's a dish that is all about you and what you love. It's a culinary people pleaser! So here's to jambalaya, I'm naming today your day!

So today is a baking day. For me it's another form of creative expression and a labor of love. I love taking ingredients that don't always taste good on their own (vanilla extract anyone? Raw eggs?) and turning them into something desirous and delicious. Writing is kind if the same (although I know my cupcakes have more followers). Words when left on their own have no meaning until they're put together and given new life. So here's to my friend who graduated college this year. Thanks for today's inspiration and congrats!

So I attended my nephews graduation ceremony from high school yesterday evening. While I made many observations about the ceremony and the people who attended, some good, many frustrating, I am choosing to share with you the observations I made about two students who were among the graduating class. The first I noticed because he sat in the front row. This boy, who appeared to have some special needs, was just so thrilled to be graduating. He was so ecstatic about just being there that I couldn't help but smile. The wide grin never fell from his face and any time the students were required to stand he literally bounced like a kangaroo from sheer joy. The next was a boy who required a wheelchair but with the assistance of a walker and two members of the faculty, walked across the stage to get his diploma. This moment stood out to me because it transported me instantly to my own graduation when a friend of mine made the exact same decision to "walk." So I choose to share this with you because its always so easy to frown and judge people around us rather than look for those who renew your faith in humanity.