Barbara Elsborg's Blog: https://www.barbaraelsborg.com/blog, page 16

Tagged

I've been tagged in the Next Big Thing blog hop and have to answer a few questions or my ears will drop off and I'll catch the plague. Eeek. I'm supposed to nominate - ie force, torture, threaten - another five writers to take part but I've already asked those before who I know won't beat me to a pulp so I'm going to risk the wrath of khan or whatever and just answer the questions. Oh and suggest you try out the books of a couple of friends of mine if you haven't already done so.


1) What is the working title of your next book?With or Without him - it really is a working title - I have no idea what to call it. Actually, it's on my laptop under Saying No. I might not settle on the name for months.
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?A dream about a guy in a room, sitting on a window sill looking out onto a city. Er - he was naked.
3) What genre does your book fall under?MM
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

This is Gaspard Ulliel. He would be Tyler. He's always one of my heroes!  This shot of Robbie Williams is a good representation of Haris.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?Think Pretty Woman but it's Pretty Man.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?Not self pubbed.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?Still working on it. Started about two months ago and I've written a third.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?Don't know of any.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?A deep interest in damaged guys and their interactions.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?I pose the question of how far would you go to get what you want. If the price is right, is there anything you won't do?



My writer pals - Dawn and Arlene have been my friends for several years. We started out on the publishing trail together and we've all found homes for our stories. We've supported each other through the depressing times, when we had rejections or tough reviews and we've celebrated the acceptances and the reviews that made us cry with joy. We have our strengths and weaknesses and have been a perfect balance for each other over the years. Laurie Green is the other member of our pack and now she has an agent, we're expecting great things from her. Laurie has been as supportive as it is possible for anyone to be and I can't wait to see her sci fi romances out there for everyone to enjoy.

http://authordljackson.com/

http://www.arlenewebb.blogspot.com/

http://www.laurie-green.webs.com/

Just What She Wants - out today!!!

My second in Decadent Publishing's 1NS series is out today. It's a contemporary menage set in Orlando, Florida. Another holiday story. The first - On the Right Track was about New Year's Eve. This one is set at Christmas.




The blurb

 With a name like hers, Indiana Jones knows she ought to be adventurous and daring but when she’s tricked into taking a vacation on her own, and discovers she’s staying at a swinging resort, she wants to spend the week in her room. But the place is run by two of the most tempting men she’s ever seen. She could have just what she wants and no one would ever know.


Marc finds it hard to see his partner Kyle in physical and mental anguish but if the guy won’t talk about it, what can he do? Finding a third might be the answer and he has just the woman in mind, unless she runs off before he can make her smile.Crippled and depressed, Kyle can’t even kiss his partner and wonders why the guy puts up with him. If only he could let the past go and move on. Maybe, just maybe, an intriguing guest will show him the way.
Now - little did I know when I started to write this that my daughter would give her son the middle name of Indiana. Oops. At least she didn't have a girl - that would have been awkward.The story was inspired in part by the huge Christmas tree in Orlando International airport. It got me thinking - how horrible it would be to not enjoy any of the trappings of Christmas. Hence, Indie was born. 


Actually - this tree is at Orlando airport but it's not the biggest one. I got trawled so fast through security, I missed it! http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=680&osCsid=4cb4cd65d04de490039775421c6595eb

Early morning walk

This is Celebration in Orlando
Hot air balloons - as near as I want to be!
Our house - ooops - a lie. I think it's a hotel
A scary squirrel
Oh my God - deer!
So cute. Where's my gun.

Blogging

I've written a post for the Four Strong Women Blog and as usual - had about five comments - all from friends. Thank you friends! It does make me wonder whether blogging is worth the effort. I know some people will read and not comment - that's fine. I do the same but I wish there was a little box to tick to say 'I liked it'. Then at least I'd feel making the effort was worth it.
 I try hard to comment on other people's posts where I can because I know the whole marketing yourself isn't easy. Maybe I should just come out with it and say - well I'm actually an eight foot creature from the planet Zog, sent here to infiltrate your erotic romance community and report back to my superiors.  There - I'm out. I've done it. Now I have to think of something else to blog about.

http://fourstrongwomen.blogspot.co.uk/

I really have no idea what people want to read. If anyone would like to tell me I'd be very grateful
Sooooooooo

1. Info on my books and upcoming books
2. How I write
3. Random witterings that occur to me
4. Other writers guest blogging
5.Shall I just shut up?

1NS Blog Hop

Always driving through life along the straight and narrow, Hollie wants a break from staying within the lines. She hopes a hookup at 1NightStand with a tall fair-haired guy who’s organized and sensible, likes small-breasted brunettes, and can deal with any crisis life throws at him, will jar her from the mundane path she’s been on.

Except what seemed like the perfect plan when she set off, turns into the worst idea ever as the snow falls thickly. Slipping and sliding, her arms numb from clenching the wheel, she becomes frantic to avoid what’s looming in front of her.

Dark-haired Nick is on his way to a party with hopes of connecting with a busty blonde—assuming he’s even on the right road and can dig himself out of a heap of snow before he freezes solid. Too bad he never plans ahead, no coat and no shovel in the car, and soon he won’t even see a road at all, let alone any vehicle barrelling down it.

When two hearts get lost in a snowstorm of what they think they want, can Madame Eve's magic put them back on the right track?
An ecopy of my 1NS story 'On the Right Track' is free to a lucky commentator. For more chances to win copies of the 1NS series - please check out the links below. 

Short or long?

I used to think I wasn’t very good at writing short stories. Whatever I started just ended up long no matter what I’d intended, but I’ve really enjoyed writing my two 1NS – One Night Stand – stories and the few other shorts over the years. In a way, a restricted word length meant I had no choice but to conform. The difficulty that presents to a writer whose natural habitat is 100,000 word novels is not inconsiderable.
How do you make characters come alive in so few pages? How do you give them a story that’s not just sex – though sex plays a large part? Is there room to give a voice to all the players, especially in a ménage? Well ….answers as follows.
If the characters don’t sing to the reader – I’ve failed – so I have to give them as much personality as I can and humor helps.
I write stories with proper plots as well as the sex – yes, the plot isn’t complex or all encompassing but it’s there. Even a short story has to go somewhere.
Make room for three voices if you need to. I have to know what the guys are thinking too. I don’t mind single voice stories but I prefer to hear from everyone. But if the word length is really restrictive - ie 3,000 words - best to stick to one voice. I've just written one of this length from the woman's POV only and it was a first for me!
But the one thing that makes the short story work? A lesson learned, a message given, a sweet conclusion and no – it’s not going to be a one night stand regardless of the series theme – my characters are just starting their journey together whether it was 3,000 words or 100,000.  I’ve just given them a push.

New Covers and books coming soon

Every Move He Makes is an MM romantic suspense but not out until May 2013 - I just wanted to share!






This is a short story out in January - an MMF - with a new publisher for me - Total ebound.
I also have two pieces coming out with Decadent - one in December an MF- which is for a new line and another one night stand story for the 1NS series - an MMF called Just What She Wants.

Bonfire Night!

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpower, treason and plot
We see no reason why
Gunpower treason
Should ever be forgot

An old rhyme that I suspect not many remember now about this day in our history when we celebrate bonfire night - the night Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the houses of parliament - and failed. When I was a kid we made 'guys' - full sized figures dressed in old clothes to put on the top of the bonfire and then we set fire to it. How lovely! Not!!
But the fireworks - ah - they're great. When I was little we had a box of Standard fireworks that each lasted about three seconds before they fizzled out, and rockets that barely made it into the air before they spluttered to nothing. And we still oohed and aahed and loved them.
Nowadays the fireworks are in a different league. Super celestial displays in multi colors and a variety of patterns that last ages. And cost a fortune.
We had sparklers too that took so long to light, yours had gone out by the time you'd lit everyone else's. Ah happy days.
Sorry to all the pets out there. I know dogs hate it and I do wish the fireworks were only allowed on one or two nights between certain times and then at least pet owners would know when to keep their animals indoors.

If you like disturbed bad guys and humor - you'll love this!

I was lucky enough to critique this novel by Gerry! He's a very talented writer and if you like quirky stories, this is the one to read. He's funny, irreverent and different - as are his characters. I can so see this as a movie. Anyone listening? 
Dropcloth Angels - by Gerald Johnston
He came,He sawed,He ate… All that are left behind of the victims are their heads, placed together with the painted angels, rendered in the victim’s own blood. The acts, captured on video, are sent elsewhere… Now Zoe Beaupre, a hooker with an imaginary monkey and sister of the serial killer’s latest conquest, must band together with a mismatched posse of saviors in order to bring him down. Little does Zoe know, but the deeper into the madman’s world they trek, more and more is revealed about snuff films…and Gideon, the puppet master who will stop at nothing to see her dead.
Freakshine Press link  http://www.freakshine.com/
http://www.freakshine.com/#!books/cnec

 Amazon link  https://www.amazon.com/author/gerald-d-

A book with a difference!!!

Krista D. Ball's book - What Kings Ate and Wizards drank - is out today. It has the most fabulous cover and I am so jealous. 


Equal parts writer’s guide, comedy, and historical cookbook, fantasy author Krista D. Ball takes readers on a journey into the depths of epic fantasy’s obsession with rabbit stew and teaches them how to catch the blasted creatures, how to move armies across enemy territories without anyone starving to death, and what a medieval pantry should look like when your heroine is seducing the hero.
Learn how long to cook a salted cow tongue, how best to serve salt fish, what a “brewis” is (hint: it isn’t beer), how an airship captain would make breakfast, how to preserve just about anything, and why those dairy maids all have ample hips.

What Kings Ate will give writers of historical and fantastical genres the tools to create new conflicts in their stories, as well as add authenticity to their worlds, all the while giving food history lovers a taste of the past with original recipes and historical notes.
http://www.amazon.com/What-Kings-Wiza...
It's coming online on other sites too and Krista is updating the list as soon as she can. 
http://kristadball.com/books/writerguides/

Krista was born and raised in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, where she learned how to use a chainsaw, chop wood,and make raspberry jam. After obtaining a B.A. in British History from Mount Allison University, Krista moved to Edmonton, AB where she currently lives. Somehow, she’s picked up an engineer, two kids, six cats, and a very understanding corgi off ebay. Her credit card has been since taken away. Like any good writer, Krista has had an eclectic array of jobs throughout her life, including strawberry picker, pub bathroom cleaner, oil spill cleaner upper and soup-kitchen coordinator. You can find her causing trouble at http://kristadball.com