Barbara Elsborg's Blog: https://www.barbaraelsborg.com/blog, page 8
March 22, 2016
Deleted scenes from The Demon You Know
Thought a few of you might like to see these bits that I had to leave out!
The Demon You Know by Barbara Elsborg
“How do you build a snowman?” Ezra asked.
“You make a ball of snow and you roll it.” Roman showed him. Of course, the snow was the perfect kind that clumped together. Thank you, Michael.
“I want it to stand outside the window.” Ezra helped Roman roll the large ball into place.
“Two more,” Roman said. “The smallest one for the head.”
It didn’t take long to stack up the balls.
“He needs eyes and a nose.” Ezra looked at Roman as if he expected him to produce them. “A carrot and coal.”
He definitely couldn’t produce those.
“Come on.” Roman took Ezra’s gloved hand and pulled him toward the trees.
They brought back fir branches for the arms and pinecones for buttons, eyes, and mouth. When Roman found lengths of pliable twigs he could twist to make a hat and scarf, he wondered if Michael had thought of everything. If so, where was the fucking carrot?
“He looks fantastic,” Ezra said.
“He?” Can we go in now?
A moment later, Ezra had molded a cock and balls and stuck them on. Roman laughed.
“I don’t want him to be lonely.” Ezra stared at Roman.
The words “it’s a fucking snowman” stuck in Roman’s throat.
“We have to make another.” Ezra started to roll a ball.
Roman cast a longing look at the cabin then joined him. They erected the second snowman next to the first and entwined their arm-branches.
Ezra constructed another cock, a large one and stuck it on. “This one is me.”
Roman increased the length of the snow-dick on the first. “That’s me.” But the addition promptly fell off. He did it again and this time it stayed on, but only until Ezra kicked it off.
“Hey!”
As Ezra backed away, Roman went after him and brought him down with a flying tackle.
“Who’s got the biggest dick?” Roman asked and held a handful of snow over Ezra’s face.
“You’re the biggest dick.”
Roman dropped the snow on him and Ezra coughed and spluttered through his laughter.
“Try that answer again. The next lot goes under your jacket. I haven’t forgotten your chest is bare.”
“Your dick’s bigger,” Ezra said. “And you’re the biggest dick,” he added in a whisper.
They rolled around in the snow trying to pin each other down and Ezra looked so happy, Roman’s heart filled to the point of bursting. If this was what Ezra wanted to do for the rest of the night, he’d do it. Though he really wanted him in a warm bed.
Epilogue
Ezra lay in bed in Roman’s apartment with his angel spooned up behind him. The snow globe sat on the bedside table and Ezra couldn’t help wondering. “Do you think—?”
“No,” Roman said. “No more snow. Not for a while.”
“I was going to say—do you think we can go back?”
“Possibly. Probably.”
Roman brushed Ezra’s nipple with his thumb and nipped his neck.
“I think your cock has fallen off,” Ezra said.
“I think you’ll find it hasn’t.” Roman rocked against him.
Ezra laughed. “You know what I mean.”
Roman pushed himself up to look more closely at the snowmen inside the globe. “So has yours.”
“The two figures aren’t decorating the tree anymore.”
Roman chuckled. “I told you skiing wasn’t easy.”
The figures lay in a pile of snow at the bottom of the snow, their skis sticking up at crazy angles.
“I want to learn so when we go again we can do it properly,” Ezra said.
“You do remember that there was no chair lift? It took us thirty minutes to walk up with you complaining every step of the way and fifteen hair-raising seconds to get down. You never turned. Not once. Like a bullet. Scared me to death—well, good thing I’m already dead. Note I didn’t use the words ski down. Not sure that could be used to describe either of our descents.”
Ezra wriggled harder into Roman’s cock which instantly hardened despite the fact that they’d both come not ten minutes ago.
Roman groaned. “We have to go to the office.”
Ezra was working as one of his agents, learning alongside his brother, Micah, and Inigo, and loving every minute. Roman rolled to get out of bed and before he was out of reach, Ezra let out his wings. Roman gave a loud groan.
“Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s you,” Ezra half-lied. He could control them but it was fun pretending he couldn’t.
He shifted until he could stroke Roman’s cock with the edge of his wing and Roman groaned again.
“You wait,” Roman muttered. “When we go to your parents’ for a meal on Sunday, I’m going to tell then what you do with your wings.”
“No, you won’t.” Ezra had his mouth on one side of Roman’s cock and his wing tip on the other.
“Just remind me not to eat everything she puts in front of me,” Roman’s voice cracked as Ezra licked him.
His mother cried every time she saw him. Ezra had a hard time not doing the same. He’d met his sisters, Pixie and Ellie and his other brother, Asher, and he liked them. He couldn’t believe Pixie worked at the British Library. Apparently the copy of Moby Dick that Ezra had donated was on display in the gallery he’d visited. And he wondered.
“What are you thinking about?” Roman asked. “Please tell me it’s my cock.”
“I’m thinking about just how much we were manipulated. Michael said he was playing a sort of game with Lucifer but I wonder if Lucifer actually wanted me out of Hell. Without that birth certificate, none of it would have happened. Jeneve sounded as if she didn’t know what I was talking about. So how did it get into that book?”
“You think Lucifer had someone put it there?”
“I think Saul hid it there. Maybe he wanted me to find it. I’ll probably never know.” Ezra pushed to his knees.
“If you don’t want to get sent back to Hell, you have to be very very good. That means finishing what you started…arrgh.”
Ezra impaled himself on Roman’s cock. “Just lie there. Let me do everything like you usually do.”
Roman howled with laughter. He settled his hands on Ezra’s hips and pulled him down into bliss.
March 16, 2016
Endings and beginnings
Well, getting close to the end of my Work in Progress – Dirty Angel. So naturally, I’m messing around on here and on FB and Twitter instead of writing the damn thing. There is something about getting to the end that unsettles me. I don’t want to leave these guys behind even if I leave them happy. Sigh – though I haven’t even got to that point yet. They are now apart and I’m still trying to work out how to bring them back together. But characters become so much of your life when you’re writing about them, that it’s hard to let them fly on their own. I do understand when readers ask for more about them, even though I rarely manage it. Once the story is told, that’s it. The only way I can write more is to break them up and I can’t do that. Spin off characters – yes, that’s fine, but my main guys? No. The book is their story and I just imagine them growing old together and staring out into the sunset.
On the upside, the end of one story means the start of another. I shall have to begin thinking!
February 27, 2016
Publishers and going it alone
Devastated to hear that one of my publishers – Samhain – is going to close. I’m already having issues with another of my publishers – Ellora’s Cave – and that just leaves me with three. One, Loose-ID, I’ve heard reassurances from, the other two – well will they survive?
Price is the issue. The publishers have to charge more for their books to cover their costs – but when the price goes far above that of the indie writers – it’s hard to compete. One book of mine over $6 – well how can that sell when you can buy two or three books that are self-published for the same price? The market is flooded with books – good, bad and indifferent. Everyone is fighting for readers – except for the big names who will always have a following.
So what for me now? Samhain will still have my books on their site until they close or revert rights back to me. At that point – I’ll have to go it alone. I have one book – Drawn In – that will come back for me to do myself. The one I’m writing will also be self-published. If I fail – then at least I’ve tried.
Will I stop writing? No. But I’m going to have to widen my scope to do a lot more than just write which means less time actually writing.
February 15, 2016
New Book Out! Kiss Interrupted.
I have another new book out! Kiss interrupted is a paranormal MF with some twisty bits. It was very hard not to give away too much in the blurb. The cover is one I chose so blame me if you don’t like it!
BLURB
Not his type.
It should have been simple. A temporary move from London to Leeds to manage the office while a boss is sick, but as Fyn watches the workforce enjoy a summer party, he feels more than guilt over the looming downsizing.
He’s tasked with making many happy people redundant, and that includes Libby Pasternak, who has her face painted as a tiger, wears boots on a summer’s day, has an ear full of piercings and is so distracting, she almost bowls him out at cricket. Unthinkable.
Most conflicting of all, why is he even thinking about seizing the moment, instead of his rule concerning getting involved with employees—especially with one so not in his league?
Not her type.
Libby likes blond surfer dudes with big dreams and even bigger smiles, not a guy like stick-in-the-mud Mr. Sensible, otherwise known as Fyn Marlowe. Then he gives her a lift home from the office party, and she finally has to admit to herself the depth of her Grand Canyon-sized crush. One that chokes itself to death two days later, when he erroneously accuses her of screwing up a major account. She may be a bit different, but her work is always the best.
Their blazing row resolves with her getting sacked, ending any chance of exploring where things could have led.
His type, her type—none of the preconceived ideas of a perfect partner matters when the world—literally—comes crashing down.
https://www.totallybound.com/book/Kiss-Interrupted
February 8, 2016
The day has come!
Hi beloved reader! I have a new book out tomorrow called ‘Give Yourself Away’.
This is the blurb!
One guy intent on caution. One an adrenaline junkie. Love could be one risk too many.
March is determined to lose the numbness that accompanies a history of loss and blame. Desperate to feel something—anything—the adrenaline junkie base jumps off cliffs, soars on hang gliders, and embarks on dangerous sea-borne rescue missions. But any release he feels is fleeting, and when you play Russian roulette with fate, eventually you come crashing down.
No matter how hard Caleb tries to forget his past, a dark shadow is always behind him. When a bizarre turn of events results in him being trapped in a sea cave, Caleb wonders how his mantra—safety at all costs—could have failed him. On the point of drowning, he’s stunned when March surfaces in the cave.
March’s disregard for the rules saves Caleb’s life but gets March into a heap of trouble. Not least of which is the guy shivering in the boat next to him. March tries to ignore Caleb but it’s already too late. Together, they take small, awkward steps toward love. But Caleb’s past is waiting to sink in its claws…and this time, it could drag him to his death.
Warning: This book contains difficult flashbacks of child abduction and sexual violence, but also the incredible perseverance of two men who never give up on love—or each other. Bring your tissues and a heart that believes in the resilience of the human spirit.
If you do read and like it, I’d be really grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon. It helps with getting Amazon to suggest it to others. Thanks for all your support.
Barb
February 5, 2016
Give Yourself Away
A bit of advance notice of my book out next week. I’m usually all gung-ho about my releases – I’m not a fast writer – but this one has me very worried. It’s dark and difficult and I’ve already had a number of reviewers say they don’t want to read it because of the subject matter. That’s hard to hear because although I recognize that certain things will trigger unwanted responses, I have been careful in this story not to overdo those more difficult aspects.
I don’t like to give too much away in blurbs. I think it’s fun to have ‘surprises’ though inevitably some reviews have already given those away. This already appears to be a love it – hate it type of story, which makes me a bit sad. I hope people will give it a try. It’s a dark subject but NOT one explored in detail in the story.
It’s the tale of what happens in a guy’s life AFTER he’s been abducted as a child and held for a long time. There’s no point not telling you that because if that freaks you out, you might not want to read it. I’ve already been -nicely- told off by one reader for always apologising about what I write. I’m not sorry I wrote this story. Thinking about what life might be life for someone kidnapped then released – was something that fascinated me. Of course, I’ve had to stretch credulity at times but this is a romantic suspense and a story of healing and hope. It’s not based on fact but IS based on those poor kids who’ve been snatched and then found years later.
January 7, 2016
Give Yourself Away
My next book out is Give Yourself Away. It’s a full length male- male romance and will be on general release with Samhain on the ninth of February.
I’m going to put the blurb and warning below and then tell you a little more about my feelings on writing this book.
One guy intent on caution. One an adrenaline junkie. Love could be one risk too many.
March is determined to lose the numbness that accompanies a history of loss and blame. Desperate to feel something—anything—the adrenaline junkie base jumps off cliffs, soars on hang gliders, and embarks on dangerous sea-borne rescue missions. But any release he feels is fleeting, and when you play Russian roulette with fate, eventually you come crashing down.
No matter how hard Caleb tries to forget his past, a dark shadow is always behind him. When a bizarre turn of events results in him being trapped in a sea cave, Caleb wonders how his mantra—safety at all costs—could have failed him. On the point of drowning, he’s stunned when March surfaces in the cave.
March’s disregard for the rules saves Caleb’s life but gets March into a heap of trouble. Not least of which is the guy shivering in the boat next to him. March tries to ignore Caleb but it’s already too late. Together, they take small, awkward steps toward love. But Caleb’s past is waiting to sink in its claws…and this time, it could drag him to his death.
Product Warnings
This book contains difficult flashbacks of child abduction and sexual violence, but also the incredible perseverance of two men who never give up on love—or each other. Bring your tissues and a heart that believes in the resilience of the human spirit.
Right – this story – as with my others – is not all sweetness and light. The heart of it concerns child abduction and sexual violence. BUT – I do NOT dwell on that aspect of the tale. I do NOT go into detail about what was done, details about how those involved reacted, or give much information about how they felt. That would have been a different book. A gruelling book that most would find unpalatable.
Some will find the details I do give, too much to stomach. I’ve already seen one review where the reader wanted to be more inside the head of the child. That was never going to happen.
This is a romance.
Let me repeat that.
This is a romance.
I’ve read other DNF reviews where the reader had no interest in tales involving violence against children. Two extreme views and I believe the story fits in the middle. There are not pages and pages of what happened all those years ago. Most chapters start with a brief flashback – not in italics because that would have been too hard to read – but it’s clear when I switch to the present.
I can only imagine the horror of being kidnapped as a child and detained for some sadistic monster’s pleasure. I didn’t detail it, nor did I want to, I was far more interested in what life would be like for someone when they finally made it back into the world. You’d either be broken forever or your will to survive would be even stronger.
This is just a story. But we know people have been abducted and held for years in basements, in bedrooms, inside beds. It HAS happened.
So, for the few who read this blog, you have been warned. I just ask that if you do read it and review it – whether you like it or not – you don’t reveal too much of the story. Because that has already happened and I can’t tell you how much that frustrates me. If I’d wanted the reader to know everything, I’d have put it in the blurb.
January 4, 2016
Contests and competitions
I must have been living in a bubble other years because I don’t remember this flurry of contests for the best book – in a million categories (I’m an author, I exaggerate) every January.
GR is heaving with them and apparently – one of my books is in one category. A fellow author told me. Did I go and look? No. Have I looked at the other categories? No. I am interested to see who wins? No. Would I be interested if I won? Ah – well you got me there. I can’t say no but I really don’t like this sort of popularity contest. Even though the books had to be nominated by someone other than the author – now votes are being sought to find winners. I WILL NOT ASK READERS FOR VOTES. I did it once, for a writing contest for ARe and I swore I’d never do it again. What does it prove? Someone has more friends that someone else? Of those who vote in the GR contest – how many have read ALL the books in each list. Virtually no one. And it’s all so subjective.
HOWEVER – I did receive notice that a couple of my books had been voted as being among a couple of bloggers favorite reads of the year. Along with many others. THAT was lovely. I was thrilled to be in the list. It’s not a contest. My books just happened to appeal to those readers and I’m delighted. I don’t have to beg others to vote me to the top of a list – I’m in it and very happy.
So thank you!
and thank you – http://livereadbreathe.blogspot.ca/2015/12/best-books-of-2015-its-finally-here.html
December 18, 2015
What is the point?
Not of life but of writing – well writing for publication anyway. I absolutely know you can’t please everyone. I really do. I am the pickiest of readers but it seems to me that there is a cruelty in some reviewers that is out of kilter with fairness. I KNOW reviews are for readers not authors – but you’d have to be a very strong person not to look at your reviews – at least a few of them. And can we authors say a word in response without getting chopped to pieces? No.
I don’t like the whole plot being revealed in a review. I like to know why someone liked a book or didn’t like it and that’s all. I don’t like reviewers showing off for their readership and some do. I don’t need to read quotes or chunks of dialogue taken out of context. I don’t like scorn and derision. I don’t mind disappointment in aspects of the book being expressed. As I said – you can’t please everyone.
I should have thought after I’ve had almost 40 books published that my STYLE is well established. I like lots happening. I like humour. I like drama. I like sweet endings. I like sex. I like parts to be edgy.
I don’t write very dark stuff but when I stray anywhere near tricky topics, I have to have warnings so people don’t get upset. If you don’t like reading even a few lines about abuse – then you need to know if the book covers that. If you don’t like cheating, then maybe you need to know that too. Etc etc What warrants a warning for some, won’t for others. I’m not responsible for the warnings. The publisher makes that decision and I’m happy to go along with it. They know better than me.
But I’m warning all readers that my books are fast moving and full of drama. FICTION. NOT very likely to happen in real life. But that does not mean they are not realistic. I want them to be exciting, maybe a bit soap opera like. I don’t write slow tales about coming out or Gay for you stories.
Today I’m upset. Very upset. Authors are human too. We have feelings and just because we put our work out there does not mean we don’t mind when it’s stamped on. And no one has yet paid for flipping copy of this book!
December 2, 2015
Two books out in February
Oh darn it. Two the same month. Sorry folks but it’s not my fault. At least they’re different sort of books. One is an MF – lightly paranormal and set in Leeds – my home city and the other is an MM – dark and gritty and set in Dorset in a made up place.
KISS INTERRUPTED
What happens when Mr. Sensible butts heads with Ms. Imagination?
Not his type.
It should have been simple. A temporary move from London to Leeds to manage the office while a boss is sick, but as Fyn watches the workforce enjoy a summer party, he feels more than guilt over the looming downsizing.
He’s tasked with making many happy people redundant, and that includes Libby Pasternak who has her face painted as a tiger, wears boots on a summer’s day, has an ear full of piercings and is so distracting, she almost bowls him out at cricket. Unthinkable.
Most conflicting of all, why is he even thinking about seize the moment, instead of his rule concerning getting involved with employees–especially with one so not in his league?
Not her type.
Libby likes blond surfer dudes with big dreams and even bigger smiles, not stick-in-the-mud Mr. Sensible, otherwise known as Fyn Marlowe. Then he gives her a lift home from the office party, and she finally has to admit to herself the depth of her Grand Canyon-sized crush. One that chokes itself to death two days later, when he erroneously accuses her of screwing up a major account. She may be a bit different, but her work is always the best.
Their blazing row resolves with her getting sacked, ending any chance of exploring where things could have lead.
His type, her type—none of the preconceived ideas of a perfect partner matters when the world—literally—comes crashing down.
SECOND BOOK
GIVE YOURSELF AWAY
One guy intent on caution. One an adrenaline junkie. Love could be one risk too many.
March is determined to lose the numbness that accompanies a history of loss and blame. Desperate to feel something—anything—the adrenaline junkie base jumps off cliffs, soars on hang gliders, and embarks on dangerous sea-borne rescue missions. But any release he feels is fleeting, and when you play Russian roulette with fate, eventually you come crashing down.
No matter how hard Caleb tries to forget his past, a dark shadow is always behind him. When a bizarre turn of events results in him being trapped in a sea cave, Caleb wonders how his mantra—safety at all costs—could have failed him. On the point of drowning, he’s stunned when March surfaces in the cave.
March’s disregard for the rules saves Caleb’s life but gets March into a heap of trouble. Not least of which is the guy shivering in the boat next to him. March tries to ignore Caleb but it’s already too late. Together, they take small, awkward steps toward love. But Caleb’s past is waiting to sink in its claws…and this time, it could drag him to his death.
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