Barbara Elsborg's Blog: https://www.barbaraelsborg.com/blog, page 9

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.

MM books!

Looking for your next great MM read? Check these books out.

Dominique Knights to Remember – Nicole Colville – http://amzn.to/1HkKRlP

I Got You – Jamie Lake & Jeff Rivera – http://bit.ly/IGOTYOUBOOK

The Demon You Know – Barbara Elsborg – http://amzn.to/1PXolRc

Surrender Your Heart – Book 3 – Aimee Nicole Walker – http://amzn.to/1TcU1SL

Editing

I’ve been published since 2007 and since that time I’ve had A LOT of editors. Some I’ve kept longer than others. I can only hope they didn’t move jobs just to be shot of me. I’ve never asked to change an editor. I’ve just accepted who I was given. I’ve never had an issue where I’ve felt I’d have preferred a different editor though I have to be honest and say I’ve liked some a lot better than others.

Does it matter whether an author likes her editor? Isn’t it more important that they do a good job? They’re not supposed to be an author’s friend. True, but I’d argue if an author has a good relationship with her editor, a better book is produced.

The very first editor I had, on the first story I had accepted – opened my eyes to my shortcomings- big time. My script came back with corrections everywhere, not one page without red all over it and I was so upset I burst into tears. But I learned what to do and what not to do and that never happened to me again. A comment I do hear a lot is that my scripts are very clean. That’s thanks to beta readers too! But to hear that my scripts are a pleasure to read is something I cherish.

Some editors don’t get the right balance between suggested changes and praise. I know no one has time to write – I like that – or Funny! – or – that made me cry- all over the place but to have NO comments of that type whatsoever makes me think the editor didn’t like the book. Maybe she didn’t. I say – she – because I’ve never had a male editor. When an acceptance letter doesn’t even offer much praise – having a comment-less edit (apart from corrections/suggestions) confirms to me that the editor doesn’t like it. Not a comfortable feeling. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have – I enjoyed this story, particularly the relationship between X and Y and am delighted to offer you a contract… blah blah

On the other hand too much praise can be counterproductive. It can give an author an inflated opinion of their work. I don’t want to be gushed over. So as with everything – it’s a matter of balance. Pointing out mistakes, inconsistencies etc but taking the time to say – that was a lovely bit of writing – to me is the editor I want to have.

Dialogue tags

I suspect for anyone who’s not an author those two words don’t mean a lot. It was one of the first ‘lessons’ I had in how to write. When you HAVE to attribute speech, try to use ‘said’ or ‘asked’ and avoid everything else. The reason being that ‘said’ blends in so well, you don’t notice it, it doesn’t draw you out of the story. Whereas – he crooned silkily – does!

So – that’s what new authors learn – be careful with your tags. People can’t laugh their dialogue or sob it.

“That’s my dog,” he laughed. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

“That’s my wife,” he crooned silkily. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Does that mean dialogue tag rules are followed? No. Do readers care? Probably not unless they’re overdone. The ones most likely to wail about them are other authors.

The book I’m reading at the moment- author’s fourth book with a big publisher – Harpers.

in the first few pages – dialogue tags as follows -

he answered

he accused

he pleaded

he argued

he insisted

he declared

she moaned

he warned

she reminded

he exclaimed

After flicking through those first few pages, I don’t think I spotted ‘said’, she said with a laugh.

So if any readers are reading – does it matter? Do you care about dialogue tags?

Insta-love

I keep reading reviews that rail against insta-love. I’ve been accused of it in some of my stories but I have the feeling it’s being interpreted in different ways – so just to make my stance on it clear – I see Insta-love as being two – or more characters instantly declaring they love each other. In other words – they just met, might or might not have had sex but the L word is used.

This is different from two characters meeting and each thinking the other is extremely hot. Instant attraction but not instant love. To be honest, if there isn’t instant attraction, can most relationships go anywhere? If there’s no spark why would you want to see the person again? I get that love can grow over time, friends to lovers, that’s fine but I don’t write that sort of story.

My stories almost always take place over a shortish time period. Weeks not months and def. not years. I have to have my characters – well at least one of them – have an insta LUST moment for the other or there would be no story. So please don’t dismiss insta lust as insta love – there is a difference.

New blog and Website

From now on my blog and website are combined at
www.barbaraelsborg.com
I hope this transitions smoothly!

Crash into Love - by Sofia Grey

I'm one of the blogs on Sofia's tour for her new book - Crash into Love! Here's what Sofia has to say. 

Want some exclusive swag? One lucky commenter will get one of these gorgeous little fridge magnets, and yes, Sofia will post international J





Wash Away by Joe Purdy
I love an eclectic mixture of music, and sometimes I stumble across it in odd places. While watching LOST, there was an episode in Season 1 that featured Wash Away by Joe Purdy. I’d never even heard of him before, but now he’s added to my playlists. I like his laid back, gentle style, and it’s a song I now associate with the sea. If you watch the YouTube clip you’ll see why. Despite the plane crash and all the tragedy and angst, this song imparts a feel-good vibe.
http://youtu.be/cq4Dsv7EdyQ
In Crash Into Love, my characters spend a lot of time on the beach.
~Lifting my hand, I reached toward him and stroked his cheek, savoring the prickliness beneath my finger. He caught my hand. “Have you finished? Can I kiss you now?”My alter ego made her move. I leaned forward and closed the gap to tease Jonah with my lips. He made a muffled groan and kissed me back, hard. He rolled to lie on his back and urged me to go on top, then wrapped both arms around me. I squealed with glee inside. Thirty-four years old and making out on the sand like a horny teenager. I ran my fingers through his hair and rubbed myself against him while he explored my mouth. I had to lift my head. I needed to breathe. He lay there, flushed and panting, wild hair covered with fine, powdery sand, and gave me the sexiest grin I’d ever seen on a man. Cocky, confident, and very alluring.“That’s a yes, then?” How could I possibly resist him? I already knew I’d be taking him back to my bed tonight.“What do you think?” We kissed again, slowly, learning each other. A faint tang of lemon clung to his lips, a reminder of our dinner, but he tasted dark and delicious. He slid his hands down my arms, and every nerve ending jumped to life. He was creating erogenous zones that I didn’t know were possible. Right now, my entire body was rewriting itself to a new language, one that whispered Jonah with every breath.
~ Blurb:
Cass thought spending a month at a beachside hideaway relaxing and collecting shells would be the perfect escape to finish her novel. When she meets the dark and brooding and much younger Jonah, who's staying next door, her book becomes the last thing on her mind.
Jonah would rather stay home alone than go on vacation with his brother and their friends, but does his best to tolerate the situation after being convinced to go. But when he sees the beauty next door, he can’t avoid his attraction.

Together, they break all the rules, but will Cass be able to bring Jonah out of his shell forever, or will he leave her with only the crash of the surf to keep her company?~

Trailer link:
http://youtu.be/PGsW53sFGro


Book links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fmtVML
Goodreads
All Romance eBooks
Entangled


Author links:

www.SofiaGrey.com
Catch me blogging with Allyson Lindt at www.GeminiGirls.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.R... http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/T... @SofiaGreyAuthor   https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor Amazon author profile page: https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey

Author bio:
Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat.
Check out my playlist on Pinterest and listen for free via Pandora.com (Sofia Grey –Crash Into Love station)

Please welcome Sotia Lazu to the blog!

Isn't this the most fantastic cover!!! I'd love hair like that, not sure I'd like to be a vampire though. My blog is one step on Sotia's tour. You have a chance to win this book by entering the draw.



Cherry Stem Book Blitz and Giveaway
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Blurb

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Turned at the cusp of a promising career in the adult movie industry, Cherry Stem has to rely on her mesmerizing vampire gaze for her meals and money. With the rent deadline approaching, settling for pocket change isn’t an option, so she reluctantly decides to let tall, dark, and handsome Detective Alex Marsden take her home for the night and fulfill her needs.
Only she gets more than she bargained for.
When Cherry meets Alex, she expects him to be nothing more than another “girl meets boy, girl feeds from boy, girl erases boy’s memories” hook-up. Once missing young women, the vampire council, and her irresistible ex are thrown into the mix though, she realizes nothing is as simple or random as she thought it was.
And Alex is either the biggest gift or the biggest mistake of her un-life.

Excerpt
Hiding my body seemed silly after we’d already had sex, so I didn’t. Not that he looked. He just dropped a duffel bag by the sink.
“Thought you’d want clean clothes as soon as you were dry,” he said. “Got a couple tees and sweatpants from my place. They’ll be too big for you, but at least the pants have drawstrings. Should be good for the night.”
Then he pulled his shirt over his head.
If I were human, I’d have been drowned by the water filling my mouth and clogging my throat while I gaped at him. As it was, I was grateful I’d opened the shower stall door and could enjoy the view.
Most people look better when they’re dressed than when they’re out of their clothes. There are always flaws, something that needs covering up: a slightly jutting stomach, love handles, scars, pimples. Something.
To me Alex was perfect.
I’d already run my fingers down his chest and abs, but seeing the smooth, flawless skin stretch over rippling muscle made me itch to caress it. His shoulders were wide; I knew that already, but the way they rounded, leading to his flexing biceps, was a sight to behold. And that’s what I did. I beheld, wishing he was closer, that I could press my breasts against his chest and see goose bumps rise.
I would probably have kept staring at his six-pack for much longer if his fingers hadn’t gotten in the way. Splayed across his abdomen, they touched what I longed for, ghosting their way down to the front of his pants. I wanted to lick my way along the trail of fine hair beneath his navel that disappeared inside his waistband. I sucked in a breath when he undid the button and another when the zipper lowered, allowing his slacks to fall to the teal, tiled floor.
My gaze followed them, until he stepped out of the pooled fabric and toward the shower stall.
Toward me.

Book Title: Cherry Stem (Book I of the Cherry Series) Author: Sotia Lazu Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy Length: 74K Release Date: 3.15.2014 ISBN: 9781310502491Pre-Order/Purchase Links: B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherry-stem-sotia-lazu/1108360841) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cherry-stem/id797110233) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/395806) | Coming Soon on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Stem-Sot...)

The book is for Adults Only

About the Author
[image error] Sotia cries at sappy movies and wishes she could take in all the stray dogs in the world. She lives in Athens, Greece, with her husband—whom she met through writing—their son, and their two rescue dogs, one of which might be part-pony.
Her genres of choice are romances with a twist and urban fantasy novels, always with vivid erotic elements. Her characters aren't exactly hero-material at first glance; she likes making them fight for their happiness. Still, the romantic in her can’t resist happy endings.

Sotia’s books: Amazon (www.amazon.com/Sotia-Lazu/e/B006ZXWZYK) | B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sotia-lazu) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/justsotia) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sotia-lazu/id497791319?mt=11) | Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q="Sotia Lazu"&t=none&f=author&p=1&s=none&g=both)
Find Sotia:Website (http://sotialazu.com)Blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com) Twitter (https://twitter.com/justsotia) Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4597070.Sotia_Lazu)
Or write to her at author@sotialazu.com

GIVEAWAY Sotia is so happy to be re-launching Cherry Stem, she felt like sharing the happiness :)
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an e-Book or some Author Swag, including a lovely cherry shaped bracelet charm! [image error]

NOTE: The giveaway is for Adults Only. Please do not enter if you’re below your country’s legal age.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Entrants can enter more than once with options such as “Leave a comment” and “Tweet about this Giveaway.”


AND THAT’S NOT ALL!
Stop by Sotia’s blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com/) March 15 – March 19 for more goodies and surprises on a daily basis!

Authors behaving badly

And I'm not talking about that time I had a little too much to drink and took off my clothes and danced naked in--- no I wasn't talking about that. What I meant to talk about was the sudden upsurge in not very pleasant exchanges between author and readers on Goodreads, between an author and readers in the Huffington Post, between author and reviewer on Amazon. I know we can't all be nice to everyone but I do wish people would think before they put pen to paper. Unless you're a pantster and writing a book. Then you're allowed to just sit and write.
When my kids get all bent out of shape about something and want to right a perceived wrong, I always say - what end result do you want? Will it make everything right again? Because if it won't, then think twice about saying or doing anything. Cowardly behaviour is not right but better to walk away from confrontation that step it up into something you never wanted it to be.
The world's a big place. We should be able to share nicely!
Apart from that bitch who keeps telling her friends to vote--oops sorry - did it again!

Today is the day!!!!!!!!!!!

My erotic romance Summer Girl, Winter Boy is out today with Ellora's Cave. Yippee


The blurb!

Jai Winter is trying to do the right thing, even though he knows it’s wrong. Forced to participate in kinky sex games, the renowned model spends his spare moments creating an impressive list of suicide options. Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine wSummer Dey has baggage of her own—literally. Having spent eighteen months in South America trying to escape a shocking accident, Summer finds an illegal nightmare hidden in her suitcase. She doesn’t want to put Jai in danger, but his gorgeous face and killer bod prove hard to resist.
Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, and everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for blackmail, drug dealers and tragic events in both their pasts. Staying together could be their salvation—or their ultimate undoing.
An Extract From Summer Girl, Winter Boy
(The pair have just met and are stranded at a snowbound airport)
     An hour later, Jai was drowning in a perfect way. Summer was smart and funny. Too smart and funny for him. Even so, at a different time, and in a different place, he’d have persuaded her back to his bed, and the telephone number he’d give her would have been the right one, and he’d have called her when he said he would because she might be The One.     His dick went rigid with shock. Or something else.     But there was no different time, no different place. He was who he was and he had no future until Marta and Saul were either bored with him or were dead. Or he was dead. Buried under a ton of ice in an ice age. Not a likely scenario and not going on his list. Oh hell, why not if it might happen next year? His cock deflated.     “You’ve gone all moody,” Summer said. “What’s wrong?”     He’d thought he’d hidden that. Shit. “Just thinking about how hard that floor is going to be.”     “I’ve slept in worse places. At least it’s clean. No llama poop or guinea pig bones.”     He’d slept in worse places too though the beds had been comfortable and the sheets high-quality Egyptian cotton, but the people with him—fucking bastards. It wasn’t where you slept but who slept with you.     They left the bar when shutters rattled.     “Guess we should try to get some sleep,” he said as they moved into the concourse, though sleep was the last thing on his racing mind. “Welcome to the latest in innovative hotels. We have a wide selection of extremely spacious open-plan accommodations available tonight. Bedrooms with and without views. I’m afraid the beds are a little firm and only a few have en suite facilities. On the plus side, they’re economical.”     Summer shivered. “Think there’s anywhere warm?”     He looked at her long, tanned bare legs, her skimpy dress, the metal at her nipples, then at the snow plastering itself against the windows.     “I know,” she said. “I’m not dressed for winter, but I left eighty-degree heat and assumed I’d get straight off one plane and onto another. I intended to change into my jeans when I arrived in London. I’ve a coat in my…suitcase, which is probably languishing under three feet of snow because the guys who are supposed to unload went home while they still could.”     “Want a sweater?” He took one from his carry-on and handed it to her.     “Thank you so much.” She pulled it on.     The dark-blue sweater swamped her but she looked so cute, his cock flickered back to life. Give it up. There’s no point. She shouldn’t have looked sexy in a guy’s sweater, though he’d prefer her in nothing but those piercings. He wanted to suck them, rub the head of his dick over them. Blood flowed south. Damn it. Stop thinking.     They wandered through the airport, looking for somewhere to settle. All the more comfortable-looking spots were already taken.     “Nowhere is warmer than anywhere else,” Summer said. “Here will be fine.”     She dropped onto the floor next to the wall and lay on her back with her head resting on her bag. Oh god, her legs go on forever.     “You are approaching the end of the walkway,” intoned a voice.     Summer sat up and groaned. “Not here. That’ll go on all night.”     They headed away into the gate area.     “I’ll just use the restroom,” she said.     “Good idea. I’ll join you. Well, not join you.” Though the idea appealed.     He took out his last two temazepam and then stuffed them back in the bag. Maybe he didn’t need them. After he’d splashed water into his mouth and on his face, he accidentally looked up into the mirror. He hated what he saw—dark shadows under his eyes, a wary look on his face, a tense jaw, yet under all that, a guy women seemed to find irresistible. All those years he’d thought he was something special and now he longed to be nothing special at all.     When he emerged, Summer was already lying on the floor with her head on her backpack. He unzipped his carry-on to take out a pair of chinos and folded them to put under his head. His stomach fluttered as he settled next to her, his face inches from hers.     “Are you sleeping on the side of the bed you prefer?” he asked. Does anyone usually share your bed? Are you married, engaged, have a boyfriend?     “I’m fine unless your side of the bed is more comfortable, in which case I hope you’d be a gentleman and swap.”     “Sadly not.” I’m no gentleman. You could lay on me except we’d get arrested.     She was so close he could almost count her eyelashes. Her eyes were the strong blue of the sky on a cold winter’s day, the irises ringed with a darker hue. She had a couple of freckles on her tanned cheeks and he wanted to kiss them, kiss her lips, kiss her cute nose, kiss her nipples, kiss her all over. His cock twitched.     “Are you going to close your eyes?” he asked.     “Eventually. Are you?”     “Eventually. I like the view too much at the moment.”     “Very smooth, Mr. Winter.”     “Thank you, Miss Summer. Are your nipples pierced?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.     “Yes.”     No, you can’t come out and take a look, he yelled at his cock. There’s nothing to see at the moment. The stupid thing still tried, pressing against his zipper.     “Why did you have it done?”     “Why do you think I had it done?”     Oh Christ, don’t splutter, don’t tell her what you think, what nearly every guy would think.                “Somewhere to hang your car keys?”     She grinned. “Damn, I never thought you’d get that.”     “Anything else pierced?” Cut out my tongue now.     “Maybe.”     Ask her what, said his cock.     “Tattoos?” he choked out.     “Maybe.”     A low growl burst from his lips and she giggled.     “What an interesting young lady you are.”     He moved a fraction closer and could feel her breath hitting his face.     Do it, do it, do it, yelled his cock.     Do what? he yelled back. If I kiss her, where’s it going to go? We’re lying in a public place and you know what you’re like. This won’t stop at kissing. You’ll embarrass me.     Had shemoved closer? Yes. Oh god.     “Hi there, folks.”     The voice jolted them both and they clashed heads as they jerked upright.     “Ouch,” Summer yelped and rubbed her forehead.     “Sorry,” he blurted.     “No, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”     He rubbed his head. “Yep.”     He’d hoped their first touch would be less painful.     Two female airport employees stood in front of them.     The thought police? He hadn’t done anything—yet.     “Sorry to disturb you,” one of the women said. “We’re giving out blankets, pillows and a few essentials to help you spend an easier night.”     They were each handed a bag.     “Thank you,” Summer said. “That’s brilliant. Is there an inflatable bed in here?”     “Sadly not. You two have a good night.” The women wandered off again.     Define “good”.     Apart from pillows and emergency blankets, the bags also contained bottles of water and snacks.    “No condoms either,” Summer said and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Shit.”
     He laughed. Don’t worry. I’ve plenty.





http://www.ellorascave.com/summer-girl-winter-boy.html