Lisa Burstein's Blog, page 4
February 14, 2014
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY from Ben & Cassie
Happy Valentines Day Everyone- my gift to you is a sneak peek of Cassie and Ben falling in love all over again in their new novella The Possibility of Us coming in April from Entangled Publishing!
If you met them in Dear Cassie you love them already, if you haven’t met them yet The Possibility of Us (which can be read as a stand alone) will make you swoon for the very first time!
The section below is from both their points of view.
Ben
I reached out and took her hand. Put mine around it and attempted to lace our fingers. I didn’t know if she would pull away, tell me to fuck off, or elbow me in the balls, but I had to try.
I had to know one way or the other.
I had to start living with her or dying without her.
Her hand felt warm in mine, as familiar as putting on a favorite sweater after it’s been in your closet all summer.
I wanted to tell her I loved her. I missed her. That now that I had her again I would never let her go, but I had to know if she felt the same way; if she ever could again. Because could was all I needed. I would turn could to would.
Cassie looked at me. Her shockingly blue eyes were wet. I didn’t know if she was crying because we were at a funeral, or for me, or us.
For who we were in California. For who we became after. For who we were now, and for who we could be.
She squeezed my hand, entwined her fingers with mine—a knot of forgiveness. She didn’t say anything after that, she didn’t have to.
At Turning Pines being with Cassie had always been baby steps. It began when she let me hold her hand. Maybe it could start that way again.
Cassie
When the service was over our hands were still clasped tight— our warm skin and solid bones combined together to make something greater than they were alone.
I looked at them sitting on top of part of each of our legs, linking us. The color of our skin was reminiscent of the petals from the white roses that adorned the coffin, and like a rose our fastened hands were fragile.
What they had the possibility to represent was even more delicate.
“Do you want me to let go now?” Ben asked, rubbing the inside of my palm with his thumb.
It was one of my favorite things about him. It was like he was reminding me he was there.
“Cassie?” he asked, when I didn’t respond. That was Ben. Letting me know if he let go it would be my choice, not his. Letting me know he didn’t want to let go, but wanted to know what I wanted.
I wondered what he saw when he looked at our hands, something breakable like the petals I saw, or perhaps something stronger like a tree taking root.
The Possibility of Us on Goodreads
January 30, 2014
SNEAKING CANDY IS .99 AT ALL RETAILERS
"Fun, sexy and sweet, with a hero every reader will swoon over." Monica Murphy, New York Times Bestselling Author of One Week Girlfriend
"Sneaking Candy lives up to it's title, it's a treat every time you pick it up!" Jennifer McLaughlin, New York Times Bestselling Author of Out of Line.
"Wicked smart, sexy as hell, and completely unputdownable. Definitely a MUST READ. I loved it!" Katee Robert, NYT and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Wrong Bed, Right Guy
Amazon http://amzn.to/1kzS4gk
B & N http://bit.ly/1fkjjej
Eeeeeee! go forth and enjoy!
SNEAKING CANDY IS ON SALE FOR .99 at all RETAILERS
A graduate student by day, an erotic romance author by night, a forbidden attraction I can’t deny…
All I ever wanted was to make a name for myself as Candice Salinas, creative writing grad student at the University of Miami. Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.
Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and–surprise!–my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?
Amazon http://amzn.to/1kzS4gk
B & N http://bit.ly/1fkjjej
Eeeeeee! go forth and enjoy!
January 29, 2014
Today is an UP day
So last week I was pretty discouraged, wondering about whether I should even be writing…etc. As my brother-in-law who is an aspiring novelist said when he read the post it was “dark”.
Well today is an UP day. A year ago I was honored to be invited to be a part of an essay collection called BREAK THESE RULES with some really super YA and MG authors, like award-winning super, like people I fan-girl over super. I went to work crafting an essay about my struggle with eating disorders as a teen and young adult. It was raw, real, had the kind of slap you in the face truth that I have come to hone as my brand and yesterday I was sent all the reviews our essay collection received.
It was reviewed by all the biggies: Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal and Booklist. Of those four biggie review magazines, my essay was mentioned in two of them!
School Library Journal excerpt: “The essays are inspiring and thought-provoking, and many offer truly funny moments. Reynolds provides an excellent flow between essays. This title could easily be read cover to cover or by individual selection based on theme. There is a nice mix of male and female voices. Especially good are Leslie Connor’s “Don’t Tell Lies,” in which she confesses to actually liking rules; Lisa Burstein’s essay on eating disorders, titled “Don’t Get Fat”; and Chris Barton’s “Go to College After High School,” because it allows readers to think about their options.”
Kirkus Excerpt: “35 writers encourage readers to stop obeying the voices telling them how to think, dress, act and believe. In “Don’t Get Fat,” Lisa Burstein writes about leaving behind the “warped, sick, eating-disordered” frame of mind fed by a voice that is “the mayor of crazy-town.” In “Be Clean!” Gary D. Schmidt tells of rejecting the mind control of a youth pastor trying to save his soul. The best writers here couch their lessons in stories.”
To be called out from this group of authors is beyond AMAZING!
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING AWESOME and for reminding me why I DO THIS.
Today is an UP day & a giveaway of BREAK THESE RULES!
So last week I was pretty discouraged, wondering about whether I should even be writing…etc. As my brother-in-law who is an aspiring novelist said when he read the post it was “dark”.
Well today is an UP day. A year ago I was honored to be invited to be a part of an essay collection called BREAK THESE RULES with some really super YA and MG authors, like award-winning super, like people I fan-girl over super. I went to work crafting an essay about my struggle with eating disorders as a teen and young adult. It was raw, real, had the kind of slap you in the face truth that I have come to hone as my brand and yesterday I was sent all the reviews our essay collection received.
It was reviewed by all the biggies: Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal and Booklist. Of those four biggie review magazines, my essay was mentioned in two of them!
School Library Journal excerpt: “The essays are inspiring and thought-provoking, and many offer truly funny moments. Reynolds provides an excellent flow between essays. This title could easily be read cover to cover or by individual selection based on theme. There is a nice mix of male and female voices. Especially good are Leslie Connor’s “Don’t Tell Lies,” in which she confesses to actually liking rules; Lisa Burstein’s essay on eating disorders, titled “Don’t Get Fat”; and Chris Barton’s “Go to College After High School,” because it allows readers to think about their options.”
Kirkus Excerpt: “35 writers encourage readers to stop obeying the voices telling them how to think, dress, act and believe. In “Don’t Get Fat,” Lisa Burstein writes about leaving behind the “warped, sick, eating-disordered” frame of mind fed by a voice that is “the mayor of crazy-town.” In “Be Clean!” Gary D. Schmidt tells of rejecting the mind control of a youth pastor trying to save his soul. The best writers here couch their lessons in stories.”
To be called out from this group of authors is beyond AMAZING and to celebrate, I am giving away a copy of BREAK THESE RULES to one lucky ducky. Simply post in the comments. Post anything: YAY!, or a rule you wish you’d had the strength to break, a rule you did have the strength to break, or your own message.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING AWESOME and for reminding me why I DO THIS.
January 24, 2014
Expectation is a Bitch
I haven’t posted about something personal in a while, but I’ve been thinking about it. I’m just not sure how to talk about this. How to talk about how it feels to put all your hopes and dreams and needs and wants into your little book baby and have them come back to you with nothing but an empty echo.
For a mid-list author, which I’m not even sure I can call myself, this is sometimes how a new book release can feel.
You think, this book is the one. The one that will make people see how awesome I am. That will make me a “name”. Well, you hope it anyway and when it’s not, what are you left with?
That’s what I’m struggling with right now. When a book gets great reviews, great blurbs, has a great cover and concept, but hasn’t reached your expectations, who is to blame?
Here’s what I’m left with: A niggling worm at the base of my skull that is trying to tell me that maybe this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing. A cloud over everything that seeps in and says maybe I’m good, but not great. A cackling voice that repeats that maybe whatever faith my agent, editor and publisher have in me is misguided.
This all just makes me wonder if I will never reach the expectations I have for myself.
See, releasing a new book feels a hell of a lot like watching a baby bird take it’s first flight. Everything hinges on whether it soars, or falls to the ground in a heap because it wasn’t strong enough to fly. It can wobble in the air for a while and you can fool yourself into thinking yes, maybe this one will fly, but two months after a book has been out you can’t fool yourself anymore. Even if it’s still in the air, it isn’t going anywhere.
None of what I’m sharing should make anyone think I’m ungrateful for what I’ve achieved thus far. I know how hard it is to even have one person like your book, let alone enough people to publish it, but there is a truth that a lot of authors don’t talk about.
How do you keep writing when your career doesn’t necessarily feel like one?
They tell you not to worry about the business side. That you should focus only on what you can control– the work– but when you have a few books under your belt and you aren’t much further than where you were when the first one came out, it gives you pause.
I feel paused.
I wish I had some answers because I know that some of you reading this are looking for them, but I don’t. All I have is that little light inside me struggling hard against the negativity and darkness that still believes I can do this.
I hope it never goes out.
December 30, 2013
CELEBRATE the New Year with Candy!
Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know my publisher has lowered the price of Sneaking Candy to $2.99, so if you haven’t picked it up yet- NOW is a great time! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
All I ever wanted was to make a name for myself as Candice Salinas, creative writing grad student at the University of Miami. Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.
Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and—surprise!—my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?
“SNEAKING CANDY is fun, sexy and sweet, with a hero every reader will swoon over.” Monica Murphy, New York Times Bestselling Author of One Week Girlfriend
“Sneaking Candy lives up to it’s title, it’s a treat every time you pick it up!” Jennifer McLaughlin, New York Times Bestselling Author of Out of Line.
“SNEAKING CANDY is wicked smart, sexy as hell, and completely unputdownable. Definitely a MUST READ. I loved it!” Katee Robert, NYT and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Wrong Bed, Right Guy
“With smart, strong leading characters, an original premise, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the end, SNEAKING CANDY is a breath of fresh air.” Lyla Payne, USA Today Bestselling Author of Broken at Love
“Sneaking Candy was a page turner with a lovable heroine, an interesting story which keeps you hooked throughout and a romance that isn’t just steamy, it’s SUPER HOT steamy.” Harlequin Junkie- TOP PICK
Add to Goodreads here!
December 11, 2013
12 Days of Kick Ass Christmas- Giveaway!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Join us in celebrating Entangled Teen’s 12 Days of Kickass Event! This event is going to be a blast!
We are joining together to share some exclusive content with you all! There will be 2 teams, The Smartass Team who will post a good or swoon worthy deleted scene or an excerpt and The Badass Team who will post a villainous deleted scene or excerpt. And the cool part is we’ll be posting on each other’s blogs! The party starts on December 2nd and goes all the way to December 13th! We will wrap up the event with our monthly twitter party on December 13th 9 PM EST/6 PM PST as well! Each day will have 2 posts from us along with an EPIC giveaway!
So how do I join in you ask? It’s easy just follow along with the tour and find the hidden word (it will be highlighted) in each post and fill out the Rafflecopter form! What can I win you ask? You can win one of 2 Kindles (valued at $69) and we’re giving away 5 sets of 5 Entangled Teen Print Books US Only, and 10 Entangled Teen eBooks International! Also we will be giving away more books and Amazon and Barnes & Noble Gift Cards during the twitter party! That means 2 people will win a kindle, 5 people will win 5 of our amazing print titles, and 10 people will win eBooks!
Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course…
When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.
Seven deadly ones, in fact.
They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they’re recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing…
There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.
Amazon/Barnes & Noble/ Kobo/iBooks/Goodreads
I love Jus’ books- the perfect blend of witty, bad ass and swoon and I’m so excited to host her.
HERE’S THE EXCERPT!
I know we’re not supposed to love the villain, but I can’t help it. The bad guy in Darker Days, Valefar, has to be one of my faves. He’s just about as naughty as they come. Today I’m here to share with you his and Jessie’s first meeting—from his point of view!
A tingle at the base of my neck. Lucifer was calling. This deal needed to close. A shame. I was having so much fun. She was quite entertaining when angry. “Do we have a deal or not?”
“Tell me what to do to save Lukas,” she growled.
“Lukas is not part of our deal. Just your parents. Them for fifty-five years.”
“You said fifty, not fifty-five!”
“And you had the audacity to haggle. That automatically raises the price.” The sooner she learned these things, the better.
She hesitated, then folded her arms. The expression on her face was fierce. Just like her father, this one, only with more fire. I liked Damien, but his daughter was so much more entertaining! I could sit around and watch her all day. In fact, I had on several occasions. “What about Lukas?”
My jaw tightened. Damien’s girl was exactly what I expected. Stubborn and strong and unafraid. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen her, of course. I’d kept track over the years. You did that when invested in something. And, invested I was. This little morsel of semi-humanity was going places. I’d see to that.
“I like you, Jessie. I’ve given you a freebie by telling you there’s a chance to save him. Do not push your luck. You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out. Now. Our deal. Going, going, gon—”
“Fine,” she said. “My parents and a question for fifty-five years.”
Victory. “Done.”
She didn’t look as happy about our new arrangement as me. “We have a deal.”
“Excellent!” One thing left to do. She needed the mark of the House of Pride.
I reached for her hand. The power flowed through me, and into her. She gasped, and fell to her knees, clawing at her belly. When it was over, she lifted the hem of her shirt. The skin was decorated with a scrolling blood red leaves.
“What—”
“That is Desakay. In the Shadow Realm, it symbolizes destiny.” There was no need for her to know that it was the symbol of our house. All things in time. Maybe in twenty years or so. “I thought it fitting. Each leaf represents one year of service. As the years pass, the leaves will disappear. When they’re gone, you have your freedom.” I held up my other hand. In it, a pointed black stone with red veins hung from a think leather cord.
“What’s that?”
“With this around your neck, you need only call out my name and I will hear you.” I took a step back. The tingle came again, this time stronger. Lucifer was growing impatient. “And?”
“And what?”
“Your question?”
“My Grandfather—Joseph Darker. I think he made a deal with a demon.”
My brethren always said I had way too much fun with these deals. They were probably right. When she’d asked for the question, I was hoping this was what she’d ask. “That’s not a question.”
“I want to know. For sure.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“We had a deal,” she warned.
“Not to worry. I’ll answer your question. I’m merely curious.”
“These things tend to come back and bite people in the ass,” she said. “I’d feel better if I could see it coming.”
I laughed. There was no stopping it. She was in for one hell of a rude awakening. “I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that…”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re correct. Joseph Darker did make a deal. To prevent the death of his wife during childbirth.” I couldn’t help grinning. “But you already knew that.”
“Who did he make the deal with? And what were the terms?”
“Tsk, tsk, Sweet Pea. That’s two questions.” I winked. “But as I said before, I like you…so I’ll give you one more freebie. Ask your question again.”
“Okay… Who did Joseph Darker make the deal to save his wife with?”
I paused for dramatic effect. News like this needed to be delivered with flair. The expression on her face was priceless. The only thing better would be seeing it when she found out the whole truth.
“He made the deal with me, of course. Why do you think you’re here?”
JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.
Find Her: Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads
Haven’t read today’s other post? Stop by Jus’s blog and check out my excerpt/deleted scene from DEAR CASSIE!
Giveaway Details:
2 Kindles (valued at $69) US ONLY
5 sets of 5 Entangled Teen Print Books US Only
10 Entangled Teen eBooks International!
(no purchase necessary)
Rafflecopter link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MWNiNTU0OTUyMGNlZDFiOGJmOTc5ZmExZmRmZDJmOjIzMw==/
December 10, 2013
MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!!!
My new book came out YESTERDAY! Check out all the deets below!
All I ever wanted was to make a name for myself as Candice Salinas, creative writing grad student at the University of Miami. Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.
Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and—surprise!—my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?
“SNEAKING CANDY is fun, sexy and sweet, with a hero every reader will swoon over.” Monica Murphy, New York Times Bestselling Author of One Week Girlfriend
“Sneaking Candy lives up to it’s title, it’s a treat every time you pick it up!” Jennifer McLaughlin, New York Times Bestselling Author of Out of Line.
“With smart, strong leading characters, an original premise, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the end, SNEAKING CANDY is a breath of fresh air.” Lyla Payne, USA Today Bestselling Author of Broken at Love
“Sneaking Candy was a page turner with a lovable heroine, an interesting story which keeps you hooked throughout and a romance that isn’t just steamy, it’s SUPER HOT steamy.” Harlequin Junkie- TOP PICK
Add to Goodreads here!
December 9, 2013
SNEAKING CANDY IS AVAILABLE!!!
Here's the link:
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/sn...
<3 Lisa
PS... if you've reviewed it here, if you would consider adding to AMZ & B&N thank you!!!!
