Elizabeth Barone's Blog: Elizabeth Barone's Blog, page 21
September 3, 2021
5 Ghost Stories for September Reading
I took a break from publishing and social media five weeks ago, and in those five short weeks: I had and recovered from my second Endometriosis surgery, saw a cardiologist and started new blood pressure medications, and devoured six books.
Six!
That’s more than I’ve read in months.
It feels really good to read for fun again, rather than reading for research or to beat myself up. I’ve been on a ghost story kick—my favorite horror subgenre—and I wanted to share them with you, so you can get your haunted house on, too.
Let’s set the mood with a song. I feel it pairs perfectly with my first rec…
A Stitch in Time , by Kelley ArmstrongThis one almost doesn’t qualify as horror; it’s more of a mystery with ghosts. There are some creepy moments, though, and I absolutely adore the tone of the whole book. Armstrong’s writing is so pretty, and the mystery will keep you hooked. I highly recommend getting the ebook and adding the audio to it. Plus there are cats! I really want my own Enigma now.
This is a psych thriller with ghosts; my favorite ghost stories are psychological, and Come Closer did not disappoint. (Both this and A Stitch in Time were recommended by my critique partner and dear friend, Molli Moran, who always has the best recs.) The main character is possessed by a demon, who quickly takes over and ruins her life.
I kept seeing this book pop up in my Amazon recs, and I swore I’d already read it. The cover looked so familiar, I was convinced! I broke down and bought it after finishing Come Closer, though, and I’m really glad I did. It’s basically Amityville Horror with a twist. The ending still gives me chills.
I’m almost ashamed to admit I only just read this classic. I tend to shy away from older books because they just don’t appeal to me; they’re often weighed down with outdated language and writing styles. Not Hill House, though! Jackson was ahead of her time (and it shows when reading about her life; people really gave her a lot of shit, but she was a damn genius).
From the first sentence, I was hooked. Jackson has a way of combining wit with chilling horror, and she had me alternately laughing out loud and gaping. I could talk about this book for days, how Jackson creates compelling characters and really sets the mood with just a few sentences. But if you haven’t read it, and you’re thinking it’s exactly like the Netflix series, forget that and grab it right now. The Netflix series borrowed a lot of elements, but it’s almost like a sequel to the book rather than an adaptation. (In my head, they’re a family who wants to flip the house decades after the events of the book.) This is now one of my all-time favorites. I loved it so much, I wanted to restart it immediately.
Instead I grabbed another classic I’ve been putting off…
Currently Reading: The Shining , by Stephen KingI know, I know. How can I be a Stephen King fan if I haven’t read The Shining? In my defense, I’ve watched the Kubrick and made-for-TV movies a million times, so I thought I knew this story. Man, was I wrong. So far, the movies are pretty close to the book, with some scenes omitted. But no movie can ever capture the psychological war occurring in Jack’s head, the strength and worries that Wendy carries, and the fear that freezes little Danny. It’s really interesting to read his point of view, because he’s just a little kid and he barely understands what’s happening—all while understanding it in a way that he shouldn’t.
I’ve had a haunted house story kicking around in my head for quite some time now, so maybe this is research…
What are your favorite ghost stories?
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the book(s) through my links, I receive a commission on the sale. Please read my privacy policy for more information.
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
August 11, 2021
Getting Some Air: A Letter to My Readers
Dear readers,
I’ve been struggling with this decision for a while, but I’ve decided to step away from publishing for a bit. I mistakenly thought that I could just throw myself back into things, without giving myself the proper time to just grieve and heal and be. Pushing myself to get back to “normal” has only had the opposite effect on my physical and mental wellbeing, so it’s time for me to get some air.
If you’ve been with me for a while, you know that in 2020, I had a serious UCTD flare that at one point had me in the ICU. I’m still recovering from that flare and, on top of that, I just had surgery for another Endometriosis flare. My body’s had it, and my soul is exhausted, too.
This is not goodbye, it’s just a break.
I’m still signing at TNTNYC in October, as long as it’s safe for me to do so. (Click here to pre-order my books!)
If you pre-ordered Burning for Stixx or A Lasting Prospect for the Kindle, you’ll receive an email from Amazon notifying you that your pre-order has been cancelled. Please note that these releases aren’t permanently cancelled, just delayed for the time being. (I’m looking forward to spending more time with the River Reapers when I’m feeling better.) Make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter for updates!
I’m also stepping away from social media.
The best way to keep up with me is my newsletter. (Click here to sign up!)
I really want to emphasize that this is not goodbye. I have so many exciting things planned, so many books to write and publish. But in order for me to do that, I need to heal physically and emotionally. I need to figure out who I am after the physical hell of these past couple years. And I need to rest without stressing about deadlines.
I hope you’re as well as can be, and I hope you’re nourishing yourself during these difficult times, too.
I’ll see you in this month’s newsletter!
PS: Now’s the perfect time to catch up on all my books (and extras)…
Not Just Any Love Series Reading Order
July 9, 2021
Post a Review of A FATAL PROSPECT (Pretty Please)
If you’ve read A Fatal Prospect, please post a review! Reviews are for readers, not authors, but they do help me out quite a bit.
There are quite a few myths about reviews—sorry, 50 or more reviews don’t trigger Amazon marketing—so here’s how they actually help.
They help other readers decide if my book is The One for themThey show other readers that my book has actually been read by real peopleThey help me determine what is working and what I need to improveIf you could post a review for A Fatal Prospect, whether you loved or hated it, I’d really appreciate it!
Not sure how to post a review? Here are some tips!
Say what you liked and didn’t like about the bookTell people what your favorite and least favorite parts wereLet people know if it was too spicy, not spicy enough, or just rightMention whether it met your expectations for a biker romanceWhere to post your review:
Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UKAmazon AUBookBubGoodreadsThank you so much!
July 8, 2021
Post a Review of HER MERCY (Pretty Please)
If you’ve read Her Mercy, please post a review! Reviews are for readers, not authors, but they do help me out quite a bit.
There are quite a few myths about reviews—sorry, 50 or more reviews don’t trigger Amazon marketing—so here’s how they actually help.
They help other readers decide if my book is The One for themThey show other readers that my book has actually been read by real peopleThey help me determine what is working and what I need to improveIf you could post a review for Her Mercy, whether you loved or hated it, I’d really appreciate it!
Not sure how to post a review? Here are some tips!
Say what you liked and didn’t like about the bookTell people what your favorite and least favorite parts wereLet people know if it was too spicy, not spicy enough, or just rightMention whether it met your expectations for a biker romanceWhere to post your review:
Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UKAmazon AUBookBubGoodreadsThank you so much!
Post a Review of A RISKY PROSPECT (Pretty Please)
If you’ve read A Risky Prospect, please post a review! Reviews are for readers, not authors, but they do help me out quite a bit.
There are quite a few myths about reviews—sorry, 50 or more reviews don’t trigger Amazon marketing—so here’s how they actually help.
They help other readers decide if my book is The One for themThey show other readers that my book has actually been read by real peopleThey help me determine what is working and what I need to improveIf you could post a review for A Risky Prospect, whether you loved or hated it, I’d really appreciate it!
Not sure how to post a review? Here are some tips!
Say what you liked and didn’t like about the bookTell people what your favorite and least favorite parts wereLet people know if it was too spicy, not spicy enough, or just rightMention whether it met your expectations for a biker romanceWhere to post your review:
Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UKAmazon AUBookBubGoodreadsThank you so much!
Post a Review of A DISTURBING PROSPECT (Pretty Please)
If you’ve read A Disturbing Prospect, please post a review! Reviews are for readers, not authors, but they do help me out quite a bit.
There are quite a few myths about reviews—sorry, 50 or more reviews don’t trigger Amazon marketing—so here’s how they actually help.
They help other readers decide if my book is The One for themThey show other readers that my book has actually been read by real peopleThey help me determine what is working and what I need to improveIf you could post a review for A Disturbing Prospect, whether you loved or hated it, I’d really appreciate it!
Not sure how to post a review? Here are some tips!
Say what you liked and didn’t like about the bookTell people what your favorite and least favorite parts wereLet people know if it was too spicy, not spicy enough, or just rightMention whether it met your expectations for a biker romanceWhere to post your review:
Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UKAmazon AUBookBubGoodreadsThank you so much!
July 7, 2021
Please Read: Important RomantiConn 2021 Announcement
Dear readers,
I’m so sorry to announce that I’ve had to give up my table at RomantiConn this year. Instead, I’ll be having surgery (which is way less fun). I’m still signing at the other events I’ve announced, as well as RomantiConn 2022. In the meantime, you can get signed paperbacks from me on my website, and I’m gearing up to release Burning for Stixx later this summer.
Thank you for all your support!
June 23, 2021
“Every Time I Walked Out That Door” | An Excerpt from THE STAIRS BETWEEN US
Joey sat on the couch, legs straight out in front of him. He balanced a textbook and notebook on his lap.
“Whatcha doing, Joey kangaroo?” I asked, sitting next to him.
Brown eyes flicked my way, then returned to the book in front of him. “Reading.”
I glanced down. The anatomy of the human heart spread across the page. He’d roughly sketched the diagram in his notebook. Not bad for a little kid. “This isn’t your book from school.” Pride swelled in my chest.
“It’s your book,” he said.
“I know it is.” I tapped my fingers on my thigh, thinking.
“I’m sorry.” Joey clapped the book shut and pushed it off his lap. His eyes rounded as he silently begged me.
“I have to tell Mom,” I said after a moment. His lower lip trembled at my words. “Not because you’re in trouble,” I added. “I mean, I wish you would’ve just asked instead of taking it. Some of my books are a little . . . advanced for you.”
Hell, all of my medical books should’ve been beyond his six years. Yet there we sat, my son studying cardiac anatomy—on his own. Noah was going to freak. Whether she liked it or not, though, medicine was in his blood, from both sides of the family.
“I’m not in trouble?” he asked.
“No, buddy.” I booped his nose. “I’m really proud of you right now. Are you interested in being a doctor? Like me and your Nan?”
“Will I make Momma sad?”
Swallowing surprise, I picked up the book and notebook and set them on the coffee table. “Why would you ask that, kiddo?”
“Nan makes her sad, and so do you. If I become a doctor, I’ll make her sad, too.”
I cleared my throat. Not for the first time, my own son had me stumped. Most six-year-olds were curious. It was typical for their age. Joey, on the other hand, picked up on more than most children his age. I didn’t know how to explain to him that his grandmother hadn’t been very warm to his mom when she was little. With Noah for a mother, Joey probably couldn’t wrap his head around something like that. Besides, I didn’t want to spoil his view of his Nan.
“Momma’s not sad because Nan and I are doctors,” I said, picking my way carefully around the subject. “She’s sad because . . .” My voice trailed off as realization slammed into me.
Throughout the entire nine years of our marriage, Noah had relived her childhood. Instead of a mother who was never around, though, she’d been stuck with a husband who wasn’t. It wasn’t that she couldn’t understand why I had to go when I got paged—she knew that better than anyone else. Every time I walked out that door, though, I reminded her of all the times her mother walked out on her.
I hadn’t meant to be distant, but I took my work home with me—even when I wasn’t working on a particularly difficult case. That phone was always on, always by my side. Every time it rang, it took me away from her.
From our family.
“Daddy?” Joey’s anxious eyes searched mine.
“Your Momma misses your Nan, buddy,” I said, voice thick. “That’s all.”
“Does she miss you too?”
“I don’t know.” But I was going to find out.
Read The Stairs Between Us Now
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June 21, 2021
Biker Romance Deals & New Releases (Week of June 20th-26th)
Hey book babes! I’ve rounded up some biker and mafia romance deals and new releases for you this week, so check them out.
Please note that the links I’ve shared here are affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase the books using my link, I’ll receive a percentage of the sale (you won’t pay any extra).
Pricing is subject to change; check carefully before purchasing.
Thank you for supporting indie authors!
New ReleasesCentering Kaos (Dead Presidents MC, Book 10), by Harley Stone https://amzn.to/3wEkiDx
Becoming His Wife (Zanetti Famiglia, Book 6), by Hayley Faiman https://amzn.to/2U6fPLd
Rycks (Black Reign MC, Book 1), by Marteeka Karland https://amzn.to/3cTLdDj
Fragile Union (Made, Book 3), by Brooke Summers https://amzn.to/2SeItcw
UnScrew Me (Savage Beast MC, Book 1), by Hayley Faiman https://amzn.to/2TIABk6 ($0.99 on June 28th)
FREE Romance Series Starters (through June 23rd)
Until Tomorrow Comes, A Dark Mafia Romance (Beauty in Lies, Book 1), by Adelaide Forrest https://amzn.to/3q8dECK (FREE June 23rd-25th)
These Deviant Ties, Anthology https://amzn.to/3gPeiAY
Burning for Stixx (A River Reapers MC Spinoff Novella), by Elizabeth Barone https://amzn.to/2Sfzsjp
Happy reading!
New Release Date for BURNING FOR STIXX
I recently realized I’m a crazy person. I was trying to publish a book, have another Endometriosis surgery, and then go do a signing—all while my UCTD is flaring. I can’t wait to give you this book, but that order of operations didn’t make sense at all.
So, I’ve decided to have surgery, do a signing, and then publish Burning for Stixx.
The new release date is Sunday, August 1st.
That’s much better!
Especially since I promised myself I’d never put publishing before my health. I can’t write good books for you if I’m not at my best, and lately I’ve really been struggling.
I’m still hoping to bring copies to RomantiConn with me, but no promises.
(Get your RomantiConn tickets and pre-order my books here)
If you pre-ordered Burning for Stixx for the Kindle, you don’t have to do a thing. It’ll automatically be delivered on the new date (August 1st). You’ll receive an email from Amazon notifying you of the new date.
If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, click here. More retailers coming soon!
Thank you so much for understanding.
In the meantime, enjoy this little snippet I shared on Twitter. 
Pre-Order Burning for Stixx
Pieces of me rain down, and I float to a place where nothing hurts me. He kisses me then, long and with just a sweep of his tongue across my lips. Then he sweeps his middle finger across them and I lick, tasting my salty sweetness and his skin. https://t.co/EzBHpudAjv #comingsoon
— Elizabeth Barone (@elizabethbarone) June 19, 2021
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