Eli Easton's Blog, page 22
August 24, 2014
“Unwrapping Hank” — my Christmas story for 2014
My 2014 Christmas story “Unwrapping Hank” is now in beta. It’s always a sense of relief to finish a story, especially one that’s important to you. “Blame it on the Mistletoe” did well last year, so I really wanted to do something good for Christmas this year. The jury is out until it releases, but I hope you’ll like it! Love would be okay too.
What’s it about?
Like Mistletoe, “Unwrapping Hank” is set on a contemporary college campus, this time PSU–Pennsylvania State University.
Greg Sloane, aka “Sloane” is a freshman who has just rushed a frat, the Delts, lured by the super hip and laid back Micah Springfield, the frat’s president. The one guy in the frat who voted against Sloane’s membership was Hank, who turns out to be Micah’s younger brother, and also turns out to be a majorly muscled, tattoo’d, and butch guy who sparks Sloane like kindling the first time he lays eyes on him in the frat house kitchen.
Here’s my idea of Sloane (photo Googled off the web, I do not own):
Sloane is fairly sophisticated for PSU, having lived in major cities around the world with his two psychologist parents. He’s also something of a smart ass and he LOVES a good mystery. Sloane figures people out easily–until he meets HANK. Hank is a conundrum. He’s looks like a bad ass but he has the softest eyes. He acts like he’s dumb but he’s majoring in philosophy. He appears to be straight as an arrow, but then why does Sloane feel chemistry whenever they’re in the same room?
Hank Springfield (stock image– imagine more beard and tatts)
Hank is a loner whose gruff exterior puts off a lot of people. He’s into body building and he’s into his studies. The one thing he is most DEFINITELY not into is Sloane, aka “Frenchie”, the stuck-up, sophisticated, gay guy absolutely no one else in the frat has a problem with. Hank doesn’t want anything to do with Sloane. So why does fate (and his interfering brother Micah) keep shoving them together?
First, he has to plan the frat’s Christmas party with Sloane, a partnership that will either tear the house down or produce the best party ever, and then Micah invites Sloane home with them for Christmas. What the fuck?
There are family wounds that have made Hank and Micah what they are. If Sloane can unwrap this mystery, maybe he can unwrap the man of his dreams too.
This is an Enemies-to-lovers story, sort of GFY and sort of not, with some humor and some hotness, particularly of a certain kind that readers have been asking me for. Done.
There may also be a quaint Pennsylvania Dutch country Christmas and a bulldog named Grinch. And pies. Lots of pies.
Oh, and thanks to Jamie Fessenden for coming up with the title for this story!
Length: 40K
Due out: Nov 14, 2014
Reese Dante is working on the cover now, and I’ll share it when I have it!
Eli
July 14, 2014
“The Mating of Michael” — interview & giveaway on Sinfully Sexy!
Check out a new feature about “The Mating of Michael” on Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews. It includes a review by Macky, an interview with me about the book, and a giveaway. (And a cool new graphic, which I stole below)
http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-mating-of-michael-sex-in-seattle-3.html#more
Thank you for having me on the blog!
Eli
July 10, 2014
“The Mating of Michael” Blog Tour summary post
I was lucky enough to find some great sites to host me for the release of “The Mating of Michael”. Here’s a summary of those posts:
The Desktop for “The Mating of Michael” (my inspirational images posted on my site)
Help Me To Feel: Sex Surrogacy and “The Mating of Michael” (guest post on Boys In Our Books)
Clipped Wings: Writing a Romantic Hero with Polio (guest post on Joyfully Jay)
Interview with me about “The Mating of Michael” on Smoocher’s Voice
Eli’s Blog Post at RJ Scott’s site about writing m/m romance serials
Still to come: Interview by Macky at Sinfully Sexy on Jul 12!
Eli
July 7, 2014
Michael Blog Tour: Writing a Romantic Hero with Polio — on Joyfully Jay
Check out my guest post on Joyfully Jay about writing an MC with polio.
http://joyfullyjay.com/2014/07/giveaway-guest-post-the-mating-of-michael-by-eli-easton.html
Thanks to Joyfully Jay for hosting me!
Eli
July 6, 2014
Book Rec: “Think of England” by KJ Charles
How do I love this book? Let me count the ways!
I’ve only read one KJ Charles before, A Charm of Magpies, which I really liked, but I didn’t feel compelled to read the rest in that series. Now that I’ve read Think of England, I am firmly a fan!
First, I’ve always loved m/f regency romances, but it’s hard to find a good m/m romance in set in anything but contemporary England for obvious reasons. This book handles that brilliantly. It is absolutely true to that era and uses the difficulties as part of the obstacles/plotline. The attitudes and lingo all felt very accurate. It still has that sort of ‘cozy’ Agatha Christie feel I love while also being a hot m/m romance. Bravo! That’s a tough nut to crack (no pun intended).
Second, I adored the characters. Daniel is gorgeous with his wicked cruel tongue and sharp wit. I loved how he got them out of a jam several times just using his brain (even against weapons). I loved the foppish air he affected or dropped just as easily. And his ‘Viking’, Archie, is as stolid and steady and English as they come. I loved the slight GFY twist to this and loved Archie’s bullheaded plodding forward regardless.
Third, the writing is just damn good. There’s not an excess of flowery meandering but every line is well-written. The dialogue especially was just awesome.
Fourth, I also liked the secondary characters, most specifically the two ladies who helped save the day. Nice to see non-fainting femmes.
Fifth, I’m not much of a fan of continuing series with established couples, but KJ did a brilliant job of giving me some hot scenes with Daniel and Archie while holding enough of their relationship back that I definitely want to read the next book.
If you haven’t tried KJ you definitely should. She’s one of the best m/m writers out there IMHO.
July 5, 2014
“Superhero” and “Heaven Can’t Wait” — June Prism Recommended Reads
Check out some great books on this “Recommended Reads” post for June from Prism Book Alliance:
There are a number of titles here I need to read, and I’m thrilled they have “Superhero” and “Heaven Can’t Wait” on the list. Thank you!
Eli
Guest Post & Giveaway — hosted by RJ Scott’s blog!
RJ Scott had me on her blog for a guest post about writing m/m romance series. Comment on the post for a chance to win all THREE of my Sex in Seattle books.
Thanks, RJ, for hosting me!
Eli
July 2, 2014
Interview with Eli about “The Mating of Michael” on Smoocher’s Voice
Jodi at Smoocher’s Voice did a lovely interview with me about “The Mating of Michael”. Read it here!
Eli
June 30, 2014
"The Mating of Michael" is on Amazon and ARE!
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mating-Michael-...
ARE:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...
Sex Surrogacy and “The Mating of Michael” (guest post at BIOB)
Thanks to Boys In Our Books for hosting my first blog tour stop for “The Mating of Michael’ and my guest post about sex surrogacy! You can read it here:
http://boysinourbooks.com/2014/06/30/blog-tour-guest-post-the-mating-of-michael-by-eli-easton/
ELi
