Carrie Elks's Blog, page 16

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!I’m running a giveaway for a paperbac...

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!
I’m running a giveaway for a paperback copy of my new book, Broken Chords. The giveaway is valid world-wide, and will end on February 27th (the day after release day). So run over and enter now!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Broken Chords
by Carrie Elks

Giveaway ends February 27, 2015.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Cover Reveal – Broken Chords

Today I’m delighted to share with you the cover for my next release, Broken Chords. Scroll down for the blurb and excerpt, and don’t forget to add to your Goodreads page! The book will be released on February 26th, and I’ll be sharing lots of teasers and excerpts on my  Facebook page, so drop on by and say hello!


Title: Broken Chords
Series: Love in London #2
Author: Carrie Elks
Genre: Adult Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2015
Cover Designed by: Okay Creations



Lara knows she should feel lucky. Married to the man of her dreams, with a gorgeous new baby, she should be enjoying her happy-ever-after. But she never expected motherhood to be so difficult, or for her life to change so dramatically.

Alex has it all: hot, tattooed looks, a beautiful wife, and a band that’s finally getting noticed. A lucrative offer of a US tour should be the icing on the cake. But as he leaves the country, distance isn’t the only thing that starts to pull their relationship apart.

With half a world dividing them, Alex and Lara have to battle for a marriage they once took for granted.


Broken Chords is the second story in the Love in London series but can be read completely as a stand-alone.
Though it’s a series, it’s not a serial and there are no cliffhangers, each book features a different couple!

“What caused that smile, gorgeous?” Alex moves back towards me, pulling me into his free arm. His hand cups my hip, fingers digging in deliciously as he bends his head to my neck and presses his lips there. I breathe him in, fresh and clean from a shower, hair glistening and moulded into an almost quiff.

He’s all gel and rolled-up sleeves. There’s no collar on his t-shirt, so I can see the dark inked scrolls that lick up from his chest and shoulders peeking out from the material. Even though Max is in his arms, I can’t help but trace them with my fingers, feeling him tense up as I flutter my hand against his skin.

“Maybe Max should have a nap.” Alex’s voice is thick. “He seems really tired.”

Max starts babbling again; sleep is clearly the furthest thing from his mind.

“He’s not due another nap until this evening.” I try not to laugh at the disappointment on Alex’s face. He stares at me through narrowed eyes, and I smile in response. I’m caught somewhere in the middle of turned-on and amused.

“He seems really tired,” Alex repeats. “And those lips of yours look really empty.”

I know where he’s going with this; I feel like playing.

“They are. Really empty. Desperate to be filled.”

“Then put the baby to bed,” he growls.

I lean forward and press my mouth to Alex’s. He kisses me back, his movements heated. Cupping my chin, he angles my head, slowly running his tongue along the seam of my lips. “Put the baby to bed, now, Lara.”

Amazon Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon AUB&N Kobo





Carrie Elks lives near London, England and writes contemporary romance with a dash of intrigue. At the age of twenty-one she left college with a political science degree, a healthy overdraft and a soon-to-be husband. She loves to travel and meet new people, and has lived in the USA and Switzerland as well as the UK. An avid social networker, she tries to limit her Facebook and Twitter time to stolen moments between writing chapters. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can usually be found baking, drinking wine or working out how to combine the two.

 

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Meet the authors #Romance15

Meet the authors #Romance15.

February Update – Cover Reveals, Signings, Festivals

I can’t believe February is here already! Though I’m sad to see the time passing so quickly, I have to admit I’m looking forward to warmer days and longer evenings.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to update this blog, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. In fact I’ve had my head down, writing and editing, as well as working on a few plans for future releases. So to get things up to speed, I’m going to do a little run down of everything that’s going on in my world!

A New Cover For Fix You

Fix You has had a makeover for the spring! And as much as I adored the blue snowflakes, I have to admit I was very excited to see the red cover. It’s up on all the usual retailers now, and I’ll be having some promo items created for it!

Romance Festival 2015 – 7th & 8th February

I’m very excited to be part of the virtual Romance Festival this weekend. The festival is taking place over two days. The Saturday is dedicated to aspiring and established romance authors, and the Sunday to fans and readers. As a virtual festival, you can participate from anywhere in the world, so come and hion us, it promises to be a lot of fun.

To register, click on this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/romance-festival-2015-tickets-15326821937

Broken Chords – Cover Reveal and Release Info

One of the things I’ve been busy working on is my next book. This is the second in the Love in London Series (Coming Down was #1) and is a stand alone story set in the same world. I’ll be revealing the cover on Monday 9th February, and it will be released on 26th February. I absolutely love the characters in this book, and can’t wait to share Alex and Lara with you. In the meantime, be sure to add to your Goodreads ‘to read’ shelf https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Signing Events

I’ll be signing at three different events in the UK this year, kicking off with The British Book Affair on 18th April in London. The following weekend (25th April) I’ll be at the Tattooed Bad Boy Author event in York (did I tell you that Alex in Broken chords is a sexy, tattooed singer?)

Finally, I’ll be signing at the Second City Author event in Birmingham in July. For more details hop over to my news page!

That’s it for now. Don’t forget to come and see my new cover on 9th February!

Romance Weekly #LoveChatWrite #LoveWriteChat – 13th January

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

If you’ve arrived from Kim Handyside’s Blog, hi and thanks for clicking!

 

 This week Elizabeth Janette has asked the question: What’s on your To-Be-Read list?

Wow, what a question. It might be easier to ask me what’s NOT on my TBR list. If I didn’t have an e-reader, I’d have a pile of paperbacks as high as a house. Luckily–and thanks to all those clever engineers and scientiest–instead I have a small, compact tablet full of books I’m desperate to read. When I say I take it everywhere with me, I’m not kidding. If I have five minutes spare I’ll whip it out and start reading, it really doesn’t matter where I am!

Okay, to answer the question, I’ve narrowed it down to the next 5 books on my list. See below for the top five, and a little bit about why I can’t wait to give them a go!

 

1. The Pact by Karina Halle

I pretty much devour every book by Karina Halle. Like the author, her heroines are ballsy and sassy, the kind of women that you know you’d be friends with if only they were real. Add to that sexy, complicated heroes who are built, protective and always alpha, you have a recipe for success. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this ‘friends to lovers’ story, and I can’t wait to read it!

 

2. Sweet Bea by Sarah Hegger

I’m a huge fan of historical romances (thanks in no small measure to a certain Scot named Jamie), and when I saw Sarah Hegger’s Sweet Bea was on sale this January I snapped it up. The story of Beatrice and Garrett has some wonderful reviews, and I know it’s going to be swoontastic!

 

3. The Diplomat’s Wife by Pam Jenoff

I read Pam Jenoff’s first book–the Kommandant’s Girl–all in one night. The sad story of a Nazi Kommandant and a Jewish girl in hiding, it not was touching and emotional, as well as rich with historic detail. The Diplomat’s wife looks set to be just as fulfilling, telling the story of Marta Nedermen, a Polish girl who survies the horrors of a Nazi Prison camp.

 

4. Reasonable Doubt by Whitney Gracia Williams

 

I picked this book up on sale this week, and I have to say I LOVE a series that has a hot, alpha male with problems. This one’s short–only 78 pages–but it looks like it’s going to be a great and fun read.

 

5. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion was one of my favourite books in 2014. I’ve been hoarding the follow up to read when I’m next away on holiday. Don Tillman, the hero of both books, is one of my favourite characters; methodical, adorable and yet somehow very masculine. I can’t wait to find out what he and his wife Rosie get up to in this sequel.

 

So that’s the next five books I plan to read. Let’s see how big author Sarah Hegger’s TBR list is. And while you’re at it, take a look at Sweet Bea, it’s on a super-duper January sale! 

Romance Weekly #LoveChatWrite #LoveWriteChat – 6th January

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

If you’ve arrived from Lesley Hachtel’s Blog, hi and thanks for clicking!

 

 This week Xio Axelrod has asked the question: What do you do when you’re not writing?

 

When I’m not writing I’m usually thinking about writing, and that’s the honest truth. I can be driving in my car, but in my mind I’m in a scene, working out what my heroine would say, and what the hero would do. Sadly, sometimes life gets in the way and I also have to do other stuff. So here’s a brief rundown of my life outside the written word.

I also like to drink coffee with friends. Preferably in some chic Rive Gauche cafe wearing 1920s gear. Don’t ask me why, I’m just a bit crazy that way.

I also read. A lot. An average of two to three books a week. So if I’m not on the Rive Gauche, I’m probably buried under a pile of my latest downloads!

The rest of the time I like to be a superhero, or what I call ‘Mum’. This involves resolving angry disputes (whose turn is it to fill the dishwasher), rally-driving for hours (Scouts, followed by Football, followed by a party – yay!), running a top-class restaurant (what’s that, you want Beouf Bourgingon tonight darling? Of course), and running a 24 hour laundry service.

 

No wonder I need a glass or two of wine in the evening! Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

 

Let’s see how author Dani Jace spends her non-writing time by hopping over to her blog !

Release Day – Fix You by Carrie Elks

 

Fix You
by Carrie Elks


 
 


Release Date: 25th December 2014
Published by Corvus
Genre: Romance / Contemporary


Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Nook, Apple, Blinkbox, Google Play and Sainsbury’s

 

~~SUMMARY~~

You’ve found the one, but what if life has other plans?

London, 31st December 1999

At a party to toast the new millennium, Hanna meets Richard. He is a gorgeous, wealthy New Yorker. She is a self-assured, beautiful Londoner with no interest in clean-cut American men. They are from different worlds and have nothing in common… except for their instant – and mutual – attraction to one another.

As the clocks chime midnight it is a new year and the beginning of a wonderful romance.

New York, 12th May 2012

Hanna, the girl who broke Richard’s heart, walks into his Wall Street office – and back into his life – to reveal an explosive secret.

He was sure they were meant to be together forever, but she broke his heart so completely the last time, can he find a way to let her mend the pieces?

Warm, witty and a perfect piece of modern romance, Fix You is a love story to melt your heart.

 

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

Carrie Elks lives near London, England and writes contemporary romance with a dash of intrigue. At the age of twenty-one she left college with a political science degree, a healthy overdraft and a soon-to-be husband. She loves to travel and meet new people, and has lived in the USA and Switzerland as well as the UK. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can usually be found baking, drinking wine or working out how to combine the two.

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Twitter * Facebook * Website

 

Praise for  Fix You
“Fix You is a love story about overcoming hardships and facing consequences of your mistakes; a love story that will touch your heart and stay with you forever. A must-read!.” 
 – Lucia, Reading is my Breathing Blog

Romance Weekly #LoveChatWrite #LoveWriteChat – 23rd December

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box. If you’ve arrived from J.J. Devine’s blog, hi and thanks for clicking!

 This week we’re talking about ‘All I Want for Christmas!’

It’s funny how your expectations for Christmas change as you grow older. When I was a child, the big day was all about excitement; the intense, gut-wrenching hope that Santa would visit,  the anticipation of seeing family and friends, and of course the aroma of the roasting turkey that would make my mouth water!
As an adult, I’m the one who provides all this for my family, and that shapes the way I feel about Christmas. Anticipation is replaced by anxiety; will I buy all the presents in time? What time should I put the turkey in the oven? Have I remembered to buy cranberry sauce?
All too often, Christmas can feel more of a chore than anything else. So this year, all I want for Christmas is to slow down and enjoy the company of my family and friends. I’ve bought and wrapped all the gifts, the Christmas grocery shop is ordered, and now all there is to do is sit back and enjoy the anticipation. When the big day arrives, I’m going to pour us all a mug of hot chocolate (with a splash of Baileys added in to the adults’ mugs), put on some Christmas music and watch the delight in the children’s eyes as they tear the wrapping paper off their presents.
So here’s to a merry Christmas for one and all. Thank you so much for joining me on these blog hops this year, and I look forward to sharing more of them with you in 2015!

Releases on 25th December in the UK.
KOBO
AMAZON
APPLE

Don’t forget to hop over to Gemma Brocato’s blog to enjoy some more festive entertainment!

Romance Weekly #LoveChatWrite #LoveWriteChat – 15th December

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

If you’ve arrived from Xio Axelrod’s blog, hi and thanks for clicking!

 

 This week we’re sharing our favourite Holiday Stories or Movies!
If you hadn’t already guessed, I LOVE THE FESTIVE SEASON! I love the planning, I love the present buying, and most of all I love the Christmas movies. I have so many favourites that it’s almost impossible to narrow them down to one. Scrooged with Bill Murray is a must-watch every year, along with A Muppet Christmas Carol and The Snowman, a beautiful hand-drawn cartoon that has no dialogue, only music. But my very, very favourite of all is Love Actually.

Love Actually – the Best Love Scenes
There are so many reasons that this movie is close to my heart. First of all it has some of my best-loved actors. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson are just a few of the cast of actors that make this such a fun movie to watch. Then there’s the story lines–in fact there’s ten different interwoven stories in this film, each of them climaxing at Christmas. Some are romantic, some are sad, but each one of them is emotional. From the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) discovering love for the first time, to the wife (Emma Thompson) who learns about her husband’s infidelity when searching for her Christmas present, each one manages to kick you in the gut.
Best of all, there’s Billy Mack, played by Bill Nighy. A has-been rock star, he attempts to reignite his fading career with a Christmas rock song, the hilarious parody of ‘Love is all Around’, which is an in-joke for director Richard Curtis, who used the original in his breakout film, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

 

Love Actually – Christmas is All Around
I hope each one of you has an enjoyable and relaxing Holiday Season. Remember to hold those you love close, and to take some time for yourself. You’re worth it!
As for me, I’ll be spending Christmas with my family and friends, celebrating the UK release of my novel, Fix You on the 25th December. It’s available for pre order now at the following places:

KOBO
AMAZON
APPLE

 

Now hop over to J.R. Richardson’s blog to enjoy some more festive entertainment!

Coming Down – 99c sale!

 

In celebration of the Holiday Season, Coming down will be on sale for 99c from December 11th through to December 18th. If you haven’t already picked up your copy, you can grab it here.

Summary:

Beth Lawrence finally has her life back on track. A job she loves, a wealthy husband and a beautiful home are a far cry from the tragedy that struck when she was nineteen. But now that her past seems firmly behind her, an old flame walks back into her life. Bringing back painful memories of a time she’s worked hard to forget, reviving a passion she tried to bury years before.

Niall Joseph is an up-and-coming artist, recently returned from success in America. Volunteering to teach in an inner-city drug clinic, the last person he expects to see is the girl who broke his heart nine years earlier. Working closely together allows their old wounds to heal, forging a deeper connection between them. One that slowly starts to burn.

As she becomes tangled up with a neglected child and her drug-addict mother, Beth finds herself drawn to Niall. But neither of them can anticipate how hard it is to tread the thin line between friendship and desire.