Carrie Elks's Blog, page 30

Fun Friday – Where I talk about writing, editing and why I’ve jinxed the weather.

It’s been a crazy few weeks. Everything seems to have come at once. I’m delighted to say I’ve finished the editing for Halfway Hidden and have now sent it off to be proofed. The cover reveal happened last week, and I was so pleased with everybody’s comments. I really love the design, and was excited to be able to finally share it. To top it all off, I’ve become consumed by a new story that I couldn’t get out of my mind.

With a working title of Unexpected, my latest project is a full-length, New Adult novel. I’m already in love with the characters, and the plot makes my heart race a little. I’m planning on getting it finished by the end of November, ready for editing. For the moment, it is spilling onto the page at a fast rate, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this continues.

It’s a completely different beast to Halfway Hidden, not only in genre, but also in tone and length. Writing it has taken me out of my comfort zone in a good way, and I’m really looking forward to getting it polished up and out there. I’ll let you know more details as soon as I do.

I’ve also been super-busy at work, as well as doing the usual, mom-type activities with the young’uns, and trying to keep the house from looking like it has a layer of nuclear dust throughout. We have some lovely friends coming to stay this weekend, and I’d rather not clog their airways with dust motes. On the plus side, we’re planning on taking them to London on Saturday. It’s not often that somebody goes to the Big Smog just to get some fresh air, but hey, that’s just the way we roll.

Well, that’s about it for now. I hope you all have an amazing weekend. As we’ll be spending most of it outside, sightseeing, it will almost certainly rain. Have a great one no matter what you do. And thanks for reading.

What to Read Wednesday – Good by S. Walden

This week’s recommendation is Good by S. Walden.

Cadence Miller is a good girl. She just happens to make one terrible mistake her junior year in high school which costs her ten months in juvenile detention. Now a senior, she’s lost everything: her best friend, the trust of her parents, driving privileges, Internet access. It’s a lonely existence.

But there is one bright spot: Mark Connelly, her very cute, very off-limits 28-year-old calculus teacher. She falls hard for him—a ridiculous schoolgirl crush headed nowhere. She can’t help it. He’s the only good thing at Crestview High. She doesn’t expect him to reciprocate her feelings. How inappropriate, right? But he does. And he shows her.

And that’s when her life goes from bad to good.

When the book opens, Cadence is working on a modern-day equivalent of a chain gang. A juvenile offender, she’s forced to wear an orange jumpsuit and pick litter up off the road. While following the trail of debris, she comes across a good looking guy changing out his flat tire. In spite of the close scrutiny of her supervisor, she chats with him a bit, his sweet charm and interesting clothes a bright spot in an otherwise dreary day.

Flash forward a few months. Cadence is now back home, having to go back to school and face her senior year after nearly ten months in juvie. She’s dreading going back to high school, and she’s right to feel that way. From the start she is the subject of ridicule. Nasty notes are stashed in her locker, kids shout names at her as she walks down the hallway. And then, to top off a great day, she walks into her math class to find her new teacher is none other than the tire-changing hottie she met while in juvenile detention.

As the story unfolds, we see Cadence trying to be good. She made one—big—mistake, but nobody is allowing her to forget it. Her parents don’t trust her at all, her little brother has no patience for her, and her ex-best friend won’t even speak to her, at school or outside. The only light in an otherwise dark existence is her math teacher. And that’s where things start to get murky.

S. Walden treads a very careful line during this story, and I loved the way she didn’t try to glamorize the situation or paint Mr. Connelly into a good light. From the start I found myself suspicious of him and his motives, even when he seemed to be saying or doing the right things. But as Cadence came to trust him, I found myself softening too. He seemed to truly care for her, and was the one person who could see through the tough exterior of her past into the sweet girl inside. And when they finally consummated their relationship—after her eighteenth birthday—it was a beautiful, passionate moment.

Good isn’t a glossy, easy read. It is a story about a forbidden relationship, after all. All the characters have flaws, and at times make you want to scream, shout and berate them. But it is artfully written, perfectly plotted with characters that seem to pop off the page. I’m not ashamed to say I loved every word. If you like your characters broken, your stories edgy and your climaxes explosive, then Good is definitely for you. Go read now!

Five naughty, taboo-like stars.

Cover Reveal – Halfway Hidden by Carrie Elks

I’m delighted to be able to share the cover for my first novella – Halfway Hidden. You can find this book on Goodreads.  To join my mailing list (for details of new releases) please sign up here.

And now, without further ado, I present to you the cover for Halfway Hidden. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Mayhem Publishing’s After Dark imprint is pleased to reveal the cover  for Carrie Elks’ forthcoming novella, Halfway Hidden. 

When fear mixes with desire, who can you trust?

Rachel Stone is stuck, contemplating that very question. Spending her time as a bartender in an isolated West Virginia town, she hides behind dark hair and an assumed name. She exists from day to day, trying not to let her past overwhelm her.

When a tall stranger walks into the bar at closing time, her attempts at hiding turn to dust. Muscled and intense, he is attractive enough for Rachel to ignore her instincts and listen to her baser desires. As a storm brews in the skies of West Virginia, confusion builds in Rachel’s mind. What begins as flirtation explodes into a darker, more primal passion, leading her to question everything she thought she knew. 

While snow blankets the outside world, they are forced to remain inside, confronting their demons and the sizzling attraction between them. Submitting to their urges is easy; learning who to trust is anything but.

Advisory: This novella contains references to past abuse, and rough consensual sex.

Halfway Hidden will be released in November, 2013.

Cover by Mayhem Cover Creations

What to Read Wednesday – Where We Fell by Amber L. Johnson

This week’s recommendation is Where We Fell, by Amber L. Johnson.

 

Oliver Bishop is having a seriously bad day. With one diagnosis, his life suddenly has an expiration date. Confused about the numbness he has to the idea of it, he unwittingly puts himself directly in the sights of a girl that just may give him a reason to fight – and to live. 

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Seventeen; an age when you have everything to look forward to – college, girls, and a summer of post-graduation relaxation. But not Oliver Bishop. After falling over during track, he discovers a lump in his leg, and his normal, teenage life is transformed into a blur of hospital appointments, treatments and panicking parents.

Then, one day, he walks into a local diner and is served by Hannah Hartwell, a local girl who has just finished her freshman year at college. The daughter of an oncologist and cancer survivor, she knows something is wrong, and so begins a beautiful and tender relationship with the two of them, as they come to terms with Oliver’s cancer diagnosis.

Heartbreaking at times, hopeful at others, this novella is so beautifully and whimsically written that I had to read it in one sitting. Johnson’s characterizations were perfectly formed and they made me feel I was part of the book. Even smaller characters, such as his Environmental Science teacher, are deftly carved with few words; his short-sleeve, button-down shirt and pleated khakis bringing him to life like an actor has just stepped into his clothes.

Where We Fell is a love story as well as a tale of survival, as we see the burgeoning relationship between Oliver and Hannah. And though their path isn’t smooth – it isn’t just Oliver’s diagnosis, but his reactions that make the road bumpy – it is emotional and enjoyable and pulls your heart strings in a perfect way. I particularly enjoyed reading about Oliver’s relationship with his parents, the way they were so supportive yet understanding, knowing their son was facing the fight of his life at a time when he should be fleeing the nest.

This was a little slice of perfection, wrapped with beautiful words and interesting characters. I loved everything about it, and have no hesitation in awarding five, perfect stars.

NB: This book will be published on 28th October.

Cover Reveal – Where We Fell By Amber L. Johnson

Happy Friday! Today I’m delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for the debut book from Amber L. Johnson. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of Where We Fell, and I devoured it in one sitting. I’ll be posting the review over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ll stand aside and let you read all about this fantastic new book.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Where We Fell is the debut novella by Amber L. Johnson. Keep reading to learn more about Amber and her upcoming New Adult release. Also, be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win an ebook copy, iTunes gift card, and a handmade cancer awareness bookmark!

Summary:

Oliver Bishop is having a seriously bad day. With one diagnosis, his life suddenly has an expiration date. Confused about the numbness he has to the idea of it, he unwittingly puts himself directly in the sights of a girl that just may give him a reason to fight – and to live. 

Genre: New Adult
Word Count: 25,000 words
Available October 28 on Amazon Kindle

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads



Amber is a full-time mom, full-time wife, is employed full time, and writes when she can. She believes in Happily Ever Afters that occur every day – despite the obstacles that real life serves up on a regular basis. Or perhaps they’re sweeter simply because of them.  She always has 2 rubber bands on her wrist, a song in her head, and too much creamer in her coffee cup that reads ‘Cocoa’ – because she’s a rebel. If she’s not at her desk, with her boys, or behind the computer, she’s supporting live music with her arms raised above her head and eyes closed, waiting for the drop. 

Cover Reveal – Tales from the End by Lissa Bryan

From the author of The End of All Things comes a collection of short stories about the Infection that swept around the globe, decimating the population, and leaving behind a small number of survivors, unprepared to deal with the brutal new world which had replaced the one they’d known.

 

The End of All Things told the story of Carly Daniels, a young woman in Juneau, Alaska, left in a state of shock after the virus ravaged her home town. She ekes out a meager existence by scavenging for herself and Sam, the wolf puppy she found starving in the streets. Sam gives her a reason to keep going when giving up seems like the more attractive option.

 

Carly is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to a warmer climate before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey. They travel across a shattered nation in search of a safe place to settle, but it’s also a journey into love. There is still hope, a light among the shadows. If the old world is gone, it is up to the survivors to build a new one.

Carly finds strength in her faith that things can be even better than they were before, that compassion and charity are not luxuries; they are what make us human. Life endures, and so does love. The End of All Things is only a beginning.

 

And now, Lissa Bryan gives us three new stories in Tales from the End. 

Three of them introduce us to new characters you will meet in the upcoming sequel to The End of All Things, and the fourth, “Birthday” is a visit with old friends.

 

The Horsemen

L.A.’s mayor has declared quarantine to try to halt the spread of the Infection. Pearl sets off across the city to buy supplies, but already the world is changing. Something strange is in the air. The Horsemen are coming …

 

Veronica

When Veronica’s mother doesn’t come home from work and no one answers the phone when she calls for help, a nine-year-old girl is thrown into the chaos of a world coming to an end. The television shows her nothing but confusing images she doesn’t understand. Veronica decides it’s up to her to find her family. “Veronica” is the story of a little girl’s courage in the face of the end of all things.

 

“I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud”

They called her Shadowfax– the mare Carly and Justin found on their travels. But before she was found by Carly, the retired dressage horse was known as Cloud. An unusual tale of the end, told through the eyes of a confused and lonely horse, left in her pasture.

 

Birthday

A previously-published bonus story. Carly knows Justin has never celebrated his birthday, and after society crumbled, no one knows what date it is, anyway. But she wants to do something special for him. Celebrating the little things helps them keep hope alive, and as a blizzard rages outside, a small gesture of love warms their home.

Tales of courage, tales of survival… Tales from the End.

 

.¸¸•.¸¸.•´¯`• (¯`•♥•´¯)•´¯`•.¸¸.•.¸¸.

 

Author Links

Website ♥Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ TWCS (Publisher) ♥ Amazon♥ Barnes & Noble ♥ iTunes ♥ Youtube book trailers

What to Read Wednesday

This week’s recommendation is Painted Faces, by L.H. Cosway.

Dublin native Freda Wilson considers herself to be an acquired taste. She has a habit of making offensive jokes and speaking her mind too often. She doesn’t have the best track record with first impressions, which is why she gets a surprise when her new neighbour Nicholas takes a shine to her.

Nicholas is darkly handsome, funny and magnetic, and Freda feels like her black and white existence is plunged into a rainbow of colour when she’s around him. When he walks into a room he lights it up, with his quick wit and charisma. He is a travelling cabaret performer, but Freda doesn’t know exactly what that entails until the curtains pull back on his opening night.

She is gob-smacked and entirely intrigued to see him take to the stage in drag. Later on, Nicholas asks her if she would like to become his show assistant. Excited by the idea, she jumps at the chance. Soon she finds herself immersed in a world of wigs, make-up and high heels, surrounded by pretty men and the temptation of falling for her incredibly beautiful employer.

In this story of passion and sexual discovery, Nicholas and Freda will contend with jealousy, emotional highs and lows, and the kind of love that only comes around once in a lifetime.

I was skeptical when this book was first suggested to me. I like my heroes strong and edging toward the Alpha, and the thought of a guy who dressed up as a woman seemed like the opposite of this. However, from the moment I opened the book I was drawn in, first by the character of Freda; a strong, self-deprecating Dublin girl, then by Nicholas, her new, gorgeous neighbor, who turns out to be a drag queen.

They become friends, maybe a little more, though Nicholas’s closed-off emotions and Freda’s lack of self-esteem make things messy and rocky. She agrees to be his assistant, finding sensuality in the way she dresses him up before his appearances, then takes his clothes and his make-up off, transforming the glamorous Vivica Blue back into Nicholas. The dichotomy between his two personas is absolutely fascinating, as is Freda’s reactions to both sides of him. I loved reading about their burgeoning relationship, the way their characters grew as a result of the emotions it brought out in them both.

I confess, when I read the blurb I turned my nose up at this story. But I’m so glad I listened to Lucia and bought it regardless. I still love Alpha males, and there was definitely a side to Nicholas that was very Alpha, but he was so, so much more. He had depths and scars and emotions that tore me up and made me cry, but he also took what he wanted without necessarily thinking things through. He was messed up, but his relationship with Freda made him a better person, and that’s exactly what I wanted from this story.

Five glamorous, beautifully dressed stars to this one.

Fabulous Friday – It May Be Raining Outside …

Well, it definitely seems like Autumn is here. I’m sitting in my living room, watching the raindrops slide down my windows, and seeing how grey everything looks outside. I’m also seeing tweets about how few weeks there are until Christmas. These frighten me so much I want to bury my head beneath the cushions on our sofa and stay there until January.

On the writing side, I’m waist deep in edits. We’re on the second round now, and things are being added / removed and generally tidied up. Still aiming for an early November release date, and looking forward to finally seeing it up on Amazon. For those of you that don’t know, the cover reveal will be taking place on 17th October, and you can bet I’ll be shouting all over the place. Feel free to bury your own head under a sofa. I promise to zip my lips come the 18th.

The rest of my weekend is shaping up nicely. A hair cut and colour today—long overdue—followed by an afternoon of writing. Saturday will involve an early start at the gym (Spin class, it hurts so good) and a bit of time with the family.  I’ll also be reading a new Novella that I spotted on Twitter. The Game by A.J. Carella looks great – and at 20,000 words should be just enough for me to finish without annoying the husband too much.

I hope you all have a great weekend, full of fun, chocolate and a glass or two of wine. (Or is that just me?)

Halfway Hidden Cover Reveal – New Date

Hi all, Just a quick note to say the cover reveal for my new book will be taking place on Thursday 17th October. It’s being arranged by the lovely Xpresso book Tours After Dark. If you have a blog and want to take part in the reveal, the sign up page is here.

I’m so excited for you all to see the cover, which was designed by the crazily talented Mayhem Cover Creations.

Let’s hope the next two weeks fly by!

What to Read Wednesday

This week’s recommendation is Left Drowning, by Jessica Park

What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

From the moment the book begins, Blythe McGuire reveals herself as a damaged, lost soul. A loner who is finishing her final year at college, she’s made no friends or connections that could bring her out of her self-imposed exile.

In the space of a day, that all changes. A chance encounter with a cute guy over coffee followed by a deep connection with a tall, dark and handsome man at the lake ensure her life is never the same again. These meetings turn out to be related; they are two of the four Shepherd siblings, and are some of the most rounded, interesting characters I’ve ever been introduced to.

Chris—the tall, dark and handsome one—is the eldest Shepherd sibling, the head of the family who fights to keep them all together. Sabin, the dramatic, cheeky brother that Blythe met over coffee, is the second eldest. Then come Eric and Estelle, the beautiful yet haunted twins.

Suddenly, Blythe finds herself right at the heart of the family, becoming fast friends with the twins and Sabin, and falling head over heals for Chris.

But things aren’t ever as easy as they seem, especially for Blythe who has suffered more than her fair share of tragedy. Yet she drags herself out of the despair she has been wallowing in for years, rebuilding her life and allowing herself to be taken care of for the first time.

I loved all the characters in this story. Each one was so beautifully described, from Blythe’s tragic history, to Chris’s tortured soul, I felt like each one of them could have been somebody I knew. And the story, oh my, there were twists and turns, but more than that, there were things that played at my heart and tugged at every emotion it was possible to feel.

Left Drowning was an unputdownable story. Jessica Park’s excellent writing style dragged me in from the start; her poetic words and unerring ability to paint a story make this one of the best books I’ve read this year. I’m not going to lie, parts of it were hard to read, and a few times I wanted to scream at the characters, particularly Chris. But to see Blythe’s character grow and shine, like a butterfly climbing out of a chrysalis, made everything worthwhile.

Five stars don’t seem enough for this book, but that’s all I’ve got. So if you haven’t read it already, go see what the fuss is about – you won’t regret it.