Romanticizing the ugly, live reading to you, and turning you into a character

Remember how I was teasing “exciting things coming”? Well, those exciting things are here!

Romance with a Body CountElizabeth Barone’s Reader NewsletterFebruary 2025

Happy month of love!

Where I live, winter will be over… soon? Usually I spend this season miserable, not gonna lie. It’s cold, and when it gets cold, my joints get uncooperative. Then the depression kicks in, and the whole cycle starts all over again. This winter I’ve been determined to find things to fall in love with, and I’ve fallen hard. Here are a few of the things I’ve been romanticizing:

winter sunrises and sunsetsall the hot drinkselectric blanketswalking arm in arm

What are you romanticizing lately? And while you’re at it, tell me where you’re at in the world, and what season it is for you!

writing updates

Sometimes, you just gotta kick it old school. I printed out a hard copy of Sleeve of Hearts and went to town with a red pen, some Post-its, and a stapler. I feel a bit like a butcher, but this book is finally shaping into what I envisioned, so it’s worth it. Not only have I been restructuring the thing, I’m also writing new scenes that work so much better.

One thing about me, I will rewrite a book until it’s right. Now that I’m armed with healthier boundaries, some deep inner work, and craft enrichment, it feels right and good. I’m happier than ever and doing some of my best work. I seriously can’t wait for you guys to read Kinsley & Antoni’s story!

New Podcast

Remember how I was teasing “exciting things coming”? Well, those exciting things are here! After years of false starts, I’ve finally launched a podcast. And it’s a little different.

It’s been years since I did weekly lives on Facebook, and I still get asked when I’m doing them again. I miss them as much as you guys, I really do. The problem is, the ideal time to go live is, well, sleepytime for me, haha.

Books, Bud, and Brews is a show where we cozy up, spark up, and pour up. It feels like a live, but you can watch or listen at your convenience. There are usually two topics, one geared for readers and the other for writers, and a “reading to you” segment. This week we’re talking about characters healing trauma together in romance, and author burnout. Watch Episode 2 now!

Books, Bud, and Brews: Episode 2 Support My Work & Become a Character

If you’d like to support my work, I’ve finally made up my mind and chosen a platform! I loved the concepts of Patreon and Reamy, but I needed something that integrated more with my actual website. Then WordPress launched their own tools, and I’ve never looked back.

Become a sponsor for $5/month, and get turned into a character, new stickers at launch, and other exclusive perks.

Learn moreNew episodes of A Risky Prospect

I’ve been serializing the River Reapers MC series on my blog, for free! You can read all of A Disturbing Prospect now, and new episodes of A Risky Prospect every week.

A Risky Prospect, Chapter 30

I’ve got so much coming your way—new podcast episodes every Monday, new episodes of RRMC every Tuesday and Thursday, and maybe even some new stickers.

Stay tuned, stay cozy, and stay reading!

Thank you to February’s sponsors B., Denise, and Lauren!

Become a sponsor for $5/month.
Subscribing to my free newsletter is another great way to support me.

Photo by Matias North on Unsplash