Advent Calendar Day 20 #BeckyBlack

It's really not long now. Opening door 20 on the advent calendar to find Becky Black behind it!

Gifts for writers

Have a writer in your life? What should you buy them for Christmas? Here are a few ideas.

Pens: Yes, they have 200 pens actually in their bag right this minute. But they could always use another one, because it’s different from all the pens, and sometimes you need just the right pen at just the right time. Include refills.

Notebooks: We can never have too many notebooks. And always remember that only some of that Giant Stack of Blank Notebooks can ever actually be used. The rest are far too pretty to ruin by writing in them. They’re not for writing, they’re for having. And it’s always fun to have more.

Books: Because books are awesome. And with your help your beloved writer can get that To Read stack up to the ceiling. Gift cards for retailers who sell books are a suitable substitute.

Caffeinated beverages: Tea, coffee, cola, it’s all good. Most writers love the caffeine buzz. Or require caffeine to actually resemble a human being in the mornings. Just hand over a cup, fast and nobody gets hurt, okay?

Wine: One of the reasons for the requirement for caffeine in the morning. Because after a hard day slaving over a hot keyboard, wrangling recalcitrant characters, many writers could use a small (large) glass of wine.

Chocolate: For rewards for getting work done. For comfort after a rejection. For getting in the mood for writing those love scenes. Or just because, chocolate.

A massage: Sitting for hours messes up your back, or your neck, or your shoulders. Or all three. A bit of pampering is always welcome.

But the number 1 gift all writers want – TIME. Give the writer in your life the time to write uninterrupted. Don’t come bother them barring something or someone being on fire. When they’re done they’ll be in a much better mood with you than if you came and interrupted them just when the characters were about to kiss…

  

My latest release is Into the Sunrise, an F/F contemporary novella,  published by Loose Id.

Blurb

On the day her son leaves home, Lorna Friern makes a long-planned escape from her loveless marriage. With one suitcase, her laptop, and a box full of books, she leaves L.A. to drive to a new life in a house she’s inherited in Long Island. On the same day, after Northern Californian wildfires burn down the motel where she lives and the bar where she works, Zoe Bradshaw decides to move on again. Her destination, Las Vegas. Maybe. Or home to her family. Maybe.

The two women meet on the road and when Zoe’s old junker of a car finally gives up the ghost, she accepts the offer to travel with Lorna for a while. perhaps all the way to New York. Lorna wasn’t looking for romance so soon after leaving her marriage, but chance put Zoe in her way and Lorna doesn’t want to leave her behind. Sharing a car and motel room beds, the two women learn each other’s histories and secrets. Only at the end of the journey will they know if they’ve escaped the past to ride off together into the sunrise.

Buy direct from Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/into-the-sunrise.html

Or check out the buy links on the book page: https://beckyblack.wordpress.com/bookshelf/standalone-novels-and-novellas/into-the-sunrise/

Art by Mina Carter

Author Bio

Becky lives in the UK and her writing is primarily fuelled by tea and rainy days. After spending far too many years only thinking about writing she finally started putting words down back in 2003 and hasn’t stopped since, still trying to make up for lost time.

Links

Website - https://beckyblack.wordpress.com

Email - beckyblackbooks@gmail.com

Twitter -  http://twitter.com/beckyblackbooks

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/elizabethc.fb

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4557505.Becky_Black

Advent Calendar - Day 12

Day 12 of my Advent Calendar brings you Becky Black. 

I've known Becky for approximately nine years now. She is responsible for encouraging me to write! Yes, so it's all her fault. Becky and I beta-read for one another. 

This is one of many books Becky has published. With this blog post you get a book cover and eye-candy all rolled into one :) 

Red Dragon #1: The Company Man by Becky Black

M/M Science Fiction erotic romance from Loose Id

Cover by Scott Carpenter.

Blurb

The Red Dragon is a ship in trouble. It was once the pride of the Outer Spiral Trading Company’s fleet, but is neglected and fallen from its old glory. It’s a ship in need of love – and a new captain.

Alyn Evans is a man in need of a new challenge. He’s an ex-warship captain and peace has put him out of a job. A man of his experience should have no trouble commanding a merchant ship…he thinks. But of all the challenges he faces on his first trip out, the hardest one is keeping his hands off his gorgeous and fascinating company rep, Jarvez Kashari.

Jarvez Kashari is a man with a plan. He’s determined to make a name as the company’s best trader and thinks reviving the fortunes of the Red Dragon is the perfect opportunity to prove himself. Jarvez travels light, sacrificing personal relationships to focus on his ambitions – until he meets Alyn Evans. Falling in love was not part of the plan.

It’s four months to Earth. Four months for Alyn to juggle passengers, prisoners, suspicious officers, a resentful crew and the intensifying relationship with Jarvez. Four months in space with a traitor aboard…

Book page on my site: http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/bookshelf/red-dragon-1-the-company-man/

Excerpt Page http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/bookshelf/red-dragon-1-the-company-man/excerpt-the-company-man/

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17933166-the-company-man

  

email: beckyblackbooks@gmail.com

website: http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/beckyblackbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethc.fb

Live Journal: http://becky-black.livejournal.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beckyblackbooks/

Guest Drop In: Becky Black

It's ended up being a Blog Swap weekend, as I am over on Becky Black's blog, and she's kindly come over to mine. (I'm just a bit late getting mine posted - sorry! I blame the day job, and the kids.)

I always say Becky was the one who got me into this (writing) mess. If it wasn't for her encouragement over 7 years ago, I probably wouldn't be here, and neither would my two novels. She has helped me immensely. Becky is also my living proof that fan fiction writer's can turn into professional authors.

Becky is here to discuss her 6th book published by Loose Id. She write's M/M romance in a Sci-Fi setting.

1) I’m loving the sound of your new book, and can’t wait to read it. Where did you find the inspiration behind your new book, Red Dragon #1: The Company Man?

It first made an appearance in my mind nearly two years ago. The initial inspiration was “The East India Company – in space.” The East India Companies were big powerful trading companies who played a big part in creating the empires of Britain, France and Holland. They were like the Apple, Ford, Samsung etc of their day. And they got up to all kinds of machinations and dodgy practices far away from Europe and any scrutiny. It thought it would be interesting to take that and write about similar companies, but in the future, in space, far from Earth and up to plenty of the same kinds of schemes.

And at the centre of it I decided I’d put two men who even as they are falling in love will clash over the company’s methods. One an ex military captain a man used to following the rules and doing it by the book and the other the company rep who’s much more morally flexible in pursuit of his ambitions to be a top trader.

The name for the series is actually quite recent! The series and the ship at the centre of it was called the Indiaman (which is what the East India Company ship were referred to as, Indiamen.) But the publisher requested a change and I chose Red Dragon, which was the name of one of the first ships of the British East India Company. So it’s still a reference, just a more oblique one. It’s also a kind of good omen for one of the heroes of the story Alyn Evans, a proud Welshman, who takes command of the ship at the start of the story.

2. I notice this is a series. How many books do you have planned for this series?

Right now, I’m planning three. But that’s changed before! The ending of the series kind of opens up the possibility of a second series as the characters move on to a new phase, new challenges in their lives. New stories to tell about them. But I’m not promising that. Maybe I’ll be bored with them by then!

3. My favourite Twitter style question – describe your heroes (as you have two) in a 140 characters each.

Alyn Evans:

A man you’d want on your side in a crisis. Principled, but a bit rigid, so he’ll have to adapt to really thrive at the company. Coffee lover

Jarvez Kashari:

Ambition is his priority, until Alyn comes along and screws up his plans. Sophisticated, but with a dark side. Tea drinker and coffee hater.

I trust you on these, Becky!

4. What’s the title of the next book, and can you give us a little insight into what it will be about? Does it follow on from The Company Man, or is it another individual story but in the same universe?

The title of the next one is – currently anyway, these things change – Too Good A Man. It is a follow on, with the same characters. It’s going to go more deeply into the conflict Alyn has between his principles and the company’s methods. And Jarvez’s worry that his lover won’t stay with the Red Dragon, or with him, for much longer. But Alyn’s principles are going to get him into deep trouble…

Blurb

Red Dragon #1: The Company Man

Jarvez Kashari travels light, sacrificing relationships for ambition. Alyn Evans is out to establish himself as a company captain. Falling in love was not part of either man’s plans.

The Red Dragon is a ship in trouble. It was once the pride of the Outer Spiral Trading Company’s fleet, but is neglected and fallen from its old glory. It’s a ship in need of love – and a new captain.

Alyn Evans is a man in need of a new challenge. He’s an ex-warship captain and peace has put him out of a job. A man of his experience should have no trouble commanding a merchant ship…he thinks. But of all the challenges he faces on his first trip out, the hardest one is keeping his hands off his gorgeous and fascinating company rep, Jarvez Kashari.

Jarvez Kashari is a man with a plan. He’s determined to make a name as the company’s best trader and thinks reviving the fortunes of the Red Dragon is the perfect opportunity to prove himself. Jarvez travels light, sacrificing personal relationships to focus on his ambitions – until he meets Alyn Evans. Falling in love was not part of the plan.

It’s four months to Earth. Four months for Alyn to juggle passengers, prisoners, suspicious officers, a resentful crew and the intensifying relationship with Jarvez. Four months in space with a traitor aboard…

Buy direct from Loose Id here 

Or find more links on my website

Cover art by Scott Carpenter.

Links To Becky Black

Email ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Live Journal ~ Goodreads ~  Tumblr  ~ Pinterest 

Thanks for visiting, Becky! Good luck with your new book. Another hot cover, I notice.  

Book Review: Higher Ground by Becky Black

Higher Ground by Becky Black

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is my favourite of Becky Black's books so far!

I really like Adam. Really like him. Damn shame he's gay! There really is a sense of opposites attract with this couple. Laid back charmer Adam vs. impatient Zach.

Zach and Adam dream of a future together, but do they have one if they don't get rescued? I just loved the concept of the race against time, and everything to lose, including lives.

There's a good level of humour, conflict and tension in this book, plus m/m sex - of course!



View all my reviews

I Wish I Was There

Roughly, this time last year, I was preparing like so many others are now, to attend the RNA Conference in Caerlorn, Wales. I was deciding on shoes, comfortable clothes for during the day, evening wear, what if it's hot, cold, or raining? How many pens, notepads? Would I need one bottle of wine, or two?

This year the conference is in Penrith, Cumbria, and just with everything going on in my life, I knew I couldn't get my head around going. It's further away, so I knew I'd need to organise childcare - the logistics of getting them to school etc. Would I drive the four hour plus journey, or was it cheaper to train it? And I didn't know where I'd be. (As it is, I'm still in the same house, stuck under the same roof with a certain person). I wasn't sure what my financial situation would be like either, so to remove that stress I decided very early on that I wouldn't go. 

I got to sit next to Sue! *squeals*

Now I am watching on Facebook and Twitter rather enviously, as I read fellow writers are packing and heading off to the conference this weekend. My dear friend Becky Black is going for the first time and it's such a shame I can't make it to meet up with her. 

Last year I met the lovely Sue Moorcroft - and I promise I will read Uphill All The Way soon! I still haven't read half the books that I got there - some bought and some free in my goody bag.

I made friends with Vanessa Savage, who hadn't travelled too far to get to Caerlorn, and we buddied up so that we never had to enter a room on our own. Which when you're a newbie, is quite an important thing, especially on the first day! But it meant that I knew I always had someone to go to dinner/breakfast with and wouldn't be sat on my own. But to be honest, I didn't have to worry. Everyone is just so lovely.
I made so many friends, some I'm fortunate to see in my RNA Chapter meetings (Rachel Brimble, Alison Knight, Lisa Bodenham). 

.

Vanessa and me - I don't think we've had wine yet!

So this is a little blog post to all those fabulous romance writers out there, aspiring and published, who are attending this wonderful event.

Remember to pack teabags, coffee (I bought those Kenco 2 in 1 sachets so I didn't have to worry about milk) and some snacks for your room. Oh, and a bottle of wine, so you can congregate somewhere with others and share. It is also important to have a posh frock and shoes - you're a romance novelist after all - for the ball on the Saturday night.

I really hope you don't have to wear your wellies and the sun shines for you all. 

Have fun! Hopefully I'll be joining you all next year. In the meantime, I will sit by my Twitter and Facebook station, and wait patiently for RNA Conference updates. 

Book Reviews And Their Benefits

I'm going to tie in two blog posts into one! Mainly, because I've finished the book I was reading last night, and although it was a good book; a Mills and Boon Blaze - an enjoyable hot read. There's not much else to say about it.

Becky Black covered on her blog once about authors thanking for reviews left for their books, etc. (Gosh, I'm mentioning Becky a lot lately :D). And it gets into a bit of a discussion, are you leaving a review as a reader or writer.

I always leave a review on Goodreads, for me as a reader than anything else, and for other readers too. And because it has the handy widget I transfer over to my blog, giving my blog posts different content from time to time.

I have occasionally transferred these reviews to the Mills and Boon site, and Choc Lit, and even Amazon, but it's rare, because it's just time consuming!

Hot fighter pilot cover!

Well, I received an email from Mills and Boon the other day asking if they could use part of a review I'd left on their site for a RIVA book, on the author's new book. It will get edited down to fit their requirements, but my name will be put on her book! Hundreds and thousands of books! (Depending how well it sells I suppose). They will send me a copy of the book as a thank you - I love free books! - so don't fear, I'll be posting pictures when it arrives! Plus, it means I get another RIVA to read and review!

So, below is the book review for my last book (I'll be honest, because of time, and I didn't really have that much to say about the book, it's short and sweet this time).

Oh, and this is the actual cover... can't seem to find it anywhere to get my librarian friend on Goodreads to change it. 

Think I'll pick up Liz Fielding's Flirting With Italian next.

The Daredevil. Kira Sinclair by Kira Sinclair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a Mills and Boon Blaze, and it is HOT!



It's an enjoyable read, and interesting that it's the hero who's having to convince the heroine that they're meant to be together.



View all my reviews

Another Blog Award!

I have been meaning to blog for a couple of days now, but I'm so desperate to get the last few chapters of The Wedding Favour edited, I've sort of put all else aside.

Yesterday, however, I was awarded by Annalisa Crawford over on her Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep blog the Dream Launcher award! Thank you so much.

I won't lie, Annalisa did the research. Apparently the award was instigated by Doctor Faerie Godmother to thank people who'd made a difference in their writing/blogging. So I feel quite honoured that Annalisa has awarded me this. Not sure how I've helped... maybe all those hot men, inspirational photographs did it.

It's not obligatory, like some awards, but I would like to award the Dream Launcher to a couple of bloggers/writers who've inspired and encouraged me.

So drum roll please. 

Firstly, I would like to award the Dream Launcher to Becky Black, because I just wouldn't be here without her help, encouragement, support and general honesty to me as one of my Beta readers. I just wouldn't have the confidence to do this.

Another is Morton Gray. I met Morton through the Mills and Boon New Voice competition in 2010 and then physically met her at the RNA Conference last year. And even now I remember her saying, we must try to get into the RNA New Writers' Scheme - this will be us next year. And we both did! On 1st January 2012, the pair of us were messaging each other, saying our emails were ready and at 1 minute past midnight, turning the 2nd January, we both pressed the send button!

Morton also has a competition going on, so get in fast and have a go! You have until the 16th March.

And last but not least, (I would award Annalisa as she's equally as supportive but she already has this award and was the one to give it to me), I would like to award Sarah Pearson as she is always commenting and supporting my blog. And it sounds daft, but we all like to see comments on our blogs, it confirms that it is in fact being read for a start!

So these are some flowers for you all - my miniature daffs that are out at the moment!Next blog post I promise hot men inspirational material.

Thank you to everyone who leaves comments on this blog, and supports me with my writing and blogging. This award is for everyone really. Without you I wouldn't have the confidence and determination to continue writing.

Becky Black Beams In

Another blog tour, and today it's m/m romance author, Becky Black here to talk about her third book, Higher Ground.

Becky is a very good friend of mine, and she's to blame for getting me into this writing 'mess'. Back in 2006, she convinced me to post my first ever fanfic on the internet, and got me involved in a fan fiction board/forum, and well, the rest is history. Last year we met for the first time, and it was great to be able to talk (I found it weird that she had a northern accent, yet I knew she lived Up North) about the thing we both love, instead of typing to one another.

This book is my favourites of Becky's! I've read all three. But this one I helped beta read, and I just loved the concept of them having to get to higher ground. Right, well, I've wittered enough, on with the interview ... 

Q: Can you give us your elevator pitch (to the reader) for what your book is about?

I'm thankful that so far I've never had to do one of these. I'm absolutely terrible at talking about my work in person with real people. But here goes:

Zach and Adam, two young scientists working on a distant space colony, begin a relationship. But it's interrupted almost before it starts by a natural disaster that forces the colony residents to flee for their lives. Zach and Adam are thrust into a leadership role neither is prepared for, both still untested in life, and have to find new strengths within themselves to rise to the job. Far from being put on hold by this disaster, their relationship accelerates into fast-forward. They become a great team, but can their romance stand up to the pressure?

Q:  My 'Twitter' question - Describe your heroes in 140 characters each. (I'll let you do each hero in 140 characters)

Adam
Smart, but a jock too. A fun-loving, party animal, but dependable, charming, and happy to show how he feels. A little lazy, a bit of a tease.

Zach
A very smart abstract thinker. Not good with people, but no misanthrope. A man who fears the briefness of life. Passionate, but controlled.
 

Q: Why do you like setting your books in space? Where do you get your inspiration?

I like the milieu of humans in space, living their lives and working out among the stars, or building new worlds, but still facing the same problems we've always faced when it comes to love and relationships and families. And I do like to create the exact social circumstances I want to put my characters into, to make them face problems and dilemmas I'm inspired to write about. I think science fiction also allows the writer to look at contemporary issues in a metaphorical way, rather than writing "issue fiction" in the contemporary setting.

Q: Forget your heroes are in space, they're just sitting down in a traditional English pub, that sells good pub grub. What would they order off the menu?

Adam's an active sort of guy, very physical and likes a good feed. He'd have a large steak, rare, with a salad, with plenty of dressing. And since he's a botanist he could tell you all about the species of lettuce and tomato on the plate.

Zach is less of a sensualist. He's an intellectual. He'd go for fish and chips - fish is brain food!

Q: And can you prove that all published writers are really human?

I don't know about all of them - I have my doubts about a few who I think might be tireless book-producing machines. But me, I'm human. You can tell this by the mistakes I make. Machines never make mistakes. When someone says there was a "computer error", what they really mean is "there was a human error in programming the computer." Mistakes define humanity. Hmm, philosophical. I also enter into evidence my bill for tea and coffee.

Links to places to find and interact with me:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook

Becky is a bit shy, so didn't want to share her profile picture. Instead she's provided pictures and an explanation to her inspiration for her two heroes. 

I don't often find a picture of someone who looks just right for my character and I very rarely "cast" a famous actor as one of them. But if Higher Ground was a movie I'd want to cast Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch as Zach - though possibly with the hairstyle of Daniel Faraday in Lost.

And this picture works nicely for Adam. And him lying in bed wearing a slightly stunned expression, coincidentally works nicely for a scene in the book too!
 

Teaser and blurb:

Zach is impatient and likes to hurry. Adam likes to take it slow and to tease. But, they'd have worked it all out — if only the end of the world hadn't gotten in the way.

Zach Benesh is sure his prediction is right - the island colony of Zahara is about to sink into the ocean. Adam Gray isn't as certain, but he's happy to follow the intense, brilliant geophysicist into the mountains to escape the flooding. Though he'd be even happier without three hundred other people - and their pets - tagging along. He’d like to have Zach all to himself out there.

But Zach’s prediction is right and as disaster begins to unfold towards an unstoppable, inevitable conclusion, the two young scientists must become a team in the fight to save their people. They draw strength from their rapidly developing relationship, but the higher Zach and Adam climb, the more difficult the tests they face - as lovers and as men.

Excerpt:
Excerpt of Higher Ground

Higher Ground on Loose Id’s site. 

Thanks for teleporting over, Becky. Good luck with Higher Ground. I'm loving that image of Adam, there, and that Zach would order fish and chips.

Book Review: Liars Waltz by Becky Black

Liar's Waltz by Becky Black

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Firstly, I'm not really a m/m romance reader - but Becky Black does know this - so I'm not sure if I'm the best person to review a m/m genre title. 



But I do like a good romance, with plenty of conflicts, and this story gives us this. 



I do agree with some of the reviews, there was a lack of the sci-fi world I know Becky can create.  However, it has plenty of action in and out of the bedroom - and I'm not just taking about the sex!



It has great pace all the way through, and an ending that makes you want to keep turning the page (metaphorically as this is an ebook!) or scrolling.



It's an angsty, roller-coaster ride of emotions. I felt empathy for both Greg and Karl, and at one point I really did have a lump in my throat.



If you like fit men, in uniform, or out of it, (and you're into m/m romance) this is the book for you.



View all my reviews