The Perfect Length

I awoke to find a fab 4 star review from The Romance Reviews for my short erotic paranormal/horror story, On the Rocks. The review is really great, but one particular paragraph stood out for me:

"If the story were longer, I don't think it would have worked as well. It was the perfect length for this type of story."

On the Rocks and my other short erotic story Truth or Dare? have on the odd occasion received reviews and comments stating that "it was a shame they weren't longer." I can completely understand and respect a reader saying that since well, sometimes you do want to learn more about the characters and having readers state they would like one of my stories to be longer is a compliment - most of the time - because to me it means that the reader wants more, but I am very glad to hear that some readers do feel that these books are the perfect length for their type of story.

You see, both On the Rocks and Truth or Dare? are what I like to call brain nibbles. Gross, I know, but every now and again - and it is literally once in a blue moon - I get a story idea that is well, short and hot, straight to the point, and it doesn't have my brain working in over drive. Stories like these are a refreshing little break from other ideas that are huge and taking over my brain. You know the ones that are complicated and never ending; like the Blood Series. My Urban Fantasy series is big. The world is big. The cast of characters is big, and there are so many layers and things I'm still discovering as I go. Whereas On the Rocks and Truth Or Dare? were a bit of fun that didn't require too much thinking. They were a refreshing break.

Sometimes it is hard as a writer to know when to stop a story. I could quite easily extend both of these shorts and make them longer, but that isn't how I wrote them.

On the Rocks was a fun, sexy, twisted idea that I had and I love how the story flows and ends, and Truth or Dare? was a bit of hot, funny fun, which also shows that not everyone has to be in love or be charming and go about "asking someone out" the right way; there's no right way of expressing your feelings for someone. There is only the way that works for you as an individual, and Cameron and Dani had a pretty intense, crazy way of going about such things.

It's the same for my novella, Creak. It's not quite a horror/thriller. I don't really think it would fit in that genre because I don't, personally, think that it has the correct formula to be classed as a horror/thriller. I'm happy with the book, but even when I was going through the edits I found myself wondering if it should be longer, if more should happen, but then the characters would have shown me if there was more, it wouldn't have played out the way it did if there was meant to be more. So, I stick by that book, the way the story plays out and the length. I think it could be extended, but then it would feel like I was adding scenes for the sake of trying to make it fit with the formula of an actual horror book, and well, I'm happy to state that it is more of an erotic horror then an actual mainstream horror/thriller book.

So yes, sometimes stories are meant to be short because that's what is right for the characters. Not every story has to have a huge plot with tons of drama, or twists and turns. Sometimes it's good to have a little nibble and read something that you don't have to concentrate on so heavily. Sometimes you might find that the perfect length is 20 pages and that a short story can be a perfect read simply because it is a short story.

Have a great week!

My first week in 2015

The first week or so of 2015 hasn't been great, not awful, but most of my family have been ill over Christmas and some of them are still unwell. I don't know how I have managed to not get sick *knock on wood that I still don't* but I'm very thankful that I have been well this winter.

I did come online on January 1st to find two fab 5 star Amazon customer reviews, though.

One was for Cranberry Blood: "Elizabeth Morgan once again pens an incredible read. Cranberry Blood is fast paced, gritty, sexy, urban fantasy full of action that catches you right from the start."

And the other for Stepping Stones: "Great characters, great storyline, well written, and definitely kept me intrigued!  I enjoy this author's writing style and look forward to reading more books by her!"

So, that was a nice kick start to this new year, and on top of those two awesome reviews I also got confirmation that myself - along with authors Ninfa Hayes, R.A. Smith, and D.A. Lascelles - will indeed be attending Yorkshire Cosplay Con on April 4th. Yay! So, if you live on this side of the pond - UK - and would be interested in attending an awesome convention and possibly coming to say hey to us, then you can find all the details here: http://www.yorkshirecosplayconvention.co.uk/event/yorkshire-cosplay-con-7.php

Also, I opened a Zazzle Store! In complete honesty I opened it a couple weeks ago, but I have been trying my best to get a decent start on creating products and making them available for you.

A few years back two of my fave authors opened Zazzle stores within a year of each other and I found it to be such a fab idea, but at the time I had no reason or need to open one. So, I save the idea away in the back of my mind. Last year, another of my fave authors as well as the lovely Dianna Hardy who is a very good friend and indeed one of my fave authors also opened stores up.

Well, I thought, "why not?"

I for one often find it difficult to pick good prizes for competitions. Having a zazzle store means that I have created merchandise with quotes on from my own work, and can purchase zed items for competitions. Plus, it also means that if any of you loved a particular quote of book then you can treat yourself to a keyring, or t-shirt; whatever you fancied.

Now, the store isn't finished because I can add to it constantly. At the moment I only have quotes etc. from my self-published titles; She-Wolf, Cranberry Blood, and Razel Dazzle. I need to look into whether I can take quotes from the books with publishers. So, until I find out the details over that, if there is a quote from one - or all - of the books mentioned above that you would love on a t-shirt or a bag etc. all you have to do is email me at - Elizabeth-Morgan @ hotmail . co . uk - and let me know what quote you would like to see and I will whip something up to put on sale using it.

If you're interested in what's up for sale just head on over and take a look around, but please be warned you might only see a necklace. I have emailed Zazzle to see why my store page isn't showing up. I have a feeling it might be because the content of the site is set at moderate, but I'm not sure. If you sign up to Zazzle you should be able to see the full store with all 24 products, but don't feel you have to sign up: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/elizabeth_morgan

Also, while you are there you might want to check out Dianna's store also: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/diannahardy

And lastly, I have so far added 2,500 words to Blood Series Book Two. I'd hoped to add more, but with my mother being one of my family members who have had a bad chest infection since Christmas I have been going to the doctors a lot with her, and other stuff has been going on, but never mind. 2.5K is a good start. So, the untitled book currently stands at 12.5k. I'm hoping to add more words to it tonight. Wish me luck!

And the party continues!

Thank you so much to everyone who bough a copy of She-Wolf and/or Cranberry Blood. I do hope you're enjoying the first two books in the Blood Series.

On release day Cranberry Blood hit #99 on the Australian Best Sellers category chart: Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Urban, which was really awesome.

Both books have been receiving fabulous reviews. Here's what being said so far:

She-Wolf:

"This is a fantastic paranormal erotic romance! I was completely engrossed in this story from the first page. I have read books about werewolves as shifters (turning into wolves). However, I have not read stories about werewolves such as these! Elizabeth Morgan has written a fast paced and exciting prequel to what would seem to be a fantastic series. I love her fast paced writing style, and the story flow was wonderful." - Lynn Worton (Book Reviews by Lynn)

"Elizabeth Morgan is one of those authors who has the ability to write well across several genres. Recently I read She-Wolf.  Actually, I read it very fast - I couldn't put it down.  It's the story of two wolves, Owen and Clare, and it was fabulous.

.... you want sexual tension, chemistry and heat?  Holy heck, you will get truckloads of it in She-Wolf.  The kisses... omigosh, the kisses!  I am a sucker for a hot kiss, and Elizabeth Morgan definitely delivers in spades. But even better than that, the love and connection between Owen and Clare is soul deep and tangible, and you feel that every step of the way.So do I recommend She Wolf?  Whole-heartedly, yes!!  It's the first book in the Blood series, and I am so excited to see what happens next." - Liz (Fictional Candy)

Cranberry Blood:

"I have been looking forward to reading this book. However, I was completely blown away by this story! I started to read and didn't stop until I had read the whole thing in one sitting; I was totally riveted by the storyline and the subplots within." - Lynn Worton (Book reviews by Lynn)

"Elizabeth Morgan’s vampires and werewolves are not to be missed; her ability to make tired supernaturals seem new again is impressive and refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed her She-Wolf novella from this series but Cranberry Blood offers even more bang for your buck with its relentless pacing, rambunctious characters and entertaining story. 

Cranberry Blood is a wild ride that’s sure to entertain even the most difficult Urban Fantasy connoisseur with its innovation and creativity." - Carmel (Rabid Reads)

In case you want to learn a little more about how I came up with the series, my views on Vampires and Werewolves, what Cranberry Blood actually is, or maybe you would like to get to know Owen and Brendan a little better, well, I have linked all my guest post below:

28th - Over at Doris O'Connor's: Werewolves VS Shifters
27th - Over at Zee Monodee's - What is Cranberry Blood?
26th - Over at A Passion for Romance: Let's Talk Vamps
25th - Character Interview - Owen & Brendan - at Love Bites & Silk Ties
24th - Interview at Book Reviews by Lynn
23rd - Over at Kiru Taye's: How The Blood Series Began
21st - Over at Mina Carter's: Never Judge A Book By It's Cover

The Blood Series Book Tour is over and the winners have been chosen and emailed, but the party isn't over, oh no. Read Between the Lines Tours are hosting another book tour for the Blood Series over the next two weeks. She-Wolf is on tour this week - sept 1st - 7th - and Cranberry Blood next - Sept 8th - 14th - but there is another tour wide giveaway going on, which means if you did enter the last competition because you really wanted to get your hands on a copy of each book, or on the fab series themed red glitter wine glass, charm, and signed cover flats, well, you now have another chance to try and bag yourself these goodies. It's a simple rafflecopter comp again so all you have to do is head on over to any of the blogs hosting the Blood Series and leave an entry. Nice and simple.

Today I am over at RBTL, but if you click the banner below you will be taken to the blog tour scheduel. If you scroll down you will see the list of where I will be at for the next two weeks with She-Wolf and then Cranberry Blood. It would be lovely if you could join me. :)

An odd day

Today was an odd sort of day. I woke up feeling quite happy and ready to crack down on some edits that need to be done for a co-authored project. That plan was quickly pushed aside by a visit from my aunt who got to share in my excitement from a fab phone call I wasn't sure I would get.

I got offered a new job! It's a million times better than the current job I am doing and I am thrilled that I got it.

After the phone call things went a little down hill because I decided to call my boss and give my two weeks notice; wanting to get the horrid task of quitting out of the way. He didn't take it well. I didn't think he would, but his reaction ticked me off.

Needless to say I am not looking forward to going in to work tomorrow after that conversation, but I will get through it with a smile on my face and a constant celebration in my mind. Two weeks and I am out of there. ^_^

On top of that "Creak" received its first review today; 3.5 fairies from Bex 'n' Books. It was an honest and much appreciate review and I am very grateful for it.

~ * ~

"Creak, by Elizabeth Morgan, is an enjoyable erotic thriller. The collection of main characters in Creak helps to provide an element of depth in this erotic tension fuelled short. Nicole, Kacey and Tyler have many endearing qualities, so much so that when events escalate in this novella, I was happily cheering them on and was likewise anxious and concerned.

The story moves fast, and as such so does the dialogue and interaction. There's no beating around the bush with these characters. Sometimes, reactions seemed a little too hasty and unrealistic, especially toward the end, yet overall, I was content with the heat rating and tense drama.
If you are looking for a sexy Ménage à trois novella, with a thriller plot to drive the story forward, then I'm sure you'll enjoy Creak. A sexy 3.5 fairies." - Bex 'n' Books

(Disclosure: Creak was received from the author for free in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.)

~ * ~

I also go the dates for my "On the Rocks" book tour which has been set up by FMB Author Promotions. The tour will run on February 25th and 26th. I will be giving away a copy of "On the Rocks" as well as three swag packs filled with a multitude of goodies, and one lucky winner gets to pick any title they desire from Decadent Publishing back list. Sound good? Check out the dates and stops here.

So, how has your Monday been? Good? Bad? A little bit of both?

A "Non-Post" About Some Giveaways and Reviews

Huge apologies for this post coming in so late. Things have been non-stop busy, which I guess is good ... until I realised that I almost forgot to vote today (London Elections for anyone outside the UK), so off I went with my daughter after dinner, and I've just got back. I'm sneaking this in before putting her to bed.

It's a non-post. Which means it's about nothing. So I'm going to leave you with my big news this week, which is the publication of The Witching Pen paperback (although I'm still waiting for it to appear on the system as "in stock"), and where I've got giveaways running, as well as some new reviews just come in.

I know, I know, not informative and awfully "salesy", but I promise that next week, I'll have more of a post for you all :)



Let's get to it...


Giveaways:

Giveaway! 1 x signed paperback copy of The Witching Pen over at Susan K Mann. Ends 7th May

Giveaway! 1 x signed paperback copy of

The Sands Of Time over at Goodreads. Ends 15th May

New Reviews:

• Susan Mann reviews The Witching Pen (with giveaway as listed above)
• Best Books reviews The Witching Pen and The Sands Of Time 
• A Page Away reviews The Witching Pen (I'll be on their blog on 10th May with an author interview)
• JeanzBookReadNReview on The Witching Pen (I'll be on her blog on 22nd May).

Appearances:

I'm featured on "Try It Tuesday" over at Bookaholic's Book Club, they're letting you know why The Witching Pen is worth the read (Click link above to view).

And some general updates....

All three books plus the prequel in approx
450 pages of non-stop action!

The Witching Pen Novellas Omnibus:
The paperback is now available to preorder!

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Depository (cheapest)
Waterstones

*some sites are still waiting to upload cover image / preorder facility, but the book is there!






The Witching Pen paperback is officially released:
It appears to be making its way through the system. Data is being updated and some retail sites are showing it as out-of-stock as this happens. But the date is today folks! And if you've pre-ordered the book, you shouldn't have to wait too much longer before it's sent out to you :)
See it on    Amazon US   Amazon UK   Book Depository

The Demon Bride:
All is running on time with this, for an eBook release on the 31st August. I can now confirm that the eBook will NOT be exclusive to the Amazon Prime library, because I want to be able to bring the Omnibus out in December. This means there will be no freebies on this book, aside from the usual giveaways where there will be a chance to win a copy, and I'm planning ahead for this book, so I'm hoping to have a giveaway going per blog / reviewer in the initial stages. 


Lastly, do keep up with me this week, as I can promise you there will be more to come ;)