Books are Weapons

So, I’ve been a kindle user since January 2011. If you read my facebook posts from around that time, you’ll see that I totally hated the thing. I kept trying to turn the page (ah-dher) and I hated that the screen is gray, among other things.

Well, it’s now about a year and half later and I have to tell you…

I strongly dislike paper books. Now, I’m not talking about collectible editions that are so pretty and old and sit pretty on my bookcase. I look at those with careful fingers and lovingly pat the covers. No, I’m talking about the reading-for-fun books–the new releases that I blow through in a few days. I have to say that: Hardcovers are the worst.Reading in bed, late at night – tell me this? Which would you rather have come crashing down on your face when you fall asleep? Kindle or a hardcover 500 page book? Yeah. The Kindle falls and it’s like ouch! Notice the lack of sharp pointy corners on all models. Foresight? Hell yeah.

To tell you the truth, I used to laugh (and still do) at the Kindle commercials where they are selling it by telling you that regular paper books are hard, heavy, and just awkward. I sit there laughing! What ludicrous things to say. They need to tell it like it is – no SHOW it like it is. If Amazon showed a commercial with someone reading in bed and the consequences of pointy cornered books stabbing you in the head, and how safe a kindle is–I’d still laugh–but that strikes a little closer to home.

So, in short, this post was to tell you that I’m completely shocked. I HATED the Kindle when I first used it. Now, its the other way around. I’m reading a hardcover and my husband is laughing at me. I’m having so many problems: anything from hand-strain from holding it up, to getting hit in the face, to trying to get the shadow off the page (forgot about that - doesn’t happen with a flat screen), and paper cuts. Yeah, I’m a menace. The ereader was made for people like me, I just didn’t realize it until now. :)

I can’t wait for Kindle to come out with the glowsoft screen like the Nook has. I so totally want that!  Which Kindle is my favorite? The smallest one. That’s my everyday ereader. It fits in my purse or my pocket and it doesn’t make me bleed. I appreciate that.

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STONE PRISON by H.M. Ward Gets a New Cover!

So, I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and finally decided to try STONE PRISON with a new cover… something that matched the creepy contents of the book a little bit better.

This is the new ebook cover that will be on Kobo, Kindle, and Nook.  The paperback will still have the old pretty cover of the girl walking up the stone stair case to the tower.

Yes, that’s a glass slipper.

Yes, STONE PRISON is a dark, twisted Cinderella story.

And yes, the rumors are true – don’t read it before bed.

Reviews of STONE PRISON via Goodreads:

“Dark and beautiful.” -Heather Marie

“A Cinderella story gone dark.” -Yianna

“Took me on a wild ride. Loved it!” -Krista

Grab STONE PRISON now:

      

Have an awesome day!  And thanks to everyone who voted for a cover.  You guys ROCK!

____________________________

 

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TORN (Demon Kissed #3) is 99 Cents This Weekend!

TORN (DEMON KISSED #3) is on sale for 99 cents this weekend only!

Grab book #3 and get caught up! This is one of my favorite books in the series. It’s the one where everything changes and nothing is what it seems.

FYI, you can grab books #1-3 for under $5 this weekend.  That’s right! Demon Kissed is still on sale for 99 cents. Cursed is $2.99, and with Torn only 99 cents, you’ll have the first three books in the Demon Kissed series for under $5!

TORN has NEVER been on sale for 99 cents before.  I have no idea when or if I’ll do it again, so if you’ve been thinking about reading it, grab it now!

GET TORN FOR 99 CENTS NOW VIA:

     

When you are done, make sure you enter to win the set of signed books up for grabs! Full details are listed in this post.

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Enter to Win a SIGNED SET of the DEMON KISSED SERIES by HM Ward!

JULY & AUGUST SIGNED BOOK GIVE-A-WAYS!

I’m giving away ONE (1) SIGNED SET of the DEMON KISSED SERIES, books #1- 6 to one lucky winner!  If you read DEMON KISSEDCURSEDTORNSATAN’S STONE13th PROPHECY, or ASSASSIN leave a review on Amazon or B&N to enter to win.  I’ll choose a name at random from the people who leave reviews.  Each review you leave is a chance to win the set.  Already left a review?  You rock!  We can’t leave you out – simply leave a comment on this blog post and your existing review(s) will be entered.

There will be more give-a-ways each month.  At least that’s my plan!  I’ll have signed books, kindle skins, nook skins, and more awesome stuff!  To make sure you don’t miss anything, sign up for the newsletter by clicking here.

MORE FUN STUFF!

You ever get to the end of a good book and think, I wish there was more… just another kiss, just another smoldering look… It can’t be over yet!

Well, here’s your chance to get more.  Once SCANDALOUS reaches 50 reviews on Amazon, I’ll post an extra sizzling hot scene between Jack and Abby for free on the blog!  Eeep!

We are almost there!  Only 30 reviews to go!

Psst! Haven’t read it yet?  SCANDALOUS is on sale for $3.99 through the weekend.

   

More?  You want more?  Okay!  Once DEMON KISSED reaches 100 reviews on Amazon, I’ll post bonus content.  There was a scene between Ivy and Collin that was deleted for being too steamy before it went to press.

Long story.  It had to do with agents, publishers, blah blah blah.  Anyway, it was removed from the manuscript.  I’ll post this extra chapter for free on the blog when we hit 100 Amazon reviews!  We’re almost there!  Hooray!!!

DEMON KISSED is on sale for $0.99 this week!

    

On August 31, check back on the blog for the name of the winner of the signed set of Demon Kissed books.  It will be announced on this post.  Winners need to claim their prize within 72 hours of being announced.  US only.  No cash value. Lemme know if you have questions.

Good luck!

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Cover Reveal: SECRETS by Ella Steele (A full length erotic romance novel)

Cover reveal for the latest full length Ella Steele novel, SECRETS!

SECRETS is similar to SCANDALOUS in tone and themes.

Short Description: SECRETS is a romance book with a hot, haunted artist, Cole Stevens, who owns Le Femme Studios in New York City.

Anna is an artist in the process of finishing her masters degree and needs an intership to graduate.  She has her hopes set on working with Sottero, a wedding photographer for the affluent.  But Cole Steven’s has seen her work and has other plans.

SECRETS has sizzling love scenes with swoon-worthy characters.  It’s been so great to write them.  I can’t wait to share more with you!

Just a note, in case you missed it.  Ella Steele short stories are erotica with a little bit of romance.  Ella Steele full length novels are romance stories with a little bit of erotica.  There’s a major difference.  SECRETS is a full length romantica novel – an erotic romance novel.

Release date: August 1, 2012.

Have an awesome weekend!!!!

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TRYST was released on Kindle and Nook!

Happy weekend!  TRYST was ready a day early!  Go get it!

Description:

Warning: This novel contains sexually explicit content.

Ashley let the love of her life slip between her fingers because she couldn’t accept what Michael so plainly saw–someone who needed more than vanilla sex. It drove a rift between them, forcing them to part without another word. Tonight he’s sitting across from her, years later, and she finally knows who she is–what she wants and needs. Michael’s the one who got away, and she won’t lose him again.

Ella Steele is known for her erotic romance novels, which balance lust and love in unforgettable stories. With this erotic short story her ability to tease, arouse, and describe incredibly erotic acts is on full display.

TRYST is 9,997 words or about 50 pages.

GET TRYST NOW!

Remember that Ella Steele books are for adults and that the short stories lean more toward lust/erotica, and the full length novels lean harder toward love/ romance.  The next full length novel is similar to SCANDALOUS (just in case TRYST shocks your socks off).

For more info on Ella Steele, new releases, and books check out her new website: http://sexyawesomebooks.com  Have an awesome weekend!!!!

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Sneak Peek of TRYST by Ella Steele (A Short Erotic Romance Book)

erotic romance, bdsm short story, erotica, romantica, short sexy storyHere’s a free sneak peek at TRYST!  Enjoy!

A black skirt is draped over my knees; a shiny cello rests in between.  My dark hair is pulled away from my face into a tight chignon at the base of my neck.  Pressing firmly on the metal strings, my fingers glide over the ebony fingerboard.  My wrist glides my bow across the cello.  It makes a melancholy sound that feels like it’s being torn from my heart and projected through the wood.  My stomach is twisting over and over again.  I know this music by heart.  I know my part.  I know what to expect from the orchestra playing in the shadows of the stage that surround me.  But him.  He’s not supposed to be here.

I swallow hard, glancing up at him when he isn’t looking.  His has dark hair falls into his eyes as he plays.  That violin—the one I remember—it’s pressed to his neck, leaning softly against his broad shoulder.  He looks too rugged to be playing such a delicate instrument.  I’d always thought so, but he plays like his muse lives within the wood of that violin. His bright blue eyes are closed as he sways to the music.

Suddenly, I catch him glancing at me from over his music stand. Golden light spills over his face highlighting the angles of his cheeks. He looks from under those dark lashes with those piercing eyes, and I can’t breathe.  I’m caught in his snare.  He peers over the top of his violin at me as he plays.  The conductor stands between us swaying his arms, prompting the other musicians, keeping us in sync with the people on the stage.

Continuing to slide my bow across the strings, I play.  Every second that ticks by feels like eternity.  I think about what I’ll say to him after work is done, after we’ve packed our instruments into their black cases.  Courage locks my eyes with his.  Our gazes burn in the shadows of the stage, our eyes speak words neither of us has the courage to say—words that have gone unspoken too long.  If I could take everything back, I would.  If there was a way to start over, to show him how much I missed him, I’d take it.  My heart races faster. I slide my fingers slowly over the neck of my cello.  Each note plays like a gentle caress, and I wish that I could touch him so softly one last time.

Subtle stubble lines his cheeks.  As we play, his eyes remain locked on mine.  Regret pours through my heart and pumps through my body.  Although I’m surrounded by music, I don’t hear it.  Instead, I hear our last words—the exasperation in his voice.  The sharp pain shoots through me again, but it’s dulled by time and remorse.

I had let him leave.  I had let him walk away without an explanation.  Without a word.

The conductor turns toward my section, prompting us with a wave of his hand to play louder.  I break our gaze and feel the pit of my stomach sink, and play as I’m commanded.  The music floods my soul and spreads through every inch of me.  My body rocks gently as I grip the cello tighter with my knees, holding it in place.  My fingers dance down the fingerboard in long slow strokes, rocking to make the sound resonate.  It spreads to the people sitting in their seats who are diligently watching the actors on the stage above us.

I concentrate, trying to force him out of my mind, trying to push out the sound of his voice and the memories of his laughter.  I play on and he doesn’t look up at me again.  We’re two people that are so close together, but we are still so far apart.  It feels like someone is squeezing my heart.  My body flushes and heat snakes up from deep within my belly.  It tastes bitter, like so many things needlessly lost.  That’s what he is.  That is what he represents—everything that could have been—the life I threw away when I let him go.

I can’t stand it anymore.  For the past three years, I’ve been living my life in ‘what-if’ mode, wondering.  I’m always wondering what if I did this differently, what if I kissed him, what if I told him what I wanted?  What if…?  I asked myself these questions until there were no questions left to ask.  The answer was always the same—I’ll never know—not unless he crosses my path again.

Swallowing hard, I look up at him.  His eyes are lowered, sliding across the music on the stand in front of him.  Michael crossed my path again.  It was fate, luck, or destiny—whatever you want to call it, it meant the same thing—it meant I was given a second chance.  Hope filled my chest, as I realized what I wanted to do.  As soon as this show is over, I’m going to talk to him.  At the very least, I want to see that he’s all right, but my stomach twists hoping for more, hoping that he still feels something for me.

After the last note is played, I feel a rush wash over me.  I’m nervous.  My body shakes when we are dismissed. Rising, I take my cello backstage and pack it up.  Michael is behind me.  I feel his eyes on my back.  I take a deep breath and place my cello in the case, and stow my bow.  Pressing my lips together anxiously, I turn around.  The small space is crammed full of people wearing black and white, putting away shiny instruments, but Michael isn’t there.  He’s gone.  My gaze falls to the floor as all the hope drains from my body.  Throwing the strap across my shoulder, I lift my case and walk out of the theatre and down the street into the balmy night.

It’s hotter than usual.  Tugging the cello home tonight ensures I’ll be covered in sweat.  I unbutton my collar revealing a choker and delicate silver chains that disappear beneath.  I think back to the last time I saw him and realize that I’m not the same girl anymore.  He saw it in me, but I denied it.  I thought I had to be something else—someone else.  I didn’t understand then, but I do now.

Dread fills my legs, making them feel like lead.  I walk slowly, shouldering my way between people on the sidewalks.  I feel eyes on me, but when I turn to look I don’t see who it was.  There are always people in the city.  It doesn’t matter what time it is.  I run my hand over my neck, smoothing my skin.  Ignoring the sensation, I walk on.   Neon signs blaze around me in a kaleidoscope of color, blinking reds, greens, and blues on my pale skin.  My face is a blank mask.  I look at everyone, and see no one.  I just want to go home, but I’m so hungry.

My feet slow as I walk past a deli.  At the last second I turn and head back for the door, nearly knocking a few people over in the process.  My cello case is clutched to my shoulder like a purse.  I pull it closer to my body to avoid giving someone a concussion.  I push through the door and get on line.  As I’m scanning the menu, thinking about what to order, I feel that tickle on the back of my neck again.  My hand flies to the spot and I turn slowly.

When our eyes meet, my breath catches in my throat.

“Ashley,” he breathes.  Michael is standing behind me, his blue eyes pinning me in place.

GET TRYST NOW AT:

      

RELEASE DATE: JULY 13, 2012 (ebook format only)

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Cover Reveal: TRYST by Ella Steele (A Short Erotic Romance Novella)

TRYST by Ella Steele (A Short Erotic Romance Novella) is scheduled to be released this weekend.  It’s a little bit hotter than SCANDALOUS.  It makes me blush just saying that I wrote it.  Seriously.  I thought about using another pen name and not telling you all I wrote it.  Then I thought, you guys liked my other stuff, and were good with me cranking up the hotness, so, I thought, what the hell.  I’ll try it.  If you like it, totally let me know.  Writing romance/ romantica makes me blush.  Hope it does the same for you, cuz it’s gonna be a hot July!

TRYST will be released July 15, 2012.

The full length Ella Steele romantica novel will be released by the end of the month.  Sorry the dates aren’t more concrete.  I wasn’t sure I was going to write more of this genre, but I had a couple of ideas and my editors liked them, so here we are.  :o)

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A New Ella Steele Novel and Mini Romance

Just taking a second to let you know that a new Ella Steele romance novel and mini romance will be coming out this month!  Wahoo!

Working title for the novel is DECEPTION (although I expect it to change).

The mini romance is called TRYST.  Keep your eyes peeled for cover reveals and release dates.

***BOTH romance books will be released in July***  

People have asked if either carry on with the SCANDALOUS story line between Jack and Abby.  The answer is no, but for those of you who can’t get enough, there will be a Jack & Abby mini released later this year.  These new romance titles have similar characters, so if you liked SCANDALOUS, you’ll like these.

Want to make sure you don’t miss it?  Sign up for the newsletter and get the info sent directly to you on release day!

Thank you so much to everyone who read SCANDALOUS and gave me feedback via reviews!  You guys are awesome.  Keep a look out for more summer giveaways.  It’s gonna be a hot July!

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