Welcome Becky Black

Ebooks are the wave of the future. Even those publishers who don't want to believe it's true know it. I do most of my reading on my Kindle or tablet now. When people are reading ebooks they are reacting to them as people have always done to books. They react to the text. The text is the book, not the container the text is in.

And yet there is still something magical about having a print release...

Everyone old enough to be reading my books now grew up with books as things made of paper and card. Some with pictures in them as well as the text. Sometimes stunning colour plates. Books weighed down your schoolbag. Their pages got wrinkly from reading in the bath. Old books got worn out, pages yellow and foxed, starting to fall apart. But we held them in as much affection and considered them as precious as family photographs. A book signed by the author is especially exciting for some people and you can't really do that with an ebook.

Paper books have such strong emotional resonance for some people that it's hard to let them go entirely in favour of ebooks. It's like the switch from vinyl to CD. Some people resisted that for a long time. And though the ebook is on the rise, but it will be a long time before it replaces the kind of book that counts as a work of art in itself. Or cookbooks, with their glossy photos of fantasy food. Or children's books that babies appreciate for their chewiness as well as their content.

So as great as ebooks are, and as much as I'm delighted to be published by a "digital first" publisher, I can't deny that parcel of author copies gives me a thrill like no other.

I have three books in print now.

Higher Ground 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.

You can read chapter 1 on my site.

Buy link for ebook:  http://www.loose-id.com/higher-ground.html

More information and more buy links (including print) at Higher Ground’s book page on my site.

Contact me:

email: beckyblackbooks@gmail.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/beckyblackbooks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeckyBlackBooks

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

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

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/beckyblackbooks

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

Stealing Ideas

I’ve been doing a lot of non-fiction writing, along with working on my current wip. I’m also reading how-to books trying to strengthen my skills. I recently read how often writers claim their ideas are stolen. Now I’ve read this many times in my career but it always fascinates me. Who are we to say someone stole our ideas? As writers we’re always looking for new ideas. It’s very possible to come up with the same idea as another writer. The difference will always be the voice – in fiction or non-fiction.

Back about 15 years ago (likely longer) I loved Danielle Steele books. I wanted to write like her. I did write a book with the same type of tone, setting, etc. that book stills sits in a drawer somewhere and will likely never see the light of day. So much has changed since I wrote that book. For one cell phones came in to play. Anyway, I came up with a great idea for another book. I started writing it. Six months later Danielle published a book…it was THE idea. I don’t want to say MY idea because frankly she wrote the book and subbed it long before I thought of it. But at the time I did wish I’d written it before her and subbed it. Though, the likelihood of me being published back then was slim to none. I had no clue of the publishing world. To say I was naïve was an understatement.

Some days I’d like to go back to those days of naivete. Life was simpler. I just wrote and didn’t worry if I’d sell or if readers would accept me. The only thing I did know was no one was stealing my ideas.

Drop by my blog tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of my print book Ignite the Flames. This book has three of my stories – Splashing Good Time, Ignited and Research Required.

http://amberskyze.blogspot.com

Happy Tuesday 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry I wasn’t here last week. I was in the hospital and learned the hard way that my mini laptop wouldn’t allow me to post any blogs. It was a bit frustrating, but I’ll know for when I go in that I’ll have to pre-post or not blog at all. I spent three days in the hospital for pre-term labor. Luckily the doctors were able to get it under control. They sent me home with no real restrictions, but I am taking it easy.
Well I was until yesterday when I returned to work. I spent over 10 hours on a conference call, on top of dealing with little kids, big kids, family who were leaving to head back to NY and dogs who wanted to go to the park to run, but it was too hot. Why is it when it rains it pours?
The stress settled somewhere around 8pm when the DH and I crashed to watch some television.
The only positive to the day was I added words to my wip. It was the first time in a long time. I did this before all hell broke loose, so that was a plus. Only 14 workdays before I take my leave of absence, unless the doctor pulls me before that. Even though I’m just coming back from vacation, I’m really looking forward to the longer leave. LOL

Summer is not going the way I planned, but it seems I’m not alone. I hope you are all enjoying the warm temperatures and beautiful days.

In other news I found I have a new print book out. It’s currently only available on Barnes and Noble, but you can check it out here - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cougarlicious-cerise-deland/1104199317?ean=9781419964800&itm=12&usri=amber%2bskyze

Ignite The Flames

Three books for the price of one! Now in print at Ellora's Cave

Splashing Good Time
Reece Collins craves a no-strings-attached, torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only person offering is ten years her junior.Nathan Donovan has lusted for Reece forever. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, he has to choose between walking away or spanking some sense into her.

Ignited
Nikaya is celebrating her birthday with a new Mustang. As she races up the side of a mountain in her new car, a police officer comes out of nowhere. He pulls her over, spanks her then whisks her away to a secluded cabin. There, the officer—and a friend—have a few surprises for the birthday girl.Surprises that include whips, floggers, blindfolds and more.


Research Required
On the run from the mob, the last thing Ethan needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy—and he wants to take her where she stands. Of course, Bailey would never have sex with a stranger. Then again, Ethan is her best friend’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? And what’s a little sex between friends?