"Being a Full Time Writer" by Ella Grey

A year or so ago I hurt my back. No, I didn’t slip on ice or do something stupid. Me and daredevil aren’t two words that you’re likely to hear in the same sentence. No, I was cutting up fabric on the floor and I stood up. That’s it. The sheering pain across my lower back was the result. The doctors called it a ruptured spinal disc which means I can’t carry my son for very long. I can’t sit in the same position for hours on end and I can’t wear high heels. Okay that last one probably doesn’t sound like such a big deal but I liked wearing them. I’m not the world’s tallest girl and heels make me feel pretty.

But I’m getting off the point. Originally I worked in a bar. Yes I used to be the person who delivered food and generally looked miserable, which when you think about it includes most of the people who work in the catering trade. I wasn’t too sad when I had to leave that job. I’d worked there for seven years but I’ve always known what I wanted to be. I’d already had a few stories published and I planned on writing more. So, that difficult decision of leaving my job to write full-time was completely taken out of my hands.  It does have its upsides. I get to spend a lot of time with my son. I generally don’t write until he’s in bed. We do puzzles together, have pretend sword-fights and pretend to be dinosaurs. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

My latest story is called The Schoolteacher and the Dom and it’s a part of Evernight Publishing’s Romance on the Go line. I like the idea behind the line. Being a mum means that sometimes there isn’t enough hours in the day to read, especially when I need to write as well. These stories are meant to be read in one sitting and are the perfect length to keep you satisfied.

So I’m giving away a free copy of The Schoolteacher and the Dom. All you have to do is tell me about the crappiest job that you’ve ever done. I’ll pick a winner by the end of the week.

Thanks Lila for having me.

***

You’re very welcome, Ella!

Let’s learn more about Ella’s book, shall we?

Nola Pryce didn’t expect much to happen over the Christmas holidays. She planned on spending it alone, eating too much chocolate and watching bad TV. She certainly didn’t expect Alex, a man with a secret that’s sure to change her life—if she lets it.

Alex Winchester runs The Black Rose Club with his business partner and friend Lilith Yee. It caters to every dark fantasy. But Alex is a Dom without a submissive, until he meets Nola. He invites her to The Black Rose Club Christmas party. A lot rests on this one night. Alex is giving Nola a choice. It’s up to her if she wants to say yes.

Excerpt

Nobody likes being alone on Christmas, which was the only reason Nola Pryce was on a date with tall, dark, and dull. It had been a moment of weakness that made her say yes. Looking at him across the table made her wish she’d said no.

She’d stopped listening to the conversation about ten minutes ago. Now she was just randomly nodding and taking sips from her cup. Her attention wandered to checking out the bar that they’d decided to meet at. She liked it even if it was obvious that Tim didn’t judging by the way he wrinkled his nose as he’d walked in. It had a homely feel to it. The customers chatted with the staff, which created a low-key but friendly atmosphere. Her attention drifted to the framed newspapers on the wall. There was a history here that she liked.

It was the only good thing about the date. At least it’s an early evening dinner date. There wasn’t going to be that awkward moment at the end of the night when she didn’t invite him up for coffee. There was no way in the hell this would be turning into one date of many.

He’d been talking about himself for nearly an hour, his latest subject being a business trip to Japan. Somehow he’d even managed to make that sound boring.

“I just need to go to the ladies’. I’ll be right back.” Nola got to her feet, collecting her bag. She needed to fake an emergency or something. If she sat through anymore of this bullshit, she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions.

She noticed the guy looking at her from the bar as she went in search of the ladies’ room and smiled at him. When she finished up in the restroom, she headed back to the bar. A plan had already begun to form in her head.

“I need a favour.”

The man’s eyes widen at her forwardness. He put down the burger he’d been eating and used a napkin to clean sauce from his lips. “And what would that be?” he asked as soon as his mouth was empty. He was smartly dressed in a suit which had an impeccable cut but he looked much more relaxed than stuffy Tim. At that moment he looked like he was trying hard not to smile.

“I need you to call my phone in about five minutes.”

He looked around her, checking out Tim. He didn’t look unimpressed. “Trying to get out of a bad date?”

“You’ll be saving a person’s life.”

He looked a little surprised, “Yours?”

“No, his. I might actually have to kill him. Somebody that boring shouldn’t be allowed to live. I’d be doing the world a favour.”

He looked back at her solemnly but his eyes twinkled with supressed laughter. “I’ll call it. I wouldn’t want you to get yourself arrested.”

Nola leant on the bar and ordered another cup of tea from the waitress and placed her card in front of her.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

He really didn’t need to know that but the smile intrigued her. “It’s Nola Pryce. Yours?”

“Alex Winchester.”

She touched his arm. “Thank you, Alex. I owe you.”

The intriguing smile set her heart racing. Now if Alex had been her date, she wouldn’t be looking for the nearest exit. “It’s my pleasure, Nola.”

***

If you want a chance at winning a free copy of The Schoolteacher and the Dom at the end of the week, don’t forget to comment below (click on the little callout balloon in the upper right corner of this post) on the topic Ella requested above.

If you can’t wait that long, you can buy the book NOW, here:

Evernight Publishing  |  Amazon  |  All Romance eBooks

About Ella Grey

Ella Grey is a jack of all trades and has been published in multiple genres. With her first story published nearly two years ago, she’s written short stories and novellas and shows no signs of stopping.

Ella’s always loved reading and inspired by Christopher Pike, wrote her first story at the age of fifteen. Now a decade later she’s creating Paranormal and Steampunk worlds.

She lives in a tiny house in the UK, with her other half, their son and their cat. She leads a hectic life but disappears into the worlds she’s created as soon as she puts the monster to bed.

Ella’s Website