Thoughts & Feelings on Winning 1st place, Romance, Los Angeles Book Festival

In 2012 my young adult novel, The Sound & the Echoes received an honorable mention in the Los Angeles Book Festival. As I looked over the winners list this time, I thought, "I know I didn't win this time, I know it, I know it..." And still typing "Looking Glass Friends" into the Ctrl F box, I suddenly saw my novel's name appearing on the screen.

No mistake. My pen name is beside it.
And...holding my breath...Winner! I'm the 1st place winner. 

Silence. Then...too embarrassing to elaborate, but I did make my dogs jump. 

It's strange to even write this, because I wasn't sure the book would appeal to romance readers. The story is literary and its physical aspects come, not secondary to the mind, but as its completion and corollary, rendering even the sex poetical and literary.

I am very grateful to the judges at the Los Angeles Book Festival for the happiness I feel. I knew Looking Glass Friends was good (it took many, many years of writing for me to get this far); but I wasn't sure others would think as I do. I feel harmony between my love of literature and readers out there. It's such a fantastic realization.

Los Angeles Book Festival 2017 Winners List: http://www.losangelesbookfestival.com

5 Star Audiobook Review

A few years ago I met Lisa on Goodreads, when her twins fell in love with my previous novel, The Sound and the Echoes. My favorite story in relation to publishing that book came from Lisa: How her twins enacted the story with a blowdryer, which was supposed to melt a hole in an imaginary lake, down into the Echo realm.

When I finished recording Looking Glass Friends and reached out to Lisa after all these years, she was so supportive, so excited to give the book a try, though this cerebral love story was as different from my previous middle grade fantasy as a candy cane is from a walking stick.

Today Lisa published her review of the audiobook. She was incredibly generous to rate my narration as a five-star (as well as the story and overall score). This was my first audiobook production, and knowing that Lisa listens to audiobooks all the time (she has 179 ratings on Audible) made her words all the more shocking and wonderful, a sigh of relief and a smile. So Lisa, if you see this, thank you!

Read Lisa's review.

How I created the cover for "Under Capricorn"

1. I choose two pictures from Shutterstock.

This one for the cover itself:

This one to add the motif that fits with the title:

2. I cut the Capricorn out of the second image, then used Affinity Photo on my MacBook to turn it transparent and super impose it over the image of the face. As for the face, I cut out the portion I wanted, changed the hue, added sharpness and changed the color of the eye to make it stand out.

3. Finally, I picked my font. And here's the result. I hope you like it!

Abridged Classic: Under Capricorn

My new year resolution was to pick my favorite classic novels, which hardly anyone knows, and "save" them from oblivion. The first one--Under Capricorn--was just released, under my imprint: Nothing but the Story. I abridged the tale to about 70% of its original length, and now the story just rushes at you. And it's a stunning, lyrical historical romance.

I'll do a post about the cover I designed, for anyone who is interested in how a cover starts. 

Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4UVJZD

Paperback Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542882192 

(Audiobook: That's the fun edition I'm currently still working on.)

5 Star Review from Sabine Muir

A huge thank you to Sabine for posting a review on YouWriteOn.com. 

"The story unfolded at a lovely pace, developing the complex relationships of both Neil and Fay's marriage and Ellie's one. The prose was beautiful...I wouldn't change a word of this lovely story." ~ read Sabine Muir's full review.

Looking Glass Friends

For those of you who wrote to say how much you loved Looking Glass Friends--thank you!!! Your emails and reviews mean a lot to me! Some of you suggested that I post all my social medial and book links--not that I'm super active, but you will find fun posts on my Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest pages especially. So here goes:

Where to buy: Looking Glass Friends on Amazon, B&N; Audible.

How to win a free copy: Check out the current giveaways.

My Social Media Links: Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, Instagram

My websites: Blog, Author Site, Book Site

Buy your copy

New 5 Star Review from Divine Vape

Five Star Review by Divine Zape
12/14/2016 

5 Star Readers' Favorite Review for
LOOKING GLASS FRIENDS

 “The man lying on the bed did not care that his room had grown dark. In the dying sunset the gun in his hand became a logical conclusion to his thoughts, an inevitable means to his bitter end. He had sworn an oath to himself two years ago, and the words walked with him like a second shadow ever since: ‘I swear not to draw out my life. When disgust and boredom are all that’s left, I’ll end this.’” Thus begins the story of an atypical romance with twists that will surprise readers.

Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters by E.L. Neve features powerful and compelling characters, exploring the anatomy of human love from a very unique perspective. Two married people meet online and start discussing a book through email exchanges, but what starts as a literary exchange soon becomes a medium through which they see and feel themselves in each other, until the attraction becomes irresistible. Can they take the chance to step beyond the virtual exchanges?

Well-crafted and compelling, this novel is a great success on many counts. First off, readers will fall for the characters who are so real and who are a reflection of the dilemma that many people find themselves in. I enjoyed the way the author explores complex issues related to modern technology and communication. The use of the epistolary is a style that enhances the plot and helps in character development.

 Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters is intense and the kind of work that will awaken powerful emotions in readers. As one reads on, the need to find out what happens at the end becomes very strong. Will the married woman leave her husband and five-year-old child for a stranger who makes her feel awesome? E.L. Neve will toy with your emotions until the last page of this brilliant novel.