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I published my first book in July 2015, and so much has happened since then! I’ve set another fifteen books loose on the unsuspecting public, writing has become my job as well as my hobby, and the first book in my Blackwood Security series, Pitch Black, has been downloaded over 100,000 times.
And in that time, I’d like to think I’ve learned to write better.
Near the beginning of this year, I re-read the Black trilogy. Re-reading is something I usually avoid once my books are published because I keep second-guessing myself and wanting to change things, and this time was no exception. I read the stories and realised they didn’t flow like my more recent books, and I saw parts where I could add or remove bits to improve the pacing. This niggled and niggled at me, so in the spring, I decided to revise all three.
While I did so, I got to thinking about some of my reviews. I don’t like reading those either, because for every bunch of lovely, thoughtful comments, there’s one that makes me reach for the tissues (or the gin). But a number of readers hated the swearing in the books, and one reviewer in particular accused writers who are fond of strong language of using it as a crutch and simply being unable to write without cursing.
Well, I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge…
So, from now on, the Black trilogy is available in two versions – clean and not-so-clean.
You can find out more and read excerpts from the new books on their individual pages:
I’ve added extra dirt to the original versions for those who like that sort of thing, and removed all the swear words and naughty bits from the clean versions. Of course, I have to explain why a potty-mouth like Emmy is being so polite, so there’s an extra thread of story running through the freshly laundered versions, plus a new free book at the end of the clean version of Forever Black. Black to Vegas was supposed to be a short story but kept getting longer and longer until it hit ten thousand words!
The original files on all retailers have now been replaced with the revised versions, and the clean versions are available as separate books.
Pitch Black is free at all retailers in both versions at the moment.
To download the original (dirty) version:
If you’ve already downloaded the original version and it doesn’t update, I’ve also made a BookFunnel link or you can use Instafreebie if you prefer.
To download the new clean version:
Into the Black and Forever Black:
From what I understand, Amazon don't automatically send revised books to your kindle (because you'd lose any highlights/notes you've made). So, if you’ve already bought the original versions of Into the Black or Forever Black and you’d like to read the revised versions of these, I’m happy to send you a download link if you email me your purchase receipt. (N.B. These links will be for the dirty versions, not the clean versions). This won't be instant as I spend more time writing than checking my emails, so please be patient 🙂
Looking forward to reading the clean versions. You are an amazing writer so please keep the books coming
I’m busy writing at the moment – two new series in progress plus more Blackwood!
I always admire you… You have a lot of ideas that fans like go gaga… How you make book character interesting? And the details of an item or a place is so full explanation. I love it.
While I’m writing, the characters kind of take over in my head, so I just write what they think 🙂
I’ll read anything you write
I’ve just discovered your books But I truly enjoyed Pitch Black! I am so Glad ladies like you share your gifts with readers like me. I became handicapped to young and books like these bring adventure to my life (my wheelchair makes adventure challenging).
I have read all your books and love each one. Keep they coming.
Love your books! Thanks for sharing pictures of Trev.
I love the Blackwood series, will quite happily read them again if it means more Emmy and Co!
thanks for the chance in the giveaway 🙂
You are the first author I know of that has a clean and a not so clean version of their book. How cool
It’s a bit of an experiment for me. Some people said they weren’t so keen on the swearing, and I like to keep readers happy, lol. If enough people like the clean versions, I’d consider adapting more books in future 🙂
Hello Elise, thank you very much for the clean version of your excellent book. I know that many people have been writing that myself and others can find another writer to follow. So, I appreciate the effort you put into making your book available to us. I am an avid reader of fiction for relaxation and entertainment and bad language and sex scenes make me cringe. I believe that sex is a gift from the Lord for married people to be engaged and enjoyed with all the enthusiasm and energy that they can muster. But, it is private. Scripture tells us to keep so.
Please know that I will keep reading and now I can tell my friends about you.
Thanks
Thanks so much for your message, and I’m glad you enjoy these sort of books – it’s a bit of an experiment for me! To be totally open, there are still relations between non-married people, it’s just nothing is detailed on the page in the clean versions – it all happens behind closed doors 🙂
I am new to your work so I have downloaded both versions…. can’t wait to read them!!! Thanks so much!!!!
Hope you enjoy them!
Would love to read Black to Vegas, please explain where to find it…thank you. Can not get enough Emmy!
Black to Vegas is free via a link in the back of the clean version of Forever Black 🙂
Thanks for writing more Blackwood there are brilliant books, on my 10th time of reading them all, I just can’t find any books that compete looking forward to reading more of them.
Aw, so glad you like them 🙂 I think you’ve read them even more than me! I’ve still got quite a few more books I’d like to write in the series.
I loved the clean versions. Truthfully I had original forever black and gray is my heart. I deleted forever black and bought the clean version when I saw it was available. I skipped the chapters with the sex and the bad language took away some of my enjoyment in reading. Looking forward to the clean versions of gold rush and gray is my heart. I think the way you spin your stories are awesome, they stand on their own without the language and the sex scenes.
Glad you’re enjoying them! If sales of the clean versions are good, I’ll certainly consider adapting more of the books 🙂
Does the version on my Kindle that I purchased before your changes automatically update to the new version? Is there any way to tell if it’s the new version?
I don’t think it will change to the new version, but if you check the copyright page, the new versions have “R1” written under the ISBN number 🙂
Looking forward to reading this series thank you for the opportunity 😊
You’re new to me & I must say I’m completely intrigued. I would be one of the ones to read the dirty version. Where’s the fun in clean. I’m all dirty, dirty, dirty!!
Completely agree with this! Also i dont think they’re that dirty or rude anyway, but i guess each to their own… I just hope she doesn’t change how she writes any new books so that they contain less of those scenes 🙁
Don’t worry, the clean books are a completely separate things. The regular books will continue as usual with Emmy’s potty mouth and a few dirty bits 🙂
Can’t wait to read it. On my TBR list.
I want to read “Cherry on the Top”!It looks like a fun read that I would enjoy!❤📚😘
I am glad to see there is a clean version of your book. Good idea for some readerswho might mot otherewise read them.
I want to read the new ones to see what all you cleaned up. slb
I only recently discovered your books. I have so enjoyed the Blackwood Security series and don’t think I would tire of reading more about them, as I get very attached to characters. I’m quite happy with the original “dirty” versions. The language doesn’t bother me and the sex scenes are enviable. As I like dark and edgy men, my favorites are Black and Xavier. I plan on reading more of your books. Your imagination and creativity make them hard to put down.
So glad you’re enjoying them! Black and Xav are my favourites too, but I’ve also got a soft spot for Gideon!
I’m really looking forward to read stories by you that I haven’t had a chance to read yet.
You have an excerpt from a hilarious new book of yours and I’d like to hear more about it. I laughed the whole way. Don’t like “dirty” books so hope this is a clean one and she enjoys her apartment. How do I find out more about this book. Really enjoyed what I read.
Untitled is a letter I’m writing with my readers – I include a chapter in each newsletter, and past chapters are available on my website 🙂 I’m not sure how it’ll turn out yet, but it’ll probably stay quite clean. Glad you’re enjoying it!
Thank you I look forward to the next chapter. Marsha Lewis
I am an avid reader. I am enjoying the Blackwood series. I love all the characters. Your creativity and imagination transport me to another world. I have a broken foot at the moment so reading your books has been a great therapy. 🤗
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Blackwood books 🙂 Sorry to hear about your foot – I hope it heals up quickly!
If people feel they need a ‘clean’ version and you want to provide it, that’s your prerogative. But I have to say I prefer the regular versions. I don’t label them ‘dirty’, I label them as adult versions. I don’t want to read kiddie, clean versions of adult books. I have around 2000 books in my Kindle and I can read 1-7 books in a day, I love binge (re)reading yours. I’m kind of sorry you even feel the need to have to do this. You are one of only three authors, I auto buy, every time I see a new release. I would not buy however, if you decided to goto, exclusively ‘clean’ versions. Sorry, I’m an adult and I shop for adult reads. I don’t feel authors should have to handhold their readers. Again, that’s your decision to do both versions. That’s extra work for you, I hope the people you’re doing it for, are appreciative. I truly enjoy your books and thank you, for amazing characters with engrossing storylines.
Don’t worry – I’d never go exclusively clean. I much prefer the regular versions too 🙂 But it doesn’t take too long to adapt them to take out all the sex and swearing, so I’ll probably do a clean version or two each year as long as people are reading them 🙂