Monthly Archives: August 2016

Daily Writing Prompt:Why is Kate Brown so Fierce? Character POV

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Fierce

For today’s WordPress published writing prompt word, I feel like zoning in on the main female character in A Stranger in France Kate Brown. I’d like to introduce her a bit more, and most importantly let you know why she is such a ”fierce” heroine. (Without giving away all the plot!).

There are so many interpretations for this word both good and bad, one person can see fierce as bad, angry, mean  and horrible  or one can see the word as meaning survivor, strong, and full of beans! I see the word fierce as the latter in Kate’s case. Kate is not mean, horrible, bad or angry but she is one hell of a survivor.And that’s why she’s

F-I-E-R-C-E to me.

  1. Characterized by or showing hostility: gave us a fierce look
  2.  Extremely powerful or destructive: a fierce storm; a fierce flood.

Dictionary definition of fierce

 

Kate Brown  is married and when we first meet her she’s 32 years old, by the end of the story she is 33.  When I wrote Kate and her POV  ( point of view) I tried to portray her as  the 2nd definition of fierce – extremely powerful as a women. She overcomes a number of life challenges that many normal everyday modern women can relate to,  no matter their race, age or social status- maybe some women who read along, may have even experienced  some of Kate’s drama in their own life.

As a person, she’s smart, pretty straight talking and knows what she wants and how to get it. On the other side she is also very vulnerable due to the conflicts or drama I have thrown in for Kate along the way, throughout the story. These conflicts almost crush the poor girl, and who she naturally is. Something saves her and gives her a reason to fight not just love or the hero I’ve  thrown in for her to fall for aka Mr Nicholas D’Coix but other conflicts/plots save her and pull her back from her distressed state so she can survive and return to the Kate she once was and embrace Nicholas’ love.

In a Stranger in France, Kate Brown makes a massive realisation about her husband and even herself which you see within the first 2.5 chapters you can download this for free here. As the story progresses  drama and tension builds! With the husband  in London and over in France.  A number of very life changing decisions  take her across London, the UK coast, central and southern France, all  while in love.

She’s fierce, strong and extremely likeable. I hope! If you read along you’ll see why.

And if you’d like to ”interview” Kate or have questions about her character or what I was thinking when I wrote her ( if you do read A Stranger in France), then  let me know  comment, send me an email via contact Kim above or shout me on Twitter.

 

Kim’s Book Review: Trail Of Sins

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JoyceHey guys, so you all know I’m a massive fan of the romance genre as a reader as well as writer, especially the sub genres of suspense and thriller with romance. I was lucky enough to get a free copy of Trail of Sins by Joyce Mcarthy  an erotic- thriller author. Her book was released earlier this year, and is available on Amazon. I read it and really enjoyed it here’s why:

Trail of Sins is described as “an erotic thriller in a corporate setting with a strong element of suspense and a powerful undercurrent of selfless love.”  There is a huge element of erotic-ness in this book, and I’d rate that  5 stars for the journey you’re  on as a reader in terms of erotic-ness. The author clearly knows how to write this style well, and  place in a reader’s mind a vision of what is taking place between characters, in this respect. I’m not talking 50 Shades of Grey (the book not movie) – soft erotic, I’m talking erotic scenes! If you enjoy this kind of journey and read, this is one for you. I said this to Ms Mcarthy already ” I wish I could write like that!” Meaning,  I don’t (personally feel)  brave enough or skilled in  very erotic writing… I totally clam up so well done and my hat is off to her for Trail of Sins.

While reading I did feel like I was on a journey, trying to find out why things are happening to the main Hero.  I really enjoyed the element of suspense/thrill I was taken on while reading. The ending I never saw coming, and that to me is also a good sign of story telling and writing (as a reader) it was a great twist. I was gripped, could not foresee the future, and surprised by the ending.

The characters I found them pretty 3D, I was able to build in my mind an impression of what the main hero is like as a man, and even make up my mind whether I liked him as a man or not. To me, as a reader (not a writer)  if I ever experience this in a book -being able to imagine a character, and make up my mind about them, if I’m on their side or not is a sign of good writing as the author/writer has given me enough to work with in my imagination.

I enjoyed this ride a lot- trust me there’s a lot of riding *wink

So in summary:

Erotic rating  5/5 stars whooo!

Suspense/thrill rating 4.5 stars yeah baby! Did not see that coming.

Character development rating 4.5 – I would have loved a more detailed description of what the characters look like, (all of them) as they are such sexy people. But this does not take away anything from the story or enjoyment it’s just me as a reader that’s all.

Overall rating : 4.5 stars out of 5, as this is  described as an erotic thriller and that’s exactly what you get.

Look forward to the next book by this author.

 

 

Day #20: The Count Down Begins!

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WP_20160831_032

So the count down begins, over the next 20 days I’ll be posting updates on what’s happening during the run up to the release of my first romance suspense novel A Stranger In France. The big day is  20th September 2016! On Amazon for 90 days and then on Barnes and Nobel.I’m feeling great today, the sun is shining in London and has been so far for a good few weeks. This always puts me in a great mood  and adds a smile to my face, as you can see from my Wednesday selfie posted.

So what’s happening then?  It’s been busy!  Other than doing writing prompts and finalising A Stranger in France, being a mum and trying to sleep, from release day my virtual book tour has been organised. It will  kick off just after the 20th. I will keep you updated on where A Stranger in France will be touring.  I have a ”Release Day Blitz” organised for the cover  of the book across a huge number of romance focused blogs for 3 days from the 20th September, and A Stranger in France will be featured on All Romance Reads blog also!

In October  A Stranger in France  will feature on Coffee Time and Romance. I am super excited about this, to be featured  as a new author on various promotional dates throughout the month.

Moving forward in terms of writing book writing, right I’m  waiting for my second ”feel good” romance novella to be returned to me from my publisher, so I can get the final draft together ready for a Christmas release. While that’s pending, I’ve gone back to re-working my first ever attempt at creative writing. A romance -thriller which I’ve had some worry over where to place it in terms of genre and place myself if I’m honest. But I’m confident I’ve now made the right choice. If you’re wondering well why Kim? Find out here.

This particular story is so special to me as it was my first ever idea for a story, to create into a full blown book, before either of the 2 books about to be released. It’s my baby, in a genre I feel so passionate about so I want to write it, and write it  as bad ass as I can! So I’m taking my time and re- working it in areas, now that I have a little bit of experience behind me. What I’ve found with writing a story with a bit of crime is that accuracy is sooooooo important especially when it comes to police involvement. I have 2 girlfriends who are in the legal profession and will be interviewing them so help me with research. The other challenge for me is the balance of  don’t want to give away ”who dunno it” and  leaving  little droplets of info for readers to open their mouths in shock and  think ” OMG I did not see that coming! I have to keep reading.” 

Writing this particular story is a very different experience for me compared to A Stranger in France, and my second story (which I won’t blurt out the name of). I think it’s because the story focuses on love and romance but there is an element of crime to it it is a different atmosphere to create for the story and reader, with A Stranger in France the story just flowed out of me non stop, this one is a challenge! But I am determine to research and get this idea out my head and completed.

Well I better run, I have a pile of unopened mail aka bills, * sad face* and some letters to write to pen friends overseas *happy face*. While my son is enjoying a day at summer camp I better get cracking with my day.

Have a great day!

 

 

 

Daily Word Writing Prompt: Letter to a Stranger

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Expert
Mistake
Witness
Learning

I looked through my word writing prompt book this evening as I felt like writing and wanted some inspiration. I found the below  writing prompt in my book and  noticed it fits in nicely with  the WordPress writing prompts I’ve missed over the last few days: expert, mistake, witness and learning. So I’m combining  all the writing prompts into one!

Writing Prompt: Write an anonymous letter to a stranger detailing the things you’ve learned about life.

29th August 2016, London

Dear stranger,

Hey, hope all’s well and life is treating you well? I hope this letter reaches you well and in good health. You don’t know me but I want to reach out and write to a total stranger so pull up a chair grab a coffee or something stronger and let’s talk.I want to talk to you a bit about what I’ve learned in my 33 years of life so far, touching on some of the things I’ve witnessed and mistakes I thought I made.

 Now, I don’t claim to be any kind of expert in anything in life, hold on no I’m an expert at painting my nails and applying my make-up I know what suits me,but that aside I’m not real expert but here’s a few things I’ve learned.

Stranger, no matter what happens in life promise me one thing, you’ll always be yourself no matter what and at all costs. I mean this, really I do. I’ve always been a believer in people being themselves whether its how they dress, talk, sexuality whatever just do you is my motto. Just over a year ago, I learned to be myself I let go of the 20 year battle I had with my curly hair. For 20 years  I chemically straightened my hair! I loved it nice and sleek.This time last year I had a chin length nice slick straight graduated bob, but when I was pregnant with my son in 2013 the curls fought back and no matter how much I tried to chemically touch up my roots my kink remained.So for 6 months of my 9 month pregnancy I did not touch it just wrapped my hair up in colourful scarfs or pinned it up it actually looked rather cute. When my son came along I carried on the battle, but  I just decided f*ck this, be you Kim and  last July I stopped chemically straightening my hair,with the aim to grow it out and chop the ends each month.

I got to December 19th I was looking toward 2016 with a new attitude as certain things were happening in my life and one day I woke up I  head to the nearest salon and said ” chop it off  get rid of the straight ends”.I walked out with hair less than 1 inch long and I don’t regret it at all. I loved it! And still do. Lucky I’ve had short hair before ( but straight) so I knew I’d be OK with such short hair,but I never knew how I’d manage my curly hair I hadn’t seen it for 20 odd years!  That said I just wanted to be me.So that’s what I’ve learned when it comes to the outside and being yourself, just do it and forget what others think or say dress how you want, whatever just be yourself externally.

When it comes to your personality, stranger do me another favour will you? Never apologise for who or what you are. I mean it. Never EVER say sorry for who you are as long as you’re not hurting anyone, committing a crime, putting yourself or others in danger just don’t-ever. I have learned , not everyone will like you, get you or bond with you and it really does not matter at all that’s just life. Don’t try and fit in, by changing you. That is a mistake. 

If you’re a women reading  (if you are either a man or women reading this sorry to just focus on one gender as this can relate to any sex really),stranger I’m not a relationship expert at all and I would not want to be but if you look back at any of your ex-boyfriends(s) or ex-husband(s) ex-girlfriend(s) or wives and all you think is ” sh*it he/she was a God damn mistake” then you’ve not learned anything from the relationship or him/her for that matter. And you’ll  probably make the same mistakes you did  again. Or end up with another version of him/her again. Hold on, don’t pull that face, it’s true. Why? Why? Do I say this? Well your eyes are still closed! If he/she was a mistake -why, what,how,where, and when were the mistakes? Can you answer? Good  then you have learned and your eyes are open.If you can’t you need to think and then open them up so you know for next time you are swept off your feet.

In general, I have learned there are no mistakes in life, it’s only a mistake if you can’t look back and see what you’ve learned, not just in love,with everything.Work,friendship you’ve dropped, whatever.

Never be bitter stranger, ummm no it takes too much energy I’m telling you just let it go  in life in general. Don’t hold on to it. It will stop you from moving forward and thinking clearly so you can move forward. Just look back see what you learned and move on. This relates to EVERYTHING in life.

Always have plan B…. C and D  if need be too. I have learned and witnessed that if you fail to plan that is a sure plan to fail. I witnessed someone close set out to achieve something and just messed it all up,because of the lack of focus and planning and to be honest, it’s better to be organised rather than walk through life with your head in the clouds- time waits for no man, remember that PLAN.

Be positive, the glass is always half FULL not empty,where  there’s a will there’s a way, never be work shy, start from the bottom and work your way up. Be nice to everyone you meet, remember your manners  and that karma is real! All things I have learned, witnessed and feel I am expert enough to say,as I have lived most of my life by these sayings.

So in a nutshell stranger, be you and be happy being you, don’t be bitter about anything, plan and have a vision -execute it the best you can and stand up and say I f*cking rock baby! be positive, and learn from every experience good or bad.

Well, stranger, take care I hope this letter brings you some kind of new outlook or positive feeling or motivation to achieve or do something you have been sitting on the fence about. Or given you some kind of encouragement.

Yours faithfully,

Anonymous

PS

I hope you’re over 18 as I swore – my bad…. but with me  there is never a filter! Everything is from the heart.  Take care!

Psst…. Here’s An Excerpt From A Stranger in France

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Nicholas guides me to the side of the bar, to the back and unexpectedly we reach a lift, we step in and he presses P on the lift buttons. Alone in the lift I face him dead on, I can’t help myself, his scent, and presence it’s doing things to me and awaking parts of me that have been dead for so long since Danny and I hit our rough patch.

I grab his tie pull him towards me and kiss him with passion . He’s stunned and taken back I can tell; his hands are full with a champagne glass in one and a bucket with iced champagne in the other, he’s unable to touch me or push me away. By the way he’s kissing me so passionately in return I doubt very much we wants our passionate kissing to stop.

We reach our destination and I release him, leaving a lipstick stain on his lips I playfully remove it with a finger, and step out the lift in front of him swaying my hips. I  half turn around to face him, Nicholas is still standing in the same spot I left him with his champagne glass, ice bucket and a huge wide grin on his face. Damn he looks so good. “What are you waiting for Mr D’Croix?’’ I turn and say over my shoulder in a seductive way, he laughs. “You took me by surprise Ms. Kate.”

Free chapter preview here

Stranger in France (1)

Release Date September 2016

Seek Preview of my Book Blurb Shh You’re The First To See It *wink

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You ready?… Here goes! I’ve  been dying  to share it here is my book blurb.

In A Stranger in France readers are taken on a fast paced, modern day romantic journey, that spans between the city of  London, the glitz and glam of France, and the  beautiful English coast in a gripping romantic  story, between two complete strangers with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages.

When career driven and successful 32 year old London born Kate Brown faces hard times in her marriage, she confides in her best friend Tanya Adams in Marseille southern France. Kate makes a bold move and spends two weeks in Marseille away from her husband in London. Her path crosses with tall, dark, devilishly handsome and wealthy Nicholas D’Coix. An immigrant to France from the Ivory Coast west Africa as a young boy, who turned himself around and built up an empire of wealth as a hustler and money maker, and now one of Paris’ top three entrepreneurs. In a whirlwind of sexy, lustful romance Nicholas and Kate fall in love, Kate returns to London to a few surprises of her own and still very much in love with Nicholas as she makes yet another bold move. Touching on real life issues these two strong characters battle it out against all the odds in the name of love, across the UK and France.

Stranger in France (1)

Release Date September 2016

Get a free chapter preview here.

 

“Ain’t nobody got time for that”

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Make every moment count! Do what you love most in the time you have. Don’t waste time of people or things that don’t count. ” Aint no body got time for that” ! I like this motivational post.

simple Ula

I really don’t like hearing when people say “I don’t have enough time”.clock-772953_960_720

We have 24 hours a day and 168 hours a week. That’s a heck of a lot and you still don’t have time for something you want to do?

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Kim’s Going On A Book Tour!

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Good Morning!

A short note to say,  I have my first ever book tour organised… this time one is virtual though. Sadly, I can’t up and leave London for my book release date on the 20th September and go on tour with it. So I’ve opted for a 10 stop virtual one.  The next I hope to be an actual in person one. More details will follow, the date the tour will start is 20/9/16… if you’re from the USA and I’ve confused you that’s 9/20/16 🙂

 

My Thoughts on Publishing Companies

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A blog reader I’ve interacted with a lot over the last few months got in contact with me this month, they asked me a lot of questions about my thoughts on book publishing. Of course I was happy to help and share any lessons I’ve learned and experience I’ve gained on how to snag a traditional publishing deal or two. I thought it would make a great post to share with you all, I’m  sure they won’t mind me sharing with you the questions they asked and what I said in response. You can also read an interview I did with Knockin’ book over in the USA on this subject here.

Now I can’t promise what I say is a blue print to success when it comes to being offered a book deal by a publishing house, all I’m offering is my insight and well wishes that something I have to say will work for you! Good luck writers.

I’d like to know how you were able to get your books published. Was it easy or difficult?

How I got published:  I started writing , did some research into magazine short story publishing originally and how books are published, then found out you can submit to  (some) publishers a sample of your work . So I did, after researching publishers who had put out a “call for new authors”. Then  I received a positive response on my 1st attempt at this. My advice is  research some publishers that are a good fit for your genre. I think this is part of my luck I really made sure I looked closely at what each publisher works with. Submit following their guidelines very closely I did this to a T. Then pray!

What were the pros and cons? Are you happy with the publishing company you’ve chosen?

Pros and cons : Pros of traditional publishing vs self publishing are with traditional publishing  you may get more exposure and the work is done for you in terms of marketing and cover design, all you have to do is write! If you wish to do additional marketing you can yourself. Cons: I have found none so far a lot of what I’ve read mentions that a con of traditional publishing is less control over your final book and cover. In my case my publisher listened to everything I said, so I’ve been really blessed. Even down to my book cover it was designed based on what I said. What I will say is make sure in your contract there is a claus stating or clarifying how much say you as the author have. So in a nutshell yes I am very happy with my publisher and would not go elsewhere.

Are there contracts or agreements to sign? What should a person look out for and/or beware of?

Contract and agreements: Yes these are signed and best to sign them so everyone knows what is expected of them. What to look out for- royalty payments. The % ,when and how paid, copyrights- what rights are you giving the publisher over your work? I would upon advice given to me retain the book movie rights for yourself!   If possible).You never know a movie offer may come up and you want to be in control of it and receive a majority of the royalty. How and where they publish you and how long they hold the rights for in years. And how to terminate if you are not happy with publisher. These are things I’d look out for but not the only things. Always get professional advice if offered a book deal.

What are your thoughts on Ebook publishing with Amazon and Kindle?

Ebook  publishing thought: The way forward it is a must along side paperback in this day and age. You can also self publish via Amazon and cut out trying to obtain a book deal. But everything  is down to you design,marketing etc.

When submitting is there a specific font to use and spacing? How many minim words and chapters are agencies looking for?

Submitting: Every publisher has their own guidelines follow theirs really closely.

What sells the most like hot cakes and what is a hard and slow sell?s 

What sells: I’m yet to find out! But a really good cover always helps to draw readers in, and a good blurb for the back, chapter preview and most importantly reviews. In terms of genre I have no idea which one sells the best but my advice is don’t set out to become an author in the best selling genre set out to become an author in the genre you love to write. If your aim is to write and publish for money your motivation is wrong- write well! Aim to be the best in your genre and then you may become a best selling author because you write well, for the love, not the money or status of a best seller. Forget what the genre is doing- be  (one of) the best at / within the genre … ya feelin’ me??!

I hope this helps some aspiring writer out there!

Kim

xoxo

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