Monthly Archives: May 2017

It’s Time To Vote- We’re Feeling a lil’ Random This Week… #kdsuspense #amwriting #writerslife

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 It’s week #3  Of Didi and I telling tales, that also means it’s time for you to vote for our next writing prompt for a short story. We’d love you all to join in when the winning prompt is announced on Sunday. Why not write your own story  then link in with us on Tuesday next week?  Use the hashtag #kdsuspense so we can find it :). I think it’s fair to say for both of us, after stepping back in time to an era when neither of us were born, to portray a  notorious feisty Italian – American, lesbian serial killer, from Brooklyn New York (crime fiction). Then moving back to the present day, to portray a white male in his forties, with an extreme case of OCD , schizophrenia and a broken heart vs obsession with another woman (suspense), this week I feel personally  whatever the weather I’ll go with it, this is fun whatever prompt you vote for!

It’s  my turn to research some prompts I have no clue what theme to zone in on.  I looked up the most random prompts I could find, then  showed them to Didi so we could get a list together for you to vote from. She was like “hmm, ohh… yeah I like that, and that, but ya know what  Kim I’ll write them all any character any age,race,gender whatever.” So it looks like we’re both  feeling a lil’ random and whatever the weather this week. So here we go it’s over to you. We have  no theme, no focus just random madness plucked out from generators. The generator threw up all these prompts randomly below, I took the first ones and never looked back. What shall we write?  You decide… more details on the challenge below, and last week’s stories if you’re new to this weekly challenge.

Option One- Random First Line Of A Story Should Start With:

“The entrance to the tunnel was his only way out.”

Option Two- Random First Line Of A Story Should Start With:

“They had to make sure that none of their colleagues noticed.”

Option Three- Random Image Writing Prompt:

 

Option Four- Random Image Writing Prompt

 

Option Five- Random Character Prompt

This character is a man or woman in his/ her early forties,  any ethnicity, who is very rebellious. He/ she  comes from a wealthy background, lives in a fisherman’s cottage and tends to drink too much.

Option Six- Random Character  Prompt

This character is a woman/woman in her /his late forties, any ethnicity who can be quite courageous. She/he comes from a comfortable background, lives in the suburbs and tends to drink too much.

Option Seven- Random Situation:

Your character is on a journey. However, they are interrupted by a natural disaster OR an accident.

Option eight- Random Situation Prompt

A character unexpectedly bumps into his or her soulmate, literally.

 

This interactive writing challenge is simple and insanely creative. It’s a group effort and we are so glad to have you join in the writing fun!!  I hope you’re ready to challenge Didi and I by choosing which prompts we can transform into stellar suspense!  Give us your best shot!  You vote on our weekly prompt, and we provide the entertainment. It’s that simple!  The super easy steps are as follows:

STEP ONE: Every Wednesday well post a voting pole with a few prompts to choose from.
STEP TWO: With the click of a button, you cast your vote on a prompt. (voting will stay open for three days.)
STEP THREE: READ AND ENJOY!  Every week on the following Tuesday we will post the short story that transformed from the very winning prompt you chose!
 
All comments on the story posts will be open. We love feedback, and I’m willing to bet you will never guess who wrote what!!   Therein a challenge of your own! (Yes, one of us writes in British English, and one of us in American. We are well aware, and ready for some trickery. Trust me, we are brilliant at adapting styles.)

Read Week #1 and #2’s stories here

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Book Review: The Playground- E. Denise Billups 5* #amreading #newrelease #shortstories

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The Playground

I just love short stories as much as I love full length page turning novels. This is a new release this week, and  another one not to fall asleep on. I bought my copy and read it within an hour!  The short story (for me personally) was enjoyable for so many reasons. It’s a great introduction to this author’s writing if you’ve not read any of her books before, this is my first read. I will read more. I hear on the grapevine, there’s a suspense novel coming our way this summer too. Keep an eye out on Meet The Author. So, let’s get into the review.

The Plot:

Readers are taken back in time within a place called Willow’s Grove. The town has a dark history and a lot of folk tales about what happened years ago, at an old church that was burned down. We start off in this time period with the POV of  a woman who was forced to do what she had to do for survival. She had two daughters, the death of her husband left them stranded. She winds up in Willow’s Grove. Fast forward to the present day we learn about the tales the townspeople believe happened the night the church burned down *spoiler alert* I won’t give this away.

In the present day a group of friends are on a mission to prove that ghosts are not real, the folk tales are not real.  They set out on the anniversary of the fire, and one of the main character’s birthdays to prove just that.

Once they arrive at the church, this is where the mystery, suspense and supernatural starts. The author very cleverly takes you on a journey via the spirit of the man the town fear. This is where the story for me got very interesting,  the mood changed within the story the man or spirit was a slave… we learn this when he changes form to who he was at the time of death.

We then learn the REAL truth what happened that night, all those years ago during a very important part of history. We walk through the POV of the woman who had to do what she had to do as a mother, and we learn through the spirit the group of friends meet.  *spoiler alert* I’m not going to give away how the  spirit  is linked to one of the females in the group, her girlfriend, as well as  the woman and little girls who died. But it ties in well.  The reason they are all linked is down to one thing history. They say ” the truth will set you free” that’s exactly what happens when this group of friends make a bold move, an important secret is revealed and the townspeople are firmly put in their place with their made up folk law and tales.

I’m giving The Playground five stars as the story hit home with me, it also was very interesting to read.  I love how the author tied in paranormal and supernatural themes to produce what you could call a historical piece of fiction also it has almost two themes. I experienced an element of suspense and the classic ” oh wow okay, I never saw that coming”. Every writer loves it when a reader does that so  well done!!  I finished the last page and felt like this could really be a full novel you and it could be so interesting. I would like to read more of this! In addition, the author has done something very difficult to do- mix present day story telling with historical events. To take a reader through different time frames consistently with a good flow (short story or full blown novel) is a massive challenge  to write  whether it’s a few thousand or a hundred thousand words.The author has done this job well. So to me leaving with all these feelings and reading a well written story can only deserve 5* I could not fault it at all. very enjoyable!

Grab a copy it’s .99 on Amazon.

Connect with Denise here while we wait out the release date for the suspense novel coming our way in the summer:

Denise’s Author site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Every time I hear that voice from my basement” Wk 2 #kdsuspense

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Tuesday is now my favourite day of the week.. Take a look at this week’s story using the prompt you all voted for. Let us know what you think of this guy we created. What’s scary for me is, I read our stories back and it never reads (to me) like one author picked up where the other left off.. freaky! Who wrote what? And write your own story then link to our posts, we’d love to see them. Tomorrow I’ll be in the driver’s seat with the voting poll for next week’s story.

Didi Oviatt -Author

You chose it, we wrote it!!

It’s week two of Kim and I writing short stories based on a voted in prompt winner! I absolutely love writing with Kim! Our style really seems to sync. I’ll bet you can’t tell who wrote what! (really though, we’d love to see you try)  Also, feel free to write your own stories with the prompt and either comment with our own link or you can always link us in! In the mean time, here is our story of the week. There is more information of our weekly challenge at the bottom of the post.

ENJOY!

“Every time I hear that voice from my basement”

I see her face everywhere, and I have done for a full year now. Today’s no different, it’s actually worse – much worse. This morning marked the anniversary of Anna’s disappearance. It also marked the anniversary of the two…

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The Playground: A Supernatural Short Story by E. Denise Billups

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I got my copy! Just .99 on Amazon. I have a feeling I’ll finish this in no time 😁 check out Denise’s new thriller.

E. Denise Billups, Author

Book Cover for The Playground 5-29-2017View Book on Amazon

New Supernatural Thriller Short Story  by E. Denise Billups

 If your looking for a short read filled with supernatural thrill, check out  my new short story, The Playground, available on Amazon.com

An evil that exists for centuries resides by my side. Our souls exist between earth and a spiritual plane. Imprisoned inside decaying church walls, I watch my eternally youthful daughters, laughing and playing on the playground like living, breathing children. He watches too, but for different reasons, to reap his vengeance on people in town who dare trespass on cursed grounds. It was a year ago my two daughters, and I came to this place, looking to start a new life after death befell my husband. His life taken by the sea, one sunny day on an Atlantic beach, his body never recovered. He left us saddled with debt, and no real assets, our…

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Romance Set in Paradise Book #2: Two Chapter Preview. Released June 2017. #areading #romance #freebie #amwriting

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Released June 2017

I’m really pleased to share this with you all, the first two chapters of Lover’s Retreat. All the stories in the Romance Set in Paradise series are stand alone, all set in the back drop of paradise in some exotic location in the world. Lover’s Retreat is set in Sri Lanka, yes, there’s suspense and drama, as well as romance. A reader gave me a wonderful idea the other day, to continue Melinda and Sebastian’s story from Havana Heat book #1… I might just do that! Thanks for the idea glad to know you’d like more of those two.  But for now here is Lover’s Retreat.

Pre-sale copies available  via Smashwords with  a 15% discount

Pre-sale Order

Click below to read the first two chapters.

Two Chapter Preview Lovers Retreat by Kim Knight

Book Blurb:

Lover’s Retreat is book #2 of the Romance Set in Paradise Series of modern,steamy, suspenseful and romantic stories, set in exotic locations around the world. For thirty seven year old recluse Yasmin O’Neil, life feels like one crisis after another. Her husband left her five years ago, she starts to suspect she’s losing her hearing and then her mother is diagnosed with Cancer. When her mother passes away her fortune changes, Yasmin is fifty thousand pounds richer from her mother’s estate. She takes her fate into her own hands after years of  being a recluse, she rediscovers herself at a spiritual self development retreat in Sri Lanka south Asia, before she plans to spend the next six months travelling around the world.  In Sri Lanka, Yasmin’s path crosses with Michael Thomas, an army soldier on his own path of self discovery.  With their luke warm initial encounter the pair don’t hit it off straight away. After some push and pull the two are finally on the same page. Their encounter turns from luke warm to sizzling hot.

In Lover’s Retreat two very different characters originally on different paths, embrace the need for change and companionship. Set in the back drop of paradise, palm trees and untouched nature of Sri Lanka, these two lonely souls gain more than just self discovery they gain a soul mate.

Signed Paperback Competition Winners Announced…. #giveaway #romance #amreading

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Evening,

Raffata has randomly picked out the following five names as winners of my giveaway, that’s been going for just over a month! Congratulations… you can all decide which book you’d like a signed copy of. Send me a message here with your choice and postal address. Thanks for entering I hope you enjoy.

If you entered and never won, I still have a gift for you, there are ninety five free online copies of Havana Heat up for grabs. Click here to download.

Winners:

Sally Collingwood- UK

Jennifer Moville-UK

Amulya-India

Julie Berg-UK

Pam P.- USA

What would you like?? See Below.

Havana Heat 

Havana Heat is book one of the Romance in Paradise Series of modern,steamy, suspenseful and romantic stories, set in exotic locations around the world. In Havana Heat readers are transported to the paradise of Cuba’s capital Havana, following the romance and heat build between Spaniard Detective Sebastian Garcia, and London born and bred wedding planner Melinda Jones.Melinda’s path crosses with the handsome and charming Detective at Casa de Amour Hotel as a guest at her client’s exotic location wedding. Both characters are in search of a slice of paradise, away from their own troubled love life back home in London. Once their paths cross the romance and sizzle begins.

When all hell breaks out at Casa de Amour Hotel, and conflict builds over their past both characters are faced with a decision to take a risk and see out their romance, or walk away forever asking themselves what could have been. Romance, thrills and excitement await in book one of this modern romance series set in paradise in the Caribbean.

Lover’s Retreat: ( Not released until June).

Lover’s Retreat is book #2 of the Romance Set in Paradise Series of modern,steamy, suspenseful and romantic stories, set in exotic locations around the world. For thirty seven year old recluse Yasmin O’Neil, life feels like one crisis after another. Her husband left her five years ago, she starts to suspect she’s losing her hearing and then her mother is diagnosed with Cancer. When her mother passes away her fortune changes, Yasmin is fifty thousand pounds richer from her mother’s estate. She takes her fate into her own hands after years of  being a recluse, she rediscovers herself at a spiritual self development retreat in Sri Lanka south Asia, before she plans to spend the next six months travelling around the world.  In Sri Lanka, Yasmin’s path crosses with Michael Thomas, an army soldier on his own path of self discovery.  With their luke warm initial encounter the pair don’t hit it off straight away. After some push and pull the two are finally on the same page. Their encounter turns from luke warm to sizzling hot.

In Lover’s Retreat two very different characters originally on different paths, embrace the need for change and companionship. Set in the back drop of paradise, palm trees and untouched nature of Sri Lanka, these two lonely souls gain more than just self discovery they gain a soul mate.

Not Just For Christmas:

In Not Just For Christmas readers are taken on a romantic journey set in London, during the festive season following two characters originally opposed to each other fall in love. There’s enough warmth and sensuality to keep readers warm at any time of year.

As Christmas draws near thirty five year old social worker Ava Green, finds herself desperate to not be alone at her favourite time of year. Following the break up of her engagement earlier in the year, Ava has spent ten months on a mission to get over her ex. With the support of her two of her closest girlfriends Tasha and Marie, Ava makes a bold move that surprises her girlfriends in order to find a companion for the festive season. Ava’s path crosses with tall dark and handsome Detective Jerome Samuels, a divorcee in search of love. Once their paths cross after a few bumps along the way there’s no turning back, these two characters are caught up in a whirlwind of sensual and heartwarming romance, that Detective Jerome Samuels hopes is not just for Christmas, he’s on a mission to claim his lady Ava.

A Stranger in France

In A Stranger in France readers are taken on a fast paced, modern day romantic journey, that spans across the city of London, the glitz and glam of France, and the beautiful English coast. There’s enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages.

Career driven and successful thirty two year old Kate Brown travels to southern France to visit her best friend Tanya Adams, for a well deserved short break, and to forget her worries in London. Her path crosses with tall, dark, devilishly handsome and wealthy Nicholas D’Coix. As a young man, Nicholas turned himself around and built an empire of wealth, he’s now one of Paris’ top three entrepreneurs. In a whirlwind of steamy romance Nicholas and Kate fall in love.

Kate returns to London leaving Nicholas behind and the two are still very much in love. Kate faces a few surprises of her own on her return to London. She makes a bold life changing move, to make the most of her life changing dilemma. Touching on real life issues these two strong characters battle it out, against all the odds in the name of love for a beautiful happy ever after.

And The Winner Is….. #amwriting #kdsuspense #authorchallenge #amreading

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Evening all, Have you had a good weekend so far? I hope so. Just a short note to announce week #2’s winning writing prompt. You voted for ” every time I hear that voice from my basement.” Thank you for your votes, all of you.

The writing has started and  on Tuesday  Didi and I will reveal all  and tell you a tale. How will author A respond  to this prompt? And what will she craft for author B to finish up??… ahh the suspense, see ya Tuesday!

Have a fantastic start to your week tomorrow.

#kdsuspense 

Last week’s story is here.

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This interactive writing challenge is simple and insanely creative. It’s a group effort and we’re so glad to have you join in the writing fun!!  I hope you’re ready to challenge Didi and I by choosing which prompts we can transform into stellar suspense!  Give us your best shot!  You vote on our weekly prompt, and we provide the entertainment. One of us will start the story and the other will pick up where she randomly left off. It’s that simple! The super easy steps are as follows:

STEP ONE: Every Wednesday we’ll post a voting poll with a few prompts to choose from.
STEP TWO: With the click of a button, you cast your vote on a prompt. (voting will stay open for three days.)
STEP THREE: READ AND ENJOY! Every week on the following Tuesday we will post the short story that transformed from the very winning prompt you chose!

 

Book Review: Early Dessert By Ava Sterling 5* #erotica #comingsoon

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ava

 

Ava Sterling featured on this month’s Meet The Author,  you can read back over her interview. I’ve just dipped into another one of her stories. This one is one  not to fall asleep on, it’s coming soon. I really enjoyed it. While I’d never be brave enough to do what these characters do, as a reader that’s half the fun you can  walk in their shoes. Ava’s stories are quick reads -short and sweet, you can dip in and dip  out. Get your hit of romance mixed with erotica and giggles then leave very satisfied lols … no pun intended.

The Plot:

Early Dessert features a modern couple Ryan and Kelly, they met and experienced that insta-love then got married. They are your normal everyday couple, but deep down they both have an urge to try to spice up their already fantastic sex life. *spoiler alert* I won’t say how they go about this, but they do spice it up.

Randomly one evening they go over to an old friend’s place for dinner, enter Mr. Tall Dark and handsome Noah and his wife Lilly. I like Noah, I smiled as he was introduced I’m a sucker for a handsome man in a sharp suit, that’s the picture the author paints of this character. Lilly his wife is equally as beautiful. So like I was saying, the couples meet have a fantastic time at dinner… then have an even more fantastic time after… randomly. *spoiler alert* won’t say how this happens. Who does what or who does who and how they do it but it’s a good read.

I’m giving Early Dessert five wonderful stars as it offers ( for me personally) what I would expect and like in a short erotica story.  An enjoyable story line. Modern characters that are obviously in love not just sex crazed people, a man to swoon over Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome – Noah. Well written sensual scenes that are not over the top dirty or too ‘sexed up’ there’s no reality to it. Women who clearly know what they want. And of course some naughtiness. The author recognised and highlighted the need for safe sex in her writing, which for me put a little reality into the story, considering how these two couples meet and enjoy themselves. I’d never be this brave but it was a good reading experience.

Character likeability/engagement: excellent 5 stars

Heat level: high  5 stars

Naughtiness: umm humm 5 stars here.

Head over to Ava’s author page see what’s on offer while we wait out the release date for Early Dessert. Give her a follow if erotica is your thing, she’s really good.

Ava’s Books:

https://avasterlingauthor.wordpress.com/my-books-grid-view/

About Ava

https://avasterlingauthor.wordpress.com/about/

 

Meet The Author: Thank you All! & More Authors Needed… #author #amwriting

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Well guys I have just interviewed three brilliant authors today, and the line up is so diverse!  The feature has become popular ,I’m doing two authors per month as a feature. The next spot open is from August onward, so if you’re  an author and you have a new summer release, or you fancy a spot light (even if you don’t have a new release for the summer) come and strut your stuff….do get in touch.  Everyone is welcome, but male authors  are encouraged  to participate and authors who hail from ALL genres, you wait until July there’s a lot of diversity there.

I’m loving meeting you all, and reading the author review copies  of your books I get. I promise I’ll read them and review them.

You can read some previous author interviews here.

 

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