Thank you for all your entries last weekend guys. The two names drawn out at random to win are:
Ally Swanson
James Robert
You’ll receive an email with confirmation soon, happy shopping!
Monthly Archives: August 2017
Book Review: Pills By Jack Binding 5+ stars Wow!!! @jack_binding
Jesus. Just read it end of review!! This book right here is an experience to read. My only advice is, those who are offended easily, not partial to the odd swear word, a bit of sex, drugs and the like don’t disappoint yourself by picking up this book. Those who are open minded, get British humour and fans of yes STEPHEN KING this book is for you. I’m wasting no time, let’s get into this review.
Plot:
Well, this is an anthology of eighteen short stories. Some characters crop up more than once, and in that way some stories link. The first story is linked to the last story, and in the middle there are some links and random stories too.
My Review
Pills is a very clever anthology, with very clever writing. The way it links and at the same time has some disconnections within the stories is outstanding. Don’t let this put you off, as there is no way you will get lost or think huh?
The author has a certain writing style, one that personally I love as a writer myself, and a reader. He uses first person POV quite a bit, so in that way you are in the shoes of the main characters. The stories are quite raw, gritty, shows how some Londoners think and feel, which I could relate to and very well written. The characters… humpf! Badass 🙂 that’s all I’m saying. There is not a character I did not dig in this book, but the characters are just like the stories gritty, raw but likeable or damn right scary!!
Here are my favourites of the eighteen stories
Property: A great start to the collection, the end will shock you. Loved it. To me this story kind of highlighted the downfall of the rat race of London.
Dot Matrix: This story just needs to be a full blown book I can see it, or even short novella on its own. A gripping story. I hung onto every word. It has a good thriller feel.
Happy Endings: Ah… not so much a happy ending, but a great story very entertaining from a woman’s perspective. I won’t say why read it.
Bit: I had no idea where this was going to go, it’s a gorgy/ horror one, I really enjoyed the shock ending. This is one that could also be continued.
Twenty Seven: When I read this story I wondered if the author had read a lot of conspiracy theories? It reminded me of some I had read and got engrossed in. A great story. What happens when you make a deal with the Devil himself?
Sleeping Pills: A rather emotionally shocking story. A good one to read, sad ending.
Perfect Anastasia: You know deep down I saw this as a love story with some unfortunate things thrown in. We also meet Mags for the first time, Mags is badass!
Sexting: Clue is in the name… great story! Shock ending.
Dog In A Suitcase: Wowzers, no further comment.
Cremation: good serial killer story with a very creative twist. I wanted to know more about the lady at the end.
FMM: Wowzers the characters entertained and made me laugh a lot. I could relate the the setting of this story, the fashion world. Really liked it.
Rocking Chair: Super creepy, it made me think next time I hear a floor board creek I’ll wonder if it’s one of these characters. Freaked me out.
Standing Ovation: Mags crops up. The ending of the anthology has the same bang the start did what a way to finish up!
I’m giving Pills 5 + stars for a number of reasons, it’s well written and the flow works with these short stories. Each one has some kind of twist or shock ending, I didn’t read one that didn’t leave an impression on me. Be it scary, creepy, laughing, shock or a mixture of all these emotions. Believe it or not, some of these stories feature an element of love … gone wrong for whatever creepy reason. As a romance lover and reader it resonated with me. That said these are NOT romance stories, God no far from it. But some feature relationships as the base of the story.
Overall, Pills was a damn good reading experience, I would recommended it to lovers or fans of Stephen King. And no the author has not tried to imitate at all, you can tell he is himself and very British. It’s the vibe of his stories that would sit well with King’s fans as well as horror and dark humour fans. I will be reading more of Jack Binding.
This book needs more readers grab a copy! From Amazon
We’re Back, The Votes Are Open…. #kdsuspense #amwriting
Didi is kicking off this week’s voting prompts! The theme is “I’m back” because we’re back. New followers join in the fun:
This is How We Roll:
We never discuss beforehand how a story should go or who writes what. It’s a surprise for each other to see how their story ends, or what lands in their inbox to finish off.
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 us 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 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.) Once the winning prompt is announced you can join us and write a story too. Use #kdsuspense to link in.
STEP THREE: READ AND ENJOY! Every week on the following Tuesday we will post the short story that transformed from the very winning prompt.
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 with British English spelling, and one of us in American English spelling. We are well aware, and ready for some trickery. Trust me, we are brilliant at adapting styles.)
We just released an anthology of our first set of these stories and the feedback we’ve been getting is AWESOME! So thank you everyone who has read it I’m glad you’ve enjoyed.
Vote Here! Below or on Twitter
Writing Prompt: Why Did You Start Your Blog? #amwriting #bloggers
Under today’s date in my prompt book this popped up as a prompt. It’s a good question as my blog has kind of moved in a new direction. When I originally started over a year ago, I saw it as a way to share my work which I still do. Now also I’ve started to promote and feature other authors and writers. Which I actually really enjoy. Meet The Author has become really popular, I’m beating off writers with one of my romance paperbacks! The response rate is great. I now have no choice but to feature two to three per month this is great. I like also connecting readers with new books.
Before I started writing I ran a book club for almost five years. Back then I read about two books a month, met up with like minded book lovers, had lunch, chilled and talked about books we read for the club that month. I really miss it, so now I do read and reviews via an actual book promotion company I signed up with this month. I used them to promote some of my newly released work, I had such a positive experience I decided to become a host for them. My blog is now a stop for other authors on tour and as a reviewer. I’ll also read and review my Meet The Author featured author’s work too. I love reading and miss the discussion and sharing thoughts.
I also now share tips and tricks I’ve learned as a writer. This started as a fluke, other writers reached out to me for advice, so I thought if I can help I will.
My blog one year on I see as a personal space, for you to get to know me. For me to get to know you via talking and comments, to show case my latest work and promote others. One year on this is why I blog, it’s clearer to me. Not just to promote my own work. Making friends and helping others is a big part of it too, as well as engaging with as many readers as I can. And do giveaways! I love a giveaway 🙂
Why do you blog? Has your blog gone in a new direction?
Kim’s Top Tip: Editing Vs Proof Reading, So What’s The Difference? #writerslife #writingtips #amwriting
Good question! Okay so as part of the writing tips I want to share here and there, this one came to me last month after writing, editing and proof reading two books to release. I’m not an expert, I don’t claim to be one, I would never swap my role as a writer for an editor. This is my take and advice on what I’ve learned. Let’s get into it!
To me editing comes before proof reading. This is the natural progression I follow when I write. Write, edit, edit, edit, proof read, then proof read!
What is Editing?
To me once I’ve wrote the last word, in the last chapter, on the last page, in the last paragraph I’m ready to edit. I don’t edit as I write. Why? Personally… I’ll never get any writing done. I’m a hardcore editor of my own work before I put it in front of my actual editor. If I spend to much time on this I’ll never create, so I don’t do it until I’m done writing.
Personally what I do is read through my work checking for these things in general:
- Consistency in names, places, dates, times.
- Plot holes.
- Tense, spelling, use of English etc.
- That I am happy with the storytelling, build, heat, crime scene, suspense, all that jazz. It’s as I want it to be told.
- Check facts. I often use real places and events when writing.
- Character development, I like to make them pop as best I can and not be flat.
My aim: to ensure it’s accurate factually, consistent. (Hopefully) no one will read it and go huh?.. What Kim?
What is Proof Reading?
In my view once I’ve got my work cleaned up, and my characters stand out, it’s then time to proof read it. My focus is not on the nitty gritty above, as all this is as best as I can get it. It’s now time to read through my work and check the flow of the story also see if I can spot a missed full stop, capital letter the minor details that make me shriek in a high pitched voice, what’s that b*tch typo doing there?? 🙂 . I’ll proof read maybe a day or two after I’ve done the edit(s). Then hand to my editor to look over. She then works her red pen magic, and hands me back my work with her personal edit and proof read. I also send a rough copy to my Beta Readers at the same time, they come back with comments…. the whole process of correction (edit) proof read starts again based on what I get back!
Aim: Personally, proof reading for me is to pick up the minor things and polish up, check the flow.
So what’s the difference Kim? You’re doing the same thing.
Yes and smarty pants! To me the edit is more focused and I really cut up my work, chop scenes, add scenes, develop characters and plot. I don’t do that in a proof read, as this is already done. The proof read is to check what I’ve done in edit makes sense to me, and hopefully you… and there is logic, it’s readable.
Do You Really Need To Do Both? Can’t The Editor Do it?
Like I said when I posted a tip on how to find an editor and who should editor your work, you can read it here, editors don’t write the best sellers, page turners or five star rated books writers do. Personally, as a writer I feel it’s my work, don’t be lazy. My advice and personal view is don’t fall back on only your editor, or Beta Readers to write that page turning five star book, you do the work. Wanna write? Good …Writing = editing= proof reading= your A-game = happy readers hopefully= some five star reviews hopefully. You do the math, still not convinced you should do a bit of DIY, and not leave it all in the hands of an editor? Great glad you agree 🙂 .
I’ll see you soon with another tip! Happy writing.
100 Words Wednesday Short Story: The Cocktail Bar #100wordswednesday #100WW
It’s Wednesday and another challenge from Bikurgurl. What 100 words (or so) can you give this image? It’s great that every Wednesday her post is live on my feed as soon as I wake up. I set up my son with his breakfast, make a coffee and mull over the picture. This week’s photo of cocktails spoke to me, it prompted a short story/ flash fiction. I’m a little over 100 but… I write novels don’t shoot me!
8:00 p.m Friday Night, The Cocktail Bar,
I glance around the bar looking for my date. Hell, not that I know who I’m looking for this is a blind date. Lucy bless her she set me up with some guy from her office, she thinks is “perfect for me.” I couldn’t pass up a night of free cocktails, I thought what the hell you only live once.
The air is thick with cigar smoke and the lights are low, all eyes focus on centre stage as a Jazz band entertains the crowd. I spot him over by the bar nursing a drink. That has to be him right? I make my way over closing the gap between us, as I snake my way through the tables. What do I say? My heat pounds, what if it’s not him?
“Hi I’m Julie.”
“Hey, I’m Brian.”
He offers me his hand as he glances me over from head to toe. Is it him? He snaps his fingers at the bar tender.
“Put another one in there for me.” He demands.
As the bar tender makes quick work of his drink and slides a fresh tumbler across the bar, I drink him in. He’s handsome and well dressed, but is it him? He’d know me by name surly.
“So you been here before Julie?”
“No never, I’m… I’m… here meeting a friend you could say.”
“Ah a date?” He sniggers then takes a healthy sip of his scotch to hide his amusement. He snaps his fingers again at the bar tender. Clearly Brian is used to being the authority.
“One for the lady too, what’s your poison Julie?”
I raise an eyebrow in his direction. “Cosmopolitan.”
***
After two hours of conversation against the back drop of smooth jazz, and four Cosmopolitans thrown back, I’m tipsy and dateless. Old whats-his-name did a no-show. His loss… As Brian and I stumble into the back of a black cab from London Bridge to his place, the Cosmopolitans start talking to me. “You only live once! That’s why you went on this date.” Cocktails were always my weak spot, as well as a man in a sharp suit smelling good.
Anyone Who Dates a Romance Writer…
Love it! Made me smile.
Just Sayin’….
I’m so proud of the work I did with Didi, I had to copy and paste this review in full… cos I’m proud just sayin’ 🙂
Thank you!!
The Suspenseful Collection: Volume One
by Kim Knight (Goodreads Author), Didi Oviatt (Goodreads Author)
I didn’t think a collection of short stories could flow so naturally between two authors, but Didi Oviatt and Kim Knight did just that.
I rated each short story on how much I would like for it to be written as a complete novel. Here’s my tally below that rounded to 4.25/5:
1. It Was The First Time I Killed A Man = 5 Stars (Think this may need more stars)
2. When He Ran His Hands Up My Thighs I… = 3.5 (I couldn’t get with the lovey dovey romance)
3. The Entrance To The Tunnel Is His Only Way Out = 4 (Ending was very unfortunate, but I had to laugh at what happened)
4. Every Time I Hear That Voice From My Basement = 4.5 (I need to know the ending’s outcome)
5. Femme Fatale = 5 (Badass Russian woman as MC; no further comment)
6. The Ones Who Live At The Bottom Of The Ocean, Come To The Surface = 5 (Just needs to continue)
6. Guilty As Charged, In Self-Defence. = 5+ (Let’s just say 7; that story was amazing)
7. It’s A Man’s Man’s World = 5 (Very emotional, easy to tear up even in that short of time)
Book Review – The Suspenseful Collection: Volume One By Didi Oviatt and Kim Knight
Thank you for a wonderful review. Glad you liked Guilty As Charged, I loved writing that story!
Ever wondered what would happen if two authors came together to write stories together? One author finishes and the other ends?
Kim Knight and Didi Oviatt did their thing and created 8 naturally flowing short stories of various genres.
Some should definitely turn into full novels. I’m telling you, a few were really good, even excellent, but a couple didn’t hit me as much as it could’ve.
Let’s get into it!
View original post 582 more words
Author, Kim Knight 