Author Archives: Author, Kim Knight

Writing Prompt: Mid-Season Replacement, Are You Ready For Change? #amwriting

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Writing prompt: For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

Personally, I’m a warm hot-blooded woman! I love the sun and everything that comes with it the  beach, parks, ice cream, cute sundresses, sunglasses, sandals, pedicures and bold colour nail varnish. Without a doubt summer has to be my favourite season, followed by spring.

That said, there are a number of things I love about fall – or autumn as we call it here in the UK. Autumn is well and truly on us here in the UK, the rain, chilly wind and darker evenings are all the signs you need as a Londoner,  to know it’s time to pack away the flip flops for another year.

I’m always keen to drag out the summer months for as long as possible, but when I thought about this writing prompt when I saw it, there are a number of things I love about the change of season to autumn.

  1. An excuse to read! Oh yes, with the cold windy weather it is a great reason to stay in and cuddle up with a great book.
  2. I’m more productive as a writer in the colder months- I don’t want to go out in the wind and rain, I’d rather be behind my lap top than out in the bad weather.
  3. The fashion: There is something about autumn fashion that really gets me going, the colours of autumn are really cool.  Nice stylish winter coats and hats.Not black or grey I mean browns, golds, dark greens. I love boots, and autumn is the time when all the nice ones are in the shops. Be it ankle  or knee height I don’t mind, I just love a new pair of boots. 
  4. I love to wear scarfs – nice chunky ones with bold prints. No better time than in the autumn.
  5. The change in colour and look when it comes to make-up and nail polish. You just have to take a glance on You – Tube, as soon as 1st September comes, to see all the make-up artists show-casing their “fall make-up” as soon as August is up. Reds, berry colours, browns I love all the deep  colours when it comes to lipsticks which are perfect for this time of year. Nail colour trends turn dark and vampy out goes the pinks and pale shades in come the reds, burgundy, navy and purple shades. I love it all. 
  6. Christmas- oh yes my favourite time of year. I love Christmas not for the gifts or money spent, purely for what it represents ( to me) family time. The one time of year you get to sit down and catch up with your loved ones and friends over a great meal. All year you’ve been busy, at Christmas everything slows down and the focus ( in my house) is on family time. I really, really enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen too this time of year.
  7. Meal times- in autumn are all about soups,stews, roast dinners and nice wholesome foods, which I enjoy cooking and eating.
  8. Reflection time- often this time of year I start to look towards the new year, (yeah like two months early.) I’m already thinking about what I’d hope for, for the new year, what I want more  or less of in the new year to come. This time of year I’m very out  with the old and in with the new.
  9. The start of a new academic year: as a teacher this is the chance to really make an impact on each student’s life, by preparing them for what’s ahead. Be it an exam, coursework or the next stage of study.
  10. My son’s birthday: yep! My baby boy is a winter baby just like me when it comes to his birthday. This time of year I get to celebrate another year spent with the best toddler in the world. I always look back and see how much he’s developed I can’t believe he’s going to be three.

So I guess for me, the change of season brings around a lot of positives, especially as I’m more productive as a writer.Even if I’m not a fan of the weather, without it ( the shift from sunshine to wind and rain) I would not enjoy my usual piqued interest in fashion, be  more creativity while cooking, or start  preparation and planning for the new year. 

So yes, while I’m wishing for one more week of sunglasses and a sundress, at the same time autumn, for me personally brings around a lot of personal growth as I look towards the future. It just occurred to me while writing this, my spring time eg new-begging is not in March/April time when spring actually starts  but in autumn September/October!

How do you feel about the change in season? Does it represent anything for you? What’s your favourite season and why?

 

Fall Into Romance: Blog Hop (14th-21st October) #amreading #romance #bloghop

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Hi guys!

Welcome those who have  stopped by my blog  as part of the blog hop, for Fall Into Romance. Come in, hang up your jacket, grab yourself a drink and mingle on the blog- happy to have you here.

Last month I mentioned I’d be taking part in this blog hop, never done one -first time for everything, so why not do one within my favourite genre. Here is a bit about it:

Fall Into Romance Hop (Oct 14-21)

Event Theme/Blurb

Fall Into Romance! Share the romances that had you falling in love with the genre!Or the ones that keep you smitten! Stop by each blog for new recommendations and giveaways!

 Kim’s Featured Book : Deadly Embrace- Jackie Collins

So what romance books have I fallen in love with? Well I’m going to go way back to the first ever romantic -suspense book I read, this book introduced me to the genre as a reader. I fell in love with the book and genre from this one book, years later I’m now an author within the genre myself- pretty cool!

 I was in my late teens, barely into my twenties when I discovered Jackie Collins. Man, I remember the feeling I had while reading her book Deadly Embrace woooooooo !  Jackie is famous for giving her readers sex, drugs and rock ‘n’roll, even after her passing she is still a notorious author. But I promise you that’s not why I fell in love with it. Far from it, ok maybe  it was part of it 🙂 but the main reason is the way Jackie wrote the book, the cliff hangers, suspense and the story flips between time frames and generations to weave a great thrill of a story with an OMG ending. All this and some romance to boot. Fabulous!

Deadly embrace, is part of a series, and reading this book does not require that you’ve read the first one.  When I read Deadly Embrace I had not, I started right here. You’ll get into it and pick up the story, a sign of a great writer, writing a series that readers can jump into at any point. After Deadly Embrace, I read many of her books. I proudly display them on my book case at home. From that moment on, I was and still am Jackie’s biggest fan. 5 /5 stars for Deadly Embrace. This is one  for those who like strong characters, a fast story and lots of sexy, but classy romance give this a try.  All hail one of  the queens of romantic -suspense, the late GREAT Jackie Collins.

 

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The second book I’d like to say I fell in love with, is my own! I had so much fun writing, researching and creating this romantic suspense story.So far I have five star reviews on Amazon. I’d love to share it with all those passing by on the blog hop. Since it’s fall (or autumn as we say here in the UK), and it was released in fall go ahead and fall in love with A Stranger in France…

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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 thirty- two-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 life changing 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.

Buy now links

 A bargain at under £3.00 for UK readers and  under $3.00 for international readers

Amazon.com

More hops to go and have a look at on this blog hop below link just click.

 Main event link: http://theherdpresents.blogspot.com/2016/10/fall-into-romance-blog-hop.html

Book Trailer Reveal: 20 #Authors, 20 Badass Stories in 1 Book-“Code Redhead”,Released Feb 2017 #amwriting, #amreading

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Are you ready? If not y’all better get ready! Then tell someone else, they  better get ready too! Spread the word don’t keep this a secret, and feel free to share this. I’m so excited over this creative writing project my publisher is taking part in. I’m extremely proud to have been asked to take part as an author. We’re writing to raise money for Children’s Cancer Research over in the USA, our stories will feature in one novel. Stories across more genres than you can shake a stick at..

Courtesy of one of the authors taking part she put this together, I’m please to reveal  our book trailer for Code Redhead released in February. If you’re not sure what all the excitement is about, click here and find out.

Writing Prompt: Write A Short Story Using The Title/Lyrics Of A Song. #Soul #Sunday #amwriting #music

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Careful

 Writing prompt: write a short story using the title/lyrics of a song.

These songs just came on my ” Sweet Soulful Sunday” Spotify player randomly. Here’s a short( love) story using the lyrics from the two songs.. here we go!

I keep forgetting we’re not in love any more, I keep forgetting things will never be the same again. It all started a year ago, we fell out of love. Slowly, like a cancer eating away at an organ. It started in one area of our relationship , then spread and took over every other aspect. Before  I knew it you were  asking me to leave. To give you space to think and reflect on exactly what it is that you want.

What happened to us? What happened to the days when I thought  we were happy? Sometimes I sit down and wonder why? Why are you gone? I thought our love was real and true.   

It was spring  when we met, like a breath of fresh area  we got caught up in the whirlwind of dates, laughing, joking and getting to know this wonderful new person.  But now you’re gone, and I no longer lay down at night with you. I see you in  the street, at the library, at the cafe and every time you’re near, every time I see your face, and  hear you say “hello you can only stay awhile”  it makes me want to break down, and  cry. How comes I keep forgetting we’re not in love anymore? How comes I keep forgetting things will never be the same again? 

Every time I hear how you never want to live a lie, I wonder why? Was you ever happy or  just her for the sake of it. The love went, then the  intimacy . What is the lie, what is it that you can’t stand anymore. Are you hiding something from me?

Here’s a response from the other person in the relationship!

I’m sorry I told you to go, but it was the best thing for me as I needed to grow. Every morning I wake up, before I put on my make-up I say a little prayer for you..  wishing that you will be OK, and you will find someone new  who can love you and be true. While I’m combing my hair, and wondering what dress to wear everyday, I say a little prayer for you. That God can send you someone new and true.

We were together for a year and I swear that forever and ever you’ll stay in my heart, I will always love you. But I don’t think I am the one for you.

Break ups are hard, especially when you can’t understand why a relationship  fell apart, to live with out you will mean heart break for me.  When I was with you trust me darling there was no one for me but you, yes I’m still in love you .But I must do what’s best for me. I wish you well but now I must say fair well.

Aww! How sad it’s never nice when things fall about in relationships, but sadly they do. Be careful who you give you’re heart to. 

Happy soulful Sunday people!

Author Interview- Serious Reading.com #romancereaders #newrelease #amreading

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Evening guys,

Last week I did an author interview over at seriousreading.com, as well as a guest blog. I enjoyed the interview you can read it by clicking right here.

Next week I hope to have a guest blog on my site, from the editor of the wonderful magazine I write for Love Life, Live Magazine. I’ll keep you posted.

 

Character Development- Guest Blog

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Are you a writer? Or an aspiring writer? How do you find character development as a task while writing? Sometimes it can be quite a task to bring your characters alive on paper. For me as a reader I always love it when writers really develop their  characters  so well,  I can get a good sense of what a character is like  as a person. Or I have enough detail in the story to work with, to decide whether I like a character or not. 

I personally find that writing from a first person point of view ( which I love to do) also helps with character development, as you get right up and close to a character as the writer and reader. 

I done a guest blog on the topic of character development over at Serious Reading.  Here I share my top tips on developing  your characters  in your writing, you can have a read of the blog post by clicking here.

Writing Prompt: Tree- A Poem #amwriting

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Tree

 

Write a response to today’s WordPress one word writing prompt the word “tree”.

Through rain, wind, snow and heat you remain rooted and firm.Sometimes I wish I was that firm. In life I’ve had many lessons to learn, that’s how I’ve become firm.

Regardless of what’s going on you’ll always be there, just five minutes away, in the playground where all the local kids go to play. Whenever I need shelter, comfort or a place to escape, tree, you’re  always there for me.

Each season that passes I visit you often. Sometimes weekly I’ll head out,  and seek thee -my beautiful tree. For some time to reflect, digest and de-stress , it’s the best place, as  while I sit under you somehow

Everything seems brand new,  I see the world from a complete different view. My beautiful thinking tree, I’m happy for the day I sat down on the grass and found you.

 

It’s been a bit of a stressful day today! I can’t actually write – not what I’ve sat down to work on about two hours ago, so I’ve done a writing prompt poem instead.  

Writing Prompt: Value- One For The Ladies

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Value

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is the word value, and I noticed it’s been suggested by one of my favourite bloggers Roberta Primentel all the way in Norway.

 Do you value yourself? Seriously do you? Don’t just say  “yeah I do” think about it- when was the last time you put yourself first? When I saw today’s prompt, what came to mind is one’s self, how much value we place on us.  Secondly, I thought of myself and how much I (now) value myself, compared to this time last year. As a romance writer it is so easy to whip up the perfect characters and everything is nice and everyone is happy, (after a few hurdles), but in reality love and life is not always like this. I’ve found in my thirty-three years of living, that the slightest thing can cause you to de-value yourself or compromise yourself. Sometimes with no thanks, or without even realising it.

You all know how much I love music, Amy Winehouse just came on my Spotifier player I thought of her, the poor girl. She was just a year younger than me  and sooooooo talented I went to one of her concerts here in London – when she was at the top of her game. And I brought the album Back to Black the day it came out, as well as her first album Frank. I have a lot of respect for her as an artist dead or alive, especially after I heard her sing live. But she died not because she was addicted to drugs and drink, what brought her to that point? In my view low self value. She valued another person more than herself ( her lover), it got so much for her the heart ache of placing this guy above herself she turned to drink and drugs to numb the pain.  I have read interviews over the years where her ex-husband has stated that he does feel guilty, and partly to blame for her death. So sad. She never got the chance to bounce back from Back to Black and come out the other side valuing herself more than some guy who clearly did not deserve her heart. Have you listened to that album? I mean really listened, not just to Rehab and Valarie the well known songs. Every every song has some reference to her heart ache. One thing I’ve always said about Amy is, out of her heart ache, came a masterpiece of art, her words, her feelings and her great voice earned her award after award all that from a broken heart and low self value.

Tell me ladies, is it really worth it? Not valuing yourself enough ? Letting yourself go so badly that you go from one extreme to another in your looks, ability to perform and be who you are?

RIP Amy.

The Amy I’ll always love

 

Last Friday, I read the morning’s papers and there was an interview with Britney Spears, how she’s fearful that her boys were growing up so fast, how she feels more herself in her thirties than her twenties. I can relate to the latter 100%. Britney is another woman who lost herself by placing less value on herself and more on someone else. We all remember watching her decline from a pop princess to a shaved headed maniac, hitting the paps with an umbrella… why? Why did this happen? We’ll never know but my guess is that a lot of it was to do with pressure of motherhood, then single motherhood , divorcing her shit-bag husband, a  breakup with Justin Timberlake all kinds of bull shit, I guess she was trying to please everyone but Britney, and it ended up with her melting down. Thank God she bounced back. Over the years, I’ve been secretly rooting for her comeback,  when I heard her her comeback song ” Gimmie More”  in 2007 the opening is   ” it’s Britney bitch” then she sings, I laughed and I still do when I hear it as it’s like two fingers up to all her haters. Good for you Britney! You’ve had so much stick over the years, I’m glad you’re back on top and doing what you do best.

 

The Britney I’ll always love

 

That’s not all what about Whitney Houston? Gosh that voice, the hair in the 80s, I love Whitney but she too lost her self worth and value  to yep- another person. Bobby Brown. We all know her story and it is so sad that she died, and even sadder how she died. Just another example of what can happen when a woman loses her self value and worth.

 

RIP Whitney

 

 

And my last female example is Lauren Hill, I am a MASSIVE  fan of her, it was her and the group The Fugees that introduced me to Hip Hop. My older sister brought me the album     “The Score” by the Fugees on tape I remember LOL, and she also brought me Lauren Hill’s album ” The Mis-education of Lauren Hill” back in the day. Lauren’s story is not so much highlighted as the other ladies in the media, but she too lost her self worth and value to another person. She also considered aborting her son due to media/industry pressure. Now she’s back  and is now on the up from watching You- Tube updates on her. Good for you Lauren!

 

Glad to have you back Lauren

So what is the point that I’m actually trying to make… a very simple one. Ladies value yourself . Choose your male mate wisely Aretha Franklin said it “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. ME! ” Remember you are like a flower you need to be watered and tended to regularly in order for you to bloom. If not you will wilt away and die- your personality, goals, hopes, dreams, ambition and self belief that you can do whatever it is you’d like to achieve. You will not value yourself as you should and may make poor decisions.

The four ladies I’ve used as examples of women who have lowered/compromised or lost their self value are extreme I know, as two of the four died, but two of the four have bounced back and   that’s the message I want to give.  Bounce back! As I said earlier in this post, this time last year, I would not say I had no self value, but it was lowered, compromised and  I was pleasing everyone but Kim. I put a stop to it, for the sake of my own sanity so I’m able to continue to  be the best mother I can be,  write, laugh, be me and over see the safety of both myself and my son.  Now life is much more better!

 The last thing I want o say is, this month is Domestic Violence Awareness month, I was alerted of this yesterday…. so  if you are in any form of abusive relationship or friendship, get the help you need NOW and get out. And if you are in an emotionally abusive relationship (this is just as bad) get the help you need NOW and try to walk away. The year is ending start 2017 with a new attitude… love you before anyone else.

Thank you to Roberta Primentel for today’s suggestion, and inspiring me to write.

 

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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Emotional abuse is also form of abuse many women and men suffer from, it can go unnoticed also. Say no to any form of abuse physical, emotional or even financial! No to abuse full stop.

U.G.L.Y Forever's avatarU.G.L.Y Forever

Today marks the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I will forever stand for this cause. There are so many women and men filled with embarrassment and continue to make excuses for the people who inflict this type of pain upon them. Some people are blind to that fact that they have even become a victim of domestic violence because it is the only type of treatment that they have ever received or witnessed growing up. I wanted to share a song that was almost written poetically that explains how this can feel.

Brooke Valentine – Laugh Til I Cry

Right from the start hell yeah
You were the one even without a kiss you were so much fun
Hurting me all the time but yet it felt so good
Knock me down but my love still stood

You didn’t wanna hurt me but you still did
Couldn’t see behind my back you…

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