Category Archives: New releases

Success! -Publishing Deal For ‘Sacrifices’ Novel #9 In The Bag!! OMG

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Guys, I’ve done it!! I almost gave up on this historical romantic suspense I penned in April 2019.  I’ve named it ‘Sacrifices’ and I loved writing every word of this. I was thinking  of maybe just  self-publishing this year, and give up on traditional publishing. I had A LOT of rejection, one offer I turned down, and publishers and editors wanting me to ‘change this and that’…. I kinda said ‘no’.  I made a promise I’d submit my work out for a full year, until April 2020 before I give up. That said, I was at a stage where I was not about to hold out until this April. But, in less than a year, I’ve secured book deal today, from a publisher I think I’ll work with and possibly submit the crime thriller I’m writing to them also, if they are interested. ( I hope).

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I want to say to any writer who aspires to be traditionally published, do not take ‘no’ for an answer. Keep going, the door will and can open, I promise.

The start of 2020 has been so busy with writing, I feel like I’ve used my blog as a dumping ground for promo only! And not really engaged, you have to forgive me. I have Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair released next week, and Blinded by Love a short story anthology I took part in released on the 28th February. Also, Didi and I are working on The Suspenseful Collection Volume #2 Blurred Lines , to release in April. So as you can see I’ve had little time to blog. On top of this family life too, to juggle! This is just a quick blog to share the news, and say I will be back to blogging, doing the daily writing prompt challenges, interviewing other authors and all the fun stuff I usually like to do to engage with you. I hope you’re all well, and the start of 2020 is treating you well?

I’m okay, doing great and counting down the days until I turn thirty-seven on the 14 ( yikes!) where have the years gone!??

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!!

Much Love!

xoxo

Out Now On Pre-Sale & Kindle Unlimited- Release Date 6th February 2020. #amreading #romance #kindleunlimited

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Would you risk a second chance, 4,000 miles away in paradise?

Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair is book three of the Romance Set In Paradise Series. Of romantic, steamy and suspenseful stand-alone novella length stories, all set in exotic locations around the world. Each one can be read as a stand-alone book.  Out now on pre-order and Kindle Unlimited Amazon Links—-)   http://bit.ly/2Lzdnpt

Chances ebookThirty-one year old Gabby from Barcelona, Spain has a love for the finer things in life including successful men. She finds herself in need of a change of scene. Opportunity knocks when the European company she works for as a successful estate agent, selling properties to elite clientele expand. Giving her the chance to take a one month work sabbatical, in the beautiful vibrant Caribbean island Puerto Rico. She snaps up the chance to leave Europe behind. Here her path crosses with thirty-five year old Puerto Rican born Mateo Sanchez. A former ‘bad boy’ turned entrepreneur. They touch each other on a physical and soul level, the two become connected. Thing is, while the passion, heat and romance builds between the two, the pair’s love affair becomes caught up in a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal from the past.

Mateo and Gabby fight hard for their blossoming relationship, and against the drama that keeps following them. But there are decisions and sacrifices to make if they are really going to make it work. There’s nothing that Mateo won’t do to show his growing admiration for Gabby, even when the police get involved and he’s in the hot seat. His hand is forced he’s pushed to make moves he promised he would never do again, due to past events and to move forward with Gabby. Gabby is faced with the decision over what sacrifices she’ll make, and where she really sees her future. Back in Spain, London or 4,000 miles away in Puerto Rico. Romance, soul mate connection, heat, lies, betrayal and brushes with the law await readers in this exciting multicultural ‘second chance’ romance.

I am so proud and pleased guys! National Novel Writing Month 2019’s baby here. I still can’t believe I completed the challenge. I loved every moment of writing this book, all 63,000 words!  This is so different to Havana Heat and Lover’s Retreat- books #1 and #2 of the series. You can pre-order now and yes, I’ve included this title in Kindle Unlimited so members can read free!

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PRE-ORDER!

RELEASE DATE 6TH FEBRUARY 2020

OMG! The ‘Dark & Twisted’ Author’s Take over- 31 Authors, All Genres on Kindle Unlimited or .99p #amreading #kindleunlimited @didi_oviatt

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Dark and Twisted.jpgAwww wee! This group looks interesting. Join Author Cora Clark’s book club, here are thirty one different authors who have their ‘dark and twisted’ tales, across all genres to share with you. Free on Kindle Unlimited or some .99 cent! Grab them until the 30th December 2019.

CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO ‘HELL’ (LOL)  WHOOPS I MEAN BOOK READING HEAVEN.

Ayeee! It’s The Crime, Thriller, Suspense & Mystery Author’s Take over. Kick-Ass Authors! #amreading #kindleunlimited @didi_oviatt

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Suspense Author's take Over.jpgThat’s right, they’re taking over for sixty days on KU… who-dun-it?, What happens next? The twists, turns and suspense awaits you. Here are eight ( at the time of me posting there may be more added), great authors and books free to read on Kindle Unlimited. If you’re not a KU member, some may even be .99 or free during the promotion time. Take a peek on the link below and discover them.

CLICK HERE TO END YOUR SUSPENSE, DISCOVER A NEW AUTHOR

What Ya Reading?- Try A New Series, Here’s 34 Different Genre Authors! on Kindle Unlimited #amreading #kindle

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ku SERIES.jpgI’m a sucker for a page turning series, I’ve found a few good ones via my own Kindle Unlimited membership. Even if you’re not on KU,  some books are just .99 cent!  But if you are a KU member, then it’s your lucky day. Here are forty seven different books, from a page-turning series every genre is here, there’s something for everyone… take a peek on the link below, try a new author while they are on offer until 29th January 2020.

CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO BOOK HEAVEN

I Can’t Believe I Did it *Face Palm.* Here’s What I Learned Though #amwriting #writerslife #nanowrimo

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Nano Winner!.jpgI’m letting the whole world and it’s mum know, and I don’t actually care if I FB’ed it already!!  I need to blog about this crazy experience. It is probably one of the most thrilling achievements I feel I’ve made as a writer. I have claimed my National Novel Writing Month badge for the first time, in all the years I have tried to crack this shit! I’ve done it. To knock out 50,000 words is a challenge for any writer, but in thirty days…. it’s tough! Don’t get me wrong the most words I’ve ever written is 90,000, but not so hardcore in such a short space of time.

So what changed this year?

If you have read other detailed blogs I’ve done, you’ll know the past that the last few years for me have been a challenge personally, but I made it through. I am out the other side. Even through the challenges, I tried to do #NaNoWriMo very badly! I completed projects and some still half done to this day. This year I worked in a team with some great writers who I would say are girlfriends too, all over the world some as far as the Caribbean. Via FB messenger we spoke everyday, had fun laughed and joked about just girly stuff really. We manged to keep each other motivated. Overall, the group did well we all made some kind of progress.

I completed book three of my Romance Set In Paradise series, “Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair.”  A slightly longer novella, and very different from the other two so far.  I will release it on my 37th birthday the 14th February 2020.  My cover is currently being made, and let’s just say I LOVE IT TO BITS! I can’t wait to share it, and the book’s blurb. I will place this one on Kindle Unlimited too, as I am kinda  liking it, I’ve never used it before as an author only as a reader.

So what did I learn about NaNoWriMo and How To Be Successful?

In all honesty this…

  • Outline your story early, before the 1st of the month so you have all month to just write.

 

  • Write…edit later. As in don’t spend days and days and weeks going over the same chapter, or scene to get it ‘perfect.’ That can be done in December, or the next month. Honestly, just write…write..and yes write, get your idea into chapters and make progress. Do not edit a thing….yet. 1-30th is to write.

 

  • Work with other writers. This is probably the biggest learning curve for me. In the past, I have done the ‘caves’ as NaNoWriMo call them. Where via their website you are allocated into a group, with writers around the world. Historically for me this never really worked, as I would not log on everyday there, and if I did I would miss most of the conversation as it happened. As, it’s not like instant. You jump in where you can, based on your time zone. So you kinda miss the ‘vibe’ , unless you’re in the same time zone and let’s face it we all write at different hours. I found that a FB messenger group worked so well, as it’s instant messages and it’s linked to your phone so really you pick up the group’s shenanigans as they happen. *Giggles*

 

  • Go at your own pace. For me it was helpful to have a set word count to try and hit per day. However, some days I could not even find it in me to switch on my laptop, let alone write. I’m the kinda writer that writes in bursts! (unless I really have a serious deadline). For example looking at my history on my stats, one day I’d knock out 5,000 words one day 87, then a few days later 3,000 words ( LMFAO).  I don’t have a consistent bone in my body it appears, it varies. Go at your pace and if you are a ‘burster’ like me, and write when the hell you like at say 4.00 a.m in your pajamas you write 100 words. Or, all day Saturday and not a thing until the following week, so be it. but just try to keep up. If one day you can’t write then catch up the next time. Don’t let ‘ today’s word count target’ get to you mentally and throw you off, or leave you stressed. Writing a novel or even short story is personal, needs time to get the creativity going. Inspiration calls at the oddest times, I had inspiration for a story in the bath, I had to jump out and grab my notebook before I forgot it, then get back in the bath. Even washing the dishes things come to me,  I just giggle. It’s ‘weird’ like that, so one day you may not have the juice to hit the words, but a few days later  you do. That’s okay to be a little erratic with the process.

 

  • As I said, this whole writing thing is a personal experience, for me  inspiration flows the deeper I get into the plot , if I am not co-writing a story and restricted to how much I can babble on for.   I move from my outline, hence the above 50,000 words for the story.  I would say, don’t be afraid to move in the direction your characters pull you, or talk to you about going in. ( Yes, they talk to me sometimes and kinda push me to write them certain ways). I actually have a surprise red herring murder, that I never planned until the last week of NaNoWriMo- this week, but it developed the story so if you get pulled, that’s great! Just write it and edit out what you want later.

 

  • Some progress is progress. Even if you don’t claim your badge and write the full 50,000 words as the challenge. Don’t let this be the goal, let the goal be ‘to complete a project’. And if that does not happen, hey you started it and December is the month to wrap it up, and get it published in the next year. DON’T AND I MEAN DON’T beat yourself up for ‘non-completion’ , ( I have done this all the time) as with writing just writing ‘Chapter One’ is a start.

 

  • Don’t rush, you’ll only write a really sub-standard story-line, and not be at your best. Make every word count.

 

  • Ladies, save your manicures until after this challenge is over, my nails are a mess! The keyboard has chipped them away nicely! So this weekend, it’s about fixing them up.

 

  • Just stop writing when your tired, ( or your false lashes start to irritate you) which ever applies, or come first! *Giggles*. Overall, don’t push yourself too hard, it won’t be your best. It’s okay to become ‘drained’ and need no step back, no shame.

 

Happy writing in the last two days those that are still in for 2019’s challenge let me know how you’re getting on. Drop a comment!

35+ Female Romance Authors Of Colour-FREE ROMANCE BOOKS #freebooks #romance #blackgirlmagic #amreading

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I am so proud to join forces with more than thirty five female  romance authors of colour around the world, between November 2019 and January 2020 to show case our work to bring some #blackgirlmagic and #browngirlmagic to the world of fiction. Women in general have had it hard historically, and sometimes we still do have to fight hard for our voice to be heard.

In  the literary world the female voice of colour is underrepresented in books, as characters, and also as published authors by the big publishing houses. No one can dispute that. It’s a fact when it comes to finding agents and approaching publishers ninety percent of the time women of colour are pitching characters that reflect what we would would like to read more about, for example crafting leads with darker skin, and females reflecting what we see in the mirror, or  just our experience as people of colour to people who  many find it hard to  really understand or even try to understand a different point of view, as they are from a different background and it’s not ‘normal’ to have a lead hero or heroine with skin darker than their own.  So therefore the agent and publisher loves to feedback that they ‘can’t connect’ with the characters or stories. There is also a serious case of  a lack of  agents of colour to open the doors to diversity for us. Therefore what chance do women of colour stand when our work is rejected left, right and centre because  1. the ‘gatekeepers’ don’t reflect us 2. or wish to try and take a ‘risk’ by understanding something different 3. we are seen as just ‘urban/street lit writers’ like we can’t write different mainstream genres with no drug dealers, gangsters and baby momma drama. 

Many talented and bestselling female authors of colour have spoken out about the unfairness  with getting our voices heard by the bigger publishers. Such as New York Times Bestselling Author Ms. Alyssa Cole.  A  woman of colour herself who has managed to kick down the door to the big five publishers, as a romance and Sci-Fi author and make a real name for herself as a successful author with characters outside of the norm, and has vocalised her experiences loudly. 

Let’s not forget women of colour who are writers don’t just write about characters that reflect us, we can and do  include characters from ALL backgrounds if we want. We can  cross over. So in order to spread the word, love, diversity, and #blackgirlmagic and #browngirlmagic between November 2019 and January 2020  I am heavily  invested in supporting my fellow  female romance authors of colour around the world in this group. I urge you  to test drive a new author, a female author of colour she could be Black, Hispanic,  Latino, of mixed heritage, Indian,  Asian Chinese  or something else magical with free books up for grabs on the below link. You’ll be transported to StoryOrigin and see a wonderful array of books to grab. What are you waiting for? Take a peek…

Authors of Colour

CLICK HERE TO BE MAGICALLY TRANSPORTED TO BOOK HEAVEN AND DOWNLOAD YOUR FREEBIES

NaNoWriMo; Week 1 Progress- I’m Coming Up For Air! #nanowrimo

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NanoWell I have to say guys, this year’s National  Novel Writing Month has probably been my most successful in all the years I’ve taken part! Wow. Maybe it’s helped as I am in a group with other authors around the world I know, love, and talk to everyday on messenger.

So, I have met and exceeded my original word count limit. I guessed that the plot for my third Romance Set In Paradise series novella would be about 25kish words, and hoped I could jump over to finish off my romantic crime thriller full novel, no such luck I’m already on 26K words in, and the plot thickens LOL. So I will increase it to 30-35k or anywhere under 40k and let that be that.

Some people may think, “well Kim  you know, you can’t really put a limit on a story before you’ve even written it.” Yeah, I kinda see where you’re coming from, but for me I kinda can…if that makes sense, don’t ask how I can roughly guess by how I wish to tell the story where the word count might be.

As I am over and not done,  I will keep writing. What’s also interesting is that this story, has turned a little from just pure steamy, romantic and yes suspenseful. Last night while I was talking to the other writers in my team about ‘what do you call a novella length story’ just before, an idea for a twist in the plot dawned on me. And it’s not that ‘pretty or romantic’ it’s rather sad for one particular character. But, really helps to develop my main characters… yeah, you probably guessed I’m about to kill someone off… not the most romantic thing to do either for a romance in Puerto Rico with all that sunshine and good vibes. But, they are going out with a BANG if I keep this idea.

So overall, I am loving NaNoWriMo this year 2019’s attempt will be a success I think. I may actually complete a project during the month, and not go over. My only drag is that I really wanted to complete two! One that’s still half done, but one is good enough for me.

I will self publish this one, and I aim for  January 2020 for book three of  the series. The name is still a mystery even to me, I keep going  back and forth.

I must also say I am not a fan of the new interface on the NaNoWriMo website itself, I don’t really like it that much.. meh. What do you think?

If you’re strapped to your keyboard too this month, I wish  you luck and success with your project. Let me know how you’re getting on? I Hope week two starts off well.

Just a quick “hello, what’s going on” from me, before I start dinner and then knuckle down to tackle another chapter, and touch base with authors as distant as the Caribbean I am working with this year to see what they have done today…or maybe have not done. I’ve found some days I am full of motivation and write sooooooooo much. Other times I can’t be bothered to open up the laptop and end up catching up so I don’t fall behind. Typical me!

Good luck all.

What’s In Store… For #NaNoWriMo

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Yaasss so NaNoWrMo is here, this year I am actually working with four other authors in various genres in a group. We will share our word count goals, and keep each other motivated. Every year I attempt this challenge, start strong and then trickle off and complete the project later. Mainly as, I’ve had so much going on personally over the last two years.

This year, I have no drama and I’m already fifty percent through my project !! So my aim is to finish it and self-publish this one in 2020.

What’s in Store??

I will finish off the third book in the Romance Set In Paradise series and self-publish this in mid-January  2020.  I’m taking readers from Barcelona, Spain to Puerto Rico in this novella. I’ve got a great “second chance love” from across the water theme, that’s of course got a few twists and on the steamy side. The character line is a hot Puerto Rican, and a Spanish beauty from Barcelona, Spain.  I have sailed through the 15k words so far, I only hope I can keep up the momentum. If I do, and complete before the end of the month, then I am back on the romantic crime thriller. If not, that’s Decembers focus… busy, busy. Just how I like it.

If you’re doing NaNoWrMo, drop me a comment I’d love to hear what you’re working on this year.

 

The Road To Publishing Update, Turned One Down, But One In The Bag…

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Afternoon people!

I  hope you are well,  and enjoyed  a wonderful Halloween and All Saint’s Day, if you celebrate it.  A little update on new releases from me…

For me the end of the year writing wise has  picked up I have been productive while not blogging, one novel completed so far.  I sadly turned down one publisher for Sacrifices ( A romantic story with a historical element, but as always lots of suspense!) as they aren’t for me. So I sent out a few more queries, and pending their responses…which let’s face it takes forever right! I will be patient with this one, I am so tempted to self-publish it but I am being cheered on by family and friends to keep submitting my work. So here goes.

One Publishing Deal In The Bag Thou!…Yassss!

Something so unexpected happened around October’s full Moon (yes, I  am a qualified astrologer too for those that are new! I love it, and it was a ‘lucky Moon’ when I looked at the planet’s positions). Anyway, a publisher across the water who publishes mainly urban fiction approached me,  they asked if I would like to join their new team for 2020. They are establishing themselves  fully and expanding. Now, I am NOT an urban fiction writer in any shape or form…I told them that too and mentioned I may not be the best fit, their response was, “we know you’re not, we want something fresh and for you to be yourself.” I could not believe it. I never thought I’d work with a publisher of this type, let alone someone ask me to join. Purely as I thought I’d never fit in. We negotiated a contract of one book to start with, I signed with them and 2020 I will release one romance title, or possibly a thriller under their label.  I am very excited to write something “Kim’s way” for them.

You only live once right?, something told me “go for it girl, just one book.” So it was a very “lucky full Moon” energy for me indeed. I’ll keep you updated on this release due for the first quarter of 2020,  a story idea actually came to me while I was in the bath LOL.
I remain optimistic about 2020 and what’s ahead, I’l keep pushing with Sacrifices and remain patient for the right agent or publisher.  In the mean time, work on the two works in progress I have, and this idea for the contract I have signed!

Catch up with y’all soon.