Category Archives: Romance fiction writing

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!

 

 

 

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.

 

Daily Writing Prompt: Youth – 6 months of labour I’ve given birth

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Youth

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is a nice fit to what’s occurred today and how I feel after doing some reflection . About an hour ago I thought to myself I might live until I’m in my 80’s that’s 40 odd years of writing books. The thought thrills me! I’m still young(ish) and have a lot of years  in me to go and time to write and create. (God allowing of course). For the first time in ages I felt really young in a good way.

 For the last 6 months I feel like I’ve been in labour  with no pain relief LOL, writing and editing, and just give birth. Tonight I  finished editing all 28 chapters of A Stranger in France  and sent it off to my publisher. I’m sorry to everyone who I have not returned a call to, emailed back,  text back, or engaged with  promptly it’s been a mad 6 months. And now I am catching up with everyone- sorry.

I reflected further  once I pressed Send and watch my email turn from draft to sent, I’m at the very start of my career as a writer/author or ambition to become one, I still don’t know whether to call myself  a ”writer/author”  it does not come easy to say it for me as yet ….. even though I still have a day job  I’ve signed two publishing deals this year.  I still feel very  young and youthful in my journey.  Maybe I need take myself more seriously as I still see this whole journey as I’m just doing something I  really enjoy and have done ever since my school days. I don’t see it as a fame or fortune thing or having a massive street credit as a published author. But I need to realise I guess I am one or becoming one minus the ego!

So what have I learned now that I have completed the whole process of  writing and editing a book 93,000 words long originally now 89,500 long  to make sure it is  ready for commercial sale? It’s  bloody hard work, dedication is needed, focus is a must and a lot of late nights will be included if you have a family to juggle and a day job. But it’s all worth it 100% if you enjoy it. What experience will I take with me for editing book #2 for Christmas release and writing #3? Learn from my experience of making sure things are  consistent  it saves time.  It’s so easy to just, well, write but little things like tense, dialogue writing and use of point of view (POV)  need a ton more of attention if you want a speedy editing process. Writing a character’s POV can be a challenge at times, as you ( well I)  think it is fine, and then an editor says ” show don’t tell how the character is feeling” or ” you’ve slipped into the wrong POV.”   I’d also rest my work a lot longer before I go back and edit as I’ve found my eyes, brain and overall writing skill and sharpness are more on point with longer breaks. But in all my excitement I just kept reading and editing, doing my 3rd and final read through and edit I still noticed little things I’d missed as I was not as sharp.

So here’s  to being 33 years ” young” and starting my long journey to hopefully a successful international   author. I have a tough crowd to crack over in the USA in the books stores  to convince them this English chick is worth a shot! And lot of work to do to convince the rest of the world who hit up Amazon and look for a great romance story that my book is worth a read. But I hope during my young  years I continue to get better at doing what I love.

 

Here’s to being young! Fresh and shiny brand new.

two-glasses-of-champagne2.png

 

Miracle Challenge Week #10: #1 Meeting You – Sweet Romance Story

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romance

My favourite day  of the week to write has rolled around again, Miracle Girl’s writing prompt challenges are up for week #10. 

Write a short story using sentence prompt” meeting you was the best thing that ever happened”

A smile creeps across my face, he’s such a sweetheart today he surprises me with a huge bunch of long stemmed pure white lilies. Forget roses, there’re  old school and dated there’s nothing like the beautiful fragrance of long stemmed white lilies filling the room. Lillies are much more chic and stylish much more” me”, than a bunch of roses – he’s the only man that’s taken the time to think outside the box when surprising me with flowers.

” Girl you are so lucky.”

Gloria my co-worker snaps me out of my day dream as she approaches my desk, and places her large behind on the corner then sits down.

”Yeah I feel lucky.”

” After all you’ve been through you deserve a good man.”

 “Thanks Gloria.”

After 10 months of the single life and unsuccessful dating  I never thought that I’d meet someone after Mark, he broke my heart. After five years together he just stopped trying, stopped playing attention and eventually we drifted apart. I refused to let go. I’d invested so much into that relationship I desperately tried my hardest to make it work. Eventually I told him to leave, I got fed up of giving and not getting anything back in return. The break up was messy and painful, for months I withdrew from everything. It felt almost like I’d lost myself and who I was.

I tried every dating site out there! Getting attention from men was not  the problem it was finding the right  attention from men,  finding one who I saw a future with. Then came Mr X, he sent me a message late one night while I was online browsing – window shopping I call it. Of course I was doubtful that it would lead to anything, but I played the game and returned his messages and smiley faces he sent me.  A 91% match we had according to the websites questions we both answered, one message led to another, then we spoke on the phone and eventually met up.

” So tell me, how did you snag this romantic soul and does he have a twin brother?” I let out a small laugh and look up at Gloria.

” Hmm well, no brother but we met online.”

”OK, and details? Girl don’t keep me in the dark!” I throw my head back and try to hide the cheesy grin on my face.

”OK, about a month ago I joined this new dating site, we got talking and found out we have a lot in common he likes to eat, I love to cook, he likes dessert  and has a major sweet tooth and I love to bake. One sunny Saturday lunchtime we met up, in Leicester Sq central London and head to the ice cream store.”

”And…?”

” Gloria!’

”C’mon don’t hold out on me now, I love to hear sweet romantic stories of people hooking up. It keeps me young and hopeful. How did the date go?”

I smile and look over at my lilies, the sight of them warms my heart further.

”His conversation was mind blowing Gloria my  God, we discussed everything from politics to the best flavour ice cream. He truly made love to my mind that day. Looks wise, his picture on his profile done him no justice. In real life he’s better looking I was quite surprised- tall, well dressed, he had great swag to him. Inside I was doing back flips over how cute he looked that day.”

” As simple as that right, you two just fall in love….?”

” No, not really he did have to work hard for my attention, I just kinda gave up after so many bad dates and Mark, but something was different about him from that first date, and he tried so hard to win me over, so I gave him a chance.”

” Aww so sweet, well I wish you both the best of luck.I better get going, this photocopying won’t copy itself, I catch you later Sam.”

I turn back to my computer screen and try to focus on work, my phone beeps with a message”

From: Mr X

To: Sam

Hey, how’s your day? 

I hit reply instantly

From: Sam

To: Mr X

All the better now I’ve received this beautiful flowers, I have them on the corner of my desk.

Just as I place my phone down on my desk to get to work, it beeps again

From: Mr X

To: Sam

Glad you like them, Sam I promise you I will treat you right. I know a lot of guys may have said this to you in the past, but I mean it I have a good feeling about us and honestly meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me after months of searching. We click and I like it.

I bite back a smile and hold off on my response, inside I feel giddy with happy feelings and butterflies you get during the honeymoon period of dating. I take a deep breath, I want to be honest about my feelings and let him know how I feel, at the same time I’m full of nerves learning to trust again is a big thing for me after Mark. After an internal struggle over honesty and holding back I decide -it’s time I moved on, and stop letting my past govern my future,I hit reply.

From: Sam

To: Mr X

Just  keep looking after me, and I’ll keep baking you cakes to feed your sweet tooth. After 10 months of unsuccessful online dating you’re like a breath of fresh air. xx

Mr X  over the last month has  made me feel special, alive, like I’m truly the only women in the world he has his eye on. He cuddles me non-stop, showers me with affection  and makes me laugh. Could this be it? The true love I’ve been seeking after a one sided dead end relationship that was heading no where fast. I hope so, as in my heart meeting Mr X  was the best thing that ever happened to me in the last 10 months of online dating.

Kim’s on WattPad

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Hey,  

Just a short note from me to say I’ve  finally got around to checking out Wattpad. I’ve signed up as a writer on here also. Via Wattpad  you’ll  will find the free chapter preview I placed up on my author site for A Stranger in France. (Note that next month the chapter preview will come down, as my book  is officially published). I will also post on Wattpad all the short stories that I write for challenges, and any I write that are not part of a challenge….. The ones I write just ‘cos I feel like writin’

If anyone knows how to embed  a ”follow me on Wattpad” button in a  Wordpress widget please do give me a shout, I’ve been sitting here for well over an hour racking my brain. Nothing seems to work.

Here’s the link to my Wattpadd account 

https://www.wattpad.com/user/KimKnightAuthor.

Kim

Daily Prompt: Complications of an Author’s Genre Specialism

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idea

 

via Daily Prompt: Complicated

  1. Difficult to understand, analyse or explain ( dictionary definition)

What a word! Today’s WordPress writing prompt word describes exactly my  situation today. I’M  23 /28 chapters into editing my final draft of A Stranger in France good news is I’ll make my publisher’s due date for next month’s release. Bad news, or the downside is  today started to think about my current book I’m working on; if you’ve been following a while you’ll know it’s a story with crime/murder  (and love) involved, and was originally the first ever book I started to write before A Stranger in France and certainly way before my creative idea came for my #2 novel due for release after A Stranger in France – later this year at Christmas.

The my dilemma  or complication is, as a writer /author do I pigeon hole myself to just one genre romance-suspense writing or do I do what I love, and what I feel I’m also good at writing crime also. From research I’ve done I’ve read so many conflicting views. Some say YES!  You must just stick and specialise in one genre it is suicide to gain readers and then write in another genre and build up a readership from the ground again, some say go for it, do what you love to do, your brand is not your genre it’s your own unique story telling voice and ability to engage others in a story – your readers (or potential readers) will follow you regardless of genre. Hummm  a complicated and  hard choice for a new or even established author.

Personally, I have some authors I love to the bones I wait impatiently for the next book to be released, and I buy their new release the day it is released, without even reading the blub or questing what it’s about. Just because I love their writing style and stories  in general. From this personal view as a reader, I’m tempted with this story I’m writing with an element of crime/murder to just do what I love and write in both genres. My professional head who wishes to build a nice readership and allow some form of consistency for my potential readers says Kim – don’t be a fool girlfriend stick within the genre you will be published in first…. romance suspense. It’s so complicated!

 I thought about the story I’ve been working on and I did some further research  there is in fact  thriller sub genre under romance I read about. No, not suspense, thrillers are  a lot more darker think of the book ” Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn an excellent book and example of a thriller. When I read  about this the creative side of my brain ticked, that’s it! Re-craft the story a little so that the crime and romance blend so it does not  come across as essentially  a crime friction story that just so happens to have 2 people that (once) loved each other… surely I can do that right? …. but what about the ” brand” I keep reading about? Would I confuse potential readers with writing a romance story with an element of crime- especially as by the time it’s ( hopefully) published, I will have  1. romance suspense book published and 1. romance story published, can I really throw MURDER or crime in with it too? … Like I said it’s complicated. I also changed my tag line on the blog from romance-suspense & crime fiction writer to romance-suspense and thriller writer to keep it broader in genre and creative outlet.

I never realised that writers who end up published are faced with such hard decisions that may impact their future career. I honestly (maybe naively) thought you write what you want, go where  ever your creative juices take you, after all it’s not ( for me) about the money or fame  that’s lovely but firstly it’s  the fact that the story is out of my head, on paper, in print and I achieved something great that I’m proud of.  And secondly, I’m just writing, as that’s what I do and what I enjoy it’s part of me.

So my questions are

 Readers: Would you abandon an author you liked because they wrote in a genre that is not your first choice. For example you found a great author read a few books or a book and then they wrote something else  or throw in a red herring in a genre? Or would you still read along?

Authors: Are you brave enough? Have you done it? Have you committed ” suicide” and wrote in more than one genre. Who has big balls out there?? Is it wise  in your experience?

At the end of the day, as a reader I love both genres I write, as a writer I really enjoy as well as love to write in both genres I have chosen . So I think I will grow some balls rework book #3 slightly and now ”pigeon hole” myself as Kim the romance-suspense and THRILLER writer rather than crime. This way  I (think) I can get away with romance &  a bit of murder  *wink.

Man that decision was COMPLICATED! 
Complicated