K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 30
December 7, 2018
Blogmas Day 8
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Crafty Instagrammers
Welcome back to Writerly Bookish Stuff for Blogmas day 8. Today is all about crafty Instagrammers.
If you’re like me, you love Instagram for the visual, eye catching promotion it offers. I follow crafters for this very reason. You can get a glimpse at not only the finished creations, but the process and time that goes into the pieces.
This post is to highlight some talented Instagrammers, and perhaps give you some Christmas gift ideas.
Her bio reads: I live in Cornwall and make sun catchers and anything else that sparkles.
If you enjoy the pretty things in life, check out Cornish Rose Crafts.
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Her bio reads: Inspired by the ocean and the blurred boundaries where the land meets the sea.
Zoe has a talent for handcrafting silver and makes gorgeous jewellery. I am the proud owner of some lovely pieces.
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Zoe Howarth also creates Oracle decks. Her Instagram feed for Sacred Wild Soul is so beautiful.
Her bio reads: Artist|Truth Seeker|Intuitive Soul
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Her bio reads: My Holly House is a small business specialising in watercolour prints and handmade gifts.
If you need handmade or personalised prints and gifts keep My Holly House in mind.
Please note, her Etsy shop is temporarily closed, but this crafter is worth keeping note of for future gifts.
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Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
Original sources for images can be found via the links above.
December 6, 2018
Blogmas Day 7
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Tree Tour
So, you’re back for day 7 of Blogmas on Writerly Bookish Stuff. Today is the day you get a tour of my tree. All that decoration shopping has paid off.
(Sound on)
https://writerlybookishstuff.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/20181202_094025_1.mp4
We still have to put our new 2018 photos in the photo frames, because at the moment, we have pictures of randoms that came with the frames on our tree.
I hope you enjoyed my tree tour. It may not be as fancy as some you see, but we love it. It’ll look even better with presents under it on the 25th.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
Book Review: It’s Christmas, Carol! by Sara-Lisa Anderson
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It’s Christmas, Carol! by Sara-Lisa Anderson 3.5/5
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Carol hates Christmas! As far as she is concerned, it is just another Thursday, just another day at work. But during her workday, between 4 PM and midnight on Christmas Day, she is haunted by the kindness of strangers and painful memories as she ponders the true meaning of Christmas – past, present and future.
Who is that man with the big white beard and the jolly laugh? And why does he care if Carol has a nice Christmas or not?
Review:
A Christmas tale with a strong moral about what the true meaning of Christmas is. There is an element of Christmas magic and finding Christmas spirit.
Carol has struggled with Christmas ever since her brother’s death as a child and her parent’s divorce the year after.
During her shift at work on Christmas day, she has a magical experience that encourages her to remember the good Christmases with her brother, and to see that christmas is what you make it with people you love.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
Prompt Me #1
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Did you know that I have published a writing prompt ebook? Prompt Me was published in 2016. You can get a copy for just 99p from Amazon for the 10 weeks that this blog series is running.
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So, what is this blog series? This series is all about Prompt Me. Each week, I shall choose one of the one hundred and fifty prompts and expand on it.
I invite you to join in with this series on your blog/ social media each week, and I would love to feature your interpretations on Writerly Bookish Stuff with links to send my readers your way. Everyone who joins in and tags me in their posts will receive a free copy of Prompt Me if they so wish.
Okie doke, that’s the info side of things, now on with the show…
Prompt:
‘In total, sixteen ships came to rescue us. That meant that only sixteen thousand humans had survived the death of Earth.’
My Interpretation:
“Just be grateful that you are here,” Josh hisses. My brother would do anything to avoid confrontation, even when he just watched the destruction of our home planet at the hands of our apparent rescuers. “Would you rather be down there?”
I turn away from the viewing gallery and the nothing that was Earth. “I’m sorry if I can’t feel gratitude toward the people… aliens who just annihilated my home.”
The soldier glances our way, and Josh nudges me to shut up. I still can’t get over how similar, and yet, dissimilar we look to them. They are humanoid, but their eyes are larger and the pupils cover nearly eighty percent of the eyeball. When they talk, they talk in every Earthen language, but I’ve never heard their own.
“English speaking evacuees are to follow me,” calls a incredibly pale skinned alien. His ginger hair is a shock against his complexion.
“What happens now?” an angry voice calls out from the crowd. “Why are we even here?”
The soldier stands firm, hands clasped behind his back. “Preservation, Sir. Were you aware that you Earthens had approximately one hundred and eighty nine days left before the core of your planet finally stopped rotating? The — felt it best for the preservation of your species that a percentage of humans be evacuated before the as you say, humane termination of life.”
“Humane termination,” I shout in reply, much to Josh’s dismay. What was humane about killing eight billion people!” I jab a finger at the viewing gallery, purposefully avoiding looking at the empty space.
“Shut up, Lewie!” Josh mutters under his breath.
The soldier makes his way slowly toward me, the crowds part like the Red Sea in fear. “Do you know what would have happened? First, the core slows down, then the . What you have just witnessed was a kindness.
“You don’t know that for sure. How could you? We could have thought up a way to stop it… to fix it!”
The soldier laughs. “Even Earth’s governments knew about it for years, and knew there was nothing they could do. Now, I suggest you get onboard with everything that has just happened and be grateful–”
I scoff. “Grateful?”
“Yes, grateful.” The soldier steps closer still, staring me down with those freaky eyes. “I have been on this craft for three and a half years to prevent the extinction of your species. There is a three and a half year journey back to where you will be relocated. That is seven years away from my family. So, you will show me and every other member of this crew gratitude!” He turns to his colleague in a rage. “Get them to processing.”
Josh taps the soldiers forearm, making him bristle. “It’s just hard, you know. That was our home.” His meek, sorrowful voice makes my eyes prickle with tears.
The soldier’s face softens as he rests a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “I do understand, honestly I do. We all do. This entire crew have been right in your shoes. It gets easier, but first, youve got to learn to accept it for what it is.”
His eyes, although softer, bore into mine. I simply nod my head in acceptance.
Remember, if you are joining in with this series, let me know in the comments, and tag me in your posts whether they be blog or social media to let me have a read of your interpretation. You will get a feature on this blog and a free ebook, so what’s to lose?
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
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December 5, 2018
Blogmas Day 6
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Poundland Christmas Haul
Blogmas day 6 on Writerly Bookish Stuff is similar to yesterday’s, but this post is to show you the items I bought at Poundland (UK). Yes, Poundland!
Who says you have to spend a fortune on decorations? I have visited my local Poundland store to prove that bigger price tags don’t necessarily equate to better items.
If you remember from my last post, I had only found one ornamental item that I liked. Well, I’ve now found 2 in poundland.
I also totally forgot to buy a tree topper to match our decorations. Yep, Poundland sorted me out there too.
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I spent just £4 in total (obviously) on these items and I am very happy with them. They will look perfect with the rest of my haul. I could have spent much more, but I kept my head and only bought what I needed, or what would go with my colour scheme.
If your colour scheme is the traditional red, green, and gold, then get down to Poundland. There is a vast array to peruse. Other colours are harder to come by, but I’m sure you’ll find something that works.
I hope this post will make you think about checking out the cheaper options before splurging unnecessarily this Christmas. Hey, it’ll mean more money to spend on yourselves, right?
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
Book Review: Captured by a Blade by Brianna West
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Captured by a Blade by Brianna West 5/5
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Tee knew she wasn’t your average high school girl. She had fangs and super human strength, with an affinity for wearing all black.
Until that fateful night, Tee thought she was the only one of her kind–a mix-breed supernatural with a mean punch.
Until she met Blade.
Then everything Tee ever knew about herself changed in one single night–a night that a simple misunderstanding would lead to Tee discovering the vast underground of the Promiscus Guardians.
Review:
I read this short story ages ago, but for some reason I didn’t post my review *naughty K.J.* I wanted to have a re-read before posting this review to refresh my memory.
West’s promiscus guardians universe is extensive and so well rounded that it’s incredibly easy to slip back in. This short is an extension of that world, although, I would say this story is perhaps a little more new adult genre which opens up the books to a slightly different demographic.
Tee and Blade are from the same world, but are worlds apart. They make a great duo, and the back and forth between them gave shades of light and humour to the narrative.
I shall watch this space to see what West has in store for these two.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
Writerly Wisdom
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Writerly Wisdom
“I am by nature a dealer in words, and words are the most powerful drug known to humanity. “
– Rudyard Kipling
December 4, 2018
Blogmas Day 5
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Christmas Decoration Haul
Welcome back for Blogmas day 5 on Writerly Bookish Stuff. Today, I will show you my Christmas decoration haul.
We have changed our colour scheme this year. We have always had an ‘anything goes’ tree as my daughter picks a new decoration to hang every year, and they’re always big, bright, and sometimes, a little gaudy. My husband is a perfectionist, and our asymetrical, non-thematic design has always bothered him. He called it our monstrosi-tree. This year, he is much happier.
Why? Because this year, our daughter wants her own tree in her room with her chosen decorations. So, we have decided to take advantage of the situation and go for a gold, white, and silver theme in the lounge. Of course, we have kept our sentimental decorations, but it’s nice to finally have a theme, even if that means replacing everything.
So, without further ado…
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We not only had to replace the tree decorations with white, gold, and silver, we also had to replace the ornamental decorations that we place around our lounge. I only found one ornamental item I really liked and that was the wooden quote sign. I am still on the look out for more.
For the first year ever we have bought a tree skirt. It’s still in the wrapper, but it matches are theme with neutral, muted colours.
Here are the links for where we bought our new decorations. We are just your average family with young kids, so everything on our tree is from the high street and very affordable.
Note: If you are changing your scheme, please do not bin your old decorations. There are plenty of charities and schemes that will take them. Research how you can donate Christmas decorations in your area.
I donated mine to the local nursery school my friend works at. They lost all their decorations to water damage.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 3, 2018
Blogmas Day 4
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December Book Promos
It wouldn’t be Blogmas on Writerly Bookish Stuff without some book promos. I asked around on Instagram for some fab promos this month, and my author friends did not disappoint.
If you’re looking for some new reads over Christmas, feast your eyeballs on this list.
And… I have a great idea for those of you on a tight budget this Christmas. You could send a little message to your chosen recipient with the links to the freebies in this list as a thoughtful, unique Christmas gift.
Freebies
One of my own books is free for 5 days from today!
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Raven’s Cry by Dana Fraedrich Free for 5 days from Dec 16th.
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The Street Party by K.C.Jane Free for 5 days from Dec 10th.
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Discount Promos
Jewel. E. Leonard has 2 Kindle Countdown promotions in December.
Alight: Witches Rede Book One Week starting Dec 14th.
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Possession: Witches Rede Book 2 Week starting Dec 22nd
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Check out the books and the authors on Amazon and mark those dates in your calendars for some fab Christmas reads.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 2, 2018
Blogmas Day 3
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Christmas Craft Fayre Weekend
On the 1st and 2nd of December, our local theme park, Flambards, held their annual Christmas craft fayre. It feels like the season has officially started when the Christmas craft fayre comes around.
Local crafters have stalls positioned through the Victorian Villlage Museum and in various locations in the park. It looks so magical. See for yourself…
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We tend not to spend a lot of money and simply go for the atmosphere and to see Santa, but my daughter did have her face painted and bought a Hufflepuff coaster for her bedroom. One thing we do always spend money on is the food stalls.
If you want to know the real reason why I go to the craft fayre… its churros. Only joking, well, I’m only half joking. Despite the rain, we made sure we got our hands on some Nutella filled churros. (Photo of me stuffing my face courtesy of my hubby.) Not only that, we also bought handmade cookies that were as big as my head.
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What event or tradition kicks off the festive season for you?
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
