Kelsey Kingsley's Blog, page 4
July 13, 2017
Royal Pain: A Royal Disaster Review
Royal Disaster by Parker Swift
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the second book I’ve read from Parker Swift – the second in her trilogy – and I might have liked it less than the first.
First and foremost, I think I should make it clear that I rate generally by the skill involved in the writing. If I simply don’t like a particular story, that’s my opinion and not worthy of a few missing stars. I will state such facts in my review, but I won’t remove stars, got it? Good.
The writing is noteworthy, and enjoyable most times. I find that Parker Swift is a skilled writer and could do great things, giving the right story. That being said, her story-telling is somewhat lacking. One notable issue I had with this particular book was her inability to follow her own story line. She mentions in this book that Dylan is her first boyfriend, when in the first book she writes at length about Lydia’s high school boyfriend. So, which is it? I mean, come on – I have read whole series of books with dozens of characters and giant character arcs, and the details of these characters are remembered vividly. This might be nit-picking, but things like this drive me insane. It’s sloppy, and it tells me the author didn’t put a whole lot of time into developing the story, let alone the writing.
The constant sex is frustrating, and I do think it negates from the story. It followed the same pattern as the first book; it starts off good, and by the middle of the book, I find myself bored and skimming. It often times felt forced with awkward dialogue, and that just didn’t read well for me. I mean, I like sex in books, but there is such thing as overkill.
I mentioned in my review of the first book that I thought the editing was atrocious, and I will say that again here. There are CONSTANT mistakes throughout this book, too many to simply ignore, and I just cannot understand how these were allowed to slip under the radar. A missing comma or an out-of-place apostrophe every now and then would be one thing, but whole words are missing. The commas are regularly MIA. There are these run-on sentences that read awkwardly. I don’t entirely fault the author for this, as the publisher she went through does supply an editor, but putting your own work under the microscope is important, I think. It’s work like this that gives indie authors and books a bad name.
I really hate giving negative reviews when I do think an author has potential, but this trilogy gets more frustrating as I read it. I will say that I enjoyed the ending of this one a lot more than the first. It had a warm feel to it that I enjoy. Since I bought the trilogy, I’ll be reading the third one eventually, but after this one, I might need some time.
Holly Freakin’ Hughes Soundtrack
So, in addition to being an incredibly kickass writer, I am also a music lover (as you might have gathered from posts like THIS or THIS). Music is an incredibly important part of my life – an incredibly important part of who I am as a person – and so, I pretty much make soundtracks for everything. My books are no exception.
I thought it would be a fun little thing to list the songs and accompanying YouTube videos for the songs that helped to create Holly Freakin’ Hughes. I thought I could do this for every book I release, because trust me – every book has a soundtrack. Every piece of my writing is in some part inspired by music, most scenes are set to a song, and I’d like to share that with you all.
So, without further ado…
I will not be listing the scenes, as fun as that would be. I’m not into giving things away, sorry.
“Eraser” by Ed Sheeran
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“If Only I” by Jon McLaughlin
“Next To You” by Tyler Hilton
“Prove It To You” by Kris Allen (feat. Lenachka)
“Mess Is Mine” by Vance Joy
“Breathing In” by Lee DeWyze
“Dream Catch Me” by Newton Faulkner
“Smoke” by Matt Wertz
July 10, 2017
Sh*t is Getting REAL
So, I’m sitting here, right, and I’m listening to the Counting Crows. If you don’t know about my love affair with the Counting Crows, then I’m taking this moment to clue you in on that right now. I love them. Their music is the comfort of an old friendship that never fades, no matter how much time passes. Adam Duritz (lead singer) is one of my greatest writing influences – has been since I was a wee lass – and he is one of the reasons I chose August 1st as my release date (it’s coincidentally his birthday as well).
Anyway, all sentiments aside, I’m sitting here, filling out form after form, sending away email after email, working my little nubby fingers to the bone…
HOLLY FREAKIN’ HUGHES has been available for pre-order for a week, I’ve received a good handful of orders so far, I have a blog tour happening, there’s a July 27th takeover being handled, reviews are starting to come in, and all I keep thinking is, is this really happening? Do I really have a book coming out in a few weeks? Can I really consider myself a professional author?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Holy crap.
Don’t pinch me. I don’t want to wake up.
July 3, 2017
Pre-Order Holly Freakin’ Hughes NOW!
The time has come, my little ones, to celebrate the pre-order of my first ever full-length novel, Holly Freakin’ Hughes.
Honestly, I can hardly believe I’m at this point in my life. I mean, if you had told me a year ago today that I would be sitting here, announcing that my book was available for pre-order, I’d say, “Dude, you’re cray-cray.” Yet, here I am, announcing that my book is available for pre-order. Indeed, it is cray-cray.
So, at this point in time, my dearest Holly Freakin’ Hughes is only available as a Kindle book. Soon, it will be available in other formats (paperback, Nook, iBook, etc.), but because Kindle was quite honestly the easiest format to go with, that’s where I’m at first. Below, I have provided the links for you to go, go, go pre-order, if you so desire. It would mean the world.
This shit is cray-cray.
PRE-ORDER ON KINDLE NOW:
Amazon: http://a.co/fkkPF9x
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.eu/99V35UQ
Amazon.ca: http://a.co/gmyM9kL
Amazon.com.au: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B073N7F364/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_YMYwzb2RJFVVR
July 1, 2017
One: A Book Review
One by Jewel E. Ann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
After coming off the high that was When Life Happened, I decided to go ahead and purchase a handful of other books written by Jewel E. Ann, now that she has established herself as one of my favorite indie writers. I decided to then start on this one, because well, I liked the cover the most.
Believe me when I say that this review is going to pain me, because I do love her writing so much. But this book, in it’s full form, did nothing for me.
Certain aspects were amazing, as to be expected. I found the relationship between Lake and Cage to be endearing and sweet. I loved that the book centered around someone with a disability (as someone with a disability themselves, it’s rare to come across this). I loved the humor and the writing… And that’s sort of where the love stops for me.
Some situations depicted in this story were, in ways, ridiculous. And I’m fine with that! That’s okay – if there’s one or two of these said situations. This book was full of them. Every corner I took, it seemed like there was another “plot twist” to try and shock me, and initially, they were shocking… But after you experience three of those situations, they become predictable. This left a sour taste in my mouth, I’m sad to say.
Then there was the length. I love a long book, I do. But there were too many parts in this particular book that felt simply like filler. The constant ramblings about their love for each other got so old, so quick. A bit every now and then, but good Lord, I hate to admit that I found myself skimming through some of it.
In any case, I love this author. I’d recommend her to anyone. This book just didn’t do it for me, and you know what? That’s okay.
June 30, 2017
HOLLY FREAKIN’ HUGHES Release Date!
So, I come bearing exciting news today!
My debut novel, Holly Freakin’ Hughes, will be available on AUGUST 1ST of this year. Pre-order link and cover reveal will be coming very soon, but for now, you’ll have to be happy with the release date.
I cannot wait for my baby to get to everybody who cares to read it. I cannot wait for everybody to fall in love with my characters the way I love them. I. CANNOT. WAIT.
June 28, 2017
The Truth Is…
In just a few days, I’ll be announcing the release date for my book. My debut novel. The story I’ve poured everything into. The project that has been swarming my brain for years.
The truth is, I am more proud of this than anything I’ve ever done.
The truth is, I am absolutely terrified of putting it out there.
It’s a scary thing…putting yourself out there. I’ve done it here. I’ve posted a short story, I’ve posted the first couple of chapters, I’ve posted excerpts and entries and reviews. I’ve done it, and I’ve received praise, and it’s been wonderful. But that’s been on a smaller scale. I haven’t SELF-PUBLISHED these things. I haven’t ASKED FOR MONEY for these things. I haven’t put myself into such a place of arrogance to say, “HEY, I deserve your hard-earned money – BUY MY BOOK,” with these things.
Sometimes I think, what makes me think I’m deserving of that? And then I think, this is my dream. Aren’t I entitled to try and achieve that dream? Aren’t I entitled…no… Don’t I owe it to these characters – these people I’ve created and love – to put them out there and allow others to fall in love with them as well?
The truth is, I am in love with them in a way that should be considered insane.
The truth is, I am so scared of others not loving them as much.
Reviews, guys. Reviews are scary. I mean, okay, on one hand… It doesn’t seem all that difficult to get a handful of five star reviews, because let’s be honest, a lot of people don’t have very high standards. This isn’t a criticism, because I’m in some ways similar. I will read whatever. I will enjoy whatever. I will sit and smile and tear up at whatever.
But when I hate something, I REALLY hate it. I cherish writing those particular reviews, because I imagine that it helps the author grow in a way that I would want someone to help ME grow. In some ways, I’m looking forward to these reviews. I’m looking forward to getting that handful of passionate people who will pull me and my characters apart, put us under a microscope, and tell me everything I could have done differently – everything I could have done BETTER.
But I also imagine that those reviews, too many of them, can hurt. Too many of them can ruin me. Too many of them can destroy the dream and keep me from reaching the places I want to reach.
The truth is, I’ve never wanted so badly.
The truth is, I’m scared shitless that I’ll never have it.
June 21, 2017
Royal Embarrassment: A Royal Affair Review
Royal Affair by Parker Swift
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I wish I could give this book 2.5 stars, but out of the goodness of my heart, I’m rounding up. How kind of me, yes?
This book had me playing the most annoying game of mental ping-pong. Every upside also had its downside. Allow me to elaborate.
On one hand, the writing was superb. Parker Swift is a supremely talented writer. Her ability to describe a scene was impressive and even enviable at times. On the other hand, there were times when I found myself bored out of my gourd. There were parts that were entirely unnecessary to the telling of the story (describing every. single. time. a condom was put on and removed is nothing more than word vomit, I’m sorry). There IS such thing as too much description. This, AT TIMES, was a perfect example of that.
Then there was the sex. On one hand, at the beginning, it was hot. It was written well. It was exciting in a way that books like 50 Shades have failed miserably. This is good. This is really good. But…on the other hand, after you’ve read, oh, fifteen of these explicit sex scenes (each one of them desperate to be different), they started to bore me. They started to feel forced. They started to completely take away from the storyline in the most annoying way. Gah! This was a perfect example of what could have been a great aspect that fell horribly short.
Then, the romance. On one hand, on the surface, I liked the romance. It was even endearing to a degree, albeit frustrating at times (of course, this was done purposely). But on the other hand, it was repeatative and irritating to read the constant back-and-forth drama between the two characters when they were essentially together THE WHOLE TIME with both of them too dumb to see it.
And can I just talk about the editing for a moment? I thought initially that this book was published independently without any help from, well, anyone. I would have accepted the punctuation mistakes had this been the case, because the writing truly was good. Then I found out that, no, this was published electronically through a publishing group. These people have editors. And that’s when I started judging every misspelled word, every MISSING word, every punctuation mistake – and there were MANY. Oh, God, this aspect made me feel bad for the author. There was even one part where a = was used in place of -. How is that overlooked?! Good Lord, if I were Ms. Swift, I would seriously reconsider using these people in the future, because they clearly didn’t do her work justice. At all.
Anyway… This, to me, was one of those books that, on the surface, could pass as a solid book with enough descriptive sex to actually put you to sleep. But when you allow yourself to analyze it a little… Utter frustration.
June 19, 2017
Mr. Meh: A Mr. Rook Review
Mr. Rook by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m a huge fan of Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. She is easily one of my favorite indie authors out there. Her ability to write entertaining, yet sexy, stories is typically superb, and that’s something I’ve found difficult to come by.
All of that said, though… I felt that this particular story fell short of her usual work. The writing was excellent, as usual, but…
The storyline felt as though it were lacking something. The pacing was a little too fast to be effectively suspenseful. Rook’s dialogue felt a little too forced for my tastes. And the funny little quips I have grown to expect from this author just weren’t there to the degree that I’m used to.
I’m sad to admit that, although I am looking forward to the next in the series, this book was a tad disappointing. I hope that it improves as time goes on.
June 12, 2017
At Ben’s Door: Excerpt
As I’m sitting here, editing until my eyes bleed, I thought I would share with you all an excerpt. Enjoy!
Standing outside the door, I inhaled and exhaled slowly before knocking, making a conscious effort to clear my brain of anything but excitement for the night ahead. I told myself that Brandon didn’t want me, Brandon was only a friend, and with a final deep breath, I knocked.
As if he had been waiting right on the other side, the door flew open. There to greet me was Ben and three large tail-wagging Labrador Retrievers, two black and one yellow. The three beasts pushed past Ben, tripping up his legs as they rushed toward me; pushing against me with their huffing black noses and slobbering mouths.
One of them, the biggest of the black dogs, jumped up to rest his heavy paws against my chest. A thick tongue lapped out of his wide mouth to slurp over my face. My eyes squeezed shut through the sloppy assault, hovering somewhere between amusement and panic. After regaining his balance, Ben grabbed the dog by the collar and gently pulled him back to the ground.
“Jesus, Rocky, that’s not how we make friends,” Ben told the dog, crouching next to the excited animal, mushing his snout affectionately with his hands before standing to flash me a genuine grin.
“Hey, I’m sorry about that. We don’t get too many strangers around here. I hope you’re not afraid of dogs,” he said, apparently noticing the way I clutched my hands to my chest in an attempt to guard myself from the watering mouths of his hellhounds.
“O-oh, no, I, uh, I-I …” I closed my eyes, taking a deep controlled breath. I opened them again to Ben scratching the ears of the dog named Rocky, and I smiled then. “Let me try that again. No, I’m not afraid of dogs. I just wasn’t really expecting that to be the first kiss I got tonight, but you know, here we are.”
“Rocky just has a thing for the ladies, but here, let me make it up to you.” And before I knew what was happening, he was standing and snaking an arm around my waist. He pulled me into him to press his lips firmly against mine for all of a couple seconds before backing away with a dimpled grin. “Better?”
“Much,” I said with a relaxed smile.
Brandon who?
