Kimberly A. Bettes's Blog, page 7
February 25, 2014
February 22, 2014
Pushed (Held sequel)
It’s here! Actually, it’s been here for a few days now, but things have been mighty crazy and I haven’t had time to squeeze in a post about it. From what I hear, people love it. That’s good. It means I’ve done my job. If you’d like to try it out (and let’s face it, you DO), then head on over to Amazon and pick up a copy here for $2.99. And please please PLEASE take a minute to leave a review when you’re finished. Most advertisers have a minimum review requirement, so I need all I can get. Thanks in advance!
Ron Redwine is an up-and-coming author, a man whose lifelong dream of achieving celebrity status in the literary world is finally becoming a reality. But Ron isn’t only a writer. He’s also a sadistic serial killer who kidnaps, tortures, and murders women in his basement.
Nicole Lee is a beloved wife and mother. She’s also the only woman who has ever escaped Ron’s clutches. After being held in captivity for nearly a year, she found a way out, a way to be free once again and go back to her life. Only she can’t. The life she knew before her abduction is gone. Separated from her husband and son, Nicole is psychologically broken. She spends months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her so she can return to her family.
Upon her release, Nicole hides herself away in a fleabag motel where she wrestles with her demons alone. When an interview on the local news advertises the last two stops on Ron’s latest book tour, she becomes enraged. Furious that he’s able to live his life happily while she’s reduced to an existence filled with guilt and despair, she decides to take matters into her own hands.
Pushed too far, Nicole seeks her revenge, using Ron’s own devices against him.
For mature audiences only.
From the dark mind of Kimberly A. Bettes comes the highly anticipated sequel to HELD. Be warned: This book is every bit as raw and gritty as the first.
For those of you who haven’t read Held yet and are interested in both books, there’s a bundle available here for $4.99.
February 12, 2014
The Days When You Don’t Feel Like Writing « terribleminds: chuck wendig
Ah yes. We’ve all had ‘em. Hell, I’m having one right now. Chuck Wendig is a wise man. If his writing career ever tanks, he should consider motivational speaking. Every time I read a post on his blog, it’s like a firm kick in the arse. And it’s always the kick I need.
The Days When You Don’t Feel Like Writing « terribleminds: chuck wendig.
February 2, 2014
Pro-Google Rant
You would think with the advance of technology that people would be smarter than ever before. It seems the exact opposite is true. And that makes me sad. What does it say about us as a people that we have all the knowledge of the world at our fingertips–literally–and yet we know less than our grandparents did at our age with virtually no technology whatsoever? I mean come on. Google is right there. Use it!
I’m not ashamed at all to admit that I use Google a lot. Can’t remember the name of a movie? Google it. Can’t remember who sings that song? Google it. Not sure what a word means? Google it. Need to know how to open a coffin? Google it. Need to know where to buy Chloroform? Google it. Need to know how fast lye dissolves a body? Try it. Um, I mean Google it.
They say that we’re dumber because of Google. That instead of remembering the things we learn, we forget them because we can always just Google it again, so there’s no reason to memorize it and actually know it. I can see that. But for the few hours or days after you Google something, you’ve learned it and you know it. For me, once I Google something, I pretty much remember it. The act of typing it in and looking it up sears it onto my think meat and I just remember it. Settle down. I’m no savant. But I do believe that if I can do it, you can do it too.
So what do you say? How about we use the Google and actually learn some stuff? Like the difference between ideal and idea. How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. Why x really equals y. When to plant those tomatoes. How to spell tomatoes. Ways to cook tomatoes. Why some people are obsessed with tomatoes. There’s a whole world of knowledge over there in that little bar. Let’s use it. Let’s learn.
January 16, 2014
The Ghost Of V.C. Andrews: The Life, Death, And Afterlife Of The Mysterious “Flowers In The Attic” Author
I absolutely loved reading her books when I was younger. My mother had a V.C. Andrews collection, buying each book as soon as it was released. I couldn’t wait for her to hurry up and read it so I could have my turn. I knew Miss Andrews had died and that someone else was writing her books, but there’s a lot of information in this article that I didn’t know. Interesting stuff.
January 12, 2014
I’ll Never Ever Look At Books The Same Again After Seeing These Hidden Messages. Wow. – The Meta Picture
Pretty neat. I’ll be checking old books for this now.
January 10, 2014
The Cabin on Calhoun Ridge
Did I forget to talk about my latest novella, The Cabin on Calhoun Ridge? Well let me remedy that real quick.
Leslie Lane sits on the porch of her rustic cabin, trying to convince herself that the whistling coming from the woods is only a bird. And she believes that.
Until she recognizes the song.
When a stranger descends on her house, Leslie’s ordinarily peaceful night turns into a nightmare.
One from which she may not wake.
$1.99
This creepy story is available at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. There, you can choose the format you want, so no matter what reading device you use, they’ve got you covered.
The Cabin on Calhoun Ridge is also offered as a bundle with my other novella Shiners. You get both novellas for $2.99. This offer is only available at Amazon.
December 13, 2013
20 Common Grammar Mistakes That Almost Everyone Makes | LitReactor
Maybe this will shed some light on the subject. It’s very informative, but may cause headaches. Or maybe it’s just me. After all, the English language is mind-boggling at best.
20 Common Grammar Mistakes That Almost Everyone Makes | LitReactor.
December 9, 2013
Interview by Aaron Loyd
Recently, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by the seriously talented Aaron Loyd. If you aren’t familiar with him, he’s an up-and-coming artist who specializes in special effects. I’m lucky to be able to call Aaron a friend, and as an assignment, he interviewed me. I’d like to share the interview with you now. Enjoy!
Why do you live here in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri? Why not live somewhere else where you’re more likely to get your name out there?
I was born here and lived here all of my life, with the exception of the one year I lived in Tacoma, WA. There are so many reasons I stay here. I love the country. The scenery is beautiful, the people are caring and friendly, and there’s just so much room to move. You don’t get that in the city. Fortunately, with the internet, I can get my name out there just as easily from the middle of nowhere as I can from the center of everything.
How many years have you been an author?
I realized at the age of 14 that I was supposed to write. That means I’ve been fiddling with words now for 22 years. Wow. Has it really been that long?
What is your best-selling book? In your opinion, why do you think it’s sold so well?
My best-selling book so far has been HELD. Honestly, I’m not sure why it’s done so well. I mean, it’s a disgusting book. A great book, but disgusting. There’s torture, necrophilia, death and dismemberment, kidnapping, and some downright gross stuff going on in it. I had no idea when I wrote it that people would love it so much. Maybe it’s the snarky attitude of the main character. Everybody loves her.
What’s it like to be famous? You do have fans right?
I do have a lot of fans, which still blows me away. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that all across the world, people are reading what I wrote and they’re craving more. They’re waiting—often impatiently—for me to put out something new. It’s thrilling and exciting. I mean, this is what I always wanted and it’s surreal that it’s actually happening. Though I don’t consider myself famous. Yet.
Which of your fictional characters do you relate to the most? Why?
I’d have to say I relate most to Brian Boozer, the main character in RAGE. Like Brian, I had a rough childhood. In fact, many of Brian’s emotions are based on my emotions from when I was younger. There’s a lot of myself in him.
Have you ever considered sending in one of your books to be formatted into a script or screenplay?
Actually, I recently had an agent in New York who was shopping around for a producer for my novel RAGE. As of yet, we haven’t had any takers. He’d mentioned to me that we should shop around for a producer for HELD too, but that’s still in the talk stages. A few years ago, I began writing a script for one of my stories. About halfway through, it got pushed to the back burner for some other projects and I haven’t gone back to it yet. But it’s possible. A friend of mine, Blake Crouch, recently had a company pick up his story PINES. It’ll air next year on Fox as a show called Wayward Pines. In this business, it’s always possible.
Do you have any writers that you look up to? What are some favorite authors that you read as a kid?
As a child, I loved Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew Mystery Stories books. When I’d read all of them, I moved on to Franklin W. Dixon’s The Hardy Boys books. My mom collected V.C. Andrews books, and I read all of them as well. When I was fourteen, I stumbled across a book by Dean Koontz called Watchers. That’s the book that made me realize I was supposed to write, the book that changed my life. Dean Koontz became my favorite author and I read everything I could get my hands on by him. He still—and always will hold a special place in my heart. Lately, some other authors have become important to me as well. J.A. Konrath (if not for him, I would still be unpublished and clueless), Blake Crouch, Jeff Strand, Richard Laymon, David Sedaris, Stephen King…I could go on.
When do you find time to read between writing, photography, and being a mom and wife?
It’s not always easy. However, I keep my Kindle close. Sometimes I manage to read a chapter or two before I go to sleep. Sometimes, I read a few pages while waiting on my son to get out of school. I always take it with me to doctor appointments and squeeze in a chapter or so while waiting. Gone are the days when I could snuggle down on the couch and read an entire book in a day. Now, I just have to grab a page or two whenever and wherever I can.
Favorite book?
This is the question I always dread being asked only because there are so many books that I love for various reasons, which makes it hard to narrow it down to one. But if I had to pick only one (and I do because you asked), I’d have to say Watchers by Dean Koontz. Not only is it a fantastic book, a great story written very well, it’s the book that made me realize I was born to be a writer. I’d been writing poems and songs for a couple years without ever even considering writing a book. However, when I read the last sentence and closed that book, I just knew. This was my calling. This was what I was supposed to do. I wanted to tell a story that drew the reader in and put them through an emotional wringer. I’m sadistic like that. I started my first novel that week. Watchers will always have a place in my heart.
Hobbies?
Boy, do I have hobbies! In addition to photography, I love to knit, crochet, embroider, and quilt. Basically if there’s a needle art out there, I’m into it. I sometimes kid that having hobbies is my hobby.
What is the reason you write horror stories? Is it just what you grew up with? Does stuff that shows up in your life reflect into what you write?
I absolutely grew up on horror! Every horror movie ever made, I’ve watched at least once. Some of my earliest memories are of horror movies. I love that fear, that adrenaline rush and panic you feel while watching a horror movie or reading a horror story. To me, the scariest stories are those that could really happen. I’ve studied serial killers for a long time now, and I often incorporate things I’ve read or learned that have really happened into my stories. I also write about some of my own fears.
What do you think you would be doing now if you didn’t get into writing?
When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. Of course I also wanted to be a doctor and a lawyer. As I got older, I realized I had a bizarre fascination with forensics. I then wanted to become a forensic pathologist, crime scene investigator, or a medical examiner. If I didn’t write, I would more than most likely be in the forensic field. But since I do write, I use my forensic knowledge in my stories. It’s like having the best of both worlds.
Most memorable moment?
I have so many. I’d have to say my absolute most memorable moment would be having my son. It was a big deal to me, and I remember everything about it. After all, it’s not every day you expel a person from your body.
Greatest accomplishment?
Hm. Well, I think that my greatest accomplishment out of my whole life would have to be overcoming quadriplegia. Not many people can say they’ve done that, and I feel that I did a pretty good job of it.
If I were to give you $100,000 right now, what is the first thing you would do with it?
The first thing I would do is pay off my house and my car. I’d split the remainder two ways and donate it to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House.
Pet peeves?
Like hobbies, I have a lot of pet peeves. The ones that top the list though are: people who chew with their mouth open, people who misspell, misuse, or mispronounce words, people who say they’re going to show up at a certain time and either never do or are really late, and people who walk around with their cell phones attached to their ears and refuse to get off no matter how much it inconveniences other people.
What are some of the things you do for entertainment?
I love to watch people, take walks through the woods, go on road trips, and shop (even if I don’t buy anything; I just enjoy looking).
What does it feel like to be interviewed?
It’s fun! I thought it would get old, but it hasn’t. Not yet anyway. I know I enjoy reading interviews by my favorite authors, getting to know them a little better, so I enjoy being able to do the same for my readers.
November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving!
Throughout the month of November and especially on Thanksgiving Day, everyone always posts the things for which they’re thankful. I never do this. It’s not that I’m not thankful, it’s that I’m too thankful. Seriously. I’m thankful for everything, absolutely everything. All the good things that have ever happened to me, all of the bad things that have ever happened to me, and all the things that happened that were neither good or bad. Everything I’ve ever seen, heard, or done, every person I’ve ever loved and lost, has all brought me to this point in my life. And I love where I am. I love my life. Therefore, I’m thankful. Too thankful to list the things I’m thankful for, but I’m thankful all the same.
So from me and mine to you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
