K.F. Breene's Blog, page 15
January 25, 2014
Kellan's Dragons (book review)
KfB's rating:
4 stars
Back-jacket:
Kellan Teague, an orphan, is whisked away from the boarding school for psions by Dr. Olivia Hutchins to take part in a military organization called The Program. She awakes to find that she has been Linked, psychically bonded to a dragon named Jericho. Jericho doesn't seem very happy to be Linked and does everything he can to push Kellan away. One of the few people to show her kindness is a guard known to her only as Drake. Kellan soon finds out that both Jericho and Drake have secrets, secrets that hold the key to her past.
Genre: YA-Fantasy with hints of romance
Review: I picked up this book in an effort to support the publishing house that put out my Skyline Series. I picked this book out of many without over-thinking the decision, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Kellan is a strong, extremely gifted girl that stands above the rest of the psions in her school. As you might imagine from your high-school days, this makes her the target for snarky comments and aggressive jealousy. And while she tries to hold up the ol' chin, it weighs her down, pushing her into outcast status.
Not helping the situation is her dragon. Having lost a bunch of psions (kind of like ESP) before her, he doesn't want to get attached. He's mean and brutish, and kind of a dick, actually. This makes her segregation not only depressing, but draining.
I enjoyed this struggle. I enjoyed the gruff, alpha male type stance in the dragon, especially when you start seeing through the cracks to the fear and uncertainty beneath. The story moves quickly and efficiently, not wasting too much time on trivial details, making us like Kellan, and root for Jericho, the dragon, to get his scaly head out of his ass. It is a short read, and by the end, you wish she'd pushed the end line out farther so you could continue on the journey--it certainly didn't need to end where it did.
There is also a graceful and soft romance brewing in the pages. You totally want her to hook up with one or two of the characters, but being YA, all the author did was tease. And actually, that was fine. I have an imagination, and she gave me enough to get excited about.
The only drawback for me was the telling. The dreaded telling, I know. Something Indy writers do in plenty. One example I remember was when she looked over the side of a cliff. The author told us how far down it was, and how dizzying it was, instead of showing us. Instead of having her peek over, and get a wave of vertigo, noticing how small the rocks were way at the bottom. There are a few instances of that throughout the book, but on the whole, she is actually taking us through the story rather than telling us what happens from one moment to the next. Being that I usually get bored when an author tells me things, and I didn't with this book, I didn't detract a star like I normally would.
I'd recommend this book. You should give it a try.
4 starsBack-jacket:
Kellan Teague, an orphan, is whisked away from the boarding school for psions by Dr. Olivia Hutchins to take part in a military organization called The Program. She awakes to find that she has been Linked, psychically bonded to a dragon named Jericho. Jericho doesn't seem very happy to be Linked and does everything he can to push Kellan away. One of the few people to show her kindness is a guard known to her only as Drake. Kellan soon finds out that both Jericho and Drake have secrets, secrets that hold the key to her past.Genre: YA-Fantasy with hints of romance
Review: I picked up this book in an effort to support the publishing house that put out my Skyline Series. I picked this book out of many without over-thinking the decision, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Kellan is a strong, extremely gifted girl that stands above the rest of the psions in her school. As you might imagine from your high-school days, this makes her the target for snarky comments and aggressive jealousy. And while she tries to hold up the ol' chin, it weighs her down, pushing her into outcast status.
Not helping the situation is her dragon. Having lost a bunch of psions (kind of like ESP) before her, he doesn't want to get attached. He's mean and brutish, and kind of a dick, actually. This makes her segregation not only depressing, but draining.
I enjoyed this struggle. I enjoyed the gruff, alpha male type stance in the dragon, especially when you start seeing through the cracks to the fear and uncertainty beneath. The story moves quickly and efficiently, not wasting too much time on trivial details, making us like Kellan, and root for Jericho, the dragon, to get his scaly head out of his ass. It is a short read, and by the end, you wish she'd pushed the end line out farther so you could continue on the journey--it certainly didn't need to end where it did.
There is also a graceful and soft romance brewing in the pages. You totally want her to hook up with one or two of the characters, but being YA, all the author did was tease. And actually, that was fine. I have an imagination, and she gave me enough to get excited about.
The only drawback for me was the telling. The dreaded telling, I know. Something Indy writers do in plenty. One example I remember was when she looked over the side of a cliff. The author told us how far down it was, and how dizzying it was, instead of showing us. Instead of having her peek over, and get a wave of vertigo, noticing how small the rocks were way at the bottom. There are a few instances of that throughout the book, but on the whole, she is actually taking us through the story rather than telling us what happens from one moment to the next. Being that I usually get bored when an author tells me things, and I didn't with this book, I didn't detract a star like I normally would.
I'd recommend this book. You should give it a try.
The Hobbit; The Desolation of Smug (movie review)
Yes, I realize I am an author, and usually authors do book reviews. But I am also a person, and people go to he cinema. In fact, many books are made into movies. So I think I am justified in doing a movie review.
Even if I wasn't, I'd totally do it anyway.
The Hobbit; The Desolation of Smug
What. The. Fuuuuudge.
I loved the LOTR trilogy. I got the extended editions. I had viewing parties. It rocked my damn world. So much so, that I have Sting and the One Ring. Yes I do. I am a freaking dork, but there you go.
I really liked the Hobbit. I watched it twice. I loved the humor and the dwarves. The action was also well-played. Not as good as the LOTR, but neither was the book, so that's okay. It also dragged in a couple places--it could've been tighter. All nit-picky comments.
Dude, what the hell happened with The Desolation of Smug?
I wanted to get up half-way through the movie out of boredom. It dragged from one scene to the next. Often characters had a long pause as they stared just off the camera in dramatic determination. Thorin did this most often, jaw set, eyes firm.
Grrrr!What are you staring at?
I get it, you're menacing. Your the king without your mountain. My throat hurts--stop trying to ram that truth down. Can you move on, please?
And Legolas. Again with the staring. You will get those dwarfs. Or, you have a bloody nose--grrr. Flared nostrils. Way, way over dramatic. This isn't a musical; overacting isn't accepted in this venue.
Smug was freaking awesome, I'll give you that. The team down at WETA kicked ass on that score. And as he chased and pillaged, it was definitely fun and worth watching. How he interacted with Bilbo was also neat. But it needed to be closer to the middle of the story. It needed to happen sooner.
The point is, this move was stretched into three and should have been two. It needed to really tighten things up. This middle movie is just filler between the book ends. I have a feeling the third movie will be excellent, but you can't have one part of three take the fall. It crumbles the whole unit.
Money hungry, Peter. tsk, tsk. No good. I will not be watching this movie again. No likey.
Do I recommend it? Well, I have to, don't I? You can't watch the first and third and not watch the second. But it is a grudging recommendation.
Even if I wasn't, I'd totally do it anyway.
The Hobbit; The Desolation of Smug
What. The. Fuuuuudge.
I loved the LOTR trilogy. I got the extended editions. I had viewing parties. It rocked my damn world. So much so, that I have Sting and the One Ring. Yes I do. I am a freaking dork, but there you go.
I really liked the Hobbit. I watched it twice. I loved the humor and the dwarves. The action was also well-played. Not as good as the LOTR, but neither was the book, so that's okay. It also dragged in a couple places--it could've been tighter. All nit-picky comments.
Dude, what the hell happened with The Desolation of Smug?
I wanted to get up half-way through the movie out of boredom. It dragged from one scene to the next. Often characters had a long pause as they stared just off the camera in dramatic determination. Thorin did this most often, jaw set, eyes firm.
Grrrr!What are you staring at? I get it, you're menacing. Your the king without your mountain. My throat hurts--stop trying to ram that truth down. Can you move on, please?
And Legolas. Again with the staring. You will get those dwarfs. Or, you have a bloody nose--grrr. Flared nostrils. Way, way over dramatic. This isn't a musical; overacting isn't accepted in this venue.
Smug was freaking awesome, I'll give you that. The team down at WETA kicked ass on that score. And as he chased and pillaged, it was definitely fun and worth watching. How he interacted with Bilbo was also neat. But it needed to be closer to the middle of the story. It needed to happen sooner.
The point is, this move was stretched into three and should have been two. It needed to really tighten things up. This middle movie is just filler between the book ends. I have a feeling the third movie will be excellent, but you can't have one part of three take the fall. It crumbles the whole unit.Money hungry, Peter. tsk, tsk. No good. I will not be watching this movie again. No likey.
Do I recommend it? Well, I have to, don't I? You can't watch the first and third and not watch the second. But it is a grudging recommendation.
January 22, 2014
Blog Tour Giveaway! $100 gift card!
Visit my blog page to enter for your chance to win!
http://www.kfbreene.org/2014/01/into-...
Prizes:
1- $100 Amazon/BN gift card
2- $20 gift cards
5- ebooks of K.F. Breene (currently out or coming soon)
1- Quest of the Hart ebook by Mary Wiebel
1- Life with a Fire-Breathing Girlfriend ebook by Bryan Fields
http://www.kfbreene.org/2014/01/into-...
Prizes:
1- $100 Amazon/BN gift card
2- $20 gift cards
5- ebooks of K.F. Breene (currently out or coming soon)
1- Quest of the Hart ebook by Mary Wiebel
1- Life with a Fire-Breathing Girlfriend ebook by Bryan Fields
New blog!
Check out my new blog with deleted scenes, alternate beginnings, random ramblings, and coming soon, guest hosts.
www.kfbreene.org
website:
kfbreene.com
www.kfbreene.org
website:
kfbreene.com
September 27, 2013
Growing Pains!
Hot off the press! A new series is making its way into the world. Just like the Jessica Brodie Diaries, the first book is free so you can try it on for size. If it fits, take it on the runway. Or out to lunch--whatever your style is.
One thing about this series, it is a roller coaster of overcoming trials, trying to protect oneself from any more pain, but unable to fight off the feelings for someone you are meant to be with. If you can make it to the end of the series, I guarantee you will be handsomely rewarded with a true, emotional HEA. With this series, both characters had a journey to go on--they both had some sticky parts of their past to overcome--and they had to earn their HEA, which I have always thought makes it more gratifying. But it's romance, and it's me, so you know you're going to get your reward :)
Anyway, I hope you all like it. http://kfbreene.com/growing-pains-rom...
One thing about this series, it is a roller coaster of overcoming trials, trying to protect oneself from any more pain, but unable to fight off the feelings for someone you are meant to be with. If you can make it to the end of the series, I guarantee you will be handsomely rewarded with a true, emotional HEA. With this series, both characters had a journey to go on--they both had some sticky parts of their past to overcome--and they had to earn their HEA, which I have always thought makes it more gratifying. But it's romance, and it's me, so you know you're going to get your reward :)
Anyway, I hope you all like it. http://kfbreene.com/growing-pains-rom...
August 10, 2013
Stalking...
I tossed my favorite contemporary romance (Building Trouble, Skyline Series) at a publisher, just wondering. Writing is a hobby that I have only lately decided to put up for public consumption. So by that time, I'd done a plethora of stories--most so long I had to turn them into series--and figured, hell, why not? And then, low and behold, it got accepted. Happy days!
With that milestone accomplished, I figured I'd self publish the earliest book-turned-series so as not to go through the rigmarole and stress of trying to get it published (also because I didn't think it was any good).
So now I've published two ways and realize...I'm no good at giving up so much control! It's like a dog behind a fence trying to get at the mailman. I'm going half-mad!
With Jessica Brodie, I could change things based on critique. I read reviews with honest advice and made those fixes if applicable. I chose my vendors after careful consideration, I re-did a weird cover (that I made), and I can offer free books to contests.
With Building Trouble, the published book, I'm dead in the water. It's like being locked out of the house, looking longingly at the open upstairs window without a way to get on the roof. I'm a business major/accountant but I have no control over the business aspect of this venture. Okay, yes, I am needlessly causing myself stress, while whining, but... I'm too high-strung for these shenanigans! :)
So what I am doing in light of this self-induced mania? Stalking my own work like a goon, that's what! I am checking in here, at Amazon, at my website--when did I turn into a stalker? And if I am taking up goonery, why am I wasting my efforts on a book rather than a hot guy?
Insanity, I think. Definitely insanity.
With that milestone accomplished, I figured I'd self publish the earliest book-turned-series so as not to go through the rigmarole and stress of trying to get it published (also because I didn't think it was any good).
So now I've published two ways and realize...I'm no good at giving up so much control! It's like a dog behind a fence trying to get at the mailman. I'm going half-mad!
With Jessica Brodie, I could change things based on critique. I read reviews with honest advice and made those fixes if applicable. I chose my vendors after careful consideration, I re-did a weird cover (that I made), and I can offer free books to contests.
With Building Trouble, the published book, I'm dead in the water. It's like being locked out of the house, looking longingly at the open upstairs window without a way to get on the roof. I'm a business major/accountant but I have no control over the business aspect of this venture. Okay, yes, I am needlessly causing myself stress, while whining, but... I'm too high-strung for these shenanigans! :)
So what I am doing in light of this self-induced mania? Stalking my own work like a goon, that's what! I am checking in here, at Amazon, at my website--when did I turn into a stalker? And if I am taking up goonery, why am I wasting my efforts on a book rather than a hot guy?
Insanity, I think. Definitely insanity.
July 7, 2013
Back in the Saddle is in a list!
I saw this on my book's page and couldn't help but laugh. Back in the Saddle is in a list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
That's right, my "excellent" work on the front cover has been noticed. Haha! It is painfully clear I will never go into a profession in graphic design.
Sadly for the voters, my book cover is soon to change. I'm having someone alter it since I hilariously suck. Might as well give the poor book a fighting chance on the visual side of things. Too bad, I love celebrating my Tom-foolery :)
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
That's right, my "excellent" work on the front cover has been noticed. Haha! It is painfully clear I will never go into a profession in graphic design.
Sadly for the voters, my book cover is soon to change. I'm having someone alter it since I hilariously suck. Might as well give the poor book a fighting chance on the visual side of things. Too bad, I love celebrating my Tom-foolery :)
June 28, 2013
Slammed at Amazon
I feel like I've been stuck in a washing machine of Amazon's devising. At most booksellers, and here at Goodreads, I get the sprinkling of people that did not jive with Back in the Saddle, and that is absolutely expected. I've been lucky (and awestruck) for the most part in that more people seem to pick-up-what-I've-put-down than not. With a bold personality like mine, who doesn't tend to sugar coat because I seem to have lost that little filter that goes between my brain and my mouth, there are always gonna be naysayers. I know this. My friends know to take most things I say with a grain of salt. But there are those that probably want nothing more than to continuously punch me in the mouth.
I think they all own a kindle. Oh man. I'm getting hammered!
It seems like the people that like the book go on to read more, which is the best compliment really. Unfortunately, those that get rocked the other way leave a bad review. On one, the review had about as many words as the person admitted to reading. Yee-haw.
Granted, I'm still new to putting it all out there, so I haven't developed the necessary crust to reviews--another failing. But goodness me, those readers down at Amazon don't pull any punches. Half of me is definitely laughing and shrugging at the same time. Can't please them all, of course, and I never expected to please many. The other half of me, though, needed to vent.
Alas, a blog post is born.
I salute you Amazon, O keeper of the shark tank. I shall act as the chum.
I think my metaphors need work.
I think they all own a kindle. Oh man. I'm getting hammered!
It seems like the people that like the book go on to read more, which is the best compliment really. Unfortunately, those that get rocked the other way leave a bad review. On one, the review had about as many words as the person admitted to reading. Yee-haw.
Granted, I'm still new to putting it all out there, so I haven't developed the necessary crust to reviews--another failing. But goodness me, those readers down at Amazon don't pull any punches. Half of me is definitely laughing and shrugging at the same time. Can't please them all, of course, and I never expected to please many. The other half of me, though, needed to vent.
Alas, a blog post is born.
I salute you Amazon, O keeper of the shark tank. I shall act as the chum.
I think my metaphors need work.
May 24, 2013
Editing- Gah!
I thank everyone for the reviews! The Jessica Brodie Diaries were my first plunge into story-telling as an adult. After doing a few more things (none of which are out yet), I realized that the writing on this story was a little sub-par. I tried to re-write and spruce it up, but was quickly down-trodden by my ridiculousness. It was why I didn't bother sending to a publisher. I figured that if anyone wanted to read it, great. If not, no big deal. I was fully prepared for terrible reviews.
I lean toward self-depreciation, as you can probably tell.
Now I am (correctly) getting reviews about the shoddy editing. Yeeaaahhhh, good call. I was a business major and am absolutely terrible at spelling. Always have been. Microsoft Word has to work overtime! Self-editing obviously is not working for me. I was a boob for thinking different!
So, I just wanted everyone to know...note taken. Thank you for the helpful critique! I am contacting editors today to get this series looked at. Thank you for the patience and sticking with it through the errors. I would not have been so patient had I been in your shoes. But then, I'm a jerk, so there ya go =) Ha!
I lean toward self-depreciation, as you can probably tell.
Now I am (correctly) getting reviews about the shoddy editing. Yeeaaahhhh, good call. I was a business major and am absolutely terrible at spelling. Always have been. Microsoft Word has to work overtime! Self-editing obviously is not working for me. I was a boob for thinking different!
So, I just wanted everyone to know...note taken. Thank you for the helpful critique! I am contacting editors today to get this series looked at. Thank you for the patience and sticking with it through the errors. I would not have been so patient had I been in your shoes. But then, I'm a jerk, so there ya go =) Ha!
