Harmony Kent's Blog, page 116

Friday Book Cover: A few tricks

An informative post on book covers and the rules of art by C.S. Boyack over on Story Empire…

 

Hi gang, Craig here once more. Toward the end of last year we adopted a group of alternating topics for Story Empire, and when the debate was going on, I was probably late for class. My first frida…

Source: Friday Book Cover: A few tricks

The Glade by Harmony Kent #bookreview #horror #thriller

A wonderful review of my book The Glade from reader and author Teri Polen!

Check it out …

This gripping, edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller will have you thinking twice about booking that idyllic cottage in the country. Nothing in this woodland paradise within the Forest of Dean is what…

Source: The Glade by Harmony Kent #bookreview #horror #thriller

AmWriting!-11

[image error] Hi everyone. Today makes day 11 of my days writing. I have written 2200 words today, and that brings my total to 35,638.
Am full of cold, again, today an am clocking off a little early. I can’t believe how much I’ve accomplished in just 11 days

Observations

A fun post on observing and writing from author Joan Hall over on Story Empire …

 

Hello SE Readers. This post is going to sound like I’m rambling but bear with me. I do have a purpose for it, and it does relate to writing. This past Saturday was a work free day in the Hall house…

Source: Observations

AmWriting!-10

[image error] Hello everyone!
Today is day ten of writing my latest novel BACKSTAGE.
Here’s an interesting thing: I finished day nine on 29,433 words, and I’ve just stopped writing and checked the count: 33,433! Bang on 4,000 words without even trying or counting. If I’d planned that, it would have taken work and tweaking here and there, lols. Anyway, it gave me a chuckle.
After a slow writing day on Monday, Tuesday turned into one of those days you wished you’d never had. To cut a long story short, it culminated in my new washing machine breaking mid-cycle. What a lot of sorting out that took, and I ended up mopping up wet, filthy water … eewww. Right now, I’m waiting for the plumber to come and take a look. It seems there’s a blockage in the drainage somewhere, and the pipes are a sealed unit, so I can’t sort it myself. 
Today has been a fantastic day, in comparison. Not only have I dismantled some furniture (great workout, there!), but I’ve also written 4,000 words and gotten some other jobs done.  
Okay, enough waffle from me. Here’s an excerpt for you …

Emma steeled herself headed for the reception room where the housekeeper would have put the unwanted visitors. Sure enough, she found the two detectives in there, perched on a couple of straight-backed Parker Knoll chairs. Ready for bad news, she remained standing.
DI Johnson rose and joined her by the doorway.
Resigned, Emma demanded, ‘What is it?’
The detective offered a soft smile and said, ‘Why don’t we sit down?’ [image error]
Stiff and resistant, Emma shook her head. ‘I’d rather just get this over with.’
‘We’ve come across some holes in the timeline of the new witness. Other witnesses state that she wasn’t where she reports when certain events supposedly took place.’
‘And?’ Emma couldn’t relax. Not yet.
‘We have at least four people who can corroborate that you remained in the auditorium with the group for a few minutes after rehearsals.’
‘Yes. I put that in my statement.’
The DI nodded. ‘So, from that standpoint, it wouldn’t be possible for the witness to have seen you abusing yourself.’
Now, Emma knew beyond any doubt that they were speaking about Mel. ‘Yet you still have doubts.’ That much was obvious.
‘Enough for the CPS to feel reluctant.’ The DI cleared her throat, and a blank expression masked her emotions. ‘I have to ask you again if you’re certain you wish to proceed with the charges against Mr Derek Prentis.’
Emma paled, furious. She gritted out, ‘Yes.’ Then she gripped her elbows across her abdomen and paced up and down.
Johnson said, ‘I’m sorry. I had to ask. It’s evident that the new witness has lied to us, but it still casts a shadow of doubt over the whole thing.’
Emma shook her head and said, ‘I’ll take my chances.’

 

BACKSTAGE

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The resultant book will be Erotic Romance.
She’s a hopeful actress.
He’s a mentor.
Then there’s the big man who can make or break a career, and the demands he makes.
Watch this space!

AmWriting!-9

[image error] Hello everyone.
Today is day nine of my writing spree. I’ve found it harder to knuckle down today, and it’s been slower going. 
Still, I’ve managed another 1195 words, bringing my overall total to 29,433. 
Here’s another ‘sneek peek’ for you …

The silence held so long that Emma thought John wouldn’t answer, but then he spoke. ‘Remember I said that I’d tell you the story of my folks sometime?’
‘Uh-huh.’ Emma nodded.
John steepled his fingers, looking drawn and strained. ‘Did you catch the news last year about the Brant fraud?’
The penny dropped. Wide-eyed, Emma put a hand to her mouth and gasped. ‘Your dad, he’s Ellis Brant? I had no idea.’
He rubbed his chin. ‘And that’s exactly how I wanted to keep it.’
‘John, what did you do?’ [image error]
With disgust, he clenched his fist and thumped the desk. Emma jumped and moved away. John looked chagrined. ‘Sorry. Basically, my bloody father set me up, pulled me in to something that I had no clue about. Yes, I did invest my money—and lost it, I might add. I swear I had no idea about the other stuff. He’s my dad. I trusted him.’
Emma returned to the edge of the table. John rested a hand on her knee. ‘The major fraud squad have asked me to remain available.’
‘So, you can’t leave the country?’
John nodded. ‘I reckon I wouldn’t get too far if I tried. I’m probably on some sodding no-fly list somewhere.’
Tentative, Emma asked, ‘What about your mother?’
John put his head in his hands and then ran them through his ruffled hair, making it stick up in odd places. ‘She’s keeping well out of the way. Haven’t seen her in about ten years anyhow. I think she’s in America somewhere right now, filming. In case you haven’t worked it out, she’s Judi Lundrung.’
‘Oh my God. John, I’m so sorry.’
He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her. ‘Yeah, me and you both.’
After a while, she said, ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’
He laughed, bitterly. ‘I can just see how that would’ve gone. Hey babe, I fancy the pants off you. By the way, the major fraud squad have me under investigation, and I might go to prison. You wanna shag?’
Emma chortled and slapped his shoulder. ‘You moron.’ Then she kissed him.
He rubbed her back. ‘I’m glad you’re here.’
For reply, she deepened the embrace.

 

BACKSTAGE

[image error]

The resultant book will be Erotic Romance.
She’s a hopeful actress.
He’s a mentor.
Then there’s the big man who can make or break a career, and the demands he makes.
Watch this space!

If you’re an author using a pen name, you need to read this.

[image error]Hi everyone! Happy Monday!

Today, I am posting about a serious issue that I have experienced recently. Some of you might have noticed that I no longer have any presence on Facebook. That little corner of social media that I spent 4 to 5 years building up. At the last count, I had over 800 followers. That took some doing. And, now … nothing.

Why is that?

See my post over on Story Empire for more about this. The URL is: https://wp.me/p7OGru-Yy

If you’re an author using a pen name, you need to read this.

 

Twitter: @harmony_kent 
Harmony Kent Author Page: Amazon

 

AmWriting!-8

[image error] Me again!
Today marks my eighth day of writing, and I’ve produced 2,800 words, making my overall total 28,238!
I plan on taking the weekend off, but who knows what inspiration might strike?!?
To close up the week, here’s another excerpt for you …

 

He rubbed his chin. ‘Oh God, it all gets so complicated. What it boils down to is we get on so well together. Yeah?’
[image error] ‘Yeah. I like spending time with you.’
He grinned. ‘Me too. With me, I mean.’
That earned him another wallop with the cushion. He put his glass on the table and snatched the soft weapon from her. Unsure what he would do next, Emma hurried to get her tumbler to safety as well, and just in time too. John gave her an impish look. ‘You ticklish?’
Emma screeched, ‘Don’t you dare.’
He came at her with the cushion and smothered her beneath it. Her up-held arms gave no defence. She couldn’t fight for laughing. Then his questing fingers snuck to her ribs, and she writhed about, helpless. Ticklish didn’t come anywhere near covering it.
Breathless and giggling, she begged, ‘Stop. I can’t breathe.’
Mercifully, he let up and sat watching her, grinning. She dove forward and pinched some arm hair and pulled. Implacable, he just sat there. ‘Doesn’t hurt,’ he said.
‘No fair,’ she told him. ‘You don’t have anything I can get you with.’ Then she tried to tickle him. Again, no reaction. ‘Men!’
Their eyes locked, and their moods sobered. Tentative, he leant in and kissed her lightly on the mouth.

BACKSTAGE

[image error]

The resultant book will be Erotic Romance.
She’s a hopeful actress.
He’s a mentor.
Then there’s the big man who can make or break a career, and the demands he makes.
Watch this space!

Friday Writing Question

Over on Story Empire, Author Joan Hall asks: How to you manage to find the balance between writing, a home life, social media, and (if applicable) holding a full-time or part-time job?

 

Hi SE Readers! We’ve almost made it through another week and since this is the third Friday of the month, it’s time for another writing question. (You can check out P.H.’s questio…

Source: Friday Writing Question

AmWriting!-7

[image error] This makes my 7th day of writing, and I have managed another 2,500 words, bringing the total to 25,401.
Feedback on the book cover that I revealed yesterday has been awesome. Thanks so much everyone for all your support and encouragement!
Okay, so with both the title and the cover now out of the bag, I bring you another ‘sneek peek’ …

In the darkened hospital room, John held her hand. When he saw her awake, he smiled. ‘How do you feel?’

[image error]

Emma mumbled, ‘Head hurts.’
He squeezed her hand. ‘I’m not surprised. You had a concussion. They think you hit your head on the desk or something.’
‘What about him?’
John scowled. ‘Arrested. Charged. Released on bail.’
Distressed, her voice came out high and rushed, ‘They let him go?’
‘With all his money, he can afford a good solicitor. Anyway, he won’t be stupid enough to come near you again.’
‘You reckon?’
‘Yeah. It’ll make front-page news tomorrow—you mark my words. He’d be stupid to push it.’
Emma groaned.
John leaned over her. ‘What? What is it? Are you gonna throw up again?’
‘I know what he’ll say. I’m a slut. I led him on. You know the drill, John. All he has to do is slander me. Drag up my past. Like you say, with his money … a solicitor and a private investigator.’
John released her hand and stood.
Bewildered, Emma looked up at him.
‘I’m off to speak to the others,’ he said.
‘The other women?’
John nodded. ‘Yeah. If we can prove you weren’t his only victim …’

 

[image error]

 

The resultant book will be Erotic Romance.
She’s a hopeful actress.
He’s a mentor.
Then there’s the big man who can make or break a career, and the demands he makes.
Watch this space!