Harmony Kent's Blog, page 54

#NewRelease “Interludes 2: Short Erotic Fiction” by Harmony Kent | Nesie’s Place

Hi everyone. I just had the most wonderful surprise! Felicia Denise is showcasing my latest book, Interludes 2, on her blog today. I’d be thrilled if you could pop by and leave us some love! Thanks, folks. Have a fabulous weekend

The Mad House: ‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #15 NEW Image Prompt. Join in the fun! #IARTG #ASMSG @pursoot #WritingCommunity

Hi everyone! It’s that time of the week again … Friday fun flash fiction! This week’s picture had my muse dancing

The Nutshell Catch and the Point of No Return | Story Empire

Hi everyone. Staci has another post in her ‘Nutshell’ writing approach over at Story Empire today >>>

Ciao, SEers. We’ve been talking about Jill Chamberlain’s Nutshell method of plotting as it relates to Aristotelian comedies and tragedies. Last time, we discussed the protagonist with respect to fl…

Source: The Nutshell Catch and the Point of No Return | Story Empire

The post The Nutshell Catch and the Point of No Return | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

Character Evolution and A New Book from C. S. Boyack! @Virgilante

Hi everyone! Today, it gives me great pleasure to have Craig over for coffee and biscuits. And if the party goes on late enough … maybe something a little stronger. Anyway, with Craig being Craig, you’re sure to find this post entertaining even without a tipple. Craig and I are co-authors of the Story Empire blog (along with six other talented authors). I’ve always loved his wonderful imagination and the ability to tell a good tale. 

Take it away, Craig …

Harmony, it’s a pleasure to be back here today. Thanks for the invitation, and you should know that my door is always open when you need the same.

{Thank you! I always love visiting your place

Special Items: Fantasy

Hi everyone, if you want some fun fantasy and a bit of dress up today, then hop on over to Story Empire, where Craig will both entertain and inform

Wp answer, short and sweet!

[image error] Hi everyone, a blind blogger posted this, and I’d love it if you could visit and share. So many folks struggle with the new block editor for valid reasons. Have a great day, folks

#BookReview: The Searcher by Tana French

Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review for you by an author I greatly admire, Tana French. I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley.

About the Book:

[image error]

‘One of the most compulsive psychological mysteries since Donna Tartt’s The Secret History‘ THE TIMES

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a remote Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force, and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens.

But then a local kid comes looking for his help. His brother has gone missing, and no one, least of all the police, seems to care. Cal wants nothing to do with any kind of investigation, but somehow he can’t make himself walk away.

Soon Cal will discover that even in the most idyllic small town, secrets lie hidden, people aren’t always what they seem, and trouble can come calling at his door.

Our greatest living mystery writer weaves a masterful tale of breath-taking beauty and suspense, asking what we sacrifice in our search for truth and justice, and the dangers of finding what we seek.

My Review:

[image error]

 

Many thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC of one of my favourite authors.

As soon as I saw this book by Tana French available for review, I leapt at the chance. And how happy I was when the publisher accepted my request.

The actual read proved to be a mixed bag, and I’ve found myself wavering over quite what rating to give it. So, here goes …

I loved the start of the story. The wonderful descriptions of small-town Ireland and the locals with all their quirks and customs–and secrets! I also adored the way Cal used simple DIY to entice young Trey to stop stalking and start talking. It was perfect.

Not so well done was the whole long, drawn-out middle bit. I found myself getting so impatient and fidgety. What? Not with a Tana French book, surely? Um, yep … sorry about that. And, further confession, the same with the end. After the main confrontation was over, I felt the narrative meandered more than the infamous mountain bog in the book. Had I had a paperback in my hands, I might have thrown it at the wall in frustration once or twice … but, my iPad … well, you know.

For an ex-chicago cop, Cal bumbled around too much. He missed too many signs and clues. Despite what he’d have us believe, I don’t reckon he had his neck hairs that well trained.

The end, though drawn out, was satisfying and well rounded. It answered all the questions and drew the couple of loose threads together. The writing style was lovely, as ever, and the narrative clean of errors.

So, in many ways, I can see this being a five-star read, but for me it fell flat somehow. So, four stars, then? Well, I wouldn’t and didn’t pull an all-nighter, so–again–nope. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I’m going for a 3.5 star read, which I’ll round up to a soft 4 for rating purposes. Basically, it sits between a 3 (where I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it) and a 4 (where I’d pull an all-nighter). I liked it more than it being just okay. I actually enjoyed the read for the most part. But, the thing is, it just didn’t have that wow factor. For sure, it hasn’t put me off this writer, but she’s not on my automatic buy list right now, which she would have been before.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery rather than a fast-paced psychological thriller, then you will love this book. So, go and read it! But, if you prefer the latter, then you’re likely to find it luke-warm.

All of that aside, this author has a way with words. The book contains some wonderful turns of phrase, and I felt like I’d been transported to rural Ireland. That takes skill. And if I wanted distraction from my daily cares, this read certainly gave me that. So, thank you.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.

4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.

3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.

1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by

#WhyWriteWrong? | Story Empire

For a fun and informative post on Why Write Wrong, check out Marcia Meara’s post today over at Story Empire

Monday Funnies… | Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

For some Monday giggles and fun, head on over to Chris’s place

“Fiction In A Flash Challenge” Week #14 NEW Image Prompt. @pursoot #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity.

Hi everyone!

I hope you’ve had a good week. My muse jumped on this week’s picture fiction prompt from Soooz, and I have a bit of flash fiction for you, entitled Alienated. I was determined to write this one in 100 words. Not one more. Not one less. I’d love to know what you think of the result