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REVIEW: WATCHING SWIFTS BY R J ASKEW My Review - 5 stars! Watching Swifts is one of the most...

REVIEW: WATCHING SWIFTS BY R J ASKEW 

My Review - 5 stars! 

Watching Swifts is one of the most unusual books I’ve ever read simply because of the way the story progresses. An ongoing monologue from the central character, the story is a slow but steady evolution of the man himself. I’ve never read anything like it; in its own way, it’s truly unique because I believe this method of character development is a one-of-a-kind. 

The book starts in Emma’s POV, a war photographer and deals with a rather chance meeting with Leonardo, an ice cream vendor who is so much more than a seller of vanilla to the tourists in Kew Gardens. The majority of the book is a monologue as mentioned before and at first, I admit to some initial confusion. I couldn’t seem to connect with Leo, could only recognize the talent of an author who managed to plot a story in this way and yet, keep me engaged. Once I made the connection, about 10% of the way in –so if you’re like me, you must persevere-, I slowly fell in love with the tone, the cheekiness, the arguments with Mr. Parker, a rather mean park keeper, as well as the insights into a couple who are engaging in an illicit affair and Luigi, the peeping Tom who gets his kicks from sneaking peeks at the unsuspecting couple. 

The way the author engages you, is actually very clever. You start to see the pettiness of life, the inanities that Leo comments on and through it all, the passing of nature in his love of swifts. Their migratory patterns will long outlast our petty and small existences. 
There are snippets of poetry within the novella and very good they are too, but the story is much more than that. It’s thought-provoking and unnerving. You sense Mr. Parker’s agitation with Leo and the latter’s need to bite back. The yearning in Isabel to be a part of an affair, to simple feel something; a city exec’s troubled marriage and the dog who doesn’t like his self-obsessed owner. 

This is the kind of book that makes me glad self-publishing exists, because it’s unusual and sometimes, the traditional publishers don’t appreciate that. Especially with first time authors. It’s a book that twists and turns and trundles along, describing life and the world that revolves around us in a unique way. And at the same time, it’s tongue in cheek, humorous, honest and very, very real. It makes you want to stop, stand back and study people the way Leo does. Attain the same insights into human nature that he does. It reminds you of the fast pace of life and tells you that there is another way. 

The synopsis doesn’t give you a clue as to how the story will occur. I read it, expecting it to follow a certain pattern. Expected to read a romance novel, something which intrigued me simply because the author is a man and I’ve never actually read a romance by a man! But, that being said, it didn’t follow that pattern at all and what I proceeded to read was a rather clever study of the human race in all its glory and all its pettiness. I read the opposite of a Happy Ever After in a way. A love that is perfect, but that will never be allowed to be blossom and then, ultimately, die. It will remain as a bud, forever frozen. Beautiful in its own way without the sureness of death.

Let me say that if you don’t know what a swift is, then look it up. And by the end of it, expect to want to visit Kew Gardens. If you do, and if you happen to have this novella on your Kindle, then you’ll have a corker of a day. This is no trite throw-away romance novel, but a serious character development of a man, who is at the centre of the story and whose own tale is cloaked within his observations. 

Expect to be shocked, amused, concerned and through it all, congratulate the author for taking you through the emotional wringer! Especially at the end, the prologue and epilogue are in Emma’s POV and if your eyes don’t feel slightly moist, then there’s no hope for you!


Amazon.co.uk




Amazon.com

MARKETING WOES & TIPS TO STOP DEPRESSION As an author (you’ve no idea how awesome it...

MARKETING WOES & TIPS TO STOP DEPRESSION 

As an author (you’ve no idea how awesome it feels to say that or in this case, write it!) I’m finding a lot of my time sucked up in marketing and often, for a lost cause.
In my video blog, I mentioned how I’m enjoying social networking. And that’s no lie. I am. 
But I saw a post on the Facebook group: Marketing For Authors and it made me question a few things. 
Firstly, let me say, it’s one of the most useful groups I’ve come across on Facebook. Found many, but for advice and help, this is really the best. 
But on there, someone was saying how time input into marketing isn’t equating into sales and I guess it’s the same for me. 
I think my only problem is really with the time I spend on marketing, which could be put to more use writing; but let’s face it, I have to chill out sometimes, right? I can’t be working and writing all the time! I think you have to approach your social networking with a firm frame of mind; it’s not going to open a ton of doors for you, but you’ll meet some pretty awesome people along the way, learn a hell of a lot, have fun, find inspiration and if what you do turns into one sale, that in turn, turns into a review, then your work is complete. And the cycle goes around again. 
My advice? Have fun, don’t spread yourself too thin and don’t expect to make a million with one book. :D 
Wow, I sound like I’ve being doing this a long time- hah! No, I haven’t but I feel like I’ve picked up a lot of stuff along the way. :) And one thing you have to do: must, must, must, is pass on the love. 
That’s what the whole reviewing thing is about. I don’t really have time, but, it’s worth it if I can help a fellow author. 
I’ve already had quite a few emails regarding reviewing, so that’s awesome. And if you’re an erotica writer looking for reviews, then check out my review policy for more info. 
That being said, if you fancy some #NaughtyNookie, then check out my novella, #FallIntoLove on US Kindle: http://ow.ly/nFnfk and
#FallIntoLove on UK Kindle : http://ow.ly/nFn7f. 

Another 5 star review popped on Amazon and Goodreads today! Woohoo! 

Review: Watching Swifts by R J Askew

My Review - 5 stars! 

Watching Swifts is one of the most unusual books I’ve ever read simply because of the way the story progresses. An ongoing monologue from the central character, the story is a slow but steady evolution of the man himself. I’ve never read anything like it; in its own way, it’s truly unique because I believe this method of character development is a one-of-a-kind. 

The book starts in Emma’s POV, a war photographer and deals with a rather chance meeting with Leonardo, an ice cream vendor who is so much more than a seller of vanilla to the tourists in Kew Gardens. The majority of the book is a monologue as mentioned before and at first, I admit to some initial confusion. I couldn’t seem to connect with Leo, could only recognize the talent of an author who managed to plot a story in this way and yet, keep me engaged. Once I made the connection, about 10% of the way in –so if you’re like me, you must persevere-, I slowly fell in love with the tone, the cheekiness, the arguments with Mr. Parker, a rather mean park keeper, as well as the insights into a couple who are engaging in an illicit affair and Luigi, the peeping Tom who gets his kicks from sneaking peeks at the unsuspecting couple. 

The way the author engages you, is actually very clever. You start to see the pettiness of life, the inanities that Leo comments on and through it all, the passing of nature in his love of swifts. Their migratory patterns will long outlast our petty and small existences. 
There are snippets of poetry within the novella and very good they are too, but the story is much more than that. It’s thought-provoking and unnerving. You sense Mr. Parker’s agitation with Leo and the latter’s need to bite back. The yearning in Isabel to be a part of an affair, to simple feel something; a city exec’s troubled marriage and the dog who doesn’t like his self-obsessed owner. 

This is the kind of book that makes me glad self-publishing exists, because it’s unusual and sometimes, the traditional publishers don’t appreciate that. Especially with first time authors. It’s a book that twists and turns and trundles along, describing life and the world that revolves around us in a unique way. And at the same time, it’s tongue in cheek, humorous, honest and very, very real. It makes you want to stop, stand back and study people the way Leo does. Attain the same insights into human nature that he does. It reminds you of the fast pace of life and tells you that there is another way. 

The synopsis doesn’t give you a clue as to how the story will occur. I read it, expecting it to follow a certain pattern. Expected to read a romance novel, something which intrigued me simply because the author is a man and I’ve never actually read a romance by a man! But, that being said, it didn’t follow that pattern at all and what I proceeded to read was a rather clever study of the human race in all its glory and all its pettiness. I read the opposite of a Happy Ever After in a way. A love that is perfect, but that will never be allowed to be blossom and then, ultimately, die. It will remain as a bud, forever frozen. Beautiful in its own way without the sureness of death.

Let me say that if you don’t know what a swift is, then look it up. And by the end of it, expect to want to visit Kew Gardens. If you do, and if you happen to have this novella on your Kindle, then you’ll have a corker of a day. This is no trite throw-away romance novel, but a serious character development of a man, who is at the centre of the story and whose own tale is cloaked within his observations. 

Expect to be shocked, amused, concerned and through it all, congratulate the author for taking you through the emotional wringer! Especially at the end, the prologue and epilogue are in Emma’s POV and if your eyes don’t feel slightly moist, then there’s no hope for you!


Amazon.co.uk




Amazon.com

Vid blog No.2!

Here’s my second video blog! Click here if you can’t see the video above. 

My brand spanking new novella is now available on Kindle!
#FallIntoLove on US Kindle: http://ow.ly/nFnfk
#FallIntoLove on UK Kindle : http://ow.ly/nFn7f

Reviews for the Randy

Just FYI, I’ve started to accept reviews for erotica novels/novellas. 
Why?
In my attempts to secure an audience, I’ve come across many reviewers who don’t accept erotica! Of course, there are some, but not the one’s that have become renowned on the social networking scene. 
I thought I’d add myself to the melee!
For more info, check out the Review tab on the menu. Alternatively, click here to be redirected! :)

Handy Tool & Another 5* review!

I’ve discovered, thanks to my tumblr blog, a handy tool on a site called: WordHippo. It’s like a thesaurus, but better. There are synonyms, antonyms; if you’re a poet, then there are rhyming words and all other kinds of handy tools! I’ve been using it for times when I can’t think of a word, but can think of ones with matching definitions. Very useful; I rather like it! There’s also a translate option and maybe it’s because the logo is a pink hippo, I prefer it to the rest! :) 

Also, chuffed to say that I’ve received another 5* review on Amazon and Goodreads! Yaay! It’s nice when someone reads my work and loves what I do. I guess every author feels that way; but each review is like validation :) The writing road is long and filled with ups and downs, but I’m willing to wander and I’ll dedicate my lifetime to the task. Melodramatic, but I firmly believe that if writing is in your soul, it’s as important as any other career. After all, we writers are the crafters of an alternate reality and don’t they say that the cheapest vacation is within the pages of a novel? Well, just think of me as a travel agent and I’m in it for the long haul! 

If you fancy checking out my novella, then here are the links!
#FallIntoLove on US Kindle
#FallIntoLove on UK Kindle 

REVIEWS FOR THE RANDY Just FYI, I’ve started to accept reviews for erotica...

REVIEWS FOR THE RANDY 

Just FYI, I’ve started to accept reviews for erotica novels/novellas. 
Why?
In my attempts to secure an audience, I’ve come across many reviewers who don’t accept erotica! Of course, there are some, but not the one’s that have become renowned on the social networking scene. 
I thought I’d add myself to the melee!
For more info, check out the Review tab on the menu. Alternatively, click here to be redirected! :)

VID BLOG NO.2 Here’s my second video blog! Click here if you can’t see the video...

VID BLOG NO.2 

Here’s my second video blog! Click here if you can’t see the video above. 

My brand spanking new novella is now available on Kindle!
#FallIntoLove on US Kindle: http://ow.ly/nFnfk
#FallIntoLove on UK Kindle : http://ow.ly/nFn7f

HANDY TOOL & ANOTHER 5* REVIEW! I’ve discovered, thanks to my tumblr blog, a handy tool...

HANDY TOOL & ANOTHER 5* REVIEW! 

I’ve discovered, thanks to my tumblr blog, a handy tool on a site called: WordHippo. It’s like a thesaurus, but better. There are synonyms, antonyms; if you’re a poet, then there are rhyming words and all other kinds of handy tools! I’ve been using it for times when I can’t think of a word, but can think of ones with matching definitions. Very useful; I rather like it! There’s also a translate option and maybe it’s because the logo is a pink hippo, I prefer it to the rest! :) 

Also, chuffed to say that I’ve received another 5* review on Amazon and Goodreads! Yaay! It’s nice when someone reads my work and loves what I do. I guess every author feels that way; but each review is like validation :) The writing road is long and filled with ups and downs, but I’m willing to wander and I’ll dedicate my lifetime to the task. Melodramatic, but I firmly believe that if writing is in your soul, it’s as important as any other career. After all, we writers are the crafters of an alternate reality and don’t they say that the cheapest vacation is within the pages of a novel? Well, just think of me as a travel agent and I’m in it for the long haul! 

If you fancy checking out my novella, then here are the links!
#FallIntoLove on US Kindle
#FallIntoLove on UK Kindle 

GUEST INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL HAMM!

With me today on my blog, I have author Rachel Hamm! She’s very kindly popped over to tell me about her latest book as well as her debut novel! 

Hey Rachel, welcome to my blog and also, have to say, I love your cover art! So simple and yet, it really stands out. Awesome! Now, let’s get down to it, would you say that writing is a hobby or a vocation? 

For now, writing is a hobby.  I have a full-time job and I write in the evenings and on weekends. I think most writers would love for their writing to turn into full-time, but for now, I’m pretty happy with where I am.  If, someday, my books make enough money for me to quit my day-job, I plan on moving to London immediately!


Is it something you do out of love or out of a driving passion to exhaust your creativity?

I do it because it is fun!  I write because when I get an idea, I love tinkering with it and seeing how it develops.  I wouldn’t actually call myself creative.  So, I guess a little of both?  I love writing and when I start something, I have a driving passion to see it through.


Twenty-Five, what’s it about? 

Sometimes, I’ll jokingly say that “Twenty-Five is the love story you’ve always wanted.”  Really, it’s the love story I’ve always wanted. 

Abigail Bronsen is sure her life is going nowhere when she turns twenty-five and realizes she hasn’t done anything on a list of goals she made for herself as a teenager. Ben Harris is looking to find “the one” after his last girlfriend cheated on him. When they crash into each other, it appears they’ve both found exactly what they wanted.  A year of firsts follows: first date, first kiss, first “I love you’s.”  The first fight is inevitable, but neither of them saw a breakup coming.  When Abigail is offered a job overseas, they’ll discover that no relationship is perfect and even true love sometimes finds itself separated by time and distance. 


What’s your current WIP?

I’m currently editing The Maidening Ceremony, which is a fantasy about a mermaid community incapable of love. Along comes Arilya, who can feel love, but has no context to understand it.  She struggles with becoming an adult and facing an arranged marriage while trying to figure out why she prefers Finley (her funny, prankster best friend) to all of the other merphen in her class. I’m hoping The Maidening Ceremony will be ready for publication around the beginning of 2014.

I’ve also just started writing Lark.  In this book, everyone has a life-mate hand-picked for them by the Gods.  Each individual has a “pull” leading them to their other half and most people find their mates in their late teens and early twenties.  Except for Honor.  At thirty, she is still mate-less and she can’t figure out why, until a co-worker and new friend suggests that something tragic may have happened to her’s.


You mention moving to the UK, if your writing enables you to work at it full-time. And I know that part of your novel is actually set in the UK, why is that? 

Two-thirds of Twenty-Five is set in Boston, but the other third is set in London.  I have a love for all things British and when I was writing Twenty-Five, I just knew I had to get my main character to England somehow.  Lucky for her, she gets the job opportunity of a lifetime - to not only live in the city of her dreams, but to tour all of Europe.

At one point in the book, Abby mentions that most Americans don’t get the opportunity to experience everything Europe has to offer.  I know that’s been true for me. I want to visit so badly and see all of the places I’ve read about, but time and money have never been my friends.  Sending Abby there was as close as I’ll get for a while, at least.


What is your favourite genre to write? Why?

Twenty-Five is Romance, The Maidening Ceremony is  Fantasy, but relies heavily on Romance for the plot, and I’m not exactly sure what Lark is yet, but Love is a definite theme.  I like writing about Romance because it feels real to me, even when it’s not.  Love, falling in and falling out, is something everyone relates to.

Is there something you dislike about writing? Do you find the marketing side of writing hard? What do you do to temper it?

I dislike RE-writing!  After I write the first draft and send it to my critiquers, I always know how bad it is and how much work there is to be done, but I put off re-writing like the plague!  It is an absolute necessity, but I procrastinate as much as I can.  There’s something about the first draft that I cling to, not because I think it is good, but I guess because I’m amazed that I even wrote it in the first place.

I am not cut out to be a Sales Person, so yes, I find marketing very hard!  But I feel I’ve been very lucky to have amazing friends pimping my book out for me.  I’ve also hit some jackpots when it comes to online networking.  When I was workshopping Twenty-Five, I met a ton of writers and we all have each other’s backs.  Since publishing Twenty-Five, I’ve met even more people by following authors, blogs, etc. on Twitter and Facebook.  I’m not killing in sales yet, but I only have one book out.  We’ll see how things progress when the second and third come out.

Do you have any advice for newbies?

I’m still a newbie myself, so I’m not sure how valuable my advice will be!  For me, having a trusted group to critique and review my work before I put it up for sale has been the biggest help to getting me to the point I’m at today - a published novel.  In today’s world, with today’s technology, there is just absolutely no reason to put out a book that is sub-par quality.  Even if you can’t afford an editor, there are plenty writers out there willing to help.  And I’ve found that reviewing/critiquing others has made me much more aware of mistakes in my own writing.

Thanks Rachel, your honesty is appreciated! 
If you guys are interested in learning more about Abigail’s choices and that bucket list, then the links are here!


UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DQEYUIU
US - http://amzn.com/B00DQEYUIU

Facebook: facebook.com/RachelLHammAuthor
Twitter: @RLHammAuthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/RLHammAuthor