The end of this month is closing in and I have actually finished my post. Last minute is always so stressful but I was determined Chilling in March would be on time. Lately, health issues and self-doubt have had me wonder just what I am doing. My efficiency has waned and so has enjoyment and where reading has always been my ‘go to’ relaxation, it has become a means of raising the stress levels. Becoming an author has altered what has always been timeout for me. Instead, it has become constant reflection on whether or not my work measures up to what I am reading. In fact, truth be told, the reading itself is my distraction from my own work. Rather than chilling I seem to be on high alert, studying what I could do better. Where is the enjoyment?
Almost all writers read (or should). Books coerce us into reflection and questioning. They are a major part of the learning process. The downside though for an author is that it brings us face to face with comparisons. Subsequently it can serve to undermine confidence. Enjoyment disappears when we lose sight of chilling, of timeout. Perhaps, subconsciously I hadn’t forgotten that living well happens when you enjoy what you do because I found myself thinking about my reading history and where it began. Sydney’s Paddington Public Library. A stunning old building. I fell in love the first time I saw it and I determined as a five year old I would read every book it housed just to keep visiting this magical place. I believe I came close. So, how then did I lose sight of reading purely for pleasure.
How? As a teacher I know only too well that the more you learn the more you realise there is so much more to learn. I think I allowed myself to be swept up in that idea especially as a writer. My mantra became ‘I need to learn more’. My chilling time became chilling and not in a good way. Reading is timeout; timeout provides the soothing we need to keep our brain on track. I became so caught up in wanting to provide a perfect experience I lost sight of the personal pleasure provided. So I decided to chill and enjoy and fortunately, I read a couple of very good books this month to help me along. As a result, I have become more positive about my own work and more concerned about providing a good experience that worrying about it.
This March I am turning the spotlight on K.E. Turner. Last month, Lindsay J Pryor revived my love for the paranormal and the experience had me discovering a new author. K.E. Turner’s take on werewolves has an air of freshness and her writing allows an easy drift into the world she has created. The story gets you in and you accept the fantasy and enjoying is easy. I did some chilling and some healing and knew I could read more from her easily. Fortunately, her second book is not far away.
Kez writes spicy paranormal romances with strong but good-hearted heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and an unexpected villain or two, to shake things up. Her cast of characters are likeable, plausible, interesting, and sexy. Her writing flows beautifully as does her placement of her scenes in history. Meet Chilling in March author K.E. Turner.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing stories or reading books—as a teenager in class instead of doing math, in my lunch break at work, or at home when there’s housework to be done. With a love of history, suspense, paranormal, and romance, I enjoy combining more than one element in my stories.
Wolf’s Keep is my debut novel. I can’t believe the response. Not wanting to disappoint with the second book I have kept in mind everything that happened in Wolf’s Keep. It was challenging weaving in the back story just enough, so things made sense, but not too much so that it might become boring.
There were definitely some unanswered questions at the end of Wolf’s Keep, some of which are answered in Wolf’s Prize. Both books took a lot of researching on France, Langeais, and Langeais Keep, as well as customs and life in 10th century France. I wanted the stories to be immersive and have a background that had a reality base.
Wanting to go deeper in the second book on what it means to be a werewolf, I had Aimon and Kathryn spend a lot of time in their wolf form. This meant I also had to do a lot of research on wolf behaviour to pick up on mannerisms, expressions and the way wolves interact with each other. Hopefully, all my research shows in a nuanced and immersive story, rather than giving you a lesson on history or wolf behaviour. For now, here is a little about my upcoming second book.
Wolf’s Prize- releasing May 7th.
Aimon Proulx, a tenth century French chevalier and werewolf, is in an unenviable position. His alpha is in hiding- presumed dead, a conniving archbishop is killing pack members to create his own powerful army and the pack is on the verge of extinction. Coincidence or a traitor in their midst?
Aimon has been tasked with uncovering this evil and in the process comes across something his world thought lost. A female werewolf. Kathryn thinks she’s cursed- a monster. Nor does she have any idea that a werewolf pack exists until she’s drawn into the world of the Langeais wolves by the Count of Anjou.
Love hearing from readers. Here are my details. Please come say hello.
Kez
Barb’s News
My books
Currently at a standstill but now I am ensuring my notebook stays by my side so for me this indicates some movement.
The world around me
This has been family based. I have been communicating quite a bit with both of my nieces in the last few weeks. Normally life has a way of being a little crazy and causing a lot of wallowing in time restraints. Communication suffers. Never again. How is it possible to have two such incredible young women in my life and not take advantage. They make me laugh and they make me want to hug forever. When people say they are blessed I know exactly what they mean.
My youngest niece, under her brother’s (also a spectacular human) tutelage has become a climber. This aunt is proud of her despite feeling traumatised (she is a dot on the side of the cliff). Nephew, what were you thinking? The trauma continued when she regaled me with stories of pregnant snakes and consequent snake babies in the roof of her home. Love her but visiting is questionable. Do you think this was her intention?
My eldest niece has been nominated as Apprentice of the Year. For someone who looks like a super model (both girls do) and who struggled in a school environment she has embraced the life of a Carpenter/Builder with a passion that not only inspires other women but inspires people in general. Me, definitely. The submission is in and we can’t wait for the outcome although she is a winner no matter the results.
Books
One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King) – Rachel Gillig
Loved the first book so much I downloaded the second book after reading two chapters. Beautiful fantasy with a fairy tale feel and some very clever and imaginative world-building based on the use of cards. Great reading.
Wolf’s Keep – K.E. Turner
I liked this enough to spotlight the author and an added plus is that she is an Aussie. A fresh approach to werewolves, appealing characters, a well-paced plot and some great writing makes it easy to look forward to the next book.
Book and Film Combination
Which is better, the film or the book? An endless debate. Not with this book. Both have appeal though the film is a visual demonstration of the culture and this is very appealing.
Kim Ji Young. Born 1982 – Cho Nam-Joo
The Book
One reviewer called the author’s prose, clinical. Perhaps it is. I don’t care. It managed to draw attention to the fact that despite differing cultures some things are the same. At first glance, the book appears to be about gender inequality and role expectations. The man works, the woman looks after the family. At a deeper level, it is about how some react to those expectations. This is not simply a Korean woman writing about women and their expected role/place in society and the unfairness of it all. This is about the fragility of some when blocked by these expectations. It expands our definition of bullying and the devastation it wreaks.
Having been on the receiving only recently I coped. However what I did not expect was the feelings that came with the situation. It chilled me, still does. I am strong and stood up to the situation in question, yet even so I felt bruised, shattered by her inability to see the harm wreaked. Worse, it is done in bits and pieces like a bird pecking at the skin. That a book can unite us in understanding these things is pretty darn good.
Not a spoiler. There is a line in the book where the character’s husband admits to being scared. He is the male of the household and what is happening to his wife might reflect on him? Selfish? Very. But then we realise he is also afraid that he has missed the signs of something vital in a person he loves. That internal clash of emotion is heart wrenching. The Korean cover has a touch of that emotion.
The Film
Subtitles are not something I enjoy. I forgot all of that in the watching. I did not try to compare film and book. Instead, I allowed myself to be caught up in the flow of scenes and subtitles and the emotions and just like the book, you find yourself inside those emotions. The culture may be different. Emotions on the other hand don’t know the difference and consequently, neither do we. Loved it.
That’s it for this month
Alla prossima,
Barb
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Interesting comments about how reading used to be for your relaxation and has become less fulfilling in that way. I hadn’t analyzed my reading in that light, but I think that applies to me, too. Some months I feel pressure to read or finish one or two books that I might just set aside if I didn’t need another book to fill a particular blog post. I hate feeling like that. This tends to be the case when I’ve checked out a book but it doesn’t measure up to my expectations. Great blog post, Barb!
I’m hoping that the joy of reading and writing comes back to you soon!
You gave me a completely different perspective of a writer!
I am sure there must be a thousand things to do that would be easier, BTW love how easy your recipes are.