google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2011-09-04

Friday 9 September 2011

Book Endings

Well, I was going to do a book review today, but I've decided to put it on hold in light of the ending and a disturbing reoccurring pattern I'm starting to see within some of these 'Romance/Supernatural fiction' novels I've been getting my hands on lately.
Sorry, I shouldn't say disturbing, that portrays that what I'm reading is seriously heinous and quite possibly vulgar. They really aren't! Some of these books are actually great little stories about love and bravery and all that good fast-paced action that I love so much. So what is my boggle you may ask?
Babies!
Confused? Okay, so let me clear it up for you. For those of you that know me well, you're probably reading this right now, nodding your head and laughing to yourself saying, 'Oh, Kristy, you're a sorry case', knowing exactly what I'm about to say. To those of you that don't know me just yet - I'm not a baby person.
Don't get me wrong, I'm hugely respectful of anyone who takes on the monumental task of parenthood, but I don't have the 'mum' gene. This doesn't mean I hold protests in the street banning procreation, or dig holes in my backyard to catch the little critters and send them back from where they came. It simply means I value the sound of silence and adore the empty backseat in my car.
So what do babies and books have to do with one another?
Well, the trend I'm noticing is the altered happily ever afters that I'm used to expecting. For instance, I've kept abreast of the action during the course of the plot, stuck it out through the corny banter, and mustered the appropriate amount of enthusiasm for the steamy love scenes. Then finally, after every obstacle the two seemingly warring (but secretly in love) characters overcome - Wham! Hello lover, I'm pregnant!
What is up with that?
I know, I know. Some of you are frowning at me as you read this, but can I help skipping ahead, wondering if perhaps the ripped and ruggedly handsome male lead is still going to swoon when he realises the closest he's going to get to a set of breasts in the next few months is a chicken dinner? And is the beautiful and charming female lead still going to bat her eyelashes at three o'clock in the morning when said swooner doesn't get up to feed the crying dependent?
I suspect I've skipped over the many wonders of pregnancy and parenthood and mowed right through the idiosyncrasies with gleeful enthusiasm to suit the purpose of this blog. I prefer the possibility of 'what if', safe in the knowledge that one day babies will come, perhaps take over the world, but nevertheless leave me guessing as to their clear plans of novel domination.
So, let's leave it at happy reading, happy procreating, just hopefully not at the same time ...

Kristy :)

Sunday 4 September 2011

Love of gore

This is just a quick blog today. I'm planning on posting a review a little later in the week, so I thought I'd better fill the space in between describing my recent discovery - said discovery being the breaking revelation that I may in fact have finally lost it!
Today I've been working on the fifth book in my 'Hunted' series, editing and just running through basic checks and fix ups before I continue writing. For those of you that have read 'The Hunted' and have been following the story of Elena Manory, you'll know that my lead character is very strong and self assured. I've always loved this about her, especially watching her grow as each novel progresses. But now I've also noticed that my character immersion may go above and beyond. I might essentially have a screw loose and not necessarily in a good way. I find that I'm getting lost in her adventures, my heart accelerating at the thought of ripping out throats and my fingers shaking as I fly over the keypad, Elena kicking some serious butt!
So it would seem that while most find their hearts a flutter at the steamy encounters between Elena and her male counterparts, I seem to get the most excited about her stuck in the middle of a battle sequence or wreaking terror on her opponents. I think this may relate to some latent psychopathic tendencies I have or possible fantasies of becoming a vampire and wanting to drain blood from every 'High Fiver' I find! (Kidding)
So, tell me. Is it crazy getting psyched up over lines like this or just plain creepy! Let me know!

Kristy :)

"I stopped, stiffening as the sound of a growl to the right of me broke my concentration. I looked up from the path, catching the glint of silvered eyes in the light of my torch—sharp teeth, and pointed claws reiterating the danger I’d knowingly sought.
I took a deep breath, studying the creatures with clinical detachment. I refused to let emotion rule me, or the instinctual reaction to scream when seeing something inhuman and innately frightening appear. They were not unlike the Vânătors. They were wolves or hounds—hellhounds I expect. They had teeth just as long and sharp, eyes and senses keen for blood as any wolf. The only difference—no fur. They were marred with scabs, cuts and festering wounds covered in leeches and maggots—walking piles of rotting flesh with teeth and a bloody agenda." (Excerpt 'The Delivered')