Movies vs. Books

So I saw The Avengers the other day and liked it a lot.  It got me started thinking, though, about the differences between movies and books.  They’re both ways of telling stories, but their delivery is very different.  Movies have sight and sounds.  Books have sight, but in word form rather than pictures.  Senses are touched in different ways.  Do I prefer one over the other?  I love going to the movies, sitting in a theater and being immersed in a movie.  I like just as much to curl up on a couch and read a book.  I really came down to which impacts me more.

When I think back on movies I’ve seen, I remember mainly my impression of it.  Good, bad, or okay.  That’s pretty much it.  I remember who starred in it and the overall story line, but beyond that, it’s pretty much a blur.  I can’t remember how everything played out, and I certainly can’t quote lines.  I could watch a movie a second time and have the same reaction — unless it’s one of my all-time favorites.  Those, I remember with much more passion.

Books, for some reason, capture my imagination to a greater degree.  Maybe it’s because I normally spend more than 2 hours with a book.  Maybe it’s because I’m given the chance to delve deeper into a character’s thoughts.  Maybe it’s because with a book, the brain has to work a bit harder to visualize everything?  I don’t know, but books remain very vivid in my head.  If I look at the cover of a book I’ve read, I’ll remember at least one scene that impacted me. (If it’s a good book, that is…)  Sometimes, I might even remember dialogue.   If it’s a romance I read a decade ago, just thinking about it can make my heard squeeze.

For me, books go into long-term memory and stick.  Movies, not so much.  That doesn’t mean I love them any less.  It’s just a totally different entertainment experience.  So which do you remember better?  Movies you’ve seen or books you’ve devoured?  Do you prefer one over the other?  Or is this just a writer thing?

Brenda Novak’s online auction for the cure of diabetes

Vivi Andrews, Jodi Redford, and I have donated a superhero gift pack to Brenda Novak’s online auction for the cure of diabetes.  So far, this annual auction has raised over $1.3 million dollars to help find a cure.  This year, the money from the efforts will be donated to The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami.   Go check it out.   There are lots of fun and unique things up for auction, and the money goes to an important cause.

The Bookpushers interview

The Bookpushers has posted an interview with Samhain editor, Sasha Knight, and the authors of the Midnight Justice trilogy.  (Breaking Bad by Jodi Redford, Superlovin by Vivi Andrews, and Blade of Moonlight by Kimberly Dean.)  If you want to read some behind the scenes info on how the stories developed, everyone’s favorite superheroes, and how those awesome covers came to be, just click on the link.

Free Read!

I’ve posted a free read.  Click on the link for a short story called Ride of Her Life.

When Andrea’s car breaks down, she’s not expecting the wild ride she’s about to take!

My Secret Life: What Only I Know

Available now and on sale at 50% off!

Includes my story “Women’s Studies”.  Very naughty.  Very hot.

Kindle ]  Barnes and Noble

Eavesdropping

I overheard a conversation today.  It was one of those hush, hush talks that draw your attention more than loud yakking.  It didn’t take me long to figure out what they were talking about.  Once I did, it made me smile.  They were talking about 50 Shades of Grey.  One lady had read it, while the other one had never heard of it.  I heard words like “graphic” and “can’t put it down”.

Welcome to the party, gals!  This is not new, it’s called erotica and erotic romance.  We’ve been here for a while, and there are lots of stories and authors to choose from.  50 Shades has certainly reinvigorated the genre, and high fives for that.  It just cracked me up how giggly they were, like they’d discovered something they shouldn’t have (but were secretly happy about it.)

I kept my head down and didn’t say anything.  I didn’t want to be drawn into that particular conversation.  I could just imagine how it would have gone… “Have you read it?”  “I write it.”  Ha ha ha…  I didn’t want to spoil their fun or make them embarrassed.

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you want to read these books, gals.  Just pull them up on your e-reader and nobody will ever know.    In fact, an excellent starter book would be My Secret Life, which comes out this Thursday in the U.S.  I’ve even heard rumors it will be available for an introductory low price!  After that, look for Blade of Moonlight on May 1.

Can not wait!

Mischief!

Ready to get into some Mischief?

HarperCollins UK is starting a new erotica/erotic romance imprint, headed up by former Black Lace editor Adam Nevill!  Today is launch day, so I can finally tell you that I’m contributing to this line.

My naughty short story, “Women’s Studies”, will be included in a collection called My Secret Life.

Here’s the blurb:

When character development goes bad

I’ve been looking forward to the return of Fairly Legal on the USA Network.  It premiered last night, and I was a bit late turning it on because I was on a writing roll.  (As a side note, I can’t believe it’s on in the same time slot as Grimm and A Gifted Man.  Why are these three shows relegated to Friday night TV?  But I digress…)

I tuned in right about the time Kate was tangling with a smarmy lawyer.  Apparently this guy is a new full-time character.  Honestly, I was dismayed.  I don’t understand what the writers were thinking.  They had a good mesh of character types, all with their quirky flaws.  I tried to ignore this guy, hoping he would eventually fit in but he never did.  He didn’t fit into the cast of characters, and he didn’t fit in with the setting.  He didn’t even fit in with the story line, because I didn’t once believe this guy was a high-priced, savvy lawyer.  An ambulance chaser?  Maybe…  But I still wouldn’t want to watch him.

Characters need to be fully fleshed out, and even villains and bad guys need to have some redeeming features.   Kate’s adversary, Lauren, has these in spades.  You understand the predicament she’s in, trying to save her dead husband’s law firm and why she’s wrapped up so tightly.  This new guy — honestly, I didn’t even bother to remember the character’s name — was just obnoxious.  Nobody likes a smart mouth, and that seems to be his reason for being.

Maybe the show developers thought he could be eye candy, that they could develop a love triangle between Kate, Justin, and Mr. Unctuous.   I don’t know, maybe I missed a “cute meet”.  It wouldn’t have mattered.  I’m sorry, I’m sure the actor is a fine guy, but putting him up against Anders from Battlestar Galactica?  Forget about it.

One character (just like any bad apple) can spoil the show, the book, the play, or whatever else you’re developing.  Perhaps the writers thought viewers would watch to see this guy get his comeuppance.  Sorry, I turned it off before the first episode was even over.  What can I say?  It’s like when a book series you love goes sour.  I’m sorely disappointed, but I guess it will make my Friday night viewing choices easier.  Sigh.

Ellora’s Cave Reduced Prices

Ellora’s Cave has dropped the prices on their older titles.  You can get a real bargain right now on some of my e-books if you purchase through their website.

Fever  $1.99

Hypnotica  $0.99

On The Prowl  $0.99

Amazon and Barnes and Noble have also lowered their prices on these titles.  If you haven’t read my work before or missed some older books, now’s the time to give them a try.

Excerpt from EVERLASTING

As promised, here is an excerpt from my upcoming release, Everlasting.  Hope you like it!

An Excerpt From:  EVERLASTING
© Copyright KIMBERLY DEAN, 2011

The bellboy led her all the way down the hall to the end.  He opened the door to her room, set her bag on the bed and waited expectantly – not for a tip, but for her reaction.   She could tell by the way he stared at her face.  She began searching her pocketbook anyway, but the moment she looked up, all other thoughts vanished.

An overwhelming sense of home had hit her.  Wordlessly, she headed to the window.  She pulled back the curtains, but darkness made her reflection stare back at her.  The night clerk had been right, though.  The view would be magnificent in the morning.  She could picture the cape extending out into the water in blatant disregard of the ocean’s currents.  The two would be forever at battle, land versus the sea.

She suddenly noticed the bellboy’s reflection in the window – and the way his gaze was sliding with interest down her body.

“Thank you,” she said, shoving a few bills in his hand.

He got the message.  “Enjoy your stay,” he said as he reluctantly backed out of the room.

The moment he closed the door, he was forgotten.  Chevon looked around the room, soaking it all in.  The sights, the smells, the feelings…  A handmade quilt covered the bed.  A tall armoire stood against the side wall in the only open space available, and a bathroom occupied what had to have once been a closet.  She looked at the thick, cushiony carpet under her feet.

She preferred the hardwood floors.

“God, what is going on?”  She swung her purse onto the bed and dropped down next to it.  The drive had been stressful, but her senses had been on red alert ever since she’d first felt the fog brush against her skin.  This inn was evoking all kinds of strange sensations, and her nerves were tied into knots.

She pushed away from the bed.  She felt restless, both mentally and physically.  It was as if her body had been awakened.  Unfamiliar wants and needs were pressing on her.  Shakily, she unzipped her bag and pulled out her nightgown and robe.  Turning on her heel, she headed to the bathroom.

She closed the door behind her and sagged against it.  The vibes in this house were strong, but those in the bedroom were nearly overpowering.

She’d sensed passion and lust.  Pure, unbridled lust.

Just like she’d felt down by the fireplace.

Warily, she looked at herself in the mirror.  Her skin was pale, but her eyes looked huge.  It had to be fatigue.  She’d been going non-stop for too long and her mind was starting to rebel.  That had to be it.

Gathering herself, she started to peel her damp clothes from her body.  She looked at the silk nightgown shyly.  She didn’t know why she’d brought it.  It was the sexiest thing she owned… the only sexy thing she owned.  She’d bought it on an impulse, but right now she didn’t know if she’d be able to stand the way it felt against her body.  Her nipples ached, and her skin felt too sensitive.

Still, it was either that or sleep naked – something that was just a little too scandalous for her, no matter how much the idea excited her.  Resolutely, she lifted the white fabric over her head and let it slip down over her curves.  She bit her lip to fight back a moan.  The stroke of silk was sinful.  Absolutely sinful and so, so good.

She looked at herself in the mirror again.  The slinky gown fit her like a dream.  It was unlike anything she’d ever owned, but once she’d seen it at the store she’d had to have it.  It hugged her curves and teasingly showed off flashes of skin.  The side slit came to nearly her waist, and the revealing neckline displayed the swell of her breasts.  The sheerness did nothing to hide the press of her nipples.  If anything, it showed them off as her best feature.

Her body began to quiver.  Quickly, she pushed her arms into the matching robe.  She was tying the belt in a knot when she walked back into the bedroom.

One look at the bed, though, and she had to press her legs together hard.  God, she couldn’t stand it.  She swiped her key off the dresser, put it in her pocket, and turned towards the door.

She came up short when she found Sarah just about to knock.  “Oh!  Hello, dear.  I brought you some more towels.  Is the room… comfortable to you?”

Chevon’s body squeezed in unfulfilled arousal.  “It’s fine.  Beautiful.”

“Were you in need of something else?”

She was, but this woman couldn’t provide it.  “I just want to sit in the gazebo and relax for a while.”

One of Sarah’s eyebrows lifted.

“The weather won’t bother me.”

“I was just wondering how you knew we had a gazebo.”  The woman passed her the towels and stepped back.  “Have a good night, Ms. Arlette.  We’re very happy to have you here.”

Chevon’s head began to hurt as she watched the woman leave.  She didn’t know how she knew these things – or why she felt these things – but her body refused to wait any longer.  Hurriedly, she tossed the towels on the bed and turned for the rear staircase.  The back door slammed shut as she burst out of it.  Alone outside, she took deep calming breaths.  The fog still shifted and swayed, but the moon was now directly overhead.  It generated more light than before, and she saw the gazebo waiting for her at the edge of the woods.

Right where she’d known it would be.