How I See It

kkperezbooks

🖋Lit Agent @zenoagency
📚 Author of the #sweetblackwaves trilogy
✈️ Lapsed journalist revisiting my life on 3 continents from my sofa in 2021!

Since I’m stuck in lockdown for the foreseeable

Since I’m stuck in lockdown for the foreseeable future I’ve decided to revisit some of the places I’ve lived and traveled on Insta. I spent nearly a decade out in Asia working as a journalist and I really miss it sometimes. Today is the first day of Chinese New Year and I used to be able to see the fireworks over Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong if I looked out of my bedroom window from just the right angle.
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I took this picture of Hotei from inside a HK taxi about a decade ago. Hotei is a quasi-historical Zen monk who is venerated as a Buddha in different branches of both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. He is nicknamed the “Laughing Buddha” and is always depicted as quite jolly. His name literally means “cloth sack,” which refers to the bag he carries as he wanders the land with no fixed home. This is perhaps why figurines of Hotei are quite a common sight on the dashboards of Hong Kong taxis. He is said to protect you on your travels and ensure you bring only good luck home with you. I think we could all use that this year.
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#hongkonginsta #hongkongphotography #yearoftheox #cny2021 #flashbackfriday #kungheifatchoi #gongxifacai #wanderlusters #lockdown2021 #hotei #writerlife #writersofinstagram #travelgram #traveldeeper #travellife #shewhowanders #travelislife #travelwithme #travelasia #lovethiscity #hongkonglife #traveladdict #worldexplorer #globetrotter #seetheworld #womenwhoexplore #traveljunkie #lifeisanadventure #exploretheworld #neverstopexploring

Another amazing #snowday here in #london! Hoping i

Another amazing #snowday here in #london! Hoping it lasts until tomorrow.
#snowflakes #snow #roseinthesnow #gratitude #lockdown2021 #itsthelittlethings #letitsnow

Snow day in London and it feels like a gift! #snow

Snow day in London and it feels like a gift!
#snowday #sunday #wintering #gratefulforthelittlethings #freshstart #londonphotography

On this last day of a very tough year, I got the v

On this last day of a very tough year, I got the very hard news that my mom has been admitted to hospital with Covid. It’s even harder because she lives in Arizona and I am unable to leave England to be with her. I’m generally not comfortable with sharing personal difficulties but I wanted to end this year with a passage from T.H. White’s THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING that my mother had framed and put on the wall of my childhood bedroom.
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This is the advice that Merlin gives a young King Arthur. It’s always given me comfort and I am turning to it again now.
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“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”
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Please stay home this New Year’s Eve. Wear a mask. Save lives. Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy start to 2021.
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#newyearseve #protectthenhs #wearamask #wearamasksavelives #stayathome #goodbye2020 #staysafe #staysafestayathome #covid_19 #covidisntover #merlin #kingarthur #arthurianlegend #arthurianliterature #2021

Thank you so much to the amazing team at @imprintr

Thank you so much to the amazing team at @imprintreads for giving me and Branwen such an incredible home. I’ll miss everyone there so much! 💔

It’s starting to get darker earlier and earlier

It’s starting to get darker earlier and earlier so I’m cheering myself up with this #mondaymood straight from Monwiku Castle. I mean Cornwall!
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#booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bookwormlife #bookdragons #sweetblackwaves #wildsavagestars #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel
#historicalromance #brightravenskies #cornwallcoast #cornishcoast #cornishcoast #poldarkcountry #lovecornwall
#cornwallview #kernow #kernowfornia

Back in London and missing Cornwall so here’s a

Back in London and missing Cornwall so here’s a moody shot of BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES. Why not take the plunge and make it your #fridayreads?
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About the book: To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself––and the two people she loves most.
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Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first.
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New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure.
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#wereadfantasy #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bookwormlife #tbrpile #bookdragons #sweetblackwaves #bookishphoto #booksaremagic #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #tgif #cornwallcoast
#kristinaperez #romancereaders
#historicalromance #forbiddenromance #brightravenskies #romancebooks #starcrossedlovers #kernowfornia

Doing my best impression of a mermaid here in Corn

Doing my best impression of a mermaid here in Cornwall to bring you #onelinewed from BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES!
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“Above the Dreaming Sea, westward toward Iveriu, the sun sank into the depths. Golden highlights streaked somber clouds. Branwen smelled rain in the air. “
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About the book: To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself––and the two people she loves most.
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👑
Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first.
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New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure.
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#wereadfantasy #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #sweetblackwaves #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed #cornwallcoast
#kristinaperez #romancereaders
#historicalromance #forbiddenromance #brightravenskies #romancebooks #starcrossedlovers #kernowfornia
#cornishlife

It’s almost the weekend! I’m here in Cornwall

It’s almost the weekend! I’m here in Cornwall suggesting BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES as your #fridayreads!
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To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself––and the two people she loves most.
🦊
👑
Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first.
🦊
🌊
New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure.
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#wereadfantasy #booknerd #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed #sweetblackwaves
#kristinaperez #romancereaders
#historicalromance #forbiddenromance #brightravenskies #romancebooks #starcrossedlovers #wildsavagestars
#cornwallcoast #tgif

This is why my heart is always in #Cornwall. Like

This is why my heart is always in #Cornwall. Like Branwen, Kernyv has become my second home!
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#cornwallcoast #cornwalllife #sunsetgram #vacationmode #writersofinstagram #writerslife #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #amwritingfantasy #amwritingromance #cornishsunset

BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES has been out a week and to cele

BRIGHT RAVEN SKIES has been out a week and to celebrate I’m giving away one signed copy! Find out how the #sweetblackwaves trilogy ends!
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To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself––and the two people she loves most.
🦊
👑
Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first.
🦊
🌊
New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure.
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To Enter:
- follow me on Insta
- tag two friends you think would be interested in the comments below
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Rules:
- Giveaway ends midnight EST on Sept 6; winner announced Sept 7
- Int’l ok
- not affiliated with Instagram
- must be 18 or have parents permission
- must be a public account so I can verify entries
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#wereadfantasy #booknerd #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed
#kristinaperez #romancereaders
#historicalromance #forbiddenromance #brightravenskies #romancebooks #starcrossedlovers #giveaway

⭐️🌊⭐️ SWEET BLACK WAVES Giveaway⭐️🌊⭐️
Stay tuned for another world building video later today, but in the meantime I’m giving away a signed hardcover copy to get you started on the series. Just because it’s Friday!
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About the book: Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.
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As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend and the only man she's ever loved.
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Inspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend’s true heroine: Branwen. For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance.
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To Enter:
- follow me on Insta
- tag two friends you think would be interested in the comments below
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Rules:
- Giveaway ends midnight EST on August 17; winner announced Aug 18
- Int’l ok
- not affiliated with Instagram
- must be 18 or have parents permission
- must be a public account so I can verify entries
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#fridayreads #booknerd #booksta #booknerdigans #bookgeek #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #historicalromance #brightravenskies #tgif #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #giveaway #authorsofinstagram #sweetblackwaves #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #amwritingfantasy #amwritingromance #bookobsessed #wildsavagestars #romancereaders

My author copies have arrived! I’m so excited to

My author copies have arrived! I’m so excited to hold #brightravenskies in my hot little hands (quite literally given the UK heatwave) that I’m going to share an extra teaser quote with you for #onelinewed!
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“Queens were taught to endure their resentments quietly. Branwen had been taught to endure. Her heart no longer wanted to be quiet.”
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#yafantasy #booknerd #booksta #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed #historicalromance
#kristinaperez #romancereaders
#authorlife #sweetblackwaves

My #mondaymood is coming straight from Kernyv as I

My #mondaymood is coming straight from Kernyv as I put the finishing touches on Ruan’s chapter for the #brightravenskies pre-order campaign. Who wouldn’t find this landscape romantic and who doesn’t love a brooding prince?
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#booksta #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #kernowfornia #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #sweetblackwaves #cornwallcoast #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed #historicalromance
#kristinaperez #romancereaders #wildsavagestars

🏰👑🌊ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT—SBW Trilogy Wo

🏰👑🌊ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT—SBW Trilogy World Building🌊👑🏰
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Happy Friday! It is hotter than Hades in London today and I am very much wishing I was by the sea at St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, which served as the inspiration for Monwiku Castle.
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The tidal island is located in Mount’s Bay near the town of Marazion (“Marghas” is Cornish for “market”––hence the name of the port town near Monwiku in the #sweetblackwaves universe). The present day castle on the rock dates from the 14th century but the first monastic buildings on the site date back to the 11th century and there is evidence of people living on the island during the Neolithic period. A leaf-shaped arrowhead was found in what is now part of the modern gardens.
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Speaking of the gardens, which are King Marc’s pride and joy, I selected a number of the flowers and plants for my descriptions based on what was introduced to Britain by the Romans––who are my Aquilans. These included roses, foxgloves, apples and even onions!
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There’s still time to enter the #wildsavagestars giveaway and catch up on Branwen’s (mis)adventures before #brightravenskies comes out on August 25th!
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#fridayreads #yafantasy #booknerd #booksta #booknerdigans #amwritingromance #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #medievalhistory #amwritingfantasy #fantasynovel #bookobsessed #historicalromance
#kristinaperez #romancereadersofinstagram

I am obsessed with tree tunnels. I found this one

I am obsessed with tree tunnels. I found this one in Wiltshire a couple of weeks ago but they’re scattered all over Cornwall—I mean Kernyv 😉. In fact here’s a quote from #WildSavageStars since it’s #onelinewed.
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“Hooves thundering against the moss and dirt, the steed exhaled steam through his nostrils. Branwen had almost caught up to Ruan when the path narrowed into a tunnel of hazel trees. All at once, the branches pressed in on her. As children, she and Essy had declared themselves to be like the honeysuckle vine that wraps around the hazel tree, ever entwined. One could not survive without the other.”
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#yafantasy #treestagram #booksta #booknerdigans #brightravenakies #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #tristanandisolde #bookstack #bookaddict #treestreestrees #bookgram #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #writerlife #treespirit #amwritingfantasy #treetunnel #bookobsessed #historicalromance
#kristinaperez #sweetblackwaves

⭐️🖤⭐️GIVEAWAY⭐️🖤⭐️ If you’

⭐️🖤⭐️GIVEAWAY⭐️🖤⭐️
If you’ve read #SweetBlackWaves and have #WildSavageStars on your TBR pile, now is the chance to win a signed copy of WSS and get reading before the trilogy concludes this month!
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About WILD SAVAGE STARS: Branwen has a secret powerful enough to destroy two kingdoms.
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Her ancient magic led to a terrible betrayal by both her best friend, the princess Essy, and her first love, Tristan. Now this same magic is changing Branwen. Adrift in a rival court, Branwen must hide the truth from the enemy king by protecting the lovers who broke her heart—and finds herself considering a darker path.
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Not everyone wants the alliance with Branwen’s kingdom to succeed—peace is balanced on a knife’s edge, and her only chance may be to embrace the darkness within…
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To Enter:
- follow me on Insta
- tag two friends you think would be interested in the comments below
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🌊
Rules:
- Giveaway ends midnight EST on August 9; winner announced August 10
- Int’l ok
- not affiliated with Instagram
- must be 18 or have parents permission
- must be a public account so I can verify entries
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🌊
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#ya #yafantasy #booknerd #instabooks #booknerdigans #bookgeek #bibliophile #bookish #whattoread #ireadya #igbooks #igreads #bookstack #bookaddict #booklovers #bookgram #giveaway #authorsofinstagram #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #amwritingfantasy #brightravenskies #bookobsessed #romancereaders #kristinaperez #readersofinsta

Living my best Jane Austen life.
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#summer2020 #janeausten #regencyromance #amwritingromance #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writerlife #bookish #bookgram #wiltshirelife #costwolds #romancereadersofinstagram

These tomatoes make me happy. Borough Market is mu

These tomatoes make me happy. Borough Market is much quieter these days but my weekly outing (with mask) is something I look forward to. Don’t think I’m enough of a chef to attempt the sourdough challenge, but I make a mean tomato salad. 🍅
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What are you looking forward to during lockdown?
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#londonlockdown #londonlove #boroughmarket #tomatoes #happyplace #springtime #spring2020 #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writersofig #writerlifestyle #keepyourchinup

Fans of the #sweetblackwaves trilogy know that a #

Fans of the #sweetblackwaves trilogy know that a #fox is a messenger of the Old Ones. I wrote the first draft long before I moved to #London and next to a #foxden. Both #wildsavagestars and #brightravenskies have been written listening to their not-so-dulcet cries—which may account for the difference in the descriptions of their barks in my books LOL. However the new generation has been born and I can’t resist their sweet little faces. I took this video from my bedroom window this morning—a rare sighting of both parents and all four kits. 🦊
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#londonlockdown #foxesofinstagram #foxlove #writersofinsta #foxes #ilovefoxes #foxesofig #authorslife #instabooks #booknerdigans #bookgeek #bibliophile #bookish #bookaddict #yafantasy #authorsofinstagram #amwritingfantasy #bookobsessed #amwritingromance #londonfox #londonfoxes

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