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My thoughts: Devil of Gilding by December Knight
December Knight’s debut novel is riveting. Her characters, settings, and plot are well-developed, wringing every emotion from the reader.
I felt I was lurking in the shadows watching the mystery unfold. The flower peddler’s cockney accent, the Devil’s madness, the fright & hopelessness of the kidnapped children are just a few examples of Ms. Knight’s ability to draw you into the story.
The Christian values interspersed throughout the story are not preachy but are an intriguing part of the plot.
The suspense and mystery build slowly but the pacing is superb throughout the story. I found myself turning page after page to discover what happens to Toby.
As book one draws to a close, I immediately added book 2 to my reading list!
I would like to see the cover clearer and more readable. As much as we fight it, we do judge a book by it’s cover
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Review: Devil of Gilding by December Knight
Author Bio:
December Knight strives to share her imagination and Christian faith through her creative writing from an honest, real-life perspective, developing relatable deep characters, and vivid, complex storylines with controversial themes. She is a proud alumna of Liberty University graduating with a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Creative Writing, History, and Theology.
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Author Interview:
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember, however, I only started thinking about it as a career when I was around 17.
What inspired you to write in this genre?
I didn’t really start the story with any genre in mind. I wrote it completely devoid of consideration for where it would fit in. It was only after I had finished that I spent time trying to find its genre. I guess I don’t really consider genre when I write.
Which genre would your story belong in if your life was fictionalized?
I would want it to be a Manga and would probably fall into the Slice of Life category. It has had a lot of moments filled with drama, but all and all it is just day to day stuff.
Do you have a set writing schedule?
Not at all. I write whenever I feel like it. I don’t really know why I don’t have a schedule, but I don’t. It is probably to my own detriment.
Do you need silence to write or can you work in any environment?
I don’t commonly work around other people. There are just too many distractions. However, if the mood is right or I have no other choice I can.
If you could set up your perfect writing scenario, what would it involve?
I guess it would have to be that first moment of inspiration for a new story, probably at my desk or sitting on the floor. Any writing implement that feels right at the time (computer, pen and paper, typewriter) with some rain hitting my window. I love Autumn so around that time, with the smell of Thanksgiving and Halloween in the air.
Review: Devil of Gilding by December Knight
What is your most unusual writing quirk?
I guess my weirdest quirk, one that I think probably would annoy people, is that when I have a particular idea I can’t change my mind. For example, many of my endings are things I just can’t change even if I want to. I just can’t.
Were you an avid reader growing up?
That is a difficult question. The answer would have to be a yes and a no, though there was never a time in my life where I didn’t love books.
If you could form the ultimate writers’ group, which authors past or present would you invite to join you?
I can’t really say. The thing is I fall in love with books, not authors. Even when I think of an author, typically I don’t know their names but their stories and characters. So, I suppose if I could form a group it would be full of all sorts of writers, from different places and times.
Do you snack while writing and if so, what is your favorite snack?
I don’t really snack while writing, for some reason when I try I end up giving all my attention to the food I’m eating instead of working. That being said, if I could snack on anything while writing it would be Hot Cheetos with Lime.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
My family hands down.
Is there anything you would like my readers to know about you and your book?
When I first wrote Devil of Gilding there was no second book, however, the story was too long to publish so I had to divide it in half. The two cannot exist without the other, so I hope those who choose to take it on will follow it to its end. And maybe give an author a good turn and pass it around (even if they are only lending it).
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Connect with December Knight
Devil of Gilding (Blake Duo...Shop on Amazon 
Devil of Gilding (Blake Duo...Shop on Amazon 
Devil of Gilding (Blake Duo...Shop on Amazon
If you enjoyed this review, you might like these:
- The Devil’s Apprentice by Kenneth B Andersen
- Rowdy Days of Dom Sanders by E. G. Moore
- Summer’s Dark Waters by Simon Williams
Great work, Gina, finding another gem like December. I like that she is passionate about her work, and instead of worrying about the book being too long, got creative and made a positive out of what could have been a tough decision.
Hopefully, we all will pass around December’s book and hope she sticks with it for more! 🙂
Thanks, Ivan. It’s a very enjoyable book. Quick to read and on deep discount today!