You want to loose weight or be healthy, so you need something to work out in. Simple right? Just head down to your local shop, pick something out and start hitting the weights…
Actually (and surprisingly) it’s hard to find workout clothes when your bigger – which is SUPER STUPID! Most people who are working out, are doing so to lose weight, so where are the plus size/mid size (because apparently that’s now a label we’ve thrown out there) activewear clothes? It’s harder than you think to find good (and importantly nice looking) activewear for the bigger, so I went on a shopping hunt to see if I could find some good stuff.
Check out the video below:
>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here
I hope you enjoy my video – and be nice to my self esteem in the process. Have you struggled to find good clothes to workout in, that also make YOU feel good? Let me know in the comments below.
Today’s focus is Heatwave, the first novel in the Richard Castle “Nikki Heat” series, based on the TV show Castle. The premise is simple: bestselling mystery author Richard Castle shadows NYPD detective Kate Beckett, using her as inspiration for his new fictional character, Detective Nikki Heat. The real-world twist is that the books were actually published alongside the show, written under the Castle pseudonym to extend the universe beyond television.
This review reflects two perspectives:
As a Castle fan familiar with the characters and show dynamics
As a general reader with no attachment to the TV series
Castle Universe Context
The Castle TV show follows author Richard Castle, who joins NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and her team (Ryan, Esposito, and later Captain Gates) while researching crime for his novels. Beckett becomes the inspiration for Nikki Heat, and Castle uses his experiences with the precinct to shape his fiction.
The Nikki Heat novels were released in parallel with the show, initially heavily promoted as “real books written by Castle,” before shifting into more standard branded tie-in fiction.
Heatwave — Summary and Review
Dual reading perspective
The experience of reading Heatwave depends heavily on context.
As a Castle fan, it functions as an extension of the show universe.
As a standalone novel, it struggles significantly.
Castle Fan Perspective
For viewers of the show, there is immediate novelty in seeing familiar characters reinterpreted:
Nikki Heat resembles Beckett in concept and general presence
Rook mirrors Castle’s role as a witty, intrusive consultant
Ryan and Esposito translate reasonably well into supporting roles
This makes the book feel like a “bonus episode” in written form. However, that familiarity is also where issues begin.
Structural Issues
The biggest issue is structure.
The novel reads like a procedural TV episode translated directly into book form:
Case introduced
Investigation steps forward in predictable beats
Climax resolution follows standard crime format
This makes the pacing feel rigid and repetitive rather than dynamic. For readers accustomed to novel structure—where pacing, internal monologue, and narrative depth carry more weight—the format feels limiting.
Characterisation Problems
Nikki Heat (Beckett analogue)
Written as a hardened, emotionally restrained detective
Lacks the emotional layering that defines Beckett in the show
Comes across as more one-dimensional than intended
Rook (Castle analogue)
Feels underdeveloped and inconsistently placed in scenes
Lacks the charisma and narrative presence Castle has in the show
Often feels inserted rather than integrated
Supporting characters
Ryan and Esposito are more functional and consistent
They arguably feel more naturally placed than the central romantic pairing
Tone and Writing Style
A key issue is tonal inconsistency. The writing often does not match the expected voice of “Richard Castle” as a character:
Too cynical in places
Lacking the playful intelligence associated with Castle
Romance elements feel blunt rather than layered
Female Characterisation Critique
A major weakness is the portrayal of Nikki Heat’s perspective. The character often reads as:
A flattened “strong female lead” archetype
Emotionally restricted without nuance
Written in a way that feels externally constructed rather than internally lived
The result is a lack of authenticity in voice, particularly in scenes requiring emotional subtlety or relational depth.
Standalone Reader Perspective
Without knowledge of the show, Heatwave becomes significantly weaker.
Issues include:
Slow pacing
Predictable procedural structure
Limited character depth
Lack of narrative innovation
The book reads more like a scripted episode transcription than a fully developed novel.
Overall Assessment
Strengths:
Fun for Castle fans
Familiar character parallels
Easy, procedural readability
Nostalgic value tied to the show
Weaknesses:
Flat character development
TV episode structure in novel form
Weak emotional depth
Inconsistent tone and voice
Limited standalone value
Result
Heatwave is best understood as franchise extension fiction rather than a standalone novel. It succeeds in replicating the Castle universe in broad strokes but struggles to translate it into a fully realised literary form.
Ever wonder what us weirdo authors end up posting on TikTok? Well, here’s your answer….
I’ve put a snapshot of the highlight videos from my @christygracescarletpen TikTok account.
>>Check all about my first book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here
If you want to see more, you can look me up and scroll through them 😀 If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!
Don’t forget to check back every night this month for another video – there are some pretty fun things coming!
Superpowers, heroes, and villains… Does liking all those in movies and TV shows automatically mean you’ll enjoy comic books?
I launch into my experience – from the first comic I ever bought, to my fascination with all things super.
>>Check all about my book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here
Are you a superhero/comic book person? Is it DC vs Marvel for you – and who wins? I’d love to know! If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!
Don’t forget to check back every night this month for another video – there are some pretty fun things coming!
I’m so excited to be introducing something very special that I am naming “I SPY, IN JULY”
Check out the video to find out all about it:
Are you as excited as I am??
Okay, probably not. But, as I launch into this attempt of a video every single day this month, I’m excited to take you along the journey with me.
Keep checking back every night – around 7pm AEST – for the next video.
Trust me, there are some pretty fun things coming!
What do people in post apocalyptic worlds eat? An MRE perhaps….?
I bought an MRE to try for research.
What would it be like to eat food that has super long shelf lives, and is designed for soldiers and disaster relief survivors??
You’ll find out!
Check out the video below:
I hope you enjoyed the video, and I can’t wait to post another writing adventure!
If you want to grab a copy of my book – head to the SHOP page and get a signed copy – it’s the cheapest one around, and I’ll address it just to you <3
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