Victoria Larque's Blog, page 2
January 11, 2018
Release Date Info followed by Giveaway
Hi, peeps of my heart!I am happy, thrilled and terrified to announce my upcoming release date. The Soul Reaver will be buyable from around the 14. or 15. of January (depending from which end of the word you are) on amazon, in both Paperback and E-Book form! Yay! And, oh god, I think I might just throw up. I have been a nervous wreck for days now.
So, to add to that, what did I do? Distract myself with Disney movies? Check! Watch weird series? Check? Having snacking binges followed by periods where I can't eat anything? Double check! Start the first-ever giveaway of my life? Check! Wait... what? That's right, kittens, I am giving away one copy of The Soul Reaver!!! So strap on your armor, get your swords, guns, staffs, whatever, and follow me! You can enter the giveaway down below! Have fun, and don't fight with the other kids!Also, as I have so eloquently voiced, this is my first ever giveaway, if anything pops up--complications, ancients, or bugs--tell me and we will face them together! So long adventurers! And the best of luck from me!!!Special thanks goes out to Annie Sarac from editingpen for helping me with this! You are a true gem!!!V.L. out!
So, to add to that, what did I do? Distract myself with Disney movies? Check! Watch weird series? Check? Having snacking binges followed by periods where I can't eat anything? Double check! Start the first-ever giveaway of my life? Check! Wait... what? That's right, kittens, I am giving away one copy of The Soul Reaver!!! So strap on your armor, get your swords, guns, staffs, whatever, and follow me! You can enter the giveaway down below! Have fun, and don't fight with the other kids!Also, as I have so eloquently voiced, this is my first ever giveaway, if anything pops up--complications, ancients, or bugs--tell me and we will face them together! So long adventurers! And the best of luck from me!!!Special thanks goes out to Annie Sarac from editingpen for helping me with this! You are a true gem!!!V.L. out!
January 3, 2018
Pick me up
Editing. Just the word gives me hives. I hate it. I mean, I wrote a whole goddamned book, just to read it so often that I start despising it and changing it in ways I have never thought about? Yes, because you know what? Writing the book is the easiest part. Finishing your story? Piece of cake! But polishing it up to something worthy of another's eyes? Ugh... go away with THAT!
It's a process; something that starts small and grows over time. You begin noticing words you use too frequently, plotholes that glare at you from the pages and make you cringe and then there is the small matter of times you told where you could have showed. You realize that writing a book just isn't good enough, which is daunting and can lead you to give up. (Trust me, I have thought about it more times than I can count)You sit there, pulling your hair, convinced that you are the worst writer since time began and your story isn't worth telling. This is the time where you should not listen to your inner wuss, but kick it where it counts. It doesn't matter that you wrote a 90k words pile of shite. You still wrote 90k words. That in itself is a reason to hold your head high.Every story is worth telling and every story has at least one person who loves it. And that person should be you. For starters. More will come, trust me on this. Read through it with your head, edit, read it with your heart, edit, repeat. Ask people what they think, and not in a way that screams: 'I want you to tell me this is nice, if not keep your yap shut!' No, ask them what they really think, what they feel and be prepared for criticism.Ah yes, criticism... You know what the great thing about criticism is? You learn from it. And not just about who likes your story and who doesn't; you learn about yourself. How do you react to it? Does it hurt you? Of course it hurts, it's your heartblood out there. If anyone doesn't like it, it will hurt. But there is not a single piece of anything creative in the world that everybody loves, so suck it up. Learn from it. Listen to what people say and listen to what many people say. If one person says your MC is flat and twenty others say they love him/her, guess which ones you should listen to. If one person raves about your stellar writing, but five others tell you that your grammar is horrendous and your tenses have been jumbled through a blender, guess again. You will notice that the more criticism you get, the more rational you'll be able to handle it. It gets easier, it just never gets easy.It is said you should write what you know; I agree, to an extent. I say you should write what you love, what makes your heart race and a smile pop to your lips. If you write with passion, about something you love (be it genre, plot, whathaveyou) everything else will be a lot simpler. Your story will be better, people will feel the passion in your words and even the editing will go better. If you wrote a book because you think people will like it and you have read thousands like it so you know what you're doing, just imagine the following: You have to read and reread and change it and roll around in it for quite some time while editing. Do you really want that? With a book you think is okay and you think people will like? Or do you want to dip your head into a project you love with all your heart? The answer is simple. So write what you love.V.L.
It's a process; something that starts small and grows over time. You begin noticing words you use too frequently, plotholes that glare at you from the pages and make you cringe and then there is the small matter of times you told where you could have showed. You realize that writing a book just isn't good enough, which is daunting and can lead you to give up. (Trust me, I have thought about it more times than I can count)You sit there, pulling your hair, convinced that you are the worst writer since time began and your story isn't worth telling. This is the time where you should not listen to your inner wuss, but kick it where it counts. It doesn't matter that you wrote a 90k words pile of shite. You still wrote 90k words. That in itself is a reason to hold your head high.Every story is worth telling and every story has at least one person who loves it. And that person should be you. For starters. More will come, trust me on this. Read through it with your head, edit, read it with your heart, edit, repeat. Ask people what they think, and not in a way that screams: 'I want you to tell me this is nice, if not keep your yap shut!' No, ask them what they really think, what they feel and be prepared for criticism.Ah yes, criticism... You know what the great thing about criticism is? You learn from it. And not just about who likes your story and who doesn't; you learn about yourself. How do you react to it? Does it hurt you? Of course it hurts, it's your heartblood out there. If anyone doesn't like it, it will hurt. But there is not a single piece of anything creative in the world that everybody loves, so suck it up. Learn from it. Listen to what people say and listen to what many people say. If one person says your MC is flat and twenty others say they love him/her, guess which ones you should listen to. If one person raves about your stellar writing, but five others tell you that your grammar is horrendous and your tenses have been jumbled through a blender, guess again. You will notice that the more criticism you get, the more rational you'll be able to handle it. It gets easier, it just never gets easy.It is said you should write what you know; I agree, to an extent. I say you should write what you love, what makes your heart race and a smile pop to your lips. If you write with passion, about something you love (be it genre, plot, whathaveyou) everything else will be a lot simpler. Your story will be better, people will feel the passion in your words and even the editing will go better. If you wrote a book because you think people will like it and you have read thousands like it so you know what you're doing, just imagine the following: You have to read and reread and change it and roll around in it for quite some time while editing. Do you really want that? With a book you think is okay and you think people will like? Or do you want to dip your head into a project you love with all your heart? The answer is simple. So write what you love.V.L.
November 27, 2017
Cover Reveal of The Soul Reaver
Finally, goramit!Okay guys. *deep breath* I have been waiting for what seems like forever to show this to the world. *another deep breath*I have met an insanely talented designer and she has exceeded my expectations; so I decided she'll do the covers for my Myre Series. Since I am indeed a lucky little bean, she said yes. Here is to Kim, who has suffered through the clouded mess in my head and gave me exactly what I wanted. You, my lady, are a gem!Yes, yes, I'm getting to the reveal. Sheesh. *yet another deep breath* Heck, I'm getting lightheaded from all that breathing business. But, yeah, nerves. Sorry about that, but this means a hell of a lot to me. It's my first book after all, so please cut me some slack. Okay, I'm gonna shut it now.Here it is!Drum-roll please...******
Designed by: KimG-Design.com (Insanely talented, isn't she?)Cover Model: My beautiful friend Charlotte Flörchinger. (Gosh, I have gorgeous friends)Don't mind me, I'm over here swooning. Yes, I still swoon, even after all the times I have looked at it. Now, *shakes head* because Kim is a gem she has gifted me with a 3D mockup. *grins* Wanna see? Of course you do!Here you go:
Hah! It looks like I can grab it from the screen. Brilliant!If any of you have not yet read the new blurb going with it, here it is:Daphne is a Soul Reaver. A monster. A killer. A thief in the dark.Feeding off the feelings of strangers, she lives in self-induced solitude, deeming it safest for everyone. Once a year, siphoning emotions isn’t enough, and Daphne must steal a soul to survive, taking the owner’s life in the process. With twelve souls already taken, and counting, Daphne walks a razor’s edge between madness and sanity every time she is forced to kill.On the night of her hunt, she finds the perfect soul, dark to its depths, seemingly beyond saving. Too late does she realize this soul is neither truly dark nor defenseless…As the hunter becomes the hunted, she tumbles into the world she was born to be a part of but never knew existed.Will Daphne find the answers she’s been looking for her whole life? What about things she always wanted but never thought possible; companionship, friends and even love?Who can she trust in a world filled with monsters?A little info for you guys; the book will come out (if everything goes according to plan and I don't mess things up) in late January, beginning of February 2018. For an edited and proofread sample please click .Now, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Write to me at victorialarque@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Wattpad. Or you can just subscribe to my website and never miss an update.That's all folks. I have to go and get my breathing under control now... Ta, people of my heart!V.L.
Designed by: KimG-Design.com (Insanely talented, isn't she?)Cover Model: My beautiful friend Charlotte Flörchinger. (Gosh, I have gorgeous friends)Don't mind me, I'm over here swooning. Yes, I still swoon, even after all the times I have looked at it. Now, *shakes head* because Kim is a gem she has gifted me with a 3D mockup. *grins* Wanna see? Of course you do!Here you go:Hah! It looks like I can grab it from the screen. Brilliant!If any of you have not yet read the new blurb going with it, here it is:Daphne is a Soul Reaver. A monster. A killer. A thief in the dark.Feeding off the feelings of strangers, she lives in self-induced solitude, deeming it safest for everyone. Once a year, siphoning emotions isn’t enough, and Daphne must steal a soul to survive, taking the owner’s life in the process. With twelve souls already taken, and counting, Daphne walks a razor’s edge between madness and sanity every time she is forced to kill.On the night of her hunt, she finds the perfect soul, dark to its depths, seemingly beyond saving. Too late does she realize this soul is neither truly dark nor defenseless…As the hunter becomes the hunted, she tumbles into the world she was born to be a part of but never knew existed.Will Daphne find the answers she’s been looking for her whole life? What about things she always wanted but never thought possible; companionship, friends and even love?Who can she trust in a world filled with monsters?A little info for you guys; the book will come out (if everything goes according to plan and I don't mess things up) in late January, beginning of February 2018. For an edited and proofread sample please click .Now, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Write to me at victorialarque@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Wattpad. Or you can just subscribe to my website and never miss an update.That's all folks. I have to go and get my breathing under control now... Ta, people of my heart!V.L.
November 26, 2017
Review: Masked by M. Greenhill
Take a dive into the world of supernatural suspense, werewolfitude, and the sizzling chemistry between two people with me today. A thrilling read I could not put down!
I know, I know... Werewolf books. There are hundreds out there at the moment. We all know how it goes: Pretty girl, vulnerable yet strong, meets big, burly alpha who sniffs out she's his mate and growls 'Mine' to everyone who will listen. He gives chase of little female, intimidating her to fall in love with him. Guts, gore and raunchy bedroom-art commences. Sound familiar? I seldomly read werewolf books, simply cause the premise is the same every time. You read one, you read em all.This is not that. Not. At. All. I gave this book a shot when I found it, because the blurb sounded great, and what do you know... I loved what I found. It's fresh, different, and it has all the right ingredients a story should have. Suspense, romance, thrills, and paranormal.What it's about:Blurb taken from AmazonSupernatural bodies are piling up fast. But can Parker and Daniel save those they love, before they kill each other?As one of the top data security specialists in the US, Parker Johnson has exposed hundreds of digital villains, and their crimes. The hacker is smart, savvy and good at keeping secrets. Parker is also one of the few humans aware of the existence of werewolves, and it’s a secret she will do everything to protect.But for how long? Weres are dying by the dozen, and it seems Wildfire—a new drug sold on the internet—is somehow involved. Parker is called in to help the investigation under the protection of Daniel Locke, the icy Alpha Commander who, three years earlier, she had the misfortune of pissing off. Big time.Daniel has spent his life defending those he loves, but he’s never faced an enemy that’s invisible, and everywhere. No matter how much he distrusts Parker, with the future of his race on the line, his duty to his people comes first. It’s just too bad that his steely self-control fails to smother the animal attraction that flares each time he meets the curvy, brunette investigator. The fiery woman is as much of an enigma as the puzzle they are unravelling.It is a race against the clock to track down the killers behind the lethal drug before it rages well beyond their control.What I think about it:This is not your typical werewolf story. The whole book has the underlying feeling of a thriller, which I loved; it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout reading. (It is a paranormal thriller, after all) Not many books do that to me nowadays. The characters are fleshed out very well, I fell in love with Parker and Daniel and their chemistry. They don't hit it off in the beginning; well, they do, just not in a positive way. He distrusts her because she is human and she will not be bossed around by a big bad alpha. (Who is also hottness incarnate) But since they are forced to work together for the greater good, there is nothing the both of them can do about it. The scenes ensuing are hilarious (I'm looking at you, espresso machine) and their relationship grows in a comfortable way. Their journey is absolutely believable and at no time did it come across as forced.I felt at home in the world and, after a while, part of it. What's right with it:This book has very few flaws. It is edited well, professional and, because of that, comfortable and easy to read. It is superbly plotted; the scenes, character-growth, and feel of the story flow fantastic. One can see and feel that this book has had much time and love invested into it. (Actually everything M. Greenhill does looks great and professional, I love it!)There are many fields covered in this book, like police investigation, computer hacking, gene manipulation and so on... What astounded me was that I believed every part of it. The research that went into this is extensive and I tip my hat to the author for conveying what is happening with such clarity.Which brings me to another point, the villains. There are a few of them meddling around, and while they are completely different from on another, each one is despicable. I loved hating them for different reasons, and the one or other simply creeped me out. Having read a few books by this author I know that she has the capability of writing villains with depths of evil and crazy that seem bottomless. And I love myself some good villains.The side characters bring many things to the table as well. Be it laughter, warmth, or pain and loss. (*Shakes fist at author.*) The main characters are addictive and their growth is plausible and beautiful to watch.All in all, this book is a streamlined, well thought out, thrilling and, on occasion, chilling read. What's wrong with it:Seriously? Not much. As I've said, Masked has very few flaws. More time with the two main characters would have been nice. Alone time. *winks* There was nothing that consciously bothered me, except for the back and forth in the ending between Parker and Daniel. That was exhausting, but I get why it was there and it served it's purpose. I personally don't like phases like that in a story, but that is just me. Who it's for:Readers of all things paranormal; you just got served! This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. M. Greenhill does an amazing job with everything she touches. In the mood for things that go biting and howling in the dark? For knock-your-socks-off-chemistry between the protagonists? For suspense and a truly original take on the werewolf world? Then this is for you!!! It's new, it's exciting, and it's spectacularly written. Go read it. Get it HEREAbout M. Greenhill:Taken from the Author's websiteAfter failing miserably at world domination and surviving many years of producing technical documentation, project plans and test plans that no one bothered to open, M (pron. M) Greenhill decided to create something that might actually be read.She enjoys creating paranormal stories that takes the reader on a journey filled with intrigue, excitement and more twists and turns than are bugs in a Microsoft update.M lives in New Zealand with her husband, two Minecraft addicted sons and pet Schnauzer who has survived one too many bad haircuts.Ever the optimist, she hopes that one day she will own a pair of Louboutin’s and that, for once, her husband won’t take a short-cut on a DIY project – or even finish one for that matter.Connect with M. Greenhill here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookWattpad
I know, I know... Werewolf books. There are hundreds out there at the moment. We all know how it goes: Pretty girl, vulnerable yet strong, meets big, burly alpha who sniffs out she's his mate and growls 'Mine' to everyone who will listen. He gives chase of little female, intimidating her to fall in love with him. Guts, gore and raunchy bedroom-art commences. Sound familiar? I seldomly read werewolf books, simply cause the premise is the same every time. You read one, you read em all.This is not that. Not. At. All. I gave this book a shot when I found it, because the blurb sounded great, and what do you know... I loved what I found. It's fresh, different, and it has all the right ingredients a story should have. Suspense, romance, thrills, and paranormal.What it's about:Blurb taken from AmazonSupernatural bodies are piling up fast. But can Parker and Daniel save those they love, before they kill each other?As one of the top data security specialists in the US, Parker Johnson has exposed hundreds of digital villains, and their crimes. The hacker is smart, savvy and good at keeping secrets. Parker is also one of the few humans aware of the existence of werewolves, and it’s a secret she will do everything to protect.But for how long? Weres are dying by the dozen, and it seems Wildfire—a new drug sold on the internet—is somehow involved. Parker is called in to help the investigation under the protection of Daniel Locke, the icy Alpha Commander who, three years earlier, she had the misfortune of pissing off. Big time.Daniel has spent his life defending those he loves, but he’s never faced an enemy that’s invisible, and everywhere. No matter how much he distrusts Parker, with the future of his race on the line, his duty to his people comes first. It’s just too bad that his steely self-control fails to smother the animal attraction that flares each time he meets the curvy, brunette investigator. The fiery woman is as much of an enigma as the puzzle they are unravelling.It is a race against the clock to track down the killers behind the lethal drug before it rages well beyond their control.What I think about it:This is not your typical werewolf story. The whole book has the underlying feeling of a thriller, which I loved; it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout reading. (It is a paranormal thriller, after all) Not many books do that to me nowadays. The characters are fleshed out very well, I fell in love with Parker and Daniel and their chemistry. They don't hit it off in the beginning; well, they do, just not in a positive way. He distrusts her because she is human and she will not be bossed around by a big bad alpha. (Who is also hottness incarnate) But since they are forced to work together for the greater good, there is nothing the both of them can do about it. The scenes ensuing are hilarious (I'm looking at you, espresso machine) and their relationship grows in a comfortable way. Their journey is absolutely believable and at no time did it come across as forced.I felt at home in the world and, after a while, part of it. What's right with it:This book has very few flaws. It is edited well, professional and, because of that, comfortable and easy to read. It is superbly plotted; the scenes, character-growth, and feel of the story flow fantastic. One can see and feel that this book has had much time and love invested into it. (Actually everything M. Greenhill does looks great and professional, I love it!)There are many fields covered in this book, like police investigation, computer hacking, gene manipulation and so on... What astounded me was that I believed every part of it. The research that went into this is extensive and I tip my hat to the author for conveying what is happening with such clarity.Which brings me to another point, the villains. There are a few of them meddling around, and while they are completely different from on another, each one is despicable. I loved hating them for different reasons, and the one or other simply creeped me out. Having read a few books by this author I know that she has the capability of writing villains with depths of evil and crazy that seem bottomless. And I love myself some good villains.The side characters bring many things to the table as well. Be it laughter, warmth, or pain and loss. (*Shakes fist at author.*) The main characters are addictive and their growth is plausible and beautiful to watch.All in all, this book is a streamlined, well thought out, thrilling and, on occasion, chilling read. What's wrong with it:Seriously? Not much. As I've said, Masked has very few flaws. More time with the two main characters would have been nice. Alone time. *winks* There was nothing that consciously bothered me, except for the back and forth in the ending between Parker and Daniel. That was exhausting, but I get why it was there and it served it's purpose. I personally don't like phases like that in a story, but that is just me. Who it's for:Readers of all things paranormal; you just got served! This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. M. Greenhill does an amazing job with everything she touches. In the mood for things that go biting and howling in the dark? For knock-your-socks-off-chemistry between the protagonists? For suspense and a truly original take on the werewolf world? Then this is for you!!! It's new, it's exciting, and it's spectacularly written. Go read it. Get it HEREAbout M. Greenhill:Taken from the Author's websiteAfter failing miserably at world domination and surviving many years of producing technical documentation, project plans and test plans that no one bothered to open, M (pron. M) Greenhill decided to create something that might actually be read.She enjoys creating paranormal stories that takes the reader on a journey filled with intrigue, excitement and more twists and turns than are bugs in a Microsoft update.M lives in New Zealand with her husband, two Minecraft addicted sons and pet Schnauzer who has survived one too many bad haircuts.Ever the optimist, she hopes that one day she will own a pair of Louboutin’s and that, for once, her husband won’t take a short-cut on a DIY project – or even finish one for that matter.Connect with M. Greenhill here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookWattpad
November 18, 2017
Review: Casing Happy by Jenni M Rose
When you have a favorite author who makes you feel them feels, you're lucky. If that same author is your friend and you have watched them go from good to great, you're blessed. Jenni is an author who has the ability to convey feelings and an atmosphere with her words which is simply breathtaking.
Now, one might say that I'm biased cause she is my friend, but reviews are about how a book felt, how the story was told, and how you either loved it or not. The thing is, I knew Chasing Happy before I got to know Jenni, and her story of a shy, damaged woman, who sees ghosts, auras, and has premonitions captured me completely. Us becoming friends was just a very lucky plus.But I'm rambling; onto the review!What it's about:Blurb taken from amazonBetween Rosie Knight’s ability to talk to ghosts and every man she’s ever known betraying her, she’s got enough problems without falling for Max, her boss’s brother. But after a terrifying vision causes her to relive a woman’s murder, her ability disappears and she needs a safe place to regroup.Max Murphy is an entrepreneur on the verge of his first major business success. He can’t afford to get sidetracked by the mysterious Rosie whose quiet eyes make him weak in the knees, but he’s not about to turn her away, even if he can tell she’s hiding something.Max is the only person who’s been there for Rosie, and that makes him doubly dangerous. Suddenly he’s at the center of the fragile life she’s built, and if he finds out about her dark past, she could lose everything—including her carefully guarded heart.****Chasing Happy is a Full-Length Romance Novel that's somewhere between New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Romance, and Romantic Mystery. If you like a little bit of everything - including an HEA - this one is for you! ******What I think about it:This book is like a painting, a song, and a great story all rolled into one. It makes you feel deeply, until you are swallowed up by the plotline itself, only to emerge from the pages dazed and confused, wondering why the hell no one has done the laundry and why it's already dark outside.The state this book had me in the entire time I read it is not easily described. There is heartache, fear and even horror, but also joy and hope. I felt both lighter and heavier while I read it, which shows how talented the author really is.From the very start it becomes evident who Rosie is. The loneliness she tries to hang on to, for the sake of herself, is heartbreaking to witness. She is different. And all her life being who she is has gotten her into trouble. She is too weird, too much work, and, frankly, too scary for people to stay at her side. When Rosie does find people who care, who become friends, and who are not frightened away by her weirdness, she does not think it will last. She tries to pull away, to steel herself for the rejection that, always, comes.Max, the MMC, doesn't let her. He is a person who, at his heart, is compassionate and loves taking care of everything and everyone around him. Meeting Rosie puts him in a situation he has never experienced. He can clearly see she deals with a lot and is drawn to her mysterious presence. Everyone should have a Max! He is one of the sweetest, hottest and most persistent MMC I have ever read and loved.Their story is rocky, lovely, and pure. I loved every second of it and could not put it down!What's right with it:The character building, the interactions of characters and the course of the story is phenomenal. It feels real and takes you on a journey. The way it should be.Rosie is always true to her character, which makes her growth at times frustrating and painful to witness. The way it is carried out makes sense and in no way does the story feel forced. It flows nicely, as the pacing is very well done, and I found myself moved from smiling, to grumbling, to nearly crying, in only one chapter.The strongest parts of this story are the conveyed feelings and the characters themselves. Always honest, to the point and consuming. What I mean by that is hard to explain... I left knowing Rosie and Max better than some of my friends, and that is exactly what a reader wants. To connect with the characters in a book, to know them better than they know the people around them. Well, this book excels at doing just that.From sweet, to funny, to horrifying, to painful; this book has it all.Without spoiling anything, the end is surprising yet satisfying. It left me feeling lighter and smiling.What's wrong with it:There is not much wrong with it, at all. I would have to nitpick. *sigh* So nitpicking it is.There are a lot of parts where inner monologue happens. It is necessary to get what's going on inside the characters, and concerning Rosie, who is a private person bordering on hermitism, it makes sense that she would not outright talk about stuff. There are parts where it could have been less though, but that is a personal preference and does not deter the book from being stellar.Who it's for:If you like romance, ghosts, and character stories that take you away and make you think; this is for you! It lingers long after you are done and is not a quick afternoon read. It has depth and is well thought out. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who does not shy away from looking deeper. Don't be afraid, jump in and get lost, it's worth it!Get it HEREAbout Jenni:Jenni M Rose is a sometimes writer with an all the time imagination. She always has a story to tell and if she can find the time to write it, magic happens (or so she likes to think)!Jenni can usually be found at the grocery store or driving her kids from place to place. More often than not, she can be seen typing away in the waiting rooms of local gymnastics gyms or dance studios.Married mom, business owner, writer, taxi driver, accidental chicken lady – Jenni Rose wears many hats.Connect with Jenni here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookWattpad
Now, one might say that I'm biased cause she is my friend, but reviews are about how a book felt, how the story was told, and how you either loved it or not. The thing is, I knew Chasing Happy before I got to know Jenni, and her story of a shy, damaged woman, who sees ghosts, auras, and has premonitions captured me completely. Us becoming friends was just a very lucky plus.But I'm rambling; onto the review!What it's about:Blurb taken from amazonBetween Rosie Knight’s ability to talk to ghosts and every man she’s ever known betraying her, she’s got enough problems without falling for Max, her boss’s brother. But after a terrifying vision causes her to relive a woman’s murder, her ability disappears and she needs a safe place to regroup.Max Murphy is an entrepreneur on the verge of his first major business success. He can’t afford to get sidetracked by the mysterious Rosie whose quiet eyes make him weak in the knees, but he’s not about to turn her away, even if he can tell she’s hiding something.Max is the only person who’s been there for Rosie, and that makes him doubly dangerous. Suddenly he’s at the center of the fragile life she’s built, and if he finds out about her dark past, she could lose everything—including her carefully guarded heart.****Chasing Happy is a Full-Length Romance Novel that's somewhere between New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Romance, and Romantic Mystery. If you like a little bit of everything - including an HEA - this one is for you! ******What I think about it:This book is like a painting, a song, and a great story all rolled into one. It makes you feel deeply, until you are swallowed up by the plotline itself, only to emerge from the pages dazed and confused, wondering why the hell no one has done the laundry and why it's already dark outside.The state this book had me in the entire time I read it is not easily described. There is heartache, fear and even horror, but also joy and hope. I felt both lighter and heavier while I read it, which shows how talented the author really is.From the very start it becomes evident who Rosie is. The loneliness she tries to hang on to, for the sake of herself, is heartbreaking to witness. She is different. And all her life being who she is has gotten her into trouble. She is too weird, too much work, and, frankly, too scary for people to stay at her side. When Rosie does find people who care, who become friends, and who are not frightened away by her weirdness, she does not think it will last. She tries to pull away, to steel herself for the rejection that, always, comes.Max, the MMC, doesn't let her. He is a person who, at his heart, is compassionate and loves taking care of everything and everyone around him. Meeting Rosie puts him in a situation he has never experienced. He can clearly see she deals with a lot and is drawn to her mysterious presence. Everyone should have a Max! He is one of the sweetest, hottest and most persistent MMC I have ever read and loved.Their story is rocky, lovely, and pure. I loved every second of it and could not put it down!What's right with it:The character building, the interactions of characters and the course of the story is phenomenal. It feels real and takes you on a journey. The way it should be.Rosie is always true to her character, which makes her growth at times frustrating and painful to witness. The way it is carried out makes sense and in no way does the story feel forced. It flows nicely, as the pacing is very well done, and I found myself moved from smiling, to grumbling, to nearly crying, in only one chapter.The strongest parts of this story are the conveyed feelings and the characters themselves. Always honest, to the point and consuming. What I mean by that is hard to explain... I left knowing Rosie and Max better than some of my friends, and that is exactly what a reader wants. To connect with the characters in a book, to know them better than they know the people around them. Well, this book excels at doing just that.From sweet, to funny, to horrifying, to painful; this book has it all.Without spoiling anything, the end is surprising yet satisfying. It left me feeling lighter and smiling.What's wrong with it:There is not much wrong with it, at all. I would have to nitpick. *sigh* So nitpicking it is.There are a lot of parts where inner monologue happens. It is necessary to get what's going on inside the characters, and concerning Rosie, who is a private person bordering on hermitism, it makes sense that she would not outright talk about stuff. There are parts where it could have been less though, but that is a personal preference and does not deter the book from being stellar.Who it's for:If you like romance, ghosts, and character stories that take you away and make you think; this is for you! It lingers long after you are done and is not a quick afternoon read. It has depth and is well thought out. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who does not shy away from looking deeper. Don't be afraid, jump in and get lost, it's worth it!Get it HEREAbout Jenni:Jenni M Rose is a sometimes writer with an all the time imagination. She always has a story to tell and if she can find the time to write it, magic happens (or so she likes to think)!Jenni can usually be found at the grocery store or driving her kids from place to place. More often than not, she can be seen typing away in the waiting rooms of local gymnastics gyms or dance studios.Married mom, business owner, writer, taxi driver, accidental chicken lady – Jenni Rose wears many hats.Connect with Jenni here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookWattpad
Review: One Weekend Away by L. Maree Apps
One thing up front, I love Romance. I need it in the books I read, the ones I write and in real life. I am not one to read contemporary romance though. For me it always has to have a bit of fantasy or paranormal mixed into it (or the other way around). I read One Weekend Away despite that (come on guys...be honest. The cover is just on-frigging-point!) and holy hell, am I glad I did!
*closes mouth, fans self*I read this story once a good while back on wattpad, from which the first draft, save for a sample, will be removed in the next two days. When it was self-published I bought it. Yes, I liked it that much.What's it about:Blurb taken from amazon All sports reporter Kenzie Matterson really wants when she agrees to a weekend in Fiji with a guy who needs a fake date to his sister’s wedding, is some hot, stress-busting sex. But life has a way of throwing all the feels in your face, right when you don’t need them. All Rugby League champion Mitch Weston really wants when he goes along with his friend’s idea to take a fake date to his sister’s wedding, is a complete lack of drama. And sex. Amazing sex obviously, as all sex with him is. Mostly though, just no drama. But life has a way of throwing drama in your face, right when you don’t need it. Consorting with athletes is the kiss of death for a female sports reporter’s career. Mitch is going to have to pull out all the moves if he’s going to convince this career woman to take a chance on love.What I think about it:This book made me laugh out loud. The humor and the comical situations are fantastic! They both flow without feeling forced or in your face, and I'm always one for the giggles. Both main characters are witty, stubborn and completely smitten from the moment they meet. Now, one might bash that fact, but as the characters become dear to the reader over the titular weekend, it is the time after that which makes one realize; 'yes, this is it, this makes sense.' In no part of the book did I get the feeling that the relationship was forced, or was something that wouldn't actually happen.The character growth was plausible and fun, hot and heart-wrenching to watch. I got to know both Mitch and Kenzie, I related to them and enjoyed every page with them. That is always a 'job well done' by the author.The sparks flying between Mitch and Kenzie from the very beginning were fun to read and I absolutely loved their banter. And yes, the 'bedroom-art' as I like to call it was hot. Really hot! But it wasn't over done and I didn't get bored by too many smexy scenes. Just right.This book gripped my curiosity and had me turning pages late into the night, both times I read it. Which is, in my opinion, one of the greatest compliments I can give it.What's right with it:The character growth is steady and makes sense. All side characters bring something to the table, be it fun, suspense or WTF moments. The twists in OWA are great and carried out nicely. Even though the author is Australian and therefore the book has some Australian words and phrases, I understood everything and felt right at home. (There is a handy little guide in the beginning explaining some words used) It is well edited and I found close to no obvious mistakes concerning spelling and the likes.The pace is comfortable and flows lovely. Being a romance, of course there is a happily ever after. In some cases it is over done, in this case it isn't. It leaves room for imagination of what will happen next, and it is absolutely plausible, fitting even, that this sort of HEA would happen the way it does.What's wrong with it:Hmm. I had a hard time coming up with something. There was only one thing that bothered me slightly, and it is a bit hard to explain cause it's so minute.The chemistry between Kenzie and Mitch is electric and very sexual, obvious and deliciously so. I got that in every scene they were in together, but there were sometimes lines he or she thought that felt like they tried to hammer home how sizzling the attraction is. I felt a little beaten over the head with those. But would have gotten it just fine without those few extra lines.Who it's for:If you love contemporary romances, and steamy bedroom-art, then this is for you. That isn't all this is though. It takes you on a journey and even discusses themes like being a woman in a field dominated by men. It's fun, it's heartbreaking and it's distinctly hot.If that is your thing, go read it! You won't regret it.Buy it HEREHow to follow up on L. Maree Apps:TwitterFacebookWebsite
*closes mouth, fans self*I read this story once a good while back on wattpad, from which the first draft, save for a sample, will be removed in the next two days. When it was self-published I bought it. Yes, I liked it that much.What's it about:Blurb taken from amazon All sports reporter Kenzie Matterson really wants when she agrees to a weekend in Fiji with a guy who needs a fake date to his sister’s wedding, is some hot, stress-busting sex. But life has a way of throwing all the feels in your face, right when you don’t need them. All Rugby League champion Mitch Weston really wants when he goes along with his friend’s idea to take a fake date to his sister’s wedding, is a complete lack of drama. And sex. Amazing sex obviously, as all sex with him is. Mostly though, just no drama. But life has a way of throwing drama in your face, right when you don’t need it. Consorting with athletes is the kiss of death for a female sports reporter’s career. Mitch is going to have to pull out all the moves if he’s going to convince this career woman to take a chance on love.What I think about it:This book made me laugh out loud. The humor and the comical situations are fantastic! They both flow without feeling forced or in your face, and I'm always one for the giggles. Both main characters are witty, stubborn and completely smitten from the moment they meet. Now, one might bash that fact, but as the characters become dear to the reader over the titular weekend, it is the time after that which makes one realize; 'yes, this is it, this makes sense.' In no part of the book did I get the feeling that the relationship was forced, or was something that wouldn't actually happen.The character growth was plausible and fun, hot and heart-wrenching to watch. I got to know both Mitch and Kenzie, I related to them and enjoyed every page with them. That is always a 'job well done' by the author.The sparks flying between Mitch and Kenzie from the very beginning were fun to read and I absolutely loved their banter. And yes, the 'bedroom-art' as I like to call it was hot. Really hot! But it wasn't over done and I didn't get bored by too many smexy scenes. Just right.This book gripped my curiosity and had me turning pages late into the night, both times I read it. Which is, in my opinion, one of the greatest compliments I can give it.What's right with it:The character growth is steady and makes sense. All side characters bring something to the table, be it fun, suspense or WTF moments. The twists in OWA are great and carried out nicely. Even though the author is Australian and therefore the book has some Australian words and phrases, I understood everything and felt right at home. (There is a handy little guide in the beginning explaining some words used) It is well edited and I found close to no obvious mistakes concerning spelling and the likes.The pace is comfortable and flows lovely. Being a romance, of course there is a happily ever after. In some cases it is over done, in this case it isn't. It leaves room for imagination of what will happen next, and it is absolutely plausible, fitting even, that this sort of HEA would happen the way it does.What's wrong with it:Hmm. I had a hard time coming up with something. There was only one thing that bothered me slightly, and it is a bit hard to explain cause it's so minute.The chemistry between Kenzie and Mitch is electric and very sexual, obvious and deliciously so. I got that in every scene they were in together, but there were sometimes lines he or she thought that felt like they tried to hammer home how sizzling the attraction is. I felt a little beaten over the head with those. But would have gotten it just fine without those few extra lines.Who it's for:If you love contemporary romances, and steamy bedroom-art, then this is for you. That isn't all this is though. It takes you on a journey and even discusses themes like being a woman in a field dominated by men. It's fun, it's heartbreaking and it's distinctly hot.If that is your thing, go read it! You won't regret it.Buy it HEREHow to follow up on L. Maree Apps:TwitterFacebookWebsite
I wrote a book. Where is the confetti?
On making a decision about what to do with your writing.There are so many things to brush up on when you have decided to take matters into your own hands. By this I mean your career, as in writing, as in self-publishing. Obviously you can take quite a few things into your own hands, but that is a discussion for another day. (And just a warning for the future; don’t mind my brain-farts from time to time. I work with men mostly, so more often than not, my mind is in the gutter. One adapts, you know:) *wriggles brows*)Now, when you are an aspiring author and have just finished your first book it is possible you’ll find yourself in a weird state of mind. After the initial ‘hell friggin yeah’ has worn off you stop and look around, thinking: And now? What now? I was told there would be money, fame… confetti? Lollipops? Yeah... no.
What you should be doing, after your deserved high, is think about what to do next. Do you want to bask in your brilliance and let your work sit around? No problem, you do that; you’ve written a whole damned book for goodness sake. But if you want to do something with it, like get it out there, then there a few decisions that need to be made. Your first one is which way to go: Traditional or independent. There are many pros and cons for both and in the end, it comes down to what you want, what you can stand and what you can’t.Now hold on to your fedora’s ladies and gents; I’m pulling up my sleeves.Traditional Publishing:You can either query an agent, who can get you places you alone can’t, or you try on your own. There are quite a few publishing houses (and big ones too) that look at first-time authors who aren’t represented, but more will want to work through an agent. And an agent (should) know on which desks to place what to bring you forward.For me personally, this route is too daunting and unsure. The rights to my stories would be bought, entailing me losing control over what happens to them. The editing, the marketing, the cover—everything. What’s a good thing about it is that you can sit back and let them do their thing; if it works ideally. You will have to market yourself on social media yourself though. Especially with first-time authors publishers don’t want to spend too much on people they don’t know will sell. That is why it's always a good thing to ask about their marketing plans for you, once you are discussing your contract. You have less things to worry about, but it is a long journey (can take years) and you have to know that you’ll get rejections. Possibly countless ones. Oh, and you’ll earn about 10% to 15% per book sale, generally speaking.Self-publishing:No we’re talking. *rubs hands* As you can no doubt tell, this is what I am choosing. And let me tell you; it is a shitton of work. You will have to find an editor, which is costly, and you’ll have to find someone who fits you, who you can work well with. (I have been very lucky in that regard, cause I have found the best frigging editor in the world! We just clicked from the very beginning.) Editing entails two to three rounds, or more. You should find a cover-designer if you aren’t fit in designing yourself. Someone who formats your writing for e-book or paperback isn’t bad to have. You need a website, social media accounts, at least one (I recommend twitter or facebook, simply because it has tons of users). And then you need to decide on where to publish, how to do so and… the list goes on.Basically, you do everything yourself, but you have complete control. You, and you alone are responsible for putting out the best work you are capable of. That isn’t an easy thing to do, trust me, I know. You will have to learn, a lot. I can’t tell you how many hours I have sat and read tips, watched tutorials and lost myself in blog-posts concerning what to do and what not to. (There are so many of them out there, and a lot more detailed and better than this, I’m going to shut up about the one vs. the other thing now.)(Self-)Publishing your book is something you have to really want, and you have to be ready to put in hours of work and a good sum of money, not knowing if you’ll earn that money back. Now, of course you can let your friends proofread your book, slap on a picture as a cover and upload, then call it a day. The question is; what do you want to achieve? For yourself? Do you want to make a quick buck by selling something you’re not proud of? Go on ahead, you do you. I don’t think you’ll earn much, but tell me if I’m wrong. (I really meant that. I’m kinda nosy)For those of you that love what they have written and want to whip it into the best shape it can be; stay strong. Learn. There are so many lovely people online that have gone through this already, and they share that information, because they’re awesome! Don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’. Random internet conversations about how to publish, what to write, dinosaurs, the existence of life and trolls are the absolute best!I’m not saying choose what I have chosen. I’m not saying getting traditionally published is a bad idea, I’m saying I won’t do it. (Not at this point of my life anyway) Not because I’m a control freak, or organized. (I’m extremely lazy and veeery comfortable. I also speak procrastination fluently) The reasons why I chose to self-publish are many. And to me those reasons make sense, they will not, and should not, make sense to everybody.The main one of them being that once I have it in my hands, once I run my fingers along the spine and flip through the pages, smelling that delicious book smell, I can proudly, and with absolute conviction, say: I made this, and it has turned out exactly the way I wanted it to.
It's a long way to go...I have thought about giving up. (I’m lazy after all, and socially awkward with strangers, and I tend to babble) Thought about it, but I have never wanted to. I knew that it was something that would eventually happen, even though there are so many things I still have to do before I’m there. The journey I have been on so far, the people I have met, the things I have learned…All of it is invaluable, and I encourage you to do the same. Go out there, even if the sun is blinding, even when you can’t see where you’re going. You’re not supposed to. That’s why it’s called an adventure! Grab the hand of a stranger and walk with him/her for a while, listen to their stories and tell them yours. Don’t be afraid, we’re all weird round here.So go grab your MS by the horns and do something with it. Make that decision, stick to it and be proud of it. It’s yours!V.L.
What you should be doing, after your deserved high, is think about what to do next. Do you want to bask in your brilliance and let your work sit around? No problem, you do that; you’ve written a whole damned book for goodness sake. But if you want to do something with it, like get it out there, then there a few decisions that need to be made. Your first one is which way to go: Traditional or independent. There are many pros and cons for both and in the end, it comes down to what you want, what you can stand and what you can’t.Now hold on to your fedora’s ladies and gents; I’m pulling up my sleeves.Traditional Publishing:You can either query an agent, who can get you places you alone can’t, or you try on your own. There are quite a few publishing houses (and big ones too) that look at first-time authors who aren’t represented, but more will want to work through an agent. And an agent (should) know on which desks to place what to bring you forward.For me personally, this route is too daunting and unsure. The rights to my stories would be bought, entailing me losing control over what happens to them. The editing, the marketing, the cover—everything. What’s a good thing about it is that you can sit back and let them do their thing; if it works ideally. You will have to market yourself on social media yourself though. Especially with first-time authors publishers don’t want to spend too much on people they don’t know will sell. That is why it's always a good thing to ask about their marketing plans for you, once you are discussing your contract. You have less things to worry about, but it is a long journey (can take years) and you have to know that you’ll get rejections. Possibly countless ones. Oh, and you’ll earn about 10% to 15% per book sale, generally speaking.Self-publishing:No we’re talking. *rubs hands* As you can no doubt tell, this is what I am choosing. And let me tell you; it is a shitton of work. You will have to find an editor, which is costly, and you’ll have to find someone who fits you, who you can work well with. (I have been very lucky in that regard, cause I have found the best frigging editor in the world! We just clicked from the very beginning.) Editing entails two to three rounds, or more. You should find a cover-designer if you aren’t fit in designing yourself. Someone who formats your writing for e-book or paperback isn’t bad to have. You need a website, social media accounts, at least one (I recommend twitter or facebook, simply because it has tons of users). And then you need to decide on where to publish, how to do so and… the list goes on.Basically, you do everything yourself, but you have complete control. You, and you alone are responsible for putting out the best work you are capable of. That isn’t an easy thing to do, trust me, I know. You will have to learn, a lot. I can’t tell you how many hours I have sat and read tips, watched tutorials and lost myself in blog-posts concerning what to do and what not to. (There are so many of them out there, and a lot more detailed and better than this, I’m going to shut up about the one vs. the other thing now.)(Self-)Publishing your book is something you have to really want, and you have to be ready to put in hours of work and a good sum of money, not knowing if you’ll earn that money back. Now, of course you can let your friends proofread your book, slap on a picture as a cover and upload, then call it a day. The question is; what do you want to achieve? For yourself? Do you want to make a quick buck by selling something you’re not proud of? Go on ahead, you do you. I don’t think you’ll earn much, but tell me if I’m wrong. (I really meant that. I’m kinda nosy)For those of you that love what they have written and want to whip it into the best shape it can be; stay strong. Learn. There are so many lovely people online that have gone through this already, and they share that information, because they’re awesome! Don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’. Random internet conversations about how to publish, what to write, dinosaurs, the existence of life and trolls are the absolute best!I’m not saying choose what I have chosen. I’m not saying getting traditionally published is a bad idea, I’m saying I won’t do it. (Not at this point of my life anyway) Not because I’m a control freak, or organized. (I’m extremely lazy and veeery comfortable. I also speak procrastination fluently) The reasons why I chose to self-publish are many. And to me those reasons make sense, they will not, and should not, make sense to everybody.The main one of them being that once I have it in my hands, once I run my fingers along the spine and flip through the pages, smelling that delicious book smell, I can proudly, and with absolute conviction, say: I made this, and it has turned out exactly the way I wanted it to.It's a long way to go...I have thought about giving up. (I’m lazy after all, and socially awkward with strangers, and I tend to babble) Thought about it, but I have never wanted to. I knew that it was something that would eventually happen, even though there are so many things I still have to do before I’m there. The journey I have been on so far, the people I have met, the things I have learned…All of it is invaluable, and I encourage you to do the same. Go out there, even if the sun is blinding, even when you can’t see where you’re going. You’re not supposed to. That’s why it’s called an adventure! Grab the hand of a stranger and walk with him/her for a while, listen to their stories and tell them yours. Don’t be afraid, we’re all weird round here.So go grab your MS by the horns and do something with it. Make that decision, stick to it and be proud of it. It’s yours!V.L.
