Book Review: FATEFUL By Cheri Schmidt

Hello all! For the new year I revamped my freelance writing services into a review writing business, with book reviews being one of my services. SOOoooo to kick off the new year here is my first BOOK REVIEW! Under my new company Entertainment Review Freelance Writing Services!
You can also view it on Goodreads!

Hope you all enjoy!

Synopsis: A huge fan of Jane Austen, Danielle hopes to find her own Mr. Darcy when she leaves Colorado to attend art school in London. Of course she knows it's silly to wish for that, naive even. But she's met enough males who lacked respect for women, a growing trend it seemed. And at nineteen...well.... However, on only her second night there she gets lost and is threatened by a stalker who proves to be immune to her martial arts training. Before she is completely overpowered, she is then saved by Ethan Deveroux.

While Danielle does find the romance she seeks in Ethan, he's no Mr. Darcy. Her hero is held by a spell which fractures their chance at a happy ending. During the day Ethan is closer to mortal than immortal and can date her like any other man. Yet, as the sun sets, the powerful magic of an ancient curse returns and the evil of that spell is revealed. When that magic begins, Danielle's fairytale romance ends because Ethan Deveroux is a vampire.


Review
“Fateful” is definitely a young adult themed book. None the less I found it to be an enchanting read. I am a bit overdosed on Vampire stories. I did find the origins of the Vampires to be a bewitching curse interesting, and magical. The main heroine here also has an old fashion penance to her character, which I liked as well. This was not just vampire loves human story either as the author added an interesting twist as to why they are attracted each other.

Overall I enjoyed the book finding it magical, charming, even witty at times. If you enjoyed "Twilight" you will enjoy this book.

Ringing in the New Year!

The Year In Review

Looking back in 2014 it was the year of marketing. I took a major step in promoting Angelic Confessions more. Angelic Confessions had its very first book blitz that went really well. I met some new amazing indie authors like myself.  I even got a boost in sales!


An Exciting 2015

It's a new year so I thought I start a new writing genre BOOK REVIEWS! I normally write reviews for clients anyway so I decided to make it my Nitch. The THING I do. I write reviews. I write them well. It is what I am good at. With that said I opened up Entertainment Review Freelancing Services!

Entertainment Review is a freelancing website for those looking for Reviews. I specialize in different types of reviews not just book reviews too. I even will accept special requests. For example one company asked me to ghost write a book for them.Working with the indie world I make my prices extremely affordable to help struggling authors.


My History in Freelancing

In 2015 I am hoping to have some success in this. I need to work, but working the mundane is just now working with my body. I sit here writing this even with an ice pack on right shoulder blade. All I did was taken out the garbage. I confess I never really put that much stock in my freelancing. I did it sporadically. There were times where I was getting steady work. Still I didn't have the faith in it. That I could do it. That I could do more. I also was all over the place. I wrote on many topics not having a nitch. I even wrote an article on finding your nitch! I never really had one. Not until now.

Angelic Confessions Book 2

Of course in 2015 I will be working on Book 2 of Angelic Confessions hoping for a October 2015 release date!

HOLIDAY ANGEL GREETINGS!

HOLIDAY ANGEL GREETINGS!

Join me and a slew of other amazing indie authors for the DKC's 12 Days of Christmas! An Indie Authors Celebration!

On December 18th (Thursday) I get to take over DKC. Come join me as I give you my confessional. Read some of my never before published poetry.

•  Join an author pow wow by the yule log

•  And share a sneak peek at Book 2 of Angelic Confessions!

If that is not enough to entice you enter DKC awesome giveaways! One which features your chance to win a print or digital copy of Angelic Confessions! As well as a FREE writing service from yours truly!


To all I wish a blessed holiday season!

~Jan Marie

Book Blitz Hit!: DKC Fantasty Publishing Review

                                              

 I would like to give a BIG thanks to Dragon Knight Chronicles Fantasy Publishing for hosting my book blitz. I would also like to thank all the bloggers too who volunteered to participate and read my book.

 About DKC Fantasy Publishing

I discovered DKC via a post from another author on LinkedIn who mentioned their book promotion services. I decided to check them out, and ended up ordering a book review, character interview, and author interview wrapping it all up in having a Book Blitz!  Working with them was a surprisingly fun experience. They are a real talented group tending to their clients needs in a warm and friendly matter. I can not say enough at how great it was to work with them. They deliver you prompt updates on the progression leading up to your big Blitz or Blog Tour day. They explain everything to you detailed in a friendly and professional manner. They really understand what authors need, as well as what they are looking for.

Prices

I found their prices to be reasonable. Affordable even for a single indie mom writer like me.

Other Services

 DKC Fantasy is not just about book promotions. They offer other services too, such as editing, and
 book cover design. (I just might use them for Book 2!)

Overall Thoughts

To all soon to be published authors I highly recommend  DKC Fantasy Publishing for your promotional needs.You will not be disappointed in the promotion, and treatment  they give you.

Angelic Confession Blitz Tour: Angelic Confessions:REVIEW

 

Angelic Confessions Book Review
By Kathryn Jenkins

 

"In a world where the Father created all I was born...an angel. A new breed it was meant to overthrow the children of heaven. To prevent this I was taken, and raised as Father's own. my memories wiped, the killer beast inside me caged. Memories never stay buried though...and love could threaten us all."

Jan Marie takes our breath away with her first novella Angelic Confessions. Marie shows us a new insight into the realm of angels. The love affair that grows between the two main characters Pio and Aye is a wild ride that carries you throughout the story.

Aye is a creature that will change the fate of the angels forever. She will bring down Father and heaven itself. Where an innocent child should be kept safe, Father puts her future into the hands of the one man that will bring her own undoing. The love of a man cannot only destroy the innocence but may bring the world as they know it to an end.

Angelic Confessions is, in its own right, a story that takes your breath away. Never before has an author used a writing style that compliments the mindset of an angel. Marie created a beautiful writing style all her own featured throughout her novella.

The story grabbed me right from the start and I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading the entire novella. While it’s not a story that I would normally read, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

5/5 stars (You blew my mind away)

Visit: http://angelicconfessions.webs.com/

Greed (Sins of the Fallen Series) Book Review

I believe in Authors helping Authors.
I have been privileged to review Greed book 2 in the Sins of the Fallen series by Karina Espinosa for YAReads Blog Tours!

 


“Maximillion can never return to the normal life he once had—not now that he’s Wrath—one of the seven Nephilim. After the failed battle with Abbadon and his demons, the death of a loved one, and the betrayal of the person he trusted the most—Max was forced to go into hiding. But not before devising a plan to look for answers: to search for the other Nephilim.

Max and his best friend/guardian angel, Jones are on the run for a month before their first clue leads them to Sin City, Las Vegas to find the Nephilim of Greed. But Nikolai’s reluctance to help and fear of an unknown force leaves Max with more questions than answers.

Will he discover who is hunting the Nephilim? And if he does, can he overcome the forces of evil against them?

Find out in the sequel to Sins of the Fallen, where Karina Espinosa pulls readers back to the saga unfolding in the world of angels and demons—a world where everything falls part.”

Greed picks up right after the end of Sins of the Fallen, with the lead character Max and his buddy guardian angel Jones on the run after tragedy has stuck. If you have not read the first book I will just sum it up with Max discovers he is the Nephilim Wrath with a very special power that makes him a wanted boy by the angels who are not so surprisingly angelic to fulfill a prophecy.

So back to Greed. In Greed Max and his guardian are on the run after a major event that ended in Sins of the Fallen. Max is also going through some major changes that brings them to discovering other Nephilim, namely the Nephilim Greed. They decide to go find him in hopes for answers. What they get is attacked by Abbadon and his demons, which leads to an unsteady alliance with Greed. Can they really trust him though?


My Thoughts

Greed is as ever as engrossing as the first book. Just as I say to myself, “After this chapter I am going to bed.” I find myself reading one more chapter. Espinosa takes you on an engrossing trip with characters that are fun, witty, and make you feel for them. The only down side I would say is that it was not a challenging read. With it being only 274 pages long I read the book rather quickly. It ended too soon.

For more info visit and to purchase:

Amazon U.S:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MADJQH8 U.K.:http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MADJQH8?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Also check out the first book Sins of the Fallen!

http://www.amazon.com/Sins-Fallen-Karina-Espinosa-ebook/dp/B00I214NZ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408066099&sr=8-2&keywords=Sins+of+Fallen


　

Is There Such Thing as Too Much Editing?

I am starting to wonder if there is such a thing as TOO MUCH EDITING.

It seems editing is never ending process. Also I think the more you edit the more you can screw up some how. Maybe it's me personally. Isn't editing suppose to HELP!

Maybe the rule is that you should never edit past your bed time? 

Never edit while holding a baby on your lap?

Never edit while you have twins who still don't sleep through the night?

 You know I was so happy to here from a friend of mine who posted my book on her Facebook page that one of her friends picked up a copy of my book on Kindle. The person then said they notices some errors couple pages in. I apparently was forgive because this was my first book. It still crushed me because I edited the death out of my book!

 I then realized well maybe I over edited. Is it possible to over edit?

 I did spend many nights up way past my normal bedtime to get the book done on my scheduled release date(which was October 31st.). I even postponed the original release date (September). Surprisingly people  actually were starting ask where is the book they thought it was coming out in September and they had not seen it yet.I was sleep deprived a bit, and  I am a single mom of 9 month old twins plus an 8 year old. So trying to edit while taking care of cherub children was a task. In trying to correct mistakes I was making mistakes as well.

For example the typo that the person pointed out. Oh yes I remembered that. I HAD meant to correct that, but forgot where it was. That is what I get for editing  from backwards to forwards. By the time I got to the beginning I forgot what needed fixing. Real smart of me, but forgivable considering I never get a full nights sleep whether I am editing or not. I am not bitter at my babies who still wont sleep completely through the night, no no...well maybe a little but it's due to sleep deprivation,  and hormones.

 I corrected everything in the Kindle version, but I can not change what is in print. Though its print on demand why can't I? People and their limitations pissh! Also Why did I not run spell check HELLO! I had myself editing, and a English degree graduate editing.Why did I need spell check? DUH! Then you had my eyes again on it checking the English degree graduate editing as well. Which was good, but I had to tweak here and tweak there so description or dialogue. I over tweaked maybe that was my issue. Add to that I also was nervous for I was self publishing my book! This was not an instant choice for me. I thought long and hard on this choice. I did research on the benefits of both self publishing and traditional publishing. I then looked at the style and topic of my book. Which direction of publishing did it fit? I mean why not millions of people do it.

So is there such thing as too much editing?

Check out Janny C book Here!

The Pleasure and Pain of Writing

I have done it! I finally have published my labor of love book Angelic Confessions!

It is all surreal and only fellow writers probably can understand the tumble of emotions that are flowing through me right now. Millions of people self publish books every day so it no big thing right?

Well for us writers, and me especially this is a BIG deal. The biggest thing in my life. It has been the most pleasurable thing in my life, and the most painfully joyful thing in my life.
 I will tell you why.


When I decided to write my mom was amazingly behind me. In truth  she liked it would keep me at home, which gave me more time to take care of her. She even offered to be my editor after I had managed to take a writing course at our local college. We all had to bring a sample of our work. I brought my sample of "Angelic Confessions" which was called "Sacred Angels" at that time. It was planned on being a comic book actually. After I read my sample the teacher goes "You know what your doing don't you?"
I was all "Yeah I guess." But I had studied the art of comic book script writing I was not aimlessly writing.

After class I told my mom  this. I think it made her curious in what was in her daughters imagination.

I was hesitant though for my writing was the window to my soul. My writing is where I laid naked, and everything was bare. Did I want my mom to see my soul? See my joy, my pain, my pleasure? In the end I let my mom be my editor to which she became my biggest fan, and supporter. When my mom passed away I did not think I could ever write again. I then thanks to a friend who was starting on writing her own book reminded me of myself and my love and passion I had for writing.  And she would of never thought of attempting writing if it wasn't for me. I amazingly inspired others to write themselves!

Now finally the book is done and it is a bittersweet moment. I wondered is my mom looking down on me. Is she proud? I'd like to think so. 

Inside Guide to Self Publishing

Thinking about self publishing? Here is an exclusive look as one author goes through the self publishing process.


My Self Publishing Walk-Through


Step 1. Make Sure Self Publishing is Right For You- I did not choose self publishing lightly. I researched options from traditional to vanity publishing with self publishing being in the middle. Being now that I recently gave birth to twins, and have one older child as well I really do not have time to research publishing houses, and writing agents. Research you say? Yes research. You do not just pick a agent, or publishing house then say take a look at my book please. You have review each agent, each publishing house to make sure your genre of book will fit them. That at least heightens your chance of acceptance a little better. Another reason why self publishing seems to be right for me is that my book is different. It falls in the paranormal romance genre but the PG-13 version if you will. Last reason is why not self publish? Others have done it. Why not take the chance on myself. To tell the truth I am completely terrified to do this.

Step 2. Choose the Right Self Publisher for you- Self publishing is a grow trend so there some so called self publishing sites that are actually vanity publishing company's claiming to be self publishing. Self publishing should let you do all the work yourself, but then offer you professional help as a cost if you so choose. Not pay me such and such amount and I will publish your book that is vanity publishing. Some good ones are Lulu.com and Create-a-space. I started to on Lulu but I just did not like the feel of the site. I then started to look into Create-a-space and I liked their process much better. 

Step 3. Edit Your Book or Hire Someone-  I had let my book sit for awhile as I contemplated self publishing vs traditional publishing.When I decided self publishing I knew I must edit myself unless I had the Benjamin$ to hire an editing service. If you do self edit do not just edit once, but twice, even 3 times. Let your book set for couple days between edits though so you get a fresh eyes on it every time. And let me tell you, you will probably find a mistake every time you look at it. Just keep on editing it till you find nothing left. You can then estimate you book is 99% error free.

Step 4. Start Marketing!- As of right now I have the interior of the book formatted for publishing. I next need to make a cover. I have paused right now to start marketing even though my book is not ready for sale yet. My book already has a website and follower so I updated my site and my follower.  I Twittered about it, Linkedin about it, made a book trailer. I even created a Facebook page for it!

Step 5. Well that is yet to come as I continue on my self publishing journey. Write On!

The Finicky Writer

Are you a Finicky Writer? I think I am a Finicky Writer. It seems to of taken forever to get my book Angelic Confessions to be just right. It first started out to be a comic book and was written in script form. Then it changed over to be an actual book. I did self publish the story under another name and even had two people buy a copy. Problem was the book was horribly filled with grammar issues. I had an editor, but I did not edit the editor. Everyone knows that even after the editor edits you are to go over the proofs once again making sure everything is as perfect as it can get. It was a learning experience let me tell you that.

I took it off the market and totally re vamped the book. I then thought I was done and tried to market it again. I was happy no one really took a bite because I was still unhappy with it. I had let it rest a bit then decided to check it over for some reason. I discovered again I was not happy with the book. It went through the editing board again, then again.  I am like what is going on! Will I ever be happy with this book? Will it every see the light of day?

Is this a common trait among writers? Are writers finicky people? I think they are especially of their own work. I mean each book, or article we write is filled with our love, our passion, our pain, blood, sweat, and tears! Yes everything even if we are writing an article on adult diapers, or how to screw in a light bulb we are putting passion in that article baby! Well as least I do. If you are a writer you should for otherwise why are you writing in the first place?  This is not a prestigious position. I am probably better off working at McDonald's for crying out loud. Especially if you did not get a chance to go to college. I self taught myself everything I know about writing and the publishing world. Add in thee blessings of encountering a couple of amazing writers who mentored me ( Rebbecca E. Check out her blog on being a writer it is awesome!). To make it I had prove my chops the hard way by my actual words. When I am hired I am not hired due to a prestigious degree. I am hired by my words, and the words of others who enjoyed what I wrote. To me that is a true testament that I am a writer. For there are many times I doubt myself. I wonder what the hell am I doing. I do not write for fame. I write to entertain, to make you think, to make you smile, to make you laugh, to make you sad. I write uniquely in way many do not understand. Not my best move, but I can only be true to me and there are people that want unique so I stay alive. I'm alive to write.

So ask yourself are YOU a Finicky Writer?

Writing a Dream (A ponder)

After all my struggles and accomplishments I still wonder is my idea of being a writer, my idea of writing just a dream. Being a writer is not an easy path. Is not a glamorous career really. I never got a chance to go to college to be taught from a professor. All my writing know how came from my teaching myself and learning the hard way from experience.

This does not seem so odd of my of course. I never in my life choose the easy path so why should my choice in a job be any different. Being struck with chronic back pain which took 4 years to diagnosis sort of set me up for this writing dream as well. Writing was all I could do. I have come a long way now having my own little writing website and writing for clients from all over the world.  Still I wonder if this idea of being a writer is a dream. It seems to the world around me I am still a fool not matter how much I have accomplished. Is writing a dream still should I just give up?

Query Away!

Lack of Internet in my home has kind of put a damper on my publishing goal. I work now from the local coffee shop, and work always comes first. So hunting for the right publishers and agents was always on hold. Remember folks you just do not want to go with any publisher or agent. It sometimes take a long and tedious process to find that one publisher, or agent that you think your book is fit for, at least it should do this.

I finally have gotten a break though! I have now just sent a query off to Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. I also reworked my query letter, and my synopsis of the book. I got a good feeling I presented myself and the book a lot better than I did in the past. I always look back at my unsuccessful attempts to find out that I did wrong in my presentation that might of turned them off. So those rejections,or no replies I get are very helpful in learning how to properly write a query letter. They also can help you in how to write a proper book synopsis too that will grab a Publishers or Agents attention. So the Query is away!!! Wish me luck!

Wow I Got Fans!

When I started on this writing journey I never did expect to get famous. I didnt want to be either. I wanted to be a writer for my job, my career. I wanted to write because this is my love my passion. I never expected to be well known, or a Pulitzer Prize winner or to even be in the New York Best Sellers list. That was not why I decided to write. I write because I love it. I write because maybe I have stories to share, and knowledge hidden inside me to pass on. One thing you got to know though is if you DO become a writer It can happen.

I have fans!

This is still a bit strange to me. I do randomly get emails, and comments from people who have read my articles and enjoyed my work. I have even gotten a comments on my beloved Angelic Confessions novella about how they love the story, it hooked then, they can't wait for it to come out. I of recent got another one of those emails. I then got a request that someone wanted me to write a script for them. Then another request if I could ghost write a novel for them. I had young writers who read an article I shared in writing and they wanted MY OPINION on a story they were writing with a friend. WHOA! I am just a lowly writer here if they only knew how hard this is and my paycheck really does not pay all the bills here. I'm not a success really so how can I accept this praise or give advice? Sure I have my own writing business, and I get paid to write. I still haven't found a publisher for my novella though I have come so close so many times. Starting to wonder if I ever will. The subject matter is a bit risque, so I guess probably no agent or publisher would want to take a risk except for Dorrance Publishing who keeps hassling me to publish with them or their sister company Rose Dog. Of course I would PAY them to publish my book so why not hassle me to publish with them. Some days I want to throw in the towel. Then I get emails from my fans, supporters, fellow young writers. This is why I continue on. Not only do I write for me I write for others more so. I write to inform them, entertain them, tomake them laugh, make them THINK! So to my fans, friends, supporters thank you. I love this business I love the written word! I can't leave it not not ever it has my heart and soul. WRITE ON ALL!