Review #3: Dying to Get Published, by Judy Fitzwater

Review #3 - Dying to Get Published, by Judy Fitzwater

Genre - Mystery (humorous)












Amazon - Buy Now

I must admit that I haven't read a full length fiction novel that wasn't some how connected to a romanctic plot in quite some time.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good suspense book but I like to also have a romantic subplot as well.  With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  This novel was highly entertaining and quirky.

Synopsis
The novel Dying to Get Published briefly lets us into the world of Jennifer Marsh, an unpublished and sometimes ditzy writer whose mental capacity I often questioned--with good reason--throughout the story.  She craves seeing her name on the cover of one of her many unpublished works and has a desperate desire to succeed almost to her own detriment.  Jennifer works out a scheme in her mind that seems to be the plot from one of her books and she allows herself to become swept away with carrying it out, all the while enlisting the help of others.  The eight unread manuscripts rivaled only by an equally tall stack of rejection letters are her driving force in plotting a murder that she's too nice to carry out, all in the name of fame.

Review
As stated earlier Dying to Get Published is quirky and filled with many funny, head shaking moments.  I originally decided to get the book strictly based off of the title and cover.  I mean really, what aspiring writer struggling to get their name out there can't identify with a fellow writer who goes off the "deep end" just a little in the name of success.  I believe the writing bug probably makes everyone slightly loopy.  With that being said although there wasn't a huge amount of romance I enjoyed reading this book and felt that the author wrote a solid story, with a nice pace.  The interaction between Jennifer and her writing critique group as well as her unknowing partner in crime Sam Culpepper was really well scripted throughout the book. The only thing I wasn't completely sold on was some of the office scenes towards the end of the book.  It just didn't feel completely believable to me.  Overall it was a good read.  This book is the first in a series of six of The Jennifer Marsh Mysteries and I would absolutely recommend it as a funny mystery novel to pickup.

Author's website: http://www.judyfitzwater.com/

New reviews in the works

Good morning and happy Wednesday all! Taking a break from my yearbook advisor duties and working on 3 new reviews #amediting SFL later

Review #2: You Can't Plan Love, by Synithia Williams

Review #2-You Can't Plan Love, by Synithia Williams

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensuous

     Amazon - Buy Now

Can I just say I love "discovering" new authors.  I thoroughly enjoy being surprised by a new writers work to the point of looking forward to finding and reading more of their books.  While awaiting the new release of a tried and true favorite author, it's so nice to stumble upon or be introduced to a new author or an existing author whose work I've never had the pleasure of reading.

I've been in the midst of editing and re-editing my current project, however I decided to reward myself with a "little" reading time.  BIG MISTAKE. :) After winning, You Can't Plan Love in a blog contest I had been eyeing the book on my Kindle Fire off and on.  Finally I decided to read a few pages of the first Chapter and from there I was hooked.

SYNOPSIS:
The story centers around Kenyatta Copeland and Malcolm Patterson.  Kenyatta has allowed herself to be swayed by passion and emotions so much in her past relationship disasters that she is now determined to play it safe and stay away from men who elicit any degree of lust and desire from her traitorous body.  She is engaged to Brad, a man that she is not in love with, all the while pining away for her boss Malcolm.  Malcolm is doing his own fair share of lusting over Kenyatta but is determined not to engage in an interoffice affair.  All bets are off once he finds out about her engagement and he becomes determined to show her all the reasons why she should give them a chance.  Kenyatta soon realizes that her plans to play it safe in a marriage that would be built on security and convenience may not be safe at all.  After just a taste of passion in Malcolm's arms, Kenyatta remembers all the reasons why she should trust in her heart once again.

REVIEW:
This was a very well written book, with great character development and an overall interesting and entertaining plot.  The author was able to weave a believable cast of characters together in a sensual romance that kept me turning the page to find out what would happen next.  I loved the chemistry between Kenyatta and Malcolm and how it always seemed to be simmering below the surface.  The twists and turns of the story kept things at a nice pace and I especially enjoyed the ending, which in my mind was NOT the standard cookie cutter happily ever after.  It felt more true to life and I could relate to it more than I can with the endings of some novels I've read.  See HEA: Cookie Cutter Blog  Minus a few minor edit tweaks-that took nothing away from the story-I give this book four stars.  Great writing and a sensual romance novel definitely worth picking up.  You won't be disappointed.

Author's website:  http://www.synithiawilliams.com/

HEA - Too Cookie Cutter??

borrowed from scrabblesense.com

I absolutely, positively LOVE a happy ending.  I mean let's be real, it's what dreams are made of.  Right?  That's why I've always loved reading romance novels so much.  Every little girl starts planning out how her Prince Charming will race onto the scene riding his strapping white horse, razzle-dazzle her, literally and figuratively sweeping her off her feet.  They ride off into the sunset and live HAPPILY EVER AFTER. End Credits.

Okay so maybe it's not quite so simple in romance novels.  You have the tug and pull of two opposing forces: enter hero and heroine.  They spend a portion of the story either denying their love for each other or questioning their love for each other.  Outside forces may be thrown at the couple from every conceivable angle, making an already difficult love feel even that much more impossible.  But somehow they conquer all of those perceived roadblocks and discover, rediscover or finally accept their mutual love, and then they live HAPPILY EVER AFTER.


While I can't live without my regular dose of HEA I don't always enjoy the "cookie cutter" endings that I could almost read in mind without seeing a single word of the last few pages of the book.  Sometimes reading an excellent love story can be somewhat of a disappointment when the author chooses to use what I consider to be a cookie cutter ending.  Therefore reading the last few pages or epilogue is something that is at times no fun for me and I simply scan it rather than reading it.  Yes we all want the couple to end up together and remain deliriously in love, however what I don't think is always realistic is having all of their issues magically just disappear in the span of a chapter that wraps up the story.  What I can appreciate in some of the stories that I've read is when the heroine and hero are comfortable and confident enough in their love to admit that they still have things to work out and work on.  This is in fact more true to life and easier to relate to, even if we are reading a genre based in the fictitious fantasy worlds that we wish we lived in.  Yes we want to escape to a world where love conquers all but love is a work in progress which in my mind means you can love someone and want to be with them but not have every single issue resolved.  Sometimes what we could and should love most about someone is their imperfections and how it shapes who they are.

So am I saying that all HAPPILY EVER AFTER's should have unresolved issues?  No.  Absolutely not.  I am simply saying there could be a bit more variety in the endings.  Even though I want my heroine and hero to ride into the sunset, everything doesn't have to be nice and tidy for that to happen.  They simply have to be willing to work on their love.

Binge writing...is hiding out in your cave the best way to get result

Binge writing. I had never thought of such a concept to apply to a writer’s intense bouts of burying themselves inside their “caves” for extended writing sessions. That is, of course until I came across an article discussing binge writing from the academic writing perspective.

While ever looming deadlines can at times necessitate long periods of “dedication” to your writing, if it comes at the risk of a decline to the quality of your work it may be time to rethink your decisions on how many hours you log, in a given day. You risk both quality and burning out when you binge on any given thing, therefore I must assume that being a “binge writer” is not conducive to being a “quality writer”. I know that that it is necessary to delve into the world of the characters that we are creating but be careful of how often you fully immerse yourself. Creating manageable writing schedules and sticking to them should alleviate the need to place such unreasonable demands on your mind and body. Write, don’t binge.

Editing those beautifully strung together words

Editing. You’re finally finished writing your manuscript and it is in a word, a masterpiece; but you’re faced with that dreadful moment when you must part with your words. All those beautifully strung together words that you labored over tirelessly now have to meet their demise. Word to the wise. Don’t fall so in love with your words that you’re not willing to part with them when necessary. This just draws out the inevitable. Regardless of if it’s in the best interest of meeting word count quotas or in tightening up your story, editing is a necessary evil. Self-editing can actually be pretty enjoyable if you allow yourself to *gasp* dare I say, perfect “perfection.”

While I realize that we all embody in our own minds, all that is perfect in this writer’s world, we’re not judged by what we think we know, but rather what we present to readers and writers alike. In order to take the necessary steps forward in being a successful writer, whether it is fiction or nonfiction you must first realize that any well written piece can become an excellent work if you simply allow yourself to edit and be edited.

As a beat writer, a desk editor and now as an aspiring author I have had my own struggles with being edited by others. There is nothing worse in my mind than seeing your work in print and not recognizing it as your own. If your editor gives a 5,000 wc and you decided that 7,000 really tells the story, don’t be surprised, upset or disillusioned about why your favorite scene was cut out and the story was mangled beyond recognition. It only took once, maybe twice for this to happen in college before I learned my lesson. I’m a perfection therefore I always strive to edit myself constantly to avoid having others do it for me. I’m my own worst critic and I’ve always felt that no one could be harder on me than myself. With that said, when you are too close to your work which is usually the case then it’s possible that you may miss some of the small details. In short, when you’ve finished your last rounds of edits and feel that you’ve finished yet another award-winning masterpiece, edit some more.

The Masquerade Crew: Always got a pet project underway? Join the club. MEET @MsQuietStorm81, Our New Crew Member

The Masquerade Crew: Always got a pet project underway? Join the club. MEET @MsQuietStorm81, Our New Crew Member

Now working with the Masquerade Crew as a reviewer.  Check out my new reviewer profile.  Stay tuned for new reviews coming soon.

Shooting for Love Mock Cover Art

Mock Cover Art 

Potential cover art design for Shooting for Love.  Comments and Suggestions are welcome.

FB Author page

Tammy Roberson (@MsQuietStorm81) tweeted at 3:10 PM on Mon, Jan 21, 2013: Like me on FB (Author Tammy Roberson) for new upcoming projects, excerpts, reviews, cover design unveiling & more http://t.co/4zNdPd5f (https://twitter.com/MsQuietStorm81/status/293450491583672320) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

Mock Cover

Design/Layout of mock cover 

Currently working on the design & layout of my mock cover design for Shooting for Love.  Will use in the event that I go the self-pub route.  Unveiling coming soon.

Writing critique groups and writing partners? Yay or Nay? What say you...

What are the benefits of joining a writing critique group or get a writing partner or two? Is it wise to go it alone in your writing process or should one seek another discerning eye to give voice to what we fail to see or what we just plain ignore in our writing? I myself have not used a critique group or worked with a writing partner in my foray into novel writing and I must say I’m quite hesitant to start.

Obviously the benefits are tremendous for those who self-publish—which I’m still up in the air on —however I’m deathly anal about my writing. My beat writing from long ago during my college newspaper days along with my poetry and creative writing from even longer ago all had to be edited over and over before I even contemplated sharing it. What can I say, I’m a perfection at my craft and prefer self-criticism first and foremost. Therefore it feels me with angst to think about having someone read my unedited writing and then provide their “solicited” opinion on said unedited work.

So the question I’m presented with is how would a writing partner or critique group benefit me personally? Would I be able to join a group/partner that meets face-to-face or would an online interaction suffice? What are the best avenues to meet and connect with others to join a critique group or find a writing partner? Would I be open to a group or a partner from other genres or should I stick strictly with romance and women’s fiction focused writers. While the critique in its essence would be beneficial wouldn’t this take away from the time for actually writing, editing, etc?

What say you writers? Do you use writing partners or critique groups? What have been the benefits that made you decide to continue using this resource? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about connecting and networking with other writers, readers and lovers of all things literary. However I’m not completely sold on the benefits outweighing the demands on my already scarce amount of free time.

Launched New FB Author's Page

Go check out and like my new Facebook author's page: Author Tammy Roberson Facebook Page

Writers do you feel your character’s emotions when you are writing a scene?? Then how do you expect your readers to???

As a reader, anytime that I am reading a scene and I have this churning, unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach I realize that I am so keyed in to the story that my body is reacting to the words. I am feeling what the characters are feeling, therefore when they cry I may shed a few tears…when they feel certain emotions, I share in those same emotions. That in my opinion is the testament to a writer really digging deep and showing the emotions of their characters.

As a writer I try to do just that. And when I don’t, I rewrite and try again. Getting the reader to become emotionally connected to the characters in a story, first starts with the writer becoming emotionally connected. If you’re not experiencing that churning feeling in your tummy when you write a scene, then why would you expect your readers to grasp onto emotions from a character that just aren’t there, and continue reading a story.

Writers, make a practice of always keying into your character's emotions, whether they be ecstatically happy, inconsolably sad, deliriously amorous or just plain apathetic...whatever the case might be. A writer’s goal should be that the reader not only read the character’s emotions but feel them too.

Shooting for Love Blurb

Professional Photographer Allyson Daniels is on a mission. A mission to clear her brother’s name of a scandal that could have him seeing serious prison time. She is not looking for love, and most certainly not from the likes of philandering ADA Elijah Young, the prosecutor who just happens to be taking on the case against her brother. Allyson’s number one goal right now is becoming a household name in the photography business, not falling in love or lust. Loving and losing at such a young age taught her years ago to protect her heart at all cost so this unwanted attraction towards her arch enemy has her questioning just what goals she should be shooting for.

Elijah’s only objective right now is bringing down Diego Santiago and his crew. He is through with love. He plays hard and works even harder. Being burned by his ex-wife two years ago has turned him off of commitment and his trust in women is at an all time low. He enjoys living the bachelor life to the fullest. Or at least that’s what he had been telling himself until he met the fiery and feisty Allyson. The woman was way off limits and not at all his time with her sharp tongue, yet somehow she infiltrated his heart, making him feel things he has no right to feel for her.

She’s shooting for her brother’s freedom, he’s shooting for a conviction in his biggest case to date, but before they know it they’ll both be Shooting for Love.

Editing: Mighty is the RED pen

Shooting for Love

Steadily working on the edits for Shooting for Love and quickly finding out that the writing process is never really completely until you submit your manuscript, lol.  Rewriting a few scenes at the moment and also debating on revising the first few chapters to make the story move a little quicker.  (Seems to move a little slow initially before my main characters come across each other)  Also reviewing a few scenes and tidbits of information to make sure they are well developed. 

Will post my Shooting for Love blurb later and introduce the main characters.

Indie vs. Traditional Publishing

Publishing

     As I sit here working on edits for Shooting for Love, I'm still plagued with the question of publishing.  I've been indecisive in choosing between just self-publishing or pursuing submission to a traditional publishing house.  I literally switch between the two on a daily basis; sometimes it feels like mere minutes when I shift from one to the other.  Obviously the clear cut choice for any aspiring author is to be picked up by a major publishing house and sit back and wait for fame to claim us, while we sit back on our laurels and bask in our success.
     Okay I know, I know.  On many counts I know that it doesn't quite work that way.  Writing the book is only a huge portion of the battle...but there is so much more to come.  Some of my favorite authors are excellent writers, have a great fan base and constantly put out award-winning novels, however they still have to pound the pavement--hard--in hopes of drumming up sales and increasing their readership.
     Writing an award worthy novel is just the first step--a very long and arduous but necessary step of becoming an author.  Marketing however is a huge factor in weeding out the believers versus the nonbelievers.  You were dedicated enough to your craft to sit down and write your book, now how much faith do you have in your work to try selling someone else on the merits of publishing it or for that matter even reading it.

New Releases on My 2013 To-Read List

Books that I am anxiously awaiting...

A.C. Arthur: Decadent Dreams (Release Date: March 19)
Maureen Smith: Seducing the Wolf (Release Date: April)
Adrianne Byrd: Unbreak My Heart (Release Date: April 23)
Eric Jerome Dickey: Decadence (Release Date: April 23)
Zuri Day: Platinum Promises (Release Date: April 23)
Cheris Hodges: Forces of Nature (Release Date: May 7)
Yahrah St. John: Delicious Destiny (Release Date: May 21)
Jacquelin Thomas: Five Star Seduction (Release Date: May 21)
Niobia Bryant: Never Keeping Secrets (Release Date: May 28)
Naomi Chase: Betrayal (Release Date: August)

More to come...Indie Authors & Newly Discovered Authors

What new releases of 2013 are you awaiting???

Review #1 - Any Way You Want It, by Maureen Smith

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Scorching Hot

Amazon - Buy Now

     Reviewing any work by Maureen Smith in my mind can be summed up in four quick words.  Brilliant Writing.  Excellent Read.  Am I a biased fan?  Yup, probably.  However I'm also a voracious reader who has very high expectations and standards  for the literature that I read.  Reading is a labor of love--there are so many other things that I should be doing when I pick up a book.  Since I can remember I have had a love affair with words,--reading and writing them-- therefore I have a great appreciation and admiration for writers that can weave a story together with beautiful word play.

     Any Way You Want It, is a follow up to Maureen Smith's novel Whatever You Like, featuring elite escort agency owner, Zandra Kennedy and her childhood friend, former Navy SEAL Remington Brand.  Remy has been carrying a torch for his friend for some time and Zandra is far from immune to his charm, however she is initially hesitant to rock the proverbial friendship boat.  Eventually their love and an all-consuming attraction can no longer be denied.  This novel is a scorching hot read that will ensnare the reader from start to finish.  The erotic sex scenes will leave steam coming off of your e-reader or the pages of your book.

2013 Writing & Photography Goals Outline

Today's Challenges Equal Tomorrow's Greatness

In an effort to both organize and challenge myself in 2013 I have developed a running list of goals that I intend on accomplishing and exceeding over the next 12 months in both my writing career and my ongoing photography business.  This blog is dedicated primarily to my writing & reviewing however there are times when my photography work will cross over and I will mention different projects that are underway that will either work in conjunction with my writing or completely unrelated in an effort to maintain my focus and dedication to my business.

Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge

Will start reviewing my first book later this week for the Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge by The Masquerade Crew. http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-mad-reviewer-reading-challenge-join.html Definitely have a good idea of what book I'd like to review first.

Well it's official...I'm LIVE.  Woo Hoo!!! Launching my new writing & reviewing blog.  Just finished writing the manuscript for my second novel, Shooting For Love yesterday and now I'm rejoining the masses in this crazy blogger world.  Hoping to continue growing my craft as I recommit to this journey of writing.  Also hoping to network with fellow aspiring authors, published authors and the many book lovers who enjoy a good read.