Author Archives: Jalpa Williby
$200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
$200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
A bunch of authors, who write similar genre, got together to find out who our target audience might be. So, we’re sending out this survey. We need your help!
I want to learn about you! It’s important for authors to know our readers, and I’d like to offer you this opportunity to tell me about yourself.
Please click the link below and fill out the questionnaire so I can better understand what speaks to you as a lover of books. The form needs to be filled out on a computer, not a mobile device, and will take approx. 10 minutes. All answers are anonymous and confidential, and by completing this survey, you are automatically entered into the $200 Amazon gift card drawing. (Only one entry per person, please.) Feel free to post and share this survey with fellow readers of romance. It will accept entries between March 2nd and March 14th.
The winner will be randomly selected on Wednesday, March 16th, and notified via email at that time.
I look forward to getting to know you better.
Enter here: Reader Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vclRVToJDpOkRF_sDIImPzxniDIVF3RB_ZgWM9lEod4/viewform
Loving You Hurts So Good Release and Teasers
My newest book comes out is tomorrow, February 11, 2016! Treat yourself to these unique collection of “forget me nots”–just in time for Valentine’s Day. 🙂
Once in a lifetime…
An unexpected encounter,
A powerful connection,
A love so intense, it hurts.
Forbidden and destined,
Two hearts come together,
Once and forever…
Travel this heartfelt journey as Jalpa Williby unravels the lives of troubled, yet heroic characters in these elegant, touching stories.
Choices
Trent is from the “other side of the tracks.” But, he’s Shanna’s knight in shining armor. Can their love survive against all odds?
Chances
Destined to meet again, Trent and Shanna have to face their demons from the past. Both need their closure…both need to finally let go… But, will they be able to?
Fate’s Cry
Kelsey’s past haunts her. A mysterious stranger crosses her path. But will her be her savior? Or will he ultimately cause her tragic demise?
Best Friends
Best friends from childhood. Through the ups and downs. Through thick and thin. Kat begs Ryan to be her pretend boyfriend as a favor… their friendship is ultimately tested.
Touch of the Untouchables
Zak has only known one way of life: to stay inside the wall. A forbidden excursion goes wrong… An encounter with a dangerous enemy… Will he face the truth? Will he survive?
Broken
Jed and Sage were high school sweethearts. But life had other plans for them. Going their separate ways, he became a famous singer. She became a prestigious physician. A tragic accident left him paralyzed and turned his world upside down.
Dream Cast
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBPpqJdCGFo
Amazon/Kindle purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/Loving-You-Hurts-So-Good-ebook/dp/B01A9CDVF4
As always, thank you for your support and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!
Cover Reveal for Loving You Hurts So Good
Once in a lifetime…
An unexpected encounter,
A powerful connection,
A love so intense, it hurts.
Forbidden and destined,
Two hearts come together,
Once and forever…
Travel this heartfelt journey as Jalpa Williby unravels the lives of troubled, yet heroic characters in these elgant, touching stories.
Here’s the cover!
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000035_00018]](https://jalpawilliby.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/loving-you-hurts-so-good-full-cover.jpg)
We have a release date now, folks! Loving You Hurts So Good is set to be released on Feb 11, 2016 (just in time for Valentine’s Day).
You can preorder it now! I promise you, these are not your typical love stories. There’s YA dystopian, thriller, paranormal, contemporary, romantic comedy, and NA. They’re all unique, but with one thing in common…each story will touch your heart.
Writing Endeavors in 2015 and 2016
Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016
What a busy year it has been! I’m proud to say I got two books out in 2015 (Chaysing Destiny and My Perfect Imperfections). I also have a short story out called Beauty and the Beast in an anthology, The Cat, The Crow, and the Cauldron, with other talented authors. Getting all these stories out is pretty huge for me since I work full time as well.
Outside of that, Chaysing Destiny won the Bronze medal in Readers’ Favorite 2015 Book Awards in Fiction/Thriller/Terrorism. What an honor and an unforgettable event in Miami for me!
Chaysing Memories and Chaysing Destiny also received the Book of the month award from Long and Short Reviews.
Additionally, Chaysing Dreams and Chaysing Memories took first and third place award in Best Paranormal book of 2015 by Readers’ Junction. The Cat, the Crow, and the Cauldron also took third place award in Best Anthology.
My Perfect Imperfections received the five star seal from three different reviewers from Readers’ Favorite.
I’m proud to say it also received the Epilogues Authors Seal, was voted #4 in 50 Best Indie Books of 2015 by the readers, and also won several other recognitions: Best Ugly Cry book, Top Five Books read in 2015, and Most Memorable Book of 2015.
There have been lots of nominations for all of the books in 2015, ranging from Best Series to Best Book Boyfriend to Best Book Couple. What’s been really cool is that all of the books were #1 Amazon best sellers in their categories. Yes, it has been an incredible year.
But, do you know what’s really been incredible? I’ve met some amazing people online because of all of my writing endeavors. I was lucky enough to meet my friend, Charisse Hogan. Because of her, I was inspired to write My Perfect Imperfections. She is a remarkable young woman with cerebral palsy, and each day, I am in awe with her strength, beauty, and positive energy. Here’s the link of her YouTube video when she reviewed My Perfect Imperfections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4WPNs5cYJ4
My new friends have sent me a ton of messages on how much the story of My Perfect Imperfections have opened their eyes and inspired them. If this story has made a difference in even one person’s life, then that’s the ultimate reward for me.
I must mention all of the other amazing authors and readers I’ve met in 2015. I swear, you guys keep me motivated. And, I was lucky to meet my amazing Personal Assistant, Amanda Walker, who is so much more than just a PA. Thank you, Amanda, for all that you do.
Okay, what’s next for 2016? I have another short story, “Touch of the Untouchables,” featured in an anthology called, “Eye of Fear.” Again, I’ve teamed up with other best-selling and award winning authors for this one. This will be released in March of 2016.
I decided to write my own anthology, which is due to be released around Valentine’s Day, called “Loving you Hurts So Good.” I am really excited about this for several reasons. For one, I had never written short stories, so this was especially challenging for me. But, I’m a firm believer that the only way to grow is to challenge ourselves. It’s a collection of “forget me nots,” and I promise, each story will touch your heart. Here are some teasers:
While writing these short stories, I decided some of the characters have more to say about their stories. So, Fate’s Cry (formally known as Beauty and the Beast), will be a full length novel, and I plan on releasing that in 2016 as well. Touch of the Untouchables will most likely be my next big series (I hope to have the first book done by the end of 2016).
Outside of my writing endeavors, personally, life is good. My family is healthy and that’s a huge blessing. My daughter is in her second year of college, my son is about to graduate high school, and my youngest is in fifth grade. My parents’ health is good, my husband and I are still able to work hard, and my little niece brings light to my world. Yes, life is good.
So in 2016, I challenge you to write down what you’d like to accomplish. Remember, no dream is too small or too big. Life is short, so your time is now. Learn from your past, and focus on the future. I leave you with this quote from My Perfect Imperfections. Love you all!
The 50 Best Indie Books of 2015
I’m excited to share that My Perfect Imperfections received enough nominations to be in the running for The 50 Best Indie Books of 2015. Top 100 books were chosen from thousands of nominations.
My Perfect Imperfections made it into the Literary category. Yay!! Now, it needs votes so it can the in The 50 Best Indie Books of 2015. I think it would be a great exposure for it. I’m so passionate about this story… I gave it my all when I wrote it. That’s because I believe we need to raise awareness about cerebral palsy, ALS, and disabilities in general.
Here are some teasers so you can get an idea of what the story is about, in case you haven’t read it yet.
Please take a look at the official trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4dGuhtlB0
Here’s the link where you can vote. My Perfect Imperfections is in the Literary category.
http://www.readfree.ly/indie50-vote-2015-literary/
Thank you so much for all your support! I truly appreciate you all!
Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards 2015
Living life, Loving life…
Once in a while, we are lucky enough to experience an event that will stay with us for a long time. Let’s face it; most of us have that same routine, monotonous life with a million responsibilities. We get up every morning to go to work, pay our bills on time, make sure the kids are safe, take care of our family, do the chores in the house, make sure we have enough gas in the cars… ok, the list is endless. But you get the point.
This is why I think it’s so important to make the most of our lives. We’ve got this one opportunity to do things we want to do. Don’t wait for the right time. That right time is now.
Recently, I’ve discovered my passion for writing. I absolutely love creating stories from this crazy mind of mine. So, every evening, I stay up at least until midnight working on all my literary endeavors. I love being able to provide my readers a little bit of escape from this confusing world we live in.
It’s especially nice to be recognized for all the hard work. Nothing describes the feeling of walking across the stage to receive a medal for your book. To think that somebody felt your work is worth the recognition is truly a humbling experience.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards in Miami. I was lucky enough to be joined by my two beautiful best friends. Oh, by the way, don’t let three ladies loose in Miami. There’s no telling what kind of trouble will find them.
Being in Miami with my best friends was phenomenal enough. To top it off, I was honored to meet other award-winning authors. You know what’s cool about fellow authors? They all are a bit like me! I love the sarcastic sense of humor, the positive energy around them, and the approachable, friendly personality. Oh, did I mention I met Landau Eugene Murphy Jr from America’s Got Talent and Kevin Daley from Harlem Globetrotters?
For a second year in a row, I ended up attending the Readers’ Favorite Award Ceremony. Last year, Chaysing Dreams and Chaysing Memories won gold medals for Romance Suspense category. This year, Chaysing Destiny was awarded the bronze medal for Fiction Thriller Terrorist category. What an honor!
I hold onto memories such as these. Yes, life is full of same monotonous routine. But, it’s up to us to make sure we make the most out of our days…and our lives. So here’s to our dreams coming true, to creating amazing memories with fantastic people, and to living life to the fullest.
Don’t forget to follow your dreams. Find your passion and go after it. If you fall, stand back up taller and stronger. Just keep moving forward. As one of the authors said to me in Miami, “If not now, then when?”
The Cat, The Crow, and The Cauldron: A Halloween Anthology
I have written my first short story, Beauty and the Beast. I’m part of this anthology with other amazing authors. The best part of this? IT’S FREE!!!!!
Each of these talented authors have contributed a story with some type of connection with Halloween. But trust me, they’re different genres, varying from horror, to sci-fi, to fantasy, to paranormal romance.
Beauty and the Beast is paranormal romance. Check it out!
Here’s an excerpt from Beauty and the Beast:
What she wouldn’t do to end the pain. Once and for all. Sure, she had kept herself busy all these years, and even forced herself to go out with people. On most days, she was able to pull it off. She was eating, sleeping, holding a job, and hell, even paying her bills on time.
It had been almost five years since she had lost her family. Her entire family was wiped out in that fire. She remembered that night clearly—especially since it haunted her dreams every single day and night.
At the age of eighteen, she used to be a rebel. Even when her mom would beg her not to hang out at night, she normally didn’t come back home until three in the morning. She was carefree, had no desire to go to college, and heavy into drugs back then.
She remembered it like it was yesterday.
Tori and Ryan begged her to stay home to play cards with them.
“Please, Kelsey,” Ryan said. “You never play with us. We’ll have fun.” He was seven at the time, full of life and mischief.
Tori, her eleven year old sister chimed in. “Yeah, Kelsey. We hardly see you anymore. We used to have so much fun when we hung out together. Can’t you just stay one night?”
Kelsey put her lipstick on and frowned down at her siblings. “Sorry, I got plans. I’m not wasting my Friday night playing cards.”
As she was leaving, her mom followed her to the door. “Kelsey, please don’t go. We really miss you around here. Besides, I could use some more help from you.”
Kelsey remembered shrugging her shoulders and flicking her hair back while she kept walking. “Look, Mom, it’s Halloween. That means there are lots of Halloween parties. I’m sorry you got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I’m sorry your husband died. There’s nothing I can do about it. Just because you’re now confined to your wheelchair, doesn’t mean I have to stop my life. I’ll see you later.”
Those were her last words to her mother—the mother who had worked hard every single day to help provide a better life for her children.
Now, standing on the ledge, she shuddered, not sure if it was from the chill of the night or the torturous memories. She stared down below, the ground a few hundred feet away. Instead of being afraid, a sense of peace encased her. It would be so easy to end it now.
Download it now and would love for you to leave a review. As always, thank you for your support. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016KW8N2I
Five Star reviews from Readers’ Favorite for My Perfect Imperfections
My Perfect Imperfections received three different reviews from three different reviewers. I am pleased to announce that all three reviewers gave it five stars. Here’s what they had to say:
Review 1:
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My Perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Williby is an inspirational story that revolves around Lily who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Lily needs assistance for even her basic needs like walking, talking and eating. Her physical disability leaves her frustrated, but Lily doesn’t let it deter her from strengthening her mind. Her twin sister Layna is very supportive and includes Lily in all the activities. As the story progresses, readers are given a glimpse into the life of a disabled person. It’s a story of love, strength, determination and, most of all, hope and will strike a chord within the hearts of readers. The story is heart-rending and the three main characters, Lily, Layna and Chance, leave a lasting impression with their strength, determination and ‘perfect imperfections.’ The story is helpful to all those who have disabilities and also to those who deal with disabled people. Lily’s determination to get rid of the fear of living with a disability is very uplifting and inspirational. The bond between Layna and Lily also forms an important part of the plot. Narrated from Lily’s point of view, the story highlights the basic needs that a disabled person looks for in their life; that of being accepted and loved, and being treated properly like any other normal person. The author’s writing style is fluid, which gives the story a good pace and movement. The story is complicated yet simple, and readers can connect well with Lily, Layna and Chance. The emotions are raw and leave readers feeling compassion, and also gratitude for all that they have. Review 2:
My Perfect Imperfections is a contemporary fiction novel written by Jalpa Williby. When Lily and Layna were born, the doctors advised their parents that Lily had cerebral palsy. It had happened to many other parents, they said, and Lily and the rest of the family would learn to cope with it. Lily couldn’t move like her twin sister did as they were growing up, and she was unable to even feed herself. The physical therapy that was an essential part of her life was something she actually looked forward to. The therapists treated her like they would any other patient, and they pushed her to her limits. When she was finally able to walk with the aid of a rear-assisted walker, her parents beamed with pride, and Lily herself was incredulous at being able to stand and move without someone else’s assistance. Lily was mainstreamed in school for most of her classes. She had a speech device that allowed her to communicate with others, and one of her arms was strong enough to let her control her wheelchair. That control was so important to Lily — it was independence, the ability to leave a situation unaided. But throughout all the strangeness of growing up with cerebral palsy, Layna was there with her. They were best friends and soulmates in a way that some twins are, even with the disease that made Lily’s life so restricted and different. Layna was there. Jalpa Williby’s contemporary fiction novel, My Perfect Imperfections, is an inspiring and moving story about a young woman who was born with cerebral palsy. The heroine of this tale does not inspire the reader’s pity or sympathy, but rather their admiration as she goes from accepting her imperfections to training on a professional level to help other disabled persons live full and satisfying lives. While this novel is categorized as an inspirational one, it’s also a coming of age, a romance, and a family saga that feels a lot like a fictionalized memoir as well, and it succeeds in all those genres. I learned a great deal about cerebral palsy and what the life of a person with that condition would be like in My Perfect Imperfections and am so pleased to have read it. Lily’s story is exceptionally well told and very authentic. It’s most highly recommended. Review 3:
My Perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Williby is the story of Lily Cooper, a woman born with Cerebral Palsy. My Perfect Imperfections starts with Lily telling how she thinks doctors told her parents about her condition and then goes on to Lily telling the rest of her life story. Lily tells you about everything; from her early years, the cruelty of kids in school and the cruelty of adults in college. She tells about her fears but, most importantly, about her triumphs and success at overcoming and dealing with the problems she faces due to Cerebral Palsy and with all the bad that life throws at her. Through it all, Lily shows her strength and tenacity at living her life the way that she wants to live it. My Perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Williby is an amazing book told in the first person, with clear detail and great imagery that puts you in Lily’s shoes or watching right over her shoulder. My Perfect Imperfections will pull at your heart strings as Lily experiences the ups and downs of life and the ups and downs of her disability. I cried, laughed, smiled, and cried again as I put myself into Lily’s shoes. My Perfect Imperfections was very hard to put down. It was an eye opener as well; it gives a glimpse into what life would be like with a debilitating disease and that you can’t let life pass you by – you have to grab it with both hands and experience the ups and downs that life has to offer. It has now been awarded the shiny five star seal! Go me!
Here’s the link to the reviews:
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Chaysing Destiny takes the Bronze Medal
The 2015 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award results are in! Chaysing Destiny just won the Bronze Medal in Fiction Thriller Terrorist. Wow! Apparently, I’m a diverse writer. 😉
I am truly honored and humbled that all three books in the series have been awarded medals. Last year, Chaysing Dreams and Chaysing Memories had won Gold Medals in Romance Suspense category! I can officially say that The Chaysing Trilogy is now an award winning series.
The award ceremony is in Miami every year. Miami, here I come! 🙂
Here’s the link to purchase the books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jalpa-Williby/e/B00EN2ZDCQ
My Perfect Imperfections Reviews
Reviews are starting to come in from the ARCs of My Perfect Imperfections! I am so excited to see these reviews! Humbled beyond words.
THIS.BOOK.OMG
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As soon as I learned what this book was going to be about, I knew it would amazingly beautiful. Once I got to actually read it… I was blown away. I will just say that I am a very emotional person…but not as a reader. I hardly cry with books. But I bawled my eyes out while reading and finishing this WORK OF ART. This isn’t just a romance, or a story about a girl with Cerebral Palsy. It is a story about hope, true love, real inspiration. It is a story that will open your eyes and your heart. It is one of those stories that helps put everything in perspective, and when you think you life has knocked you down…you get back up and say, I CHOOSE STRENGTH. I will remember this book for years to come, yes it is that beautiful and touching and most definitely real. -Amanda Walker Goodreads reviewer 5 stars
I am not quite sure where to start! This is not my normal genre, but having read Ms. Williby’s previous works (and loving them), I had to read this one as well. I loved everything about the book! It is hands-down one of the most touching stories I’ve ever read, and I’m so glad I did!
Lily is absolutely the strongest female lead I’ve ever read. What she goes through and overcomes is extraordinary. The supporting characters are also very strong, but Lily just blew me away. The way she is portrayed sheds new light on Cerebral Palsy and gave this reader great insight into the life of someone with CP. I still think about the characters and story even a few weeks after reading it.
You cannot go wrong with this book, no matter what genre you read. Jalpa Williby is also an author to add to your must-read list. Every book she writes, she grows stronger as an author. I just know her future works will be even more amazing!
I was provided an ARC copy of the book by the author in exchange for my fair and honest review. –Angie Martin (International Award-winning and best selling author) 5 star review!
My perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Wilby is by far one of the best book I’ve read not only this year, but in the last few years. I wish there was more than five stars to give it. It’s a breathtaking story of strength, love, and living life to the fullest each day. Lily Cooper is a strong, smart, and beautiful woman. She also was born with Cerebal Palsy. This in no way defines who she is. It’s Lily’s twin sister and best friend Layna, who helps Lily see that she has so much to offer. Their relationship is one of my favorite parts of the story. The connection they have gets them through everything. When Lily feels down because she thinks no boy will ever like her or ask her to a dance, Layna is there to tell her there will be someone. I don’t want to give anymore away about this story because the way it unfolds is masterfully done.
Over the course of this story you’ll be hit with so many emotions. Even now just thinking about this book, I can’t help but think about certain parts that stick out because of the range of emotions I felt. Above all that there is this incredible heroine Lily. Even though you know she has CP, you forget about it. She’s vibrant, witty, sarcastic at times, full of love, smart, beautiful, and makes sure to take each day as a gift.
The people she meets and the hope and chance at love, ties everything together so perfectly in this story.
Jalpa Willby does a superb job with this story. The detail, characters, and emotions she conveys so effortlessly in My Perfect Imperfections, is what makes this one of the best books of the year. She shines a light on how society looks at people with disabilities and shows that there is so much more. What she does best, is tell a story of love and strength that you will fall in love with and never forget.
*Note: I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review. -Elena Cruz (blogger/reviewer) 5 star review!
I was given a copy of this book through a book blog I help run and I was hesitant to read it at first because it isn’t what I would usually read, BUT I am so glad I took the leap and read it. This story will rip your heart out, repair it and rip it out again. It leads you on am emotional roller coaster that you will not want to get off of. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants something different that the norm, or for anyone who is looking for a deep read, this book is definitely not light. -Christina Escue (blogger/reviewer) 5 star review
From the moment I first heard that the author was working on this book I was intrigued. As publication got closer and teasers and more information started coming out, I knew I had to read it. I found the idea of a girl with cerebral palsy as the heroine so refreshing. I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have been trying to decide what to include in the review for days since I finished it. The 5 stars was a no brainer – it is a fantastic, deeply moving book that you will not soon forget no matter how much you read. I can honestly say I’ve never read anything quite like it, which is both refreshing and a sad statement on the overlooked in our society. A beautiful love story? Absolutely! Inspirational? Without a doubt. Heart-wrenching tear jerker? Definitely has that covered. I am not usually one to cry when I read, but this one tore me up. It should come with a jumbo sized box of tissue, even for the most cynical and jaded amongst us.
The writing itself is fantastic, from beautifully prosaic to brutally real, it is all carried in a lovely cadence. Between Jalpa’s unique voice and a wonderful job editing there is nothing to complain about stylistically. A wonderful, realistic romance with all the highs and lows that real life brings, but it is so much more than that as well. The heroine has disabilities that most of us cannot begin to understand, but the struggles of her heart are the same any of us have gone through. The struggles with her body, while heart breaking, are a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and so inspirational. No matter what you are struggling with, it will bring perspective. The knowledge of the technology available to help those with severe disabilities is woven in such a way that you do not realize how much you are learning at the time, but in retrospect you have to respect the author’s research/knowledge and skill in relaying the information to the reader in such a subtle way.
I do not feel I am really doing the story any justice with this review, but it comes with my highest recommendation to almost any audience. -LaDonna (Blogger/reviewer) 5 star review!
Jalpa Williby 