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Fate’s Roar Earns the Five Star Seal from Readers’ Favorite!
I am so excited to share that Fate’s Roar just earned the five star seal from Readers’ Favorite! I just got three professional reviews back and all are five star reviews! Here’s what they had to say:
Review #1:
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
“Fate’s Roar by Jalpa Williby is the next novel in the Fate Series and I am irrevocably in love with Williby and her writing style. If you had told me that I would be this immersed in the story of gargoyles, I would have never believed you. However, there is something about the way Jalpa Williby writes so that you cannot help but like it, love it and adore it.
This time, the story is about Shane and Samantha and how they overcome their problems to be together forever. The moment Shane laid eyes on little Samantha, he knew that he needed to keep her safe. Throughout her life, Shane was her one protector and he did everything in his considerable power to help her and keep her safe. Now that she is no longer a little child, but a very beautiful woman, Shane has feelings for her. Samantha loves him back, but the Gargoyles are not happy with them and their friendship. Now Samantha is in trouble; she has to pay for something that she had no control over and Shane will not let that happen. He will protect Samantha, even if it means that he has to take drastic measures. She is his to protect and he will do it at any cost.
What can I say about this amazingly thrilling and fascinating novel? It is remarkable, the character development is stupendous, and I absolutely love the way that Jalpa Williby writes. She has a way with words that cannot be described but only experienced. I love the way she built this absurd world of Gargoyles and made it this interesting for a person like me who does not like paranormal fiction that much. I wish I could give this novel more than 5 stars because it deserves a lot more. Absolutely brilliant!”
Wow! She says, “irrevocably in love with Williby and her writing style…absolutely brilliant…more than 5 stars.” Hell yeah! Thank you, kind reviewer!
Review #2:
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
“Fate’s Roar by Jalpa Williby is the second stunning entry in the Fate Series, a work that seems to efficiently combine romance and the paranormal to create the kind of entertainment that will appeal to a wide audience. Readers are introduced to two powerful characters whose romantic journey will take them by surprise. Shane is the kind of attractive man who’d turn any woman’s head, but he has an arrogance that matches his sexiness. He is the kind of guy who doesn’t have any plans of settling down and, although he leaves many broken hearts in his wake, he has a protective attitude towards Samantha, a girl he’d never want to suffer the kind of cruelty he metes out to women. But everything changes when she suddenly disappears.
Jalpa Williby has a rare gift for character and knows how to explore human emotions, making the characters come alive, vividly. There is a lot the author did right, a lot that I loved about this romance. The book starts with action, a fire incident, and the reader gets to meet the protagonist very early in the story. The discovery that Shane cares about Samantha more than offering her protection doesn’t come abruptly and readers will love how the author does the showing, building the tension slowly until it reaches the climax. The plot in Fate’s Roar moves very fast and, with the interesting characters and the powerful conflict, it will be hard for readers to put the book down. Jalpa Williby offers her signature for writing, the crisp prose that sings like music in the ears of readers, all sprinkled with vivid descriptions and interesting dialogues. Romance has never been my thing, but this author has succeeded in creating a strong interest in me for this genre. The plot is irresistible and the compelling cast of characters will leave readers trapped in the world of this book until they read the satisfying end.”
This reviewer states, ” rare gift for character and knows how to explore human emotions…her signature for writing, the crisp prose that sings like music in the ears of readers, all sprinkled with vivid descriptions and interesting dialogues.” I honestly can’t express how much reviews like these mean to me.
Review #3:
Reviewed By Lex Allen for Readers’ Favorite
With Fate’s Roar, the second novel in this series, Jalpa Williby has firmly established another great group of characters and, for me, a new paranormal concept—gargoyles. In Williby’s words, lead character Shane is “sexy, arrogant and ruthless. He is used to women falling at his feet. Settling down has never been an option.” The author doesn’t mention that these attributes apply only to his human side, nor the fact that this monster, this gargoyle—yes, one of those ugly statues most commonly found on Catholic churches—has a few paranormal abilities with which he can manipulate the human mind. In Fate’s Roar, Shane rescues his gargoyle brother (Damien) and human wife (Kelsey) from a fire and meets Kelsey’s ten-year-old niece Samantha for the first time… naked. He tries to use his abilities to cause the girl and her mother to forget they saw him and discovers that little Sammy is not susceptible to his power. If that’s not the start of a great story, I don’t know what is!
It’s been two years since I last read a novel by Jalpa Williby, but I recognized her name when it popped up on Reader’s Favorite review list and snatched it up without bothering to read what the book was about. That already tells a lot about my opinion of this author’s writing prowess. Her talent at weaving romance into a thrilling, paranormal scenario is truly second to none, including the now household names of Bella Forest or Stephenie Meyer. Fate’s Roar is a roller coaster ride that combines deep emotional ups and downs with impossible to foresee twists and turns in the exciting storyline. I predict another bestseller for Jalpa Williby — deservedly so!
Lastly, this reviewer compares me to Bella Forest and Stephenie Meyer. Can I smile any wider?? “Her talent at weaving romance into a thriller, paranormal scenario is truly second to none…deep emotional ups and downs…exciting storyline.”
See why this story is getting such great reviews! You can get it on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited)
Fate’s Cry Five Star Seal
Fate’s Cry receives the five star seal from Readers’ Favorite! Three different reviewers read the story and reviewed individually. I’m happy to say all three gave the story five stars! Here’s what they had to say:
Review 1: Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
Fate’s Cry by Jalpa Williby is a paranormal story with very interesting characters and an intriguing plot. The protagonist, Kelsey Taylor, has known the worst of pain. After losing her entire family to a fire, she lives with guilt for a very long time until she meets Damien, an attractive yet mysterious man, the kind of person who could inspire conflicting emotions in a woman. She is in love, but just like many things in her life, Damien suddenly disappears and she does not know where to start searching for him. Joining the police force might have been a move which could lead her to finding Damien, but she is up against a serial killer bent on taking everyone close to her. Can Kelsey make sense of these events and can she apprehend the killer before losing the next important person in her life?
Jalpa Williby’s Fate’s Cry is a riveting work, a compelling story with an interesting plot and solid characters. From the very first page, the reader is drawn into the difficult world of the protagonist as she pines away in grief. But this won’t be for long as things start happening immediately. The writing is stellar, laced with colorful descriptions and engaging dialogue. I enjoyed the conflict and how it develops. The reader reads on with bated breath, always wanting to find out what will happen next to the protagonist. One never knew where the story would turn next. This is a paranormal story that held my attention.
Review 2: Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Fate’s Cry by Jalpa Williby is the story of Kelsey Taylor. Five years ago, on Halloween, her whole family died in a fire and she believes there is no one to blame but herself. Deciding she cannot live with grief and guilt, she attempts to take her own life. She is stopped and saved by a man named Damien. Heartbroken, she hopes that the two of them could have a future together, but when he disappears, she is resolved to move on and make something of her life.
Joining the police department was one of the best decisions she ever made. However, when her partner is killed and his daughter is kidnapped by the killer, she is ready to do whatever it takes to save the girl and take revenge. Just when she least expects it, Damien reappears. But she cannot trust him, not now. There is a killer on the loose and he could be anyone. For all she knows, it could be Damien, although her heart says something else. Can she trust her heart? Can she trust Damien? Or is she destined to live in grief and give in?
This was an intense novel and I loved it. Kelsey is a strong character, she was beautifully developed. I sympathized with her and empathized with her. Damien is such an enigmatic character. No matter how hard I tried, he was too hard to figure out. He was definitely a mystery that added greatly to the overall appeal of the novel. Plus, the cover of the novel is gorgeous. It fitted well with the plot. This book is really good! It deserves all the stars I can dish out!
Review 3: Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers’ Favorite
Kelsey Taylor was 18 years old when she lost her family in a fire; her wheelchair-bound mother, her seven-year-old brother Ryan, and her 11-year-old sister Tori. She was a rebel and went out that night, despite her family’s plea for her to stay. After almost five years, the guilt never recedes and haunts her every single moment. If only she had been home that night, she could have saved them. A mysterious man named Damien enters her life and she’s confused by her attraction towards him. At the same time, she’s uncomfortable with his peculiarity and his secretive manner regarding his true identity.
Fate’s Cry by Jalpa Williby is an urban supernatural story that focuses on supernatural beings as classic as vampires and werewolves, but perhaps not as famous – at least not to me. Williby also mixed a dramatic crime thriller and romance into the story, so there’s plenty of action, suspense, and poignant moments. The plot is fast-paced and has a good twist. The prose is straightforward, making the reading flawless and engaging. Kelsey’s character development is well-written, particularly when she’s moving forward from her guilt and has joined the police force. I also like the cover art, so kudos to the artist, Amanda Walker.
On the whole, Fate’s Cry is a good read and a solid debut for the Fate series. Williby has included a sneak peak of the second book, Fate’s Roar. I like the way the story continues, so I look forward to reading about Damien’s brother in the next book.
This is very exciting since this is the first time I’ve written a psychological thriller. Here’s the direct link to the reviews:
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/fates-cry
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?”
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:
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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Every Step Matters
Today is my one year anniversary since Chaysing Dreams has been published. Wow! What a ride.
When I first released Chaysing Dreams, it was more out of curiosity to see if anybody would like it. I thought all I had to do was to write the three books and share the story of Tess and Chayse to the world.
Was I wrong! I had no idea that your work doesn’t end once a book is published. I probably average 20-30 hours per week on writing, reading, and marketing. Most of my marketing efforts have been online. I honestly have had no time to go anywhere personally to get the word out except for a few book signing events I attended.
So, now that I’ve been in this “book” world for about a year, I sat back and reflected on all that I’ve accomplished.
- I have my own website! jalpawilliby.com I try to post something weekly if possible. But who would have thought that I was going to have my own website?
- I now have a Facebook page, twitter, and I just started Pinterest. Believe it or not, I have over a thousand followers on both Facebook and Twitter. Before all this, I had no knowledge of social media. I was forced to learn a lot—and you know what? I’m glad I did because let’s face it. The world is changing… and like it or not, social media is not going anywhere any time soon.
- I’ve got three trailers out on You Tube for Chaysing Dreams. Two are official trailers and one is a fan made trailer. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a very visual person. Watching trailers is kind of like watching the miniature version of your book.
- Chaysing Dreams was on the Amazon best seller list several times. Here’s a picture when Chaysing Dreams was ranked just three behind Stephen King.
- It received the five star seal from Readers’ Favorite. Three different reviewers read the book and all three gave it five stars. When those reviews came back, it felt pretty damn good.
- As of date, Chaysing Dreams has sold 452 copies (includes the paperback and the eBooks) No, it’s not thousands or anything. But to be honest, I was just expecting some close friends and family to buy it. The fact that strangers are buying it and liking it makes it all worthwhile.
- It has won “Book of The Month” recognition from Book Review Depot. This group is full of some amazing authors. So, I felt pretty awesome to be voted by them.
- More recently, it is a Readers’ Favorite International Book Award finalist in three categories. (Romance General, Romance Suspense, and Fiction Chick Lit). For me, this is completely not the type of recognition I would have expected. I know it’s tough to even be a finalist for these types of awards. If I win any medals from this contest, I’m going to Miami to accept my prize!
- I have 68 reviews on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 ratings)… I have 55 five star reviews, 11 four star reviews, 1 three star, and 1 one star. I realize that not everybody’s going to LOVE what I wrote- that’s life. But overall, not bad, right?
- The best part of this experience: I have met some pretty cool people. I’ve gotten some loyal fans who contact me regarding my books. I’ve also met some great authors who are more than willing to share their experience and knowledge.
So for now, I’m going to keep on moving forward. It may be at a slow pace, but it’s better than standing still. I’m just glad that I had enough courage to put something out there, not knowing how it was going to be received. Trust me, that’s a very intimidating feeling… you never know if the reviews will be positive or negative.
One year! I made it through one year! Go me!
For me, every bit matters. Every reader matters. Every review matters. Every recognition matters.
I’ll keep taking the baby steps because you know what? Every step matters.