Week 1 ~ Blood, Love, Magick (BLM)

So, I have this short short that I wrote a few years ago just collecting dust on my mac. The other day I had epiphany (that doesn't happen often).

I thought it would be fun to share the story with you, but it is far from publish ready. Instead I've decided to post the shorty for FREE on my wattpad. If you guys aren't following me, you should.

Here is how it is going to work. Each week I will post a chapter from the short story. Currently, there are seven chapters, but as I go through and edit the story, there is a possibility of it being more. Also, if you guys want more, I will probably try to find a way to continue, time allowing. (Some of you probably already know, I have commitment issues. I hate deadlines >.<)

I know not everyone is going to like the suspense of having to wait a week, but in my warped mind, I thought it would be fun, something to look forward to each week.

This story is a NA Paranormal Romance titled, Blood Love Magick  or what I will referred to as BLM. Click here to check out it on wattpad. This is where I will be posting the new chapters each week.

Week 1, which is this week, will be the cover reveal. It is the bomb-diggity. Loving it!

*Warning* Yup, it comes with a warning.

This story is not going to be professionally edited, which means there are going to be errors. I am not an editor. I suck at editing. You've been properly warned. If you are a grammar natzi, you are going to hate me.

What do you guys think? Love this idea. ~or~ It's the worst idea ever.

25 THINGS ABOUT J.L. WEIL (YA PNR Author)

1. I'm a hopeless romantic.

2. I believe in true love and happy endings.

3. My favorite color is blue.

4. I LOVE country music.

5. My favorite season is summer, followed closely by fall.

6. The initials in my name stand for Jennifer Lee.

7. I am the oldest child.

8. The Green Bay Packers are the greatest team in the world.

9. I am a HUGE fan of the Yogscast! Especially Sjin.

10. I am a gamer girl. Currently playing Guild Wars 2. Favorite game would be Zelda or maybe Call of Duty.

11. I’m introverted and would rather stay at home and read than go out.

12. I’m shy and suck at chitchat.

13. My favorite TV show right now would be Vampire Diaries, followed closely by True Blood (and yep I've read the books first for both series).

14. I work full-time at an Insurance Agency and have my insurance license in the state of Illinois.

15. I’m in my mid-thirties and cried on my 30th birthday.

16. I love to draw and design my own covers. Hopefully I will only get better as I go.

17. I’m naive and see things through rose colored glasses.

18. LUMINESCENCE is my first book. I wrote it over 3 years ago and sat on it until 2012 when I rewrote more than half of it before self-publishing it.

19. My favorite book is This Calder Sky. I must have read a dozen times. Favorite in the series.

20. Oh yeah, I live in fairyland (so my husband keeps informing me).

21. I’m a very creative person in all aspects. If it is related to art in some form, I am going to try it. I still can’t figure out why I actually have a degree in Applied Science.

22. I love faeries and faerie dust.

23. I’m trendy. A girly-girl.

24. I love Ireland. It’s the land of mystic galore.

25. I'm a little in love with each of the fiction guys I write about.

XOXO

Luminescence is back

LUMINESCENCE is available again on all sites including B&N, Lulu, amazon, and smashword. 0_0

Yay! It's good to have it back up.

On another note I am in the editing process of Saving Angel and hopefully will be for sale beginning of September. I am halfway finished with the prequel Losing Emma and will be for sale before the end of the year.

Then I will be switching gears back to finishing Amythest Tears (book 2 of Luminescence series) and polishing the book.

Gosh it's been a extremely busy year. I can't believe how much fun I have had writing these stories.

Thanks everyone for giving them a chance! I hope you enjoy the Divisia series as much as I do. I am a little in love with Chase Winters *sigh*

Crossroads

The last month I have been at a crossroad. Which path do I take?

I always give myself deadlines on when I need to complete a project. It's the only way I can keep myself sane and insure I get it down. Sometimes I have to shuffle things around, because nothing in life ever goes as expected.

Well the last three weeks I got so caught up in a new book a started writing. A paranormal romance that I absolute fell in love with immediately. So much so that I have written 20+ chapters and am nearing the finish. Everything else kind of fell into the background as this book just tumbled from my fingers.

I have already thought of a novella prequel that I want to finish before the end of the year, plus my second book in the Luminescence Trilogy. I know that I should be putting all my focus into complete Ameythst Tears, but this book just couldn't wait.

In the mean time, I have put my Elements series on hold as this book just grabbed ahold of me. I still plan to finish it in the near future (as the first one is already half finished) but I am going to try and focus on my current books.

My fingers are crossed that this will be the book to get published. I am so excited about the storyline and the characters. Regardless, I am very proud of this book. Any details I have, I will blog about as soon as I know.

xoxo

whoooo oooooo

I just reached my first 1,000 sales. Luminescence has been out for just a little less than a month. It has been completely awesome processes, writing, editing (not my fav) and publishing my first book. I couldn't be happier with the results and the people who have encouraged and supported me - you guys are awesome!


Plus the amount of international sales have been great. This whole experienced has opened new doors I never thought I been able to reach.


I've been hard working on the 1st book in my new series Earth Bound. Which should be ready to go viral in August 2012 & then I go straight to finishing and editing Amethyst Tears (Book 2 in Luminescence). Book 2 is expected to be released Fall of 2012.


Check back for upcoming details.


xoxo

Freebie and Ramblings

Today was the first day of Luminescence free on Amazon.com - a smashing success. Well for me it was. I was completely hesitant about entering my book in amazon's KDP select program. The idea of taking my book off the other sites and making it strictly available to kindle wasn't exactly idea, but in the end I think the exposure was good for the book. And I am ultimately glad that I decided to try it.

Lately I've focused so much attention on promoting and querying Luminescence (rejection can be brutal) that I need to get back into writing. I've started a new 4-book series that I am super excited about it. I think it is the best book I've written so far. It's called the Elements of Hidden Harbor, and there is a preview available to read here.

If you haven't figure it out yet I love to write fantasy - mostly really witches. I love magic! And lots and lots of romance. I am a sucker for love! I am shooting to have the new book Earth Bound released in August 2012. I wrote 5,000 words last night and am hoping to get another 5K in tonight before I go out for some line dancing.

I have also been working on book 2 Amethyst Tears but only have a few chapters complete. My heart hasn't been in the right place while I am still promoting Luminescence. But I am aiming to have it ready in October for release.

Much love from fairyland.
xoxo

Luminescence - Free

Luminescence for the next two weeks will be available exclusive to Amazon.com. On June 6th and 7th it will be free! That's right free! I am very excited about this.

After the running promotion it will be back up on the other sites, smashwords and B&N. I do apologize for any who planned on buying it from one of them, but know that it will return. ;)

During the Amazon.com promotion it will still be available in paperback at createspace.com. Make sure you check it out there and grab a copy.

Thank you for everyones support!

xoxo

To everyone who bought my book this week...

I don't know how many of you were family or friends, regardless I thank you. I love each one of for supporting my dream. The feeling is indescribable seeing your book in print and on the sites you've purchased from repeatedly.

Thanks for making it a wonderfully experience so far.

xoxo

Book Covers

I wanted to get the opinion of readers on book covers. What you like, what catches your eye and what you don't like. I of course have my own opinion, I wanted to see what the majority likes. This is an ongoing poll and would love to hear for you. Then we'll get to see what the majority of readers prefer. It can be an genre even though I mostly writeTeen Fantasy.

The past few days I have been going over style designs for my first book in the Elements of Hidden Harbor series, Earth Bound (Sage's story). I can't decide if I want to got with a person on the cover or not.

Being an avid reader myself, I thought I would kick it off with a few of my favorites and not so favorites. I haven't read all of these books, so I am not vouching for the content, just cover alone.

These are a few that I thought were creative ~

I actually really love the mirror image and in this case I love the girl - great effect.

It's no secret that I absolutely adore Nora Roberts. Her covers are always fabulous. So I am giving her her own slot. These are just a few of my fav's for her large collection of books.

      
        








So I am not always a fan of people on covers. I think sometimes it can take away the vision of what the reader images of characters. The illusions in these covers are fantastic. Its just enough without giving away what they really look like.

 Now for a few that I am not all that impressed with ~

I am a huge Trueblood and Sookiestack House fan. I don't know what it is though, I just don't love the book covers. Does anyone else agree? Love the stories - Love Eric.

I would love to hear what other books you think have amazing covers and also the not so great. Its important to know what the readers want.

xoxo

Luminescence...its a go

Luminescence is now for sale - yeah (huge sigh) but it doesn't stop here. I've already begun book 2 and hope to have it for sale by the end of summer. Keeping my fingers cross that it all goes well. Its available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and I am working I getting up on Createspace. Check out them out here for for direct links to buy.

Will have updates and first chapter available for Amethyst Tears soon.

xoxo

Edits...

Now that Luminescence is out and about I have worked hard on editing. Now matter how perfect I may think the book is, I know that there are bound to be mistakes and errors. I would greatly appreciate if you notice those little mistakes, that you email me or contact me through my blog. Please leave comments below. I want to put the best book out there I possibly can. I will address them immediately and make sure they get updated on all sites.

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the book. I am currently hard work on book 2. Check back for updates.

xoxo

Amethyst Tears

Book #2 - Amethyst Tears
Coming Fall 2012

I was playing with companion covers for the next book in the Luminescence Trilogy. Here is what I came up with. What do you think, a winner?

Will make the finally decision by the end of the summer. If you have any suggestions, they are appreciated and there might be a contest to follow or a giveaway... will have details to come.

xoxo

Stepping out of the box

Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone. I think my biggest challenge in this industry will be finding a sturdier backbone. I am by nature a shy, sensitive, private person. Baring your soul and heart into a book you love and believe in is hard enough. Add the extra layers of rejection and criticism and you find yourself second guessing your work. The key for me is keeping the dream in sight and barreling through.

The dream ~
1. Having others enjoy the stories and characters that I created
2. Seeing my books on the shelves (I lived at bookstores and still do. As much as I love my ebook reader nothing can replace the smell of printed pages.)
3. Talking, blogging and chatting about the books
4. Doing what I love - writing full time

Never loose sight... determination, determination, determination.

xoxo

The end is in sight... well almost (so close)

I finally made the long trek and finished my first book in the trilogy. Now begans the fun part (groan)... editing. This is actually more difficult than I originally thought. I find myself second guessing what I've done some days. The more I go over the chapters I wonder if this is publish-worthy material. Of course those who have read it are close to me and only time will tell.

But at the end of the day, I love this story, I love my characters, I love writing and I really really want to be published. Whether I find an agent or I self-publish this is my dream. Who doesn't want to do what the love as career?

I want to be as open and honest about my journey through writing, editing and publishing - the whole nine yards. Hopefully it will be something I can look back on and appreciate all the hard work and dedication I put into this series.

So folks let me know what you think when it does go live (I will keep you updated as soon as that happens).

xoxo

Inspired -

As a writer I have had many influential authors who have inspired me in what I enjoy so much - writing.

From the time I can remember books have always been a part of my life. My parents read to me every night as a child - Dr. Seuss (Hop on Pop & ABC) , The Berenstein Bears (The Spooky Old Tree), and the Little Critter books. These are the same books that I read to my kids when they were little.

  As I got older the reading never stopped. I remember there wasn't a birthday or christmas that I didn't receive a book (this is still true). I started to really get into series. They opened up a whole new world for me. It was filled with every eddition of The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High.

Then I found mysteries thanks to Christopher Pike and Nancy Drew. I still have every Pike book I read. They are collecting dust, waiting for one of my boys to pick them up - or maybe I will.
I use to spend a week of my summer vacations on my Grandparents farm with my younger sister. There I would sneak up to the third floor room and raid my aunt's stack of books. I spent the entire week on the window seat in their family room reading book after book.

When I got into high school I started to read Pike's Adult novels along with Dean R. Koontz. There were many nights I stayed up all night completely freaked and entralled by the stories they told.

Then after high school I made the transistion into Romance and Historial Romance. Nora Roberts and Johanna Lindsey will always be my favorite authors of all time.

As my boys got older and started doing independent reading on their own, they would tell me about the books they read. They knew how much I read and were always telling me to check out this book or that book. Of course I did. I often read the same series as my sons - Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games. From there my love for Young Adult books blew up. I read everything I could get my hands on.

xoxo

Book Cover

Check out the book cover I decided on for the first book in the Luminescene trilogy ~

What do you think????

xoxo

What I...

I have been completely emersed in the writing and editing of my Luminscence. My thoughts have been utterly wrapped around this book. I find myself thinking about upcoming scenes pretty much every spare moment I have - riding in the car, the minutes (or in my case hours) before I fall asleep and everywhere in between.

Why am I so engrossed...
--I love to read more than anything.
--I literally fall in love with the characters.
--Most of I love writing as much as I do reading. I get these stories in my head and they will fester until I write them down.

What I write...

I write teen fantasy novels. My current novel has all the factors I adore in a great book. Love, drama, sex, delimma and that extra spice that I can't resist... supernatural or fantasy element.

The stories of youth and love captivate me. Teen novels call to me - the carefreeness, the beginning to so many possibilities and innocence. I've read every teen novel I can get my hands. Series & Triology suck me in. I like knowing that the characters stories don't end after one book.

I just hope you love their story as much as I loved telling it!

xoxo

Here we go...

Well this is my first post and I am at lost on were to start. I guess I'll start with the title of my blog. My family for as long as I can remember has teased me about my love of everything fantasy and romantic. Wtiches, Vampires, Werewolves... if it is mystical I love it. They are constantly telling me that I live in Fairy Land, meaning the my perception of the world is never what others see.

I get swept away by books and engrossed in my writing. It becomes a part of my world. There is nothing that gets me more excited. That is what I want to do. I want to get people excited about what I write.

This is my first novel that I set out to publish. After more rejection letters than I could count, I decided to try publishing it on my own. As much as I would love to be with a publishing house, I really just want to let people read my stories and get as caught up in them as I do. I want poeple to enjoy reading them. I want them to get that feeling where you can't put the book down and stay up all hours of the night getting engrossed in what the writers spins.

I have spent far too many nights to count doing exactly that. Now I spend my nights writing the stories and I have found it just as much fun imaging the tales as reading them.

I am a Tween at heart. I love the idea of young love. Mix a little magic or supernatural in there and you have captivated my attention.

xoxo