Valia Lind's Blog, page 11

Some stories are fairytales...but this isn't one. 

Caelan Gregory's life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He's angry. He's bitter. He's barely human anymore. There's nothing left to remind him of the straight A student, and football quarterback he once was...but he wasn't a good person then, and he's certainly not a good person now. He's retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she's not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her - after all she's always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn't do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can't ignore his desire to get to know the raven haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

From Goodreads.com  

   This book is NOT for everyone. I know Micalea has said it and it's worth repeating. This book is not a fairytale, it's not about two people living happily ever after. At least not in the way conventional books write about. It is a NA Standalone Dark Contemporary Romance. Just a warning :)

    That being said, I found this book amazing. No, I've never had my family murdered or gone through what Sutton has gone through, but at the same time, I can relate to the brokenness of both characters. And these two are beyond broken. They're shattered. It hurts to read their story, it pains you as a reader to see what kind of a life they've lived, but at the same time, it gives you hope that things can get better.
   I think it was particularly relatable for me to read this book because I saw this kind of life in my line of work. I saw first hand how broken people can be. And I saw it when there was no hope. I'm not saying this book will leave you all warm and fuzzy at the end. It probably won't. I will be honest and say that I cried reading the last couple of chapters because they touched my heart.
   Did I want a different ending? A part of me did. But at the same time, I understood the decisions these two had to make and the maturity they both arrived at, at the end.
   That's what I loved most about the book. Is the growth of both Caelan and Sutton. The understanding that sometimes the hardest decision is the best one and that sometimes we need to let go, rebuild, start over.
   It's hard to review this book without giving much away, but I want people to read it, because it's a story that deserves to be read.
   It is DARK and TWISTED and filled with broken people, but just like the title says, there is Beauty in the Ashes and this story has proven that in it's pages. Micalea did a fantastic job, crafting a story that will stay with you long after you've read the last word.

   Because I want everyone to have a chance to read this book, I'm giving an E-copy away!! All you have to do is fill out the form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway 

   Even if you don't win, I still hope you pick up this book and see what it's all about for yourself. Just be prepared for the feels!


   Much love,

   Valia

   Hello lovelies,

   August is quickly approaching and while I don't have a definite release date for you just yet, it's definitely going to be AUGUST.

   How absolutely amazing is that? I'm freaking out. But in a good way. I think. Maybe.

   Anyway.

   Today I have something special for you. The back summary of book 2!!! I won't drag this out, so read on!

   Edge of Falling:

   For Chance, there's always only been Dakota. 

   He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck. 

   Until Kyle comes along. 

   Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness? 

   When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity. 

   Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance? 

   As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling. 

   So, what do we think? Are you as excited as I am? If you are, there are two things you can do.

   Sign up to read an ARC of Edge of Falling: http://valialind.blogspot.com/2014/07/arc-sign-ups-for-edge-of-falling.html

   Add Edge of Falling on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

   I heart you all to pieces!!! One month to go!!!



   Much love,

   Valia

   Hey there lovelies,

   I can't believe that it's almost that time again. You know, that time when I have a new book out? YES. I'm hard at work in my writing land (I have some exciting things in store) and cannot wait to share all the things with you.


   Speaking of sharing, did you see the heading for this post? That's right, there are ARCs of Edge of Falling and you could be one of the first to read it!!! Que excitement.


   I'm very excited and nervous to share Dakota and Chance's story with you, just because I feel like it's a bit different from Falling by Design. Which it should be. Since Dakota and Chance are NOT Brooklynn and Grayson.

   But ANYWAY. If you're interested in reading Edge of Falling (you do NOT have to read Falling by Design first, since this is a companion novel), sign up below!
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   Thank you, thank you, to all of you who will sign up and to all of you who have been so supportive. I'm so excited I FINALLY have books for you!!!


   Now, if you're excited, RAISE YOUR HAND! (Comment below. I want to "see" those hands)

   Much love,

   Valia

   Hello lovelies,

   So, things are happening. Technically, things are always happening, but lately, they've been REALLY happening. I've made some crazy big changes in my life recently. Exciting changes. TERRIFYING changes. 
    Yes, I've finally taken the leap and became a FULL TIME WRITER.


    BOOM.

   Que screaming.
But good kind of screaming....
     Anyway, this is not why we're here. We're here because book two in Falling series comes out in just under TWO MONTHS and it finally has a title!!! 
    Are you ready to find out what that is?

   How about now? 

   Now?

   Okay okay :) The title for book two is EDGE OF FALLING



   What do you think? You like? I like. Actually, I LOVE. 
   AND you can add it on Goodreads now! 
   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

Winning.    I'm so excited (and nervous) for you all to read Chance and Dakota's story! 
   Much love, 
   Valia 

   Hello lovelies,

   So since I didn't post a teaser yesterday, I decided to participate in Road Trip Wednesday. I know, it's been a while.

   This week's topic is: Share a song from your writing playlist.

   Oh, so many songs to pick from! I love the playlist for this book and I hope you will too. Because I can't pick just one, you get two.




   My friend shared this song with me and I knew, instantly, that this was going on my playlist. I can picture Chance singing this to Dakota. She might punch him in the face for it, but he'd sing it anyway. :)



   This one has more of a Dakota feel about it. She's definitely a stubborn one.

   What do you think? Are you excited for Falling 2?

   If you're writing, let me know what's on your playlist!

   Much love,

   Valia

   Hello lovelies,

   So today I bring you some more excitement. Yes, I'm deep in my revision cave. I'm way more behind than I'd like to be, but that's another blog post all together. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like, but I'm getting there. I made a list of 21 books I wanted to read this summer (there's a vlog about it and everything), but there are some books releasing soon that I can't wait to get my hands on. So today, I give back to my wonderful author friends and focus on them. Because that's how we roll around here.
Anyway, here we go.

   I have to start here, people. Sorry, it couldn't be helped. I cannot even begin to explain to you how excited I am about this book. I would post a synopsis here, but since this is book 3, I don't want to spoil anyone.
   If you haven't picked up this series, you NEED it in your life. No joke. Sarah is pretty much the BEST storyteller ever and her characters are so amazing, you won't want to put the book down.  I'm just saying. I'm going to be re-reading the first 2 books before this one comes out because I NEED it.

   READ THIS SERIES, PEOPLE. That is all. :)

   Release date: September 2nd, 2014

   This is another book 2, so no synopsis for you. BUT. This book guys, THIS BOOK. I LOVED The Burning Sky. I cannot even tell you. I know some people had problems with it, but I couldn't put it down. There is just something about these characters. I can't help it. It's so great. Just everything about book one, so I'm super duper excited for book two.

   If you've read book one, tell me what you thought! Also, THAT COVER. They did good.

   Release date: September 16th, 2014

   Sorry guys, I'm all about sequels apparently. Sisters' Fate is book 3 in the Cahill Witch Chronicles and I NEED this book in my life like Oh MY!
   Seriously, if you haven't checked out this series, you need to. I love Jessica's writing, I love her characters, I love love love it all.
   There's just such a great feel about these books. I don't know how to explain it, you'll just have to experience it.
   It needs to be August already just so I can have this book in my hands. It's a need. I'm serious.

   Release date: August 14th, 2014

   Just like any other morning, Skylar Rousseau is late for school, but when she is greeted by a blanket of silent stares upon entering Blackfin High, she discovers that the whole town thought she fell from the pier and drowned on her sixteenth birthday three months earlier. However, Sky remembers the last three months living her life as normal, and since she is full, living breathing human being, she has no idea whose body is buried underneath her tombstone. 
Everyone seems reluctant to help except her steadfast friend and crush, Sean...and a secretive man who draws her to a mysterious circus in the woods. 
   Sky must wade through impossibilities and lies to discover the truth about what happened to her, which proves to be a bit difficult when someone is following her every move with the intent to harm her. And Sky's only hope of finding the answers she seeks may have already been turned to ashes. 

   Oh look, synopsis. What can I say? I've heard nothing but great things about this book and I want it now. That is all. 

   Release date: September 2nd, 2014

The girl knows she's different. She doesn't age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams - a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel. 

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Johan. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally - a rogue Angel, named Gabriel. 

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? 

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is. 

   So this book, guys. This book. I saw someone raving about it online and I had to check it out and wow! I cannot wait to read it. I read the opening chapter and I want more NOW. Please!

   Release date: October 7th, 2014

   So here are just a FEW of the books I cannot wait to read. What is on your wish list? Let me know below. And back I go, my revisions cave is calling my name. Seriously. It's creepy. 

   Much love, 

   Valia 

Hey lovelies,

   Look at me, putting up a Teaser Tuesday on a Tuesday. I can't believe how fast June has gone by. We're already a month closer to the release of book two! AH!
  *runs around screaming*
   Anyway, enough of the freaking out. Today we have a little glimpse of Chance and Dakota. I also have a few pictures I found on Pinterest that kind of inspires. Enjoy!

   "Chance, you're doing the weird staring thing again. Is there something on my face?"
   "No, sorry. Your hair is all over the place." Her hands reach for her locks automatically, a tiny blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. She tries to tame the mess, smoothing it out a little bit frantically. I surprise myself when I grab her hand, stilling the movement.
   "It looks great. Don't worry." I run my hand over her hair, distracted by the softness under my fingertips. When my eyes meet hers, there's not much room between us.

I can totally see these two here. Although, they're not there just yet :) So sweet :)
   What do you think? Are you excited? I'm excited! :)

   Much love,

   Valia

   Hey lovelies,

   Sorry I missed this weeks Tuesday Teaser! Things are happening and things are terrifying. But good things. I'll be sharing those things soon, but for now, here is some goodness from Falling Book Two. Meet Jackson. Dakota's adorable brother. Enjoy!

   "Anything exciting going on at school today?" I ask, taking a soothing sip of my coffee. Or nectar of life. Whichever name works. 
   "Nope. Just the regular, boring stuff." Even after all these years, I still wish he was going to the same high school as me. But the year he was supposed to test, he was incredibly sick and didn't make the deadline. After that, the school closed admissions for a year and by then it was too late. 
   "Did you get your math book from the living room?"
   "Yes, Mother dearest. I have all my books and homework and lunch money." 
   "Don't let them bullies take that away from you, you hear?" He rolls his eyes, because I say this almost every morning. I don't care. He just gets to deal. Although at almost six feet, with a body of a football player, my little brother can more than take care of himself. Doesn't stop me from worrying. We tease each other relentlessly, but before I leave, I always make sure to tell him I love him. 
   Because you really should hear those words from someone in your life every day. 

   Are you excited for book 2? Because I'm excited for book 2!

   Much love,

   Valia

 Hey lovelies, 

   As you can tell by the title, we're here to talk about writing. My wonderful CP, Amy, tagged me and I'm excited to share some inside information with you. Let's get it started (in here). (Sorry). 

   1. What am I working on? 

   Actually, I am a little nuts at the moment. I am working on 3, yes 3, separate projects. I'm finishing up  revisions on Dakota and Chance's story. I can't wait for all of you to read their book! It's so different from Falling by Design, but anyway. I'm getting sidetracked. 
   I'm also in revision's mode for a YA Thriller and I've started a brand new project that's a mix between a thriller, with a bit of fantasy thrown in. (I'm slightly exhausted right now. Just saying).




PITCH (I'll focus on Falling #2):

    Chance has been in love with Dakota for as long as he can remember. Now, with senior year of high school coming to a close, he's finally ready to take that giant leap into the oblivion. But then the new guy arrives, Dakota's family life comes crashing down around her, and tragedy strikes, making Chance rethink everything he's ever thought to be true. What do you do when the world you know is no longer real? What do you do when you have no plan for your life?

OPENING PARAGRAPH: 

   You'd think after all these years I'd be able to see her face and not feel a ping of longing followed by disappointment. I've been hoping, especially since winter break, Dakota would give me some kind of indication that she doesn't hate my guts. Alas, that is in vain. She still looks at me like I'm only bothering her and hers, like I'm the bane of her existence. What lovely thoughts I have to start off my morning right. I take a deep breath, shake off the stupid melancholy, and put on my brave face.

    2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

    I'm not sure you can say it really differs, but it is my work and my words, which makes the stories unique. I strive to write good girls and good boys, and I think that last aspect is something that is missing. We love our bad boys, but I like to point out the good ones too. 

   3. Why do I write what I do?

   Right now, with all the contemporary in my stories, I think it's mostly so that I can find the good in the world. I know that may sound all dramatic, but with my job, I only see the bad. I see parents who destroy their children, I see relationships that are built on abuse, I see family life that doesn't have a good end. It's why I write my characters the way they are, because there is good in the world and sometimes we forget about it, focusing on all the bad. Yes, my characters go through heartache. In Falling #2, there is definitely some sadness and struggles in their lives, but in the end, they overcome those obstacles, because sometimes, we need the reminder that that is possible. 

   4. How does my writing process works?

    Well, I'm not an outliner. Can't do it. Won't do it. So, sue me.
    I need my freedom when I write. I need my characters to find the story their own way. And as strange as that may sound to the "outsiders", my writer people know what I'm talking about. Also, there's some Hot Cheetos eating and a little bit of dancing involved in every draft. :)



   So yep. That's me. That's your little glimpse into my writing process. Hope you enjoyed!

   Now, if you'd like to participate...

   1. Acknowledge the person and the site who invited you and link back to the post (this one :).
   2. Label your post as part of the My Writing Process Blog Tour. 
   3. Answer these same four questions. 
   4. Nominate and link up three people to participate.
   5. Let me know in the comments if you're going to participate!

   Now, for the people I tag:

   Farrah Penn - my amazing CP. This girl is a wonderful writer and if you don't follow her around on the interwebs, you should!
   Vicki Leigh - I met her at BEA & she's seriously one of my favorite people now. Can't wait for her book!
  Claribel Ortega - another awesome writer you all should follow. She's the sweetest!
  Brenda Pandos - because no writing tag would be complete without my amazing friend! (You should read her books. Just saying).

   I would love to hear from you, so if you'd like to participate, leave me a link below!

  Much love, 

  Valia 

Hello there lovelies, 
I am SO excited to participate in the cover reveal for one of my new friends, Vicki Leigh. Her book sounds awesome & the cover does it justice. Prepare yourself for the awesome!
It’s cover reveal day for Vicki Leigh’s CATCH ME WHEN I FALL! Lots of awesome stuff going on, including a giveaway! But first, here's a special message from Vicki:




And here's what CATCH ME WHEN I FALL is all about:

Recruited at his death to be a Protector of the Night, seventeen-year-old Daniel Graham has spent two-hundred years fighting Nightmares and guarding humans from the clawed, red-eyed creatures that feed off people’s fears. Each night, he risks his eternal life, having given up his chance at an afterlife when he chose to become a Protector. That doesn’t stop a burnt-out Daniel from risking daring maneuvers during each battle. He’s become one of the best, but he wants nothing more than to stop.

Then he’s given an assignment to watch over sixteen-year-old Kayla Bartlett, a clinically depressed patient in a psychiatric ward. Nightmares love a human with a tortured past. Yet, when they take a deep interest in her, appearing in unprecedented numbers, the job becomes more dangerous than any Daniel’s ever experienced. He fights ruthlessly to keep the Nightmares from overwhelming his team and Kayla. Soon, Daniel finds himself watching over Kayla during the day, drawn to why she’s different, and what it is about her that attracts the Nightmares. And him.

A vicious attack on Kayla forces Daniel to break the first Law and reveal his identity. Driven by his growing feelings for her, he whisks her away to Rome where others like him can keep her safe. Under their roof, the Protectors discover what Kayla is and why someone who can manipulate Nightmares has her in his sights. But before they can make a move, the Protectors are betrayed and Kayla is kidnapped. Daniel will stop at nothing to save her. Even if it means giving up his immortality.

CATCH ME WHEN I FALL will be available on October 23, 2014 in both paperback and e-book formats from Curiosity Quills Press. For more information, visit the book’s Goodreads page.

Now, there can’t be a cover reveal without a giveaway, right? Lots of authors stopped by and donated some fantastic books to help Vicki celebrate. You don’t want to miss out on these! Here’s what you can win:

An e-copy of CATCH ME WHEN I FALL from Vicki LeighAn e-copy of HEIRS OF WAR by Mara ValderranTwo query+first chapter critiques from YA author Emily StanfordTwo full manuscript critiques from YA author Emily StanfordAn e-copy of WITHOUT BLOODSHED by Matthew GrayboschA paperback of DESTRUCTION by Sharon BaylissAn e-copy of KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH by Katie TellerOne query+first chapter critique from YA author Katie TellerAn e-copy of DARKNESS WATCHING by Emma AdamsA copy of DESCENDANT by Nichole GilesAn e-copy package of EVER and EVADE by Jessa RussoA signed copy of DIVIDE by Jessa RussoA copy of UNHINGED by A.G. Howard
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win! All prizes will be accompanied by a Dreamcatcher swag package from Vicki Leigh.

Thanks for stopping by!


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