Valia Lind's Blog, page 40

So I'm sitting on the couch, computer on my lap, and Suits episodes on TV. Now this is the life. I have to say that I miss days when I can just write. Do nothing but concentrate on my work.  This is me hugging my new job! Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my new job! Adore it. Treasure it. Delight in it. I cant even tell you how blessed I am to have it! However, with the schedule that I have right now it's hard to do other things I love, such as write.  People often ask me, " How do you find time to write? " Here's the truth: I have no idea. I know that sounds strange but it's the truth. Sometimes I feel like I'm pulling time out of thin air because I need it. Writing is a need. If and when I miss my writing times I feel like I'm missing something. It may not be rational but it is who I am. It is what I need to do. Does anyone else feel like that? I honestly believe that readers can tell if you're writing in order to write or if you're writing from the heart. The good books, the books that make a difference in your life are those written as if they're ripped from the depth of the writer's soul. Sure, there are those written because they are good at the storytelling aspect. They can make lots of money spinning words into stories. Then there are stories that get in your brain and stay there forever. There are examples of these types of books I can name. The most recent example of a series that stayed with me is The Hunger Games. I loved dystopian before it was a big deal. 1984 was probably one of my favorite books growing up.  All of this is to say that I want to be that kind of a writer. My writing is a part of me, however, I have to work at it. It doesn't come easy. Just because something makes sense in my head doesn't mean it will make sense on paper. This is why time is so important. I have to write and I have to make time to better my writing. It may be a constant battle to squeeze in a few words here and there, but it is a battle worth fighting.  This is me hugging all of YOU!!! I love my wonderful followers!!!
Now, I am off to get those words on paper. I can't wait to share my recent project with you! All in due time. I leave you with this question: What books have made a difference in your life?Much love, Valia

Hello loves,

This week, yet again, I will not be doing a vlog for IMM. I know, you are all so disappointed but I'm just seriously running out of time! Maybe in the next few weeks I'll get back into the groove of things. Anyway, here are the few books I received this week!


This came as part of the RAK! Thank you Ashley for your 'wondrous' gift :) I just finished book one and I cant wait to get into this one! Thank you, thank you, thank you!



This book came from Julie herself, with a little special note inside. The note has something to do with The Iron Knight so I'm going to have to wait to share that with you. But it definitely made my day! I adore this series!
Special thanks to:
Julie Kagawa @ http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/
Ashley @ www.whollybooks2.blogspot.com

Well, that is actually it for me this week! Which is a really good thing because I am way behind on reading/reviews!
How is everyone doing? I feel like I've been neglecting you all!!! *Hugs*
What is in your mailbox?
Any book recommendations you'd like to share with me?
Much love, Valia

It could happen tomorrow... 

A cataclysmic event. An army of "The Changed." 
Can one teen really survive on her own? 

An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human... 

Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom---a young army veteran---and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. 

This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to survive.
From goodreads.com

Wow. Ummm. Wow. End of review.
But seriously guys, I don't even know what to say about this book, because it blew me away!  Its beings with a girl named Alex going on a little hike. She's struggling with some things in her life and need a bit of time to figure things out. That one hike changes her life forever. The whole world changes. An EMP sweeps through the sky killing most of the population and leaving many "Changed." Alex meets Ellie and Tom. Together they create a family of their own, trying to survive.  I loved the relationships in this book. Each character is real. I expected good story as soon as I started reading. What I didn't expect was zombie. But I loved it! The way Ilsa writes, it's breathtaking. The reality of the savageness of these used to be people is outstanding. I'm definitely privy to one guy in the story, but I won't reveal who that is just yet. Alex is a strong character who fights for others before she fights for herself.  The story pulls you in from the opening pages and keeps holding on till the end. The last words of the book, oh my goodness, are unbelievable!!! Ilsa leaves as with the biggest cliffhanger since the time of cliffhangers and I want book 2 now!!!! This books will leave you wanting more. So much more! It's a dark, edgy read that is unique and entertaining. This book comes out September 6th. I highly recommend it! Buy it. Read it. Love it. Happy reading, ValiaP.S. I'd like to hear your thoughts! :)

"It seemed so right. Danny was mine, I was his, and that wasn't going to work if he was dead. So I would make him not dead, not anymore. I didn't think any further than what it would feel like to kiss him again, to wrap my arms around him and bury my head against his shoulder.
That was my first mistake. It also turned out to be the biggest." 

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can't imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she's inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved. 

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can't turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart. 
From Goodreads.com



      I have to begin by saying that this story will take your breath away. When I first heard about the concept I wasn't sure what to expect. There are various way this story could've played out. However, nothing prepared me to the spectacular way Amy delivers Wren's story. 
When Wren loses her boyfriend in a car accident, she loses her first love. She is a special girl, with powers living within her that she doesn't quite understand. She reaches out to that power in a moment of grief and brings Danny back to life. Or more accurately to the land of the living. Danny is not the same boy she fell in love with. Wren spends most of her time hiding Danny and trying to figure out what the future will hold. Then Gabriel walks into her life, and he knows her secret. Yes, even the deepest and darkest secret of her power. Gabriel and Wren draw closer together. Their relationship is beautiful and difficult because Wren is still trying to make things right with Danny. Danny is a broken shell of a boy she once knew. Gabriel is a gorgeous complication. How do you chose between your first love and a boy who seems to see down to your soul?  This book was one of the best books I've read all year. The writing is charming, full of heart. I have to be honest and say that I've shed a few tears reading this story. Alright, maybe a bit more than few. I wouldn't call it an ocean per say. :) I can't begin to explain the decisions that Wren has to make in this book. Even though this story incorporates supernatural, the life Wren lives can be related to every day situations. We all make decisions that may break our hearts. Some things, some people, stay with you to your very soul. How do you let go of that? Do you let go at all? This book is elegantly written. It touches the heart, speaks to the soul, and teaches you that life is beautiful, even with pain and heartache. Amy weaves the words together in a way that brings us close to the characters and shows us the ways of life. You don't just read this book, you feel it.  Cold Kiss hits the shelfs September 20th! I highly recommend it!!! Happy Reading,Valia 

Oh. My. Word. I babble on and on and on!

Special thanks to:
Riley @
Penelope @ The Reading Fever - http://thereadingfever.blogspot.com/
Farrar, Straus and Giroux! :-)
What did you get in your mailbox???
Happy Reading, Valia

Hello darlings,

So I didn't do an IMM last week because I ran out of time. I wasn't going to do one this week because I wanted to do a vlog and then I was sick all day. But I still decided to show off some of the awesome books I received this week so here come the pictures!



I love this book so much! Being as I'm from St. Petersburg I grew up with the Romanovs. I cant wait to read the next one!



I just finished this book. Today, actually. I cried. She killed off my favorite character. No, I will not tell you who it is. I've also heard that the other two books are with different characters. 



I actually bought this book when it first came out last year, but I let a friend borrow it and it finally found its way home to me this week. So I had to include it! I can't wait for Hades!



I cant even tell you how long I've been looking for this book! I've seen book one and three everywhere! I have book one and three! Now, I will finally be able to read them! ;-)

I've actually received a few more but I want to gush about those "in person" so you will have to wait. :) But I do have to ask, what is your favorite series at the moment ??? Leave me a comment below. 
What's in your mailbox?
Happy Reading!Valia

        Hello beautiful people visiting my blog! How are you this fine day? I'm quite tired actually but then again that's not much of a surprise. I have some news for you all so I really can't get out of writing this particular blog post in favor of a nap. So let's get started!
Probably the biggest news I can share with you right now is that I am starting a new job. A new, awesome, grown up job! :) I'll be working for the police department. This is great in so many ways I cant even wrap my mind around it! This job is a pretty big deal and was months in the making but I made it! The feeling of celebration has not been wearing off. When I begin my shifts that will probably change but right now I'm just floating on cloud nine. Or is it eight? I think nine is the love cloud so I'm probably one below.  The other little bit of news I wanted to share with you is the progress on my WIP. Half way people. I am half way finished with this new baby. I am so super excited about this story I can't even... Anyone up for a teaser?  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Do you always come over to strange boy's houses in the middle of the night to show them paintings of the sea?" I felt inclined to ask.  "Yes, it's an addiction." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *I know, that tells you nothing but I promise its a really, really good chapter. How do you guys feel about teasers? Would you like more of them now that my book is coming together nicely? Let me know!        Well, I'm off to get some writing done before class tonight. I hope you all have a wonderful day!        Don't worry, I'm not leaving you hanging! The winners of my Random Swag Giveaway are: Victoria (raus....) Momo (booksover....) Tamara (tammyb....)Winners have been contacted and I will be sending out the goodies as soon as I can! Thanks to everyone who participated! There will be more contests soon. Involving books. :-) Alright, now I really must go! I'll leave you with this song. It's been stuck in my head all day. It may or may not be part of my new project. 


Wink. Wink. Much love, Valia

Look at all them books! :)Special thanks to Jessica!And special thanks to Sarah!!! *clap clap clap*Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Ends August 7th!
What's in your mailbox?
Happy reading,Valia
P.S. I auditioned to be in the YA Rebels!!! Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV4ipk... Come like my video!!! :-)

Yes, I'm crazy. And scary. And super weird. But you guys love me anyway so ha!I'm super excited for the opportunity to audition for YA Rebels! Don't worry darlings, evenif I don't get accepted, I will still continue to vlog. :-) On the other hand, the Random Swag Giveaway has been extended till August 7th so spread the word! Much love, Valia

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
From Goodreads.com

This book introduces us to Lexie, a take charge kind of a girl that I instantly liked. I love having the main character who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes, which in this case is a stand against the whole town of Near. She has to defy the rules and beliefs of the town when strange things start happening. When Lexi meets the mysterious unnamed boy, she gives him the name of Cole, tall dark and handsome stranger in a town with no strangers. The chemistry between the two is wonderful and sweet. Together they push to save the children of the town of Near while they grow closer together. The Near Witch is a wonderful fairytale story that takes a look at a world beautifully created by Victoria. I enjoyed every character in the book, from the little sister Wren to the cocky Tyler, the story comes right off the pages (I enjoyed Tyler's obnoxiousness tremendously). And I already mentioned that I loved Lexie's nature. Independent, strong young woman with a dashingly handsome young man by her side; who can go wrong with that? Honestly, I always have to keep my reviews short and to the point or I end up giving too much away. Victoria is a sweetheart and a wonderful writer. This is a well written debut that I highly recommend if you like any kind of a fairytale. The Near Witch comes out August 2, 2011. Happy reading,ValiaPS. Did I mention that I loved the fact that Victoria named her heroine Lexie? Yes, Victoria and I are 'heroine buddies" Woo hoo! :)