Book Spotlight: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

“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 

In My Mailbox #13

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

In My Mailbox - The Non-Vlog Edition

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

Winners and News!!!!

        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

In My Mailbox 11

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=OV4ipkIixl8 Come like my video!!! :-)

Five Stages of Writing

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, even

if 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

Book Spotlight: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

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,

Valia

PS. Did I mention that I loved the fact that Victoria named her heroine Lexie? Yes, Victoria and I are ‘heroine buddies” Woo hoo! :)