"...her secret is patience..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, November 26, 2011

In My Mailbox 23: The I-need-an-ereader edition!



So many books!!
And that's not all. I also received a few e-books for review.

 Love the covers!
 Already read it and loved!



I really need to get a working ereader, because right now it's hard to finish these books without one! But I can't wait and look for reviews soon!


What's in your mailbox?


Happy reading,
Valia

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Book Spotlight: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

From Goodreads.com

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read Dearly, Departed. Honestly, reading the synopsis, I was intrigued but at the same time terrified at the prospect. Zombie’s in love? What? But after I thought about it, it’s like Vampires in love so I decided to give this book a chance. I was pleasantly surprised.


The characters in this book are interesting. I like Nora and her fighting to be who she wants to be. She doesn’t take crap from people, she learns to fight, and she takes the whole zombie thing surprisingly well. The group of zombies that Nora is introduced to are a hoot. They really give the book a special touch. The one character that definitely makes the book for me is Bram. Except for the whole part where he’s dead, he’s the perfect guy. His character was the most liked out of all the ones I read. He even outshines Nora, who should have more points to her considering she’s actually the one with the heartbeat. 
The world Lia created is appealing to say the least. The New Victoria is a unique twist to the steampunk novels I’ve gotten used to. The descriptions are vivid and believable. I enjoyed getting to discover the ways of 2195.
However, I have to admit the ever changing point of view almost drove me up the wall. While I really liked getting into the heads of Nora, Bram, and even Nora’s best friend, the others didn’t seem as necessary to me. I was a little confused at the beginning, thinking I must have missed something. In the end, I got a bit better grip on what was going on. 
Overall, this book is definitely worth reading. Lia takes what is known in fiction and makes it her own: a world where death and decay may play a role, but love shines like the brightest star. I don’t know if I’ll be reading it again, but I most definitely will read what happens next. Dearly, Departed is out now, wherever the books are sold. 

Happy reading,
Valia

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Book Spotlight: Everblue by Brenda Pandos

I adore this cover!!!
She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same. 

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them. 

Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

From Goodreads.com

Ashlyn is a girl with a best friend and a crush on her best friends brother. Sounds like a typical teenage drama, right? That is until she finds out that her friend has been keeping a huge secret from her. Mermaids. There are mermaids in this book people. 


I enjoyed every moment of this story. Ashlyn is an interesting character, who works to figure things out when her best friend disappears. I like the fact that she’s smitten with Finn for years, while he’s smitten with her. I like Finn. A lot. He’s a great character, and I feel like he balances Ash out very nicely. They’re definitely two peas in a pod but at the same time they have to fight to stay together. I also like that both were in other relationships before finally having a chance to be together. It kind of shows that there are other roads to take, and there are other people in the world that can teach you valuable lessons for life. Finn and Ash’s relationship is so beautiful it makes your breath catch. 
I also really enjoyed being able to get into both of the main characters heads and see the world through their eyes. It gave the story a special kind of a touch. Tatiana was also a wonderful character that brought a certain touch to the story. The brother/sister duo was definitely a nice addition to an already great story. 
The world Brenda builds is beautiful, romantic, and enchanting. The story takes something we already know and love and gives it a new, exciting twist. This book was everything I hoped it would be. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the world of Everblue. Thank you so much, Brenda, for giving me the privilege of reading your story. Everyone needs to get their hands on this book! Its worth it! 
Happy reading, 
Valia 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Winner and Apologies!

Hello darlings!

First of all, I’m sorry I’ve been missing again! I have been hard at work on revisions on Secret Project #1! This story is so dear to my heart, I can’t wait to share it with ya’ll. On the other hand, I haven’t really been missing because I’ve been blogging over at YA Warehouse every Friday. 
So go here
And here
And read my wonderful posts (make sure to leave me some love) :-)
Second of all, I have a winner to announce for my Celebratory Festivities Giveaway! 
Drum roll please.......
.....
.....
.....
The winner is.....
Arianne Cruz who chose Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Thank you so much for everyone who entered!!! I’ll be hosting more giveaways during the Christmas season so make sure to check back!!! 
I love you all to pieces but I must go back to my writing cave now!!! Hugs!
Much love, 
Valia 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

In My Mailbox #22:Bookish Things Edition



Late night at work, but hey look! Book Goodies!

Special thanks to Harper Collins! Shatter Me is great!
Wait! I forgot about my NetGalley books!
Both of these were FA-BU-LOUS!!!! I'll be posting reviews soon!! 
And special thanks to Entangled Publishing for my copy of Shadowlander! You can find my review here.

What is in your mailbox?

Much love,
Valia

Saturday, November 5, 2011

In My Mailbox #21

YA Warehouse - http://yawarehouse.blogspot.com
@YA_Warehouse

*Giddy with Glee*
Don't forget to enter my giveaway!!!!

What is in your mailbox?

Much love,
Valia

Friday, November 4, 2011

New Project Revealed, NaNoWriMo, and Submissions, Oh My!!!!

Hey lovely people who visit my blog!


How are you this fine day? I'm doing quite well, thanks so much for asking.
First and foremost, I have some BIG news I have to share with you is...drumroll please........
Are you ready???


No, really are you???




You sure right???






Here it is........YA Warehouse is now live!!!!


Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!




What is YA Warehouse you may ask? I'll tell ya! It is a collabaration blog consisting of myself, Rick Lipman, Nova Lovette, and Pam van Hylckama (as of this morning, so if you don't see her bio, never fear. We'll get to that!) I'm so super duper excited about this its a bit embarrassing. :)


Now unto some other updates. Did I tell you November was going to be my blogging month? It really was but then I had to go and give in to the peer pressure of NaNoWriMo. Can you believe it? Yes, I can't either.
Also, I turned in "secret project #3" to the publisher so I'm all aflutter. And a nervous wreck. Yes, that right there pretty much sums up what I am at the moment. Anyway, on to some links for ya'll!


1. YA Warehouse - join us on our latest adventures. I'll be taking over Fridays!


2. My NaNoWriMo account. I'd love for you to come kick me into gear now and then.


3. Goodreads account. I keep forgetting to share it.


And don't forget, my giveaway ends November 15th!!! Enter while you still have the time!!!


Much love,
Valia

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