Happy New Year Greetings! (It's a Vlog)

Hello lovelies,
Happy New Year's Eve! Can you believe it? Where does the time go? Anyway, here's a little encouragement for a new year for y'all. 

 

You guys are the best and I heart you all! 

Hugs, 

Valia 

Winners! Winners all around!

Hello lovelies, 

Sorry it took me a bit to get these together, but to be honest I completely forgot. If you saw my previous post about the NEWS, you understand why. Anyway, without any farther adieu, I present to you the winners of my two recent giveaways. 

Keepers of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger: Ashley (from Nose in a Book)

The Twisted Tragedy of Natalie Stewart: DeeDee BG

Copy of an ebook: Stacey VM

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. If you didn't win, don't despair! Remember how I said I had that post about some news? Well, I decided there will be some awesome giveaway involved in the teasers and other things, so come back often! 

You guys really are the best! 

Much love, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 

You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 

Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 

What about the rest of the world? 

What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?  

Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend on it.

From Goodreads.com

       The 13th Sign is a story about Jalen, a girl who doesn’t believe in astrology, until one day when she makes a choice that changes the world around her. She discovers the 13th sign, altering the other twelve signs and the personalities that go with them. Soon she is in a race to save the world and stop the other twelve signs from taking over.  With the help of some unlikely characters, Jalen set off on a journey like now other. 

There were two things that surprised me about this book. First of all, for some reason I did not know this was a middle grade story. For some reason, from all I heard, I thought it was a YA. Second of all, this book, being a middle grade magical adventure was way shorter than I anticipated. Everything I’ve seen about this book points to it being a stand alone and that’s why I thought I would be longer. These two things really affected the way I read the book.

The characters were nice enough but I didn’t feel connected to any of them. I think part of this was the fact that the book was just one thing after the other, without much room for development. Seriously, the way Jalen and the gang were going it was hard to keep up. They were going battle to battle, leaving no room for a breather. I personally thing this book could’ve been better if maybe divided in two, or just a lot longer. I’m a big sucker for those character developments and when those are missing, the adventure part isn’t as fun. 

It was a super quick read for me, but I really liked the story in general. Jalen and the other characters were likable and the idea behind the 13th signs was very interesting. I liked the different aspects of the astrology that were brought in. The elements of the story fit well together. 

13th Sign comes out January 8, 2013. Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! I HAVE SOME NEWS!!!!!

Hello lovelies!

        I know you’re all wondering where I’ve been for the two weeks or so. There is quite a lot of stuff going on in my life right now that I’m super excited about and wanted to share with you and I finally can!

You all know that I’ve finished my NaNoWriMo project and I really can’t wait to share that particular story with you. However, at the moment my focus is on something else. Remember Simplicity? Yes, that one book that was published and it has my name on it. Well, there is something you should know. Are you ready? 

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Simplicity is getting a brother! Or a sister, however you want to look at it. That’s right, I have BOOK TWO coming out into the world! 

BOOK TWO is a companion novel and centers around one of the characters we met briefly in Simplicity (and now you don't have to read Simplicity to enjoy this story, but it'd be greatly appreciated). Would you like to know which one? Maybe I shouldn’t reveal that just yet. Have to keep you guessing somehow don’t I? The story is quite different from Simplicity and it was lots of fun to write. 

But guess what? I have even more great news for you!  The book is scheduled to be coming out sometime between February and March of 2013!!!!! 

That’s right! Just TWO months (and some change) away. So basically if you don’t see me around, know I am hard at work in making this book the best it can be. I pretty much can't even contain my excitement!

        I’ll have sign ups for a COVER REVEAL going up in a little bit so if you’d like to participate, be on a look out for that. Also, I’ll be posting WEEKLY TEASERS from the book, so make sure you come check that out. 

So, who’s EXCITED with me? 

Much love, 

Valia 

And one more for the road... 

Book Spotlight: Dualed by Elsie Chapman

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.
From goodreads.com

      Dualed is a story about fifteen-year-old West Grayer, a girl who lives in a world where two of the same child are born every time, creating a world of Alts. Alt is a genetic Alternate, a twin that is born to another family in another part of the city. When the time comes, sometime before the twentieth birthday, the kids are activated and are put thru a mission. Kill or be killed. When West’s time comes, after a tragic accident, her whole world is turned upside down and then the adventure begins. 

I didn’t know what to think about this book when I first heard about the premise. I mean this is a story where everyone is a murderer. Think about it, every young adult and adult had to kill someone in order to live. But when I started reading, I was swept into West’s world and her struggle to survive. 

West is definitely not your typical fifteen-year-old. She’s been preparing to take on her Alt for years, with her brother and his best friend by her side. However, her world gets crushed and then instead of facing her Alt, West goes on the run. There were times during the story where I wished I could see a little bit more of West, of how she is feeling, but overall I could understand her struggles. 

While I loved West, I think I loved Chord a little bit more. I just enjoyed him as a character. He was sweet and tough, the perfect combination. The whole book I was just waiting for those part where he stepped back into the pages. The relationship between West and Chord was something sweet and real as well and I loved that. 

However, I have to point out the fact that I wanted the story a little more developed. I felt like the story was so focused on West killing her Alt but at the same time without giving us much of the back story or really any sympathy factor. Also, the whole thing with Chord could’ve been handled better as well, I would’ve loved more development in the characters and the story. 

Overall, this was a good story for anyone who likes science fiction and fight scenes. Dualed comes out February 26th, 2013. Let me know what you think.

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: The Trouble with Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . . Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady. When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

From Goodreads.com

       The Trouble with Flirting is a lose retelling of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. The main character Franny can’t believe she’s actually attending the prestige Mansfield Summer Theater Program. Sure, she’s not actually participating, she’s working for her aunt, sewing the costumes for all the productions. She prepared herself for a summer in the sweat shop, what she didn’t prepare herself for were Alex and Harry. As the two boys take residence in Franny’s life, the real fun begins. 

I really enjoyed The Trouble with Flirting. I loved Franny as a character. She was cynical and sarcastic and sounded just like your typical teenager. I love books where the main character is someone you can totally relate to, someone you can see yourself being on a regular basis. Sometimes characters have a tendency to kill a good story just by the fact that they annoy me to no end, but this book wasn’t like that. 

Now, Alex and Harry. Two guys who are completely different, but oh so swoon worthy. Alex is your boy next door sweet while Harry is your confident center of attention character. I enjoyed Franny’s dynamic with both of the boys, but I have to admit, I had my favorite from the beginning. I won’t be telling you who it is because for once the main character picked the same guy I did! Seriously, that hardly happens. 

Overall, the story was well written and fun. The characters were believable and relatable, and I laughed more than once at certain people’s antics. This was my first book by Claire but I’m thinking I really need to read Epic Fail that’s on my shelf. I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen and I felt like Claire did a great job taking the story and making it her own. 

The Trouble with Flirting comes out February 26th, 2013. Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: Wasteland by Susan Kim & Laurence Klavan

Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant disesase and brutal attacks by the Variants—hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. 
Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.

From Goodreads.com

Wasteland is a world no one would want to live in. The constant hunt for food or fuel, the acid rain, and the fear of the attacks from the outsiders is not the most ideal place to grow up in. Esther is a rebellious kind of a soul, forgoing the jobs of the city in order to spend time with her variant best friend. Things start to happen in the town of Prin that sets everyone on edge and Esther is right in the middle of it. Then, Caleb shows up in town. This mysterious boy from another world pulls on all of Esther's heartstrings, and soon the two will face the madness of the world they live in, just to survive. 
     For me, this book is one of those books that is a bit hard to review. I liked the story idea, but I didn't have as much fun reading it as I thought I would. I think my biggest deal with this book was the fact that I couldn't really get a grasp on any of the characters. The book is written in a way that makes you sit up and pay attention to every detail or you'll miss something important. While books like that can be amazing, this time around I just wasn't really feeling it. 
     It was really hard for me to grasp the fact that these kids, fourteen and fifteen, were having children to raise. There is a character that we meet that has a drive to save a kid for most of the book and to me, I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. Because I already wasn't sure what was going on at certain parts, that part of me as a reader just didn't feel sympathetic to the character's struggles. Does that make me sound bad or what? 
     I have to mention though, the writing was good. Both Susan and Laurence write well. I read that this is their first YA endeavor and from where I stand I can see that. I think parts of the book were just written too different from the typical YA voice and maybe that's why it threw me off. 
     Wasteland is set in a world that is terrifying and real. Both authors did a wonderful job showing the horrors of a land where water is scares and the land is plagued by too many things too count. I'm very on the fence with this book, however I'm interested to see where the story goes. I'm just too curious for my own good I guess. 
     Wasteland comes out March 26th, 2013. Let me know what you think! 

     Happy reading, 
     Valia 

Book Spotlight: The Program by Suzanne Young

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.
From Goodreads.com

       Sloane is your typical teenager. She has a family, she goes to school, she loves her boyfriend, and she’s not allowed to show any kinds of depressing emotion? In her world, teen suicide is an epidemic and anyone caught with slightest show of emotion is sent to the Program. Her boyfriend James and her promise to each other that they will stay strong and stay out of the program. But can promises like that are hard to keep, and when both are sent thru, the world as they knew it changes forever. 

Sloane is an interesting character. I think what I like the most about her is how real she was, how much she wasn’t perfect little package. She was the up and down of a regular human being. As the story progressed, so did Sloane. She began to realize certain things about herself and I really liked seeing her develop as a person. 

James is a darling! I really like him as a character as well. His character is one of those that I really enjoy in guys. He was the sweetest, protective boyfriend, but he was also the tough James that was needed for the story later on. I liked how Suzanne wasn’t afraid to make these characters flawed and I liked the way they came out on the other side. The relationship between these two was sweet and emotional and real. Especially toward the end of the book, after some things happened, I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other. 

There were other characters and aspects in the story as well that I enjoyed, but talking about each one is going to take too long. The world Suzanne created is chilly with its relativity of today. It’s not hard to image these types of outcomes right outside your door. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Sure, parts of it were a bit slow, but that was needed in order to set up the world Sloane and James live in. The Program was my first book by Suzanne and I can truly say I wasn’t disappointed. 

The Program comes out April 30th, 2013! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Cover Reveal: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

Hey lovelies, 

So today I have another special cover reveal for you! I am a huge fan of this cover, just everything about it is so adorable. You ready to see it? Are you? No, seriously, are you? 

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TADA!!!!

Isn't it gorgeous? Like I said, big fan here :-) 
And now for some special goodies just for you!

OFFICIAL BLURB:

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the realreason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

                                                                                                                                 

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She lives in Portland, OR, with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Dear Cassie is her second novel.

DEAR CASSIE pre-buy links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13628374-dear-cassie

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Dear-Cassie-Lisa-Burstein/9781620612545

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Cassie-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620612542/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dear-cassie-lisa-burstein/1113610316

PRETTY AMY Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy

Powells: http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781620611197-0

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/9781620611197

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786

Additional links to Lisa’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/LisaBurstein

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBursteinAuthor

Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com

Book Spotlight: Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity–style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.
From Goodreads.com

My expectations where very cautious when it came to this book. Sure, I loved the premise and the whole Bourne Identity/I am Number Four pretty much pulled me in. Yet, at the same time it made me very reluctant to read this book. I have sort of a love/hate relationship when it comes to books being compared to other books. Seriously, every time I hear “it’s the next Twilight!” or “it’s the next Hunger Games!” I cringe and really don’t feel like reading the books (even though I do). This time, curiosity won over and I’m glad it did. 

Mila is not your typical girl. Sure, she just moved with her mother to a tiny town in a middle of nowhere, running from the tragedy that struck her family just mere weeks ago. There Mila meets a few people that seem to take her in, trying to welcome her into the fold, and yet, something feels off. When a new boys comes to town, all bets are off. Things start to snowball, and Mila discovers more about herself and her world than she could’ve ever imagined. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Mila as a character. Sure, there were parts where she annoyed me a bit, parts where I wanted to high five her, and parts where I was routing for her with my whole heart. That was what made Mila a solid real character. I think that’s what I loved the most. Being who Mila is she still manages to portray the aspects of what a girl ought to be when faced with situations she faced. 

I loved her relationship with her mom. The ups and downs where something any teenager can relate to and I thought that was great. The romance in this book was minimal and I really have no idea where Debra wants to take Hunter and Lucas’s story, but I’m intrigued enough to want to find out more. 

Overall, this is an excellent debut that will literally keep you turning the pages. Debra created a heroine who’s tough and soft, loving and determined, human and not so much. This book is definitely one great ride. I can’t wait to hear what happens next! Mila 2.0 hits the shelves March 12, 2013. It’s a long wait but you won’t be sorry!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
From Goodreads.com

The Dead and Buried is a story about Jade, the new kid in town. Her and her family just moved into this gorgeous old house and Jade is about to start a brand new school. As she begins her school year, rumors fly and soon Jade finds out that there is more to her house that meets the eye. There was a girl murdered there and now her little brother is seeing her. 

You all know I’m a huge fan of Kim’s writing. I adored everything in Clarity and Perception. The characters, the supernatural, and definitely the romance. Well, The Dead and Buried is another win for me. 

Jade is a great character. She’s a timid girl with a big heart. She loves her brother to pieces and will do anything to protect him. The ghost girl wants answers and to get them she’ll stop at nothing, even using Jade’s little brother. Now it’s up to Jade to find out the truth the detectives couldn’t. I loved seeing Jade grow throughout the book and take the necessary risks to protect her family. But she doesn’t do so alone. 

Enter Donovan. The broody-mc-broodster. I really liked him as a character. It was a nice contrast between Donovan and Jade and I felt like they really felt together well. He would not be my first choice for her and that is exactly why I loved them together. 

I have to mention Alexa, Jade’s antisocial friend. She was just such a fun addition to the rest of the story, I loved it. Alexa is this darker side of Jade, someone who doesn’t talk to people, who stays in her own little world, yet for Jade she comes to the party. I don’t know, it’s just little things that I love, I guess. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I can’t dive into the mystery of the dead girl too much because I’ll give things away, but let me tell you, Kim did well on that. The supernatural and the mystery were excellently balanced in my mind, allowing the story to unfold perfectly. Sure, I knew who done it before the end of the book, but just getting there was a great journey. I have to add one thing tho, I really enjoyed how Kim wrote the whole haunting aspect. When you read it, you'll see what I mean, but seriously, kuddos on that! 

In my opinion, Kim has done it again. Mystery coupled with supernatural and romance make for one great book. The Dead and Buried hits shelves January 1st, 2013! Get it, read it, love it! Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

Hello lovelies,
So I decided to participate in this awesome holiday hop hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and co-hosted by Maryann from Chapter to Chapter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

E-book should be no more than $10.
The contest for the book is open to US and Canada
The contest for ebook is open internationally.

Now go and enter all these other awesome giveaways!

Much love,
Valia

Book Haul: In which I did some catching up...

Hello lovelies,

As promised, I got an In My Mailbox vlog for you. Yay! Enjoy!



Hope you had a wonderful week! Have you entered the giveaway yet?  You know you want to! 

What is in your mailbox?

Happy reading, 
Valia

Cover Reveal: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Hello lovelies, 

So today I have a super awesome cover reveal for you all. I'm a huge fan of anything Entangled Publishing and this book sounds like something I'd like to read. So here we go!

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

About Leah:  

Born and raised in northern Louisiana, Leah Rae Miller still lives there on a windy hill with her husband and kids. She loves comic books, lava lamps, fuzzy socks, and Cherry Coke. She spends most of her days reading things she likes and writing things she hopes other people will like. 

All the important links: 

Pre-order Links:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Summer-I-Became-Nerd/dp/1620612380/

BN.com- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-i-became-a-nerd-leah-rae-miller/1113610315

Additional Links:   

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14744489-the-summer-i-became-a-nerd

Twitter- https://twitter.com/LeahR_Miller  

Website/blog- http://leahraemillerblog.blogspot.com/

Well, what do you think? 

Much love, 

Valia