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

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

On when things don't go quite as you planned...


   Hello lovelies,

   So, it's the end of November. Already. What is happening? Where has the time gone?! 
I seriously have no idea what happened to 2013. It's just a blur of work and writing and work and writing. 
   As you might've noticed, November didn't quiet pan out the way I hoped it would. School and life got in the way and pushed NaNoWriMo right out of the window. 
   I cried. A little. 

   Sometimes I wonder how I'm supposed to ever get to where I'm planning on getting to with all these road blocks bursting out of the ground. The book that I was so excited to work on this November hasn't been worked on in three weeks as I tried to finish this Master's class. The queries that I've sent out for my recent book have been coming back with a lot of "no's" attached to them. And on top of all that, I'm feeling a little under the weather. 

   That's a lot of negative to bring any festive holiday spirit down. Especially when your heart yearns to mark things off your career to do list. Sometimes it becomes so easy to look at all the negative and drown in the discouragement. I mean, we all go through it, and sometimes we deal with it better than other times. 
   Since it's Thanksgiving Eve, I wanted to write this post simply to reevaluate the discouraging aspects of my life right now and look at all the positive. Because no matter how tough your situation might be, there is always something positive and good to get you through. 
   1. I am thankful for not getting to write my book in November. I know this may contradict what I just said, but I feel like it's true. Being away from it has given me a new appreciation for my characters and my story. I really truly feel that my babies will come out much better for it. 
   2. I am thankful for every rejection letter I get. I know what you're thinking, "How can you ever be thankful for something like THAT?" Yes, it may break my heart a little, but at the same time, every rejection is an answer. It may not be an answer I want, but it's an answer. I rather get that, than wonder what in the world happened to that query. The other part of my thankfulness is the simple fact that the rejection means I just haven't found my one fabulous agent yet. It means that he or she is still out there, searching for me just like I'm searching for them. There is a fabulous agent/author love story waiting to happen and I will be part of it someday.
(Also, on the wings of that, I’m hoping to participate in PitchWars this year and make my book ever that much more fabulous).
   3. I am thankful for all the people in my life that continue to cheer me on. Guys, every discouraging thing that happens in my life brings my friends and family rallying around me in a flurry of hugs and kisses and warm wishes.  I have met so many fabulous people who continue to take the time out of their busy lives to tell me to stay strong, to not give up, to keep smiling because they believe in me. God has blessed me so abundantly and I cannot thank Him more. 

   I can keep going on and on about the things I am thankful for, but I don’t think you want to read a much lengthier post than this. I am truly excited for the things to come! And I am truly excited that all of you wonderful people are coming with me for the journey. I am thankful for you and all your support. 

( I'M SERIOUSLY HUGGING YOU LIKE KATNISS HUGS PEETA AFTER THE WHOLE FORCEFIELD DEBACLE.)

   Just don’t forget, no matter how bleak things may look, the sun’s coming up in the morning. Sometimes, it may be covered by the clouds, but eventually, it’ll break through and light up your life the way it knows best. 
   Keep on smiling. Keep on working hard. Keep on being your awesome selves. 
   That’s a reminder for you and for me. 

   Happy Thanksgiving!

   Hugs and Kisses, 

   Valia 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A Gift for You: Pre-Order Racing Savannah & Receive a Key Chain!

Hello lovelies, 

How are you? I know I've been a little MIA on the blog lately, but today, I have a special kind of a treat for you. You all know how much I adore Miranda Kennelly books. Well, her next books' debut is right around the corner and Sourcebooks have a special gift for you. Want to know what it is? Just keep on reading!

From Sourcebooks...


They’re from two different worlds, but Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules. . . get the next contemporary novel from blockbuster YA novelist Miranda Kenneally: RACING SAVANNAH!
Right before her senior year, Savannah’s father whisks the family off to Tennessee to work as head groom at fancy Cedar Hill Farms. Savannah finally sees it as the perfect opportunity to earn extra money as an exercise rider—no matter how many others don’t want a girl around the barn.  But she’s also caught the eye of Jack Goodwin, the owner’s son. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries. With her dream of becoming a jockey, Savannah is not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack.
We’ve put together a fun campaign to thank readers for pre-ordering: send us your proof of pre-order and we’ll send you this fabulous horseshoe key chain!
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A Gift for You, for Pre-Ordering RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally

We have a special offer for U.S. and Canada YA fans for the release of RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally in stores in a little over three weeks! If you pre-order the book, we will send you an exclusive horseshoe key chain—perfect for any busy teen on the go! You have until December 2 or until quantities run out. 
Here’s how to get your charm:
1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local independent bookseller/Indiebound, Books-A-Million, Hastings, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com. Put “Racing Savannah Pre-Order” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the horseshoe key chain! If you’ve already pre-ordered this book—not a problem! Send us your receipt!

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. 

4. Enjoy Racing Savannah when it comes out in December!

Optional: take a pic of you and your horseshoe key chain and share it with Miranda Kenneally or Sourcebooks Fire on Twitter! You can find Miranda @mirandakennealy and Sourcebooks Fire @sourcebooksfire.
Have a fabulous day, 
Valia  <3 font="">

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Book Spotlight: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barns

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.


From Goodreads.com

     We meet Cassie as she's working at a restaurant, her natural ability of reading people playing out in her mind. She's very good at studying someone and giving a rundown of an individual. Then, Michael walks in. He asks her a few random questions, leaves a business card, and walks out. The card is from FBI and they want Cassie and her particular set of skills. 
     When Cassie arrives at the house, she finds a few other kids much like herself. They too have special abilities and they are being trained to solve cold cases. Yet, as the events unfold, it's clear that there is more going on than meets the eye.
Now, I'm a huge fan of Criminal Minds and this book was pitched as that for YA. Needless to say, I was super excited to get an opportunity to review it. I really did enjoy this book. It was a super quick read for me. I may have had too many expectations for it to be like Criminal Minds. 
     I liked Cassie just fine. She had some good qualities and some annoying ones. Which I guess just makes her human. I was a huge fan of her determination. I'm excited to see how her character develops in the future. 
     On the other hand, we have the boys. I'm probably the only one cheering for Dean here, but I can't help it. I love his broody gorgeous heroic self. Yes, I see the appeal of Michael and all his bad boy rep. But I'm so honestly done with bad boys. I feel like they're automatically the winners in every story nowdays. What about them good boys? Come on now. 
     Overall, this was a good story with some interesting characters. I really like the feel of the story and I'm excited to see where Jennifer takes it next. This book is out today! Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

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