Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Edge of Falling, Falling #2

   Hey lovelies,

   Oh. My. Goodness. I CANNOT believe the day is finally here! You work so hard to get to this point, and here it is, and it's excitement galore!!!!

   Are you guys ready to see this beauty? 

   Seriously, are you sitting down?

   Que the excitement.....

    OKAY HERE IT IS!!!

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 13th, 2014 

(Ebook & Print)

SUMMARY:

For Chance, there's always only been Dakota.

He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck.

Until Kyle comes along. 

Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plants, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness? 

When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity. 

Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?

As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling. 

ADD IT ON GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

Now, here's the full cover! I'm so in love with it, I can't stop staring. Regina did a fantastic job, once again. I could hug her!

   How freaking gorgeous is it? I'm seriously so in love. Oh wait, I said that already. 

   You can pick up book one, Falling by Design now! 

   Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Design-Valia-Lind/dp/1495967808/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1406314850&sr=8-1

   Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-by-design-valia-lind/1118734529?ean=9781495967801

   Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Falling-by-Design-Valia-Lind/9781495967801

   And now for the giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Much love,

   Valia

On Writing: Daily Doodle and a Question for my Readers

   Hello lovelies,

   I can't believe it's already the end of July! Where has this year gone? I'm still hard at work making Edge of Falling the best it can be and in case you guys missed it, the cover reveal for the book is THIS WEDNESDAY!
  Who's excited?
   If you'd like to help with the reveal, you can sign up here: http://valialind.blogspot.com/2014/07/cover-reveal-sign-up-edge-of-falling.html

   Anyway, if you guys are following me on Instagram, you've seen the Daily Doodles I've been posting recently.

I've been getting a lot of questions in regards to them, so I thought I'd take a moment to answer.

   1. Why Daily Doodle?
       Simply? I'm an artist at heart. I used to paint all the time, but with work and writing (which is also work) I just haven't had the time. I stumbled upon Zentangle sometime in the beginning of the year and have been playing around it since then.
       Also, because of my artist ways, doodling helps to clear my mind and prepare me for a day of writing! It's like a start up exercise to get my brain going.

   2. Did you know Shannon Messenger does Daily Doodles?
      Yes!!! She was actually the one who encouraged me to make it a daily thing. She's fantastic, is she not? I'm still trying to get to her level.

   3. Why Zentangle?
       I'm just such a huge fan of patterns. I don't know what it is about it, but it really does clear my mind in that special way Zentangle is said to do. I'm not planning on keeping it just to these, I'm planning on expanding my horizons and my art, so be on the lookout for that!

   4. What pens do you use?
       I'm in love with the Faber-Castell pens! They have been my favorite since the beginning, back when I was trying to figure out what works for my Smashbooking pages. I use the F and B sized black pens for most of my pictures.

   5. Why black and white? And will you do color?
       Why not black and white? I love the contrast of the pictures in its simple form. But yes, there will be color as soon as I find me some pens!

   I hope that answers some questions you've had. I'll post some of my favorites down below.

   Now, a question for you.

  Would you be interested in an Etsy shop from me?

   Let me know in the comments!

   Much love,

   Valia

Cover Reveal Sign Up: Edge of Falling (Falling #2)

  Hey lovelies,

  It's that time again! So much excitement! Seriously, I cannot believe my book will be out in the world in less than 3 weeks!!! *Que panic*

   Anyway.


   I'm so excited to share the cover with you all. Regina did an AMAZING job and it fits the story and the series perfectly. So if you'd like to help me reveal, sign up below!




  Much love,

  Valia

Teaser Tuesday: Chance & Dakota Feels!

   Hey lovelies,

   I seriously cannot believe we're almost at the end of July. Where has the time gone? If you missed my announcement yesterday, Edge of Falling is scheduled for release the 2nd week of August!! YEAH! That's only 3 weeks away!
 

 I'm excited!

 And nervous.

 And so ready to share Chance & Dakota's story with you!

 But also nervous. Did I mention nervous?

 ANYWAY.

 It's time for another teaser! Let's get to that!


   We stand frozen, studying each other in that new way of ours. I'm trying to figure out what to say, how to put him back into that special place I keep locked up inside of me. Suddenly, I'm hot from my hike, my clothes sticking to my body at my back. I can tell he wants to ask what's going on with me. He's so good at reading my moods. He's waiting for me to say something, anything, so I go for the one thing I know will put us back on even footing. 
   "Did you jus squeak?" I ask, letting my eyes squint in contemplation. 
   He stands up straighter, offended. "I'm a man. We don't make those kind of noises." 

   Awe. I do love me some Chance and Dakota feels. How about you? Leave me a comment telling me what you think!

   And here's a teaser picture to tie you over as well :)

How cute are they? :)

  If you haven't yet, you can add my book on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

  Also, there's just a few more days left to sign up for an ARC copy: http://valialind.blogspot.com/2014/07/arc-sign-ups-for-edge-of-falling.html

  Much love, 

  Valia

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Beaty in the Ashes by Micalea Smeltzer

Some stories are fairytales...but this isn't one. 

Caelan Gregory's life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He's angry. He's bitter. He's barely human anymore. There's nothing left to remind him of the straight A student, and football quarterback he once was...but he wasn't a good person then, and he's certainly not a good person now. He's retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she's not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her - after all she's always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn't do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can't ignore his desire to get to know the raven haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

From Goodreads.com  

   This book is NOT for everyone. I know Micalea has said it and it's worth repeating. This book is not a fairytale, it's not about two people living happily ever after. At least not in the way conventional books write about. It is a NA Standalone Dark Contemporary Romance. Just a warning :)

    That being said, I found this book amazing. No, I've never had my family murdered or gone through what Sutton has gone through, but at the same time, I can relate to the brokenness of both characters. And these two are beyond broken. They're shattered. It hurts to read their story, it pains you as a reader to see what kind of a life they've lived, but at the same time, it gives you hope that things can get better.
   I think it was particularly relatable for me to read this book because I saw this kind of life in my line of work. I saw first hand how broken people can be. And I saw it when there was no hope. I'm not saying this book will leave you all warm and fuzzy at the end. It probably won't. I will be honest and say that I cried reading the last couple of chapters because they touched my heart.
   Did I want a different ending? A part of me did. But at the same time, I understood the decisions these two had to make and the maturity they both arrived at, at the end.
   That's what I loved most about the book. Is the growth of both Caelan and Sutton. The understanding that sometimes the hardest decision is the best one and that sometimes we need to let go, rebuild, start over.
   It's hard to review this book without giving much away, but I want people to read it, because it's a story that deserves to be read.
   It is DARK and TWISTED and filled with broken people, but just like the title says, there is Beauty in the Ashes and this story has proven that in it's pages. Micalea did a fantastic job, crafting a story that will stay with you long after you've read the last word.

   Because I want everyone to have a chance to read this book, I'm giving an E-copy away!! All you have to do is fill out the form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway  

   Even if you don't win, I still hope you pick up this book and see what it's all about for yourself. Just be prepared for the feels!


   Much love,

   Valia

Edge of Falling Summary

   Hello lovelies,

   August is quickly approaching and while I don't have a definite release date for you just yet, it's definitely going to be AUGUST.

   How absolutely amazing is that? I'm freaking out. But in a good way. I think. Maybe.

   Anyway.

   Today I have something special for you. The back summary of book 2!!! I won't drag this out, so read on!

   Edge of Falling:

   For Chance, there's always only been Dakota. 

   He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck. 

   Until Kyle comes along. 

   Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness? 

   When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity. 

   Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance? 

   As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling. 

   So, what do we think? Are you as excited as I am? If you are, there are two things you can do.

   Sign up to read an ARC of Edge of Falling: http://valialind.blogspot.com/2014/07/arc-sign-ups-for-edge-of-falling.html

   Add Edge of Falling on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

   I heart you all to pieces!!! One month to go!!!

   Much love,

   Valia

ARC Sign Ups for Edge of Falling!

   Hey there lovelies,

   I can't believe that it's almost that time again. You know, that time when I have a new book out? YES. I'm hard at work in my writing land (I have some exciting things in store) and cannot wait to share all the things with you.

   Speaking of sharing, did you see the heading for this post? That's right, there are ARCs of Edge of Falling and you could be one of the first to read it!!! Que excitement.

   I'm very excited and nervous to share Dakota and Chance's story with you, just because I feel like it's a bit different from Falling by Design. Which it should be. Since Dakota and Chance are NOT Brooklynn and Grayson.

   But ANYWAY. If you're interested in reading Edge of Falling (you do NOT have to read Falling by Design first, since this is a companion novel), sign up below!


   Thank you, thank you, to all of you who will sign up and to all of you who have been so supportive. I'm so excited I FINALLY have books for you!!!

   Now, if you're excited, RAISE YOUR HAND! (Comment below. I want to "see" those hands)

   Much love,

   Valia

I Have a Title!!! (and it's amazing)

   Hello lovelies,

   So, things are happening. Technically, things are always happening, but lately, they've been REALLY happening. I've made some crazy big changes in my life recently. Exciting changes. TERRIFYING changes. 

    Yes, I've finally taken the leap and became a FULL TIME WRITER.

    BOOM.

   Que screaming.

But good kind of screaming....

     Anyway, this is not why we're here. We're here because book two in Falling series comes out in just under TWO MONTHS and it finally has a title!!! 

    Are you ready to find out what that is?

   How about now? 

   Now?

   Okay okay :) The title for book two is EDGE OF FALLING

   What do you think? You like? I like. Actually, I LOVE. 

   AND you can add it on Goodreads now! 

   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

Winning. 

   I'm so excited (and nervous) for you all to read Chance and Dakota's story! 

   Much love, 

   Valia 

Road Trip Wednesday: WIP Playlist!

   Hello lovelies,

   So since I didn't post a teaser yesterday, I decided to participate in Road Trip Wednesday. I know, it's been a while.

   This week's topic is: Share a song from your writing playlist.

   Oh, so many songs to pick from! I love the playlist for this book and I hope you will too. Because I can't pick just one, you get two.




   My friend shared this song with me and I knew, instantly, that this was going on my playlist. I can picture Chance singing this to Dakota. She might punch him in the face for it, but he'd sing it anyway. :)



   This one has more of a Dakota feel about it. She's definitely a stubborn one.

   What do you think? Are you excited for Falling 2?

   If you're writing, let me know what's on your playlist!

   Much love,

   Valia