Pitch Wars Mentee Bio: Get to Know Me!

Yes, I've succumbed to the masses. 

It's time to #PimpMyBio

I mean, come on. The stalking needs to be mutual, right? 

So, here's a quick overview of who I am (also, for all you new blog followers, this is good thing. You get to know me too). Yay! Everyone wins!

1. In case you're new here, my name is Valia Lind and I'm a bookaholic. (Hi Valia). I don't actually considering this a problem since I love books and books love me, but some may view my overflowing stacks of books a little problematic. But never fear you wonderful writers you, I won't be stopping my book buying love any time soon. I will read them and I will fangirl over them like it's my job. Because sometimes I feel like it is. 


2. I'm Russian. Which might not be a big deal to most, but guys, this means I can cook. And bake. Mmmm good. Basically, if you're friends with me for any length of time there is a possibility I will send you cookies. Or brownies. Or cookies and brownies. Which basically means you'll be well fed and happy. Oh, that reminds me. I actually have some goodies to bake. Moving on. 

3. I'm a huge cheerleader when it comes to the book community. I know this is supposed to be a bio to show off why you, my dear mentor, would want to pick me and cheer for me. But I think the cheering goes both ways and trust me, once you have me in your corner, I AM IN YOUR CONER. 

This might mean a lot of gifs sent your way. Just saying. 

4. I'm a superhero by night. Really. It's legit. I obviously can't say any more, but I save lives. It's kind of my thing. *shrugs* 

5. I am absolutely and entirely serious about this whole writing thing. I know this is a duh point, but I really feel like I should mention it here. I love writing with a passion that burns deep. I can't imagine not giving it my all to this part of me and that's why I decided to enter this contest. I'm terrified but I'm doing it. This is what I want to do with my life, I want to bring smiles and sadness to my readers faces, and if that means criticism and rejection until I find that one perfect place for myself, then BRING IT ON. 

Well, I hope that gave you a little bit of an insight into who I am. If you have any questions, of course, don't hesitate to ask. You can always find me on twitter (@ValiaLind). 

Awe, you awesome mentor you! I feel the same! :)

I heart you all!

Now, PICK ME! PICK ME!

Valia 

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 

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!

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="">

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 

Book Spotlight: Preservation Series by Rachael Wade and Giveaway!!!

Hello lovelies,

Today, I have a special treat for you! The Preservation Series is stopping by my blog for a little visit.

Fear is sabotage’s sweetest weapon.

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage. 

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor. 

But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first.

Old Habits Die Hard.

Ryan Campbell is not only leaving his title of Professor behind to move on to bigger and better things at Simon and Warden Publishing, he’s also become Seattle’s rising literary star. Sitting on the overwhelming cusp of newfound fame, he learns soon enough that being popular has its downside. 

Attracted to the buzz surrounding his new career, former lovers begin to creep back into his life, and potential ones emerge with enticing advances. While he works to juggle reserved, yet stressful, wedding plans with Kate and his new public image, he has enough to manage without worrying about Carter and Dean—Kate’s loveable albeit eccentric friends—and their latest shenanigans. 

Surrounded by a lifestyle that includes temptation at every turn, Ryan finds himself immersed in a world full of scandal and lies, where his oldest weaknesses thrive and his ghosts return to haunt him. Questioning whether his life with Kate is his best path, he must discover if he’s still capable of being the man he aspired to be when she first became his, or if happily ever after is only an illusion.

Featuring characters from Love and Relativity.

Carter Montgomery spent most of his life blending in, and he liked it that way. It was always better to be seen, not heard. And while a theatric streak and friendly demeanor might have fooled most people, he knew the truth—he was the shy one. The quiet kid most people forgot about. Some might have considered that a bad thing, but those people all wanted to be in the spotlight.

The only place Carter didn’t mind attention was on stage, with The Hellions. Once content in his comfort zone in Seattle, Washington, he only knew three things: confrontation was to be avoided, keeping the peace was priority, and the moment he lost Kate Parker to Professor Ryan Campbell, he had no clue what to do with his life. Playing gigs, working at Pike Place Market, and watching BBC after the love of his life sailed off into the sunset just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.

Desperate to escape his rut, he takes a cue from Kate and chooses a random place to relocate—a small island across the country, where no one knows his name and memories of unrequited love aren’t found at every turn. Just when he thinks he’s found the perfect place to unwind and sink back into the shadows, in bursts Whitney Sinclair, a saucy firecracker who loves life and refuses to settle for second best. Full of contagious energy, she dares him to be brave, convincing him that it might finally be time to tell the world what he wants.

It might be time to make a declaration.

From Goodreads.com

Review:

This series is all kinds of interesting. We have the main heroine Kate, who's a proud stand up-ish girl. Ryan who's the playboy. And Carter, the musician. The three books come together in one intricate story. I was super excited to see Carter got his own story. I have quite the love for quiet boys, those who don't necessary strike you as the "hero" type. Also, musician. Hello. There's just something about him that pulls you in. He goes off to find himself, and that he does. Also, he finds Whitney. She's a great contrast to his quiet personality and make a good team.  Declaration can be read as a stand-alone, or part of the series. I hope you guys check it out and see what it's about for yourselves. 

Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keepers Trilogy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Also visit her at Lights ON Outreach or come chat with her on Twitter@RachaelWade.

Now, it's giveaway time!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you'd like to get your own copy or follow Rachael on goodreads, there are links below!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Preservation-Rachael-Wade/dp/0984020845/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1380651682&sr=8-4&keywords=Rachael+Wade
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4831558.Rachael_Wade

I hope you guys enjoyed this little look into the Preservation Series. If you've read it, let me know what you think! You know I love hearing from you!
Have a fabulous day!

Much love, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine & a Giveaway!!!

Hello lovelies,

Today I have a special kind of a treat for you. If you don't know about my complete adoration for Chelsea Fine, well, you do know. I adore this woman and her writing!! I'm so excited to be part of her journey as I introduce you to her new New Adult title, Best Kind of Broken. This book sounds right up my alley and I can't wait to read it. 

The cover of Chelsea Fine's upcoming new adult novel BEST KIND OF BROKEN is here! 

And in honor of the occasion? A GIVEAWAY!

 

Synopsis

Pixie Marshall's freshman year of college ended two weeks ago, as did her residence in the school dorms. Which meant she needed of a new place to live and, subsequently, a job. So she started working at Willow Inn because one of the job perks—and she'd use that term loosely—is free room and board. But what she hadn't realized was that her free room shares a hallway and a bathroom with the only person she was hoping to avoid for the rest of her life: Levi Andrews. Hot guy. Handyman. Keeper of all her painful memories.

Once upon a time, they were best friends on the brink of becoming something more, but that was before everything went to hell. All Pixie wants to do now is avoid him completely---which is easier said than done. Because despite everything that happened before, Pixie misses Levi. And it seems Levi hasn't let go of his feelings for her either. (Now available for pre-order.)

And now...

ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!

To enter, simply spread some cover love for BEST KIND OF BROKEN! You can make the cover your Twitter avatar, post it on Facebook, pin it on Pinterest, slap it on Google+...the possibilities are endless! The more places you share the cover, the more entries you receive!

Here's a square pic, perfect for Twitter avatars and FB profiles. ;)

** THE PRIZES **

There will be three winners. Each winner gets to choose one:

$50 Amazon Gift Card or

$50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card or

A character named after YOU in Chelsea Fine's next NA novel!

Whoo-hoo! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September Wrap-Up and October TBR

Hello lovelies,

In case any of you are wondering what I'm reading, here's my TBR video for this month.



What are you guys reading this month? Let me know!

Much love, 

Valia