Upcoming Books I’m Psyched to Read!

   Hello lovelies,

   So today I bring you some more excitement. Yes, I'm deep in my revision cave. I'm way more behind than I'd like to be, but that's another blog post all together. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like, but I'm getting there. I made a list of 21 books I wanted to read this summer (there's a vlog about it and everything), but there are some books releasing soon that I can't wait to get my hands on. So today, I give back to my wonderful author friends and focus on them. Because that's how we roll around here.
Anyway, here we go.

   I have to start here, people. Sorry, it couldn't be helped. I cannot even begin to explain to you how excited I am about this book. I would post a synopsis here, but since this is book 3, I don't want to spoil anyone.
   If you haven't picked up this series, you NEED it in your life. No joke. Sarah is pretty much the BEST storyteller ever and her characters are so amazing, you won't want to put the book down.  I'm just saying. I'm going to be re-reading the first 2 books before this one comes out because I NEED it.

   READ THIS SERIES, PEOPLE. That is all. :)

   Release date: September 2nd, 2014

   This is another book 2, so no synopsis for you. BUT. This book guys, THIS BOOK. I LOVED The Burning Sky. I cannot even tell you. I know some people had problems with it, but I couldn't put it down. There is just something about these characters. I can't help it. It's so great. Just everything about book one, so I'm super duper excited for book two.

   If you've read book one, tell me what you thought! Also, THAT COVER. They did good.

   Release date: September 16th, 2014

   Sorry guys, I'm all about sequels apparently. Sisters' Fate is book 3 in the Cahill Witch Chronicles and I NEED this book in my life like Oh MY!
   Seriously, if you haven't checked out this series, you need to. I love Jessica's writing, I love her characters, I love love love it all.
   There's just such a great feel about these books. I don't know how to explain it, you'll just have to experience it.
   It needs to be August already just so I can have this book in my hands. It's a need. I'm serious.

   Release date: August 14th, 2014

   Just like any other morning, Skylar Rousseau is late for school, but when she is greeted by a blanket of silent stares upon entering Blackfin High, she discovers that the whole town thought she fell from the pier and drowned on her sixteenth birthday three months earlier. However, Sky remembers the last three months living her life as normal, and since she is full, living breathing human being, she has no idea whose body is buried underneath her tombstone. 
Everyone seems reluctant to help except her steadfast friend and crush, Sean...and a secretive man who draws her to a mysterious circus in the woods. 
   Sky must wade through impossibilities and lies to discover the truth about what happened to her, which proves to be a bit difficult when someone is following her every move with the intent to harm her. And Sky's only hope of finding the answers she seeks may have already been turned to ashes. 

   Oh look, synopsis. What can I say? I've heard nothing but great things about this book and I want it now. That is all. 

   Release date: September 2nd, 2014

The girl knows she's different. She doesn't age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams - a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel. 

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Johan. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally - a rogue Angel, named Gabriel. 

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? 

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is. 

   So this book, guys. This book. I saw someone raving about it online and I had to check it out and wow! I cannot wait to read it. I read the opening chapter and I want more NOW. Please!

   Release date: October 7th, 2014

   So here are just a FEW of the books I cannot wait to read. What is on your wish list? Let me know below. And back I go, my revisions cave is calling my name. Seriously. It's creepy. 

   Much love, 

   Valia 

BEA 2014 Recap!

   Hello lovelies,

   I know, I know, FINALLY. A lot of you have been asking for a recap, but I really didn't want to post one until I filmed my BEA Book Haul. Well, I guess it'll have to be a different post, because here we go.

   Day Before.

In a cab from the airport. 

   I got into NYC on Wednesday, around 17:00, and didn't get to my hotel till about 18:00-18:30. My CP, Amy, was already in town and she went to the Teen Author Carnival. After situating myself at the hotel, that's where I headed to meet up with her and go to dinner. Getting there meant taking the Subway...by MYSELF. I walked over to Times Square (which is about seven minutes walk from the hotel) and got on the train. JUST LIKE A NEW YORKER. BOOM.

Just taking a stroll.

   I met some authors at the carnival, but ended up taking a picture with Jen and Cara only. I know, I'm horrible. Julie Kagawa was there as well! They're all such sweethearts, I can't even.

Jen Jen!!! 

The amazing Cara!!! 

   Afterwards, we went out to Mac Bar for dinner. Amy introduced me to DJ (who is the nicest ever) and Liz (she has amazing hair). New friends, yay!

Yum!

   Day One. 

   Or another name would be- LET THE MADNESS BEGIN.

The coolest CP around, Amy!

   This was my first year at BEA, so I had no idea what was going on. Amy and I walked over to the event together, since we were staying in the same hotel, and started out our day with Starbucks. Bless the book people and their love for coffee! Also, I might've freaked out over the fact that my badge said Author! :)

   I created a list of events I wanted to go to, but let me tell you, that only worked for a few. It's so different once you're there and the energy is flowing and you just want to be everywhere at once. Amy and I separated randomly throughout the day, but ended up sitting in a few lines together.
   The Harlequin Teen lines was nuts, but we actually got there in time to get to meet everyone.

   I also got to meet R.L.Stine which was such a huge deal for me, I can't even describe it. When I first came to America, I read a lot of his books and Christopher Pike's. It was fun to chat with R.L. Stine about Russia (since his grandparents are from there) and we even got to take a picture!

AMAZING!!!

   The other HUGE highlight of the day was meeting Brenda Pandos face to face (FINALLY). We've been reading each others books for years and have never met. I spent a good hour trying to find the Amazon Publishing booth and when I finally did, Brenda found me! She is seriously one of my favorite people and I'm so excited we were able to meet up.

Such a sweetheart!

   There were a few "big" names around, so I took pictures walking by. Billy Idol ended up throwing a punch my way and that was kind of cool.

   I actually ended up leaving the even around 16:00. I didn't buy tickets to some of the later signings and I was honestly so tired by then. Plus, I was so hungry. You really don't get to take a moment to eat if you don't plan on it.

   I ended up going out to dinner with Brenda, Kristi Cook, and Chrissy. We went to this Italian family restaurant and had some delicious pizza. Afterwards, we decided to walk the streets of New York, instead of getting a cab and that was just fantastic. We talked and laughed and got turned around a few times. It is definitely one of my favorite memories from this trip.

Keste Pizza and Vino

Washington Square Park

Empire State Building

   Day Two. 

   Or another name would be - OMW IT'S MY SIGNING DAY.

   It started out with coffee and a breakfast sandwich from a local deli. Fuel, baby!
   Then, while we were standing in line, DJ and Amy pushed me WAY out of my comfort zone and made me go down the line, giving out my bookmarks and inviting people to my signing. I can't even tell you how proud I was of myself, because like most authors, I just rather sit and write. Coming up to random people is not my forte.
 
   I have to be honest, I was excited about the day and all the authors I would meet, but my mind was on my signing pretty much all day. I was bummed we didn't get to Sarah J. Maas line, but people waited more than 2 hours in that line, so it just didn't work out for us.

   Also, more big names were around!

Kathy Reichs!

Jane Lynch

   I also got to meet my girl Rachel Harris. And the awesome Erica Cameron. And Megan Whitmer (who I did not get a picture with. Fail). And Kelsey Macke.

 

They're so pretty, I can't even handle it!

   Another point of awesome, I got to meet Jesse the Reader, Kat from Katytastic, Christine from PolandBannanasBooks, Ariel Bissett, and Jeremy West. Yes, I'm a huge BookTuber fan and these guys are FANTASTIC. They were the sweetest, while I fangirled all over them, so yeah. That happened.

    And I would insert a picture here but I didn't take one so ALL THE TEARS.

   Then, it was time for my signing.

   I honestly don't even know how to talk about this without tearing up a little. It was the best experience ever. I had a line pretty much as soon as I sat down, and I was out of books in 20 minutes.

    20 MINUTES, people! WHAT????

    I basically have no words. So here are some pictures.

This girl was the sweetest! So glad I got to meet her!

AH! There I am!

A LINE!! Woot woot!

   After the event was over, Amy and I ended up going out to dinner at Times Square. It was awesome to spend time with my CP, talking about books and life in general. She is the best and I am beyond blessed to have her in my life.

Day Three.

   Or another name would be - WHAT WHERE THEY THINKING?

   Seriously, MADNESS. It was the day of BookCon and they just didn't plan this out well because it was way too crazy for words.

Yes, Cassie Clare in the house!

   I did, however, get to meet Lanie from Ginger Reads, Shannon from Cozy Tea Reads, and Kassidy Voinche. I'm a huge fan of them on BookTube as well, so that was lots of fun! They are the sweetest!
(And yes, once again, I've failed at taking pictures. Boo).

   I also got to meet and hang out with two amazing ladies, Vicki Leigh and J.A. Ward. We ended up standing in line for Maggie together. I also met Tawny Bland there, which made me laugh because she's from AZ.

Maggie!!!

   Sadly, this was my last day at NYC and I had to leave the convention center by 11:30 to make it to the airport on time.

The view from my room. It was hard to say goodbye.

   I cannot even describe the amazing experience I had in the city. I loved being in NYC, I love that city so much, but what made it so much more special are all the amazing people I met.

   I know I'm forgetting names, I'm sorry! I cannot even describe how amazing it was to have people come up to you and know you before you have even introduced yourself. As exhausting and crazy as this experience was, it was the best and it has rejuvenated my author blood and I can't wait to get to know all of these wonderful people better!

  Well, this was a long post! Hope you made it through! I'll be filming and posting a Book Haul video from the event, maybe today or tomorrow.

   Also, if you did meet me, make sure to say hi! I want to keep in touch with all of you beautiful darlings!

   Much love,

   Valia
 

BEA 2014, Here I Come (in gif form)!!!!

   Hello lovelies, 

   So, in case you can't tell by my title, I am excited about BEA! So SO excited. 

Does that mean that in my excitement I am all ready to go? That would be a definite no. I have one outfit in my suitcase. Maybe. 
   But that's besides the point because it's BEA time and I'M READY!

   Now, if you're going, I WANT TO SEE YOU!

   In case you missed it, I have a signing:

        Friday, May 30th       1:00-2:00pm        Location: Table 3005

   I'll be signing copies of Falling by Design and talking about my new book, if you're into that kind of a thing. 

                                                 
   I'm so excited to have the opportunity to go and meet all the wonderful bookish people. If you're around, come say hi! I'll probably be the one giddy with glee, walking (or skipping) around. Seriously, if you see me, DON'T BE SHY. Come say hi!!!

   Much love, 

   Valia 

Bout of Books 10.0 TBR!!!

   Hey there lovelies,

   So, I guess this is the year I try to participate in read-alongs. I've seen people's videos on YouTube about the Bout of Books read-a-thon but I've never participated before. I was also going to film a video, but since I've been a little under the weather, no one wants to see that. Ha.
   Anyway, I'm being a little ambitions. I'm planning on reading a total of 6 books this week, which is a big number for me. With work and finishing this book, I'm going to do my best, but I guess we'll see. I am off to a good start tho! I've already finished one book today.
   I'm going to go ahead and post a picture of my reading pile and then add the covers and goodreads links if you want to follow me and gauge my progress.
   Good luck to everyone participating! I'm excited!

   And the ebook I've already finished...

Such a cute read!! I need more of these stories in my life. 

If you click on the cover, it'll take you to the Goodreads page. 

So excited to finally read this book! Did you know this book has a soundtrack? Yes! Love that!

This book has been on my TBR for way too long. I got it for review and never read it. Look at that cover tho! So beautiful.

So basically everyone I know has read this book, but me. I'm on a huge contemporary kick right now and after reading On the Fence, I can't wait to get into this one! It sounds awesome!

Okay, I have no idea why I've waited this long to start this series. I LOVED Vampire Academy and been looking forward to this series for a while. And then it just kind of slipped through my fingers. I own the first two books, so it's about time I started it.

I really enjoyed book one and book three just came out a few days ago. I'm excited to dive back into this story and see how it resolves itself. I love me a good survival adventure.






So, that is it for me! What are you guys reading? Anyone else participating? Let me know!

I'll see you on the other side.


Much love,
Valia 

BEA, BEA Signing, and Other Randomness!

   Hello lovelies,

   Today I'm here to talk about shoes. No, I'm kidding. You all know I'm here to talk about BEA because DID YOU SEE THAT HEADER?
   That's right, ladies and gents, yours truly is going to BEA.
   *Round of applause*

Oh thanks you guys!

   I can't even tell you how much of a dream come true this is for me. It was complete and total miracle for me to get the time off necessary to go and I'm so beyond excited. The MOST exciting part (except for meeting all you wonderful people) is the fact that my book is to be feature in the New Title Showcase. That's right. You get to see my pretty for the duration of the conference, in all of it beautiful glory. (No, I'm not biased at all).

   This brings me to the other MOST EXCITING part of BEA. I have a SIGNING! That's right. I, Valia Lind, author of Falling by Design, will be signing books at the New Title Showcase on Friday, May 30th at 1pm.

  CAN I GET A HOORAY???

  Okay, yes, I'm excited. I can't wait to go to NYC and spend time with all the wonderful people who make up the book community. If you're planning on being there, LET ME KNOW! I'd love to meet you and I'd LOVE for you to come to my signing!

   In other random news you all want to know....

   1. My YouTube channel is getting a bit of an upgrade. I decided I wanted to feature some book reviews along with all the other things I already do on the channel. Make sure you come and check that out!
   2. Book 2 of Falling series is in full swing! Chance and Dakota are having a blast dominating my writing right now and I'll be sharing some snippets of their story soon. So be on the lookout for that!
   3. In case you missed the little doodley-do on the side, you can now order SIGNED copies of Falling by Design from yours truly. If you can't make it to BEA, this is a great opportunity for all of you.
   4. Speaking of Falling by Design. Some of you have had questions for me in regards to the story and I want to be able to answer all of them. So if there is something that you would like to know when it comes to my book, ASK!!! I'll do a post where I answer all the questions I can!

   Okay, phew! I think that's all for now. HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?? I'm excited. Excited. Excited.

   Hope you all have a fantastic week!

   Much love,

   Valia