Book Spotlight: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

So I haven't done a book spotlight in a while. Sorry about that. I'm going to try to get back to reviewing books more often for you wonderful people.

  
  After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

   From Goodreads.com

   
   Before I begin, can we please talk about this cover? I saw this book on Goodreads when the cover was first released and I added it to my TBR right then and there. Granted, I also really enjoyed the premise for the story, and let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed. 

   I won't dive into the summary too much, because I feel like the small tidbit actually covers it pretty well. I loved the whole best friends on a road trip story, and this one pulled me right in. 
   Meet Reagan. She's your average troublesome tough girl. Honestly? She took me by surprise a bit when I first started the story. Maybe it's just because I haven't ready many stories with bad girl protagonist, but I have to say, I had to love Reagan. Well, except at the end of the book when she was stubborn, but that's a different point. What I liked about Reagan is how real she was. There wasn't any fluff about her, she just tells it like she sees it. Sure, she's cynical and untrustworthy and broken, but aren't we all a little? And I think that's why I could relate to her so much. 
   The other part of the story that I truly loved is the Reagan and Dee's friendship. Maybe I just need more contemporary in my life, but sometimes I feel like friendships get overlooked in books in leu of romance or other big deal problems. I really liked seeing how real Reagan and Dee were with each other, how it was truly about the other person for them. It's having one person pick up the broken pieces and hold you while you're trying to put them together, while, sometimes, crying your eyes out. It's what best friends are for and these two showed it well. 
   And yes, Matt. Let's talk about Matt. Oh holy goodness, that boy. He's just so undeniably sweet and good and everything a girl needs in her life. I loved how basically good he was, no pretenses with those he cared most about. He took care of those around him and he fought for what he wanted. Yes, his life wasn't perfect, but he did good with what's been handed to him and I respect that. I especially loved him and Reagan together. The tension between them was thick and real and so much fun to read as it all unraveled. It was just so good!
   Open Road Summer is the perfect read for all those whole love stories of true friendship, figuring out who you are, and finding those special people you can trust. I'm excited to see what Emery Lord has in store for us next! Open Road Summer is now out. Get it, read it, love it!

   Happy reading, 

    Valia 

Cover & Synopsis Reveal: Falling by Design by Valia Lind

   Hello lovelies, 

   Did you see that title?? Are you ready to see my beautiful wonderful cover??? What about the synopsis? Good! Because I am way beyond ready to share it with you. 

   Ready?




   How about now?






   And now???


   Okay, okay. Here it is!!!!

   

   Drum roll please....

Synopsis:

Brooklynn Summers has a plan for her life: graduate from high school, get into a top fashion school, prove to her family that she’s not a failure. She wishes someone in her life understood her need to create because her parents sure don’t support her dreams, her sister hates her, and the deadlines are soon approaching. 

Enter Grayson Banks. 

There are a few things in life Brooklynn can’t stand: mismatched patterns, cheap polyester, and Grayson. No boy has ever publicly humiliated Brooklynn like Grayson has. When he suddenly moved away in eighth grade, Brooklynn happily wished him good riddance. But on the first day of senior year, Grayson comes back, with his piercing blue eyes and a smile that melts icebergs, he is not exactly the boy Brooklynn remembers. She quickly realizes that Grayson’s intentions have completely shifted, but she’s not sure if she can put their past behind her.

Grayson understands Brooklynn’s creative ambitions and he devises a plan to showcase her work to the world. When the two agree to work together, suddenly, there is more than just fabric paint that’s having a chemical reaction to its environment. Brooklynn cannot help but feel pulled into Grayson’s arms, but memories and misunderstandings surface, putting in danger whatever small comradeship these two childhood enemies have constructed. 

Can Brooklynn overcome her own insecurities, finally making her dreams come true? Even a dream she didn’t know she had.

Official release date: March 12, 2014

   What do you think? Do you love it? Because I LOVE it!!! Regina at Mae I Designs did an absolutely fantastic job at capturing what I wanted for the story.  

   Now, for the full jacket. 

   Basically, I cannot get over how wonderful this cover is! I'm so beyond excited to share this book with you. 

Now, if you'd be so kind, please follow the links and spread the word! I'd heart you forever and ever!!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20427616-falling-by-design

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ValiaLind

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/journeyofadreamer

   Be on the lookout for teasers, blog tour, and giveaways!! I have awesome things in store for you! Thank you so so much for all your love and support!

Much love, 

Valia 

Cover Reveal Sign Up!!

Hello lovelies,

It is finally that time! Are you excited? Because I'm EXCITED!!!!

Seriously. I cannot believe that it's already the end of January. Time sure flies when you're having fun :)

I am deep in my revision cave trying to make this book fantastic for all of you wonderful people. I'm also working on some fun giveaways and some awesome gifts for said giveaways. Just...so much excitement!

But, I cannot do it all without you! I need your help and I hope you're as excited as I am because this cover reveal cannot happen without you!

I will be revealing the cover and the synopsis sometime in the end of February. This is a YA contemporary romance so if you're into that kind of thing.... :) 
I don't have a definite date yet, but as soon as I do, emails will be going out! So please, sign up and let me know where I can find you.
Also, if you guys would add my book on goodreads, I'd be eternally grateful.
I heart you all so much!!!




Much love,

Valia

Book Spotlight: Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

From Goodreads.com

Things I Can't Forget is a story about Kate, the good girl who has to make some tough decisions in her life. Summer time comes and Kate sets off to work as a counselor at the local camp. There she meets a boy from her childhood, Matt, who is no longer how she remembers him. Together, these two must overcome their own insecurities and make choices that will change their lives forever. 

You guys all know I adore Miranda's writing. Her characters are what drives her stories and I love that. Kate is unlike your typical heroines. She is a good girl and she's not ashamed of it. I loved that about Kate because so often, it's the bad girls who get all the attention. Even though she had some things to work through, I loved that she took a stand and stayed true to it. 

Now Matt, oh darling Matt. I swear Miranda cannot write bad male leads. I have loved Henry and Will to pieces, and Matt is no different. He is also a good boy and he's not afraid to be. I think this is the part of the book that I love the most; the fact that you can be the "good" child with strong convictions and be happy. You don't have to be rebellious and such to have fun. I loved Kate and Matt together and I really enjoyed seeing the mutual respect between these two. For how young they are, they acted mature when it came to their relationship and it was great to see. 

Yes, this book wasn't all beds of roses, but it was well written and showed different aspects of teenage life that people may not think about. Things I Can't Forget is a sweet story of standing up for what you believe, loving with your whole heart, and being who you are. The book comes out March 1st! 

Happy reading, 
Valia