Showing posts with label Valia Lind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valia Lind. Show all posts

Book Highlight: Pieces of Revenge + Scarred by Valia Lind | Excerpt | Giveaway



Pieces of Revenge by Valia Lind
Book #1 in the Titanium Series

A weapon. A broken life. A humanity lost.

That is all Anastasia knows, that is all that she is. As an eleven-year-old, she witnessed her family's brutal murder and she's been on the run ever since. She's spent her life training and planning for the day when she can take her revenge.

Kallos Enterprises is a well respected corporation, set on improving the genetic structure of an individual. Or so they say. Anastasia knows, first hand, what kind of monsters lurk behind the pretty walls of those skyscrapers. Armed with combat skills and a beyond perfect memory, she heads to Chicago to uncover the answers to questions that plagued her for years.

After arriving in the city, she meets Logan, a boy from her past who changes all the rules. She doesn't remember him, but he remembers her. His position at Kallos Enterprises is useful, his presence is unnerving, and he makes her question everything she knows about herself to be true. If her perfect memory can't remember Logan, what else about her past is wrong?

Time is running out. Anastasia has nowhere to turn, but to trust the one person who's a memory she should have, but doesn't. With a madman threatening their every step, Anastasia and Logan must uncover the truths behind Kallos experiments and hope that the answers they find won't destroy the world forever. 




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Blood splatters against my cheek, dripping down my neck.
       I don't bother to wipe at it, swinging my arm as my elbow connects with the other side of his face. My mind is always calculating, like a computer, spitting out information as I duck another punch. The man in front of me is large, almost twice as wide as me, and just as deadly.
       Height: 6’3.
       Weight: 215 pounds.
       Arms like steel.   
      He grabs my hair, yanking my head back as his other arm connects with my left side. I grunt in pain, swallowing the scream that’s about to burst free. I slam my elbow into his stomach, twisting under his arm in the same motion. My knee connects with his manhood, before my fist connects with his jaw once more.
       My moves are precise.
       Practiced.
       Lethal.
      "Son of a—" I round kick him in the face before he can finish. He drops to the ground with a thud, and before he could stumble to his knees, my foot slams into his face, dropping him for good.
      "That's no language to use around a lady." I say, looking down at him, making sure he stays down. When I'm satisfied he's out, I grab my bag and run.
      I should've been more careful sneaking in, but I memorized the schedule and there shouldn't have been anyone here. The warehouse sits against the backdrop of an abandoned neighborhood, so when my feet hit the payment, there is no one to see me escape. I almost stop and go back to finish the job, but I don't. He's not worth the guilt I would carry if I kill him. He's not the one I'm saving the guilt for.
      I got what I came for, even though it took me a few more minutes than I planned on. He didn't see my face, but he sure will have himself a headache tomorrow. Strangely, I feel rejuvenated after the fight, and I grin as I run down the side alley.
      Finally. It’s finally time to make them pay.



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Scarred by Vengeance
Book #2 in the Titanium Series

This is the mission: Save. Protect. Destroy.

Everything in Anastasia’s world came crashing down when the one person she decided to trust failed her. On the run, now more than ever, she’s trying to piece together the life she doesn’t remember. With Blake still missing, she sends the rest of the family away, hoping to keep them out of danger. But being alone is a lot harder than it used to be and she blames herself for allowing Logan into her heart. He’s gone now and she must let him go. Even though her perfect memory continues to play out the time they’ve spent together, much like a broken record.

But Anastasia has no time to dwell on the mistakes of yesterday; her mission isn’t over. Kallos Enterprises continue their experiments, as the death rate goes up, and Anastasia has no choice but to fight. However, she’s not as cold blooded as she used to be and that proves to be a problem when the people she cares about are once again put in danger. With her strength—and memory—failing and Blake’s time running out, Anastasia must tap into parts of herself she never knew existed, hoping that in the end, it will be enough to save them all.





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About Valia

Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.


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Giveaway

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Blog Tour Highlights: Falling by Design by Valia Lind + Giveaway




Title: Falling by Design
Author: Valia Lind
Genre: YA contemporary
Published: March 12, 2014

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.

This is a story about a girl with big dreams and a boy who helps her achieve them.
Purchase:
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Tour Schedule

April 2nd
TotalBook Geek | Top 5
YABook Madness | Review

April 3rd
CamisadoMind | Teaser

April 4th
ThatFandom Chick | Excerpt

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April 7th
ShortieSays | Excerpt
Booksare Love | Teaser

April 8th
WOrkSof FiCTioN<3 | Excerpt

April 9th
ALeisure Moment | Excerpt

April 10th
AvidReader Musings | Excerpt

April 11th

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April 14th
Paulette'sPapers | Top 10

April 15th

April 16th
BoricuanBookworms  | Review
BookAngel Booktopia | Highlight


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About Valia


Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.

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Giveaway



Blog Tour: Falling By Design | Valia Lind | Review | Giveaway





Falling by Design
Author: Valia Lind
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: March 12, 2014
Review Source: Author


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. This is a story about a girl with big dreams and a boy who helps her achieve them.

This story brings me back.  To the middle school years, of being picked at by a boy in class, that probably liked you, but instead of a normal conversation treated you so bad, because that was the only way they knew how to talk to a girl,  making fun and doing mean things, was as far it ever went.  This is the connection that first comes to mind when reading Falling by Design, by Valia Lind.  Falling by Design is a very quick and easy read.  Very realistic in it's story line, the plot truly keeps the reader reading from start to finish.  Each character is carefully crafted and truly represents real life characters that could easily jump off the page.  I find that a true strength in writing realistic fiction, is just that.  Creating characters that a live in their actions and descriptions.  Even the supporting characters of this story are highlighted nicely.

Brooklynn is living in the final year of life before she truly heads off on her own in the big world.  Just when she thinks it is smooth sailing for her senior year, in walks a boy of her past.  Grayson, no longer a boy but an attractive guy.  He bumps into Brooklynn and the rest is history.  However, will their history get in the way of a blooming relationship that may not be meant to be?  Or will Brooklynn break out of her fragile shell, experience life and take Grayson with her?  So back to the mean guy in middle school that I still remember, well 20 years later...he apologized and I laughed about it.  Brooklynn, however may not and miss out on something great that is hidden under a layer of past events.  







About the Author:  Valia Lind


Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.







Cover Reveals: The Queen of Zombie Hearts | Falling by Design | Elevated | Ruin and Rising



There have been quite a few cover reveals in the bookish world lately. Here are a few that stand out.



The Queen of Zombie Hearts
White Rabbit Chronicles #3
Release Date: September 30th 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

This cover is pretty badass if you ask me. Great tag line: "We're all mad here"


Falling by Design 
Author: Valia Lind
Release Date: March 12th 2014

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.

The cover of Falling by Design is sweet, perfect for a YA romance.


Elevated
Author: Elana Johnson
Released: February 18th 2014
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works

The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis, the guy she's been avoiding for five months.

Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.

But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.
I am loving the updated cover for Johnson's new release. It would totally make me pick up the book at the store.


Ruin and Rising
The Grisha #3
Release Date: June 17th 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. 

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for. 

This cover continues to match the cover before it. So glad that they haven't had a need to redesign the series. Love the red, makes the cover really pop.

Book Review: Simplicity by Valia Lind

Simplicity
Author: Valia Lind
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Christian Fiction
Released: February18th 2010
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Driven, beautiful Alexis Sinclair lives her life to the fullest, following her dreams of running a big company. But when her world is torn apart by a storm, everything she has ever known disappears. Now, marooned on an island with a group of men, Alexis must learn to live in a world made up of simple things. Letting go of every known convenience, she realizes how insignificant her life has become. Filled with unrequited love for her rescuer she must battle the demons buried deep inside and she must look within herself and to her faith to find the strength needed to survive. Strong and influential, Jacob Peterson, has done all he can to survive. When the fate turned its tables on him, he learned to cope with the inevitable. Plagued by his past and secrets buried there, Jacob exerts a rigid control, refusing to succumb to the joys, and torturous pain, of strong emotions. Without considering love a gift he may never receive, he believes--he chooses to live by strict set of rules. But when a strange beautiful woman washes up on his beach, the walls that he has put up long ago begin to crumble. Is she a punishment sent from God to torment his weary soul? Or is she a gift, sent from above, there to teach him how to trust? Who is this woman? And how will he stop himself from losing his heart?
Will he learn to forgive the past in order to save the woman he loves?


Simplicity is a contemporary Christian romance. It is the story of a very successful young woman (Alexis Sinclair) thriving in corporate America. She's just been given her dream job that comes with an immediate trip abroad in the company jet. Mid-flight her airplane is caught in a storm and crashes. Alexis is the sole survivor and is washed up on an island with the aircraft debris.

The island is already inhabited by 15 men that coincidentally survived another crash 5 years prior and have been marooned since. Alexis is saved by and is quickly drawn to Jacob. He is also immediately taken with her but on the surface only offers friendship. But as Alexis struggles with the Simplicity of her new life where physical work is mandatory for each person on the island, Jake struggles with demons from his past that affect his ability to show Alexis any feelings beyond friendship.

Religion and spirituality play a strong role in both Alexis and Jacobs thoughts and choices. As the book comes to a close you wonder if there will be a happily ever after for these seemingly star crossed lovers. The end of the story does not wrap up nice and neat with a rescue but leaves you in the real world where eventually faith and love are rewarded.

I thought that Valia Lind did a good job of weaving in the strong spiritual beliefs of her hero and heroine. There were aspects of this story that were spell-binding and parts, that for me, got a little hokey. I enjoyed her descriptions of the original storm that hits Lexi's airplane. The out of control airplane crash was a page turner for me. I know this was a love story...but the back and forth between Lexi and Jake went on a little to long in my opinion. Once I was done reading the book I had no problem separating myself from these characters. For me, the lingering thoughts and slight separation anxiety of leaving a good book is how I rate a story. That said, it was still a fast and enjoyable read.

 


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