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A Walk in the Park with Veronica Rossi

Hello lovelies, 
Welcome to another Walk in the Park with your favorite author! I have to say I’m super excited about today’s guest. Veronica Rossi is the debut author of Under the Never Sky (Review here). I absolutely and completely loved that book and Veronica is quickly turning out to be one of my favorite people! Everyone, please welcome Veronica Rossi!


*round of applause*

Welcome Veronica! Thank you so much for taking the time to take a little “walk” with me.

Under the Never Sky is a fabulous story. (I’m seriously in love with the story. I couldn’t put it down. But you’ll see that in my review lol) The world building is truly fascinating. What was the inspiration behind the world you created?

Thank you, Valia! The world came out of a desire to compare past and future, technological advancement with something primitive. I read a lot and spent time brainstorming for a few weeks and it began to come together.

Aria is a strong character who overcomes a lot challenges before her. (I really liked how she struggles to overcome the prejudice of the world she grew up in.) What was the hardest part in writing her? 

Well, to be honest, the hardest part was staying true to her prejudices! In the beginning of the story, she had to be terrified, and a little cruel. Her exile into the outer world wouldn’t ring true otherwise.

Perry is a very complex individual. (and fascinating, and *le sigh* I love me some tortured heroes.) His struggles are very compelling within the story.  What was the best part in writing him? 

I love writing Perry because he’s quiet on the surface but there’s a lot going on underneath. He’s very loyal and incredibly kind, once you get through his walls. He’s just a blast to write.

I know you’ve mentioned this before but who was your favorite character to write and why? 

This question is practically unanswerable! Of course, the two leads. I also adore writing Roar and Marron. Soren was quite fun, as is Hess. See? I’m just naming them all….

What can you tell us about the rest of the series? (CANNOT wait!!! 🙂 

: ) Thank you! Well, I’m working on it now, and I’ll say that the stakes really climb. The Aether ramps up, and people start to panic and make some surprising–and sometimes poor–decisions. The Still Blue goes from being a rumor, to the only chance for survival.

What is one thing you wish you knew before beginning writing? 

How much patience it takes! And that revision is the best part of the process. I could revise endlessly and be happy.

Do you think being an artist helped you as a writer? (Sometimes I feel it helps me to take a break from writing and just paint or have a photo shoot.) 

That’s great to hear! And I do think my art background brought something to my writing. I’m extremely visual. I need to be able to see the things I write. 

Coffee or Tea (I always seem to ask this question) 🙂 

Coffee in the morning. Tea in the afternoon.

Favorite Desert

Not much for dessert, but I’ll say anything chocolate!

One world you wish you could live in

Whatever world my sons and husband are in 😀 

Favorite book growing up

Anything Judy Blume, and then later, anything Tolkein or Arthurian.

Thank you so much for joining me on my “Walk in the Park”!!! 

Thanks so much for having me, Valia!

So, what are you guys waiting for? Have you checked out Under the Never Sky? What do you think? 

Much love, 

Valia

In My Mailbox #28: The E-Book Edition

Hello lovelies,
So, I wasn’t going to do an IMM this week, because I decided to do it every two weeks. But I realized that I get a lot of e-books and I always forget to share them with y’all. Thus, my plan is to do physical books one week and e-books another. What do you think?
Click on the images for links to goodreads pages: 

Thanks to Netgalley!

Another Netgalley thank you!

Thank you Entangled Publishing!

Some of these I have already read, and LOVED! Look for the reviews in the future! I have to ask, has anyone read the Celestra Series? Thats what I’m reading ATM and Loving it! Its pretty addicting! What are your thoughts?

What is in your mailbox?

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART. 

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. 

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim. 

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild – a savage – but might be her best hope at staying alive. 

If they can survive, they are each other’s best hope for finding answer.


From Goodreads.com


Aria is a Dweller. Perry is an Outsider. One night, their paths are brought together and then everything changes. This book pulled me right in. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed Aria and Perry’s characters (along with everyone else). There is so much truth in these pages, written with excellence that will leave you wanting more. But I digress. 


Aria is a wonderful character. From the beginning of the book she is growing and developing. When she is kicked out of her home, she’s in despair. Yet, she doesn’t give up, she becomes a fighter.
Perry has always been a fighter. After all, his life requires him to kill or be killed. When his world crashes around him, he must make decisions he never thought he would. These two become allies.
I loved Aria and Perry’s characters and their relationship. Nothing about their world is easy, including the alliance they develop, and that is the beauty of the book. Veronica created a place of pain, brought two characters together, and taught them that not everything is how it seems. Even though I wouldn’t want to live in a world filled with Aether and storms that burn your flesh, I wouldn’t mind finding myself a Perry. This book is filled with twists and turns, beautiful characters, and a lesson we all must learn. Beauty is found in the deepest hearts of people. I sat, stunned after reading the last page of the book and I cannot wait for more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dystopian genre and characters that stay with you long after the pages are read.


Veronica is a sweetheart and she will be stopping by a “Walk in the Park” in the near future. I hope you guys get your hands on Under the Never Sky and come back to hear a few insides about the story. 


Have you guys read this book? What are your thoughts? 


Much love, 
Valia 

A Walk in the Park with Robin Mellom

Hello lovelies, 
I have a special treat for you this morning on our Walk in the Park. I’ve asked Robin Mellom, the fabulous author of Ditched: A Love Story (review here), to share a little about perseverance as a writer. So here is a bit of encouragement for your day!

There were several times I wanted to give up in my path to publication, but it was the advice from other writers, agents and editors that kept me going.

I remember being a conference once and an author said, “If you’re getting good feedback on your writing, do the work and then wait in line for your turn.”

I really think that’s true. While we’re waiting for our turn, we have to do the work. Write the book. And then write another one. And then…yes…write another one. 

My first book that sold, DITCHED, was actually the sixth book I’d written. And I don’t regret writing those other books for one moment. They helped me develop my skills, find my voice and develop the confidence to take a concept like the one I came up with for DITCHED and do it in the way it deserved. I wasn’t ready to write that novel ten years ago. 

However, the gravy for this story? The very first book I wrote  (yep, ten years ago!)  is now being re-imagined and will be published as THE CLASSROOM in June. So you never know if something sitting in that drawer might season up nicely for the future. 

My follow-up to DITCHED will be a companion novel titled BUSTED. Here’s a quick summary:

In BUSTED, 17-year-old Serenity takes a job running errands for an eccentric couple and finds herself involved in the crazy world of LA nightlife. After a misunderstanding lands her in jail, she has one fateful night to clear her name, help a rising movie starlet avoid the paparazzi and find Adam, the coworker who is quickly stealing her heart.

As she makes decisions that can change the course of her life, Serenity discovers just how far she’ll go to set the record straight. 


Anyone else feel as encouraged by this as I do? 


Hope this brightens your Monday! Have a wonderful day! 
Much love, 
Valia 

In My Mailbox #27: The One with More Signed Books!

Hello lovlies, 
How are you this fine day? Here’s another IMM for you! I added some random theme to it. Enjoy!





Tori Scott – http://www.toriscottya.com
Marni Bates – http://www.marnibates.com
Jessie Harrell – http://jessieharrell.com
A Picador Paperback Original


What is in your mailbox???


Happy reading, 
Valia

Cover Reveal: Evergreen by Brenda Pandos

Hello lovelies, 
Today I have another cover reveal for you! Brenda is a friend and one of my favorite authors and I’m so excited to be part of her cover reveal. I read and loved Everblue, book one in the Mer Tales series (Review here) and I cannot wait for this book!
Now, without further due!


Drum roll please!

Evergreen, book #2 in Mer Tales 

Release Date: June 29, 2012

Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Synopsis:

A kingdom on the brink of war.

A king on the fringes of insanity.

A family running for their lives.

 Ash and Fin’s only desire is to be together and dive into their happily ever after, though their conflicting worlds work to pull them apart. Neither is ready to convert to the other’s life: become a human or a mer. Little do they know that somewhere in Natatoria a secret holds the fine fabric of everyone’s lives together. If the truth is discovered, Ash and Fin will no longer have the luxury of waiting. They’ll be forced to choose. But will it be for loyalty or love? Or will someone else make the choice for them if they can’t decide?

Enter the watery world of treachery, greed, and the binding mer kiss as the story continues with Evergreen, book two of Mer Tales.

   Goodreads for Evergreen:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12905437-evergreen
   Website: brendapandos.com
   Blog: brendapandos.blogspot.com
   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenda-Pandos-Author/147707291958883 
   Twitter: @brendapandos 

What do you guys think? 


Have a wonderful day! 
Much love, 
Valia

New Beginnings

Happy February 1st minions! How are you on this fine day? I’m going on no sleep but this post is way over due so here we go!

Yapalloza:

Guys, you have no idea how much fun I had at this event! First of all, all of those authors are fabulous.

Courtesy of Cecil Castellucci

The question and answer section was amazing. Some quotes from the day:

Good fiction never lies to you – Tom Leveen

Writing YA is like reliving all of life’s firsts – Bree Despain

When you get an idea, write it down before you forget. I bet you have a lot of stories in you. – Anna Carey

I can’t tell you how excited I was to meet everyone, especially Anna (hi Anna). It was so nice to finally meet her face to face! She’s a darling! 

 

 

New Project:

Remember how I mentioned that new project I’m working on? Did you see my Pinterest page with all the inside info? Guess what? I’m in LOVE! This story is fabulous and amazing and awesome! I’m not sure how y’all are going to feel about it but I love when a plan comes together (Yes, I just totally channelled my inner Captain Hannibal). 

Winners:

YA Giveaway hop: Kathryn – Destined by Jessie Harrell

          Ashley – Entwined by Heather Dixon

          Sarah – $10 Gift Card 

Destined Giveaway : Andreea and Angela

Emails have been sent! You have 48 hours to respond!

Well I’m off to get some sleep before I fall over. Much love!

Valia 

Young Adult Giveaway Hop!

Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer & Down the Rabbit Hole.

Since I love giveaways so much I have another one for you!!!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

<a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”>You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.
Make sure to visit the other blogs on the hop!!! 
Happy hopping! 
Much love, 
Valia

Book Spotlight: Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag’s moving car…

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

From Goodreads.com

Ditched is a story of Justina and her prom night. Her dream came true when best friend (and hopefully something more and soon) Ian asked her to prom. We meet Justina in the early morning as she is pushed out of a car and lands in a ditch. Her dress torn and stained, she walks to the closest gas station for some help. What she finds is a place and people who want to hear her story. So she takes us back to the beginning and tells us what happened.
From the first pages this book captured and held my attention. Justina is a fun, real character who has a problem with assuming things which leads her into a lot of trouble. Following the journey on her prom night, we discover how she sees the world and people around her. It was intriguing getting to know the characters as she sees them, and it added a special touch to the story.
Enter Ian. He was such a epitome of a perfect teenage boy I just need to take a moment to fan myself here. He’s kind, energetic, and with a heart of gold. They really should make more of them like it, just saying. His relationship with Justina is heartwarming and sweet. Above all else, he is her best friend, and isn’t that how the best love stories start?
Robin created a prom night that made me wish I actually went to mine. She tells the story in a delightful way that leaves you laughing and crying right along with the characters. If you enjoy movies like Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles, Ditched is a story for you. Ditched will make you fall in love and leave you smiling long after you read the last pages.

Ditched is a fabulous debut from Robin Mellom, so go out and get it now! Also, make sure to check back for a little “Walk in the Park” with Robin sometime next week! 

Much love, 

Valia