Valia Lind's Blog, page 43
May 30, 2011
Phoenix Comicon Recap
Prepare for a lengthy post :-)
Hello lovelies! As you can tell by my title I went to Phoenix Comicon this weekend. It was my first time at any convention and let me tell you, it was a blast! Now, unto the gory details. :) Friday. We (my best friend and I! See IMM #3) arrived around 10:30 am and made our way to the Exhibitions Hall. Oh boy! I have never seen so many people doing so much wacky stuff! We got us some souvenirs (posters of fab movies) and proceeded to walk the lines. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. I really do mean enjoyment.
Next, we made our way upstairs, searching for some of the panels. Before settling in any of the rooms, we made ourselves some cool accessories. Yes, that is a wand and yes, that is a tiara. 
Then, we headed to the panels. We met up with Shesten of I Heart Monster and shared a few words. She's a sweetie and I loved the fact that I "met" her through her blog first. We went to a few panels, staying only long enough to grab a word of wisdom or two. After all, there was just too much to see and we wanted it all.
Fairy Tales in the 21st Century was by far one of my favorite panels. The lovely ladies Jordan Summers, Aprilynne Pike, and Janni Lee Simner were fabulous and fun! So much wisdom for a newbie writer such as I. I had the chance to talk to Aprilynne afterwards. I met her a few months back and was so glad to see she hasn't forgotten me! (Yes, a fan girl moment if you must). Have you read Illusions yet? It's amazing! :-) We ended up leaving early to head over to Body Worlds, but came back for the Zombie Walk and Amateur Voice night.
Saturday. Heading over to the convention center around 10:30 am we made it to a few awesome panels. Of course that's Paul Cornell! I could listen to him talk all day! :) After Robert Duncan McNeil we headed to the ballroom for some Spock fun! Yes, Leonard Nimoy in all his awesomeness! I have to say, that man is not only talented but hilarious! Aaron Douglas was next on our list and then we had to find some food. The need was overwhelming.
Overall, Phoenix Comicon was a great experience. It definitely helped with my "missing-BEA-blues." Of course, spending time with my best friend made it even better!
Hope you enjoyed my little recap. I honestly could go on forever just talking about all the costumes we saw, but I rather not. Pictures speak louder than words!
Now, I must get back to work! Slacker me! Much love, Valia
Hello lovelies! As you can tell by my title I went to Phoenix Comicon this weekend. It was my first time at any convention and let me tell you, it was a blast! Now, unto the gory details. :) Friday. We (my best friend and I! See IMM #3) arrived around 10:30 am and made our way to the Exhibitions Hall. Oh boy! I have never seen so many people doing so much wacky stuff! We got us some souvenirs (posters of fab movies) and proceeded to walk the lines. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. I really do mean enjoyment.
Next, we made our way upstairs, searching for some of the panels. Before settling in any of the rooms, we made ourselves some cool accessories. Yes, that is a wand and yes, that is a tiara. 
Then, we headed to the panels. We met up with Shesten of I Heart Monster and shared a few words. She's a sweetie and I loved the fact that I "met" her through her blog first. We went to a few panels, staying only long enough to grab a word of wisdom or two. After all, there was just too much to see and we wanted it all. Fairy Tales in the 21st Century was by far one of my favorite panels. The lovely ladies Jordan Summers, Aprilynne Pike, and Janni Lee Simner were fabulous and fun! So much wisdom for a newbie writer such as I. I had the chance to talk to Aprilynne afterwards. I met her a few months back and was so glad to see she hasn't forgotten me! (Yes, a fan girl moment if you must). Have you read Illusions yet? It's amazing! :-) We ended up leaving early to head over to Body Worlds, but came back for the Zombie Walk and Amateur Voice night.
Saturday. Heading over to the convention center around 10:30 am we made it to a few awesome panels. Of course that's Paul Cornell! I could listen to him talk all day! :) After Robert Duncan McNeil we headed to the ballroom for some Spock fun! Yes, Leonard Nimoy in all his awesomeness! I have to say, that man is not only talented but hilarious! Aaron Douglas was next on our list and then we had to find some food. The need was overwhelming.
Overall, Phoenix Comicon was a great experience. It definitely helped with my "missing-BEA-blues." Of course, spending time with my best friend made it even better!
Hope you enjoyed my little recap. I honestly could go on forever just talking about all the costumes we saw, but I rather not. Pictures speak louder than words!
Now, I must get back to work! Slacker me! Much love, Valia
May 23, 2011
Armchair BEA - Welcome!!!
So, since I'm a poor, "can't take time off work" author I couldn't make it to BEA this year. *sad face* However, catching up on blogs today I ran into Armchair BEA! *happy face* I'm so excited to be part of this! It gives us non-goers a chance to participate! Now, let's begin the introductions.
My name is Valia and I am an author. I work two jobs outside of writing and attend college classes, so my 'blog lurking' is done mostly at night. I absolutely love book blogs and am so excited to be part of an online community with so many wonderful people.
Seriously, you guys rock! I couldn't imagine my writing journey without you! I have met more wonderful people than I can name.
Now, for some random facts about me. I've started this blog as a way to encourage myself in my writing journey. Now, I try to do as many reviews as possible because you can imagine just how much I love books!
Remember Belle in Beauty and the Beast? Let's just say I can relate! Get me one of those libraries and I will be happy. Forever.
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. I love traveling and long for the day when I can finally visit all the places on my list (its quite a list).
Aside from reading, I love photography and movies. I always carry some kind of a camera with me, and I will take pictures of pretty much anything. Yes, thats a plate of food greeting you with carrots!
I'm not sure how much I will be able to participate, but I will do as much as I can. Thank you to the amazing group who came up with the idea and hosting it! Feel free to browse my blog and tell me what you think! Now, how are you participating? Can't wait to see what Armchair BEA has in store for us!
My name is Valia and I am an author. I work two jobs outside of writing and attend college classes, so my 'blog lurking' is done mostly at night. I absolutely love book blogs and am so excited to be part of an online community with so many wonderful people.
Seriously, you guys rock! I couldn't imagine my writing journey without you! I have met more wonderful people than I can name. Now, for some random facts about me. I've started this blog as a way to encourage myself in my writing journey. Now, I try to do as many reviews as possible because you can imagine just how much I love books!
Remember Belle in Beauty and the Beast? Let's just say I can relate! Get me one of those libraries and I will be happy. Forever.
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. I love traveling and long for the day when I can finally visit all the places on my list (its quite a list).
Aside from reading, I love photography and movies. I always carry some kind of a camera with me, and I will take pictures of pretty much anything. Yes, thats a plate of food greeting you with carrots!
I'm not sure how much I will be able to participate, but I will do as much as I can. Thank you to the amazing group who came up with the idea and hosting it! Feel free to browse my blog and tell me what you think! Now, how are you participating? Can't wait to see what Armchair BEA has in store for us!
Book Review: Only Mine by Susan Mallery
I know I have a few posts to catch up on, yet I couldn't help but do another spotlight. I loved this book and wanted to share it with as many people as I could. I promise I will try to catch up this week! :)
You can't win if you don't play…
Her town's lack of men may make headlines, but it isn't news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool's Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town.
Finn Anderssen will do anything to keep his twin brothers—the perfect contestants—off the show. Despite Dakota's better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn't dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV.
From Goodreads.com
Welcome back to Fool's Gold, California. I am thrilled about this series. I love the town and all the people living in it. Truth be told, I've been missing it a little. Only Mine did not disappoint. It welcomed me back with open arms and heartwarming stories. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I guess I do that often, but I'm seriously in love with this series. Only Mine is a story focusing on the first of the Hendrix triplets, Dakota. I liked the family from the very beginning. I wondered right away about the dynamics of a family such as theirs. Dakota is a sweet and caring person, with a knack for getting stuff done. She get's "volunteered" to help a TV producer on a show set in Fool's Gold. The show brings many different characters to town including twin brothers followed by their extremely concerned older brother Finn. I liked Dakota and Finn's relationship from the moment he walked into her office, yelling. The way Dakota took control of the situation and put Finn in his place was just what I wanted to see. She really has a way with him. I liked seeing their relationship develop, and Finn is just yummy. The man has the heart the size of Alaska. The way he cares about his brothers, although may be annoying, is also outstanding. And when Dakota needs someone, without even realizing it, he is there. I could really relate to Dakota in various aspects of her life, and sometimes thought Susan was writing about me. Susan has a way in connecting her readers with her characters that make an impact. The subplots in the story were wonderful. The two brothers, twins but oh so different, each must learn important lessons about life. I won't go into detail but Stephen and Auriel were a definite unexpected favorite. The town itself is a story and Susan never disappoints. She brings these characters right off the pages, making them face real challenges, make decisions, and find happiness in their own lives despite the odds. These are the kind of stories that stay with you. Only Mine shows us that sometimes we don't know exactly what we're looking for, and that miracles still do happen. I can't wait for the next installment of the series. Susan is a terrific writer whose stories will make you laugh, cry, and realized that life is full of surprises, but it is your own personal convictions that make the difference. Only Mine comes out July 26th, 2011. Buy it, read it, love it! Much love, Valia
You can't win if you don't play…
Her town's lack of men may make headlines, but it isn't news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool's Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town.
Finn Anderssen will do anything to keep his twin brothers—the perfect contestants—off the show. Despite Dakota's better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn't dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV.
From Goodreads.com
Welcome back to Fool's Gold, California. I am thrilled about this series. I love the town and all the people living in it. Truth be told, I've been missing it a little. Only Mine did not disappoint. It welcomed me back with open arms and heartwarming stories. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I guess I do that often, but I'm seriously in love with this series. Only Mine is a story focusing on the first of the Hendrix triplets, Dakota. I liked the family from the very beginning. I wondered right away about the dynamics of a family such as theirs. Dakota is a sweet and caring person, with a knack for getting stuff done. She get's "volunteered" to help a TV producer on a show set in Fool's Gold. The show brings many different characters to town including twin brothers followed by their extremely concerned older brother Finn. I liked Dakota and Finn's relationship from the moment he walked into her office, yelling. The way Dakota took control of the situation and put Finn in his place was just what I wanted to see. She really has a way with him. I liked seeing their relationship develop, and Finn is just yummy. The man has the heart the size of Alaska. The way he cares about his brothers, although may be annoying, is also outstanding. And when Dakota needs someone, without even realizing it, he is there. I could really relate to Dakota in various aspects of her life, and sometimes thought Susan was writing about me. Susan has a way in connecting her readers with her characters that make an impact. The subplots in the story were wonderful. The two brothers, twins but oh so different, each must learn important lessons about life. I won't go into detail but Stephen and Auriel were a definite unexpected favorite. The town itself is a story and Susan never disappoints. She brings these characters right off the pages, making them face real challenges, make decisions, and find happiness in their own lives despite the odds. These are the kind of stories that stay with you. Only Mine shows us that sometimes we don't know exactly what we're looking for, and that miracles still do happen. I can't wait for the next installment of the series. Susan is a terrific writer whose stories will make you laugh, cry, and realized that life is full of surprises, but it is your own personal convictions that make the difference. Only Mine comes out July 26th, 2011. Buy it, read it, love it! Much love, Valia
May 22, 2011
IMM #3 - The Special Edition
We're nuts, I know, but it was so much fun! Special thanks to:
Dee @ Good Choice Reading - http://www.goodchoicereading.com
Heidi Ayarbe - http://www.heidiayarbe.com
HarperTeen
Disney Hyperion
And I know it's a little late but I had a busy weekend! What do you think of our video?Much love,
Valia
May 14, 2011
IMM #2
Huge thank you and lots of love to:Thanks to:
Yara @ Once Upon a Twilight
http://www.onceuponatwilight.com
Andrea & Tevya
http://www.readinglark.blogspot.com
Tena @ Crazy Book Slut
http://www.crazybookslut.com
Check out their awesome blogs!What is in your mailbox?
Happy reading,
Valia
Book Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.From Goodreads.com
I should begin by saying that I have never before liked steampunk. I have tried the genre before, unsuccessfully. The Girl in the Steel Corset changed that forever! I absolutely love this book. I went in thinking that I will have to make myself read it, because even though I adore history, I'm not big on history novels. Right away, this book pulled me in. From the first pages, there is conflict, action, and a character who kicks some serious butt. Finley Jayne is a girl with a secret. She is introduced to us as a tough and independent character who will stand up for herself if the situation calls for it. Her unique personality brings an edge to the story, making it even more fantastic. Then we meet Griffin King, The Duke of Greythorne, royalty who is a genuinely sweet and caring person. He has a way about him that you cannot help but love. (He's definitely on my list of boy book crushes) He is the kind of young man who puts the needs of others above his own, while still remaining tough and unmovable. He, like our heroine Finley, carries a secret of his own. That makes him sweet, mysterious, and exciting. (Now, I need to find me one of those). His three friends, Sam, Emily, and Jasper (Ah, Jasper) are all unique individuals with abilities of their own. Each one plays a part in the story making it more thrilling with every page you turn. Honestly, I am so glad I decided to give this book a chance. I am officially in love with this series and genre! Kady is a brilliant writer who pulls you into the world of the future in the past, making it come right off the pages. In a world full of automatons, villains, and individuals with real emotions, the book is a wonderful debut into the series. I cannot wait for more! The book comes out May 24, 2011. Buy it, read it, love it! :)Happy reading,Valia
PS. I decided to spotlight a few books on this blog every month. However, I will continue to post most of my reviews on my other blog Art of Discovering What You Believe. I love discussing books, so leave me comments here and over there! Hope you enjoy my spotlight! :-) Let me know!
May 11, 2011
Giveaway alert! :)
Hey guys!
I'm here to point you in the direction of Good Choice Reading and their awesome giveaway of Vanish! That's right, you heard me! The amazing Dee is giving away her ARC copy of Vanish by Sophie Jordan!
How pretty is this cover???I can't even express the awesomeness of this! I loved Firelight, and if you haven't read it, why not? Go, right now, run, don't delay! Order it, buy it, read it, love it! :) And check out Good Choice Reading!
Much love,
Valia
I'm here to point you in the direction of Good Choice Reading and their awesome giveaway of Vanish! That's right, you heard me! The amazing Dee is giving away her ARC copy of Vanish by Sophie Jordan!
How pretty is this cover???I can't even express the awesomeness of this! I loved Firelight, and if you haven't read it, why not? Go, right now, run, don't delay! Order it, buy it, read it, love it! :) And check out Good Choice Reading!Much love,
Valia
May 6, 2011
I'll get you Henry Higgins!!!! (I received an award!)
I don't know what to say. Except for... ...I can't wear this at work. I never thought anything like this would happen to me. I kind of hoped it wouldn't. But now that it has... ...I just want to say that... ...I'm very... ...very honored. And... ...moved. And... ...truly touched. And... ...I really do want world peace.Ok, so I'm no Sandra Bullock. Or Miss Congeniality. However, the super talented, sweet, lovely Jennifer Archer graciously presented me with the Stylish Blogger Award. I'm just so honored! Someone reads my ramblings? *hides* (But I guess its too late for that).
So I must say, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I humbly accept the award and the responsibility. I will be posting seven random things about me in the near future, and choosing my own successors. Take a gander at Jennifer's blog and all its beauty! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Lots of love to all you wonderful people! *bows* *princess wave* Much love, Valia
So I must say, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I humbly accept the award and the responsibility. I will be posting seven random things about me in the near future, and choosing my own successors. Take a gander at Jennifer's blog and all its beauty! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Lots of love to all you wonderful people! *bows* *princess wave* Much love, Valia
April 30, 2011
QUESTION FOR MY FOLLOWERS!!!!
Hello darlings!
So you know how I have a book review blog? Well, I'm thinking I might start doing the reviews on this blog. What do you think? Should I move all of my blogging to this blog, including the reviews? Let me know! You guys are the best!
And now I must get back to editing!
Much love,
Valia
So you know how I have a book review blog? Well, I'm thinking I might start doing the reviews on this blog. What do you think? Should I move all of my blogging to this blog, including the reviews? Let me know! You guys are the best!
And now I must get back to editing!
Much love,
Valia
April 23, 2011
ILLUSIONS Trailer by Aprilynne Pike *SPOILER WARNING"
How much to do you love this trailer??? I can't wait for Illusions!!! :-)Happy reading!Valia
