It's NaNoWriMo Time!

All right, here we go. It's the time of year where we lock ourselves away from the family, increase caffeine levels and kiss our lives goodbye. It's NaNoWriMo!

As a former winner I realize  how taxing and intense it will be. I think I am far enough removed from the last experience to remember just how hard it was. But I also remember how proud I was of myself when I completed the 50,000 words in one months time.

In order to give my novel its best chance I will be signing off from all social media until December 1st. My first post when I return will be the book summary and cover reveal. My plan is to  publish by April 2015. I can share this though...

My novel will be book two in The Legends Of Elyndia series. Are you ready for the title...Ensnared.

New To My Shelf

It's no secret that I am a cover junkie. So I pretty much decided I was going to buy this book without even knowing what it was about. But as luck would have it, it's full of magic and mystery, two of my favorite things.

I am halfway done reading Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White and I am really enjoying the story. Check back next week for the review.

I bought The Iron Trial because it was penned by one of my favorite authors, Cassandra Clare. I love all of her books and I anticipate that I will enjoy this one as well.

I know that a lot of people have noted similarities between The Iron Trail and Harry Potter and I am fine with that. I loved Harry Potter and stories about kids going to magic school. So bring it on!

Just Finished Reading...Ruin and Rising

Yes, I realize this is not a pic of Ruin and Rising. :)

*This is more about my thoughts on the series as a whole, not just Ruin and Rising.*

There is something very comforting about reading books in a series. When you start the second and third books you are already familiar with the characters, the world, and the writer’s style. It’s like slipping into a favorite pair of jammie pants and cozying up under the snuggie. 

I just finished reading Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo and I have to say I am very pleased with how the YA Fantasy trilogy wrapped up. It has been at least a year since I read Seige and Storm but I easily slid back into the Grisha’s land of Ravka. Alina, our brave heroine, grew right in front of our eyes. She started out a mere orphan in a war torn land and progressed into powerful Sun Sommoner in a very believable way.

This well thought out story was written in a way that ties everything together and everything that happens is for a reason. As a writer this series is an excellent example of how back story and secondary characters, if done properly, enhance a story without bogging it down.

There was humor, joy, hilarious banter and even a fare share of sad; everything a good story should have. I would love to go into depth about the emotions I have over Alina, Mal, and Nikoli, but it would spoil the plot for those who have yet to read these fantastic novels. And for those of you who have already read it, you know what I’m talking about.

So as the story came to a close and the depression began to take hold I clicked through to the final pages of the book to find a note from the author about her next series. *joyously claps because now all is right in the world* It’s a story that takes place in the island country of Kerch, located west of Ravka in the True Sea. There we will meet Kaz Brekker, “thief and gang leader often called Dirtyhands”. I have no idea when we will be graced the upcoming release, but I can already tell you that I will be first in line to buy it.

The Scandinavian Santa Book Blitz and $25 Amazon GC Giveaway

Thank you for stopping by The Scandinavian Santa book blitz. This yuletide tale was written by Victoria Lindstrom, and illustrated by her husband, Michael Lindstrom. Make sure to check out the giveaway below!

Publication date: Sept 16th 2014
Published by: Deeds Publishing
Genre: animal fantasy, Christmas.


Journey to the enchanted land of Scandinavia, where, nestled in the Nordic Forest, lives Santa Swanson. Each winter, this nephew of St. Nicholas has his own Christmas Eve delivery to make—but what that is and to whom has long been hidden. With the help of two mischievous flying polar bears, Gunnar and Ludvig; a rescued golden eagle, Lars; and a host of other whimsical creatures; Santa Swanson prepares for his annual sleigh ride down Viking Valley! Delight in this yuletide adventure complete with a fanciful ice skating party, a rustic holiday feast, and an unexpected reunion with Santa Swanson's famous uncle. In the midst of all this wonder, the forest friends learn a heartwarming secret from a Christmas angel revealing the magic of generosity.

Available to purchase from Amazon and Apple Ibooks.
You can add it to Goodreads.
Visit Victoria's website.

Victoria Lindstrom was born in Southern California and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. In 2014, her first book, The Scandinavian Santa, was published with artistic contributions by her husband and fine artist, Michael Lindstrom. Prior to becoming a full time writer, Victoria earned a degree in Dental Hygiene from Clark College in Vancouver, WA. She and her husband live in Washington State where they are active advocates for the arts in their community.

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