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Finding You
Finding You is the explosive, twisting conclusion of Agony of Being Me, young adult romance.
** Amazing News ** Finding You has been nominated by Underground Book Reviews as a Pitch Perfect Finalist!! **July 25, 2016, Finding You is the Pitch Perfect Winner** Thank you Underground Book Reviews and everyone who put Finding You over the top.
Zoe has definitely come of age. Her body survived a brutal attack, but her soul has yet to recover. Deeply embedded emotional scars have changed the course of her life, influencing the once levelheaded girl's future. Haunted by loss and tragic memories, she struggles to fight her way through an urban high school so different from the suburban haven in which she grew up. Living with raucous cousins, Nino and Nina, she's quickly transformed from innocent to seasoned, soft-hearted to hard-headed, discarding her dreams of college and law school.
Music is her only salvation. She buries herself in writing lyrics, and composing songs on her acoustic guitar. Believing life as a rockstar sensation will make her whole again, she wangles herself into Chasing Dinero, a local band, grudgingly tolerated as songwriter and backup singer. But fame does not come without a price. There's Richie Santana, dark and dangerous. Denny Brisk, smooth, sexy and flirtatious. Touring in a bomb of a bus called Big Blooper, Zoe learns the hard way the lifestyle of rockers. Should she give her heart or save it for a one and only, or is he just a dream?
Jesse delays entering art school in order to keep his family service station operational so he can afford the home no longer occupied by his parents or reckless brother Jamie. Jesse vents his frustrations with a paint brush and a series of sexual encounters with a variety of women. Kirby enters his life, pulling every string off her bikini, luring Jesse to Miami where he's promised a dream job with the magazine for which she works. Jesse's not about to settle down, especially with Kirby, so he heads for his dad's ranch in Texas where a song brings him home.
** Amazing News ** Finding You has been nominated by Underground Book Reviews as a Pitch Perfect Finalist!! **July 25, 2016, Finding You is the Pitch Perfect Winner** Thank you Underground Book Reviews and everyone who put Finding You over the top.
Zoe has definitely come of age. Her body survived a brutal attack, but her soul has yet to recover. Deeply embedded emotional scars have changed the course of her life, influencing the once levelheaded girl's future. Haunted by loss and tragic memories, she struggles to fight her way through an urban high school so different from the suburban haven in which she grew up. Living with raucous cousins, Nino and Nina, she's quickly transformed from innocent to seasoned, soft-hearted to hard-headed, discarding her dreams of college and law school.
Music is her only salvation. She buries herself in writing lyrics, and composing songs on her acoustic guitar. Believing life as a rockstar sensation will make her whole again, she wangles herself into Chasing Dinero, a local band, grudgingly tolerated as songwriter and backup singer. But fame does not come without a price. There's Richie Santana, dark and dangerous. Denny Brisk, smooth, sexy and flirtatious. Touring in a bomb of a bus called Big Blooper, Zoe learns the hard way the lifestyle of rockers. Should she give her heart or save it for a one and only, or is he just a dream?
Jesse delays entering art school in order to keep his family service station operational so he can afford the home no longer occupied by his parents or reckless brother Jamie. Jesse vents his frustrations with a paint brush and a series of sexual encounters with a variety of women. Kirby enters his life, pulling every string off her bikini, luring Jesse to Miami where he's promised a dream job with the magazine for which she works. Jesse's not about to settle down, especially with Kirby, so he heads for his dad's ranch in Texas where a song brings him home.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2016
221 people want to read
About the author
January Valentine
15 books91 followersJanuary Valentine is the pen name of Victoria Valentine, New York writer and indie book publisher. See Victoria's Author page: amazon.com/author/victoriavalentine
I chose to use a pen name because some of my writing is steamy, and I wanted to separate Victoria, who writes contemporary fiction and children's storybooks. Since my birth month is January, January Valentine seemed an appropriate pseudonym.
I also host a blogtalkradio show: Away With Words, every Wednesday evening at 6 PM EST where I interview other writers and poets and discuss writing in general: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1
In June, I released my first paranormal romance, Beautiful Experiment, book one of Island of Defiance Trilogy. Wheel Wolf was released on August 20th, and instantly became an Amazon bestseller in Horror/Suspense/Paranormal.
I've written three other novels: Love Dreams contemporary romance, Sweet Dreams in the Mind of a Serial Killer, and Head Over Wheels New Adult romance. All are available on Amazon and other booksellers, or will be shortly in ebook and paperback.
I publish books for other authors through Water Forest Press, which I founded some years ago. In the past I have written poetry and song lyrics, but now I focus on fiction. I've created multiple websites and blogs that I don't have time to manage very well.
My desire to be in a rock band brought me into a recording studio ... where my lyrics sprang to life with the help of a local alternative rock band. Together, we produced a CD.
I enjoy designing book covers and youtube videos. I enjoy hiking and swimming. I love all kinds of music. Watching horror flicks and Tyler Perry movies are my escape from reality.
I have an addiction to engraved pens that I buy to accompany each of my books. My office is filled with paperbacks and swag.
My sites and pages.
http:// januaryvalentine.blogspot.com
http:// www.januaryvalentine.com
https:// www.facebook.com/ AuthorVictoriaJanuaryValentine
https:// twitter.com/ VictoriaSkyline
http:// pinterest.com/ janvicval/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 7, 2016
It is difficult to write a review of this exceptional book without getting into spoilers, which I absolutely will not do, even though it’s limiting to a certain extent.
When I read the prequel, The Agony of Being Me, I thought that a sequel was necessary and I looked forward to reading it, but Finding You far surpassed my expectations. Victoria Valentine has simply outdone herself. I am a big fan of her writing, particularly her Young Adult novels, and this one is far and away her best. It is a page-turner, fast-paced and electrifying. There are so many plot twists that I never saw coming, and an unexpected and heart-pounding finish that will leave you gasping for breath.
The characters of Jesse and Zoe, along with other supporting characters like Denny, are believable and relatable. Their interactions and dialogue exude warmth, passion, love and tenderness. The technique that the author uses, of alternating voices, is highly dramatic and effective and it takes a gifted writer to pull it off successfully. This is how the author builds tension, and she does so expertly.
This story of Jesse and Zoe should not be limited to teenage romance. The characters are so tangible and so authentic that this story of the deep and profound love between them transcends the realm of “young adult” angst and will touch the heart of anyone who has ever experienced what being in love is really like. If you are someone who enjoys getting lost in a book, this one is not to be missed.
When I read the prequel, The Agony of Being Me, I thought that a sequel was necessary and I looked forward to reading it, but Finding You far surpassed my expectations. Victoria Valentine has simply outdone herself. I am a big fan of her writing, particularly her Young Adult novels, and this one is far and away her best. It is a page-turner, fast-paced and electrifying. There are so many plot twists that I never saw coming, and an unexpected and heart-pounding finish that will leave you gasping for breath.
The characters of Jesse and Zoe, along with other supporting characters like Denny, are believable and relatable. Their interactions and dialogue exude warmth, passion, love and tenderness. The technique that the author uses, of alternating voices, is highly dramatic and effective and it takes a gifted writer to pull it off successfully. This is how the author builds tension, and she does so expertly.
This story of Jesse and Zoe should not be limited to teenage romance. The characters are so tangible and so authentic that this story of the deep and profound love between them transcends the realm of “young adult” angst and will touch the heart of anyone who has ever experienced what being in love is really like. If you are someone who enjoys getting lost in a book, this one is not to be missed.
August 9, 2016
This is a young adult with a touch of romance. This is the second book to the Agony of Being Me Series but personally I would love to read more about the future of Zoe. This is a exciting book, I was so entranced. I didn't want to stop reading until the last sentence was done. Poor Zoe, she finally found peace, I was so happy for her. BUT her best friend... I want to rip her head off myself. OH MY!! Ok. Just read the book... it is very emotional I must say. A must read!
Music is the only thing that keep Zoe going. Through school, it gave her an outlet. Just hearing her words sung even by someone else was enough to sooth her broken soul. But she was too good to be on the side lines, they needed her, so she became one of them... Chasing Dinero. But being a rock star is not all Zoe thought it would be. Sometimes enough is enough, and knowing when to walk a way is the right thing to do. This girl has been though pure hell, but she will not allow herself to be defeated. Zoe is scarred by loss, pain... she adapts the best she can and she learns quickly. She has come full circle, she has to set her path and follow through.
favorite passages:
"I close my eyes and let the emotions stirring inside me color the canvas."
"Blame your eyes. They threw me into a trance."
"Bury my sorrow is more like it."
"His eyes take on the color of the shirt, and I'm drowning in a turbulent ocean."
"Happiness come to she who appreciates raindrops, lacy branches swaying in a sweet breeze."
"Your heart will whisper"
"Maybe the aquarium. Do you have gills? Maybe a mermaid tail you're hiding under those sexy shorts and shirts of yours?"
"When I close my eyes, the door to the past slams shut. And when I open them, my future smiles down at me with eyes filled with trust and love."
Music is the only thing that keep Zoe going. Through school, it gave her an outlet. Just hearing her words sung even by someone else was enough to sooth her broken soul. But she was too good to be on the side lines, they needed her, so she became one of them... Chasing Dinero. But being a rock star is not all Zoe thought it would be. Sometimes enough is enough, and knowing when to walk a way is the right thing to do. This girl has been though pure hell, but she will not allow herself to be defeated. Zoe is scarred by loss, pain... she adapts the best she can and she learns quickly. She has come full circle, she has to set her path and follow through.
favorite passages:
"I close my eyes and let the emotions stirring inside me color the canvas."
"Blame your eyes. They threw me into a trance."
"Bury my sorrow is more like it."
"His eyes take on the color of the shirt, and I'm drowning in a turbulent ocean."
"Happiness come to she who appreciates raindrops, lacy branches swaying in a sweet breeze."
"Your heart will whisper"
"Maybe the aquarium. Do you have gills? Maybe a mermaid tail you're hiding under those sexy shorts and shirts of yours?"
"When I close my eyes, the door to the past slams shut. And when I open them, my future smiles down at me with eyes filled with trust and love."
Read
July 10, 2016Zoe and Jesse have been through so much, heartbreak, trouble, anger, and hurt that you'd be surprised they can continue to live. Although, if you asked them, they'd both tell you that they haven't been living, just going through the motions. Both struggling to find themselves, trying to find out who they are, they make really stupid decisions. How much agony can someone face, before they just give up? Will Zoe and Jesse ever find their way back to each other? And if they do find each other again, can they move beyond their pasts to finally find true happiness?
Mrs. Valentine has woven yet another tale that I'm sure will become one of my favorite series ever. Her masterful storytelling leaves me in awe with each story I read. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with.
Unfortunately, I can only give this book a 5 * rating. Both Agony of Being Me and Finding You deserve much higher ratings. This series has brought out so many strong emotional reactions in me. I cried so many times, several times so hard that I had to put the story down and walk away, because I couldn't see to continue reading. I laughed, I screamed out loud in several parts that I woke my family up. I got so upset on a few occasions that I closed my laptop and shoved it away, refusing to continue reading. I was so engrossed in this series that I literally skipped work to finish them. To me, this is the true statement to a great book!
Mrs. Valentine has woven yet another tale that I'm sure will become one of my favorite series ever. Her masterful storytelling leaves me in awe with each story I read. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with.
Unfortunately, I can only give this book a 5 * rating. Both Agony of Being Me and Finding You deserve much higher ratings. This series has brought out so many strong emotional reactions in me. I cried so many times, several times so hard that I had to put the story down and walk away, because I couldn't see to continue reading. I laughed, I screamed out loud in several parts that I woke my family up. I got so upset on a few occasions that I closed my laptop and shoved it away, refusing to continue reading. I was so engrossed in this series that I literally skipped work to finish them. To me, this is the true statement to a great book!
June 24, 2016
Book: Finding You
Author: January Valentine , Victoria Valentine
Publication Date: 6/18/2016
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
This is the conclusion of two souls who were separated by secrets, life and pain. They have both grownup and what they want in the end is the same thing. But finding each other finds them both battling life and its demons. Jesse always the thoughtful soul wants to be an artist and that is what he focuses on until Dee who is a friend of Zoe's offers him the deal of a lifetime. Zoe has also been living her dream in some ways although she carries the demons of her time in high school. Zoe' decides she is done and wants to work towards her goals and that job leads her to her forever after.
I would suggest that you start with book one so you know the story in full. I loved book one and book two was truly something.
I was gifted this book and I am giving my honest review.
January Valentine
Author: January Valentine , Victoria Valentine
Publication Date: 6/18/2016
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
This is the conclusion of two souls who were separated by secrets, life and pain. They have both grownup and what they want in the end is the same thing. But finding each other finds them both battling life and its demons. Jesse always the thoughtful soul wants to be an artist and that is what he focuses on until Dee who is a friend of Zoe's offers him the deal of a lifetime. Zoe has also been living her dream in some ways although she carries the demons of her time in high school. Zoe' decides she is done and wants to work towards her goals and that job leads her to her forever after.
I would suggest that you start with book one so you know the story in full. I loved book one and book two was truly something.
I was gifted this book and I am giving my honest review.
January Valentine
July 5, 2016
Oh lord, where do I start without it being a spoiler?
I can't!!!
You just have to read it, that's all I can say. I mean the first book was a tear-jerker, so full of life and prospect, character and story. But this book was overwhelming in so many ways, its ups and downs, to say the least. I was so right there while I read this, I can still feel it under my skin.
I can't!!!
You just have to read it, that's all I can say. I mean the first book was a tear-jerker, so full of life and prospect, character and story. But this book was overwhelming in so many ways, its ups and downs, to say the least. I was so right there while I read this, I can still feel it under my skin.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews