Guest Post with Veronica Rossi ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content Taken from Veronica Rossi

Veronica Rossi is a best selling author of fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, was the first in a post-apocalyptic trilogy. Released in January 2012, it was deemed one of the Best Books of Year by School Library Journal. The series appeared in the NY Times and USA Today best seller lists and was published in over 25 foreign markets.

Her second series for young adults will begin with RIDERS (published February 16, 2016), the story of four modern day teens who become incarnations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and the prophetic girl who brings them together.

Veronica completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went on to study fine art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She is a lifelong reader and artist. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she has lived in Mexico, Venezuela, and all over the United States, to finally settle in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

When not writing, Veronica enjoys reading (it’s worth repeating), painting, and running. She does NOT like anything involving numbers, the addition of them, subtraction of them, you name it. They terrify her. Her obsessions generally lead to fictional works. Currently, she’s exploring New York City during the Revolutionary War.

Don’t tread on me. (If you know what that means, then you are my people!)

What else? This is getting more fun, isn’t it?

She–okay, I–am a huge fan of the SF Giants and the Golden State Warriors. I know, I know. Book types and sporty types shouldn’t be one in the same, but what can I say? I’m breaking the mold. Continuing. I have an irrational love of elephants. They make me cry, but it’s the best kind of cry. On other end of the spectrum, I abhor the shrill squeak styrofoam makes when it’s coming out of a box. Just typing that sentence made me want to scream. Needless to say, Christmas is great, but also really tough on me.

It’s probably time to wrap this up. If you’re here, it’s likely because you’ve read one of my books, or because you’re thinking about reading one of my books. Either way, thank you. Writing fulfills me like nothing else and I feel exceedingly fortunate to also call it my profession.

I'm so thrilled that Jean invited me to come back to celebrate the launch of THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT.

In many ways, the publication of this book, the second in the UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy, feels like the real beginning of my career as an author. I guess it's because as of today, I'll be able to say that I write books, instead of I wrote a book. It's a small distinction, but it means a lot to me. How many people get to do what they love for a living? I'm very proud, to be a writer, and I feel incredibly fortunate.

My road to publication wasn't a quick one. I wrote for eight years before I got an agent and sold UNDER THE NEVER SKY. I don't regret one bit of that time. It allowed me to grow as a writer and to discover the types of stories I really want to tell. Without that time, I wouldn't have created Perry and Aria. I wouldn't have envisioned the Aether, and life inside the virtual realities of the Realms.

In hindsight, I see the importance of all the days and weeks and years of work before getting the book deal, even though at the time it was often very discouraging. More than once, I doubted whether I would get published. I questioned my abilities. I threw my hands in the air and said, "this is too hard." I always came right back, though. I love writing too much to stop just because it wasn't easy.

If any of you are working towards a goal, I hope this gives you a little boost to stick with it. Even when it's hard... Nothing worth doing is ever easy!

Thanks for having me, Jean! And Happy New Year, everyone!

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Praise for THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT

“Heart-stopping action and romance collide in this page turning adrenaline rush. I am officially obsessed.” ―Kami Garcia, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series

“The emotional voltage ramps up. It delivers compelling drama.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Perry and Aria are convincing protagonists as they both cling to and exploit each other to get through their days. In a dying world, even the bad guys have the complexity of desperation; they act as effective foils against which Aria and Perry develop as flawed, though well-intentioned, leaders.” ―Horn Book Magazine

“Favorite characters return, new characters emerge, and fans of Under the Never Sky are in for a treat.” ―Romantic Times, 4 Stars

“This story of loyalty, survival, and love satisfies with its balance of action and emotional resonance.” ―Booklist

“Rossi does not miss a beat as she raises the stakes in this well-written and fast-paced sequel to Under the Never Sky.” ―Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Through the Ever Night is the highly anticipated sequel to Veronica Rossi’s Under the Never Sky. It has been months since Aria and Perry saw each other and they are finally reunited. It could have been a perfect reconnection but the outside has them facing many challenges that seem to be tough tasks to overcome. To make matters worse, the Aether storms are growing stronger and more frequent making tribes and The Realms scrambling to find a safe haven before everything they know is destroyed. Nothing seems to be going in Aria’s favor and she’s beginning to fear that the only way out for her and Perry to survive is to leave Perry behind.

This spellbinding story could have never been so compelling without Veronica’s mastery of providing highly engaging and appealing characters, richly created world, and sharply detailed descriptions. Readers will automatically realize how well all the characters are fleshed out as their anxiety, misery, joy, and love are inexplicably felt. Coming from different worlds, Perry and Aria’s relationship is a well thought-out romance. They are perfect for each other, despite the tests that their world is dishing out at them. Through it all, they support each other and both of them grew tremendously as a couple and as individuals.

Veronica has a brilliant way of creating a story that will cross all emotions. Readers will enjoy the laughs and cries that their favorite characters will encounter. It has moments that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Readers will love it. Readers will be angry at it. It is vividly haunting and will grip you from start to finish.

The ending comes to a satisfying close with an opening gap for more to come. Veronica’s writing etiquette proves to be powerful as the third book, Into the Still Blue, is already building hype and excitement. Through the Ever Night is a wonderful follow-up to an incredible debut novel. Veronica has paved a path that will continue to flourish with each installment that comes. The third book will more than likely carry the same caliber, but with the way things are going, it is certain to go to new heights.

You can purchase Through The Ever Night at the following Retailers: