Violet in Private

Violet in Private by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Once again Violet has decided to swear off modeling. She is ready to go to college and be a normal teen again. Vassar though is only a few hours from New York so when her contractual obligations come up – she is willing to jet into the city and take care of them. Violet is also ready to be exposed to a new part of the fashion world – the fashion magazine. She is invited to be an intern at Teen Fashionista and she can’t turn it down.

College is definitely a lot of work. Add to that the fact that Violet is very confused about her long time friendship with Roger. They kissed and things have just not been the same since! Does she love him – that way? Roger has a girlfriend though – so where does Violet belong?

Violet can’t just turn off her old modeling days. She is known as a model even on campus. Which means people are constantly looking and judging her appearance. She is definitely tired of it and wants to be known for being Violet- not for what she looks like. How can she do that?

What did you think about the book?

Like I said in regards to the last book – I was afraid that half the appeal of this series was the fact that Violet was a model. So if you take out the modeling – would I enjoy it as much? And the answer is yes.

This is the first book where you get to explore a little more of what a normal life for Violet would mean. She is a model – and can’t get away from that part of her existence. But she is so much more. She is a normal teen in college who wants to have friends, be accepted, and find someone to love. But we all know it isn’t that easy.

I can’t say it enough but you should definitely go out and get these books. They are spectacular! They are an easy read (fun) and also have messages that I think are important to teen girls. While because it has to do with modeling a lot of it focuses on body issues – even more importantly they focus on self.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Was there ever anyone in your life that you didn’t realize you had feelings for (or they had them for you) until it was too late?

Author Post: Melissa Walker - Author of the Violet series

I’m so happy to be here on Blog of Books with Nicole—thanks for having me!

My guest post is about unforgettable style moments in three books, and here are the first three that come to mind…


1. What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell. I’ve been trying to tell everyone I know how much I love this book, and its aesthetic sense is part of what’s so fabulous. There’s a scene where almost-16-year-old Evie tries on a dress that I’ve been dreaming about since I read these lines: “The dress fit like a dream, tiny waist and a sweep of silk down to my ankles – a blue so pale and shimmering it was almost white.” Later, Evie calls it a “moonlight dress.” I want one!


2. Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. Scarlett O’Hara’s first outfit, what she wears on page 1, always sounded magical to me: “Her new green flowered-muslin dress spread its twelve yards of billowing material over her hoops and exactly matched the flat-heeled green morocco slippers her father had recently brought her from Atlanta.”


3. The Luxe, by Anna Gobersen. Okay, confession: I have not read this book. But I own it, and I want to read it, which counts. Because the style moment is the cover. I know we’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but I allow myself to judge books with good covers, so that my verdict is positive. It’s a plus! And this pink dress, with its glorious shimmering swells of luscious fabric makes my heart rate quicken. That’s it, somebody throw a ball! I’m getting a ballgown.

I’d love to hear about any literary style moments that have stuck with other readers. Do tell!

Violet by Design

Violet by Design by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Violet was discovered, became the “it” model of the New York Fashion Week and decided she really just wanted to quit. So she went home to relax. Meanwhile she gets an opportunity that she doesn’t think she can turn down – the Sao Paulo Fashion Week. I mean who wouldn’t want to go someplace like that?

So she goes. And gets back into that world she had left behind. She meets Paulo- designer extraordinaire who seems to have a thing for her. But is he true – or is he just using her. Her old roommate is back – Veronica – and finally healthy. She seems to realize that Violet is a friend and she should treat her like one. Wasn’t she the only one to stand by her back then?

But being a model is tough. Add to that a lot of criticism about Violet’s body. Is she too thin or not thin enough? What happens when you think you look good but everyone around you is telling you that you don’t? Is Violet willing to do anything to be a model this time around?

What did you think about the book?

So if you haven’t guessed there is a reason that I am having a “violet” week. And it is because I enjoyed every book in this series. I have to say with both this one and “Violet in Private” I was afraid I would not like it as much because she doesn’t want to model. But it really wasn’t a problem. (Especially in this one because well she decides to give modeling another try).

I also really appreciated the body issue talk. Every person has something about themselves that they would like to change. And it is true that in today’s society we put a lot of measure on people (especially models) being very skinny. And we all know that it is more important to be healthy then anything else.

And in the recent past we have encouraged designers to not use bulimic, aneroxicly skinny models. So they are doing their best to do so. But not always with the most sincere actions. Making a statement is not the same as acting.

I think that any girl who is a young adult would appreciate this series (in fact I am trying to think of every person I know that age that I can recommend it to). And I may not be a teen – but I enjoyed it as well!

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Have you ever had body image issues? How did you find a way to live with them?

Interview with Melissa Walker

How did you come up with the inspiration for Violet?
My time at ElleGirl especially gave me insight into the fashion world and how newer models live in NYC (which can be glamorous, scary, thrilling, and a little dark all at the same time). That knowledge kind of overlapped with my long-time dream of writing a teen novel about a small town girl in the big city (original, right?). The fashion world thing gave it more focus and helped me nail down the plot.


You have worked in the fashion world (ELLEGirl and Seventeen) - do you
think you portray the world accurately?
I think I portray it through my own eyes, as a girl from North Carolina who grew up outside of that world and then suddenly got a glimpse of it. So what I noticed--and wrote about--are probably different from what others might see. But yes, I did aim to portray that world as accurately as possible.

Is there anything you wanted to put in your books but couldn't because
it is geared to Young Adults?
Nope--I did everything I wanted to do. I've had some comments about Violet drinking, and the way people swear in the books, but I wrote a certain reality and didn't hold back, and my editor didn't ask me to either, which was nice.

How many more Violet books do you think you will write? Do you have
ideas for another series?
I think the 3 is it for Violet--she stands as a trilogy! My next book, LOVESTRUCK SUMMER, is a standalone teen romance set in Austin, TX. I'm working on another idea, but I haven't pictured another series yet.

What places in Chapel Hill, NC that Violet visits - were a favorite hang out spot for you?
Oh, all of them! Violet only hangs out where I hang out: Elmo's Diner, Katie's Pretzels, University Mall, Franklin Street... it's a great town!

How did you get the inspiration for your website - iheartdaily.com?
Honestly, my friend Anne and I just had all these things I wanted to write about, like, "Isn't this girl COOL? Isn't this bracelet COOL? Isn't this new band COOL?" and we wished we still worked for a teen magazine so we could point all that out, so we started our own daily newsletter online. It's fun for us!

If you couldn't be a writer (or have anything to do with writing) what
do you think you would want to be?
Hmm... this will sound odd, but I really did love my few years waitressing in college. It was good money, required a sharp, quick mind, and the co-workers were hilarious and smart. I might put waiting tables (at a good place!) as my #2 job.

Was there anything you wish I had asked you about? That you couldn't wait to tell me?
Just this: The book we're talking about this month on readergirlz.com is A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly, and it's soooo good! Everyone should read it and then come discuss. I love readergirlz chats.

Violet on the Runway

Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Violet Greenfield is your average teen living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her two best friends are Jill (a want to be writer) and Roger (a hipster in a town that doesn’t quite appreciate it.

Violet has always had body issues. I mean who wouldn’t when you are 6’1” in your stocking feet? She has always tried to hide herself and desperately wants to fit in. But high school is never that easy. When one day a woman notices her at her job in the movie theater – gives her a card and tells her that she should be a model. And this isn’t any trick – this woman is a manager.

Before you know it Violet is on her way to fashion week. How can a girl who used to be ashamed of how she looks fit in the modeling business? Can she become the “it” girl? What about Roger and Jill? What happens when you leave your friends behind to start on a new adventure?

Life isn’t just catwalks and glamor, Violet soon finds out. The fashion industry is a tough world to live in.

What did you think about the book?

I LOVED this book. Yes LOVE with all capitals. Actually I loved the whole series but the first book hooked me in like nothing else. I wonder if everyone has a secret wish of someone coming up to them and asking them if they want to be a model and whisking them off to some exciting new life? Or if not a model – then a singer? Or actor? Or whatever. That dream that you could be someone “special” with just a chance meeting.

To me that is what this book represents. Someone getting that lucky shot. Add to the lucky shot a huge dose of realism. Yes it would be kinda fun to have someone grab you and ask you to be a model – but what affect does that have on your friendships? Is that the kind of life for a teen? It is a dog-eat-dog world out there and not everyone is going to have your back. Does that make you jaded?

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
What did you secretly wish would happen to you as a teen? Did you want to be famous? A movie star, a singer, a model?

Melissa Walker from the Violet Series is Coming to "A Blog of Books"

Every day starting Monday of next week we will be featuring something from Melissa Walker's Violet series.

It includes a guest post, an interview, and of course reviews of all her books.

Please come back to join us all!