New Release Spotlight & Author Guest Post: Seven and a Half Minutes by Roxana Valea

Get back in the saddle!

How many times have we heard this advice? When you take a fall, you need to get back in the saddle! And no, it’s not just from horse people, everybody out there seems to think that getting back in the saddle is the right thing to do after a setback.

Have you lost your job? Look for another one! Are you going through a divorce? Get back into the dating scene! Failed an exam? Study harder and try again! These statements are so imprinted into our psyche that we very seldom stop to ask ourselves: “Which saddle am I actually trying to get back in? Is this saddle the right saddle for me? What exactly does this setback tell me?”

I’ve been there. Literally. I played polo and took a number of nasty falls. One of these resulted in both arms broken. I had surgeries. I spent six weeks with no use of my arms, like a Barbie doll, being dressed, fed and bathed by a nanny. I healed and got back in the saddle. I played polo once again. Then it happened again. Another fall and another broken bone. My arm frozen for six weeks. It healed and luckily I didn’t need surgery that time. I recovered. I trained again. I played again. I got back in the saddle. And then it happened one more time. Because when we don’t stop to listen to the messages that show up for us, the Universe starts shouting. I fell again and broke my collarbone. I went through a complicated surgery and then through another one, one year later. And this long pause forced me to stop and finally ask myself one key question: Which saddle am I trying to get back in and why?

There’s nothing wrong with getting up and trying again. Great sports people are made that way. There’s nothing wrong with the will to exceed your limitations. But every now and then it’s wise to stop and think. Ask yourself: Why is this happening to me and what is the Universe trying to tell me? Because, you see, the Universe always talks to us. Sometimes in a whisper, sometimes louder. And other times, when we don’t get it, it starts screaming.

There was nothing wrong with my riding. My trainers told me so. There was nothing unusual with falling from a horse either. Many polo players do so. They fall, they get up and play again. They don’t break bones. Not that often anyway. And there was nothing wrong with my bones and no reason why they should break that often, my doctors told me. And yet, after three falls resulting in five broken bones and four surgeries, I came to a conclusion: I was keeping on falling from that saddle because it wasn’t the right saddle for me.

And so I decided to take a break. A break from polo and from getting back in the saddle. What else could I do with my life if I didn’t play polo? I didn’t have an answer at first because polo had been occupying so much time and resources and had done so for a number of years. My life outside polo was not much of a life. Only work, from time to time, because I was a freelancer. No love, no other hobbies, only a few friends scattered around the world. Void. But still, I kept on asking the question: What else could I do with my life if I didn’t attempt again and again to get back in the same saddle?

And then life opened up. Because sometimes it’s enough to ask the question. In only two years of not playing polo, my life had changed beyond recognition. Not only did I meet a wonderful man and fall in love, but I got married to him as well. I moved to another country, bought and refurbished a beautiful house and settled there. I wrote four books. I studied healing arts and qualified as a Reiki Master and Shamanic Energy Medicine practitioner. I travelled to amazing destinations to India, Thailand and all over Europe. I managed to fully heal my body after two difficult surgeries and regained full range of movement of my arms again. I changed my career from a management consultant to a writer and healer.

And all this because I paused and asked one question: “Which saddle am I trying to get back in and is this the right saddle for me?”

And if you want to know more about how a polo girl got back in the saddle, read “The Polo Diaries” series!

Seven and a Half Minutes. The Polo Diaries Book 3

Before Roxy found herself “Single in Buenos Aires,” she was a single girl in London in search of true love. The third installment of The Polo Diaries series takes us back to that time, and we follow Roxy as she hires a love coach to help her navigate the dating scene. But the love coach comes up with an unexpected assignment: reconnect to a long-forgotten passion. For Roxy this means horses. Within weeks, she finds herself playing polo, thanks to a series of unforeseen events.

Torn between her desire to become the best polo player she can be and the dream of falling in love, Roxy steps fully into the exciting and demanding world of polo, where injury and recovery mix with hard training, and where celebrating the victory of a tournament comes at a high price. Will Roxy eventually become the polo player she dreams to be? And with polo being such a demanding sport, can there be any space left for love?

Amazon UK           Amazon US  

Roxana Valea was born in Romania and lived in Italy, Switzerland, England and Argentina before settling in Spain. She has a BA in journalism and an MBA degree. She spent more than twenty years in the business world as an entrepreneur, manager and management consultant working for top companies like Apple, eBay, and Sony. She is also a Reiki Master and shamanic energy medicine practitioner.

As an author, Roxana writes books inspired by real events. Her memoir Through Dust and Dreams is a faithful account of a trip she took at the age of twenty-eight across Africa by car in the company of two strangers she met over the internet. Her following book, Personal Power: Mindfulness Techniques for the Corporate Word is a nonfiction book filled with personal anecdotes from her consulting years. The Polo Diaries series is inspired by her experiences as a female polo player--traveling to Argentina, falling in love, and surviving the highs and lows of this dangerous sport.

Roxana lives with her husband between England and Spain, and splits her time between writing, coaching and therapy work, but her first passion remains writing.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RoxanaValeaAuthor/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roxanavalea_author/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/roxana_valea

Book Spotlight and Author Guest Post: Through Dust and Dreams by Roxana Valea

Through Dust and Dreams. The Story of an African Adventure by Roxana Valea

​Genre - Travel Memoir

Standalone Book

Talk to your book

We, writers, often make the mistake to think we write books. It is not true. Books write themselves through us.

It’s quite a blow to accept that, to accept that all you are is a pair of hands on a keyboard. That you were never asked for input nor expected to create anything. It’s uncomfortable to admit this so we usually don’t. We call ourselves authors and go on and on about our creative process, about finding inspiration and so on.

The truth is that inspiration find us, we do not find it. Inspiration comes to us like a visitor that knocks at the door. We either open the door or we don’t. If we do, we agree to land our pair of hands. If we don’t, it will go away and find someone else.

The book choses us when the book is ready to come into form. I believe all books exist as energy before they come into their material form. It’s like a whirlpool of energy coming together and it wants to express itself as a book. And it starts looking for an author, a person who’s willing to land a pair of hands.

When we let the book write itself through us the way it wants to, it turns into a good book. When we force it to go the way our mind or ego wants, it loses energy and becomes a pale version of what it could have been. Why? Because, again, it’s not us who write, it’s the book who writes itself. It’s got its own energy and it wants to be respected.

But why then does a book come only to some of us? Well, we’re all born with gifts in this world, some know how to cook, some know how to build a brick wall, some sing and some write. The book will look for those who are open to listen to this type of energy, who recognise it and call it inspiration. Those who have this gift and are willing to use it.

I talk to my books while I write. I open a journal and call it the journal of the book. I ask the book where it wants to go and if it’s happy about how it’s being written. It will tell me when it doesn’t. Actually it will become quite clear because when inspiration goes and writing starts becoming difficult it’s because the ego or the mind of the writer is trying to interfere too much with the book. How many writers stop then and start procrastinating or push themselves harder and harder. More mind. More ego. Even less inspiration. Even deeper blockage.

The solution? Withdraw. Get out of the way. Let the book write itself. Let it take you where it wants to go. Accept that you’re just a pair of hands and nothing more. Accept that we do not create but simply allow creation to come through us.

And enjoy the process. Because this encounter of a writer with a book that wants to write itself though their hands, is one of the most satisfying encounters of this life.

At a crossroads in her life, Roxana decides to take a ten-day safari trip to Africa. In Namibia, she meets a local guide who talks about “the courage to become who you are” and tells her that “the world belongs to those who dream”.

Her holiday over, Roxana still carries the spell of his words within her soul. Six months later she quits her job and searches for a way to fulfil an old dream: crossing Africa from north to south. Teaming up with Richard and Peter, two total strangers she meets over the Internet, Roxana starts a journey that will take her and her companions from Morocco to Namibia, crossing deserts and war-torn countries and surviving threats from corrupt officials and tensions within their own group.

Through Dust and Dreams is the story of their journey: a story of courage and friendship, of daring to ask questions and search for answers, and of self-discovery on a long, dusty road south.

Amazon US          Amazon UK  

Roxana Valea was born in Romania and lived in Italy, Switzerland, England and Argentina before settling in Spain. She has a BA in journalism and an MBA degree. She spent more than twenty years in the business world as an entrepreneur, manager and management consultant working for top companies like Apple, eBay, and Sony. She is also a Reiki Master and shamanic energy medicine practitioner.

As an author, Roxana writes books inspired by real events. Her memoir Through Dust and Dreams is a faithful account of a trip she took at the age of twenty-eight across Africa by car in the company of two strangers she met over the internet. Her following book, Personal Power: Mindfulness Techniques for the Corporate World is a nonfiction book filled with personal anecdotes from her consulting years. The Polo Diaries series is inspired by her experiences as a female polo player--traveling to Argentina, falling in love, and surviving the highs and lows of this dangerous sport.

Roxana lives with her husband in Mallorca, Spain, where she writes, coaches, and does energy therapies, but her first passion remains writing.
​

Website - https://www.roxanavaleaauthor.com

https://twitter.com/roxana_valea

https://www.facebook.com/RoxanaValeaAuthor/

New Release Spotlight & Exclusive Extract: A Horse Called Bicycle by Roxana Valea

A Horse Called Bicycle, The Polo Diaries Book 2 by Roxana Valea

Roxy found love . . . but is it enough? In the second installment of the Polo Diaries series, polo player

Roxy goes back to Argentina a year after the events in Single in Buenos Aires, filled with dreams of settling down with the man she loves. This time, once again, Argentina is full of surprises and things are not what they appear to be. Or maybe they’re exactly what they’re meant to be, as a fortune-teller informs her.

Roxy takes a leap of faith and follows her dreams once again. She spends time at glamorous party venues of Buenos Aires and travels to the rough and wild pampas. Along the way, Roxy’s friends support and champion her quest for love, but when things get out of hand, Roxy realizes she needs to listen to her own inner voice and must make a hard choice. Two paths open in front of her, each one with far-reaching consequences. Which will she choose?

Amazon UK           Amazon US 

Context: Polo player Roxy tries to sooth her heartache by taking a ride in the Pampas in the company of a 10 year old boy.

The young horses are curious, too. They come to sniff us, and I marvel at the light in their eyes. They look at me with the same intensity that I look at them, and with the same curiosity. They gather all around my horse until Amanda tenses up, letting me know with a few sharp movements that she feels uneasy in this crowd. I get scared all of a sudden, because a horse that’s nervous makes me feel unstable in the saddle and then I remember my own falls very vividly. I look around to locate Santos. The boy has already seen the situation and he comes close to me, telling me it’s best we carry on. His small horse isn’t nervous at all, and this calms Amanda instantly. I wonder whether it’s because he rides here often to see the young horses, and his mare is used to them. Or maybe he’s just a much better rider, and a horse seldom gets nervous with a really good rider.

We move on from the young horses and break into a fresh gallop across the large expanse of pampas, with clumps of wild grass reaching up to our stirrups.

Santos turns around in the saddle and tells me to stay behind. He needs to go and check on a lonely cow he’s spotted in the distance. I pull my reins and let him go alone, watching his mad gallop across the field, his small body almost indistinguishable in the saddle, all five dogs running after him.
 I slow down my horse to catch my breath, and we soon move to a trot, then walk. We’re now alone in the pampas. I watch the cows on the horizon, the young horses back where we left them under the same trees, and the boundless green fields around me. Amanda’s strong body feels alive between my knees. For the first time in the last few days I’m not thinking of anything and it’s not because I have to hit a polo ball. The late afternoon sun warms my face. The smell of the earth is strong in my nostrils. It’s dried mud and fresh leaves and a lot of other smells, too, but I don’t know what they are—probably the herbs that grow around here. I can’t hear a thing. Even the birds that are so loud in the trees around the house are silent now. Surrounded by this peace, I breathe.

Maybe it’s not all gone. I wanted to make a life with Rodrigo here in Argentina. Rodrigo is gone now, but maybe my life here isn’t. Here in the campo. And what if I buy a piece of land and build a small house? Somewhere close to my Argentine family? What if I buy a horse, too? Maybe even Amanda the Sheep. I’m sure Patricio wouldn’t mind selling her to me. What if it’s still possible to have a life here? Yes, the love story with Rodrigo is over. But was that the only thing that brought me back here? No, it wasn’t just that. It was the immensity of the campo and this feeling of being at one with it— the connection I feel to this place and to these people. Connection. This is what polo gives me. This is what Rodrigo gave me. And this is what the campo now gives me, too. The connection is definitely still here. And maybe it’s enough. I can see myself living here. And playing polo. Of course I’ll play polo.

On the way back we take the dirt road, the same dirt road we usually drive on to get to the farm. We gallop fast, and a cloud of dust rises from the hooves of the horses. I watch the hard ground beneath, much harder than the soft grass of the polo field, and for a second I try to imagine how it would feel if I fall right now. I would break something again, probably. But then I push the thought away. I’m perfectly balanced in the saddle, my body following the moves of the horse, my head high, feeling the wind. I won’t fall. Not anymore. Never again.

Santos has overtaken me and gallops in front of me on his small horse, the dogs all around him. In full gallop he turns his small body to look back every now and then to make sure I’m all right.

And for the first time in the last few days I actually feel perfectly fine.

About Roxana Valea

Roxana Valea was born in Romania and lived in Italy, Switzerland, England and Argentina before settling in Spain. She has a BA in journalism and an MBA degree. She spent more than twenty years in the business world as an entrepreneur, manager and management consultant working for top companies like Apple, eBay, and Sony. She is also a Reiki Master and shamanic energy medicine practitioner.

As an author, Roxana writes books inspired by real events. Her memoir Through Dust and Dreams is a faithful account of a trip she took at the age of twenty-eight across Africa by car in the company of two strangers she met over the internet. Her following book, Personal Power: Mindfulness Techniques for the Corporate World is a nonfiction book filled with personal anecdotes from her consulting years. The Polo Diaries series is inspired by her experiences as a female polo player--traveling to Argentina, falling in love, and surviving the highs and lows of this dangerous sport.

Roxana lives with her husband in Mallorca, Spain, where she writes, coaches, and does energy therapies, but her first passion remains writing.

Website - https://www.roxanavaleaauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/RoxanaValeaAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/roxanavalea_author/

https://twitter.com/roxana_valea?lang=en

Single in Buenos Aires, The Polo Diaries Book 1

Roxy plays polo... but dreams of love. Forty-one-year-old polo player Roxy arrives in Argentina with

a to-do list that includes healing from a polo injury and falling in love with a handsome Argentine. From polo boots to tango shoes, the adrenaline of riding horses to glamorous after-game parties, Roxy learns to navigate this unfamiliar landscape with the help of new friends who teach her to take life as it comes. But will she find true love? Over three months in Buenos Aires, nothing goes according to plan, and yet, all the items on her list mysteriously get ticked off in the end. Just not the way she had imagined.

Fans of the Bridget Jones series will love the blend of humor, travel, and romantic comedy at the heart of Single in Buenos Aires, all topped off with the unforgettable flavor of life in one of the most sensual and passionate cities in the world.

Amazon UK           Amazon US  

Book Blog Tour Stop and Review: Single in Buenos Aires by Roxana Valea

Single in Buenos Aires, The Polo Diaries Book 1 by Roxana Valea

Roxy plays polo... but dreams of love. Forty-one-year-old polo player Roxy arrives in Argentina with

a to-do list that includes healing from a polo injury and falling in love with a handsome Argentine. From polo boots to tango shoes, the adrenaline of riding horses to glamorous after-game parties, Roxy learns to navigate this unfamiliar landscape with the help of new friends who teach her to take life as it comes. But will she find true love? Over three months in Buenos Aires, nothing goes according to plan, and yet, all the items on her list mysteriously get ticked off in the end. Just not the way she had imagined.

Fans of the Bridget Jones series will love the blend of humor, travel, and romantic comedy at the heart of Single in Buenos Aires, all topped off with the unforgettable flavor of life in one of the most sensual and passionate cities in the world.

Amazon UK            Amazon US 

I've had a fascination for Argentina for as long as I remember, so jumped at the chance to read Single in Buenos Aires because I thought it was a sports romance novel. So, I was a bit surprised to find out it's written as a memoir. 

Diving in, it took time to get used to the writing style as I was expecting a narrative full of romantic emotions, however, Roxy's adventures managed to keep me entertained throughout her documented time in this South American country. 

Written in the style of entries of a diary, Polo games are featured, yet, there's so much more to this story which focuses on a single woman obsessed with the sport and her determination to find love. With the Argentinian backdrop and captivating culture details, Roxy's exploits are humorous and realistic. The characters feel authentic in a way, I felt transported to the city I've longed to visit. 

I've always liked reading fictional books where I can learn something new. In this first instalment of Ms Valea's Polo Diaries, I've achieved that goal and look forward to where Roxy ventures to next. 

Overall an enjoyable, quick read and perfect for readers who like a mix of intriguing characters within a plot set in a far off land. 

***Review copy received courtesy of the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources***

About Roxana Valea

Roxana Valea was born in Romania and lived in Italy, Switzerland, England and Argentina before settling in Spain. She has a BA in journalism and an MBA degree. She spent more than twenty years in the business world as an entrepreneur, manager and management consultant working for top companies like Apple, eBay, and Sony. She is also a Reiki Master and shamanic energy medicine practitioner.

As an author, Roxana writes books inspired by real events. Her memoir Through Dust and Dreams is a faithful account of a trip she took at the age of twenty-eight across Africa by car in the company of two strangers she met over the internet. Her following book, Personal Power: Mindfulness Techniques for the Corporate World is a nonfiction book filled with personal anecdotes from her consulting years. The Polo Diaries series is inspired by her experiences as a female polo player--traveling to Argentina, falling in love, and surviving the highs and lows of this dangerous sport.

Roxana lives with her husband in Mallorca, Spain, where she writes, coaches, and does energy therapies, but her first passion remains writing.

Website - https://www.roxanavaleaauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/RoxanaValeaAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/roxanavalea_author/

https://twitter.com/roxana_valea?lang=en

A Horse Called Bicycle, The Polo Diaries Book 2

Roxy found love . . . but is it enough? In the second installment of the Polo Diaries series, polo player

Roxy goes back to Argentina a year after the events in Single in Buenos Aires, filled with dreams of settling down with the man she loves. This time, once again, Argentina is full of surprises and things are not what they appear to be. Or maybe they’re exactly what they’re meant to be, as a fortune-teller informs her.

Roxy takes a leap of faith and follows her dreams once again. She spends time at glamorous party venues of Buenos Aires and travels to the rough and wild pampas. Along the way, Roxy’s friends support and champion her quest for love, but when things get out of hand, Roxy realizes she needs to listen to her own inner voice and must make a hard choice. Two paths open in front of her, each one with far-reaching consequences. Which will she choose?

Amazon UK           Amazon US