Testimonial

Song of Turand
OH MY GOD — IS THE BOOK INCREDIBLE. I AM ALMOST DONE WITH THE FIRST ONE AND HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME PUTTING IT DOWN. I HAVEN’T ENJOYED A BOOK THIS MUCH IN YEARS…..
WILL WRITE LATER WHEN I FINISH IT AND THEN I WILL START…, RETURN TO TURAND
WHEN IS THE MOVIE COMING OUT? I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW I FEEL LIKE I AM THERE AND CAN VISUALIZE EVERYTHING GOING ON. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE STORY.

J. PetersMansfield, OH

Return to Turand
One of the hallmarks of a great story is its ability to offer answers to life’s difficult questions. Return to Turand does just that. There are passages in this book that offer much needed advice and strength in light of current events. I can’t help but think that “the powers that be” and the rest of the planet would benefit from the wisdom in these pages.
To paraphrase Lord Victor Garogan:
“Let us not become that which we hate most.” Ms. Valencia has been able to once again tell what on the surface appears to be a tale of two lovers while challenging the reader to examine their own lives and beliefs. I highly recommend this second installment in the captivating Legends from Turand saga.

J. PetersMansfield, OH

I received The Chikondra Trilogy as a gift, and it has truly been a treasure. I really enjoyed being able to sink myself into the lives of both Sandra and Warnach. You developed these two characters with so much depth that I felt at times I was one with them. Thank you so much for creating this wonderful series. Thank you for taking the time to autograph the books. I wish you the very best in any future endeavors.

Olivia

I appreciate your book Guardian Redeemed. We met at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in 2008 when you had a book signing. It was a great honor to meet you and to purchase this book. The book was so very great that I didn’t want to put it down. Please keep up the good work. I have always been a sci-fi reader and dreams are always possible.

S. Collins

Guardian Redeemed from the first few pages hooked me in with the main character being a hard-working, no nonsense girl who takes no stuff. I like the comparison of Earth type problems, for example, prejudices between races, financial status, etc.
The book kept me reading. I couldn’t put it down until the end, wondering are they ever going to get together? I admired Sandra for her faith. Keeping true to one’s faith is very hard, especially at a young age, when everything seems to be going wrong. Just when you think everything is going to work out, she puts in another twist!
I love her character, being a loner myself. I identified with Sandra because I have very few friends. Books are my retreat! I can hardly wait for the next book!

L. Ball

I’ve read the entire trilogy. Sandra, I must say I enjoy your writing as much as ever. You have great talent, and I hope you continue to write – I shall continue to watch for your name to appear on more moving stories. Keep up the great work.

L. Hawke

Today I finished Return to Turand. About reading, you must know that I hardly read a book after high school. I had a lot of study-books and also very much documentary and new about accounting and taxes.
Therefore, it is special that I read your books. Because I never read, I become impatient soon. You wrote the book Return to Turand as beautifully as Song of Turand. The first part was about what happened and to understand what was coming in the following parts.
But in the book, telling of the story of the Sifiq country, of Alexa, I began to rush and read. I wanted to know what was happening next. Return to Turand was a very good book, too. I expected during reading in the last part, if there should be a next book to find the “Ring of Turand” in Sifiq country, but there became new rings on a pillow. There is an open end with Victor and the Sifiq woman Oui-lest. Perhaps that is an open end and can be filled with my own imagination.
You write in a short, describing way that is not boring and gives a good idea of the situation without it becoming slow and without disturbing the story that runs further.

P. PlevierThe Netherlands

A friend of mine loaned me this book (Song of Turand), and I will be forever grateful for her doing so. The book kept me intrigued throughout the entire reading. (The author’s) creativity is wonderful as well as the expression of undying love of country, God, husband and, in general, all of mankind.

B.A.J.Ohio

I was skeptical…thought this book (Song of Turand) would be so unrealistic and far out that probably would not like it. I was wrong! (The author) has used all the spectrums of love that I could think of, the ultimate being loving someone so much you sacrifice for their freedom. She shows us things really are not what they seem sometimes. We need more information before arriving at conclusions. Unfortunately, I was only allowed to rate this book with five stars. If more stars were offered, I would have used them.

C.R.Tennessee

On Song of Turand: This is the beautiful love story of two people brought together by very unusual circumstances…in spite of intrigue, treachery, and civil war, their love, once discovered, never wavers. Enhancing this are the ingredients of mysticism and spirituality. This is a book so vividly described, one feels part of it and wants to hurry to the end to see what happens and, having done so, feels at a loss because there is no more.

P.E.England

I have read this book (Song of Turand) three times. Each time I picked up this book, I could not stop. This author writes with intense passion and love, for faith, for a better world. I wish that this book would be translated into more languages to allow all the people to read this fascinating Song of Turand. The strength of the author, the perspective of facts and how to bring them to us makes this book a unique one.

A.M.Portugal

Song of Turand was a beautiful love story, written descriptively and with a historical flare for words. I was soon caught up in the book and could hardly put it down. The love story was interwoven with acts of aggression and war and kept me interested from start to finish. I especially enjoyed the characters in the book-they were real, showing a range of emotions. I felt real empathy for some of the situations they found themselves in. I hope Ms. Valencia will make this into a series of books that I can look forward to reading long into the future.

NANALDHOhio

Love stories come in many forms… The author’s use of vivid imagery makes this novel (Song of Turand) a joy to read. The title leads us to believe there is more to come. I for one will have a difficult time waiting.

K.F.Ohio

One reading is not enough! This book (Song of Turand) grabs you and never lets go. Its characters are interesting and colorful. You learn enough about them that you empathize with them and understand their decisions. It’s hard to explain the effect this has on you from the start. You are reluctant to put it down. You hurry along to find out what happens. When you reach the end, you find yourself disappointed because you want more! It is about love between men and women, and love of people for their country. Yet it speaks to something within you and each reading has you pondering even deeper thoughts.

A.F.

A truly inspirational book! I found Song of Turand to be a very beautifully written, thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining book. It reminds us that there are two sides to every story; that assumptions are often wrong; that forgiveness is vital; that faith is a very important part of everyday life and that it is important to trust that faith. I found everyday interruptions to my reading were an irritation because I did not want to put the book down. The author writes in a picturesque fashion so that the reader is able to put themselves ‘there’…I strongly recommend this book.

J.T.

This (Song of Turand) was a very good read, although it’s not the kind of book I normally read. It has something for everyone, adventure, romance and a mystical quality.

A Reviewer

A must read novel. Song of Turand is a beautiful love story that is full of surprises. It inspires courage to the readers and draws them right into the heart of the action. It is both sensational and inspirational.

A.W.

Part fantasy, part romance, part adventure, this expansive first novel of author Sandra Valencia takes you on your own adventure through vivid imagery and startling prose. Eerily, some of what she writes in this story parallels many events happening now.

Barnes & Noble on Song of TurandDecember, 2001

Amazing, multi-faceted story: I was excited to see a new book from Ms. Valencia. I’m still in love with her Turand series. (By the way, Ms. Valencia, if you read this, are you taking us back to Turand? Please?) On the other hand, I got Guardian Redeemed and sucked in my breath. I love long books. Then I got a little nervous. I was afraid I’d be disappointed like I have by other writers. Could this book really do to me what Alexa, Gregor and Victor did?

I was soon reading through Guardian Redeemed and losing awareness of time. This book drags even more out of me. The characters are meticulously developed but in a way that either endears the reader or makes him/her mad, depending on who you’re reading about. Either way, the story is amazing. I love the idea of connections to other worlds. I love the hints of mystery that still stick in my mind. I’m absolutely crazy about Quazon. I hope the next book in this trilogy is coming real soon. I can’t wait to find out what’s next after the last couple of chapters really hit my emotions and left me wanting more.

Kay

An Incredible Read by a Truly Gifted Author: I, too, read the Turand books and immediately fell in love, not only with the story itself, but with Mrs. Valencia’s style of writing. I became very emotionally involved with the characters, and had a strong sense of being able to observe what was happening first hand.

When I read Guardian Redeemed, that love of her writing continued to grow. Her exceptional talent for developing characters and scenes in the story, along with a very keen sense for just the right amount of detail, helped to create very vivid images in my mind. The feeling of “being there” to witness the story of Warnach and Sandra was just as strong and powerful as it had been with the Gregor, Alexa and Victor. I especially love the fact that, as with the Turand books, this is not just a love story but is full of drama and action as well. There are so many possibilities for where this story could go that I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Janice

SPOILER ALERT: On Guardian Redeemed: I finished your book this weekend! I will ask last questions first, so I can get to meat of my message after the business is taken care of. When do the next books come out? Please do not say that I have to hang on, with all my questions and presumptions of possible forks in the road for Sandra and Warnach. Surely, I can order my next read, I will be devastated, if not. You did end on a nice, peaceful note, but there are confrontations yet to be had, I can just tell! It would be great if I could get my next fill over my “honeymoon”. Just so you know how many different, painful, directions my mind is racing to: I just know Lashira is going to rear her ugly (ok, I know she’s supposed to be beautiful) head; I don’t think Peter has given up as easily as it seems, plus Sandra MUST have some human frailty and she IS in for some lonely nights when Warnach starts traveling again. I think a triangle is in order, or at least the temptation of one. The small cloister of dissidents stewing over this new union surely won’t remain peaceful for long. Oh, and the whole “can a Terran conceive with a Chikondran” riddle must be answered. Also, I’m sensing a loss on Sandra’s immediate family side, before she gets to mend fences. I could be wrong, but see how much you have left to chance! (Smile) I must know! Oh, and where is this wild sister? I think an equally fiery, but more destructive Sandra spin-off is waiting to surface, perhaps taking refuge with big sis to escape mom and dad….hmmmm?
Ok, I will stop, but you can see, you have truly left me hanging. (Guardian Redeemed) was so enthralling and enjoyable that I am dying to know the next part of the story! Don’t make me fill in the blanks with only my reality show mentality to assist! It would be so sad.
Now, I’ve gotten that all out of my system. Let me tell you why I feel so blessed to have discovered your story, at this particular time. I truly did read with objective interest and intrigue at the wonderful display of your writing style. That is a topic that I will have to reserve for a little later. However, do know that I am very glad to have found such brilliance right here beneath my nose. It is wonderful to be able to go straight to the source with all that wonderment and questioning excitement. Please remember me when you hit the NY bestseller’s list. I’d love to say, “I knew you when…”
Even more than the joy a consuming read always brings, I have to tell you what more was in store for me. Sandra, I have always been one of those quirky people who believes in the connectedness of things, big or small. I never assume that paths simply cross and criss-cross along the busy roads of life. It seems there is always some bit of mystical affirmation or even just acknowledgement in all things, to be applied to our own existences—if we bother to look, and introspect even at the most basic level. Ok, so let me tell you about your book. Knowing only what I do about you, and perceiving what I do, I feel pretty certain that I do not need to define the mysticism of the connections I’ll share with you. I will just tell you some things you wouldn’t have known, and share the friendly gift of wonderment I received in your writing.
As you know, I will be getting married next month to a man I can only describe within my heart. Even as a writer, I am woefully bereft of words that bring even the slightest justice to what he means to me. I resolve that it is fine left unspoken, though I pray that I display it well to him. He is as peaceful a man as I have ever known. Far from perfect, but very humble, and always seeking to do what is right. When I met him, I had just made eternal peace with failure and aloneness (not loneliness, because I really was rather content in life, generally). Long story short, I had simply resolved that God knew the woman He had created, had to know my heart intimately. I resolved to just relax and truly understand that if there ever came a time and a person for me to love, He would move us all toward one another. Though eternally optimistic, I was becoming realistic about the likelihood. I really rather expected I may be an old woman before that did happen. Assumed it my penance for having squandered years in fruitless relationships. Anyway, back to my fiancé. We talked for quite a while before I knew what his religious background was. I did know that he was not Christian, but, having grappled much of my adult life with my one state of Christianity, that did not offend my spiritual senses. We grew and learned and shared and all that good stuff. Fast forward, after some time, I came to find crucial alignments between the faith he shared with me through our beginning friendship, and my own, private beliefs. It was like the things I had been “blaspheming” (if some of my Christian circles knew) in my mind, began to take form and structure, and I was not the only one thinking and even practicing them. Long to short, my fiancé and I are now both Bahai’s. We’ll be marrying at a Bahai center. Without going over a lot of things that would distract from the point, I can only say that, even though I had always considered myself Christian, I had also always felt like there must be a continuation to the story (maybe the writer in me). Crucial information, but neither here nor there to the point. Point being, this has been and continues to be a point of contention in both family and friendly circles for me. It has even spilled into poor reference with some colleagues at work. Every attack serves, though, to drive the Bahai point of peace and unity between all Earth’s religions further home to me. But, early on and sometimes still, are times when what I’ve always known and accepted as the only truth, demands finality and distinction of my mind. Yet, I’m unable to deny a heart that has always been open, completely, to people, ideas, and found spiritualism from just about every other religion. Before I tangle those theories any more, I just have to say “thank you”. One of the simple bits of mysticism I got from your book, was that it truly doesn’t matter what you believe, simply that you believe. The way Sandra was able to easily integrate her Christian beliefs to Warnach’s religious beliefs, confirmed so much for me. I wish I could tell you the places I’ve been in this city, the different faiths I’ve visited, not seeking to conform or be conformed, but simply to worship among fellow worshippers. Demands to define myself eventually led me to curtail attending any particular faith’s worship service. Oddly, I have been ok with that. I guess because I always seek that inner-commune with God, without expectation or regard for whom He chose as messenger. Fodder for later. Point is, I believe God reserved my fiancé for me, and we still do not espouse the COMPLETE same religious viewpoints on all matters. But, we are able to share an open-hearted faith that does not discount any of the many roads to God. It was beautifully reassuring to see that exemplified in your book. I noted that Sandra never attempted to convert Warnach, and he never attempted to convert her. They simply accepted and respected one another’s beliefs. I wish we lived in a time where that was so carelessly the norm.
All that said, I cannot tell you what great spirit I will take to my wedding day, having read your book. I can’t tell you what great peace I will take to my marriage, and continue to attempt to emulate to those I encounter at work, here, there, throughout my days. I’m sure it was not your intent, but, you never know God’s purpose in causing your tongue to move or pen to write. When the spirit is merely willing, I believe He authors through each of us, simple affirmations for the destined interpretation of whomever will read or hear. Wild, I know.
I wish I could go on, as there is so much more that my head spins. But, I had to stop and share with you what touched me most profoundly. Your message will fall differently upon each heart that reads it, but I had to share with you how it fell upon mine.

E. B.

Lest Darkness Prevail – Enthralling! In this third, and final, installment of The Chikondra Trilogy, Sandra Valencia, once again, weaves a thoroughly enthralling take of interplanetary diplomacy and intrigue, action and drama, romance and spirituality surrounding Senior Field Minister Warnach Sirinoya, his lifemate, Sandra and their newborn son, Morcai.
As with each of Ms. Valencia’s books, the major characters are very well developed so that I felt I knew them. Each scene is written in just enough brilliant, descriptive detail that I couldn’t help but feel I was actually there to witness everything myself first hand.
The entire trilogy, which includes Guardian Redeemed, Whispers From Prophecy and Lest Darkness Prevail, has been a joy to read.
I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Janice

More Outstanding Valencia: The saga found in this series is rich with action – keeps one engrossed to the very end of the book, and eagerly awaiting more. Valencia has great skill in describing the setting which makes you feel like you are right there with the action. Gifted author indeed!

LadyHawke

Today I finished Return to Turand. About reading, you must know that I hardly read a book after high school. I had a lot of study-books and also very much documentary and new about accounting and taxes.
Therefore, it is special that I read your books. Because I never read, I become impatient soon. You wrote the book Return to Turand as beautifully as Song of Turand. The first part was about what happened and to understand what was coming in the following parts.
But in the book, telling of the story of the Sifiq country, of Alexa, I began to rush and read. I wanted to know what was happening next. Return to Turand was a very good book, too. I expected during reading in the last part, if there should be a next book to find the “Ring of Turand” in Sifiq country, but there became new rings on a pillow. There is an open end with Victor and the Sifiq woman Oui-lest. Perhaps that is an open end and can be filled with my own imagination.
You write in a short, describing way that is not boring and gives a good idea of the situation without it becoming slow and without disturbing the story that runs further.

P. PlevierThe Netherlands

A friend of mine loaned me this book (Song of Turand), and I will be forever grateful for her doing so. The book kept me intrigued throughout the entire reading. (The author’s) creativity is wonderful as well as the expression of undying love of country, God, husband and, in general, all of mankind.

B.A.J.Ohio

I thought I was snuggling down to read a nice romance story. I should have had a clue when I read the poem that starts the 1st part. By the time I’d read almost half the book (in one sitting!) I was caught up in the story but couldn’t figure why. When I finished, I felt strange. Yes, there was the romance I’d been looking for. There was also something else. Now I know. This is a book that carries messages. It has its own special ways, especially with all that’s going on in the world. It’s almost as if the author saw in advance some of our current problems before they happened. This book touched my spirit like nothing I’ve read in ages. This book is well worth reading. I read it and I’m reading it again.

A ReaderU.S.A.