Maria Veloso

Hello! I'm Maria Veloso, and I'm the author of Midwinter Turns to Spring , the first-ever novel that comes with its own music soundtrack of songs that I wrote.
What makes Midwinter Turns to Spring different from other books with companion music CDs is that the themes of the novel are interwoven with the songs on the music soundtrack -- and the song lyrics are sprinkled throughout the book. This enables the reader to enjoy the novel more in the context of the music and enables the listener to enjoy the music soundtrack more in the context of the novel .
The songs intensify the emotional involvement of the reader much like a film score intensifies the emotional appeal of a movie.
It is very gratifying to me that my multimedia storytelling approach has been hailed by the media as the "next-generation genre of fiction" and that the novel and its companion music soundtrack have been highly praised by a growing number of readers (see glowing reviews below) . Amazon.com rating: 5 stars
Click here to listen to music clips.
Click here to go on a "virtual ride" aboard the novel and its music soundtrack -- and experience for yourself why this is unlike any other entertainment format you've ever experienced before.
CLICK HERE to view a romantic 3-minute movie
featuring the instrumental theme song from the CD and excerpts of love from the novel.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NOVELS I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME
"Midwinter Turns to Spring is one of the most beautiful, moving and emotionally satisfying novels I've read in a long time. The message that comes through shines with so much hope, grace, redemption -- and stands as such a powerful picture of true, faithful love, that I can only weep and hope that it will reach and heal many people. This novel humbles me and challenges me to deeper definitions of love." -- Diane Eble, author of 11 books, including Abundant Gifts and MotherStyles
THIS BOOK IS LIFE-CHANGING
"Amazing! This is the best book I've ever read! I did not want it to end! I loved listening to the music soundtrack while reading the book -- what an unforgettable experience. This is life-changing -- it certainly changed my views on life. The messages, emotions, and definitions of love given in this book should be shared with the world." -- Dominique Daniel, Diamond Bar, California
ONE OF THE BEST LOVE STORIES I'VE EVER READ
"Wow! I can't say enough good things about this novel. What a literary piece of work! This novel is one of the best love stories I've ever read. The accompanying CD really took me to a whole new level while reading the story! What a wonderful idea and interesting concept to incorporate music into the story ... I definitely had a deeper understanding and relationship with the characters while listening to the CD. The music is just beautiful." -- Heather Arcuri, Cary, North Carolina
Click here to read more reviews.
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: The story I tell in Midwinter Turns to Spring is inspired by a true story about a journey towards self-realization and the discovery of the real essence of love. It is my desire that both the novel and the music soundtrack will touch and heal the hearts of people and provide a practical paradigm of love to which we can all aspire.
The music soundtrack was purposely included to highlight one of the central themes of the novel -- that of the power of music to communicate love better than mere words can, as well as music's endless capacity for healing, breaking through pain, bringing us together with those we love, and reconnecting us with our higher selves and our creator.
I wish to put this novel into the hands of every woman or man who would be touched, moved and enlightened by it because I believe a Greater Hand was at work in this novel.
The story begins when Cassidy Hamilton, a San Francsco woman, moves into a Victorian apartment, and discovers a hidden drawer tucked behind the baseboard of a built-in china cabinet. Inside the drawer is the journal of Savannah Curtis, a woman who lived in the same Victorian apartment twenty-six years earlier. Click here to read the FIRST CHAPTER of "Midwinter Turns to Spring".

CLICK HERE to view a romantic 3-minute movie
featuring the instrumental theme song from the CD and excerpts of love from the novel.

"Midwinter Turns to Spring is a
phenomenally important work that represents
the synergistic fusion of prose and music.
Maria Veloso is pioneering a next-generation genre
of fiction and music that incorporates
profound insights, a message of transcendence
and extraordinary songwriting ."
-- Tony Trupiano, host of the nationally syndicated "Tony Trupiano Show" and Congressional candidate (Michigan)

REVIEWS

PURE POETRY
"The very first time I heard the music soundtrack of Midwinter Turns to Spring, I immediately fell in love with the songs. They sent shivers up and down my spine because the vocals were full of heartfelt emotion , and the melodies and words were so romantic and captivating . I've been listening to the CD everyday. The more I listen to the CD, the more I get addicted to the songs. When I read the novel, the music seemed to cast a dreamy impact on my reading, making me enjoy the extraordinary love story even more. The novel itself is so beautifully written that at times (especially in Chapter 11), it seemed like I was reading pure poetry . The novel and the music certainly enhance each other. I loved the multi-media experience!"
-- F.G. Isaac, Rancho Cucamonga, California
DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS SONGS
"The music CD came as a big surprise. It has more drop-dead gorgeous songs than Ive seen contained in a single CD. The songs tenderly wrapped me in the strains of Spanish guitars. I can already see these songs being played at weddings."
-- Taylor Baskin, Middlefield, Connecticut

RELATIONSHIP WISDOM ... MADE ME JUMP UP FROM MY READING
"I loved the story told in the novel, but what I enjoyed even more were the relationship insights I derived from the story. While reading the novel, I would come upon passages that had so much relationship wisdom that they made me jump up from my reading, find my husband, read the passages to him and tell him this is the way love should be. This novel dispelled many myths I used to believe about love. It taught me more about how to build a lasting relationship with my husband than most relationship books I’ve read. This book ought to be on Oprah's Book Club.”
-- Lori Jensen, Eclectic Book Club, Los Angeles, California

VERY INSIGHTFUL ... I SAVORED EVERY WORD
"Midwinter Turns to Spring is very insightful on the many complexities of relationships -- spouses, lovers, parent/child. I am normally a fast reader but the beauty of the story, the words and poetry made me want to savor and linger on each and every word so as to make sure I am not missing a thing and at the end, I still wanted more! Thank you!"
-- Joy Magallanes, Los Angeles, California
AMAZING ... A STANDING OVATION!
"Oh, and the music (I put it on Repeat) is definitely an added attraction to the novel! The duets are truly wonderful. I'm sure you already know that the CD is good enough to make it on its own. Kudos to you and Zendrik for a wonderful total package! I've added the CD to the collection I carry in my car!
-- Dotti Yells, Oceanside, California

MOVED ME TO TEARS
"Midwinter Turns to Spring deeply and profoundly touched me -- and moved me to tears. It's as though the author gathered all the gems from Gone with the Wind, Thorn Birds, Bridges of Madison County, and The Notebook and crafted them into the exquisite crown jewels that comprise this novel."
-- Sydney Morgan, W.O.W. Book Club, Los Angeles, California

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THIS NOVEL
"I'm a U.S. Army pilot serving in Iraq. My girlfriend, who lives in California, read Midwinter Turns to Spring recently -- it was her book club's second-anniversary book read. She enjoyed the book so much that she sent a copy to me here in Balad, Iraq, where I'm stationed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel -- a great story! The author's descriptions of the various settings were so vivid that I felt like I was actually there. It was like seeing a movie unfold in front of my eyes. I’ve nominated this book for Oprah’s Book Club, and two of my Army friends have done the same."
-- First Lieutenant Diego Palma, U.S. Army Pilot from California serving in Balad, Iraq

Get a 50% DISCOUNT off the book (with companion music CD) OR the stand-alone music CD. Click here to get your 50% discount now. .
You can choose to receive either the Midwinter Turns to Spring hard cover novel with companion music CD -- or the stand-alone music CD only.

ADDITIONAL REVIEWS

THIS BOOK ENTHRALLED ME ... I DEVOURED IT IN ONE EVENING
"The story of Midwinter Turns to Spring was riveting. It enthralled me -- I couldn't put it down, and devoured it in one evening, ending with tears rolling down my face. The art and music references intrigued me. The characters are richly depicted, and the thoughts and inferences appealing. I highly recommend this book."
-- Gisela Dalrymple, Bellingham, Washington
THIS BOOK LEFT ME SPEECHLESS AND IN TEARS
"Maria, I just finished reading Midwinter Turns to Spring -- and I have to say, your book left me speechless and in tears. Magnifico !!! -- and bravo on a story well told. This is as beautiful as a love story can be -- you couldn't have done a better job. Now that I've finished reading the novel, the songs on the soundtrack seem even more captivating in the context of the story. Oprah Winfrey would LOVE this book!" -- A.D.G., Dublin, California

AN UNFORGETTABLE STORY
"All I can say is Maria Veloso makes poetry with words. It was heart warming to read such a love story with pure depth of emotions like hope, faith and selfless love. The music, oh the music gives me goosepimples whenever I listen to it. Thank you so much for the unforgettable story."
-- Shikha Garg, Bangalore , India

MADE MY HEART MELT
"I read Midwinter Turns to Spring, and I reveled in it, cried over it, and was touched by it – all before even listening to the music CD that came with the novel. The novel was so wonderful and hard to put down that I really doubted that the music CD would add much more to my enjoyment of it. I was wrong. I finally listened to the songs on the CD and realized that they should really be enjoyed alongside the novel. So I read the novel all over again and listened to the relevant songs when I got to key sections in the story. I felt myself strangely becoming part of the story, involved in the events as though I was a silent character. Especially when I heard the haunting song titled Let Me Come Eagerly, which was in the finale of the story, it gave me gooseflesh because it tied everything together into an ending that made my heart melt. I predict that this song will be played at more weddings than any other song.” -- Charlotte Kirk, Berea, Ohio

THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE
"I loved Midwinter Turns to Spring. It touched my heart, and the story and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading the book. I think it would make a great movie! I love the songs on the CD, too -- especially Time and Space."
-- Luisa Q., Rancho Cucamonga, California

A TRULY REMARKABLE BOOK
"I'm accustomed to reading novels by John Grisham, and other action adventure and mystery thrillers, and I wasn't sure at first if Midwinter Turns to Spring would be the kind of novel I'd enjoy. But upon reading it, I realized that it's a truly remarkable book. My wife will be reading it, too, now that I've raved about it. And the music in the companion soundtrack is excellent, too. Zendrik is a great singer, and even my brother was very impressed with the songs on the CD when he came over to listen to them. But don't take my word for it. Enjoy both the novel and the music CD for yourself, and you won't regret doing so."
Doel Joaquin, Claremont , California

TOOK MY BREATH AWAY
"I loved the novel but the songs on the music CD took my breath away. Romantic strains of Flamenco guitar were woven throughout, tugging at my heartstrings and giving me a taste of what Alfonso's sentiments must have been like, and how Savannah must've felt. Not only is the music tantalizing, but the vocalists, Zendrik and Seana Fisher, obviously are world-class singers. Incidentally, the name 'Zendrik' appears in the novel as one of the main characters who wrote songs inspired by Alfonso and Savannah . It makes me wonder whether the character, Zendrik, was based on the real person, Zendrik, the singer who also produced the Midwinter Turns to Spring music album.
-- Georgia Phillips, Montpelier, Vermont

Get a 50% DISCOUNT off the book (with companion music CD) OR the stand-alone music CD. Click here to get your 50% discount now. .
You can choose to receive either the Midwinter Turns to Spring hard cover novel with companion music CD -- or the stand-alone music CD only.

ADDITIONAL REVIEWS

EXTREMELY POWERFUL ... AN EMOTIONAL LOVE STORY
"Wow! Maria, you are FANTASTIC! I just finished reading your novel, Midwinter Turns to Spring. It was wonderful! I could not put it down once I started reading it. I finished the book in one day! Readers who don't mind shedding a few tears won't be disappointed. This novel would surely make a GREAT MOVIE. Extremely powerful, an emotional love story. I hope you continue writing for years to come -- and thanks for sharing this talent with the world."
-- Marie Samson, Livermore, California

AN EXTRAORDINARY TOUR DE FORCE
"I can’t decide which I like better – Midwinter Turns to Spring, the novel, or its companion music CD with the same title. What I do know is that the music gave a whole new dimension to novel reading. Without exaggeration, the songs in the album – including my personal favorite, From Where I Stand -- are of the same caliber as those award-winning songs at the Academy Awards like You Must Love Me from Evita, A Whole New World from Aladdin, My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, or the theme song from Beauty and the Beast. This novel/CD combo is something no book or music lover should be without. It’s an extraordinary tour de force for Maria Veloso to have been able to excel in both the literary and music aspects equally well. Kudos to her on a job superbly done."
-- Cindy Bennett, Folsom, New Jersey

A TOUCHING, AWESOME BOOK
"This was such a touching book that I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting -- midnight to 6am, when I should have been sleeping. I've always known I'm destined for this kind of love, and even though this story may be fiction, we can all relate to such a love. Love is about the conscious choice of choosing your partner always through thick and thin. Having the faith in God and love is the message this book embodies. Midwinter Turns to Spring, the book as well as its companion CD, is not only absolutely beautiful, and a wonderful reminder of what love is, but it is also inspiring. It has inspired me to write a wedding song for when I get married to the love God will guide me to. So thank you, Maria and Zendrik, for the book, the words, the music, the song, the inspiration!!!"
-- V. Angelica, Las Vegas, Nevada

THIS WILL TOUCH MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES AND GIVE RENEWED HOPE
"When I received Midwinter Turns to Spring in the mail last week, before even reading the book, I listened to the CD. I don't know what came over me but I cried through all the songs. After I finished reading the book, I knew that it, too, will touch many people's lives and give renewed hope for those who have been hurt by love or have stopped believing in love. Although I think that both the novel and the songs on the CD have great commercial potential, I predict that the songs on the CD will breakout way ahead of the novel."
-- Greg Stiles, Hollywood, California

MELODIC WORDS ... RHYTHMIC LYRICS
"Both the novel and the CD moved me in so many ways -- the melodic words described in the novel not only measured well with the rhythmic lyrics of the songs but it also harmonized well with my true feelings of what true love can be. We all have a choice with love if we can let go of fear. The significance of this fiction novel does not only live within the pages of this book or within each track of the CD. Because I, too, have been able to experience and continue to grow with my beautiful husband - by letting go of fear and allowing love to evolve us. Thank you again for the captivating reminder." -- T. Pueblos, N. Hollywood, California

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT
"Both the melodies and the words of the songs on the Midwinter Turns to Spring music CD are so beautiful they make me want to cry. I like all the songs on this album that I can't decide which one is my favorite. I like I'll Remember You, Let Me Come Eagerly, Let Our Souls Touch and Midwinter Turns to Spring, in particular. I listen to the CD wherever I go -- when I'm driving in my car, I take it with me. When I get back to my house, I listen to it on the home stereo, and when I'm sitting at my desk, I play it on my computer's CD player. I can't get enough of it!"
-- M. Langston, Sacramento, California

SURE TO BECOME A BESTSELLER
"I applaud Midwinter Turns to Spring and the brave, new genre Maria Veloso is pioneering. This is sure to become a bestseller! Give this book to Oprah Winfrey! The novel is moving, and the songs on the CD soundtrack are so beautiful that they should be enjoyed not only in the context of novel reading, but be heard on the airwaves as well."
-- Jackie Silva, Valparaiso, Indiana
Get a 50% DISCOUNT off the book (with companion music CD) OR the stand-alone music CD. Click here to get your 50% discount now. .
You can choose to receive either the Midwinter Turns to Spring hard cover novel with companion music CD -- or the stand-alone music CD only.

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