Gravity By: Melissa West *Interview, Review & Giveaway*

(Click The Tour Banner To Check Out The Rest Of The Tour!)

Hey everybody! I'm so happy to be a part of Author Melissa West's Blog Tour for her Debut Novel: Gravity! Thanks to Itching For Books for letting me participate! Below, you will see an Interview I was fortunate to have with Melissa. My Review & the Giveaway are also below, so enjoy, and thank you so much for visiting! :)

Expected Publication: November 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Book Blurb

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

My Interview With Melissa West

Tell us a little about you : )

Let’s see. Boring stuff or interesting stuff? I’m married with a daughter and another on the way. I have an M.S. in Graphics and have worked for years in the printing/publishing industry. I am incredibly picky about the things I like, and incredibly cool about everything else. And secretly, I’m terrified of aliens.

How did you come up with the idea/concept for Gravity?

Really it was the combination of a storm outside that caused the trees to move in this creepy rhythmic pattern and a dream that night about what might come out of those trees. :)

How long did it take to write?

Three months to write and another two to edit.

Do any of the characters remind you of anyone you actually know?

Ari is a lot like me, if I’m honest—both her good and bad traits. She’s tough on the outside, sensitive on the inside, which is very me. :)

Which actors do you see playing the main characters?

Megan Fox for Ari and Taylor Kitsch for Jackson.

Are there any messages that you want your readers to see? What is that?

This is a tricky question. I try to avoid writing stories that preach, but GRAVITY, at root, is about how we handle what is different.

If you can tell us, what is the next book in the series going to be like?

*Smiles* Book two is GRAVITY on steroids. It’s much more intense and really pushes Ari and Jackson in ways they never imagined. There are new characters (though the old are still there as well, of course), new settings, etc. It’s been a blast to write. :)

Other Qs

When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

About two or three years ago. I have always loved writing, though I never focused on writing as a hobby or a career. Finally, a few years ago I decided to write a book and became hooked. Now, I can’t imagine not writing.

How has being a Debut Author been like?

It’s been amazing. The YA community, both authors and readers, have been so wonderful. I joined the Apocalypsies and “met” lots of other debut authors, all so supportive. And then I adore the Entangled Teen group. The publishing world is stressful! It’s nice to have a support system of people who help cushion the craziness. :)

Is there a place you ultimately like to write?

I can write anywhere, but I prefer to be alone in a quiet room. I find I write best sitting in my bedroom glider.

For Aspiring Authors, do you have any advice for them?

Read. Lots. Writing is a natural ability. I truly believe that. But it is also something that must be cultivated, and the two best ways to strengthen your writing is to write—a lot—and to read even more.

Which Authors are your most favorite?

I’m a big Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle fan. I also adore Libba Bray.

What are you currently reading and if you are not reading anything at the moment, is there a Novel you are just waiting to read?

I just finished THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER and really liked it. I like anything creepy and that book is full of creepy moments! I plan to read ALL THE BROKEN PIECES by Cindi Madsen next.

What is your All Time Favorite Film that you basically have all the lines memorized to?

The Wizard of Oz

Are you looking forward to a specific film that is coming soon in theaters? 

Coming soon? Not really. But I can’t wait to see Catching Fire.

Lastly, since it’s almost Halloween, if you celebrate it, do you have a favorite tradition?

I’m a mom, so I LOVE Halloween. My favorite tradition is probably carving the pumpkin with my husband and daughter. It’s become quite a big thing in our house.

*Thank you again for answering my Qs!*

About The Author

Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle. 

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange. 

Official links

http://www.melissawestauthor.com/

http://twitter.com/MB_West

http://www.facebook.com/MelissaWestAuthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287439.Melissa_West 

Purchase

Review

(Thank you to the Publisher for providing an ARC)

It's been a short while since I've read a Science Fiction Read, and I really enjoyed Gravity. This story was captivating and I felt sucked in it. We are transported far into the future and are introduced to 17 year-old Ari who is part of a Military Legacy and basically her life is planned for her, by her Parents. Basically she's going to be the next Commander, and marry the future President of their Country, Lawrence. What she does not expect though, is to have a mere distraction, a threat to that plan, and that's Jackson. She's wondering what? Why? Huh? Why is this guy, who all right, is one popular guy at school, interested to get to know her better, want her help? Well things get tricky when these two work together to, as Jackson mentions that she must help him or people will die, but what gets in the way are their intense feelings for each other and secrets get out, and they threaten a lot of people, so now things get really complicated in Ari's oh so planned life. 

This is a Debut Novel, and it's such a good one! The Author has wonderful writing skills, and there was just a great flow that makes you turn the pages. I got good indications on what the characters were like, so character development was pretty nice. I liked Ari, and enjoyed reading from her POV. She's a strong female character that knows how to throw a punch, as we read throughout the story, and in addition there are good action scenes here. Jackson is definitely a secretive and mysterious character, his secrets do get out, so prepare yourself! I felt the emotions and feelings that Ari was experiencing, especially when she's falling for Jackson, and I think the mysterious sides gets the better side of Jackson and I think it's understandable because of what he's hiding, but I hope to read more about his feelings towards Ari in the second book, which I'm definitely looking forward to because I think the ending was a really good one, that sets you up to make your own predictions about what's going to happen next, so I can't wait! :)

My Rating: 4.3/5

I say a PG-13 Rating!

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