Music Monday (35): 1989

Music Monday is a meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

October 27, 2014 was the day Taylor Swift released her 5th studio album, 1989. 1989 is Taylor's first and official pop album and as a huge fan of hers, I couldn't take it. There's no way she's leaving country--even though we have felt it on her previous album, Red. I went through the five stages of grieving and like all stages of grieving, it always end in acceptance. And I did. So today on our Monday tradition, we'll talk about music--Taylor Swift's 1989!

Mu copy of 1989 deluxe (imported limited edition)!

My copy is a deluxe edition. It includes three bonus tracks and three songwriting voice memos. I listened to the memos several times already and I love it. I love knowing how Tay go through her songwriting, her thoughts, and everything about it. I wish all songs have voice memos. Both standard and deluxe edition includes one (of six) set of 13 Polaroid-like photos (separate from the actual booklet), arranged by Tay herself.

1989 deluxe edition outer cover and back of the CD.

Taylor named her album 1989, her birth year, and apart from her new look, she also have her music like 80's pop. And as Taylor Swift always do on her albums, 1989 songs also have hidden messages from the lyrics printed on the booklet. I didn't have time to decode it but I do know them. I read them accidentally somewhere in the internet. Here's what I thought: from her first track, Welcome to New York to her last track, Clean (bonus tracks doesn't contain hidden messages), it seemed like she told a short story. Like all songs are connected as one. It could have double meaning to some people, but I think it was clever. Polaroid was mentioned on the lyrics of her one track, Out of the Woods, and then everything was like connected. Everything about this album is so clever. I love it. Taylor Swift is so talented and artistic. You'd know she'd make a good one but you'll still end up surprised.

1989

• Welcome to New York

"It a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat forevermore."

Let's say, Welcome to NY didn't appeal to me that much. However, I love the part I included above.

• Blank Space

"Oh my god, look at that face / you look like my next mistake" 

"Coz darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream"

Blank Space was Tay's second single off 1989. This one was one of my favorites. 

Also, I love the music video. It scared me at first but I think Tay did justice on looking like a crazy woman craving for a new love/man. Tay's like, 'so this is how some people think about me. Let's write a song about it.' And bam! She turned it into another hit. As always. ;)

• Style

"You got that long hair slicked back, white t-shirt / and I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt / and when we go crashing down, we come back everytime / coz we never go out of style"

Another favorite of mine! I don't care who's this song for anymore. I only care about the flawless lyrics that comes along a flawless melody. Of all tracks, I think this one's more 80's sound.

(I'm sorry. I couldn't find a full and HQ video, plus VS Fashion Show is her first live performance of Style.)

• Out of the Woods

"The rest of the world is black and white but we were in screaming color"

I hated Out of the Woods when I first heard it. I couldn't stand it. So whenever I play the album, I skip it. Then one day I found myself singing some lyrics (I was surprised I even know it) and then I listened to it again and found myself repeating and liking it. I was completely surprised. But then again, it's Taylor Swift. 

• All You Had to Do Was Stay

"People like you always want back the love they gave away / People like me want to believe you when you say you've changed"

Ugh, another favorite of mine. This was also memorable because Tay said on an interview that she kept hearing this weird high-pitched voice saying the word "stay" on a dream. That was an Aha! moment for me because I do wonder and a bit weirded out on the high-pitched "stay" on the song. Anyways, you'll get what I mean when you listen to the song. Unfortunately, due to copyrights I can't share you an original studio version so I decided to share a cover by a fan instead.

• Shake It Off

"It's like I got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright"

I love this song! It's another song that I hated at first but grown to love and now can't help but dance with it. I tried to not listen to it on public but I can't so yeah, I always try my best to not dance that much.

• I Wish You Would

"We're a crooked love in a straight line down / makes you want to run and hide / then it makes you turn right back around"

"2 am" is back! I love this song and the awesome guitar intro.

So this is kinda weird. I found this "male version" on Youtube. But it's totally Taylor, they just changed the pitch. XD 

• Bad Blood

"Still got scars on my back from your knife"

Another hate-turned-love song. I think it's catchy and so..meaningful. It's like I wanna shout and point someone or at something while I sing along with this song. I love it. It's a great way to release your anger, for a change.

I'm sharing a drum cover this time. This is so cool. You can pretty much hear Bad Blood on the background too.

• Wildest Dreams

"Say you'll see me again even if it's just in your wildest dreams"

This song is so smooth, I like the whisper-y way Tay sang this song and the "aah-ah" part like she was sighing. Love it.

I think this group did a great job in their cover performance.

• How You Get the Girl

"Remind her how it used to be / Pictures in frames, of kisses on cheeks"

The first time I heard this song was on Tay's new Diet Coke commercial. I fell in love instantly even though it's just a snippet. I couldn't be happier when I finally heard the full song. I totally loved the guitar on the background. That's the closest thing to her old sound.

• This Love

"This love is good / This love is bad / This love is alive back from the dead"

I didn't disliked This Love or loved it. It was okay for me. But it's slowly growing on me.

• I Know Places

"They got the cages, they got the boxes / and guns / They are the hunters, we are the foxes / and we run"

I like the darkness of this song and the lyrics as well. It's another Taylor masterpiece.

Here's another "male version".

• Clean

"The drought was the very worst / When the flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst" 

"Rain came pouring downwhen I was drowning that's when I can finally breathe"

I think this song has the best lyrics of all. I like the cleverness and moving lyrics. I love the entire song.

Here's a real male version!

Deluxe edition bonus tracks

• Wonderland

"We found Wonderland / you and I got lost in it"

I didn't think pop could pull off a song about the dark world Wonderland (or the likes). But then again, it's Taylor.

Check out this band cover!

• You Are In Love

"You can hear it in the silence / You can feel it on the way home / You could see it with the lights out / You are in love"

This song is one of my least favorite. But I do like the chorus part.

This is a high-pitched version.

• New Romantics

"The best people in life are free"

Another least favorite but I could grow in it. The lyrics above is my fave part.

***

Swifties! It's your turn to mention your favorite songs!
What are your thoughts on the album?
Don't forget to share it on the comments below! :)

Stay tuned for my feature of 1989 Philippine album launch!

Long live,

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Rachel M. Wilson (Interview)

Find out how did Rachel M. Wilson, author of Don't Touch, celebrated the publishing of her book, her most unforgettable moment with a fan, other 2014 debuts she loved, and more on the interview below!

Rachel M. Wilson

1. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?

The support from family and friends has been incredible, but I’ve also been overwhelmed in the best way by some of the nice things bloggers have done for my book. A few people have gone above and beyond, hosting giveaways or making gif sets or a playlist. It’s very moving when someone you don’t even know takes that kind of interest and care in your work. 

2. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I had a couple of launch parties, one in my hometown of Birmingham, AL, on the day the book came out, and one the next weekend in Chicago. I was blown away by all the old friends and teachers (and even some strangers) who made it out. After the event in Birmingham, I went out to dinner with my family and a big group of family friends. My parents surprised me with champagne. In Chicago, a couple of friends surprised me with a salon visit, and everyone who came to the bookstore stayed out for latenight pizza. I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite so well feted.  

3. When is your best time to write?

I prefer to write immediately after waking up, often in bed. If I can’t manage that because I have to be at work too early, I’ll often take an afternoon nap and write after that, almost like it’s a whole new day.

4. Do you read reviews of your book?

I definitely read all the trade reviews that my publisher and agent send me, and every once in a while I read other reviews in batches. I like knowing what’s out there, and I have a pretty thick skin. The ones from people who totally connect to the book thrill me, and less-than-gushing ones don’t usually get me down. Still, I’ve found that reading even positive reviews distracts me while I’m working on new writing, so I try not to pay attention 24-7.

5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?

I was at a school visit, and a girl came up to me and the other presenting author. She had drawn each of us a picture, and she wanted to buy us chocolate bars from her school’s fundraiser to thank us for coming out. She was incredibly sweet and she was wearing long gloves. I don’t know if her wearing them had anything to do with my book—I was told she had an adventurous fashion sense and that she didn’t wear them everyday—but her generosity and the coincidence of the gloves made it very memorable.

6. Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2014 that you loved?

Oh my gosh, yes! There are so many I haven’t yet had the chance to read, but I loved Robin Herrera’s middle grade Hope Is A Ferris Wheel. In YA, Mary Elizabeth Summer’s Trust Me, I’m Lying reminded me of Veronica Mars in the best way, and Joy N. Hensley’s Rites of Passage was this action-packed look at a girl entering a formerly all-male military academy. 

7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?

I’ve long been interested in writing middle grade, and I’d love to write more horror—I have a spooky short out with HarperTeen Impulse called The Game of Boys and Monsters that’s more in that vein. It’s my fave genre to read.

8. Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

Hmm. You know, in thinking about this, I realize I don’t tend to embarrass easily. I do a lot of silly things as an actor by choice that would probably embarrass the average person. I can be a space cadet, so most of my truly embarrassing moments have involved a lack of attention/awareness of my surroundings. In college, somebody broke into the garage of the place where I lived and stole a bunch of bikes. I reported mine stolen only to realize—several months later—that it had been safely locked up in front of the theater building that whole time.

9. Favorite color? 

Green

Favorite movie? 

Rushmore

Favorite ice cream flavor? 

Mint-chocolate cookie

Favorite song?

“Some Nights” by Fun

Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)?

Ooh, that’s a toughie. You know, I tend to be torn between rugged cowboys and adorkable wits. If Norman Reedus and Adam Scott had a love child, I’d go for that. 

10. What's next for you?

I’m slowly but surely working on a new book—I’d like to serve up something spooky, but only time will tell.

***

About the Author

Rachel M. Wilson studied theater at Northwestern University and received her MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Alabama, Rachel currently writes, acts, and teaches in Chicago, IL. Don't Touch is her first novel.

Find her: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Touch and read Rachel's debut novel!

Don't Touch

by Rachel M. Wilson

Published September 2nd 2014 by HarperTeen

Blurb (Goodreads):
Step on a crack, break your mother's back,
Touch another person's skin, and Dad's gone for good . . .

Caddie has a history of magical thinking—of playing games in her head to cope with her surroundings—but it's never been this bad before.

When her parents split up, Don't touch becomes Caddie's mantra. Maybe if she keeps from touching another person's skin, Dad will come home. She knows it doesn't make sense, but her games have never been logical. Soon, despite Alabama's humidity, she's covering every inch of her skin and wearing evening gloves to school.

And that's where things get tricky. Even though Caddie's the new girl, it's hard to pass off her compulsions as artistic quirks. Friends notice things. Her drama class is all about interacting with her scene partners, especially Peter, who's auditioning for the role of Hamlet. Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia, but if she does, she'll have to touch Peter . . . and kiss him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall.


From rising star Rachel M. Wilson comes a powerful, moving debut novel of the friendship and love that are there for us, if only we'll let them in.

Yesterday: Skylar Dorset, author of The Girl Who Never Was. On Monday: Trisha Leaver, author of Creed. Check out the schedule here.

ARC Review: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Talon

by Julie Kagawa

Series: Talon #1

Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Published October 28th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Depository
Local purchase/order: Fullybooked * National Bookstore

Blurb (Goodreads):

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

My Thoughts:

* This review is based on the advance reading copy. There might be some changes with the finished copy.

Yet another Julie Kagawa novel and with dragons in it? Yes, please! I couldn't be more excited when I found out about Talon. Not to mention that beautiful cover.

Talon was told in two perspectives on the first part, with Ember and Garret. Ember is sixteen years old on her human form and a young red dragon in her true form (can't remember whether her dragon age was mentioned). Ember didn't appeal to me from the beginning. I think she was supposed to turn out to be fiery, strong-willed, and independent, but for me, she looked like an anti-social (psychologically means: rule-breaker) spoiled teenager dragon. She's not even real human. Garret was fine for me. I like his soldier background and how he come undone as the story progressed. However, he seemed to become like Ember, slowly breaking the commands of the Order. As I witness the new Garret, I became fully aware on how he think and act and well, he sounded like Ember. His character lost its consistency.

Another POV was added on the part two of the book which belonged to Riley, a rogue  (rebel) dragon. Riley's a bad boy (or dragon) you'd probably have read in so many books. I don't know, he doesn't appeal to me as well. It came out cliche. His appearance ticked one thing I feared the most: love triangle. It drove me crazy. And with many POVs shown, there were hardly a mystery--which I think would make this book better if Talon had only one narrator. It's like, everything's out in the open and I wouldn't have to think, guess, or beg for more, and it didn't end up well.

The plot would've turn out more appealing and bad-ass (it's about dragons!) if not for the cliche love triangle (and the flow of love story) and characterization. I hate myself for not liking it but I wanted to stay true. I really liked the Talon background or the world Julie made about dragons, the rebels, and the human dragon slayers, St. George. The near ending part made me breathless and squirm with excitement because of the series of action. It was almost perfect until the real ending arrived. I have seen the sequel, Rogue, on Goodreads (love the cover) but I'm not sure about it for now. We'll see.

Talon had a really interesting element which are the dragons. The story could do much better, it has a great potential, I can see it. However, I'm afraid the characters and flow of the story didn't work for me. I'm not saying it wouldn't work for you, you should still give it a try specially if you really wanted the likes. I would recommend this to Julie Kagawa fans as well and urban fantasy readers. I really have to say urban fantasy because it wasn't high fantasy, like I assumed.

* Thank you so much Cara and Harlequin UK for the review copy in exchange of an honest review!

Rating:

.5

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Skylar Dorset (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Window seats, coats, writing on a coffee shop--find out more things the author of The Girl Who Never Was loves! Plus, be one of ten winners of her swag giveaway! 

Skylar Dorset

1. Skylar Dorset is a pseudonym. Shhhh!

2. My mother has a dog named Benny. This dog was not named after the character Ben in THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS (nor was the character named after the dog), but I smile every time I think about the two Bens in my life.

3. I have a rabid fangirl personality and encourage all of you to go forth and write TGWNW fanfiction. Seriously.

4. I was born on a Sunday.

5. I never what a book I’m writing is about until I type “The End” at the end of the document. I get to be as surprised by the plot twists as the readers are!

6. I prefer window seats when I fly because I like to look out over all the world and make sure everything looks like it’s going okay.

7. I decorate for Mardi Gras every year, even though I no longer live in New Orleans. I think more people should decorate for Mardi Gras.

8. Coats are my favorite. If I was a world-famous celebrity, I’d buy so many coats that I’d probably never wear the same one twice.

9. I love the sound of a whistling tea kettle.

10. I went to summer camp a grand total of once. I was a first grader and they made me sit with the kindergarteners and I was so mortally offended that I refused to ever go back.

11. Sometimes I just have to spend an entire day just reading, and I’m okay with that.

12. For a long time, my GPS was set to speak French. I don’t actually speak French, I just liked pretending I was in Paris. I learned very well the French words for “left” and “right.”

13. I make really fantastic apple pies. My secret is I zap them in the microwave before baking them. Makes all the difference in the world.

14. I am addicted to writing in coffee shops. But I don’t actually like coffee.

***

About the Author
Skylar’s first story was a tale of romantic intrigue involving two feuding factions of squirrels. Think “Romeo & Juliet” but with bushy tails and added espionage. She was seven.

Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.


Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.

Find her: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Faeries, anyone?

The Girl Who Never Was

(Otherworld #1)

by Skylar Dorset

Published June 1st 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire

Blurb (Goodreads):

THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS is the story of Selkie Stewart, who thinks she’s a totally normal teenager growing up in Boston. Sure, her father is in an insane asylum, her mother left her on his doorstep—literally—when she was a baby, and she’s being raised by two ancient aunts who spend their time hunting gnomes in their Beacon Hill townhouse. But other than that her life is totally normal! She’s got an adventurous best friend who’s always got her back and an unrequited crush on an older boy named Ben. Just like any other teenager, right?

When Selkie goes in search of the mother she’s never known, she gets more than she bargained for. It turns out that her mother is faerie royalty, which would make Selkie a faerie princess—except for the part where her father is an ogre, which makes her only half of anything. Even more confusing, there’s a prophecy that Selkie is going to destroy the tyrannical Seelie Court, which is why her mother actually wants to kill her. Selkie has been kept hidden all her life by her adoring aunts, with the help of a Salem wizard named Will. And Ben. Because the boy she thinks she’s in love with turns out to be a faerie whose enchantment has kept her alive, but also kept her in the dark about her own life.


Now, with enchantments dissolved and prophecies swinging into action, Selkie finds herself on a series of mad quests to save the people she’s always loved and a life she’s learning to love. But in a supernatural world of increasingly complex alliances and distressingly complicated deceptions, it’s so hard to know who to trust. Does her mother really wish to kill her? Would Will sacrifice her for the sake of the prophecy? And does Ben really love her or is it all an elaborate ruse? In order to survive, Selkie realizes that the key is learning—and accepting—who she really is. 

Yesterday: Dahlia Adler, author of Behind the Scenes. Tomorrow: Rachel M. Wilson, author of Don't Touch. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- 10 (yes, TEN!) swag packs
- open internationally
- Skylar and I are NOT responsible for any lost or damaged package
- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!
- contest ends December 21st
- winners must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Dahlia Adler (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Get ready to meet the author of YA contemporary romance, Behind the Scenes, Dahlia Adler!

Dahlia Adler

1. I have hitchhiker's thumbs, which is a genetic thing that basically means the top joint of my thumb bends back at pretty much a right angle.

2. I was in the New York City spelling bee when I was in 8th grade, and got interviewed for the Columbia University TV station because I was contestant #1 - the result of my last name being Adler and me representing the Bronx. I got out on "dichotomy" and came in 17th place out of 81.

3. I have always loved world geography, and especially memorizing capitals, but alas, it was my cousin who got to be on the game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? I was bitterly jealous.

4. I love to travel and I love souvenirs, especially international currency, shot glasses, magnets, and cookbooks. My favorite cities outside the US are Jerusalem, Netanya (where my family has an apartment), Istanbul, and Paris.

5. My cousin David A. Adler is also a kidlit author, though he's considerably more famous (especially to me, since I grew up on the Cam Jansen series) and prolific. That both our last names are Adler is actually a coincidence, though - his wife and my mother are first cousins who happened to marry unrelated men with the same common Jewish last name.

6. Adler is actually the German word for "eagle," but no one knows how we got a German last name - I'm half Polish and half Czech, and the only other German I know is "Schadenfreude."

7. I met my husband when I was 19, so I like to think we're an Upper YA Romance.

8. I've had an absurd amount of dental work done, including four root canals (two on baby teeth), two sets of braces, a space maintainer, and an expander. Be jealous. I have it down to the point where I even have an album of choice I listen to during dental work. (Nirvana's "Nevermind," in case you were wondering.)

9. I've interned at both HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, and would have interned with Hyperion as well but I turned it down to be a fashion intern at Maxim, back when I thought I wanted to work in magazines. I also used to be an Editorial Assistant at S&S.

10. I'm big into languages, and have taken Hebrew, Latin, Russian, and French. At least one of those makes an appearance in almost every one of my books.

11. In addition to writing YA, I also write NA. Last Will and Testament is both my NA debut and my self-pub debut!

12. My degree is in Journalism, specifically magazines. (See #9.) When I applied to college, I wanted to be a rock journalist. By the time I started (after a year at seminary), I wanted to work in women's magazines. Then my #1 dream became to work at Esquire. Then my S&S internship changed that dream entirely.

13. I love food, but I'm a shockingly picky eater. On top of keeping kosher, I don't like walnuts, pecans, rosemary, cheese (with a few exceptions, but goat cheese and feta are my nemeses on this earth), cilantro, beans, black olives, citrus in any food other than dessert, poppy seeds, fennel (or anything else licorice-y), dark chocolate, tahini, or wine. But I've recently come around to lentils (sorta) and chick peas, so, let's hear it for personal growth!

14. I'm obsessed with my CPs, two of whom have amazing YA debuts coming out in 2015, and my accountabilibuddy, whose second book comes out then as well. Keep an eye out for The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall, Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca, and Skandal by Lindsay Smith!

***

About the Author

Dahlia Adler is an Associate Editor of Mathematics by day, a Copy Editor by night, and a YA and NA writer and blogger at The Daily Dahlia, YA Misfits, and Barnes & Noble at every spare moment in between. Her debut novel, BEHIND THE SCENES, is available now, and its sequel, UNDER THE LIGHTS, releases from Spencer Hill Contemporary on June 30, 2015.

Find her: Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Now take a look on Dahlia's debut novel!

Behind the Scenes

(Daylight Falls #1)

by Dahlia Adler

Published June 24th 2014 by Spencer Hill Contemporary

Blurb (Goodreads):

High school senior Ally Duncan's best friend may be the Vanessa Park - star of TV's hottest new teen drama - but Ally's not interested in following in her BFF's Hollywood footsteps. In fact, the only thing Ally’s ever really wanted is to go to Columbia and study abroad in Paris. But when her father's mounting medical bills threaten to stop her dream in its tracks, Ally nabs a position as Van's on-set assistant to get the cash she needs.

Spending the extra time with Van turns out to be fun, and getting to know her sexy co-star Liam is an added bonus. But when the actors’ publicist arranges for Van and Liam to “date” for the tabloids just after he and Ally share their first kiss, Ally will have to decide exactly what role she's capable of playing in their world of make believe. If she can't play by Hollywood's rules, she may lose her best friend, her dream future, and her first shot at love. 

Yesterday: Melissa Landers, author of Alienated. Tomorrow: Skylar Dorset, author of The Girl Who Never Was. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- signed copy of Behind the Scenes

- open to US only
- Dahlia and I are NOT responsible for any lost or damaged package

- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!

- contest ends December 20th

- winner must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Melissa Landers (Interview)

Celebrating Debutantes 2014 day 3: Say hello to the author of Alienated, Melissa Landers!

Melissa Landers

1. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?

Definitely connecting with fans. I've met so many fabulous readers, and they never cease to amaze me with the depth of their enthusiasm for Aelyx and Cara's story. It warms my heart to see people who love my characters as much as I do. 

2. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I held a book launch at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, complete with cake and champagne. Unfortunately, an ice storm decided to crash the party, so we had to cut it short, but a good time was still had by all! I hope to schedule a similar event for the release of INVADED in February.

3. When is your best time to write?

I write all day, but I've found that I *have* to get started in the morning if I want to make any significant progress, otherwise I can't generate enough momentum to keep going.

4. Do you read reviews of your book?

NOOOOOOOOO, not anymore. I'm happiest when I ignore reviews and focus on my current project. 

5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?

A fan traveled all the way from Colorado to Ohio for one of my summer signings...AND she baked alien cookies for me! I'll never forget that. It made me feel so special.

6. Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2014 that you loved?

Oh, yes. Far too many to mention. 

7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?

I actually have written in a different genre, but now I'm slowing down to focus on YA. (I've published several adult contemporary romances under a pen name, but they're VERY adult. Not for teens!)

8. Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

Just a few months ago, I fell down the stairs in front of a bunch of librarians at the ALA conference in Vegas. That was horrifically embarrassing.

9. Favorite color? 

Blue

Favorite movie? 

Depends on my mood. I have different favorites in comedy, drama, romance, sci-fi, action/adventure, etc. I'm a sucker for old school romantic comedies, especially starring Meg Ryan. (Like "French Kiss" and "You've Got Mail.")

Favorite ice cream flavor? 

Again, it depends on my mood. If you're holding a gun to my head, I guess I'd choose Cookies and Cream.

Favorite song?

My favorite songs don't last long, because I'll binge-listen until I can't stand to hear them anymore.

Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)?

This is easy. Harrison Ford.

10. What's next for you?

I just finished a standalone sci-fi romance for Disney, tentatively titled STARFLIGHT, which is set to release in 2016. It's about an orphan who indentures herself to a rich jerk in exchange for passage to a new world aboard a luxury spaceliner. But when he temporarily loses his memory, she convinces him that their roles are reversed--that she's the master and he's the servant--and leads him onto a ship full of fugitives. Romantic hijinks and intergalactic misadventures ensue. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can add it on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21793182-starflight

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About the Author

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives just outside Cincinnati and writes adult contemporary romance as Macy Beckett.

Find her: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

I'm sure you've heard of her debut novel!

Alienated

(Alienated #1)

by Melissa Landers

Published February 4th 2014 by Disney Hyperion

Blurb (Goodreads):

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet. 

Yesterday: Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird. Tomorrow: Dahlia Adler, author of Behind the Scenes. Check out the schedule here.