Monday, December 31, 2012

End of 2012...

It's been an amazing year. And I got to end it with SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS being available via NOOK and lots of love!! <3333

Look at all the love for me, and SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS! I <3 you guys. :D



And look!! The pictures in SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS show up in NOOK! (first pic!)


I was so glad when I learned that you could see the pictures! My illustrators did such an amazing job! 

Adskhan thinks so too...;)


SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS should be available via Kindle here soon!! And it's still FREE via Smashwords until tomorrow!

Again, thank you for all who read SHADOW FUTURE this year!!! I wouldn't be this far without you guys! I hope 2013 is just as amazing as 2012!!

-Madison xoxo

Friday, December 28, 2012

2013 goals!

Hey, readers!

Another year has come upon us, and what does that mean? More goals!

This year, I didn't really have a reading goal, when I passed a certain amount of books on GR, I just upped the goal some more, and I read 70+ books this year! Which I'm surprised since school got really serious this year, and I didn't have a whole lot of time.

But this year, I'm hoping to go higher. I'm thinking about 90 books this year. I think I can do it. What's your reading goal for 2013?

Now for the writing goals:

First off, I am so thankful for all of you!! For all the reviews, and how many of you read SHADOW FUTURE an SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS! *KISSES, HUGS*

DIM FUTURE will be released on Jan. 22nd! (YAY). I'm really excited to share this with you guys! :D And SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS will be 0.99 starting on Jan. 2nd, so that's another book for 2012/2013! :D

Two Rings #3 will most likely be released either late 2013, or early 2014. (I can most likely get it edited and formatted by late 2013, but we'll see!)

THE STORM will defiantly be released Summer 2013. Release date soon! It's already been through two rounds of editing, and whenever my editor (Hannah!) is ready to start, I'll be handing it over to her. Or either my mom, who ever has the most time! I don't like to take too much of people's time, since when people are busy!

And as for NaNo Novel, I may, or may not share that with you. I REALLY want to, it's just going to take a whole lot of time. I may try out traditional publishing. (MAYBE) but with school and all that, I'm not sure yet! Either way, I will let you read it some time soon hopefully!

2012 has been an amazing year. So many things happened!! I'm hoping 2013 will be even more awesome!!!

I hope all of you have an AWESOME New Year! I'm ready for whatever it throws at me! (most likely...lol)

-Madison xoxo


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year Giveaway!

I decided to add another present for you guys!! Enter to win an eARC of DIM FUTURE below. Ends 1/10/13! View my Christmas post here. For more awesome stuff.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Madison xoxo

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! :D

What did you get/give this year? I know what I'm giving you.

A scene from DIM FUTURE!

Ready for it?

Here it is:

Jan. 22nd 2013

“There…that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Max said, soothingly. Hearing him made me feel better.

I nodded numbly. “What…what happened?”

Max helped me stand. “You must have freaked out about something, and you got stuck between here and where you were.” He smiled, making me blush. “But it’s ok now.” He smiled at me, and I really just wanted him to kiss me.

I could spend forever here. Max made me feel safe. But I couldn’t. I needed to get my powers to work, so that I wouldn’t get caught like that again.

Suddenly, he pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, and I pressed my face into his chest. He smelled good, like lemons. And snow. “I swear, I will get you out of this.” He whispered. He said it so softly, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.




And....CUT. *sighs* I just love Max. lol You can pre-order DIM FUTURE for free! Be the first to receive it on Jan. 22nd 2013! Link.

Don't forget to check out SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS, it's free until after the New Year! Shadow of the Lights via Smashwords.

Oh, and one more thing, THE STORM wants to wish you a merry Christmas too!




Just a little thing I made, hope you like it. :D (psst, the prologue to THE STORM is at the end of SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS.)

Merry Christmas again! And a Happy New Year!

-Madison xoxo

Friday, December 21, 2012

"End of the World"


I used to watch Loonie Tunes all the time, I laughed so hard. XD

Have a great "end of the world" guys. ;)

-Madison xoxo

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Shadow of the Lights Release Day!

Yay!! It's release day!! :D

SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS is all set up for FREE via Smashwords! Here's the page: Shadow of the Lights via Smashwords.

The drawings don't show up!! :/ I have no idea why, but the book is intact. I'm working on a way to get the drawings to stay. Hopefully it can be fixed. EDITED: I'm hoping that the drawings will show when I upload it to Nook, and Kindle. We'll see after Christmas! Thanks for all your patience.

And DON'T FORGET: The prologue of THE STORM is at the end of SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS!!

-Madison xoxo

PS:

Here's the third picture in SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS:


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Cover Reveal: Shadow of the Lights

This is very last minute  but since Christmas is coming along very quickly this year, I wanted to share the cover with you as soon as possible!!

It's so pretty you guys...ready?

1.....




2.....





3.....!!!


Am I right? It's so pretty. <3 Thank you so much Hope!!

Ok, so tomorrow, I will be releasing SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS into the world! It'll only be available via Smashwords (until AFTER CHRISTMAS), since I want this story to be free, and KDP, and Pubit don't let you make your book free...so...there's that. It'll be available via Smashwords, Kindle, and NOOK after Christmas for .99. 

Also, check out the teaser, and 2/4 drawings from SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS here.

-Madison xoxo

2/4 Pictures for Shadow of the Lights!

These pictures are drawn by Breanna K., (one of my best friends!!) and they're really good you guys:

Here's the first one:

(this picture goes with Chapter 1)

By Breanna K.


(this picture goes with chapter 4)


By Breanna K.

Amazing right? And here's a teaser from SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS:


I remembered when father and I would celebrate Christmas a little, nothing big, but we’d hang up a stocking, and play outside in the snow. One year we made cookies, and even had a Christmas tree. I missed him.

-Madison xoxo

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Storm, Dim Future and Shadow of the Lights

Long title, but that's all that's in here, and I didn't think that just writing 'book stuff' was a very perfisonal, so I went with that. (wait...I'm perfessional?)

Anyway, let's start out with The Storm.

I just finished the second round of edits!! :D And what does this mean?? That it's one step closer to being released onto the world!! EEEP. (also, check out the Shadow of the Lights portion for something special!)

Ok, now to Dim Future.

Hannah Stewart ( @CrossCountryGal ) is working on the last edits of her part, next it'll be going to the Head Editor (a.k.a mom) and then I'll be printing out ARC's to check for mistakes and stuff like that. (which means....GIVEAWAYS!!) also, there's going to be a huge giveaway starting on Jan. 22nd (the day DIM FUTURE comes out) with all sorts of awesome stuff to give away. So stay tuned for that!

And last, but certainly not least, Shadow of the Lights.

It's done being edited, just waiting on the cover, and the drawings to go into it. (I will most likely be sharing the first two drawings tomorrow HERE on the blog! :)) I can't wait to share this short Christmas story with you! :D Also, at the end of SHADOW OF THE LIGHTS, the prologue to THE STORM is there...YES, you can read the first part of it!!! :D

And that's it!! Stay tuned for the drawings, and more info tomorrow!! :D

Check out my review site if ya'll want: mafiacardreviews.blogspot.com

-Madison xoxo

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Prayer for Sandy Hook

Today, I looked at some of the pictures of the little kids who are no longer with us. </3 my heart broke. I can't completely wrap my mind around what happened, I just know that I'm going to pray, and thank God that I still have my little sister with me, along with the rest of my family, and friends. <3

I saw this picture on a Facebook page, and I know this is what's happening up in Heaven right now. <3


Jesus is definitely sitting with those little kids, as one of their teachers reads to them. <3

I am praying for all those effected in the Sandy Hook shooting. <3

-Madison xoxo

Friday, December 14, 2012

Cover Reveal: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein!

I am honored to help reveal the cover of DEAR CASSIE by Lisa Burstein! I loved PRETTY AMY, and I'm excited to read this one!

Ok, are you guys ready??


1.....



It's awesome....




2.....



It's amazing!!



3......!!!

BAM:


March 5, 2013

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?
 You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
 You’d be wrong.
 There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.
 What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?
        But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.
 And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

And guess what? I have a excerpt for you.....


We kept walking on the lake trail, the bullfrogs croaking. There was also a humming in my ears from the nicotine.
 It could only be from the nicotine. It had nothing to do with being outside, at night, alone with Ben. It had nothing to do with Ben coming to the cabin and taking me instead of Nez and it definitely had nothing to do with the stars above us shining like they were the sky’s tiara. 
I stopped on the trail and looked up, taking them in, when all of a sudden bright colored lights exploded in the sky—fireworks, one after another, on top of each other, huge kaleidoscopes of light, like sparkling rainbow spiders.
“How did you know?” I asked, my voice going softer, like if I talked too loudly they would stop. It was so beautiful, after weeks of so much ugly. 
Ben turned to look at me, the colored lights in the sky turning his skin pink, blue, green. “I’m magic.” He shrugged.
I geared up to tell him to fuck off, because that was some corny-ass shit, but then I realized that he really kind of was. In that moment he was able to actually make me forget being me.
 “I would try to kiss you,” he said, “but I’m afraid you’d kick me in the balls.”
“I probably would.” I laughed, the sky filling with noisy color like paint launching from a giant popcorn popper. “But like I said, it wouldn’t be about you.”
“I guess I’ll have to figure out how to make it about me,” he said, taking off his boots and socks and standing. “Come on.”
“There is no way I am getting near that water again,” I said.
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you,” he said, holding his hand out to help me up.
            I looked at his palm, open, waiting, just wanting to hold mine. For once, I didn’t think about anything except that there was a cute, sweet, smart-ass boy standing in front of me with his hand out.
I pulled off my boots and socks and took it.  
We stood at the lakeshore, our hands still clasped, the water licking our feet, fireworks decorating the sky.
I turned to him. He was looking up, his mouth open in wonder like he was trying to swallow the moment.
It was definitely one worth keeping.


Pssst...also, here's an also contest for you guys:


In addition to the DEAR CASSIE cover reveal, Lisa is hosting an EPIC CONTEST to celebrate DEAR CASSIE’ s cover reveal.  Lisa wants you guys to share diary entries of your favorite fictional characters with me. That’s right, choose ANY character from books, TV, movies, a cereal box and write a 500-750 length diary entry from their point of view.
We will choose the top 5 and then let the masses vote on their favorite. The favorite will be published in the final version of DEAR CASSIE. You read that right, published with the author’s name! The additional four will win $20 book buying gift cards.
So get diary-ing! Send you entries to prettyamystories@yahoo.com by January 1st!
Voting for the top 5 will begin January 7th, with the winner being announced January 14th!
Woah, a lot right? And the cover is AWESOME. Are you going to enter the contest? I might!

-Madison xoxo


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Teaser Tuesday #6: Dim Future

Alrighty, here's a new teaser for you! It's a little kissy-kissy...just a little though. ;) Stay tuned for a few announcements at the end!






I went to turn around, to say I was sorry, to say why I was here, and that I was sorry, but he pulled me towards him and his lips met mine.








Announcements: 

I finished SHADOW BELLS (the Christmas Story) and I started editing it yesterday! And it should be available late this week, or next week for sure. There will also be the prologue of THE STORM at the end of it...hehe. :)

Also, I started a review blog, here's the link: mafiacardreviews.blogspot.com and my reviewer Twitter: @MafiaCardReview. I hope you check it out! :)

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

-Madison xoxo

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Throw Back Thursday!

Pic of the very first book I completed. Warning: you may cringe. ;p




Ain't the best, but it was the first book I ever wrote, so I'm pretty proud of it...*cough, cough* at the time...*cough, cough* ;)

-Madison xoxo

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas Story, DIM FUTURE etc...

Bonjour everyone!

So, as you can see from my Tweets, and the word count meter to the right on my blog, I'm writing a short Christmas story called SHADOW BELLS. Which is about Pearl, and her OverShadower family. It takes place BEFORE SHADOW FUTURE, so you don't have to worry about knowing anything from SHADOW FUTURE.
 Pearl is younger, and so is Adskhan and the rest of them...this is going to be fun! ;)
This book will most likely be free, since it's just a fun story I wanted to share with all of you. I'll hopefully get it done soon, since it's short. I hope you guys all enjoy it. :) It'll also have a cover as well, hopefully. ;)

EDITED: SHADOW BELLS will most likely be MG, (middle grade) even though in this book, Pearl might have a crush on a certain person...*cough, cough*

You can add SHADOW BELLS to your shelf on Goodreads! 

So, now, onto DIM FUTURE, I've got edits back from one editor, but the second hasn't answered my emails, or messages. So...since there's only 47 days until DIM FUTURE, and I still need to do more editing and such. I may be handing over the last part of the edits over to Hannah Stewart, who is awesome. So I will let you know about that.

ALSO, ARCs, which will be eARCs, will be given away to reviewers who want to read them. I'll be getting those in soon, most likely after the last set of edits for this round comes in. So keep your eyes peeled for that info.

Alrighty, I think that's it, and I hope that all of you have a great rest of the day, and the week!

-Madison xoxo

PS: If your a teen writer, Write On! is having a chat today, 6-7 GMT (1-2pm EST) Here's the link to the chat room: Chat Room.

Monday, December 3, 2012

HOVER by Melissa West: Cover Reveal!

Guys, you are going to love the cover of HOVER! It's just as beautiful GRAVITY's cover!

Are you ready?




1.....





2......






3......




HERE IT IS:








 *swoons* gorgeous isn't it? And the "Will you fall?" I can't wait to figure out what that means!

Want to pre-order this amazing book? Here are the pre-order/buy links:
BN.com- No link yet

Here's some more info on GRAVITY as well:

 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.


And a giveaway to win an signed copy of GRAVITY!:




a Rafflecopter giveaway






Meet Melissa:



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. 

Represented by Louise Fury of L. Perkins Agency.




-Madison xoxo

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Dim Future: Teaser Tuesday #5

Hello everyone! I am here with another teaser from DIM FUTURE!

Alright...are you ready?

Here you are:








“I’m not going.” I said, I didn’t want new clothes that bad.











It's not a super teaser, but I thought we could use a un-tense one for today, since most of us just got off Thanksgiving break, and are trying to get back on track. ;D

I hope you guys have a great day!!

-Madison xoxo

Monday, November 26, 2012

Breaking Waves Cover Reveal!

Today, I am very excited to help reveal the cover of BREAKING WAVES by Danielle Sibarium! The first book was HEART WAVES.

Ok....are you guys ready?


1....






2....






3....!!!





January 10th 2013 

Isn't it gorgeous?? Here's the blurb as well:


From the moment they met, Jenna knew Reece would break her heart, but she never dreamed it would happen like this. Jenna is left shattered and broken. When life becomes too painful to deal with and she feels completely alone, there’s only one person to help her pick up the pieces and move on. The one person she doesn’t want to turn to. The one person she promised to stay away from. Tyler.
Can Jenna put aside everything she knows about him and let Tyler help heal her broken heart? 

Goodreads page, so you can add it to your shelf!!

Also, check out the Heart Waves Facebook page for fun teasers!

Also, you can purchase the first book, HEART WAVES, here: 

Purchase Heart Waves for the Nook by clicking here
Purchase Heart Waves from Amazon by clicking here

And don't forget to check out Danielle's website! 

- Madison xoxo

Saturday, November 24, 2012

I did it!

I did it! I finished NaNo Novel! (which now has a title, which I will reveal soon!) And it's 79,971 words long. Yes, the longest book I have ever written. And I also killed a couple characters, I feel like a real author now. ;P

Also, here's the playlist of songs that go with NaNo Novel: (it wouldn't let me put the playlist thingy on here...)

NaNo Story

After that feat, I shall go and watch mindless television with a cup of hot chocolate. I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your Saturday!!

-Madison xoxo

Friday, November 23, 2012

#ShadowFridaySale INFO

So...I have decided, that I'll just give you the coupon code for a FREE ecopy of SHADOW FUTURE, bc I'm just nice like that. ;)

CODE:

MK82Q

Link to SHADOW FUTURE's Smashwords page: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/150627

Enjoy!!!!!

-Madison xoxo

Thursday, November 22, 2012

#Thankful Post!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are YOU thankful for? I got Pearl, Max and Adskhan together to ask them what they were thankful for:

Pearl: I'm thankful for family!

Max: Well...um...hm...*taps chin* how come this is so easy for Pearl? I mean...I'm thankful for lots of things, but most things will probably get me in trouble with Madison... because they're all spoilery...*winks*

Adskhan: I'm thankful I'm a Leader. 

Well, there you have it. I'm thankful for my friends family, talents, and of course, Jesus Christ. :)

Also, I made some memes if you want to help celebrate Thanksgiving, SHADOW FUTURE style! ;)





Also, make sure you tune in onto my Twitter page tomorrow starting at 6am for chances to answer an easy question to get a coupon for a FREE copy of SHADOW FUTURE! More info here. Just follow the hashtag #ShadowFridaySale!

Happy Thanksgiving again!

-Madison xoxo

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

OPAL Trailer Reveal!

I am VERY excited to be apart of the reveal of the trailer for OPAL (Lux, #3) by Jennifer Armentrout!

Are you guys ready....?

1.....

Here's the cover to get you excited some more....:


2.....

Summary of the book....:

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.


                                                     Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

3!!!!!!

The trailer....:




Didn't show up for you? Here's the link: OPAL Book Trailer!

*SWOONS, *FLAILS* Awesome, right??? Eek! I'm so excited for this book! What about you guys?

Also, if you don't mind changing your Twitter profile picture to the OPAL cover for just today, you could help take over the internet with us! ;)






USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.
Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog






-Madison

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Black Friday Sale! (#ShadowFridaySale) W/ Lots of gifs

Hello there readers! As you know, the holiday Thanksgiving is coming up, and what comes after Thanksgiving? (if you thought Christmas  you're very close! ;)) Black Friday is the day right after Thanksgiving, and what do they do on Black Friday? Buy things at ridiculously good prices of course!

So, I was thinking, why not do a Black Friday Sale for SHADOW FUTURE? Next year, I'll most likely do one for DIM FUTURE!

Ok, so here's how things are going to work: (don't get freaked out! It's totally easy!)


At 6:00am EST (for all day!!) 11-23-12 I'll tweet, (or my scheduled tweet) will ask what your favorite color is, (totally easy, right? Right!) and then, you'll answer. EDITED: I'll be using the hashtag #ShadowFridaySale if you want to find an easy way to find the tweets!

Then, after you answer, I will @ back, and also follow back! :) (as soon as I can!), and I'll DM you a coupon code for Smashwords, which lets you buy SHADOW FUTURE (Ecopy) for free. Yes, FREE.

Pearl: *Mind is blown*  



Like I said, totally easy right? Right! But here's the catch...since Black Friday is only one day a year, this coupon is only good until 11-24-12, the day after Black Friday, so once you get your coupon, don't forget to go buy your copy!

Adskahn totally digs it:

image

Here's my Twitter name: @AuthorMadison

And here's SHADOW FUTURE's Smashwords page link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/150627

Follow me, and on Black Friday, look for the tweet!! Spread the word!!

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!

-Madison

PS: Another gif because I love them:



Saturday, November 17, 2012

Where I blog about my week...

How was your week? Good? Bad? Ca va? (ok?)

Well whatever it was, I'm sure you're glad it's Saturday. I know I am.

This week though, for me, has been pretty good! I reached 50k on my novel, and it's not even close to be done! (which makes me all giddy inside, longest novel yet I think!) and, I read my first zombie novel. SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY. SOOOOO good by the way. Historical fiction is the best, and then, you add zombies. Even better.

Also, last night, I went to a dance with my girls. We had tons of fun, and since the theme was red carpet, I brought home a bunch of movie producers logos. I'm doing to decorate my room with them later today.

AND. I finally got DEFIANCE from the library!! EEEEEEK. So excited for this book!

But before I can do anything fun, I have to complete my to-do list:

1. Write 3k words.

2. Feed my snake.

3. go to my piano lesson.

And this is where I head off, and supposedly do all those things. Have a great day you guys!

-Madison

PS: Pearl wishes you an awesome day too!!



Monday, November 12, 2012

Happy Monday!

Ok so...that title is false in my book most of the time, Monday's are usually happy. But today, it felt happier than usual.

One, school has been super easy thus far.

Two, I only have one thing to go tonight, so that means, MORE WRITING TIME!

Three, 70 days until DIM FUTURE! (which I am very nervous, and excited about!)

Four, GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING by Chloe Jacobs comes out in 13 hours! EEEEK.

I also wanted to take a moment and thank all of the Veterans that helped protect our country. <3 Thank you for risking your lives for our country!

Ok, that was just a quick post. I hope everyone has a great rest of the day! Oh and, thanks to all who entered the goodreads giveaway to win a paperback of SHADOW FUTURE! 550 people entered. :) I will be sending the winner their prize as soon as possible!

-Madison

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gravity Blog Tour - Guest Post by Melissa West!



Today, I'm very lucky to have Melissa West, author of GRAVITY, on my blog today!! :) And I asked her to tell us what her favorite scene in GRAVITY was, and why.

But first, here's my short, but sweet review of GRAVITY!


4.5! It was a really good idea, I loved the new twist in aliens, plus, some dystopian! Love it! 
At some points, I didn't get the romance, it seemed rushed. Like it could have blossomed a little slower, or maybe that Ari just didn't need a man. lol. Ari was such a strong person, she reminded me of my MC, Pearl, she stood up for what she believed it, didn't go the way she wanted, but she kept fighting!

I loved the idea of the Taking, it was way cool. It's hard to find a good alien book after you've read the Lux series, but Melissa did an awesome job with GRAVITY. :D

Can't wait for book 2! (and my paperback copy of GRAVITY!)


And now, ladies and gents, Melissa West!


When asked what my favorite scene in GRAVITY was, my mind instantly went to the climax of the story. To avoid spoilers, I won’t go into the specifics, but I will say that it fully encompasses my intention for the story. Ari finds insurmountable strength during this part of the book. She pushes her pain aside—both physically and emotionally—to do what’s right.

As silly as it sounds, it’s the point in the book that I am most proud of, and oddly enough it wasn’t originally in the book. I was sitting in my car listening to Fix You by Coldplay. My editor had mentioned that we needed to really amp up the climax and I had been brainstorming how. All of sudden, a scene started to unfold while I was listening to the song. I envisioned passion and pain and courage unlike anything else in the rest of the book. I went home and immediately wrote the scene.

If you have read GRAVITY or any of the reviews, you know it has a strong theme towards war and the impact it has on people—how it can change people. I wanted the climax of the story to feel brutal in a way that pushed the reader to think. I started drawing on some of the cruelest moments in human history and went instantly to the Holocaust. I googled images and read letters from those that suffered through that time. I had—have—no intention of trying to duplicate the horror that is the Holocaust, but I wanted to show the same level of human cruelty. How easy it is for some to look at someone different and consider them to be a lesser human being. That was the point of the climax of my story. And I love it. I’ve read it so many times that I can virtually quote every line, and even now with the book out there, it is my favorite part of the book.

I hope those of you reading GRAVITY enjoy the scene. Please let me know what you think! I love hearing from readers. 

Thank you for stopping by, Melissa! 

Meet the Author:



Writer and lover of all things YA. Wife. Mommy. Did I mention I'm a serious sore loser at Monopoly? Yeah, don't play me. My debut, GRAVITY, a YA mix of sci-fi, romance, and other cool stuff hits October 2012 Rep'd by Louise Fury of L. Perkins Agency.

Twitter: @MB_West

Blog: m-b-west.blogspot.com

You can now buy GRAVITY in e-format! NOOK, and Kindle!

Check out the other stops on the blog tour!



  • 11/1/2012 Ms. Book Queen
  • 11/5/2012 Carina Books
  • 11/6/2012 K-Books
  • 11/8/2012 The Book Goddess
  • 11/9/2012 Two Chicks on Books
  • 11/11/2012 Madison Louise
  • 11/13/2012 The Page Turner
  • 11/15/2012 The Bookshelf Sophisticate
  • 11/16/2012 Xpresso Reads
  • 11/19/2012 Mundie Moms
  • 11/20/2012 The Overstuffed Bookcase
  • 11/21/2012 Making the Grade
  • 11/22/2012 Fairytale Nerd


  • -Madison