Book Review : Falling Under

By: Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library
(March 1, 2011)
Date Read: June 2, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: My Kindle

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it so wasn't what I was expecting. It was dark, twisted, and really scary at some points. And when it wasn't that it was hot and romantic. I couldn't put it down!

I don't know why dangerous is equal to sexy, but its so the case with Haden. He's mysterious and kind of a jerk, but not as much as other reviews make him out to be. In the words of innocent and naive Theia...

If I was going to begin the kind of games boys and girls play in high school, I should have started with a nice boy who didn’t make me feel like Little Red Riding Hood alone with the Big Bad Wolf.

And then as we get to know him he's shy one minute, and charismatic devil the next. Yes, there was a bit of insta-love, but I am starting to come of the opinion that if done right, insta-love can lead to some of passionate romance novels I have ever read. On top of really loving the romance (and let me tell if there is one thing Gwen rocks, its writing romance - see reviews of her novellas by clicking the tag Gwen Hayes below!) I was really intrigued by the mythology and the seriously twisted "Under."

I really can't wait for the second book and am so glad this book was gifted to me by Neri @ In the Name of Books Thanks Again!!

My Review in a Tweet: This Tim Burtonesque book is scary, sexy, and scary sexy. Really enjoyed falling 'Under' with Theia and Haden and looking forward to what comes next!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Memorable Quotes:
This is one of my favorite scenes:

Haden stopped walking, watching me warily. I, however, didn’t stop. I didn’t even slow. Like that first day in the hall, it seemed that the world stood still. When I reached him, I pulled him into the grass and cupped his surprised face in my hands. “I missed you,” I said, and before he could respond, I kissed him with all the unpracticed ardor I possessed.

“What the hell?” I heard Noelle say, but by then Haden was smiling into my kiss and returning it. He placed his hand behind my head and pulled me closer. Noelle left in a huff.

“You’re a minx,” he said when I allowed him up for air. “And you’re going to get us both detention for PDA and walking on the grass.” “I had to make sure you weren’t another dream,

Similar Titles:

Other Reviews:

• WatchaYaReading
• OverFlowingShelf
• Truly Bookish

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Giveaway Updates!!

Remember this 300 Follower giveaway I announced earlier?? Well, I just noticed now the number has increased to 350! WOW I am so happy to all those new followers who have found my blog, so I am upping the ante.

If you already entered no need to enter again =) And if you keep tweeting, you can earn extra entries for each, just leave a comment below with the link to the tweet

BEA Books - US only! Now with TWO winners and Added TWO books!

1st place, choose two books, 2nd place gets the other two

Two Books from The Book Depository (International) for One Winner* and a SECOND winner** will get One book from The Book Depository (International)!

* total max value limit of $25  ** total max value $12.50

Rules: 

• Two separate giveaways, but you may enter for both
• US Only for BEA Books
• 13 + only
• Runs until July 23, 2011 Midnight Eastern Time
• See policies for general giveaway rules
• Extra entries:  
• Blog Follower (+5)
• Tweet (+2): Enter to win some awesome books at http://www.thesecretlifeofanavidreader.com/p/giveaways.html @avidreader15
• Follow @avidreader15 (blog twitter account) (+1), @avidyani (+1)

Book News: New Book from Jennifer L. Armentrout

I just recently read Half-Blood, which I really really enjoyed (review will be up soon) and just found out from Jennifer that her new book will be released in September 2012 by Spencer Hill Press. It sounds really interesting, I loved her work with Half-Blood, so this is definitely going in my TBR list!

CURSED

Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she’s willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Find more about Jennifer L. Armentrout and her work by clicking the link below! you know you want to...http://twitter.com/#!/JLArmentrout
http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/jenniferlarmentrout
www.acovenantnovel.com

Guest Post: Getting into Character

Today on the TSLoaAR I have Jayne Fordham author of A Season Of Transformation with some advice about character development.

From Goodreads: 
A Season of Transformation is a young adult fantasy/ romance novel set in the contemporary world. It is the story of five young people drawn together to complete a Quest, to protect their town from destruction. In order to defeat the story’s villain, Maxvale, the five virtual strangers must come together and not only forge a bond of trust but become proficient with the ‘abilities’ temporarily bestowed upon them.

In the midst of the lead up to the battle each of the young people has their own personal struggles they are trying to deal with. Lucas, an adopted and bitter teenager struggles to become the person he wants to be whilst developing feelings for Makenna, a rich kid who doesn’t like his attitude. Bonnie is a ‘gothic’ that is dealing with an alcoholic father, Ben the school nerd and Adam the class clown are trying to break free from their high school stereotypes. Can these five teens put their differences aside to defeat Maxvale and save their town?

Getting into Character by Jayne Fordham

Writers tend to figure out their own way of going about writing a novel. Some start writing from the start, some work their way back from the ending. Some write bits and pieces all over the place whilst others come up with a plot before characters or vice versa. Writing a novel is very much an intuitive process and over the past few years I have found my own way. Today I will talk a bit about how I wrote and come up with the idea for my debut YA fantasy romance novel, A Season Of Transformation.

First, I had a picture in my mind of how I wanted the characters to be at the beginning of the story. That was the easy part. Bitter, angry Lucas, shy Bonnie, caring, independent Makenna, humorous Adam and intelligent Ben. The next step was to work my way back to find out how they got to where they were. This is where I put on my psychology hat and ask myself how have these characters reached this point in their lives? Once I’d gone backwards I then went forwards into the future and thought about how I wanted the characters to be presented by the end of the novel. I wanted to know how they would grow so that I could show these changes during the story.

In early drafts of my novel the feedback I received from a mentor was that all the voices sounded the same so many redrafts later I worked hard for each character to be distinct and for each personality to shine through. From what blogger’s are saying about A Season Of Transformation, the characters seem to be the strength of the story.

What’s great about feedback is that you can take from it what you need and expand on it to improve your work. However, there is some advice I got along the way that I didn’t implement because I thought it would take away the integrity of my work. For instance, in an early draft I was told that the characters did not really sound like teenagers, they should be ‘dumbed’ down. I was a bit annoyed by this because I didn’t want to write ‘teenage’ language with the ‘likes’ and ‘sms’ abbreviations of speech. Of course unique speech is all part of adolescent development but I didn’t want my story to be hijacked by this. There’s nothing wrong with a protagonist who is smart and articulate. I have read novels in the past where there has been ample ‘teen language’ and I found it difficult to really get into the story and find depth in the characters.

There are certainly some authors that can pull it off nicely such as P.C and Kristin Cast in their House of Night series. I really enjoy these adolescents and their ‘adult’ responsibilities. It’s just the right mix- although admittedly I do roll my eyes from time to time at the language. So, I guess that is what I am saying I didn’t want the reader to be too distracted by the language and feel removed from the actual story. Check out the character profiles for Makenna, Lucas, Bonnie, Ben and Adam on my author page. (http://jaynefordham.com/category/character-profiles/)

I think I have the most fun creating characters for a story. Definitely an engaging plot and storyline draws you in but if you can connect with a character then it makes it so much more meaningful.
I would love to hear how other young adult writers get into character? YA readers, what do you find engaging or annoying in the characters that you read about?

Twilight Re-Read Ch. 1-5: My Answers

My Twilight Discussion Answers  for Ch. 1-5

Chapter 1: First Sight
Chapter 2: Open Book 
Chapter 3: Phenomenom 
Chapter 4: Invitations 
Chapter 5: Blood Type

To link up your answers, go to Lisa's blog HERE! 

If you still haven't signed up, 

or just want more info: HERE!

First off, I have to say I am so excited to be doing this Twilight Re-Read along, especially after having read these first five chapters. Also, while reading I kept thinking about Edward's POV from Midnight Sun and I just had to re-read that as well. If you have yet to read the partial draft of Midnight Sun, it is available at Stephenie Meyers website and I loved it!!

Q. Have you ever had to start over in a new place, like Bella did in Forks? This new place could be a school, job, or town... just something with a new setting. How easy or difficult was this for you?

I have lived in the same house my whole life, but I did leave home (my house and my hometown) to go away for college. It wasn't that hard at first, my roommate was an old friend and I had another friend that came from my high school. But after a couple of months my roommate and I became distanced, and then it became a little tough. I felt alone, I missed my family, and school was tougher than I thought it would be. Luckily, I became closer to the girl that came from my high school and we have been best friends since. Unfortunately, there are no Edwards in college.

Q. Do you picture the actors from the movie as the characters in the book while you are reading?

I am not a fan of the first Twilight movie, like at all, so I try really hard to not picture characters as their movie counterparts. Re-reading I remember how ch. 5 is one of my faves of the book and it makes me realize how much I miss with Kristen Stewart as Bella. I read it and see Bella as a cheerfully sarcastic, clumsy, ball of fire (who might be quiet in groups, but says what she thinks), while Kristen Stewart is painfully shy, awkward, and has no spirit. I also think Robert plays Edward a little too broodingly in parts, but overall he does okay. Still I am pretty good of throwing them out of my mind and bringing back my original picture of Edward and Bella <3.

Q. What are your first thoughts on meeting Edward in Bella’s Biology class? At first he was annoyed by her presence, but then after a week away he returns & finds him self very interested in her. Do you think this helped or hindered the storyline?

It's funny because you know this whole time he is a vampire, because of the back of the book, but Bella is clueless to this fact for a while... and like Bella I find myself being clueless too, wondering what is up with Edward (at least the first time reading it). Now re-reading, I think it definitely adds to the mystery of him, Edward is a vampire, but is he really evil, is he really dangerous?? I also find really funny reading certain parts, like when Bella says if looks could kill, his would have... she didn't know how right she was.

Q. Out of the secondary characters Bella meets at school, who is your favorite and why? (I am referring to the humans, not the vampires in this question)

I don't have any that is a particular favorite, but I did realize something while re-reading. They weren't all friends until Bella came along. She writes about them starting to sit together and lunch, meaning they didn't before. I had always thought they where a group of friends already in progess and Bella joined, but really Bella brought them all together!

Q. There is a lot of dialogue between Edward and Bella in these first few chapters that I feel played a major role in developing their relationship. What are some of your favorite quotes? or moments?
Sooooo many!!! I smile to myself so many times in their conversations. Specific scenes I love: the cafeteria scene and the blood typing scene... like I said Chapter 5 is one of my favorites.