Tag Archives: Melissa West

Collide by Melissa West – a Review

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Collide by Melissa West – a Review

 

Collide
The Taking series – Book #3
by Melissa West
Release Date: February 9, 2015

CollideAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she’s ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

 

 

Review:

Collide by Melissa West is the 3rd and final book in her The Taking trilogy. I have been with this series from the start, and have loved every moment of it. Ari and Jackson are our heroes all throughout the series, and they were great together. This was an exciting book from start to finish, and as I neared the end, I started worrying that the ending will leave me dissatisfied.   I am happy to say I didn’t need to worry, as it was an awesome end to this fabulous trilogy.

When we last left off in Hover, Ari, and the humans/ancients who were trying to escape the planet Loge and Zeus to go to Earth. There was a cliffhanger when they arrived. In Collide we start with Ari waking up from a drug induced sleep, to see her mother, father and her friends, Gretchen and Vill. In a short time she learns that not all is well on Earth, as Kelvin is now the President and he wants Ari to reveal the secrets of Zeus and the plan to destroy earth. Only Ari doesn’t know, since Zeus an evil madman who reveals nothing, but Kelvin doesn’t believe her, and much to her shock, he has Jackson as his prisoner and is willing to torture him to get what he wants.

After much anguish, Ari is able to convince Kelvin, whom she does not trust, to allow them to visit the surrounding territories and teach them how to fight, in preparation for the upcoming war against Zeus. This allows Jackson to be freed, and Vill, Gretchen, her father travel with her to help other humans train for the upcoming war. What follows is an exciting story, with many twists, and betrayals that make their attempt to win this war almost impossible. Zeus is too strong, but neither Ari nor Jackson will give up.

Things are not what they expected when they arrive at the different compounds, with human distrust of Ari, Jackson and Vill (ancients or half ancients). They were able to turn some of the Ops to half ancients to give them more power and strength to fight, but at each stop the losses increase and by the time they reach the last stop, they know that they have been set up. By the time they get back to the main compound, the war has already begun.

Ari must be able to rise her powers or everyone will die. She and Jackson will have to find a way to meet Zeus face to face to try to kill him, or all will be lost. The last half of the book was non- stop action, with heartbreaking moments. Will Ari and Jackson’s love for one another be enough for them to defeat Zeus? Will either of them survive?

Melissa West has done a wonderful job completing this story, and allowing us to follow Ari and Jackson all the way through. They made a great couple, strong and determined, but most of all, a beautiful love between them. Thank you Melissa for giving us a fascinating ending to this trilogy. For those of you have not read The Taking series, you should start with Gravity and enjoy the ride.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Catching Up With Melissa West

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Catching Up With Melissa West

MelissaWest

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome back Melissa West. Melissa is here today to discuss her new release, Hover. She will also tell us what she has in store for us in 2013/2014.

Let’s talk to Melissa.

 

 

 

Interview-REDTRC: Hi, Melissa.  Thank you for taking the time to visit us again at The Reading Cafe, to discuss your new release “Hover”, as well as to talk about what you have planned in 2014.

Melissa: Thank you for having me!

TRC: You have just released Hover, which is the 2nd book in you’re The Taking series.  For those who may not have read this series, would you please give us a brief description of the premise of the series?

Melissa: In the future, an alien race known as the Ancients has helped Earth terraform itself back to health with one condition—they coexistence with humans, sharing the planet. But now that the time has come for coexistence, the humans want out of the treaty, which, of course, has sparked a war.

HoverTRC:  Will you please tell us a bit about Hover, which was released a few days ago?

Melissa:  HOVER is the boiling point of the series. In GRAVITY, the start of the series, the water was just beginning to sizzle. Now in HOVER, everything is coming to a head. Tension is high. Action is high. And in COLLIDE, the water is going to boil over. I think fans of the series will enjoy the rush that is HOVER and will be eager for COLLIDE, which, to me, is the best book of the series.


Links to order Hover:
 Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

TRC: What can you tell us about the 3rd book in the series, Collide?  Is this the last book in this series?

Melissa: We are talking about doing a prequel, which will tell the story of events that led up to GRAVITY. But in a word, COLLIDE is the war.

TRC: You have a new book called Broken Winter.  Can you tell us anything about it, and when do you anticipate the release date?

Melissa:  🙂 I hadn’t realized BROKEN WINTER was known to the world. LOL! I am not able to discuss details of that project just yet, but soon. 🙂

TRC:  Maybe when we like an author we do good research. lol

TRC: What are you currently working on, and what do you have planned for 2014?

Melissa: I am currently working on a lot of projects. I feel a little overwhelmed! 🙂 I am working on COLLIDE, BROKEN WINTER, and another YA series that I am super excited about. 2014 is going to be a fun year!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Melissa: I would like to add that readers are going to feel shocked when they finish HOVER. Hang with me. It will all make sense in the end. 🙂

TRC:  You are right.  As I kept reading, I suspected something would happen, but what an ending.  🙂

TRC: Thank you, Melissa for giving us an update on Hover, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.  It was a pleasure talking with you again.  We hope to catch up again in the future.

Melissa: Thank you so much, Barb! Always a pleasure!

If you would like to learn more about Melissa, you can find her at the following links:

Website: http://www.melissawestauthor.com/
Blog: http://m-b-west.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

 

 

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Hover by Melissa West – a Review

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Hover by Melissa West – a Review

 

Hover

Links to order Hover: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
On Earth, seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander was taught to never peek, but if she hopes to survive life on her new planet, Loge, her eyes must never shut. Because Zeus will do anything to save the Ancients from their dying planet, and he has a plan.

Thousands of humans crossed over to Loge after a poisonous neurotoxin released into Earth’s atmosphere, nearly killing them. They sought refuge in hopes of finding a new life, but what they became were slaves, built to wage war against their home planet. That is, unless Ari and Jackson can stop them. But on Loge, nothing is as it seems…and no one can be trusted

 

Review:

Hover by Melissa West is the 2nd book in her The Taking series.  When we last left off in Gravity; Ari, our heroine was taken (with many other humans effected) to the planet Loge for healing from poison released by the human leaders of Earth.  Jackson, our hero, was the one who rescued Ari, but at the end of Gravity we learned he is an Ancient from Loge.  Hover picks up with Ari almost fully healed, and learning more about Zeus, the leader of Loge, as well as her new surroundings. 

Ari is still with Jackson, but she doesn’t totally trust him, since he betrayed her by not telling her about Zeus being his grandfather.  Ari absorbs everything around her, the city surroundings, the healers ability, and the powers she has.  Ari was already a tough kick-ass heroine, but being on this planet, she finds she must learn to control her anger, hide her mind (they can hear her thoughts), and try not to show her antagonism, especially towards Zeus.  Zeus, as the leader of Loge, is truly the villain in this story.  He tortures anyone to make them do what he wants, including his grandson Jackson, and wife Mami;  and will not hesitate to take any lives. What was nice about this story is that we got another side to the story, as in Gravity it was mostly about Earth and their battle against Zeus.  In Hover, the focus is on Loge and Zeus, allowing us a look into this planet, and into their leader’s unstable sanity.

Ari is determined to go back to Earth, and allow the Loge residents to join her, as the planet is dying.  But she is torn between strange vibes she gets from her friends and leaders on Earth.  They want her to kill Zeus, and do it fast.  Zeus wants to come to earth and totally take over.  But whatever those messages are from earth, Ari only sees the evil in Zeus, and uses her strength to fight his mind torture. 

This is an action packed story, with Ari finally allowing herself to trust Jackson, and they make a wonderful couple, despite all the horrors they must endure.  Together they work to find a way to rescue the citizens of Loge, and create a rebellion to fight Zeus.  Other then them rebuilding their romance, the majority of the story was about finding a way to stop and kill Zeus. West creates some wonderful characters in Hover, such as Vill, Mami, Emmy, just to name a few.  Other then brief appearances, we did not see too much of the characters we met in Gravity (whom are still on earth), except Cybil who was great to see.  As much as I liked Jackson, Ari was the lead all the way, and she was even stronger in Hover.  There were many surprises and twists during the last third of the book, and another open ending, leaving us anxiously awaiting the next book, Collide.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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An Interview with Melissa West

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An Interview with Melissa West

The Reading Cafe would like to welcome Melissa West. Before we start the Interview, here is a short biography about 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.

GRAVITY is her first novel.

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Hi Melissa.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Melissa: Ah, this must be the most difficult question I’m asked as I’m not one to talk about myself. Perhaps it’s because I’m so boring! I could tell you all the basics–I’m married and will soon have two daughters (I’m expecting my 2nd now). I could tell you about my education, my work, etc. But instead, I’ll tell you the funny quirks that few know. When I was little, I was obsessed with horror movies. Loved them. Watched all of them hundreds of times. But that love turned me into a complete scaredy cat of an adult! I can’t sleep with closet doors open, and I check under my bed every night before crawling into it. And don’t even get me started on ghosts! 🙂

TRC: Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your second daughter..🙂

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Melissa: Interestingly enough, no. I went to college, received my masters, and began focusing on my career. I’m a very driven person, so I didn’t really have time to think about anything beyond advancing my career. It wasn’t until after I had my daughter that I decided to write a novel. It was actually my father’s idea, and of course, now I’m hooked.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Melissa: I think the entire process can be challenging, depending upon the type of writer you are. For me, I struggle with the second leg of the middle of my books. The beginning is easy, the end a breeze, and then I get to the middle and bam, I hit a wall. I have to force myself to write through the wall, and then typically I rewrite that section again and again during edits.

TRC: What is your writing process?  Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Melissa: I prefer to write alone in a quiet room. Where that room is doesn’t matter, though I enjoy writing in my bedroom glider. And I’m a night owl, so I typically write between 9 p.m. and midnight.

TRC: Gravity is your debut novel, can you please describe your reactions when you found out your book was going to be published?

Melissa: As childish as it may sound, I cried. I remember receiving the call at 1 a.m. and then jumping on my husband--who was already in bed--and screaming, “I’m going to be published!” I’ll never forget that day.

TRC: Gravity is part of a series- The Taking. How many books do you plan in this series?  How did you come up with the idea of The Taking?

Melissa: Yes, GRAVITY is the first of a three book series. As for the Taking itself, it came to me in a dream. I had been thinking a lot about my idea of an alien species that entered earth through the trees. I wanted there to be a reason they had to come to earth, and decided it needed to be to “host” to humans. When would they do this hosting? How would it work? I toyed with lots of ideas, and then one night, I had a dream of a boy hovering over a girl, both of them surrounded by light. I woke in the middle of the night and wrote it all down. I knew I had my idea, I had the Taking.


TRC: Would you please tell us the premise behind Gravity?

Melissa: GRAVITY is about a seventeen-year-old military legacy that learns the most popular boy in school is an alien spy, who needs her help to prevent a war between the two species.

LINKS TO PRE-ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Book Depository

TRC: Gravity is YA, and Sci-Fi romance.  What drew you to YA and Sci-Fi?  Have you considered writing any other genre?

Melissa: I adore YA, both as a writer and a reader. There is something so pure about that time in our lives. I’m not sure why I first began writing YA, but I knew when I received my first full manuscript request that I had made the right decision. He said that I had a wonderful teen voice. At the time I wasn’t so sure, but since then, both my agent and my editor have commented on my voice, so I would say it was meant to be. As far as other genres, I definitely plan to write in other genres within YA. I’m not sure that I will ever write adult fiction. We shall see. 🙂

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Melissa: I’m revising a YA sci-fi thriller for my agent and then finishing up book 2 in The Taking series.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Melissa: My father is my first reader. I always say he humors me, which I think is one of the best things a parent can do. He’s honest, but he never laughs, he never judges.

TRC: What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing?

Melissa: I adore Libba Bray and feel her writing has for sure influenced mine.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: This is so sad, but french fries. 🙂

Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu

Favorite Author: Jane Austen, Madeleine L’Engle, Libba Bray, among others.

Favorite Novel: Pride and Prejudice

Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz

Favorite TV Show: Top Chef

Last Movie that you saw: The Hunger Games

Thank you Melissa, for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Gravity.  Keep us informed about your next book in your The Taking series, as well as any new books or series that you have planned.

If you want to learn more about Melissa, you can find her at the following links:

Website: http://www.melissawestauthor.com/
Blog: http://m-b-west.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

 

Melissa has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win an e-arc (advanced read copy) of her new release, Gravity.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment and say hi to Melissa.

4.  Giveaway open Internationally.

5.  Contest runs from October 23rd – October 26th.


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Gravity by Melissa West – a Review

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Gravity by Melissa West – a Review

 

Gravity by Melissa West, is her debut novel, and a wonderful start in her sure to be a successful career.  Gravity is the first book in her The Taking series. This is Y.A. with a SciFi and Romance theme.  Yes, there are so many YA books out there now, but this one is a bit different, and has a real catchy promotional phrase…..Don’t. Ever. Peek.  Once you start Gravity, you will not put this book down.  Below is a description from the cover, and my review.  Since this is an early review, I will try to avoid spoilers, and yet give you my thoughts of this book.

Description:
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.

 

Review:

We learn early, that after a major war, with much destruction, an uneasy truce was made between the humans and Ancients, who are aliens that look human.  They live in peace, with the humans helping the Ancients; and the Ancients, who live off planet, will not hurt the humans.  But the agreement was that after many years, the time would come when the Ancients would become acclimated to Earth, and they want to coexist on Earth together.  But things are about to change. 

Ari Alexander is our heroine, and we meet her immediately, as she is in bed awaiting an Ancient to come to her and take the necessary nutrients/vitamins/immunity, they need to survive.  Each human is assigned an Ancient, who comes to them to take what they need to survive, at no harm to the humans.  As the story starts, Ari awaits her unseen Ancient for his taking, and right before the Ancient is expected, she moves to put on her eye piece that disables her ability to see what the Ancient looks like. Humans are not allowed to look at their Ancient….”Don’t Ever Peek”.  But Ari cannot find the eye patch, and when the Ancient comes, she does peek.  Did we doubt she would, after all just the tempatation of Don’t Ever Peek, is enough to peek. lol  We meet our hero, Jackson Locke, who surprisingly to Ari, is an Ancient. A surprise, since Jackson is the most popular guy at school, and he is a gorgeous hunk, nothing like a hideous monster she expected to see.  Jackson has never paid much attention to Ari, or at least he avoided her.  But now with his secret out, he confides to Ari that he wanted her to see him, and he needed her help.  The world as they know it, was about to change, and if she didn’t help him, humans were all in danger of losing their lives in another war. 

Melissa West has done an excellent job of this world building.  In the beginning, it took a short time to learn all the particulars, but as the story unfolds you totally get into the flow.  The Ancients are tired of the humans delaying the agreement of them to coexist and live together on Earth, especially now that they have become fully acclimated. Hence the danger that Jackson has explained to Ari.  But unbeknownst to them, the human hierarchy has been planning secretly for years to stop the Ancients.

West has also created some wonderful characters.  Ari is a great heroine.  She is not only pretty, but smart, tough, a brilliant fighter, as well being well liked & respected by her peers.  Her father is the Commander, under the President.  Ari is considered a legacy, destined to be trained to be his replacement in the future. She is also promised to Lawrence, the President’s son, who is also being trained to replace the President in the future.  Both Ari and Lawrence accept their destined future together, and are good friends.  Then there is her friend Gretchen, who becomes part of the behind the scenes fight to save the world.

This is an emotional story also, as Ari and her friends become aware of what is being done to secretly fight the Ancients, and the lies that have been told to all of them.  There a number of surprises, and twists along the way that will totally blindside you, especially the ending.

Gravity also has a very nice romance between Ari and Jackson, that has you rooting hard for them to make it together. There were a lot of dark moments during the action paced last half of the story, that were somewhat horrifying, but understandable in war.  This was a thrilling, fast paced and exciting book that I had to keep reading to find out what happens. 

Will Ari betray her family to save them all?  Does Jackson truly care about Ari, or is he using her?  Is there a future for Ari and Jackson? Will the humans unleash their surprise attack against the Ancients? Will the two species end up in a full scale war again? As I said before, Melissa West leaves us somewhat hanging a bit at the end, and I dare you to not come back for the next book.  Great debut for Melissa West.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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