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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Interview & Giveaway with Gwen Hayes, author of Falling Under!

Today I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Gwen Hayes, author of the Young Adult paranormal romance novel,  FALLING UNDER. Gwen stopped by to discuss her new book which recently released this month AND she brought along a finished copy for one lucky winner. See details below.





In
  



Gwen Hayes lives in the Pacific Northwest with her real life hero, their children, and the pets that own them. She writes books for teen readers about love, angst, and saving the world. Her debut novel, FALLING UNDER, will be released in March of 2011 by NAL. Baffled by the fact that not everyone has people talking to each other in their head all the time, Gwen decided maybe she should start writing down what they say. She told her family she wanted to be a writer in 2007, they all nodded, and the adventures began. Official Website

           1. In FALLING UNDER, Theia Alderson begins leading a double life- during the day she's a sheltered teenager in the small town of Serendipity Falls. Everything changes when she meets Haden Black – soon she begins joining him in eerie dreams that feel all too real.  Can you tell us a little bit more about your book and share with us a favorite line, scene or passage?

Picking a favorite line is difficult. I think I’d rather let the readers pick their favorite lines and tell me which ones they liked.  http://gwenhayes.com/contact.asp

My favorite scenes to write were the romantic ones.  I think it’s because Haden made them so easy—he’s very comfortable in the leading man role.  He’s dashing and charismatic and swoonworthy. Poor Theia is so unprepared for him.

2.     2. What three words best describe FALLING UNDER?

Great Question.  Eerie. Fantastical. Romantical.
Wait, romantical isn’t a word. 

3.    3. FALLING UNDER appears to draw from Greek Mythology, particularly the Persephone myth. Can you discuss this further with us?

I didn’t set out to draw from any particular mythos. The fun part of writing paranormal is that I get to play with a lot of different legends and retell t hem, mix them up, spin them around, and put boys in black nail polish and a cravat.

I actually didn’t know what Haden was when I began writing this story.  I knew he was from an underworld type place, and because of that, the name Haden seemed to fit because it we similar to Hades.  I didn’t set out to retell Persephone, though.

 I tend to think the subconscious mind drinks from a collective well of contribution, and that is why Greek mythology and modern day stories  (and everything in between) have similar themes.

4.     4. If you had to attach a musical score to your novel, what songs do you imagine playing during prominent scenes?

I do have a musical score! I put a bit of my playlist here: http://iLike.com/p/uN1reM:16wwte
#1 Crush by Garbage is what I imagine playing during the club scene for sure, and every song by Neverending White Lights evokes the  mood of Falling Under and the sequel I’m currently working on.

5.    5. If you could inhabit the life of one literary character and dive into their world for just one day, who would you choose and why?

I would LOVE to be Claire Danvers from Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires for a day. Only a day, though. I’d want to be safely home before dark. That’s when the vampires come out.

 I think it would just be fun to hang out with Shane, Eve, and Michael for a day. Though, I’d also like to hang out with Claire too, so maybe I could be the sentient house instead.

6.     6.You've mentioned that you are an avid reader. What is your favorite book and fictional crush to date?

I absolutely refuse to pick one book. You can’t make me.  J As for crushes, I think Shane from Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire books is adorable. And Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series is amazing. *fans self*

7.     7. If someone wrote the biography of your life, what would the title be and why?

I am positive nobody will want a biography of my life. I lead a very boring existence off the page. If they did manage to trick a publisher into buying it, maybe…The Girl with the Butterfly Tattoo


8.     8. What were you like as a teenager and did you have any books in particular that were your favorites? If your teenage self was to read FALLING UNDER, what do you think she’d say?

I think I pretty much tapped the teenage Gwen while writing Falling Under.  She was pretty big on big angsty love stories (still is).  Also, when I was a teen, we didn’t have the kind of YA choices available now, so I read a lot of adult fiction. 

9.     9. What would you say is the best advice you've been given as an author?

Keep reading—inside and outside of the genre you write.  Read, read, read.

1   10. Will FALLING UNDER be part of a new series? What other projects do you have in the works for us to look forward to?

There is a sequel to Falling Under, currently untitled (though I’m calling it After the Fall right now), that will likely be done when this interview is posted. I think the goal is to release at the beginning of 2012.  I have another series set in Serendipity Falls that I hope will be next,  but I also have some things on the backburner that are completely different—no paranormal elements at all.  I like to mix things up a bit.

Thanks for inviting me to your blog!

****GIVEAWAY****

1 FINISHED COPY 
of FALLING UNDER by 
GWEN HAYES 

Falling Under (Falling Under, #1)

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.


Official Rules:
1.You must be 13 year or older to enter
2. U.S & CANADIAN Entrants Welcome!
3. Entries must be received by Midnight EST on March 25th 2011
4.To enter to win, simply fill out the form below. Good luck!  

31 comments:

ChrisS said...

I really enjoyed your interview and look forward to reading Falling Under.

Nicole said...

the cover is so pretty, I can't wait to read this one!!!!

Vivien said...

This book looks great! I've been really excited to get my hands on this one.

However, I went to fill out the form and it's for the Darkness Becomes Her giveaway. I didn't know if you realized it or not :)

Sniffly Kitty said...

Your form is linked to the Darkness Becomes Her contest~~

Carina L. Tai said...

alright, my question is: When are you sure you've found the perfect name for your character? Is it a gut feeling, or do copious amounts of research go into the process?

Great post! Thanks so much!

-Carina L. Tai
alicia.aatran@yahoo.com
http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/

Linda: Book Ninja said...

I love "romantical" books and this one definitely sounds interesting! I'll have buy or borrow this if I don't win because I've heard a lot of good things. Secong book! Yay and I hope the cover is as food as Falling Under.

Lexie@BookBug said...

I love the description of this book "Eerie. Fantastical. Romantical." Sounds perfect!
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Do you ever put any elements of your own life in your books?

dancealert at aol dot com

Jessy said...

Awww, Shane is adorable. I don't think I would want to visit that world though. It's too scary for me.

Gwen Hayes said...

Thank you for inviting me to your blog!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Awesome post :)
I love question 5
(not an entry)

Wildcherry said...

Looks like another great book to add to my list!!

donnas said...

Congrats on the release! Sounds great.

Natalie said...

I'm totally intrigued by Greek mythology, and I love that more and more YA books are using this as a plot basis. Thanks for the interview (and the giveaway)!

Jill the OWL said...

She's like me - I refuse to name a favorite book! I have so many I like/love that I can't single out just one. It doesn't see fair.

Regina said...

How many books will be in the series? I know that you say there will be a second, but will it stop there?

Jenny N. said...

So I haven't read either book series that Gwen mentioned but both series are on my to read list.

DeNiSe said...

When I first saw this book i knew that it would be good can not wait to get my hands on my owm copy great interview

Denise

DeNiSe said...

When I first saw this book i knew that it would be good can not wait to get my hands on my owm copy great interview

Denise

Tran D said...

great interview! I can't wait to read this book

Unknown said...

Great interview! I'm intrigued, because I love the Peresphone myth.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pam S said...

I love the cover! This sounds like a really great read. I've heard good things about it and wishlisted it! Enjoyed the fun interview and wonderful review as well posted here.

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Anita Yancey said...

Loved the interview! Sounds like a wonderful book, I'd love to read it.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anonymous said...

amazing interview so excited.
the book seems awesome.
i really wish to read it.

great giveaway.

Anonymous said...

fingers crossed!!

nacleonu@aol.com

Juliana L. Brandt said...

I love how you say the subconscious draws from a well of contribution. It's always been interesting to me how similar, and yet very different, all stories are.

Laurel said...

Oh, I want to read this book so badly! Is it going to be a trilogy, a series, or will it stop after the second one? Anyways....I WANT to read it sooooo BADLY. :D

Good luck with your novel, Gwen!

Anonymous said...

Great interview. thanks for the or the agiveaway.
For the autor Gwen Hayes, how did you dicide that is not going to be just one book, that is going to be a series and how to dacide how many book in the series?

Ronyka7 ƸӜƷ

latishajean said...

I heard alot about this book can't wait to read it sounds so good! Great giveaway thank you so much!

Unknown said...

Love love love this story!

Anonymous said...

i love this story! something so new and cooL!