{Promo} Alienated by Melissa Landers: The Aliens Have Landed (Launch Day Post) + a Giveaway!

The following is promotional material provided by Melissa Landers in celebration of the release of Alienated today.  April and I both really enjoyed this sci-fi with a heavy contemporary vibe, and you can check out both of our reviews here and here.

Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!

In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.

What do reviewers have to say?

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.


Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Indiebound

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.

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

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 Melissa:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Labels: alienated, aliens, beautiful covers, book trailers, disney hyperion, giveaways, melissa landers, promotions, sci-fi

Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

The first thing I noticed about Alienated was the cover. This cover is one of my favorites, not just because it’s pretty but because it really does go along with the story. Yay awesome covers!!

I pretty much jump on any book that has sci fi elements to it. So when I saw this one on NetGalley I immediately requested it. I’m glad I did because I really liked it.

What I loved most was Cara. She has such spunk. She made me laugh frequently.

Especially her first meeting with Aelyx. That was classic. Alienated starts out pretty fast paced, right away your whisked into the action. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would really be like to have an alien exchange program going on while I was in high school. I predict people of earth would react much like they do in this book, as sad as that is.

The romance between Cara and Aelyx, Hmmm. I’m tossed on it. Even though it builds over the course of a few months, it doesn’t feel like that. There are gaps in time. One page it’s the beginning of Fall and before you know it, it’s the middle of winter, but it almost feels like they’ve only been to school a few times. I’m not sure if I’m making sense, I hope I am. Lol.

Anyway, for that reason I struggled believing their connection was legit, ya know? But there are some pretty hot intense scenes between the two and they were done to perfection, so that saved it for me. I still would have liked to see some more depth between them as a couple before the word love was thrown out there. 

One thing I really wish there would have been more of is the sci fi. Alienated really came off more as a YA romance with a sci fi–ish background to me. Which is totally fine, just not exactly what I was expecting. 

Overall though, I really enjoyed this story and I’m going to be anxiously waiting for the sequel because (without spoiling), I think there will be more of what I was hoping for as the story moves forward. *crossing fingers* Alineated was a pretty fun read. :) 

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 Melissa:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Read More

Labels: alienated, aliens, disney hyperion, melissa landers, reviews, sci-fi

Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

I think what I liked best about Alienated was that although it tackles some larger issues, it doesn't deign to take itself too seriously.  It was when this novel was funny that I enjoyed it best, and there are plenty of funny, awkward moments to be had.  The book does take a turn toward the serious, especially as the two alien races take a more divisive stance toward one another, but I'll get to that.

I've read quite a few novels recently that dealt with space travel and aliens and they were all such somber tales, so I was glad to discover how quirky and cute this story was.  The interactions between Cara and Aelyx made this book what it was, even when they were barely cordial to each other in the beginning.  I just felt that their encounters were natural, whereas a lot of the other scenarios in the book -- especially where the ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend, and that douchey leader of the junior HALOs were concerned -- felt forced, and a lot of those confrontations just seemed juvenile and immature, most especially the dialogue.

But I found myself delighted whenever Cara and Aelyx had page-time together.  Obviously, newly single Cara can't help but fall for the hot new alien living under her roof, but the pacing of the relationship was perfect.  The romance actually had stages and worked up to the intense attraction, rather than throwing it in your face from the moment they first meet.  I do think that maybe the professing of love could have waited a bit, but I am old and sometimes forget what it was like to be sixteen and have all of those feelings that I just can't keep inside.  =)

Have you ever had a foreign exchange student living with you?  My older sister signed up for a French exchange student when she was in high school and I was probably eight, and even at that age, I could tell how awkward it was for everyone involved, at least in the beginning, especially with somewhat of a language barrier on both accounts.  So, I felt like the way Aelyx is received into Cara's home and how everyone treats him at first was portrayed rather accurately.  The only other people who interacted with Cara and Aelyx that seemed genuine were Cara's parents, which I was happy to see.   I've said it before but I'll say it again: good, involved parents are an asset to young adult novels.

I have to admit, the cover is the first thing that drew me to request this book.  Not only is it pretty, but it's representative of what's inside the book, as well:  two very different worlds, two different alien races coming together and still not together.  The L'eihr have initiated contact, and after providing Earth with some serious medical advancements, an understanding has been reached to try to learn more about each other's culture. Each group has motivations for the alliance, and each race stands to benefit immensely from it.

But there will always be dissenters, those who don't like change.  This is where things get serious.  It starts out harmless enough, as most situations like this do, but quickly escalates as allegations and threats are made...against the L'eihr. It's human nature for us to question change, but I'll never understand how some people can be so closed-minded, so distrustful.  Discrimination will always exist, no matter what aspect or trait is being discriminated against, which is unfortunate.  That being said, this novel takes the subject to a dangerous level.  It doesn't matter that there's a strong possibility that we could have evolved from the L'eihr...to some people, preconceived notions will always hold true.

Alienated is charming and romantic, quirky and fun, with undertones of discrimination and betrayal to even things out. I love how Landers tackled the subject of friendship in the face of diversity with humor and sass, and I'll definitely be picking up the next installment to see how the duo fare when the shoe is on the other foot.

GIF it to me straight:

Oh, the giddy, happy feelings this book elicited!

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 Melissa:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Read More

Labels: alienated, aliens, disney hyperion, melissa landers, reviews, sci-fi

Teaser Tuesday #88: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's what I'm teasing this week:

Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

My teasers:

"The interview began in the typical fashion, with Sharon making thinly veiled implications about his relationship with Cara.  He didn't discourage her.  The idea of an illicit human-L'eihr tryst would drive extremists half mad, sparking them into action."

- Loc 1889, 55% of galley

I was initially drawn to the cover for Alienated, but the idea of alien exchange students really grabbed my attention. Foreign exchange students always intrigued me, so one from another planet would be interesting, to say the least.  But it sounds like maybe the exchange isn't going all that well...

What are you teasing this week?  Share it in the comments or leave a link so I can visit!

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Labels: alienated, aliens, beautiful covers, disney hyperion, foreign exchange student, melissa landers, sci-fi, teaser tuesday