Silent by Sara Alva

Silent by Sara Alva

Published by Amazon Digital Services
352 Pages

Blurb: Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home. Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried. It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Review: I thought Sara Alva's Social Skills was one of the best stories I'd read in a long time, but her latest release, Silent, is in an entirely different category. As I was reading this gripping story, I felt intensely disappointed that the gay fiction genre is so small. A story as beautifully written and well-crafted as this deserves mainstream distribution. Though we often see reviews where the reader lauds the book as being a riveting page-turner, I can assure you, it is without hyperbole that I sing this story's praises. In fact, I almost don't know where to begin.

Silent is the emotional story about this incredible foster kid named Alejandro. He prefers to be called Alex, and in the beginning he's facing a dilemma. He's fifteen, and he's outgrown his shoes. His mother will not buy him new ones and his mother's abusive boyfriend Hector hates him. Alex takes matters into his own hands and steals some of Hector's weed, then sells it on the street and uses the money for new shoes. When Hector discovers what Alex has done, he uses a lighter to burn Alex's arm, right after torching the new shoes. The injury is severe, and when a teacher at school discovers it, it sets in motion a chain of events that drastically change Alex's life.

He's taken into protective custody and placed in a foster home. Now, at this point in the story (about 20% into the book) I was ready to hurl my Kindle against the wall. I didn't like the social worker and I hated the foster parents. I couldn't believe how callous and unsympathetic they were to Alex after what he'd been through. Actually, I still sort of feel this way, at least about the foster parents. On the other hand, I think they did care about the boys they fostered and did the best they knew how.

The beauty within that environment wasn't so much the relationship any of those kids had with those foster parents, though. It was the relationship they developed with each other. They became a loving family, perhaps less dysfunctional than many conventional families. And it is at this point that the story really grabbed hold of my heart.

Alex becomes friends with one of his foster "brothers", a boy his age named Sebastian. Seb is mute, and everyone assumes he is mentally handicapped. Oddly enough, Alex bonds with him, and they become close. They become VERY close as Alex begins to discover a Seb that no one else knows exists. Alex learns to communicate with Seb, and he uncovers some secrets within Seb's past that are startling...and unbelievable. 

There is so much more to this book than what I've shared in this review. It's an epic story that at times made me laugh. It also infuriated me at points and even made me cry. Silent is a book I really don't want to remain silent about it. It's one of those books that is going to stay with me a long, long time, and it very well may remain one of the best books I've read in my lifetime

"I tried not to think about all the horrible things that could happen to a little boy when no one could hear him scream."

Review by Jeff

Featured Author & Giveaway: Sara Alva

Sara Alva is a former small-town girl currently living in big-city LA with a husband, two cats, and an avocado tree. She recently discovered—after a year in her house—that she also has a fig tree in her backyard, which might mean she needs to get out more. But sometimes the stories waiting to be told demand more attention, and when she puts fingers to keyboard, it’s usually to write about journeys of self-discovery, heartache, personal growth, friendship and love. When she isn’t writing, she’s teaching or dancing. For more information, free short stories and news on upcoming releases, visit Sara’s website at http://saraalva.com.

Connect with Sara Alva on Twitter @SaraAlvaStories or visit her website: http://saraalva.com.

Q&A with Author Sara Alva:

1. Where is the book Silent set? Is it a place you’re familiar with in real life or is it imagined?
   
   Silent is set in Los Angeles, California, where I currently live. So far in my writing career, I’ve taken on settings I know well. I like throwing in those little details that allow people who’ve “been there” to catch the local references. And for those who haven’t been, if they ever do visit, maybe they’ll spot some things they’ve read about!
   
   I have an upcoming guest post on Madison Parker’s blog with some more insight into the specific locations of Los Angeles. It’s such a huge, diverse area that it really allowed me take Alex on a significant journey without leaving the city, and the changing setting plays a significant role in the story.


2. One of your writing strengths is creating authentic dialogue. The characters really come alive through their speech. Ironically, one of the characters doesn’t speak at all (hence the title, Silent). What challenges did you face in developing a non-speaking character?
   
   The concept of Seb as a character had been floating around in my head since my high school days (wow, so long ago!) but bringing him to life on the page was a different story (oops, I punned). In my head I could see the facial expressions he would make, the very subtle gestures he could use, but I had to work carefully to represent those in text without getting repetitive or too heavy-handed. Then again, I couldn’t be too light, either, or his presence would barely be felt. My betas were a great resource and helped me fine-tune those parts of the novel until I was satisfied with the end result.


3. I have no personal experience with the foster care system, but reading Silent made me feel like I was right there, experiencing the emotional upheaval along with the main character as he’s placed in a group home. It’s interesting that adults tend to view foster care as a positive thing, whereas the children placed in foster care often don’t. If given the choice, sadly, many would choose to return to their abusive environments. What type of research did you do to help portray the foster care experience so realistically?
   
   I had betas with some insight into foster care, which was a great help. Along with that, my other profession has brought me into contact with many children like Alex, and I already had a sense of how they felt about their homes, and how they felt about leaving them. They don’t usually stand on the outside of their lives and see the “bigger picture” of how leaving a troubled environment could be for the best. They’re living in their own shoes; they see their personal worlds, they see the way the people around them live and that’s often the way they expect to live as well.
   
   I wanted to be as realistic as possible with Alex, and having him eager to leave behind all he knows for a totally different life just wouldn’t have felt plausible.


4. The main character has a strong sense of loyalty. I’d even go so far as to describe him as a caregiver. Where does that come from, or why is it so important to him?
   
   Alex grew up without very much parental guidance. Because of that, he and his sister found they could often only count on each other. As the older sibling, she was his main support system. He tried to be the same sort of support for her, but when he wasn’t able to, it left a void in his life, waiting to be filled. Through the course of the novel he finds a new place to put his loyalty and affection.


5. What would you most like people to take away from the story?
   
   Books are often a means by which people become aware of different circumstances. I never set out to write with a “message,” but I do like to present less-seen worlds, whether they be inside a character’s mind, or in a literal setting. Silent presents a way of life that not everyone gets to see on a daily basis, and all I’d really like is for readers to get a chance to experience it through Alex’s eyes.

Now Available from Sara Alva:

Silent Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home.

Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried.

It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Social Skills Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison.

Jared's attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor's self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Pura Vida Simon has found himself in an open relationship for the summer—though not by choice. Instead of wallowing, he’s decided to make the most of a family vacation to Costa Rica by hooking up with the first hot guy available. Trouble is, he has no clue how to go about doing that.

Luckily, he runs into someone with a little more experience. But when the moments of lust turn into something more, Simon isn’t so sure he’ll be able to return to his old relationship. And there’s no way to hold onto this new one, either, as thousands of miles will separate them in only a few short weeks. Either way, he’ll have to learn to let go.

---

Silent Giveaway!

Sara Alva has generously donated a free e-copy of Silent for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen November 3, 2013.

Featured Author: Sara Alva

Sara Alva is a former small-town girl currently living in big-city LA with a husband, two cats, and an avocado tree. She recently discovered—after a year in her house—that she also has a fig tree in her backyard, which might mean she needs to get out more. But sometimes the stories waiting to be told demand more attention, and when she puts fingers to keyboard, it’s usually to write about journeys of self-discovery, heartache, personal growth, friendship and love. When she isn’t writing, she’s teaching or dancing.

Connect with Sara Alva on Twitter @SaraAlvaStories or visit her website: http://saraalva.com for more information and FREE READS.

Q&A with Author Sara Alva:

1. If you could swap places with one of your fictional characters for 24 hours, who would you choose to be? Why? And what would you do that day?
   
   I guess I’d pick Rebecca, because I have that desire to be what I’m not. Rebecca is different and doesn’t care. She towers above most girls, never tries to be fashionable, and always says what’s on her mind. That would be pretty liberating.
   
   Hm, a day as Rebecca…I’d probably just hang around Connor and Jared, watching them grow and gain strength as a couple—in a non-stalkerish way. Maybe go on a double date with the boys and Tate at Mellow Mushroom.


2. Tell us a little bit about your debut novel, Social Skills.
   
   Social Skills is Connor’s story. Although it’s also a romance, a more important tag might be “coming of age”. Connor suffers from social anxiety and has to struggle every day just to make casual conversation—let alone develop a friendship. He meets his opposite in Jared, but even the confident jock doesn’t have it all figured out.
   
   When the two begin a behind-closed-doors relationship, it does help Connor’s self-esteem—but as much as Connor might like it, Jared isn’t going to be the one to “fix” him. He has to do most of that work himself. There’s heartbreak, healing, and growth on the journey as Connor learns to stand up for himself and make clear what he wants from his life and his love.


3. We were impressed at how you portrayed Connor so realistically as a shy character. From where did you draw your inspiration in developing his character?
   
   I guess I’ll admit it. I wanted to write a novel focusing on a character with social anxiety because it’s something I’ve dealt with for most of my life. It’s a weird, alienating feeling, and people with social anxiety often can’t explain why they seem so distant from the rest of the world. This novel gave me an opportunity to explain some of the inner-workings of a socially anxious mind to those who may not understand—and hopefully let my fellow shy readers know they are not alone.


4. What other projects are you working on?
   
   My next novel, Silent, is coming out in a few months. Alex Alvarado narrates this one from his point of view as a teenager in South Central Los Angeles. An incident at home and a visit from a social worker set his life on a new course, where he has to struggle with both the separation from all he knows and his growing attraction to a mysterious mute boy in his foster care group home.


5. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   To date, my novels are about journeys of self-discovery. I’d like young readers to be motivated to go on their own journeys, and to know there is hope for positive change—and for love—along the way.

Now Available from Sara Alva:

Social Skills Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison. Jared's attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor's self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Coming Soon from Sara Alva:

Silent Alex's life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it's his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He's got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home.

Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a "special" mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried.

It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Recommended Age: 18+

Social Skills by Sara Alva

Social Skills by Sara Alva

Published by Sara Alva
312 Pages

Blurb: Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison.

Jared’s attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor’s self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Review: Connor is shy. The rest of his family, on the other hand, lie on the opposite end of the introvert/extrovert spectrum and just don’t get why Connor is the way he is. The constant criticism from his parents and his inability to relax and speak freely around others have torn down his self-esteem over the years. There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely, and now that Connor is in his freshman year of college, he finds that he is both. He wants to make friends. It’s just so hard.

"Rebecca rolled her eyes and the banter continued, right over Connor’s head. He chewed and swallowed methodically, nodding and smiling when he felt it appropriate, and silently wishing he were a more interesting person so he could quit being a shadow on the sidelines of his own life."

The frisbee scene in chapter one nearly brought me to tears because it’s so real. That’s exactly what it’s like for a shy person trying to fit in. We try and we fail. And it hurts. But we suck it up and go on because that’s just who we are. Sara Alva perfectly captures what it’s like to be shy. I’ve experienced so many of the same feelings as Connor. My heart went out to him time and time again as I watched him struggle to overcome his social anxiety.

Not only has Sara Alva developed a rich, three-dimensional character in Connor, but the other characters in the novel are also well fleshed out. Connor’s relationship with Rebecca builds slowly and evolves into a beautiful friendship. His rocky relationship with Jared, an athlete who is part of the “in-crowd”, is portrayed realistically as well. It isn’t easy for these boys to move forward in their relationship, but they care enough about each other to try. It’s hard to see them hurt, but easy to empathize with them–and even easier to root for them as a couple and hope for a happy ending!

Review by Madison