Author Interview & Giveaway: Jamie Ayres

We are excited to welcome author, Jamie Ayres, to the nest today. She's here to discuss her novel, 18 Things. Be sure to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post.

Andrea @ Reading Lark: Why did you choose to write YA?

Jamie:  I didn't choose to write YA . . . it all stemmed from the Prince and the Possum! My snoring prince charming (AKA--hubby of 15 yrs) and a possum on our porch kept me up during the summer of 2009, and I just kind of ended up writing a novel that featured teenagers as the main characters. I've never looked back.

Andrea @ Reading Lark: Can you describe your novel in five words?

Jamie: Adventurous tale of self-discovery

Book Spotlight: The Banks of Certain Rivers

Neil Kazenzakis is barely holding his life together: ever since an accident left his wife profoundly disabled, he's been doing his best as a single dad and popular high school teacher. He's also been dealing with Lauren Downey, his sort-of girlfriend of the past two years who's pushing for a commitment—and for Neil to finally tell his son Christopher about their secret relationship.

What's Your Status? 5/18/13

What's Your Status? was inspired by Butterfly Feet Walking on Life. Check back each Saturday to find what's been keeping the Larks busy this week.

Reading Lark's Review Status:

Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi

Valkyrie Symptoms (Valkyrie Rising #0.5) by Ingrid Paulson

Cruentus: Rise to Power by L.S. Broomfield

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

Nolichuck! by Jackson Keene

Reading Lark's Post Status:

Guest Post & Giveaway: Sherry Soule - Immortal Eclipse

Magic Lamp Sunday

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes

Cover Crazy: Eternal by Kristi Cook

Cruentus: Rise to Power Blog Tour

Teaser Tuesday: Born of Illusion, Dead Ever After, Someday Someday Maybe, Sanctum, Anna and the French Kiss, & Cruentus

Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: First Kiss by Ann Marie Frohoff

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop - Ends 5/22

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Chronicles of Egg by Geoff Rodkey - Ends 5/23

Stealing Harper Blog Tour: Guest Post, Exclusive Excerpt, & Giveaway

The Shopping Lark #67 

Author Interview & Giveaway: Stephanie Kate Strohm - Confederates Don't Wear Couture - Ends 5/24

Author Interview & Giveaway: Stephanie Kate Strohm

We are excited to welcome back author, Stephanie Kate Strohm, to the nest today. She's here to dish on her upcoming novel, Confederates Don't Wear Couture. Be sure to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post.

Stephanie has visited Reading Lark before to talk about her debut novel, Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink. Be sure to check out that interview!

Andrea @ Reading Lark: I am so excited to spend more time with Libby! What inspired you to focus on Civil War history this time around?

    

Stephanie: When I read  Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz, the extreme dedication to historical accuracy at Civil War Reenactments kind of blew my mind.  (It's a great read - definitely check it out!)  Civil War reenactors truly seem to be the most hardcore of the bunch.  So I knew I had to send Libby to the Olympics of living history.  

Andrea @ Reading Lark: Will Garrett make an appearance in Confederates?

     

Stephanie: He will! (But that's all I'm sayin'. Spoilers!)

Book Review: Nolichuck!

Nolichuck! TJ's Wild Frontier Adventure

By: Jackson Keene

Published By: Treble Heart Books

Publication Date: September 2011

Page Count: 281

Buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Source: Kindly Provided by Author

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy, Historical Fiction

I have had this one on my review list for quite awhile, but I'm trying to knock these lingering ones out. I read this one over the past few days and while it certainly has merits - this was not the book for me.

The main character, TJ, is still reeling from his parents' divorce and trying to figure out how life is supposed to work now that his family has been drastically altered. I found that he was a realistic character, but I had trouble connecting with him. There was nothing that made me truly want to spend time with him. I doubt this will be the case for many younger males. I can see how TJ and his story will appeal to their adventurous nature. I do feel that the author was trying to call attention to some serious issues like bullying and divorce through TJ's life. While I appreciate authors who add commentary about social issues to their stories, I need an emotional attachment to the character to make a read compelling.

The Shopping Lark #67

Each Friday, Reading Lark is going to feature some new releases each week to help give you some ideas of what to buy next. Feel free to share what books you're excited about that came out this week in our comments section. You can find links to Goodreads and reviews (if a Lark has read the novel) below the cover images.

YA Releases for the week of 5/13-5/19:

The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

Read Andrea's Review of The Rose Throne

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Read Jen's Review of School Spirits

Stealing Harper Blog Tour: Guest Post, Exclusive Excerpt, & Giveaway

The Larks would like to welcome Molly McAdams to the Nest today. We are excited to spotlight her New Adult novella, Stealing Harper. Be sure to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post.

New Adult - Why I write it 

By: Molly McAdams

 I think the reason I originally got into writing for the New Adult genre was because that’s my age group, and that’s what interested me. I didn't start reading for pleasure (er, well, reading in general) until I was twenty, and didn't start writing anything until I was almost twenty-two. Even now, I’m only twenty-four, so I’m still in the age range for New Adult, and it’s what I know. 

 Also, as my readers know, I put a lot of my experiences and myself in my books. I think it’s something that helps the readers connect to the characters and stories, and makes everything about this “fantasy world”, real somehow. So, in putting my personal experiences in my stories, it’s natural for a lot of them to be in the New Adult age range. 

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Chronicles of Egg

The Chronicles of Egg #1: Deadweather & Sunrise

A stunning middle-grade debut--full of heart, humor, and nonstop action

It's tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody's trying to kill you.

Not that Egg's life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

Reading Lark is very excited to participate in this fun giveaway hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer & Portrait of a Book. The giveaway runs May 16-22. Our Rafflecopter form opened a little bit early - so you can enter now. The winners will be contacted on May 23 via email and will be listed on the giveaway page. One giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada. Our second giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY as long as The Book Depository ships to your country for free.

 Tons of great blogs are participating in this hop, so be sure to check out what's being given away at each blog. You have a ton of chances to win some really great books! Most importantly...have fun! 

Here at Reading Lark we are giving TWO winners the choice of ONE of the books on our list. The Larks decided to feature books with water on the cover, water in the title, OR books set in a rainy locale. ONE winner will be a resident of the US or Canada. ONE winner will be an INTERNATIONAL entrant. If the book is in a series, the winner may choose any book in the series. US/CA winners may choose an eBook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble OR a print copy.  International winners will receive a print copy from The Book Depository. Both giveaways require the winner to be 13+ years of age. 

Book Review: Born of Illusion

Born of Illusion

By: Teri Brown

Published By: Balzer & Bray

Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Page Count: 352

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by the Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy, Historical Fiction

I am a history nerd so I have been excited about this novel since I heard about it's existence. The 1920's is such an intriguing time period. I envy the carefree lifestyle of many during those years before the Great Depression struck. I also find it to be such a monumental decade for women's rights. The short skirts and short hair were quite risque and spotlighted women's desire for freedom of expression. While I didn't spend a lot of time studying this era while working on my history degree, I have found that I love learning more about the time period through fiction. I keep devouring reads set in this time period (The Diviners by Libba Bray and The Heiresses by Allison Rushby are two other titles set in this era I'd highly recommend).