Thursday 21 February 2013

Guest Post By Jamie Ayres


Hello lovely people!! :D

Today I have the über-awesome  Jamie Ayres with us and I am really excited!! Met Jamie yet? Totally love this girl!

Welcome Jamie....


Jamie Ayres
Nibbles & Novels . . .
And Novelists!!!


On the second Wednesday of each month, a group of avid readers meets at my local library to enjoy a snack and chat about books, and sometimes they invite novelists to join in. On February 13th, I received that honor and got to share a little bit about my debut novel, 18 Things.
But what I really wanted to know was what pulled them into a story, and kept them there. We all have our favorite books. The ones we display on our shelves and read over and over again. Here’s one of my shelves . . . . 



So the ladies I spoke with said they’ll read anything, as long as it’s a good story and believable, even if it takes place in a made-up world. Most of them also said that if they’re reading fiction, they like a love story sprinkled in, no matter how big or small. They don’t want a heroine who wants to be rescued all the time. They want one that can kick-ass when needed. Also, a hero that has the ‘bad guy’ exterior but is a ‘good guy’ underneath is someone they root for. A bad guy is also someone they’ll root for if their bad acts stem from good intentions. Some themes they like to read about are love triumphs over all, the need to belong (like Tris in Divergent), the need to undo the past, and second chances.
Above all, they love books with plot twists that make them think and that make them feel emotions we long for in everyday life, and inspire them to be a better version of themselves. 

What about you? What do you look for in a good book?

 
Jamie Ayres writes young adult paranormal love stories by night and teaches very young adults as a public school teacher by day. When not at home on her laptop or at school, she can often be found at a local book store grabbing random children and reading to them. So far, she has not been arrested for this. She lives in southwest Florida with her prince charming, two children (sometimes three based on how Mr. Ayres is acting), and a basset hound. She spent her youthful summers in Grand Haven, Michigan and this setting provided the inspiration for her debut novel, 18 Things. She really does have grandmothers named Olga and Gay but unlike her heroine, she's thankfully not named after either one of them. She loves lazy pajama days, the first page of a good book, stupid funny movies, and sharing stories with fantastic people like you. Visit her website at www.jamieayres.com


18 Things is available here:
Add 18 Things to your TBR list!

*Anyone who comments will be eligible to receive a FREE ebook copy (Kindle or Nook) of 18 Things!






7 comments:

  1. Yeah, Jamie!
    If I can relate to the main character, if he's trying to do the right thing, successful or not, then I'm hooked.

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  2. Thanks for having me over today, Cecilia!!!

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  3. I love the cover! Give me a good plot and I'm good to go! Thanks!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark(AT)Yahoo(DOT)com

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  4. I'm drawn to unique plots, but as long as I fall in love with the MC, I'll read about anything.

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  5. Thanks for sharing. It's always good to know what a reader is looking for.

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  6. I think you said it. It's what I look for.

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  7. I agree, I do look for a sprinkle of love story in a book but I don't want all love. I like UF stories that can stand on their own without the love story involved. I think love stories are meant to enhance a novel but not overwhelm it. I'm not a huge romance fan but a little love goes a long way ;) Also world building is key. It that is done successfully then I'm a happy reader.

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