Hey, everyone, and welcome to my stop on the 2016 Debut Authors Bash. This blog tour is celebrating so many of 2016's debut authors. There are book reviews, guest posts, interviews, and so many more fun ways to celebrate.
My author is Ashley Herring Blake. Some of you may remember that I recently read and reviewed her debut novel, Suffer Love. I was lucky enough to interview Ashley, and she's here to answer a few questions about her book, the publishing process and just life, in general. But before we get to know Ashley a little more, let's get to know her book.
My author is Ashley Herring Blake. Some of you may remember that I recently read and reviewed her debut novel, Suffer Love. I was lucky enough to interview Ashley, and she's here to answer a few questions about her book, the publishing process and just life, in general. But before we get to know Ashley a little more, let's get to know her book.
Title: Suffer Love
Author: Ashley Herring Blake
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Source: HMH Books for Young Readers for Review
Hadley St. Clair's life changed the day she came home to a front door covered in slips of paper, each of them revealing the ugly truth about her father. Now as her family falls apart in the wake of his year-long affair, Hadley wants everyone-her dad most of all-to leave her alone.Then she meets Sam Bennett, a cute new boy who inexplicably "feels like home" to Hadley. Hadley and Sam's connection is undeniable, but Sam has a secret about his family that could ruin everything.Funny and passionate, Suffer Love is a story about first love, family dysfunction, and the fickle hand of fate.
An Interview with Ashley Herring Blake
Erin: Describe Suffer Love in three words.
Ashley: Betrayal, kissing, forgiveness.
E: How did the idea for Suffer Love come to you, and why did you know that you had to tell Hadley and Sam’s story?
A: My parents divorced when I was 16, so I know I wanted to tell a story about that experience. The idea first came to me while I was walking and I just started thinking about this boy and this girl in a classroom and one of them knew the other and one of them was in the dark. I just started thinking about what that would be like and how it would all pan out when two teens who really need each other literally cannot be together.
E: As an English teacher, I’ll admit that I geeked out when I saw all the Shakespeare references and allusions in Suffer Love. What’s your favorite quote from the Bard?
A: Oh wow, that’s a tough one! Um, I have to say it’s probably this one from Romeo and Juliet:
“Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.”
I just love that, the complexity of love, and it fits Suffer Love pretty perfectly.
E: What was your favorite part of being a songwriter? What’s your favorite part about being a novelist?
A: My favorite part of being a songwriter was the words. I love writing poetry and loved fitting those into songs. Melodies were harder for me! For novels, it’s the stories combined with the poetry of it all. I love beautiful words, but what I really love about writing books is the characters I get to create, these people who are so very very real to me. That is such an awesome gift and responsibility.
E: What are some of your favorite YA novels?
A: Oh wow, so many. Some of my favorites are Life By Committee, Written in the Stars, The Sky is Everywhere, Dumplin’, Under the Lights, The Girl Who Fell, Bone Gap, Conviction, Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, and All the Rage.
E: What are some books that you think everyone should read?
A: Ha, well, there will be some overlap here. Bone Gap, Written in the Stars, If I Was Your Girl, and All the Rage.
E: I know that authors aren’t allowed to say much about these sorts of things, but do you have plans to publish any more novels in the future?
A: I do! I have a second novel coming out in 2017 with HMH called HOW TO MAKE A WISH. It’s about a girl and her unpredictable mother and the summer she falls in love with another girl.
Ashley Herring Blake is a poet, teacher, and YA novelist. Her debut novel, SUFFER LOVE, follows two teens as they attempt to wade through an intense relationship complicated by their parents' infidelities. Ashley lives in Nashville, TN.
Giveaway
Winner Will Receive Suffer Love Swag
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