Today we're celebrating the release of Michelle Smith's
Play On!
Title: Play On
Author: Michelle Smith
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Synopsis: In the
small town of Lewis Creek, baseball is everything. Especially for all-star
pitcher Austin Braxton, who has a one-way ticket out of town with his
scholarship to a top university. All that stands between him and a new start is
one final season. But when Austin starts flunking Chemistry, his
picture-perfect future is in jeopardy. A failing grade means zero playing time,
and zero playing time means no scholarship.
Enter Marisa Marlowe, the new girl in town who gets a job at
his momma's flower shop. Not only is Marisa some home-schooled super-genius,
she's also a baseball fanatic and more than willing to help Austin study. As
the two grow closer, there's something about Marisa that makes Austin want more
than just baseball and out of Lewis Creek--he wants a future with her. But
Marisa has a past that still haunts her, one that she ran all the way to South
Carolina to escape.
As Austin starts to peel back the layers of Marisa s pain,
it forces him to look beyond the facade of himself and everyone he thought he
knew in his town. What he sees instead is that in a small town like Lewis
Creek, maybe baseball isn t everything--maybe it is just the thing that ties
them all together."
Book
Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Play-on-Michelle-Smith/9781939392596
IndieBound:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781939392596
I've read this book and it's fabulous! You can find my review HERE
How about a few questions for Michelle?
Play On
touches on several sensitive topics. What do you hope your readers will take
away from reading it?
I hope they come away knowing that illnesses do
not define us. That setbacks, mistakes, scars, whatever we’ve done in the
past—none of that defines who we are. That yes, you can fall to rock bottom,
and you can still thrive after that
fall. There’s laughter, and happiness, and hope, and love waiting for
you—there’s so much love. And I hope they know that they’re worthy of that
love.
It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to reach out.
It’s okay to admit that you need help with this crazy life-thing. Because none
of us have all the answers—we’re just doing the best we can. And we’re all in
it together.
What
scene do you most regret having to cut?
Not really a scene itself, but one of the lines.
In the original draft, Austin had an ex-girlfriend that was, in a word,
vengeful. One night, Austin told her to leave, and she came back to slash his
truck’s tires. After discovering what happened the next morning, his mom said,
“Your breakup really brought out the redneck in that girl.” That line always
made me giggle.
(There’s no ex-girlfriend in the final version, by
the way. She got the cut in my first round of edits.)
On the
flip side, what was your favorite scene that got added during edits?
My favorite scene in the entire book was added
during edits! It takes place
toward the end and involves stars, hand-holding, and Austin and Marisa talking
about what’s to come, rather than the past. It’s a sweet moment that makes me
grin like an idiot.
Biggest
writing quirk?
I have to
have something on my feet, whether it’s socks or shoes. Like, I absolutely
cannot write with cold feet.
Are you
working on any new projects?
I am! I can’t say too much
at the moment, but I will say that we
haven’t seen the last of Lewis Creek
So excited that there's more of Lewis Creek to come, Michelle. Cannot wait to read it!
So excited that there's more of Lewis Creek to come, Michelle. Cannot wait to read it!
Michelle Smith was born and raised in North Carolina, where
she developed a healthy appreciation for college football, sweet tea, front
porches, and a well-placed “y’all.” She’s a lover of all things happy, laughs
way too much, and fully believes that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Michelle lives near the Carolina coast with her family.
Author
Social Media Links:
Website: http://msmithbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleA_Smith
I want to read this because baseball is one of my favorite sports! Thanks Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI want to read it because I've only heard great things about this book and I love baseball! Plus, Michelle seems like such a sweet lady!!
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