The Best Reader:
small town sinners

Melissa Walker, author of Small Town Sinners, is here today to talk about her book.

Check below for a chance to win an ARC copy of Small Town Sinners.

1. The cover for SMALL TOWN SINNERS is amazing! Was this the original cover, and what was your first reaction to it?
The final version is pretty close to the first one I saw (which took my breath away at first glance!), but I asked if they could to brighten up the colors because I was afraid Lacey looked dead. You can see the before and after in Part 1 of my Cover Story: http://www.melissacwalker.com/cover-stories-small-town-sinners/

2. A lot of people are afraid to tackle topics like religion. Were you worried about that while writing the story?
Yes, it did make me a little uneasy. I worried that my own beliefs would get in the way of my characters' and/or my readers' thoughts. But once I really put myself into the headspace of Lacey Anne and tried to stayed true to her, it felt natural and the fear went away.

3. What did your work with Seventeen magazine and ELLEgirl teach you about writing and about young adults?
Magazine edits are way harsher than book edits (I remember a couple of"This sucks" comments on my magazine stories in the early days), so I developed a thick skin and a quick revision pen at the magazines. And I learned that young adults are the BEST audience to write for because they care so much about what they're reading and whether it rings true. I'm into passion.

4. If you could describe Lacey and Ty in only three words each, what would they be?
Lacey: contemplative, loyal, determined
Ty: curious, confident, perceptive

5. What are some of your summertime guilty pleasures?
Popsicles (at least one a day), two movies in a row (amazing AC! Popcorn! Bliss!), walks in the park instead of workouts in the gym.

6. Can you tell us five little-known facts about you?
1. I use lipstick as blush too.
2. I facebook-stalk people from my past. Regularly.
3. I prefer the subway to cabs (reading time!).
4. I don't like live music that much (I know! Lame!). I'd rather listen at home.
5. I feel the same way about most sporting events. (But I do love the hot dogs at baseball games.)

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
Publisher: Bloomsbury (July 19th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 259 pages
The story of Lacey Anne Byers, a small town girl who is excited to star in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, until a childhood friend reappears and makes her question her faith.

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive an ARC of Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends August 18th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Find Melissa Walker
Melissa Walker | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase Small Town Sinners
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Book Trailer

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
Publisher: Bloomsbury (July 19th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 259 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
The story of Lacey Anne Byers, a small town girl who is excited to star in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, until a childhood friend reappears and makes her question her faith.

Review: Small Town Sinners is one of the first books I've read that has such a strong focus in religion. Typically, books can get"preachy" or unrealistic when it comes to talking about teens and religion. That did not happen in this book.

Small Town Sinners is about a young girl named Lacey. She is from a very religious family and has been in church all of her life. Her beliefs are based upon her parent's beliefs- which is common for teenagers her age. But while her church gets ready to put on Hell House (a type of play) Lacey begins to finally question all of the previous ideas she has about herself and others.

Since Lacey's father is a pastor at the church, she is always involved in the activities they put on. Hell House is the biggest thing of the year and Lacey would do anything to play the part of"abortion girl". Then Ty comes into town and he opens up a door beyond worrying about the church play. He helps her come to terms with herself and see past what her parents have put in front of her.

Lacey was a wonderful character because she did seem very realistic. When she talked throughout the book I kept thinking"wow, I knew young girls who sounded just like that when I was growing up".and it was true. I went to church till I was 16 and grew up around a lot of very religious people. It seemed as if many of the teenagers (mainly girls) would recite their feelings as if it had been rehearsed. It never felt like that was really their original thoughts. That was the same feeling I got with Lacey. Although sometimes she was so naive it was scary, she was a fascinating character to follow.

Ty, on the other hand, was the more experienced character. He would talk to Lacey in a way that never forced her beliefs to change, but it helped her question her own ideas. Lacey's friends Dean and Starla Joy were wonderful as well. They both grew up in the church as well and were facing their own battles.

Melissa Walker did an outstanding job tackling a difficult topic for teenagers. Small Town Sinners shows how teens and young adults can find their own path to spirituality.

Full of thought-provoking dialogue and appealing characters, Small Town Sinners is great for anyone who has ever questioned their idea of religion.

Find Melissa Walker
Melissa Walker | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase Small Town Sinners
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository