Jaye Robin Brown, or Jro to her friends and
family, lives in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. A dreamer
by nature, she knew life wouldn’t be complete until she was surrounded by land,
horses, dogs, and one cantankerous goat. When not writing or playing on her
fourteen acre farm, you can find her in the art room at the public high school
where she teaches.
NO PLACE TO FALL is her debut novel. It's about dreams, singing, friendship, love, betrayal, family, and mistakes. It's also a love song to small town girls and mountain music, both of which shape the area that Jaye now calls home.
NO PLACE TO FALL is her debut novel. It's about dreams, singing, friendship, love, betrayal, family, and mistakes. It's also a love song to small town girls and mountain music, both of which shape the area that Jaye now calls home.
Now, let's get to know this badass a little better...
What is your favorite word?
Indubitably. But you have to say
it with a Mary Poppins accent.
What is your least favorite word?
Thick. Such a gross word.
What sound or noise do you love?
My horses’ nickering
when they see me coming to feed.
What sound or noise do you hate?
Sirens, too loud, too
indicative of bad things.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Pastry chef!
What profession would you not like to do?
Accountant. Me and
numbers—not friends. It’s like pulling teeth to even get me to gather my
numbers for taxes. Thinking about being an accountant is shudder inducing.
What
is your favorite color Popsicle?
I don’t eat
regular popsicles. But I love the fruit ones. Lime is my current fave, though
mango is a close second!
Sprinklers
or Slip N Slide?
Slip N Slide all the
way!
Favorite
John Hughes Movie?
"Bueller? Anyone?
Bueller?” I regularly quote this exact line and give extra credit when students
know the reference!
Last
song you listened to?
The Distance by
Cake. A student was playing it on his laptop. It’s a great song!
What
book do you wish you would have written because it’s just that good?
So many, but I’ll
go with Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo – it’s really the book that
gave me the strong urge to write for young people. On the loftier end of
things, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry. First book in ages
that I’ve highlighted quote after quote after quote. Read it.
In
one sentence or less, what does every aspiring author need to know?
Read widely, write
often, value tenacity, and live ferociously.
Would I lie to you?? TOTAL BADASS!
Now, here's a glimpse of Jaye's book that's included in the SAND BETWEEN MY TOES prize pack:
Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends Friday nights hanging out at the house of her best friend, Devon. But when she learns about an audition at a prestigious arts school, Amber decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out. The more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.
Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between right and wrong, there’s a whole world of possibilities.
Do yourself a favor and start stalking Jaye on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and add her to your Goodreads list.
