blogs – Z. Elizabeth

Just a few words of advice for new bloggers :)

Posted on June 20, 2014June 20, 2014 by Z. Elizabeth

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, how I set up my blog, all the things that blogging includes and so I decided to put together a list for all the new up and coming blogs to perhaps mull over. I know it took a while for me to get my head around everything, so I am hoping this may put your mind at ease. So, here are my tips for you 🙂

Getting started

It took me a while to actually set up a blog. I’ve loved reading since I was little and then I had a kindle for Christmas one year and Amazon was like a massive candy shop. I was finding books by authors I had never even heard of – self-published authors and a new genre called New Adult took me by storm. I spoke to some friends who encouraged me to set up a book blog and I did and I’ve never looked back.

Take the time to decide which hosting site you want to use. WordPress and Blogger are the most popular but its all down to personal preferences which of the many sites you want to set your blog on. Also picking a blog name and icon is highly important. This will be the name and photo in which everyone will know you, in which authors will know you, so think about it carefully and then embrace the fact you have a blog!! It’s fun and exciting and scary all rolled into one, but you are starting what you love so don’t let anyone put you down.

Blogging is NOT about free books

I never knew you could obtain ARCS or review copies when I began my blog, hell, I didnt even know what they were. I was happy buying books, reading them then reviewing. As I mention below, I had no idea what I was doing when I started, so free books were FAR from my mind. If you are beginning a blog just to get free books then think again. You should do it for the love of books, not so you DONT have to pay for them. Sure, there are websites such as NetGalley and Edelweiss in which you can request copies of eARCs (electronic advanced copies of books) but dont start up a blog to use them. Sure its nice to pop on and request a book every once in a while, but try to limit yourself and actually BUY books that YOU want to read instead of trying to snatch up freebies.

Ask for help

When I began my blog, I had no clue what the hell I was doing. Nor did I have anyone offering to help me. I think that’s why when newbies come along, I love to offer them advice, help them out anyway I can because, honestly, its scary starting a new blog, joining a new community and then not knowing what to do. Seriously, if you need help come and ask me. If you want to know what book tours are, cover reveals, book blitz, giveaways….anything you want to know, I will be more than happy to answer, and if I don’t, I will find out for you. Nothing is too big when you are a little fish in a big pond and you have no idea what you are doing. You soon get used to it and you will be a pro in no time.

Social Media + Interactions

Social media is a must for your blog and there are so many platforms that you can use to promote your blog. The ones I have are Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Tumblr and Pinterest. But its up to you which ones you want to use. It connects you with authors, other bloggers, readers, publishers etc. It’s a massive way to get your blog and name out into the blogging world. Interact with everyone on social media. I have found some of my best friends over Twitter; bloggers, readers and authors, and its been a massive boost in getting my name out there and having people look at my blog.

Take a few days off every now and then

I’ve had The Book Lovers for nearly two years now. Two long and short years. It’s my baby but even a baby can get you down, make you stressed and basically, not want to do it any more. When it gets to that point you know you have to step back for a few days, a few weeks or even a few months to just have time to yourself. I’ve had many times where I’ve had enough, where the pressure of keeping my blog has become too much so I take a few weeks off, read because I want to read and then when the time is right, I’ll return back to blogging. Remember your blog IS JUST A HOBBY. Don’t turn it into something you will end up hating. It will eat away at you.

Having a full time job + Blogging

Running a blog and having a full time job is a hard business. I am envious of people who just spend their days reading and blogging and tweeting and it does get you down, but chin up. It used to get me down but now I think that everyone is different. Some people can read all day, some people have to work and read when they can. It doesn’t make your blog any different. My advice if you are like me? Have posts scheduled for the upcoming week. I tend to schedule my posts on the weekend or if I can, have posts scheduled for the month. It takes the pressure off me worrying about not having anything to post.

Don’t accept ALL the review requests

At the start when I began receiving emails from authors I was like ‘OMG they want ME to review their book!’ and then I realised they probably sent this same email to so many bloggers in the hope that a few will reply. I have a review policy on my blog, outlining which genres I read, how to get in touch and to not be offended if I don’t reply as it probably is the sort of book that I won’t enjoy.

Choose carefully which books you want to review and never give the author a set time line of when you will read and review the book. I never do because I don’t know when I will get to it. More recently I have stopped accepting books because I just dont have the time to read ‘review copies’ due to my busy workload, but dont take my advice for it, at the end of the day, its down to you and what works best for you in terms of accepting ARCS (Advanced copies of books) and review copies.

Review honestly

There is nothing worse than saying you liked a book when in fact you didnt – all just to please the author or other fellow book bloggers. There have been plenty of books I have read that every single person on the planet seems to love and I didnt enjoy it, and all it is is personal preference. I’m honest in my reviews, I dont slam the author and even if its a book I didnt enjoy, I will still offer up the parts I did like, and explain why I didnt enjoy certain parts before still recommending it you all the readers. Why? Because something that I dont like, you might like. Just remember, be honest but not to the extent in which it may cause hurt or upset someone. That’s not who or what book bloggers are about.

It’s okay to be jealous, but then you get over it.

We have all been there, I know I have. You look through your Twitter time line and think ‘HOW did they get that book?’ or ‘HOW did they get that many followers when they havent been around that long?!’ and its OKAY. We all have tendencies to get jealous over fellow book bloggers but then you get over it. Don’t compare yourself to other blogs. Sure, there are bigger ones, there are smaller ones but at the end of the day, we are all doing what we love – reading, reviewing and promoting authors. That’s all that should matter at the end of the day, not how many ARCS or signed books or stats or followers you have.

Go to meet-up and book events.

Most of the book events are held in America, but it seems that the UK are beginning to gain exposure on hosting large book events for authors. Find meet-ups, book clubs, author signings and go along to them. Blogging is so much more than sitting behind a computer screen. Engage with the people you speak to on Facebook, Twitter etc. It’s so much fun to actually SPEAK to them in person and go for a drink or two.

I went to the London Author Event last year and met some of my besties and favourite authors and in two weeks i’ll be heading to the Edinburgh Author Event and spending the weekend with awesome authors and friends (and bunking with Emma Hart). So see, its all fun and games behind a computer, but its more fun to meet up and actually hang out!

Finally HAVE FUN!

That is why you started the blog right? To share your love of books. Well, have fun, be yourself and get involved. Meet authors, meet bloggers and have fun. We’re a nice community (albeit a bit bitchy at moments 😦 ) but don’t let the haters get to you. Ignore them and do what you love to do – READ.

Mancandy Monday

MANCANDY MONDAY!!

Posted on July 1, 2013June 30, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Every Monday, Blame It On The Book Lovers will be discussing their favourite book boyfriend of that week in a new meme called MANCANDY MONDAY!

We all love book boyfriends, so Man Candy Monday is all about sharing the love…and the hot guys around by letting everyone know the book boyfriend you have been swooning over this last week, and why!

Once you’ve posted your mancandy on your own blog, come back and post the link. We all want to know WHO your mancandy is this week and swoon right along with you.

This week The Book Lovers is featuring the gorgeous man that is Isaac Sharpe from the book April Showers by Karli Perrin.

This beautiful guy is Rodrigo Guirao Díaz and he is my Issac.

If you have read my review, you will see that Isaac is MY boyfriend. MINE! I have been with him for a very long time now and I know all you lovely ladies want him too, but he’s mine. He even told Karli to send me a Team Isaac top so i can wear it to bed. See, how considerate is he?! hahaha.

Anyway, he’s my choice this week because he just is.

He’s lovable, he’s sexy, he’s caring, his banter is freaking hysterical. He will fight all the way for April, which in turn is a turn on hahah. He’s outspoken and passionate but he also had a vulnerable side, a side where he’s known pain and his past just makes you want to hug him but you are so proud for everything he has accomplished because of it.

He says lines that will make you want to drop your panties, for him to take you and because you will swoon over him.
“Your lipstick is driving me fucking crazy”
“Embarrassing? I’m not embarrassed. I’m scared. Scared that you don’t want anything to do with me”
“I love hearing you say my name”
‘He took my hand and held it against his chest, “Feel that? It beats for you.”’
“You’re keeping those heels on”

WHO in their right mind would turn Isaac down? Well, hopefully all of you so i can keep him to myself, but i know none of you would.

So Isaac is my MANCANDY for this Monday, but who is yours?

NOW, Laura has featured Jack F’N Carter as her Mancandy Monday. Head over to her BLOG to see who she has picked to represent old Jacky boy 😉

Click the link below and leave the link to your mancandy 🙂

Author Interviews, Book Tours, Music, New Adult, Romance, Terri Anne Browning

BOOK TOUR: The Rocker That Savors Me – Terri Anne Browning (+ AUTHOR INTERVIEW)

Posted on June 18, 2013October 6, 2014 by Z. Elizabeth

Today is the The Book Lovers stop for The Rocker That Savors me. It includes a review and an Author Interview 🙂

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Synopsis

Layla…
…has had a hard life. On her own at a young age, always having to do what needed to be done just to survive. Now she has two other people depending on her and she needs a job fast before they get evicted. A job interview introduces her to Jesse Thornton, the delicious drummer for Demon’s Wings. He reminds her of all the mistakes of her past, but is also her hope for the future.

Jesse…
…has never let anyone in. The only real family he has ever had are his band brothers and Emmie—the only women he has ever loved. But then Layla comes into his life and he would do just about anything to get one taste. Can he move past his own insecurities and allow this woman into his heart?

5/5 Stars

My Review of The Rocker That Holds Me

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My Review

Jesse has only loved one girl in his life – Emmie. But he knows her heart has always belonged to his band mate and ‘brother’ Nik. The band and Emmie are his everything. They are the only real family he has and the only people he has let him, even if he is hiding some secrets from them – like the nightmares. But then Layla comes along and he will do anything to have her. Can Jesse move past his insecurities and allow himself to love and open his heart up to Layla?

Layla has had a tough life. From being on her own since the age of 16, she has had to do whatever she could to survive. Now she has two other people who depend on her and she needs a better job before they get evicted. When a job interview with Emmie introduces her to Demon Wing’s drummer Jesse Thornton, he reminds her of all the past mistake and the reason why she doesn’t date rockers. But there is something about him that she can’t stay away from. Can she move from her past and focus on her future with Jesse?

Ever since I read The Rocker That Holds Me I was really hoping that Terri Anna Browning would write books for the other members of the band. There were a lot of questions about each character that I wanted to know about. Wanted to know about their past and how it shaped them into who they are today. When she confirmed that there would be books for the others, I was holding my breath for them.

If you read my review of TRTHM, you will see that I loved Jesse. He is an amazing guy and an absolute godsend to Emmie for all of her life. He would and will do whatever he can to make sure she is safe and happy and I was so happy that his book was second.

As I’ve said before, you become drawn in to the characters lives. You feel for them, you want to know them in real life and you want to have a family circuit like the band and Emmie do. You can see the love they have for each other and how close they are. They have all grown up in similar households and they have been through thick and thin together. Terri Anne Browning brings all these emotions out of you when you read this book. I was grinning, crying, laughing, swooning and of course, the kindle throw when I became frustrated at Layla and Jesse (due to their stubbornness of not listening.)

Ms. Browning’s writing will have you hooked though. She definitely knows how to write sexy ass rockers. Sexy ass rockers who have a past and who, when they find the right girl, fall in love and in time learn to let go of the past. She writes with such emotion and depth that you can’t help but feel for these characters. It’s like they are real to me and you feel some kind of connection to them through the book. They really do take your heart.

Mentioned above, I love the bald, tattooed drummer that is Jesse. Growing up with a drunk of a father who used to beat him until Jesse was old enough to fight back, protecting Emmie along with his band mates was the only thing that mattered. Making sure she was safe, especially when the band became famous. Nothing mattered more than Emmie.

Jesse really is a brilliant character. He loves unconditionally, hes strong yet he’s gentle, hes confident and cocky but he never really uses his famous status, more content on being grounded and just basking in the love that all this band mates and Emmie share together.

As everyone in the band, he has a past. He’s never really had anyone who he has felt ‘more’ with apart from Emmie, but he’s just her best friend, so when he hears and meets Layla for the first time, its like a shock to the system. He can’t get this girl out of his head. He just needs her, needs to be with her and have her. It was so nice to see Jesse this way; to find someone who he wants to be with, to pursue romantically because he and Layla had this sizzling chemistry right from the start. As much as she told herself to stay away, she couldn’t, and Jesse was adamant on having her. Their pull just overtook them both and they just had to be together.

I loved how he (and the group) took Layla’s sisters under their wings, treating them with care and love. It was perfect to see this band, who love music and don’t care for the famous status to embrace three new characters into their dynamic and love them unconditionally too.

Jesse really would do anything to make Layla happy – even when they had a tipping point during parts of the book – but in the end, Jesse loved Layla with everything. You will find out just how much throughout the book ;).

Layla is an awesome character. I really, really loved reading her story and getting to know her throughout the book because she had such a strength you get drawn to. She has had one hell of a tough ride, from being kicked out at 16 and dropping out of school to doing whatever she could to survive the next few years, she had to grow up fast. Now she has custody of her two sisters, Lana – 17 and Lucy – 6, whom she loves more than anything, she wants them to achieve everything she never did. Layla loves fiercely, is protective, honest and a great friend to Emmie but she also had a vulnerable side to her at times. Mostly because of her past and the way she dislikes Rockstars because of her mother and her father. Although she didn’t want to fall in love with a rockstar, watching her with Jesse was so nice to see and it was great to see her so happy. To see her fall in love with Jesse and become close to the other band mates, as well as becoming best friends with Emmie.

There are a few scenes where you just want to shake Layla and tell her to listen to Lana and Emmie, listen to watch they are telling her and for her to stop being so stubborn. But you can kind of understand why she reacted that way (You’ll know what I’m on about when you read that scene). I’m just so glad that she and Jesse got their happily ever after. They both truly deserve it.

I particularly loved that Emmie and Nik (and Drake but we’ll get to him) had such a big role in this book as well. We see a very pregnant, stressed out Emmie but when she hires Layla, you see Emmie gladly welcome Layla and her sisters into their life. I loved having Emmie and Nik being a side part to The Rocker That Savors Me. You see how much they love one another, how they will always be there in an instance when one is hurting or upset (More Emmie on this), how they just can’t live without one another. I still love seeing the two of them like this after everything they had been through in The Rocker That Holds Me.

I adored how easy the three girls blended into the group dynamic. The guys all love Lucy because they remind them of Emmie at her age, but a much happier version than the little girl they had to save and keep protected and they all welcome Lana because she has this calming effect on Drake.

Now onto Drake. We all know that he drinks himself into a stupor to escape the demons of his past – which we do not know yet – but when Lana is introduced to him, it’s like something has clicked inside of him and he doesn’t need to pick up a bottle and get steaming. He’s adopted Lucy and treats her like his little sister, building sandcastles with her, taking her shopping. Just spoiling her rotten.

Then we come onto his ‘relationship’ with Lana. It’s like she is his muse. His muse to stop drinking, to start living life; to smile and laugh and show his artistic side, the one side that he has never, ever shared. Despite Lana being 17 and Drake 31, they have this special connection, and although Drake is petrified of the age gap, he just can’t be without Lana. There are sides to see to Drake that will tear you up, make your heart clench for him and that is why I cannot wait for book three. I NEED BOOK THREE NOW TERRI! I need more Drake in my life!

I can’t tell you how much that epilogue just….*sigh* I loved it so much. It was perfect and just holy moly, the most amazing way to end The Rocker That Savors Me. I am so not going into detail but Layla, Lucy and Jesse are just waaay too cute together and I’m smiling just thinking about what happens but I’m going to be good and not spoil it for you. You have to read it yourself to see why I am smiling to a computer screen like an idiot whilst typing this out. I can’t stop giggling and smiling at the amazingness of the epilogue. Too. Darn. Sweet.

If you loved The Rocker That Holds Me, then PLEASE grab your copy of The Rocker That Savors Me. You get more Emmie and Nik sweetness, you get to see Jesse fall in love, you get to see three beautiful ladies be added to the band’s family and you see character development, character’s grow and journey, characters fall in love and it ends perfectly for the next book in the series which is Drakes – The Rocker That Needs Me and by god, I need this book in my life right now, because, although all the characters stole my heart, Drake took a little bit extra in this book.

So yes, love sexy rockstars who have sexy times but also journey through their pasts to find love and acceptance? Then this series is definitely for you!

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Interview with Terri Anne Browning:-

When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?
I was sixteen. It was summer vacation and I was so bored. I couldn’t find a book that would hold my attention for longer than 15 minutes. So my mom told me to write my own. She was sure that I could do a much better job. I pulled out one of my notebooks and got to work. Of course I got thirty pages into it and another idea for another story plot popped into my head. The first story didn’t get finished and neither did the second, but I had so much fun. I’ve been hooked ever since.

How did The Rocker That Holds Me come about?
I had been thinking about a character like Emmie for a while, but I couldn’t really get her personality down. I couldn’t decide what kind of hero would suit her, and then I realized that she needed more than one hero to make her complete. That was how Jesse, Drake and Shane were added in. Putting a rock theme into it was just the icing on the cake. The whole tattooed, bad boy persona for the guys really clicked for me as I brought them to life.

After you wrote The Rocker That Holds Me, did you ever plan to create a series or was it after fans of the book demanded more?
Even as I was writing The Rocker That Holds Me I was thinking ahead to Jesse’s book, but when the fans started screaming for a sequel I was ready to deliver.

The Rocker books all share (or are going to) the back stories of all the band mates and Emmie. Was it difficult to come up with different stories for them or did you know exactly what they were?
Jesse’s was the easiest to do because he is just so loveable. Everyone wants a Jesse in their life, either as a lover or a best-friend. Drake’s was easy to create because Jesse’s set the ground work, but he was just so gut-wrenching to write. But it’s Shane that is proving to be the most difficult of the band to write. I don’t know where he is going to take me and that can be terrifying.

In The Rocker That Savors Me, you introduce three more characters into the band and Emmie’s lives. What was your decision in doing this and not just introducing one?
Layla came as a package deal even as I was creating her in my notes. She just didn’t feel complete until I added in Lana and Lucy. She needs them just as much as they need her and that makes Jesse fall faster for her.

Drake held a big part in The Rocker That Savors Me, and he has become a favourite of mine now. Was this as to introduce him more as his book is next in the series?
Yes, although at the beginning it wasn’t where I was going. Drake had other ideas though and I went were he took me.

This may be a spoiler for those who haven’t read The Rocker That Savors Me, but what made you decide that Lana would be the one for Drake?
In the beginning even I wasn’t sure if that was going to work. The age thing was a big issue and for some that can really be the deal breaker. But there was just so much chemistry there and Drake couldn’t stay away. When you are that far into the dark you reach for the light whenever it is presented to you.

Do you have a favourite character? And who do you love to write the most?
I hate to pick favourites here, it’s like picking a favourite child…Jesse is my favourite though! He’s just so big and scary, but such a softy and so loveable. Jesse was created with my husband’s personality so I really do have a closer connection to him than the others. I love writing from Emmie’s POV, probably why I have included—and plan to include at least one POV from her in every book. She is such a strong and sassy character and I put a little of myself into her.

Do you have any other projects in the work for when you finish the series?
Well…If things work out the way I want them to, I’m hoping to continue on with the series through Axton Cage. I’m hoping that his book, which will be out next year sometime, will pave the way for more The Rocker… books with his band OtherWorld. But before that I’m really thinking about a follow up book that includes all four guys of Demon’s Wings.

Have you ever thought about who you would like to play each character if you’re books were made into films?
There are a few people that I have thought about. Mostly it has been Emmie’s character that I would love to see come to life. Emma Stone really comes to mind. I just love her attitude! But if I were to ever have the chance to do a movie, or a TV series which would really be awesome, I would want actors that are just starting out.

And lastly, is there a deep, dark secret you would like to reveal? 😉
Lol! Well, I don’t have many secrets. I don’t have a secret sex life, and I’m not hiding any bodies in my basement. I will reveal that I work under a pen name, but I almost always answer to it. I like the anonymity that comes with using the pen name. I don’t think half of my extended family even realize that I’m an author!

Book Tours, Karli Perrin

BOOK TOUR: April Showers – Karli Perrin (AUTHOR + CHARACTER INTERVIEW)

Posted on June 14, 2013June 14, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

YAAAAY! April Showers book tour begins today. SUPER EXCITED to share my review, author interview and my interview with my boyfriend, Isaac. I’ll also share what he looks like with you 😉

Before we get to the review, here are the links for April Showers:

Amazon UK
Amazon US

So without further ado, let’s start this partaaaaay.

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Synopsis

What happens when your head and your heart pull you in completely opposite directions?

April Adams is about to find out the hard way.

When April enrols at Manchester University, it feels like a whole new life. New city, new house, new friends…new crush.

Isaac Sharpe is the hottest guy on campus – with an even hotter reputation. After a chance meeting, April quickly finds herself wrapped up in all that he is. But what if all that he is isn’t what it seems?

Caught up in a battle between what she wants and what she thinks she needs, April meets Lukas Roberts. Lukas is the security blanket that she craves so desperately and she finds solace in their friendship. But what happens when she finds more than she bargained for?

April has always been a big believer of fate, but will she learn that she’s in control of her own destiny before it’s too late?

Join April as she embarks on a life changing journey of love and loss, which will have you laughing and crying until the very end.

5 / 5 stars

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My Review

Before I start my review, I want to say a few things regarding my rating of April Showers. Firstly I want to say that I was completely impartial when reading this book. I read it without being bias and I am reviewing it like I would with any books that I read/given an ARC too. With honesty.

Just because Karli is my twinnie doesn’t mean that she has been given special treatment and I haven’t based my stars on her, it is on her book, her writing, and the emotions that I experienced throughout the book. So before I have people telling me I am bias, I let go of the fact that I know Karli and read it like any other book.

Secondly, I have dibs on Isaac from the start / when I first ‘met’ Karli and she shared him with me, so back off girlies, he is mine! Hahah.

And lastly, I love my twinnie. I am so proud of her and the acknowledgment made me cry. It was the sweetest thing ever.

Now that is all out of the way, let’s get on with the review of April Showers.

When April Adams enrolled in Manchester University, never in a million years did she think her life would end up the way it did. On the first day, she quite literally runs into the hottest guy on campus – Isaac Sharpe. That chance meeting is now all she can think about. But what happens when she finds out exactly who Isaac is? Her heart just broke.

Lukas Roberts is the first friend April meets on her course. He quickly becomes her best friend, her security blanket, the one she can rely on. But what happens when all is not what it seems?

April is caught up in a battle between her head and her heart. What she wants and what she doesn’t want, or more importantly, to her, can’t have.

But what is April going to do? A big believer in fate, will everything fall into place at the right time for her or will it be too late?

For a debut novel, Karli Perrin has included everything in her book. Humor, swooning, frustration, tears, sarcasm, heartbreak, love, pain, laughter and an amazingly awesome best friend that everyone will fall in love with as well as two hot guys you will love too…but remember, Isaac is mine. Don’t worry; I’ll keep reminding you throughout this review.

It is simply the perfect first novel to share with the world. Karli has obviously put a lot of time and effort into making it the book she is proud of and a book which we can all become engrossed with. I know I sure did. I became crazy public transport lady with all my crazy ass smiling and giggling at my phone (I used the kindle app to read it).

There is something in the book for everyone. Ms. Perrin’s writing style is one that I simply loved. The writing flowed, the plot flowed, she makes you care about the characters and before you know it, you have devoured the book and are at the final page, with tears in your eyes, shouting at your kindle/Phone and begging it not to end there. Begging Karli to write book two as soon as possible so we can find out what happens.

As I’ve mentioned, April Adams is starting her first year at Manchester University. Already running late on her first day, she literally runs into something hard. That something turns out to be Isaac Sharpe. The hottest guy around. It’s basically love at first sight, but what comes after that is a series of events and heartbreak that she just can’t deal with at the moment. Her head and heart are both saying to different things but Isaac will never give up on her.

That very same day she meets Lukas Roberts. He’s in the class she is late for and they strike up a friendship. He’s her security blanket for all the anguish and dilemmas she is going through even if she doesn’t share them. But all is not what it seems with him either and when April is told his secrets, can she forgive him or is that the end for their friendship?

April has a decision to make. A ‘can’t or won’t’ will not suffice this time around.

I’m going to start with my boyfriend. YES, my boyfriend Isaac. (Told you I’d remind you). He is the epitome of a hunkalicious man. A man that I think everyone would love to run into and have him pick you up! He’s adorable, sexy, and sarcastic and I would give anything to banter with him….and I have done! Wait for the interview!!

He’s passionate and outspoken and loveable and sexy (yes, twice sexy) and fiery and will fight for April despite the…..No, that’s a spoiler, I can’t reveal that. You’ll have to read it to find out exactly who he is…and I suppose most of you wouldn’t care either 😉 It would be so HOT. But anyway, my heart broke for him when we find out about him…vague, I know. But I love him. I.LOVE.HIMMMMM.

You see his sensitive side too; a side of pain as well as we find out about his past. And dear god, it will make you cry and want to comfort him and be so proud of him at the same time. He’s done a great job in preserving a memory of his younger years.

He says things like this too, which would make your panties drop in an instant:-

“Your lipstick is driving me fucking crazy”
“If you were mine, you would never have to share”
“Embarrassing? I’m not embarrassed. I’m scared. Scared that you don’t want anything to do with me”
“I love hearing you say my name”
‘He took my hand and held it against his chest, “Feel that? It beats for you.”’
“You’re keeping those heels on”

Okay, I need to stop or this review will just turn into quotes from Isaac. But you get why I love him?!
Isaac also has tattoos, and you alllllll know that I am partial to some tattoos 😉

Now onto the girl of the book, April Adams. I really liked April. Shes also sarcastic and the comebacks and banter she has with both Lukas and Isaac had me in stitches. Shes a girl after my own heart and she can definitely hold her own. She’s honest, probably not with her heart though, and at times she broke my heart over the pain of what was going on. I wanted to shake her and tell her to just go for it (Soooo can’t say what for though, complete spoiler for the book) but I wanted her to say ‘Fuck it’.

I could understand her reservations about it, why she couldn’t because in some ways I would be thinking the same, but then the chemistry between her and Isaac is amazing. It sizzles and pops. You can truly see how much they should be together. Every time they look at one another it’s like BOOM!

Here are just a few of my favs that she says:-

“I want you to take me home…but I’ll be okay”
“I was never going to be able to look at a tree in the same way again.”
“If you come a little closer, I’ll be able to see right up your kilt.”

Despite everything that happens to April, she does get a happy ending….even if you will cry your eyes out at what happens next. We shall have to see if it lasts in book two.

Now Lukas Roberts. Lukas, Lukas Lukas. Scottish Lukas. Hes a difficult one. He was an absolute gem to April, always there for her, their banter was hilarious, and they just gelled from the first moment they met and it was great to see such a strong friendship between them. He truly was the one she turned to and her security blanket when everything goes tits up. But then I’m conflicted over him. I don’t know whether I should like him or dislike him after he confesses something to April.

He had me with tears in my eyes on the train (thank god for sunglasses), gasping at my phone and I got really angry and started ranting to Karli about him. Okay, so in some ways you can see why he didn’t tell April that secret, he wanted people to see him for him, but then wouldn’t you tell April if you’re her best friend? I still don’t know whether to like him or not. We’ll have to see in the next book. See if he really does redeem himself….

Because of my dirty mind, this one quote from him sticks out to me:

“You know…whips, chains, handcuffs. Like I said, the essentials.”

EEEEEE now onto the best friend eveeeer. Katie. Oh smokes, she is freaking amazeballs. I can see parts of myself in her, and I was sat there going “oh hell yes I would say this.” She is hilarious. She comes out with some great lines that will have you spitting your drink out but she always has the best advice. She’s just obviously based on me hahahah.

She’s an amazing friend to April, always there when she needs someone to talk to. She makes her see sense, even if April doesn’t take it on board straight away or shrugs it off and she helps her along with the thing or lack of, that is happening with Isaac.

She’s also a bantersaurous rex and can definitely hold her own. Shes fiery and can bite your head off in an instant as well as dropping you down a peg or too. Someone you definitely need in your life. Her and April really are two peas in a pod. I can’t wait to see more of her in book two.

Now onto Katie’s quotes:-

“At least sleep with him before you get rid.”
All I want is to be a MILF, is that too much to ask for?”
“It’s like I’m the guy in the relationship.”
“Well if you’re not going to sleep with him, can I have him?”
“There’s nothing better than watching a dick get turned down…Literally”
“You said he was hot. You didn’t tell me he was smoking hot, I bet you could cook food on his abs.”

I’ll stop there, as with Isaac, I could just write a review full of quotes.

Now this is the point where I normally tell you my favourite scene, but I really can’t because it would spoil it for you. I know, I know, bad times but let’s say it involves the rain and a certain licking of a certain area on a certain someone’s body. This was so written for me…no Joking, it really was. Enjoy my scene when you get to it. I demanded Karli write it in hahah.

Right, so this is now 4 pages long. I think I should probably stop here. You probably have given up reading this too because I tend to babble on but thank you if you haven’t and have gotten to this stage. I’ll give you some chocolate. But not Isaac. He’s here with me now, so sorry people.

I will reiterate how much I loved April Showers. It’s a bloody awesome read and ya’ll should get your copies TODAY! YES, it’s out TODAY! So what the frigg are you still doing here? Go click on the link and get your copy right now, and begin it right now and see exactly why Isaac is my boyfriend and Katie is my best friend and I love April and why book two needs to be written now. Go Go GOOOOOO!

Throughout the day, I will be posting my Author Interview and Isaac’s interview. They are quite long so it’s only fair to post them separately 😉 Keep you coming back for more.

Book Tours

BOOK TOUR: The Do-Over – A. L Zaun

Posted on June 10, 2013June 8, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Today its The Book Lovers stop on The Do-Over tour and we shall be posting our review of this book.

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Synopsis

Life doesn’t look like it’s supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn’t want to deal with the hassles of relationship.

After almost two years, Dani’s friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating.

Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him?

And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?

3.5 / 5 Stars

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My Review

Two years ago, Dani had her heartbroken by her boyfriend. As painful as it was, she decided then that doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of relationships anymore. Her kindle and book boyfriends will always be there for her.

Two years later and her best friends are staging an intervention to get Dani out of her funk and back into the real world. Back into the world of dating and not holding out for her book boyfriend to be real. She needs a REAL man, not a fictional one.

Hunky fire-fighter, Liam may be just the guy. Subbing a CPR class that Dani has to attend, their chemistry is instant and they both feel something for one another the second they meet. But can Dani put aside her two year old broken heart and patch it up enough to trust her heart with Liam?

And what is going to happen when Rick decides he wants Dani back and will do whatever he can to make her his again?

If you love love triangles, then The Do-over is for you. This is utter love trianglely and to be honest I am not a fan of LT. But I did feel all the emotions. The anger, the heartbreak, the laughter, the tears. I got frustrated at the characters, at what was happening. It took me a while to decide what to give this book, because I liked the first half but then I just got so angry and annoyed at the second half. I suppose that’s what A.L Zaun possibly wanted? To extract these emotions from us, and of course it’s a LT so it’s going to make us angry. The smoking hot fire-fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve or the conniving ex boyfriend who wants her back despite breaking her heart and messing her up for others?

I started off really liking Dani. She is a book worm like me. Her kindle is her baby. She has book boyfriends; she gets emotional like me when reading a book. At one point I thought she WAS me.

She was a strong character, even though she wallowed in self-pity and hide behind books for a while. It wasn’t until her friends kicked her butt that she kind of changed. Attending a CPR class, she meets Liam and something clicks inside of her. Its like shes been set free and can feel again. She’s definitely attracted to him and it’s all she can talk about when she meets up with her friends. Thank god fate interferes and she gets to meet him again at the club they go to that night. Dani is funny, shes flirty, she knows what she wants and she is passionate too. She loves Liam with everything, it’s clear to see but she still has insecure moments, especially when she bumps into her Ex – Rick one morning. He brings up all these old feelings and shes scared that Liam is going to break her heart. That is not the case at all, because Dani is the one who messes everything up. I’m not going to tell you how, but throughout the second half of the book, Dani really started to piss me off. I hated reading about her, reading her uhm’s and Ahh’s, hated what she was doing, thinking it was okay. NO, she really annoyed me and my Twitter followers had all my tweets about her during the day. I was completely happy when one ‘friend’ Maddy – told her she wasn’t in love with Liam, just using him to get back with Rick– and Dani began to get upset over it. I wanted to high-five Maddy so much.

When everything went tits up, she hid behind her books again. It seemed her way to close out the outside world and just focus on the fairytale world. But what she did to win Liam back was actually pretty great and I applaud her for it. He definitely had thought about how important he was to her and for her to give up that one thing, well well done to her.

Liam was the best. No kidding now. Before I started reading this book, I put a pic on Twitter of a sexy fire-fighter and then when we learned Liam’s occupation, I was like “Mind reaaaader” so that fire-fighter picture became Liam to me! He is the sweetest, cutest, more amazing guy ever. As soon as he saw Dani, he just knew he had this instant attraction to her. He wanted to get to know her. And the more time they spent together, the more he fell in love with Dani. It was beautiful to see a guy love a girl so much and want to see her all the time, and take her out and love her like she should. When Dani kept having freak-outs, he was there for her, telling her that he wasn’t going anywhere, that he wasn’t her ex. He understood her insecurities and tried to help her through them

He was romantic, wore his heart on his sleeve and when everything happened near the end, oh my heart when out to him. He was hurting badly, but needed time to think things through. He had been through so much in his life, from his personal life to his job and he had shared everything with Dani, so to be hurt that badly by her, dear god, I wanted to jump in my kindle and hug him tight.

There is a HEA thank the god, because I would have been having a tantrum is there wasn’t. It is a cute ending though but I still couldn’t forgive Dani for what she did. She pretty much pissed me off a lot hahah. But that is just me.

Rick is a character that you love to hate and hate to love. I went from hating him and liking him and feeling sorry for him. I hated that he wanted Dani back; that he manipulated her for so long, making her doubt everything. But then I loved his friendship with Maddy – who obviously harboured feelings for Rick. She made him change so Dani could see the new him, but I think in some ways she was changing him for her, for him to see her and to love her instead of Dani. I loved Maddy and felt so sorry for her having to see the guy she likes try to win his ex back. That must have killed her.

The Do-Over left me with an unanswered question which I’m hoping there will be a second book or even a novella? Did Rick and Maddy get together? What the hell happened with these two because they were kind of just left hanging. With no answer about what happened, if Rick found her etc. PLEASE let me know, its’ been bugging the hell out of me!

Other than the whole love triangle, it is a good book. But I have no patience for love triangles, they just annoy me and I get irritated reading about them. I’ve tried to keep this review both positive and honest, and this is me being honest. It’s a good book, but not for me despite there being scenes that I loved. But everyone feels different about books so don’t take my word on it, you may enjoy it!

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Follow the Tour HERE

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