Coffee Book Tag

1. Black: Name a series that's tough to get into but has hardcore fans.
For me the Mortal Instruments was hard to get into. I really pushed myself with the first book because I heard such great things from all of the amazing fans.

2. Peppermint mocha: Name a book that gets more popular during the winter or a festive time of year.
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle.

3. Hot chocolate: What is your favorite children's book?
The first book that came to mind was If You Give A Mouse a Cookie. I loved that little mouse. I was also a huge fan of the Boxcar Children series. Ah so good.

4. Double shot of espresso: Name a book that kept you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins really kept me excited the whole book. I wish I could think of something that wasn't so predictable but I can't. Pathetic book blogger.

5. Starbucks: Name a book you see everywhere.
Currently I've been seeing Fifty Shades of Grey everywhere because the movie just came out but that hype will probably die down soon. So...I'm going to say any Nicholas Sparks book. You can go to any used book shop, resale store, new book store, or garage sale and you'll find a copy of one of his books.

6. That hipster coffee shop: Give a book by an indie author a shoutout.
One author that I think is great that should get more hype is Patricia Lynne, she's fantastic you should read her because it's the hipster thing to do. ;)

7. Oops! I accidentally got decaf: Name a book you were expecting more from.
I read Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher and to be honest I was expecting a bit more. I enjoyed it just fine but I thought it was going to be epic and I didn't find it to be that incredible.

8. The perfect blend: Name a book or series that was both bitter and sweet but ultimately satisfying.
The Chemical Gardens trilogy fo sho.

Fifty Shades of Grey movie review

Okay okay so I know you're thinking one of two things,
One being, "OMG why would you waste your time seeing that movie?"
and two,
"OMG you saw it?! Wasn't it awesome?"
Well let me just say if you're the kind of person who is thinking the first then you might as well exit out of this review right now.
I thought this movie was fantastic.
It was sexy duh but it also made me laugh. Ana's personality is actually really relatable and I don't know how you can't swoon for Christian.
I read the books about 3 years ago and I thought they were really easy and fun reads.
As soon as I found out that they were making the book into a movie I was extremely interested. Obviously I was intrigued to see who would play the characters but I also wanted to know how far they could push it without it being to naughty for theaters.
So of course I saw it the night after Valentines with a friend of mine who also loves the books.
While I loved the books I think I actually enjoyed the movie more. To be honest Ana drove me f'ing crazy in the book with all her "inner goddess" crap and I didn't have to listen to any of that in the movie. I also found myself relating more and laughing more (in a good way) at Ana in the movie.
I also think that Christian was wonderful. I love Jamie Dornan and I think he played the part perfectly.
Whoever cast the characters gets a double high five from me because they rock.
Now that I've told you how much I love the books/movie I'd like to get into something that's bothering me.
I watch a lot of BookTube videos and I've heard a lot of my favorite people say that Fifty is getting a lot of crap for "condoning rape" and "promoting violent relationships" Can I just say that I think that's ridiculous. Ana is always willing whenever they are sexually involved so I don't even remotely understand how that's considered rape. And yes Christian is a dominate and he wants Ana to be his submissive but how is that promoting violent relationships?
SPOILER
The whole reason Ana leaves is because he "punishes" her and she realizes she can't handle that--which to be honest she shouldn't. My point is that Christian starts to realize how not okay that is.
END SPOILER
The other thing that's driving me crazy is the "Twilight" aspect. Yes I'm fully aware that this was written as Twilight fan-fiction but can we get over it? I mean let it go already.
And if you are in fact going to compare it then why are you okay with Twilight but not Fifty Shades? Edward was exceptionally controlling over Bella yet everyone loved him. He was jealous to a fault but it was sweet and sexy. Why is it that the character of Christian (who acts the same) is a rapist who abuses his girlfriend?
I guess it just doesn't make sense to me and probably never will.
Since I want to leave this on a happy note I just want to say that I think this was a great movie and I'd love to go see it again.

Throwback Thursday: J.J. Howard Interview

1. Why did you want to be a writer?

Writing (and grammar) are on the short list of things that came really easily to me. I'm also pretty good at arts and crafts, and I make a mean waffle. A lot of supposedly easy skills were not all that easy for me. Example: driving. My mom tried to teach me. Fail. My dad tried. Epic fail. Finally a pro driving teacher was required. I have a perfect record and all now, but when I was sixteen the whole process seemed really challenging.
So I wanted to be a writer for a long time, and I figured I'd teach English "for a while" to pay the bills. I accidentally liked teaching too much, and I worked on that first, then got back into writing!

2. What made you want to write about the circus?

I wanted to do a contemporary, because I'd written some short stories for a class I was taking in grad school, and I felt really comfortable with my contemporary voice...but I still wanted something just a little fantasy-adjacent for the setting. There are not that many real-life places that we still use the word "magic" to describe--outside Disneyworld. So circus seemed the perfect choice.

3. Did anyone you know inspire your characters?

My MC is really too much like me...I realized after the book came out! She's much, much cooler than me, though. I've never joined a circus, for one, and when I was seventeen I was just starting to listen to non-radio songs. In fact, I think the horribleness of popular music circa 1990 is what led me to seek out more obscure music!

4. Which boy was your favorite Jamie, Eli or Nick?

Hmmm...this is an interesting question. I was at the NYC Teen Author Festival last week, and on one of the panels the moderator asked the best question--I really wished I was on that panel!--she asked what type of love story each author liked best. You know, love/hate, love at first sight...a lot of the authors went for the Andie/Duckie best friendship that turns into more (or could turn into more, in the case of the ending of Pretty In Pink.) All I will say on this subject is that my favorite variety of romantic story is the reformed rake--a guy who seems like he doesn't really care...until he meets that one girl. The rational side of my brain knows that this story is total rubbish. But I fall for it almost every time.

5. Music is a huge part of "That Time I Joined The Circus" If you could be in any band which one would it be?

I just saw the Dropkick Murphys in concert the other week, and their opening band--I can't even remember the name--was huge and they all played about nine instruments. And they seemed like they were having more fun than anyone has ever had in life. So I'll say that band, and in that fantasy, I'm also able to play many musical instruments. I can play the guitar...just not very well.

6. Lexi and you have music in common. Are there any other similiarites?

I already told on myself there! A love of reading: especially Jane Austen and Regency romances. The tendency to be self-deprecating. Also sarcastic-you know-very rarely.

7. Are there any songs that inspire your writing?

I am completely inspired by music! When I was writing TTIJTC, I was pretty obsessed with Broken Bells. At the moment, I'm all about Morning Parade. In a year or so I hope to be talking about how important their eponymous album was in inspiring my current work in progress :)

8. What type of book do you love reading the most?

I read a lot of different kinds of books. I love books about pop culture--I've read all the (Buffy) (Doctor Who) ___ and Philosophy books for the shows I love. I like nonfiction on media and society--like Neil Postman and Benjamin Barber. I love YA--some of my current faves are John Green and Veronica Roth. I also still love those darn Regency romances.

9. If you could spend the day with any author, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

I always say Jane Austen, because her books had such an impact on my life. I think she was a great contemporary writer: through her words and observations, that time period is still alive, in a way. What a great thing to be able to do.

10. If you could pick any band to write a song about your book, who would you choose?

Oh my goodness, that would be amazing! Any band writing a song about it would make my life. Are the Replacements still together? If not Paul Westerberg would do just fine. : )

11. Why is music so important in this book?

I think because it's Lexi's tie to her dad, and in a way the book is about how Lexi has to learn to navigate the world without him--figure out who she is on her own.

12. Which character do you most relate to?

Lexi...but I also really relate to Liska, actually. She feels so much responsibility to her family, and it's hard for her to step away from what they want, need and expect, and figure out what she actually wants to do.

13. Would you ever consider writing a sequel/companion?

A couple of people have asked this, and to them I say, I love you! I would totally live in this world again--sequel or spin-off. I think Liska is in for some adventures for sure. ; )

14. If you could get tickets/backstage passes to any concert who would you want to see?

Bon Iver, Imagine Dragons, Morning Parade, Broken Bells...I'd also be fine with traveling back in time to see The Cure, The Smiths, The Cult--any of those great The-bands. Speaking of, The The would also be fine. ; )

15. If your book had a theme song what would it be?

I think The Lumineer's "Ho Hey" would be a great song for Lexi and Eli. But then again, "Speechless" by Morning Parade would work well for Lexi and Nick. ; )

Bookish Love Tag

1. 3 book boyfriends/girlfriends
- Rule (Marked Men series by Jay Crownover)
- Trenton Maddox (Maddox Brothers series by Jamie McGuire)
- Christian Grey...I saw the movie last night...don't judge me. (Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E.L. James)

2. 3 OTPs (One True Pairing)
- Augustus & Hazel from TFIOS (Oooh surprise surprise I included them)
- Edward & Bella
- Graham & Emma (Between The Lines)

3. Favorite first kiss
Alright I've got to be honest, I've read so many books that I literally can not think of one kiss that I loved. And since we're on the honest train I also have to admit that the only first kiss I keep thinking abut is the one between Ana & Christian in the Fifty Shades movie.

4. What couple had the greatest sexual tension?
Ana & Christian from Fifty Shades dur. Oh oh and Ayden and Jet from the Marked Men series.

On Valentine's day, which couple would...

5. ...go to a fancy restaurant
Woods & Della from the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. Woods is lu-hoaded so I'm sure he'd take Della to a fancy dancy restaurant for Valentines Day.

6. ...have a quiet picnic/walk on the beach
Reid & Dori from the Between The Lines series by Tammara Webber.

7. ...stay at home and watch Netflix
I think Etienne and Anna from Anna & The French Kiss would definitely stay home and watch Netflix. Anna loves movies and Etienne loves Anna...seems like the perfect activity for the two of them.

8. ...go dancing!
Rush and Blair from Rosemary Beach.

9. What couple do you want to get together?
Back before the Bloodlines series existed I really wanted Rose and Adrian to get together. I know that's silly because I love Dimitri too but Adrian is wonderful.

10. What couple do you HATE that everyone else LOVES?
Separately I love Katniss and Peeta but together I'm just not a fan. Sorry not sorry.

Throwback Thursday...accidentally being posted on Friday

So I thought it would be fun to do a "Throwback Thursday" blog post. This was the first interview I ever did and it's with one of my favorite authors Jay Crownover.

 

1. How long have you been writing and what made you want to become a writer?
I have always been a person that writes things, but being a writer as in a person that puts things out in the world for others to read, that is all new this year. I have never before Jan 2013 made a profit of a writing. I like stories, I like characters both real and imaginary...I like the idea of building things up and breaking them down for a reader so I guess that's why I write. Plus it's fun and I can do it in my pajamas.

2. Do people you know ever influence your characters?
Kind of. More my world and the life I live influences my characters. I really do try and stick with writing about things I kinda know about, I like the story and characters to be relatable as much as possible.

3. I read on your goodreads that you'd love to be a rock star. Do you play any instruments? If not what do you wish you could play the most?
I do not. I just love music so much, it's a huge part of my life. It plays a huge part in developing a character and a scene for me in my head. If I had musical talent I would play the guitar and try and be a singer/song writer.

4. You aslo said you have many tattoos, as do some of your characters in Rule. Are there any other similarites between you and your characers?
I work in a bar like Shaw and Ayden, I went to college and lived in Denver for a lot of years, I like to hang out in bars and listen to live music, I used to be a punk-rocker like Jet, I'm kind of wacky like Cora, I often feel like the responsible older sibling like Rome but mostly I do what I want, when I want often to spite myself and it doesn't always end well just like Rule. His desire to be his own man is one we all struggle with. I was just lucky enough to have a mom and dad that let me do it and never try and make me conform.

5. Do you listen to music while writing? If so what genre?
I do, the play list at the back is what was playing while I wrote. I like Americana and good ole Southern Rock and Roll. The Drive By Truckers are my favorite, right now it's a lot of death metal and hard rock getting in the mood for JET.

6. How did you come up with the character Rule?
I just saw him and Shaw and then sort of took over. He was a guy that I understood but I wasn't sure how to make people like him since he was such a jerk initially. Really he's like a lot of the 20 something guys I encounter day in and day out while i'm at work, just a guy living like and trying to figure it out.

7. Why did you choose Rule to be the main male character and not Remy?
Well Remy was always gonna be dead so there was no way I could make the story about him and I knew that Shaw was going to be in love with Rule forever so it just made sense. Rule and Shaw just had chemistry and a powerful dynamic all along.

8. Will we get to see Rule and Shaw in your next book "Jet" or do we have to wait and be surprised?
Like I said I want to keep the stories relatable and in real life our friends don't just disappear because we have stuff going on in our lives. They'll be around, I kind of feel like they are the glue that holds the group together.

9. All of the characters in this book were so interesting in their own ways. Who was your favorite to write about?
Rome...gotta a big soft spot for the big guy. Can't wait to get to his story. I want a big brother like him.

10. Do you think you'd be interested in writing a sequel to "Rule" about him and Shaw?
Right now no...I think I can play their after HEA out in the rest of the books to follow. I feel like they worked pretty hard to get to a happy place and I don't want to stir the pot for them anymore. Maybe if I have loose ends after the final story in the series I'll consider a novella.

11. Can you see yourself writing a story for any of the other characters in Rule?
Jet is almost done, Rome us up next and then Nash and Rowdy...at least unless I run out of steam or ideas :)

12. When can we start looking for the release of "Jet"?
I want to have it out in May, looks like I should be able to make that happen.

13. If "Rule" had a theme song what would it be?
I always say Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Beat the Devils Tattoo is Rule's song, but I guess for the whole book If I Wanted Someone by Dawes really kind of covers it.
Lots of Love from Colo
JC



Jennifer Lawrence Book Tag

1. Swearing off social media- A book you refuse to read?
Umm...I can't think of any book that I refuse to read...

2. The Oscar trip- A book/series that hit a snag?
I read the first 3 in the House of Night series but then got kind of bored and quit reading them. I'd like to pick them back up but I haven't had the energy yet.

3. The viral TSwift photobomb at the Golden Globes: A book/series you didn't know would get so popular?
The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I remember when I read the first book I thought it was fantastic and I hoped it would get popular. Unfortunately at the time it didn't seem like a lot of people were into. Well that surely isn't the case now.

4. Work with David O. Russel- Dysfunctional character you can't help but love?
I think that Jace from the Mortal Instruments is kind of dysfunctional. I love him to pieces but he doesn't really have it together all the time.

5. Mystique- A villain who thinks they're doing what's right?
The only thing I can think of is a part of the book Rule by Jay Crownover. Rule is NOT a villain at all so you're probably going to say hey hey lady this doesn't work for the question. But you know what it's all I can come up with. After Rule and Shaw have been together for a little bit he tries to mellow and be a great boyfriend but he ends up pushing Shaw away. She didn't want him to change but he thought he was doing the right thing.

6. Bradley cooper: What author do you find yourself always coming back to?
Abbi Glines. I can't not read a book by this woman.

7. Spoiled for Homeland on National television: A plot line you were spoiled for?
Allegiant. I'm not going to address what was spoiled because I'm not going to be a spoiler.

8. The Hunger Games- Favorite high profile series?
Twilight. Of course.

9. Everyone's obsession with being her best friend: A character who's make your ultimate best friend?
Alice Cullen. She'd be the best friend ever.

10. Everything she's ever said- Favorite comedic/snarky character?
Adrian Ivashkov (from Vampire Academy/Bloodlines) is super snarky and I absolutely adore him.  Cora from The Marked Men series is also snarky so I choose her too.