"What do you want to be?" "Happy," she says with a smile. - Colleen Hoover

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Samantha Garman Interview

On Tuesday I shared my review for Queen of Klutz and if you've read it then you know how much I adored it!

I was doing backflips - my nose just grew, I don't know how to do backflips - when I wrote Samantha Garman and she agreed to do an interview with me!

Thank you so much Samantha for answering all of my questions and for letting me go on and on about my love for your books.

Enjoy!!

1. What was the first story you remember writing?

Is it terrible if I say I can't remember.

2. When writing Sibby's story did you know that you wanted it to be more than one book?

No. It was only supposed to be one book. But then my husband and I went on a real road trip across the country and camped for six weeks and I was miserable for a large portion of the trip. That spawned the questions: How would Sibby handle camping and nature? So a lot of what happens in Sibby Slicker is based on my own real life experiences.

3. Aidan is literally the perfect man. Which celebrity or fictional character do you think is the perfect man?

McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy. He is everything.

4. In one part of the book Sibby says she laughed out loud while writing her book - did you laugh while writing Queen of Klutz?


Constantly! When I make myself laugh during the writing process I know people are going to love the book.

5. What characteristics do you and Sibby share?


The clumsiness and the snark. That's all me.

6. A lot of the book takes place inside a restaurant and all the shenanigans that take place there. What job did you have the most fun at?

My first restaurant job ever was a blast. I worked at a BBQ joint called Jim 'n Nick's in Charleston, South Carolina. I worked there the year after I graduated college. I was saving money to move to New York and it was just so much fun.

7. Sibby and Aidan are couple goals, who are your favorite fictional couples?
Jamie and Claire Fraser from Outlander. Mac and Barrons from the Fever series.

8. If you could hang out with one of the characters from this book for one day, who would you choose and why?

Well, I get to hang out with them any time I want because I created them, so they never really leave me. ;)

9. What can readers look forward to with Sibby and her crew?
If I told you that, it would spoil all the surprises! But you can always count on shenanigans and snark!

10. If Queen of Klutz had a theme song what would it be?

Eye of the Tiger. That's more Sibby's anthem than anything else.


Follow Samantha on Social Media:
Website
Facebook
Bookbub
Goodreads
Instagram

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Queen of Klutz by Samantha Garman

Sibby Goldstein is now one of my favorite characters I have EVER read.

I told you guys a couple weeks ago that I've signed up for Kindle Unlimited and while I was browsing titles Queen of Klutz came up. I instantly loved the cover, yes I judge the book by it's cover no judgey. After reading the plot I had to have it.

Sibby is having a bad day. Like a real bad day.

She's been fired from her job and she comes home to find her boyfriend in bed with someone else. Awkward.

To drown her sorrows and erase the events of the day she goes to a bar with her best friend. There she meets Aidan and ends up going home with him. Whoa calm down ya horndogs, all they do is spoon.

Flash forward and Sibby is now applying for a job at a restaurant as a waitress which is obviously the perfect job for a klutz. ;)

I adored this book so much I can't even explain it. It was a total romcom and it had me smiling and laughing out loud for the majority of the book. Sibby was hysterical and relatable and ooh boy Aidan is now my book boyfriend - Sorry Sibby.

I can tell already that this is one of my favorites of the year - which is insane since it's only January. I've read the second installment, Sibby Slicker, and will probably review that as well. There is also a 3rd one coming out in a few months!

I definitely recommend this book!!

Buy Queen of Klutz Here:
Amazon

Listen to my playlist for Queen of Klutz on Spotify by clicking HERE

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Tracy Lorraine Interview

Hey all, today I get to share with you an interview I did with Tracy Lorraine! I reviewed her book Falling For Ryan on Tuesday and I'm so excited to now share this with you.

Thank you so much to Tracy for taking the time to answer my questions and for being so sweet.

Enjoy!!

1. How long have you been writing?

I started writing December 2014. I was going through a rough time and I was reading more and more to escape. I had this crazy idea one day that I'd like to have a go at writing my own story. I never intended for anyone to read it, but I confessed what I was doing to a friend and allowed her to read it. A year and a half later I published it. It was totally unexpected but incredible at the same time. I haven't looked back since.

2. If you weren't a writer what would your dream career be?

Honestly, I have no idea. My background has always been design so as long as I'm being creative, I'm happy.

3. What is the nicest thing a reader has said about one of your books?

I love it every time someone tells me that I kept them awake because they couldn't put one of my books down. But I equally adore it when readers tell me how much I made them cry #sorrynotsorry. It blows me away that readers are so invested in my characters that they cry along with them and feel their pain.

4. I feel like a lot of people hide behind a screen and don't care about others feelings. How do you deal with people who spread negativity on social media or leave bad reviews?

Sadly, it's part of the territory. I try my hardest to walk away from any negativity. I know that not everyone will love my books, just like I don't love every other book out there. It's important to remember why I'm doing what I'm doing and why I love it. Also surrounding myself with supportive readers, bloggers and authors works wonders. There are some really incredible people out there and I've met some incredible friends through it.

5. How did you come up with the concept for this series?

As I mentioned above, I had this idea to write my own book. That was all well and good but I had no clue what my story would be. Then I woke up one morning after having the most vivid dream. That morning I found a notebook and Molly, Ryan and the gang were born.

6. I've always wondered when authors write New Adult/Romance/Erotica if they let their friends and family read their books or if they make them steer clear. How do you feel about it?
I wrote in secret for quite a long time. I was a teacher and I was terrified some of my kids would find out and start reading my steamier scenes. That was not something I wanted to discuss in my classroom. Back then it was only my husband, my mother in law and a book obsessed friend who knew. Once I had my daughter and decided against going back to school, I embarked on writing full time I started to "come out". Now, if my friends and family want to read my books they are more than welcome to, apart from my nan. I've banned her! I can't cope with the idea of my nan reading my sex scenes. Even still, she's my biggest supporter.

7. If Molly and Ryan's story was turned into a television show or a movie, who would you want to portray them?
None of my characters have ever been based on real life people and I really struggle finding people who I'd want to portray them because the details just aren't quite right. So sorry, but I"m going to have to pass that question!

8. Originally the name of the book was Falling For Molly, what made you change the name and update the cover?

I first published Falling For Molly in February 2016 and as time's gone on and I've studied the market more, seen what's popular and I've evolved my books. I was toying with the idea of swapping the names for a while but when I decided to change the covers I didn't feel the female names matched the darker design so I went for it.

9. Falling For Ryan is only the beginning of the Falling series - who was your favorite couple to write about?
I have loved each and every one, but Nicole and Declan are the closest to my heart. Nichole is very much me, from the story with her mum to her sleepwalking antics. I'd planned their story before I even published the first book in the series and I had to wait until book nice to be able to get the story out. It  was emotional to write because I have first hand experience at some of the more painful bits but I love it so hard.

10. If Falling For Ryan had a them song what would it be?

Songs have been a big part of my writing. I planned a lot of them while driving back and forward to work, listening to the radio. My song for Falling For Ryan is the one mentioned in the last chapter of the duet Ed Sheeren's "Thinking Out Loud". Every time I heard it, it just made me think of Molly and Ryan.

If you'd like to follow Tracy Lorraine on Social Media take a peek below :)

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Falling For Ryan Part 1 by Tracy Lorraine

Good afternoon fellow book lovers!
I'm so excited to tell you all my thoughts on Falling For Ryan Part 1 but before I start I have to give you some back story.

I was wandering around on Facebook and an ad for this book came up. I clicked on it and it took me to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. It was offering a free trial for a month and I figured it was worth a shot to just try it out. You can rent 10 books at a time and then when you want more you just return the ones you've finished or no longer want. It's basically a library but for your kindle which is awesome. It's $9.99 a month after your free trial and I think I'm going to start doing it. I can rent unlimited books for less than $10?! I mean, come on, that's awesome!

Okay, back to the review.

I'm obsessed.

Molly and Ryan are so wonderful I can't take it.

Here's the scoop, Molly's boyfriend cheated on her. Bastard. Worse part is she totally catches him in the act. Bastard squared. She runs to her best friend Ryan's house and he offers to let her move in with him. He's recently bought this big house and has more than enough room for her. They're best friends so what could go wrong? Well the fact that they have scorchin' hot chemistry for starters.

Throughout the book the two try and fight their attraction but it gets the best of them some times. The term "slow burn" is more accurate than ever when describing their relationship. I'm going to be honest, I don't usually like that. I hate reading a whole book waiting for the couple to finally get together the last 80% then something happens, they break up, and then they get back together at the end. I literally hate that. However Falling For Ryan didn't do that to me and I actually enjoyed the suspense of waiting for them to admit their feelings. It was kinda hot. Shhh.

There are two parts to this book and I'm thinking I'll review part 2 at a later date but I can tell you that it was also delicious.

Now here's the part that I never like doing but I am always honest with you all. A drunk driver has changed their life - I'm not going to go into further detail because I don't want to spoil anything - and for people who had to deal with that they sure drink a lot. It bugged me. I've lost a friend and my uncle both to drunk drivers so it's a sensitive issue for me. They are responsible in the book and never drink and drive and I feel like the author really calls attention to that fact but still, they drank way too much for my liking. The other thing that kinda got to be a bit much was the crying. I'm an emotional loon. I cry a lot. Over stupid things. Like really dumb things. But even I sighed a couple times when Molly cried because it was so often. Sometimes I totally understood why she would but eventually it got to be a bit much.

All in all though I absolutely adored this book and the characters! There are more in the series based on couples your meet in part one and two of Falling for Ryan which is one of my favorite things. I also have to point out that it was in dual POV which you all know is my fav.

If you haven't checked Falling For Ryan out yet I definitely recommend you go do that now!!

Buy Falling For Ryan Part 1 Here:
Amazon

Listen to my playlist for Falling For Ryan on Spotify by clicking HERE

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Top 10 Books I Read In 2018

I read about 34 books last year and all in all I really enjoyed every single one of them - sigh of relief.
However this is a Top 10 not Top 30 so I have carefully gone through my Goodreads to make up my list.

Before I do the list however I have to tell you guys that I reread the Twilight Saga in November and refell in love with all of them. I didn't include them in the list because I've read them so many times before and it wouldn't be fair to the other contenders of course.

Enjoy!! :)

10. Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan
Review: Here

9. The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Review: Here

8. Lie To Me by Natasha Preston
Review: Here
Interview: Here

7. The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
Review: Here
Interview: Here

6. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Review: Here

5. Recovered by Jay Crownover
Review: Here

4. Shelter by Jay Crownover
Review: Here

3. Escape by Jay Crownover
Review: Here

2. Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire
Apparently I didn't review this which is shocking to me because I absolutely ADORED it!! Maybe in the near future you'll see one from me :)

1. The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise
Review: Here

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year fellow book lovers! I hope you all had a great holiday season :)

I have to tell you I'm very happy to put 2018 behind me. To say it was a rough year would be a major understatement. 

I know I have updated you guys with certain things that I'm dealing with but others I've kept to myself. I also want to thank you for the support you've given me through comments and emails, it means the whole universe to me.

Last year I lost my passion for A Book Lovers Playlist. I didn't read as much as I normally do and I wasn't happy.

Every year I do a post on here about my reading goals and another wrapping up the previous year but I'm not going to do all of that this year. With that said, I do plan on doing a Top 10 of 2018 and I did participate in the Goodreads Reading Challenge, as I do every year, and gave myself the goal of 25 books. I'm done pressuring myself because this is all supposed to be fun and I think I've forgotten that.

I've already completed 2 books this year and have set up interviews with 2 new to me authors which I'm very excited about.

Let's make this the year we make ourselves happy. Cheers!