Sunday 28 April 2013

Letterbox Love (25) Books From The Past Two Weeks!



Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

So last week I only received three books and I really wanted to do a vlog for you guys so I decided to hold off and group them together with this weeks books and this week I received a LOT of books so this vlog is kind of lengthy! I had a lot of footage and had to edit a lot of it out so the haul is choppy in places. I’m not the best at editing and am still learning so although this isn’t the best vlog ever I hope you enjoy watching it anyway, I got some really exciting books over the past two weeks!

   

 For Review 
Soulmates by Holly Bourne (Proof Copy) 
Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher 
 Diary of a Crush: French Kiss by Sarra Manning 
 Stung by Bethany Wiggins 
The Drowning by Rachel Ward 
 Delicate by Steph Campbell 
Grounding Quinn by Steph Campbell 
Because of Low by Abbi Glines (Signed) 
While it Lasts by Abbi Glines (Signed) 
Just for Now by Abbi Glines (Signed) 

 Borrowed 
Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown 
 Thank you, Jasprit! Check out Jasprit and Rachel's blog here

 Bought 
Poison by Sarah Pinborough 
 If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin - check out Jasprit's review here
Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting 
The Program by Suzanne Young 

 On My Kindle  
Netgalley 
The Elite by Kiera Cass 
 After Eden by Helen Douglas 
The Humans by Matt Haig 
 The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 
Bought 
What Really Happened in Peru by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan 


If any of these books have caught your eye and you’d like to find out more about them simply click on the title and the link will take you to Goodreads for a full synopsis, reviews, and to add them to your wishlists. As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you’re looking forward to a certain book in particular and want to request a review feel free to in the comments and I’ll do my best to get around to the book sooner rather than later. And if you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^

 Happy reading till next time!

Thursday 25 April 2013

Review for This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 
Publisher: Headline
Release: 4th April 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Received in exchange for an honest review from the publishers



Review 
This is What Happy Looks Like follows the story of Ellie and Graham. For months they have been anonymously corresponding over email after Graham accidently sends Ellie an email about the welfare of his pet pig, Wilbur. Not knowing each other’s identity allows these two teens with secrets to open up to one another and so they form an unlikely friendship. But when Graham decides he wants to meet Ellie, and possibly take their friendship further, their easy natural relationship becomes strained when Graham is revealed to be the latest movie star heartthrob and Ellie is a girl with a past that she would do anything to keep out of the spotlight – even if it means losing Graham.

I was actually really surprised when I started reading this book. I expected it to be a teen version of the movie ‘You’ve Got Mail’ with the couple corresponding, falling for the online version, loathing the real life person, only to find out at the end that the two are one and the same. So I was surprised when things took a different turn and Ellie and Graham figured out who the other was pretty quickly. Instead their budding romance faces other obstacles. Most teenage girls dream of dating the latest teen Hollywood star but Ellie – who loves the Graham away from the camera- needs to keep their involvement hidden due to a buried family secret that can’t come out.

Graham and Ellie were two really great characters. Graham is a young rising star and is finding that the lifestyle of the rich and famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Graham was a really down to earth, funny, easy going guy and I could understand his attraction to Ellie - a girl who knows him and fell for him for who he is inside without the celebrity status. Ellie is a girl with a good head on her shoulders. It’s just her and her mom so money is always an issue so Ellie works hard towards a brighter future. Ellie was a really admirable, clever girl who I had a lot of respect for.

Unfortunately despite loving both characters separately the romance was very slow simmering in my opinion. There were some cute scenes like the hunt for a whoopie pie and their funny emails but for me that chemistry wasn’t there, I just couldn’t feel it. I think that’s probably down to the amount of time this couple spent apart and the emails (which I loved) fizzled out as the book went on. I LOVED their emails; they were actually my favourite thing about this book. I loved their conversations about Wilbur the pig and what their happy looks like. All the online chemistry was there but when they were face to face it felt like we lost some of that adorable banter. For a book like this the romance is key so I was disappointed that their chemistry fell flat.

Overall This is What Happy Looks Like was a really cute, fun, summery read. But unfortunately it lacked that sparkle that Smith’s debut ‘The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight’ had. Happy Looks Like is a sweet and satisfying read whilst it lasts but I can’t say there was anything about it that left a lasting impression.

 

Monday 22 April 2013

Review for The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski 
Publisher: Self Published (has been picked up by Harper)
Release: 28th February 2013
Genre: New Adult, Mature YA, Romance
Source: Bought on my Kindle



Goodreads Summary:
"Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett thought she knew exactly where her life was going. But after a wild night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she shocks everyone-including herself-when she decides to leave the only life she's ever known and set out on her own. Grabbing her purse and her cell phone, Camryn boards a Greyhound bus ready to find herself. Instead, she finds Andrew Parrish. Sexy and exciting, Andrew lives life like there is no tomorrow. He persuades Camryn to do things she never thought she would and shows her how to give in to her deepest, most forbidden desires. Soon he becomes the center of her daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But there is more to Andrew than Camryn realizes. Will his secret push them inseparably together-or destroy them forever?"
Review 
The Edge of Never has recently been picked up for publishing in the UK and that news gave me the extra push I needed to see what all the fuss is about regarding this book. I’d heard nothing but great things about this New Adult sensation and I, like so many others, fell head over heels for this story of finding love where you least expect it.

Our leading lady Camryn hasn’t been interested in dating since her high school sweetheart was killed in a car accident. Now twenty, Camryn has closed herself off from love believing that she’ll never again find a love like her first. As well as the death of her boyfriend Camryn is dealing with her parents’ divorce and a brother in prison. Needless to say that Camryn has a lot to deal with and so when her best friends boyfriend comes on to her and she tries to tell her friend only to be held to blame it’s the final straw. With nothing left to lose Cam ups and leaves her mess of a life behind and hits the road- destination anywhere and this is where the story really begins.

Before reading this book I had no idea how much of this story was set on the road, I wish I knew this sooner because I absolutely love books about roadtrips! For a while the story is told purely from Camryn’s point of view but when she meets Andrew the book splits into an alternating narrative between the two which is another thing I wish I knew before reading because I adore dual narratives. I feel like if I knew these two things I’d have gotten around to this book a lot sooner!

Andrew completely stole the show in my opinion. I loved him from the moment we meet him and that love only grew as the book went on. Andrew is on a journey to visit his dying father for the last time an idea which he is really struggling with and so beautiful mysterious Camryn becomes the ideal distraction as he travels with her. With the majority of this book featuring only two characters on a bus or in a car they needed to be two really strong personalities to carry the plot along and I definitely got that with Andrew and Camryn!

This couple and the chemistry and romance between them – I can’t even. They are one of the most perfect book couples I’ve come across in a long time. They had cute adorable moments where they’d goof around and tease one another, loving tender moments where they’d open up and talk about their hopes and dreams, and they had pure sexual tension that practically sizzled off the pages. I loved how they brought out the best in each other and lived every day to the fullest.

The Edge of Never was certainly not a perfect book, it could have done with some editing and the ending, although shocking, was ever so slightly cheesy. But to be honest it got to the point where I really didn’t care because I was so engrossed in Andrew and Camryn’s story. The Edge of Never is up there as one of my favourite New Adult novels and I’m already dying to get my hands on the sequel!

Thursday 18 April 2013

Win a Copy of Icons by Margaret Stohl! (UK Only)

To celebrate the upcoming publication of Margaret Stohl’s (one of the best-selling authors behind Beautiful Creatures!) Icons the UK publishers are providing me with one copy of the book to giveaway to one of my UK readers (sorry to any international readers this was at the request of the publishers as they are the ones providing the book.) In case this book isn’t on your radar yet here is what it’s about…

 

Goodreads Synopsis
"Your heart beats only with their permission. Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting. Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid. She's different. She survived. Why? When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy. Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths. Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future."

The Trailer

 


Rules 
To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter 
 Open to UK residents only 
 End date: Friday 26th April 2013 
 Winner will be contacted by email and will have 1 week to reply else another winner will be selected. 

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Review for Fractured by Teri Terry

Series Warning! 
This review is for the second book in the Slated trilogy and so may contain spoilers from the first book.

Fractured by Teri Terry
Publisher: Orchard
Release: 4th April 2013
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Identity
Source: Received in exchange for an honest review from the publishers




Goodreads Summary:
"How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from? Kyla's memory has been erased, her personality wiped blank, her memories lost for ever. Or so she thought. Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes..."
Review 
I love when the second book in a trilogy is just as strong as the first book. I love it even more when the second book propels the series to a whole other level! Fractured jumps straight into the action and mystery of a slated Britain and whilst I loved Slated, I came to love Fractured even more which is such a rarity for a middle book.

My favourite thing about Fractured is that we get to find out a whole lot more about slating and why Kyla is different. Not only is all of this really cleverly explained but it’s fascinating to read about. The book really tackles the subject of identity and how our memories are essentially the foundation of who we are. I loved reading about Kyla’s layered character and finding out why she’s so unique. I loved that straight away we are provided with some huge answers and that Teri Terry hasn’t kept them all hidden until the big finale which was something I found hugely refreshing.

The plot in Fractured allows us to see a different side to Kyla and we get to find out about her life before she was slated as she unravels memories of her past self. We also get to find out more about Free UK (better known as The Anti-Government Terrorists) as we follow the build-up to Kyla being slated. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading this book. It was full of action and suspense and never lets up for a moment.

Another thing I love about this series is the complex characters. I’m never quite sure who to trust because all of the characters have both good and bad in them which brings them to life on the page and makes them totally believable. My favourite characters in this book were Kyla’s mum, Tori and Katran whose own stories are just as interesting and developed as Kyla’s.

Slated was about slated Kyla. Fractured is about Kyla’s life just before she is slated and the way this book ends leads me to believe the final book to be about Kyla’s life and family from when she was Lucy. I love that each book explores a new part of Kyla’s memories and personality and how they shape and develop her as our heroine. I can’t wait for the third and final book to find out what happens next! Fractured is one of the strongest sequels I’ve ever read, this series just gets better and better!

 

Sunday 14 April 2013

Letterbox Love (24) An Excellent Book Week!


Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

 For Review (Proof Copies)

 
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
I LOVED The Immortal Rules so I'm really excited to read this one!
Angelfall by Susan Ee
This book arrived so beautifully packaged and is another e-book self published sensation that's been picked up for publishing. This moulds two of my favourite genre's together Angels and Dystopian. It's taking everything I have not to dive into it right this second!
Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman
I believe this is a new dystopian series from Malorie Blackman. I don't know too much about it, but from what I have heard I'm pretty excited.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
I did a happy dance or two when this one arrived this week. The 5th Wave has been getting some phenomenal praise already and I'll definitely be getting around to it very soon. I believe this is about an alien apocalypse.
Two for Joy by Helen Chandler
Another one I haven't heard too much about, but the synopsis sounds good so I'm looking forward to reading it.
Love is a Thief by Claire Garber
Another book I'm HUGELY excited about. This sounds like nothing I've ever read before. It's about the girl who doesn't get the big love, the family, the happy ending. It's a book about self discovery and taking back the opportunities love has stolen from you. I really urge you all to check out this one. I can't wait to read it!

 For Review (Finished Copies)

 
Because of Low by Abbi Glines
While it Lasts by Abbi Glines
Just for Now by Abbi Glines
Really excited that this series is being published in the UK! I have yet to read anything by Abbi Glines but I'm a huge fan of the New Adult genre and can't wait to get started on these.
Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald
This book has been on my wishlist for such a long time so I was thrilled to find out it's being published in the UK. It sounds like a cute contemporary about a girl trying to get over her crush on her best friend.
ACID by Emma Pass
So many bloggers seem to be reading and loving this right now that it's making me really eager to start it soon. This sounds like a brilliant British dystopian, and is another one I can't wait to read.
The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan
I believe this is based on Gargoyle mythology. It sounds very different and I'm looking forward to reading it.

 Bought

 
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
This sounds like a really good coming of age contemporary about a girl coming to terms with her sexuality in a conservative old fashioned family. One I look forward to reading this summer!
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
I have heard incredible things about this book so I finally caved and bought myself a copy. It sounds incredibly creepy and there are photographs! Hugely excited to get to this one.
The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel
Foodie chick-lit set in Paris with family history. This sounds like such a 'Jess book'!
A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Matthews
I have yet to read anything by Carole Matthews despite her being really big on the chick-lit scene. This looks like a gorgeous summery read which'll provide some much needed escapism from the rubbish spring we're having in the UK!
The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
I really love this series and this is the last book! I'm looking forward to seeing how it all ends.

 On My Kindle 
Netgalley 
Ink by Amanda Sun 
Icons by Margaret Stohl 
School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins 
Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn 
Bought 
Wait for You by J. Lynn 
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover 

Needless to say I'm excited about all of these but Ink, Another Little Piece and Wait for You in particular! If they're not on your radar you really need to check them out! 

That’s it from me for another week! If any of these books have caught your eye and you’d like to find out more about them simply click on the title and the link will take you to Goodreads for a full synopsis, reviews, and to add them to your wishlists. As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you’re looking forward to a certain book in particular and want to request a review feel free to in the comments and I’ll do my best to get around to the book sooner rather than later. And if you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^

 Happy reading till next time!

Friday 12 April 2013

Q&A with Megan Shepherd‏ author of The Madman's Daughter

The Madman's Daughter is a book I’ve had my eye on for a while now and I was so happy when I found out that it was being released in the UK after all the praise I’d heard for it from US bloggers! To celebrate the UK release I was offered the chance to ask the author Megan Shepherd a few questions which I jumped at the chance to. But firstly, in case The Madman’s Daughter isn’t on your radar yet, here’s what it’s all about.

   
London, 1894. Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself-working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumours about her father′s gruesome experiments. But when she learns her father is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations were true. Juliet is accompanied by the doctor′s handsome young assistant and an enigmatic castaway, who both attract Juliet for very different reasons. They travel to the island only to discover the depths of her father′s madness: he has created animals that have been vivisected to resemble, speak, and behave as humans. Worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island′s inhabitants. Juliet knows she must end her father′s dangerous experiments and escape the island, even though her horror is mixed with her own scientific curiosity. As the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father′s genius-and madness-in her own blood.

Q&A with Megan Shepherd

 
1.) The Madman's Daughter is a re-imagining of The Island Of Dr Moreau. Why did you want to re-tell this story?
I had first read THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU when I was a teenager. After watching the TV show LOST, I decided to write a book set on a mysterious island, and it made me remember HG Wells' novella. I re-read it for pleasure and realized the themes were still very relevant today, and that there would be potential to do a spin on that story from a new character's perspective.

2.) In what ways is The Madman's Daughter different from H.G. Wells’ novel? 
The main character of MADMAN, Juliet Moreau, wasn't present in Wells' novella. MADMAN is Juliet's story, following her from her early life in London to when she travels to her father's island, so her internal struggles, her past, the romance, the father-daughter relationship, is new. Though some of the characters, such as Montgomery and Edward, are present in Wells' novella, I think you'll find their characters and backstory quite different in MADMAN.

3.) Could you introduce us to your main character Juliet? What is she like? 
Juliet has never been like other proper young girls--even as a child, she was fascinated by science, was able to stomach things other girls couldn't, and was frustrated that her father ignored her talents. As she learns the true, disturbing nature of her father, she's afraid she's cursed to go mad like him. She struggles between dark curiosities she can't deny and a warm heart that truly cares about people.

4.) The Madman's Daughter is the first in a trilogy – will the other books be re-imaginings too? And which stories will you be re-telling?
The sequels to MADMAN are also inspired by classics, THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE, and FRANKENSTEIN, although they are less a retelling of those specific plots, but rather deal more with re-examining the science and themes in those books.

5.) What three words would best describe The Madman's Daughter? 
Haunting, Gothic, romantic.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today Megan! I love LOST so I'm happy to hear it inspired some of this story, I love mysterious islands. I'll be getting around to reading The Madman's Daughter very soon and I can't wait!

Thursday 11 April 2013

I got a new blog design!

Imagination Designs
So some of you may know that I’ve been working on a new blog design for the last week with Lori from Imagination Designs, and I’m pleased to announce that this is the end result! I’m so in love with my blog and I hope you guys like it too.

My last two designs have been really simple so I wanted to go for something a bit different this time and add some personality and fun to the blog yet also keep it clean looking and not too fussy with lots going on. I feel like we got that spot on. I’ve got a hearts/love theme going on to go with my blog name and I have a fantastic new rating system rating books in relationship stages ranging from it’s not me, it’s you to all time love. I’m so excited to start using it!

Hands down my favourite thing about my new design are my gorgeous twin reading owls! I personally love owls and wanted to put that aspect of my personality into my blog. I’ve even named them Millie and Rosie! Yes I am a dork.

This blog design has made me fall in love with my blog all over again and I just want to play around on my blog all of the time now! Working with Lori was such a dream. She was wonderful to work with and kept me updated every step of the way to make sure we were on the same page so I wanted to say a huge thank you to her for creating my dream design!

Needless to say this is one of the reasons I’ve been a bit MIA so far this month, but you can bet that I’ll be back in full force now that this little project is complete. Feel free to have a nosey around the blog to see what changes have been made, I really hope you like the new look and I’ll speak to you all really soon.

 If you'd like to support this blog on your own blog I now have a button you can grab in the sidebar!

Jess Hearts Books

Friday 5 April 2013

March Round-Up, Book of the Month and April TBR Vlog!

March's Book of the Month is Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 



I'm not surprised in the slightest that this is my favourite book of March. The Infernal Devices is one of my all time favourite series and this was such a beautiful moving conclusion. Clockwork Princess is without a doubt my favourite book of 2013 so far. I don't want to talk about it too much with it being the last book in a series other than to say I was blown away by it and if you haven't read this series yet YOU MUST!!!! Check out my SPOILER REVIEW for more of my thoughts.

*** Clockwork Princess Feels ***

 
Read in March 
21.) The Selection by Kiera Cass (3.5*)
22.) Sever by Lauren DeStefano (4.5*)
23.) The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan (4.5*)
24.) Ferryman by Claire McFall (2*)
25.) The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski (4.5*)
26.) Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (4*)
27.) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (5*)
28.) Geek Girl by Holly Smale (4*)
29.) The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (4*)

March Book Awards 
Best Plot: Sever by Lauren DeStefano
Best Writing: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Best Cover: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Best Characters: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Best Ending: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Best Romance: The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Most un-put-down-able: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Most Memorable: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Best Moral: Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Top 3 Most Recommended Books: Clockwork Princess, Sever and The Edge of Never

 My April TBR Pile

   

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult 
The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd 
Fractured by Teri Terry 
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 
Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne 
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa 
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch 
Radiant by Cynthia Hand 
Boundless by Cynthia Hand 

 Hopefully I'll get around to all of these! What did you read and enjoy in March? And what do you plan on reading in April?

Thursday 4 April 2013

Month of Men Blog Tour: Guest Post Nicole Williams On Writing Romance

As part of the Month of Men New Adult blog tour I'm thrilled to welcome Nicole Williams to the blog today to discuss writing romance. But first of all I'd love to introduce Nicole's books to you guys Crash and Clash will both be published this June by Simon and Schuster and I'm so excited to read them! Here are the synopsis' and our gorgeous newly revealed UK covers.

 
Crash (Crash, #1) by Nicole Williams 


Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now…

Jude's everything she knows she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. But she's about to find out that staying away is the only thing she's incapable of.

For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.

 
Clash (Crash, #2) by Nicole Williams 


For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love might be the thing that just isn't enough.

The only easy thing about Jude and Lucy's relationship is their love for one another. Everything else is hard. Especially when it comes to reining in Jude's trigger touch temper and Lucy's increasing jealousy of the female attention that Jude attracts. Feeling the stress of trying to hang on to her quintessential bad boy while becoming the foremost dancer in her class, Lucy knows something's going to break. She wants both. She needs both. But if she doesn't make a choice, she risks losing everything.

Full of passion, steamy scenes and hot romance, CLASH is a must for fans of BEAUTIFUL DISASTER and PERFECT CHEMISTRY.

 Nicole Williams: On Writing Romance

 
What did I use to picture when someone told me they read romance novels? Yeah. You probably already know. That one aisle in the bookstore that no man ever wandered into, where the covers of the books featured broad and bronze chested men clutching to a woman with long, flowing hair and a heaving bosom. Anyone know what I’m talking about? I thought so.

Needless to say, I avoided those aisles like they meant social, professional, and emotional ruin. I found myself drawn to Young Adult books, where I knew I’d almost always find a happily-ever-after waiting for me, and the romance was often sweet and slow-simmering. It was only a couple of years ago when I stumbled on the Contemporary Romance category, where the romance could still be sweet and slow-simmering, but there weren’t any fade-to-black scenes. For me, a romance is all about the relationship the writer’s established between the two characters. That’s what I focus on when I write a book, because the heat and chemistry can be scorching between a couple, but if the relationship isn’t there, the romance falls flat for me. The relationship is what I try to never lose sight of, because if I build that correctly, the romance often falls into place pretty seamlessly.

My goal when I write romance is simple: to entertain. To offer a temporary escape and make the reader sigh. To make the reader feel something. If I succeed at that, then my mission is accomplished.

END 

Thanks for being on the blog today Nicole! I completely agree with you, if a couple have all the chemistry in the bedroom but none outside of it it doesn't feel like a romance to me and kind of cheapens the book. I much prefer the two characters having a romantic connection and then the tension between them speaks for itself! Look out for the next stop on the Month of Men blog tour and keep updated with the rest of the posts here. The Month of Men blog tour is hosting some of the hottest New Adult authors you wont want to miss it!
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