Feature Friday: Toni from My Book Addiction

Welcome to Feature Friday. Today, I have Toni from My Book Addiction with me. I love her blog. Who wouldn't like the bright pink and cool zombie girl? Plus Toni has great content, from detailed reviews to cover reveals to excerpts and more, I know that whenever I visit her blog I’m going to be there awhile. It’s been a pleasure to get to know her a little more.

Please welcome Toni J

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Toni: I was looking for something new to blog about, something I’m passionate about.

Cherie: I can tell from your blog that you are passionate about books. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Toni: It’s simple and to the point; I’m addicted to books!

Cherie: What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Toni: There are so many things I love about blogging, especially book blogging. Mainly I love helping authors, meeting new people, and feeding other readers addictions! 

Cherie: Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Toni: Not specifically. I always try to finish a book, but there are certain things that force me to quit; lack of cohesion, information overload, or too verbose. Those I find hard to enjoy.

Cherie: Information overload is a big one for me too. What type of books do you enjoy?

Toni: I enjoy paranormal, post-apocalyptic, dystopian, contemporary romance, fantasy and contemporary. I like to mix it up because I find if I read too many of one genre in a row I get burned out.

Cherie: If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down? 

Toni: 100 pages, unless it’s really bad.

Cherie: Who’s your favorite book mom? 

Toni: Ashley from The Midnight Spell

Cherie: Who’s your favorite book dad? 

Toni: I don’t think I have a favorite book dad

Cherie: Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.) 

Toni: Josh Duhamel

Cherie: Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Toni: No, but I do believe in drooling at first sight. ;)

Cherie: Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? 

Toni: Absolutely!

Cherie: Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? 

Toni: Both. It depends on my mood.

Cherie: What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? 

Toni: His smile

Cherie: If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? 

Toni: Italy or France, they both have really awesome food (I’m a foodie) and beautiful landscape and culture.

Cherie: Are you a morning person or an evening person? 

Toni: Evening

Cherie: Favorite author? 

Toni: That would be like asking which of my children is my favorite. Ha!

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? 

Toni: Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings? No, I don’t mind as long as there is some originality to the story. I read a lot of post-apocalyptic and dystopian novels, which can seem similar, but if the author delivers unique quality and engaging characters then I’m a happy reader.

Cherie: Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why? 

Toni: There are times when I find myself reading a book and wishing for it to be made into a movie, but so many times the movies are disappointing.

Cherie: Favorite place to read? 

Toni: Curled up on my couch with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee flavored with a delicious creamer.

Favorite classic? 

Toni: Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Cherie: What book are you the most excited to read? 

Toni: Well, I have over 1,000 books on my Kindle that still need to be read and I’m excited about most of them, but I guess at the moment I’m most excited about Not a Drop to Drink because I haven’t been able to get my hands on it yet.

Cherie: My Kindle is sadly underfed compared to yours. Yeah, I'm totally jealous. Are there any types of books you don’t read? 

Toni: Non-fiction and erotica

Cherie: Do you have any hobbies? 

Toni: Not as much as reading and blogging, but yes, I love to cook and bake, and I am also a gamer. PS3, baby!

Cherie: What movie would make a great book? 

Toni: Mud with Matthew McConaughey. It was full of engaging characters and an emotional plot with a hint of mystery and a dash of action.

Cherie: What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved? 

Toni: I have to admit, I’m a bit of a cover snob so most of the books I read have stunning covers, but I loved the book ‘I, Zombie’ by Hugh Howey and that was not a pretty cover. Haha.

Cherie: I had to find it. You're right, not pretty at all. It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from?  

Toni: from ReAwakened by Ada Adams. You’ll understand why if you see my review. ;)

Cherie: If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why? 

Toni: I would be Layla from ‘The Harvesting’ by Melanie Karsak. She is one badass zombie slayer, and I’m all about taking down the zombies!

Thanks, Toni, for being here today! It’s been a lot of fun!

Click on the links below to follow Toni and to read her reviews.

Connect with Toni

My Book Addiction | Twitter

Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Miscellaneous Ramblings: Why I Love to Read

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One of the beautiful things about literature is that as a reader we get to experience so much more of the world than what is right in front of us. A reader doesn’t have to travel halfway around the world to visit China, explore the Louvre in Paris, or sail the seven seas. We can become wizards, journey to the center of the earth or travel back in time. We can walk in the shoes of someone we feel has it all or someone who is troubled. For the length of the book, we see life through someone else’s eyes. We might discover that money doesn’t necessarily equal happiness or that the quiet girl—the one everyone has labeled a freak—is really so much more than meets the eye. Books that tackle difficult subject such as substance abuse, depression, or illness provide awareness, even if the readers aren’t aware of the hidden message in the book they are enjoying. Literature in general makes it possible to realize that we don’t have to be limited by what’s right in front of us. And I love that.

I write paranormal stories because the unknown interests me. I find the possibility of what might be fascinating so I enjoy learning about different myths and legends. I like to watch documentaries on things like the great pyramids and the Lost City of Atlantis. My mind starts to form questions and stories forcing me to dig deeper into different theories and beliefs. I then take what I’ve learned and bend and twist the myths to create my own characters, often with supernatural abilities. I set their world in a modern day setting and create unique stories that I share through my writing. After all, one of the perks of being a writer is that we get to make things up for a living and in doing so we get to be the ones introducing others to new experiences.

What are some of the reasons you love to read?

Feature Friday: Jessica Porter from Crossroad Reviews

Welcome to my first ever Feature Friday, a feature dedicated to amazing and wonderful book bloggers. I've found many great reads that have kept me up late at night (my favorite kind) by following my favorite reviewers. I got to thinking that it would be fun to meet the ladies and gentlemen behind the blogs, and I was right. I really enjoyed learning more about my first guest, Jessica Porter from Crossroad Reviews. Not only does she have great reviews, but she offers a lot of other services to help connect readers and authors, so be sure to check out her blog after you read the interview.

So without further ado, please help me welcome Jessica here today. 

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books? 

Jessica: I had always loved books and when I married my current husband back in the beginning of 2010. I got pregnant and needed something to do. So I started a site and off it went.  (Pregnancy about kills me and I end up being on bed rest. So I had a lot of time on my hands) 

Cherie: Sounds like you had a rough pregnancy. I'm glad you're okay. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Jessica: Well I have been pagan for over 20 years so my site name started out being called The Guardian of the Crossroads. As my patron goddess is Hekate the Greek/Roman goddess of the crossroads. Well after a few months of typing all of that in. I shortened it to Crossroad Reviews. 

Cherie: That's so interesting, and I can see why you shortened it. :)  What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Jessica: Is it bad to say free books?  NA. The best thing about being a book reviewer/blogger. Is that I get to read things months in advance. Which is great as with series I about die for the next one! 

Cherie: Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Jessica: Plot! I just did a read along with the 5th wave and before that I had never known what a bad romance scene was until that book. It had so many run on plots that didnt finish I just had to put it down. 

Cherie: What type of books do you enjoy?

Jessica: I love teen ya but have an addiction to all things paranormal! 

Cherie: We like the same time of books. Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Jessica: Ok retelling I LOVE!!!!  As for similar book plots ugh. Ok example. I read the entire delirium series and then out comes the program and wow that felt like a prequel!  I think the publishers really need to be careful about publishing books with similar plots. Cause it just gets old after a while! Like love triangles and vampires. 

Cherie: Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why? 

Jessica: Yes and no. I was a big believer to read the books before seeing the movies. But now it doesn't really matter anymore. Because they change so much they never follow the book anyway. So I guess this is a love hate relationship. I love the books and the movies. But sometimes one or the other wins out. Like Beautiful Creatures I loved the movie and hated the book. Twilight, the Hunger Games, City of Bones, etc the books are so much better. And the Host I loved both. 

Cherie: If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

Jessica: Ok prob a cliche but I would totally want to be a vamp from Twilight. I could read so much more if I didn't have to sleep!!!

Cherie: Try to answer the following questions in five words or less. If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down?

Jessica: I try to go 50%

Cherie: Who’s your favorite book mom?

Jessica: Esme from Twilight 

Cherie: Who’s your favorite  book dad?

Jessica: Charlie from Twilight 

(I couldn't pass up the opportunity
to include Sam Winchester's pic.
Yep, I like him too.)

Cherie: Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.)

Jessica: Lol Sam from Supernatural 

Cherie: Do you believe in love at first sight?

Jessica: Yes. 

Cherie: Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself?

Jessica: Yes. 

Cherie: Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy?

Jessica: Both. 

Cherie: What’s the first thing you notice about a guy?

Jessica: Smile 

Cherie: If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be?

Jessica: My giant library! 

Cherie: Oh! Can I come visit? Sorry, back to the questions. Are you a morning person or an evening person?

Jessica: Normally Either right now neither 

Cherie: Favorite author?

Jessica: To many to mention 

Cherie: Favorite place to read?

Jessica: Bed! 

Cherie: Favorite classic?

Jessica: I don't read classics :( 

Cherie: What book are you the most excited to read?

Jessica: The One from Keira Cass and Panic by Lauren Oliver (I have this one!!) 

Cherie: Are there any types of books you don’t read?

Jessica: Erotica. I will NEVER read 50 shades of grey. 

Cherie: Do you have any hobbies?

Jessica: I collect crystals, I sing, I do crafts, and I'm addicted to Vera Bradley 

Cherie: What movie would make a great book?

Jessica: Renegade by J.A. Souders 

Cherie: What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved?

Jessica: OMG Ashes by Ilsa Bick. I hated the old covers but then they changed them and I read it and now I'm hooked. Such a great series! 

Cherie: I had to pause to check it out, but I'm back. It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from?

Jessica: The Medusa Girls from the Medusa Girl series by Tera Lynn Childs (reading these now) 

Thanks, Jessica, for being here today!

Connect with Jessica

Crossroad Reviews | Twitter 

Facebook  | Pinterest | Google+ 

Instagram ID: Crossroadreview

How do you promote your books? An IWSG Post

Happy two year anniversary to IWSG! If you're not familiar with this meme, it was started by Alex Cavanaugh and is a group of writers who share their insecurities, encouraging words, and support. Click here to join us. 
Rumor has it Alex has a big announcement to share today, so be sure to stop by his blog.


My insecurity stems from the release last month of my second book. It's getting great reviews, which makes me very happy. I have a special place in my heart for these characters, and I'm thrilled that readers like them too. But the eBook market is fierce and it seems like only a handful of books reach the broader market. A lot of these books are from big publisher and were part of a large marketing plan, making it so that readers know about them. That's not to say there aren't books out from smaller publishers that are doing well. Same with some self published books. So how did these books get seen by the masses? What did the authors or publishers do to get them in front of even more readers?

Hold Tight was on tour last week. This fall I will be participating in several blog hops. I'm hoping to do a few guest posts, a book blast, maybe team up with other authors who have YA supernatural books out to do a group blog tour. I'm always on the look out for local events that will allow me to meet readers. I know I'm missing something. I'd love to hear what you and/or your friends do to promote your books.

Happy writing everyone!

Click here to visit other blogs participate in IWSG.

September is for Sequels: Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the September is for Sequels giveaway hop hosted by Lisa Loves Literature and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. I really like Lisa's goal to read sequels in September. Much like her, I've started a lot of series that I haven't had time to finish. So this month, I'm going to catch up some them. I'll let you know how I did at the end of the month.

The rules of this hop are simple: giveaway a book in a series, can't be the first one, but it can be any number from 2 on. I have an autographed copy of Hold Tight, book two in my Embrace Series, up for grabs. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you haven't read EMBRACE yet? Last I check it was still only 99. cents on Amazon and  Barnes & Noble