Feature Friday: Brooke with The Cover Contessa

The Cover Contessa is a wonderful blog to visit to discover new books. From informative reviews to author interviews, you’re sure to find something you like. Today, I’m turning the tables and interviewing Brooke, the blogger behind the blog.

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

Brooke: When I jumped back into reading a few years back, a friend introduced me to Goodreads. I saw that many people on there were blogging about their book reviews and decided it might be nice to share that with the world. Thus, The Cover Contessa was born!

Cherie: How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Brooke: I love book covers. So I knew I wanted to use that word in the title. And I knew I wanted to portray myself as queen of books or something of that sort. But I have this thing about the word having the same first letter as cover. So I googled words that were similar to queen but starting with a C, and The Cover Contessa it was!

Cherie: I love how much thought went into the name of your blog. J What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Brooke: Everything: the books, the reviews, the authors, the publishers, the interviews, the promotions, the book blast, the blog tours, and just about anything that has to do with books!

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

Brooke: Info-dump. I can’t stand it. I don’t want info-dump. Much of the time this comes in the form of excessive narration. I want some dialogue. I want to see the characters myself, not be told about them! Show me what’s going on, don’t tell me!

Cherie: I agree! What type of books do you enjoy?

Brooke: I read middle grade and young adult for the most part. Pretty much any sub-genre, although I’m not a huge fan of contemporary, though there are a few I like a lot. Mostly I read paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and dystopian.

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Brooke: I don’t mind it if it’s done originally. So take the idea (such as a retelling) but make sure you give me twists and turns and have it be different from any of the other stories I’ve read that might be like it. Otherwise I’m going to be bored and put it down!

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

Brooke: Sometimes. I read books before I see the movie. I understand that the entire book can’t really be captured in the movie, but I need to see the main points. And I want to see it as it is in the book, not changed because someone thinks it will make more money. I want it to stay real and true to the book. Twists that don’t happen in the book will make me mad.

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

Brooke: I’m not much for erotica, although I have read a bit of it. And I don’t read non-fiction. I read to get away, to be taken to another world, non-fiction can’t do that for me!

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? 25%, then I’m done.

Who’s your favorite book mom? Clary’s mom Jocelyn from The Mortal Instruments.

Who’s your favorite  book dad? Honestly, I can’t really think of one that I love.

Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.) Not such a secret: Kellen Lutz

Do you believe in love at first sight? ABSOLUTELY!

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? I have, and now I’m married to him!

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? I would say mostly the bad guy.

What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? Eyes and voice.

If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? Australia or Hawaii

Are you a morning person or an evening person? Morning

Favorite author? Just one? Impossible! Here are some: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Katie Mcgarry, Christine Fonseca, Emi Gayle, Marissa Meyer, Lauren DeStefano, the list could go on and on!

Yeah, I know that last question wasn’t fair. Favorite place to read? Anywhere I can sit with a book or my Kindle (or even my phone)

Favorite classic? I love Shakespear. The Taming of the Shrew is my favorite.

What book are you the most excited to read? So many to name, but right  now I’m jumping into an ARC of Cress and I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I also am looking forward to Opposition the final book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Lux series.

Do you have any hobbies? Besides reading? Um…no…LOL!

What book would make a great movie? The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer, The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved? Oh my, people will hate me, but I’m not a lover of the Covenant Series covers. They are ok for me, but kind of boring.

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? Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Calre.

If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why? Tessa from The Infernal Decvices, because she gets to be with Will of course!

Brooke, thanks for being here today!

Connect with Brooke at The Cover Contessa

The Cover Contessa Blog | Goodreads

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Spotlight: Face of Death by Kelly Hashway

Book three in Kelly Hashway's Touch of Death series is now. Kelly is a fellow member of Darkly Delicious YA and I'm absolutely thrilled to spotlight her books.

FACE OF DEATH
Coming January 2014

Synopsis:
Having fallen at the hands of Hades, Jodi's enduring torture like she never imagined. Worse, she has to watch her Ophi friends suffer along with her--the punishment doled out by the very people she'd sentenced to life in Tartarus. Hell. This is one reunion Jodi hoped would never happen, but now she must find a way to free them all.

Except the underworld is nearly impossible to escape.

Jodi's one chance may rest in raising the human soul she killed when she drank Medusa's blood.

But splitting her human soul from her Ophi soul means living a double life: One as an Ophi experiencing unspeakable torture and the other as the human she could have been if she never came into her powers. With her two worlds colliding, Jodi will have to make the toughest decision she's faced yet.


Kelly has been kind enough to share a couple of teasers with us. Enjoy!

That was the beauty of my plan. I wasn't going to try to get out of the underworld alive. I was going to try to raise my own soul. My human soul. The one I'd killed. I was going to force that soul into the body of another dead person.

I was going to become one of the living dead—and hopefully not the zombie kind. 

Oh! I love that excerpt. And the next one, because there's a three-headed dog from Hell.

"Can you call Hades?" I asked Cerberus, keeping my voice as steady and non-threatening as possible. "Call your master here. Tell him I need to talk to him."

"Our fearless leader, everyone," Lexi said. "Talking to a three-headed dog from Hell. We're all screwed. 

I love Lexi's reply, and I can't wait to read the book!

Read FACE OF DEATH today: Kindle | Nook

Add to your TBR list on Goodreads.

Catch up on books one and two in the Touch of Death series. 

   

(Click the title to learn more about the book.)

About the author:

Bio:
Kelly Hashway is a former language arts teacher who now works as a full-time writer, freelance editor, and mother to an adorable little girl. In addition to writing YA novels, Kelly writes middle grade books, picture books, and short stories. When she’s not writing or digging her way out from under her enormous To Be Read pile, she’s running and playing with her daughter. She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets. 

Connect with Kelly

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

On Controversy – Pushing Buttons

Fantasy by definition is the free play of creative imagination. When one picks up a novel that is fantasy he expects fantastical things to happen and he expects there to be creatures that bend the mortal rules of what can and cannot be done.

My latest work-in-progress features angels and demons. As I always do, I researched what is known and then created a modern day world to set my story in. My characters are fictional. Their world is fictional. And while I do use a lot of known lore in my novel, I put my own twist on things.  

My novel doesn't attack religion. In fact, no religion is mentioned. So I found it interesting (as I always do) when what I thought was a small comment made by one of my characters started an intense debate with my critique partners. Friendly lines were drawn: those who weren't too happy with the comment and those who recognized I based my angels on the Old Testament.

Controversy can be good. It causes us to think and to ask questions. It challenges us to see things in a different light. One person might feel that all angels are good and should be seen as guardians, while another person might remember angels as God’s warriors: fierce and a force not to be mess with. I believe both views are right. If I’m thinking of an angel that guides mankind, I think of guardian angels. But if I’m thinking of angels fighting to keep Heaven and Earth safe, I picture warriors with their swords drawn ready for battle.

It’s important to read fiction with an open mind. It’s important to remember that the views of the characters aren't necessarily the views of the author. Good fiction doesn't come from a person preaching their personal beliefs. It comes from a writer’s ability to create a world so vivid it propels a reader into the characters’ world. Good writing will have a reader asking questions. That’s a wonderful thing. It means the writer has done more than just tell a story. He or she has woven together an engaging tale that has touched the reader on some level.

As a reader, I enjoy books that challenge my knowledge of a subject or that has me wondering where fact ended and the fantastical began. Hats off to all authors who are able to pull this off, because isn't the whole point of reading fiction to become lost in the story?

Happy reading everyone!

Feature Friday: Sinziana from Cafebiblioart

Welcome to Feature Friday. Today, I have Sinziana from Cafabiblioart with me.

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

Sinziana: Most of my book lover friends started one and I realized that it was an easier way to keep up with the publishing world so that is why I created my own blog. It was quite strange of me to do so because I am not a natural writer nor do I tend to do what other people do. I have to say that it was the best decision I ever made.

Cherie: I’m glad you did. I enjoy stopping by your blog. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Sinziana: I had trouble finding the right name, I tried so many and then I remembered my business plan from 11^th grade and I decided that I should use the same name I came up with years ago. I thought it was fitting since I planned to post about art, books and tea.

Cherie: What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Sinziana: My favorite part about blogging is that I get to meet new people who love the same thing that I do and also that give me feedback on my writing and advice on other matters that I post about.

Cherie: That’s one of my favorite parts, too. Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Sinziana: Sadly no.

Cherie: What type of books do you enjoy?

Sinziana: I enjoy reading mostly New Adult, Contemporary romance and Erotica.

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Sinziana: Honestly no. I imagine each book as real story so it makes sense that out there are many people/couples that have similar stories but their personalities make their romance unique. I love reading similar books because I get to compare the characters that come from a similar background and go through something similar. I get to learn their reaction and which is the best approach. 

Cherie: That’s a great way of looking at similar concepts. Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why?

Sinziana: In a way yes, In a way no. I love seeing how another person interprets the story I loved so much, but on the other hand he or she might ruin my image. I like it better when the director makes some changes and the movies is not identical to the book. Please, don’t shoot me!

Cherie: 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?

Sinziana: Ava from This Man as she probably worked with one of my neighbors and I want to her to introduce me J

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

Sinziana: I would choose Julia from Gabriel’s Inferno. I am very much like her, but she is also want I aspire to be some day.

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? Last page.

Who’s your favorite book mom? Rebecca Bloomwood Brandon (Shopaholic series)

Who’s your favorite book dad? Carlisle Cullen

Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.) Jessie Ward

Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? Sadly no.

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? Unable to answer.

What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? His smile.

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

Are you a morning person or an evening person? Both

Favorite author? Jodi Ellen Malpas and/or Nina Lane

Favorite place to read? Bed

Favorite classic? The Lady of the Camellias

What book are you the most excited to read? Sequels in my favorite series.

Are there any types of books you don’t read? Non-fiction. (I wish) Sadly I have to read them for school. Now seriously, I don’t read horror or science fiction.

Do you have any hobbies? Shopping, does it count? Well, I love making jewelry from beads and I also love inter design.

What movie would make a great book? I think that all the movies I liked are in fact based on books or comic books. I have no idea.

What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved? The ones from the Archers of Avalon series by Chelsea Fine.

Connect with Sinziana 

Cafebiblioart Blog | Twitter 

Facebook |Pinterest |Goodreads

Is Your Font Easy on the Eyes?

If you're like me, a lot of thought goes into the font you use for email, your blog, on your website, etc. Marian Manseau shared this tip with me. It's one her website designer shared with her. I wanted to share it with you.

Typography (fonts)

   Serif fonts: A serif is a terminating mark at the end of a letter stroke.
   Sans-Serif fonts: Fonts without terminating marks.

Studies in perception indicate that when blocks of text are used, serif fonts work best for the printed page and sans-serif are best for computer monitors and projection.

You can bet I rushed off to my blog and my website to see if I followed this rule. I'm good on my blog and will be making a few changes on my website.

Tell the truth, will you be checking your sites?


I interviewed Marian a couple of years ago, when her book Merely Dee was released. You can read the interview by clicking here.