Followers

November 22, 2014

Blog Tour ~ Felix (5th Street #5) by Elizabeth Reyes (Review, Author Guest Post and Giveaway)




Title: Felix (5th Street, #5)
Author: Elizabeth Reyes
Genre: NA | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 13, 2014






Synopsis:



They say the only good thing about hitting rock bottom is that it can't get any worse . . . or can it? 


World famous boxing champ, Felix Sanchez, had it all—the fame, the fortune, and all the women any man could ask for. When the hours of partying followed by hours spent in court and in rehab begin to outnumber the hours he spends training, losing his title comes as no surprise to everyone. The world assumes he deserved to lose it.

Only those closest to Felix know the real truth behind his sudden downward spiral. And if Felix has his way, no one else ever will. With an uncertain future ahead of him, he heads back to his roots—5th Street—the gym that started it all for him. It's where he meets the humble but mighty little Ms. Ella.

The only times Felix had ever decided to forgo the usual meaningless fling and try a real relationship he was burned badly. Now the adorable but tenacious self-defense instructor has him considering this love thing one more time.

Then just when he begins to worry that his past is letting his possessive and jaded heart get the best of him, he's blindsided in the most brutal way—he's brought to his knees—to what could be the one low in his life he may never recover from.


Purchase Links:




Review:


This book made me want to pull my hair out. Not in a bad way, though.

In the past books of the 5th Street series, Felix seemed unreachable because of his status. He’s the one you wouldn’t see more of, except in Gio. That made the anticipation almost unbearable. He seemed like this mysterious-but-not-really guy.

Being inside Felix’s head felt like a huge relief. Finally I could see how his mind worked, what he was thinking, what he really thought about how other people perceived him. It felt nice to finally understand him. I liked his character well, although it would have been nice to see something in him that is different with the other 5th street guys. So far, they were all alpha, hot-headed when it comes to other guys near their girls, the jealous and possessive type. I was looking for something in his personality that would make him unique, but I didn’t see that.

The thing that made me want to pull my hair out the most is Ella. She’s great and all that, but she was really frustrating at times. Some of her actions really got in my nerves.

The twists and turns in this book are very unexpected. I think it’s the best plot twist Elizabeth Reyes has written yet. Save the best for last, right? *winks* However, I wasn’t satisfied with how fast things went from there on. The plot twist could have wrenched my heart, but the words lacked enough emotions to really get to me. Everything happened so fast—literally. I would have liked to linger in that emotional state and feel the emotions of the character in their predicament, but I wasn’t allowed to do that because the story was fast-paced and before I know it everything was done. It was like I just breezed through it because of how it is written—how fast the narration went. For someone like me who needed a heavy dose of drama before my emotions locker can produce some serious feelings towards a book, the fast-paced narration of the characters’ predicament didn’t get to me that well.

Felix is another roller-coaster ride constructed by Elizabeth Reyes. It will make you laugh, frustrated, laugh again, get all giddy from all the sweetness, and it might even squeeze out a good measure of tears. All that’s left for me to say is I’m very sad to see the series end. I can already feel the nostalgia coming.

*complimentary copy provided for an honest review

~ Zee





Author Guest Post:


Topic suggestion -  "Finding Your Voice: Writing in Third Person (or First)".  I (Zee) am curious on why you, Elizabeth, has decided to write your books as third person and have you ever tried writing it in first person or would be interested in writing in first person?


Thank you Diary of a Book Enthusiasts for having me. 

Finding my voice. I think how you decide to write is just a matter of your own personal opinion and what you feel most comfortable with. I'd like to think my characters are very real. Flaws and all it is what it is and that's what you get. I have a bit of a potty mouth and this does come across in my writing particularly in my hot headed alphas. I've mentioned this before, as much as my guys cuss they're so much worse before the re-writes when MANY of the f-bombs get deleted. =/ Some of my guys (coughs!*Romero! Hector and Lorenzo!* cough!) are worse than my others. But for the most part the overall voice (mine) comes across in all of my stories.    

As for why I choose third person over first? It really depends on the type of story. I've actually written in first person but then gone back and changed it to third. For me contemporary romance just feels like it reads better that way. 

I've read in a lot of different genres. In my personal opinion some genres are better told in first person like paranormal and fantasy. I'd find it awkward for a narrator to be narrating such odd scenes where say someone or something does something unnatural. I'd prefer to be in the characters head feeling instantly what they're feeling as they watch another character morph into a wolf or disappear or fly  or whatever unnatural thing might be happening. 

The same goes for thrillers and some mysteries. It's best to be in their head, experiencing it as they're seeing it. At least that's how most of the stories I've read in those genres have felt for me. 

However when I started reading contemporary romance I really enjoyed the books written in third person. Therefore when I decided I'd be writing romance I felt that was the best way to go. Same went for dual POV's. I know some readers prefer first person single POV. I'm a very curious person. I like to know what's going on in the other MC's head AS the story is being told. I don't want to have to read the entire same story again just to see what he might've been thinking especially because I already know how the story ends. I like the suspense of having to wait but not that long. I'd rather just wait until we're in his POV in the next scene or chapter but we'll know AS the story is being read. 

Now with that said. I have written other stories or begun some in other genre's or slightly different twists to the love story that I do feel better if it's told in first person. Some of these stories I do hope to publish eventually. I haven't decided if I'll use a pen name or not but I do anticipate sharing my first person stories with the world soon. =) 

Thanks again for the interest and for having me! 

Eli


I, too, hope that you publish it one of these days. It would be really interesting to see how Elizabeth Reyes writes in first person! I'm looking forward to that. :)
~ Zee


Grab the rest of the series!






About the Author:


USA Today Bestselling Author, Elizabeth Reyes continues to answer to her calling on a daily basis. Since releasing her debut novel Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers #1) in 2010 she has now published 9 full length novels total and fast at work on the next. The excitement her Moreno Brothers, 5th Street, and Fate series have garnered has far exceeded her wildest dreams. It is with as much excitement that she'll continue to put out books related to these series as well as introduce brand new ones very soon.

In 2014 she will take her next step in the exciting world of writing and publish her first traditionally published book with Simon & Schuster/Atria. But she will continue putting out self published books as well.





✿ FOLLOW TOUR. GO HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE ✿


Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

November 19, 2014

Review ~ In Deeper (In Deep #2) by Kella McKinnon







Synopsis:


This is book 2 of the 'In Deep' series, which needs to be read in order.
Brielle

What would you do if you met a man that made you burn like wildfire from the inside out? Burn so hot that with one touch you forgot to breathe?

And if you knew that he had dangerous secrets? Would you be able to walk away?

I couldn’t. As strong as I know I am, I kept going back for more of him. That body… those eyes…

I saw him for the first time on my very first day in Vegas, and even then I think a part of me knew, because I couldn’t look away. It was like that moment when you see something flying towards you and you know it’s going to hit you before you can ever move out of the way, so you just watch, transfixed, as it crashes into you. Cristos Vicario: owner of the illustrious Adagio hotel and casino and reputed billionaire playboy. He sure as hell wasn’t what he seemed on the surface. That man had secrets. No one knew what a dark and dangerous world he lived in, and when I finally saw him for what he was, it was already far too late. I found myself inextricably tied to him forever. The course of my life altered. My entire world changed forever as he took away my freedom and gave me the key to my dreams in one fell swoop.

How could I have known that the one man who should have been my greatest nightmare would become the one thing I couldn’t live without? And all I had to do was forgive him…

Cristos


I was only living for one thing, one goal, one endgame… until I saw Brielle. And when I touched her, it was all over for me… I just didn’t know it yet. Not until I broke all of my rules for her, one after another, and that still wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

I wanted it all. Yeah, what I did to her was pretty much unforgivable. I know that now. Some small part of me might have known it then, too, but it didn’t matter. I had to hold on to her. I would have done anything to keep her… and I did.
Now I’ve put her in danger, dragged her into my world, and I don’t know whether to push her away or hold her tighter. Letting her go would be the right thing to do… but every time I try to do the right thing… I can’t.

When I take her, it’s always hard and desperate, as if she’ll disappear if I can’t make her feel the same things I feel... if I can’t force her to care about me enough that she’ll look past everything else and see into my heart.
Last night, after she fell asleep, still wrapped in my arms, I rested my lips against the top of her head and inhaled the scent of her as she slept. Trusting me, even though she shouldn’t. “I don’t deserve you”, I whispered. “But I want you. God, I want you so badly.”



Purchase from Amazon



Review:


Again, the Fifty Shades déjà vu, but fewer this time. I also liked this book so much better than the first, because this is where everything went down: the action, the secrets, the conflict—everything.

In Deep ended right in the middle of everything, and I can’t start In Deeper fast enough just so I won’t have to be tortured about what happened next. It started right where In Deep ended. I lost precious sleep over this book, and I’m so pleased that I am not disappointed with how things worked out in the end.

I liked Brielle and Cristos’s chemistry. This is where Cristos has toughened his resolve to get involved with Brie completely, though his past and other issues are conflicting with it, which is a total bummer.

I still haven’t decided if I liked Brielle. It seemed like there is not much to learn about her, since there is no big revelation about her character. I like my heroine mysterious, too, and I always enjoy it when they have something to surprise me with.

Cristos is the biggest mystery. It seemed like he gets more messed up in the head as the book progresses, but it I am satisfied with how the author pulled off his character. Despite his really weird messed up ideas, the resolution in the end justified it, I think. He surprised me with his biggest deception stunt, which has to be the most messed up idea in the history of messed up alpha males. Still, he’s realized it all in the end so…yeah.

One thing I’m disappointed about, though: the falling action. The ending felt rushed, and I think the last conflict wasn’t really necessary. It just gave the ending the impression of being rushed. I could have done without it.

Final verdict: I liked the plot, the rising action, and the resolution. I’m not fond of the climax and the falling action. The way things went down in this book made the first book (somewhat) unnecessary. This is where things got really interesting and almost everything is here, so I felt like In Deeper could have done without In Deep.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review


~Zee

Review ~ In Deep (In Deep #1) by Kella McKinnon








Synopsis:

Brielle

What would you do if you met a man that made you burn like wildfire from the inside out? Burn so hot that with one touch you forgot to breathe?

And if you knew that he had dangerous secrets? Would you be able to walk away?

I couldn’t. As strong as I know I am, I kept going back for more of him. That body… those eyes…

I saw him for the first time on my very first day in Vegas, and even then I think a part of me knew, because I couldn’t look away. It was like that moment when you see something flying towards you and you know it’s going to hit you before you can ever move out of the way, so you just watch, transfixed, as it crashes into you. Cristos Vicario: owner of the illustrious Adagio hotel and casino and reputed billionaire playboy. He sure as hell wasn’t what he seemed on the surface. That man had secrets. No one knew what a dark and dangerous world he lived in, and when I finally saw him for what he was, it was already far too late. I found myself inextricably tied to him forever. The course of my life altered. My entire world changed forever as he took away my freedom and gave me the key to my dreams in one fell swoop.

How could I have known that the one man who should have been my greatest nightmare would become the one thing I couldn’t live without? And all I had to do was forgive him…


Cristos

I was only living for one thing, one goal, one endgame… until I saw Brielle. And when I touched her, it was all over for me… I just didn’t know it yet. Not until I broke all of my rules for her, one after another, and that still wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

I wanted it all. Yeah, what I did to her was pretty much unforgivable. I know that now. Some small part of me might have known it then, too, but it didn’t matter. I had to hold on to her. I would have done anything to keep her… and I did.
Now I’ve put her in danger, dragged her into my world, and I don’t know whether to push her away or hold her tighter. Letting her go would be the right thing to do… but every time I try to do the right thing… I can’t.

When I take her, it’s always hard and desperate, as if she’ll disappear if I can’t make her feel the same things I feel... if I can’t force her to care about me enough that she’ll look past everything else and see into my heart.
Last night, after she fell asleep, still wrapped in my arms, I rested my lips against the top of her head and inhaled the scent of her as she slept. Trusting me, even though she shouldn’t. “I don’t deserve you”, I whispered. “But I want you. God, I want you so badly.”


Purchase from Amazon




Review:


In Deep didn’t get me immediately hooked, but it intrigued me as I read on. The prologue is very telling, which lessened the anticipation for me because I knew what I was looking for, what I should prepare myself for. It made the book a little predictable.

Brielle’s POV is a little dragging at times, and I am still deciding on whether I like her or not. She didn’t made an impression on me. Sometimes she really confused me in an irritating way. I also didn’t understand why she didn’t put up too much fight when Cristos forced her to move to Adagio. For a woman who was sending off the I’m-an-independent-woman-and-I-can-take-care-of-myself vibes, she really gave up too easily in that.

Cristos’s POV, on the other hand, is really interesting. His story is what really intrigued me the most. He has serious issues, and some of them are a little too twisted. I liked it more that the reasons for his puzzling behavior are slowly unveiled, as opposed to one big revelation.

While reading this book I had a sense of déjà vu (of Fifty Shades of Grey) too many times. Some moments felt like I was back in the world of Fifty Shades, and this is another thing I can’t decide if I like it or not.

I’m not fond of the climax. It’s not much of a climax at all. It felt weird, considering the rising action of the story. I would have liked to see more.

Overall, I like the story, the plot (although it’s a little dragging at times), and the twists. I am not fond of the characters, the climax and the way In Deep ended (though I think I can forgive the author for that since this is a series. You’ll have to read the book to know what I’m talking about).

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review


~ Zee

November 16, 2014

Release Day Promo/Review Tour ~ What's Left of Us by Amanda Maxlyn




Amanda Maxlyn is excited to share the release of "What's Left of Us", the heartwarming conclusion to What's Left of Me.  Make sure to check out the teasers, pick up your copy and enter the $100 Kate Spade Gift Card GIVEAWAY below!


Synopsis:


The heartwarming conclusion to What’s Left of Me.

 Love found me three years ago.
 I’m cancer free, happily married to the love of my life, and working toward my dream career.
 Our life is complete. Perfect, really.

Or is it?

 I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but never dreamed I could have one. Now Parker’s ready to make my dream our reality.
But sometimes our dreams are haunted by our deepest fears. Fears of failure, having a child, and in our case … death. How do I help the person I love get over his fear when I’m still trying to overcome that same fear myself?


Together we must learn What’s Left of Us.




Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks



Click Here To Read the Prologue and First Chapter!


For more fun & giveaways, come join our Facebook Release Party & Blog Tour Event ~ Friday, November 14th





Review:


“No matter what our fears are, or what happens in the future, this is what’s left of us.”

You’d think, after the river of tears in What’s Left of Me, there’s no more tear-jerking event that could happen in what’s Left of Us since Aundrea has survived her cancer and all that. WRONG. What’s Left of Us may not be as heart-wrenching as the first book, but it sure squeezed out a week’s worth of tears from me.

In this book, Aundrea is a cancer survivor and she’s been married to Parker. This is three years after What’s Left of Me. They are practically living their happily ever after. However, Aundrea might have survived her cancer but the emotional scars are there, reminding her of what she’s been through. Doubts and fear are still lurking in the shadows, waiting for the moment of weakness to pounce.

Parker’s devotion to Aundrea is something to behold. I love that we get his POV in this book, because it gives us a clearer view of his emotions and lets us see Aundrea through his eyes. I’m not particular in their steamy scenes, but I do love it when Parker starts talking about his feelings for Aundrea and his fears in losing her.

What’s Left of Us isn’t just about Aundrea anymore, but the two of them together. It’s a story of devotion, hope, courage, and overcoming their fears. Amanda Maxlyn knows how to inject the emotions in her words, because even the simplest words have the power to tear through me. She knows how to write in the way that will get a reader’s sympathy.

I love this book. I recommend a box of Kleenex to go with it.

*I received a complimentary copy for an honest review

~ Zee









Other books in the series:


Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for
right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.
What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.
Love found me when I was twenty-one.


My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.



Amazon | B&N | iBooks



About the Author:




I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.
I am first and foremost an avid reader! I love to read anything romance from paranormal, young/new adult, contemporary, and even yes, (wide eyes) erotic/BDSM.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



November 13, 2014

Release Blitz ~ Felix (5th Street #5) by Elizabeth Reyes




Title: Felix (5th Street, #5)
Author: Elizabeth Reyes
Genre: NA | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 13, 2014






Synopsis:


They say the only good thing about hitting rock bottom is that it can't get any worse . . . or can it? 



World famous boxing champ, Felix Sanchez, had it all—the fame, the fortune, and all the women any man could ask for. When the hours of partying followed by hours spent in court and in rehab begin to outnumber the hours he spends training, losing his title comes as no surprise to everyone. The world assumes he deserved to lose it.



Only those closest to Felix know the real truth behind his sudden downward spiral. And if Felix has his way, no one else ever will. With an uncertain future ahead of him, he heads back to his roots—5th Street—the gym that started it all for him. It's where he meets the humble but mighty little Ms. Ella.



The only times Felix had ever decided to forgo the usual meaningless fling and try a real relationship he was burned badly. Now the adorable but tenacious self-defense instructor has him considering this love thing one more time.

Then just when he begins to worry that his past is letting his possessive and jaded heart get the best of him, he's blindsided in the most brutal way—he's brought to his knees—to what could be the one low in his life he may never recover from.


Purchase Links:



Grab the rest of the 5th street series!




Author Bio:


"I write because I must. It's not a choice or a pastime, it's an unyielding calling and my passion."
~Elizabeth Reyes~

USA Today Bestselling Author, Elizabeth Reyes continues to answer her calling on a daily basis. Since releasing her debut novel FOREVER MINE (MORENO BROTHERS #1) in 2010 she has since published six more in that series, FOREVER YOURS, SWEET SOFIE, WHEN YOU WERE MINE, ALWAYS BEEN MINE, ROMERO and MAKING YOU MINE, with more stories about the Moreno family and their friends to come. She's also published a second series, 5th Street which includes, NOAH, GIO, HECTOR, ABEL. FELIX the fifth in the series is scheduled to release November 13th 2014. Her Moreno Brother's spinoff series FATE includes FATE, & BREAKING BRANDON, there is also more of this series still to come. Her latest release and first in a brand new series is DESERT HEAT about the diverse but equally sexy Santiago Brothers living in Las Vegas.

When she's not writing (which is rare)she spends as much time as she can with her husband of over twenty years, two teen children, Great Dane, Dexter and big fat lazy cat, Tyson.


Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Pinterest  Instagram




Giveaway:


Elizabeth is offering a signed set of the 5th Street series (Noah, Gio, Hector, Abel & Felix). The giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway ends Nov 15th at 11:59 PM CST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

November 12, 2014

Blog Tour Stop ~ Found In Us by Layla Hagen (Review, Author Guest Post and Giveaway)






Welcome to my stop in the Found In Us blog tour, organized by Xpresso Book Tours. I loved this book so much. Read on for my review, a giveaway (that's international, too!), and an author guest post. Also, don't forget to visit all the stops for exclusive contents from the author!






Synopsis:

**This can be read as a STANDALONE. The second book in the Lost series tells Jessica and Parker's story. **

All Jessica wants—as a college graduate — is to be a good girl. She landed the job of her dreams at a museum and is trying to eliminate temptations. No more short skirts (when she can help it). No wild parties. And no men.

She particularly excels at that last thing. . .

Until her path crosses Parker’s. Again. Jessica remembers the last time their paths crossed very well. She was left with a seriously bruised ego. She knows it would be best to avoid him altogether. But the charming Brit makes it hard for her to elude his electrifying pull. He is as irresistible as he is captivating.

And enigmatic.

Because underneath the sleek Armani suit and the sweet British accent that makes her crave his touch, Parker isn’t the perfect gentleman everyone thinks he is.

He’s exactly what Jessica doesn’t want, but desperately needs.

A bad, bad boy.


Review:

“I loved it” might be a bit of understatement to how I feel about this book. I can say that Layla Hagen has done a good job in executing this one. I’m very happy that in the start of the story the characters have stayed true to form as they are introduced in Lost In Us, unlike many books I’ve read which ended up with the same character developments and even the dialogues and the “tone” of the whole book.

Found In Us is way more wilder and hotter than the first book. If you are sensitive to that kind of thing, then maybe this is not for you. If you’re into hot reads, this book is perfect for you. I can’t say it is even better than Lost In Us, because they are both good, but this one certainly has its own charm.

Jessica, as she was introduced in the first book as Serena’s best friend, is a party girl who supposedly doesn’t have a care in the world. She’s full of life. The trait she posses that I like the most is that she can find something positive in a negative thing, which is very admirable because it makes one feel better instead of obsessing over something that cannot be undone. After landing her dream job in a museum, she is bent on proving that she is not just a pretty face who goes party after party. Her character development goes along with the plot just right and I’m very satisfied with it.

Parker Blakesley, as he was introduced in Lost In Us as James’ cousin, is a gentleman. He is a gentleman, but under the calm and composed exterior lies a the burden of some bad choices he has made and is trying to make up for now. He is very good at hiding his emotions from other people. He believes Jessica can always see right through him, but from what I have read I can say the reason is he just lets his guard down when he is with her. Parker is used to having control, and what he wants is what he gets, no matter how hard he has to work for it. A bonus brownie point for him because he is all man. He doesn’t talk like a girl, being cheesy and all that. He is sweet, but his romantic lines are manly, and I can easily imagine him as a real man saying those things and I don’t cringe at the thought. Some readers are looking for the obvious traits, so let me break it down in a few words: Hotness level: dangerously high. Sexy British accent: check. Alpha male without being overbearing check. Mesmerizing blue eyes: check. Swoon-worthy? Heck, yes.

So what do you get if you put the party girl and the gentleman who got it bad for her together in one place? Yep, you get not the sparks-flying kind of chemistry but the electricity-flowing kind. Everytime they are together you can feel the tension in the air so thick it’s like a blanket surrounding you. Found In Us just gets a hold of you and makes you read until there is no pages left to turn. I was hooked; it sucked me right into the story and didn’t spit me back out until I have finished every word.
I like it that this book has their past somewhere in the plot in the right places and it explains what made them into who they have become. The chemistry and romance is not overdone to the point of being cheesy. Really, this book is hotter than cheesier, if you know what I mean. Jessica and Parker don’t play around each other; they are not pushing each other away one second and having sex the next. No, they gravitate towards each other like there’s this irresistible pull between them and they don’t fight it. They accept it and they sort through each of their mess together. They are not afraid to admit what they felt for each other.

What got to me the most is their sweet moments. It’s effortless. While reading I got the impression that they aren’t even trying to be sweet, just being honest with each other. It has a “natural” feeling to it, which adds to the romantic feels.

Jessica and Parker really made the wait worth it. Layla Hagen is a natural. Found In Us just sticks to your heart and gets in replay after you turn the last page.

~ Zee



There's a sale going on, so grab your copies if you haven't!










Author Guest Post:


So what is the Top Ten Things That Inspires Layla?


1. Pen and Paper

 I think pen and paper are magical. No, seriously, I do. Whenever I grab a pen,  ideas start springing in my head, and I can’t write it down fast enough. Strangely, if I open my laptop (I type faster than I write), the flow of of ideas just stops. Hence—pen and paper are magic

2. Hot chocolate with whip cream and caramel topping

This combination is a godsend for creativity. I don’t know if it’s the extra sugar intake, but my brain starts working at top speed.

3. Boring Moments 

This might seem weird, but whenever I find myself in a boring situation, my brain immediately starts thinking of how, given other circumstances, that certain situation might be more interesting. This is how a *certain* opera scene in Found in Us was created (yep, I got bored at the opera—shame on me, I know :-D)

4. Cold days

There is nothing like staying under a warm cover with my laptop, typing away while surrounded by brisk air.

5. Sun

So how do cold days and sun go together? Well. . .I like those cold days when the sky is completely clear. I’m not demanding, am I ? :)

6. Coffee

This is more a necessity than anything else. The creative part of my brain (or any part, really) is sounds asleep until after having my second coffee.

7. Cinnamon smell

The smell of cinnamon always brings a smile on my face, and if I am surrounded by it long enough, that smile translates into happy scenes.

8. Pretty covers and bookstores

Walking in a bookstore and looking at covers makes me blissfully happy. There is The colors, the pictures, just seeing walls upon walls of books. Ideas flash in my mind with lightning speed whenever I’m in a bookstore. Interestingly enough, this doesn’t happen when I browse for books online, so I think part of the charm is just being in a bookstore.

9. Pretty colors

That goes hand in hand with the above point, I guess. I can’t paint at all (actually, I have a pretty horrid sense of combining colors and other design stuff), but I think colors are magic. :) They stimulate my creativity almost as much as a cup of hot chocolate. :)

10. Silence

I thrive on silence. I most definitely can’t write in coffee shops, or while listening to music. I am generally a quite person, and I think noise inhibits me. But when there is perfect silence, ideas, and thus writing, flows. 




About the Author:

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.


I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.


I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.


And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter



Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tour Stops: