Author Interview: Jay Crownover Author of Rule

   Talia and I are so super excited to bring to you an author interview we had with Jay Crownover, debut author of Rule. Which has almost 5,000 reviews on Goodreads in less than a month! Which Talia was telling me "The best thing God ever did this century was bless Jay Crownover with a writers head."  So after some begging, I finally let her in on some asking questions along with me.  So we are both super excited to introduce for her first author interview EVER, Jay Crownover! *trumpets playing*  Okay, maybe not the first on the web, since I am a procrastinator, but we were the first to interview her. :

 1) Question from Court: Thanks for being on the blog, Jay. You have no idea how excited we are to have you here. Seriously, no idea at all how long I jumped around my room like a rabbit on crack that Jay Crownover agreed to do an author interview with me. So, where did the idea for Rule-both boy and book- come from?


First of all I don’t even want to know what a rabbit on crack looks like, that just sounds scary, second I have no problem answering questions since there are a million of my own I want to ask authors that have written all my favorite books. I totally get it.
The inspiration for the book came from the worst year ever; I mean seriously 2012 can go down in history as the year that tried to make me go insane every chance it got. I started writing to distract myself and deal with a lot of really heavy crap that kept coming my way and the end result, no matter how messy or imperfect was Rule. Rule the boy is a mix and match of my ex-husband who was dark and tattooed only he had green eyes and my very first boyfriend I ever had when I was in my late teens. He had all the drama and the emotional unavailability. The rest is just what normal guys in their early twenties are like when they have money and are trying to figure life out. I wanted him to be a guy that was a big personality but someone most people would walk by on the street and just be like, huh.

2)Question from Talia: Rule is getting compared to Jaime McGuire's Beautiful Disaster- which is the holy grail of YA/NA. What are your thoughts on the very good comparison?


I think the comparison is crazy. Jamie McGuire sold like a hundred zillion books and the way people love Travis Maddox is quite honestly, terrifying. I take it as a compliment but to me Beautiful Disaster is on a different level, like something mythical. I think the comparison comes from having tattooed leads that are complicated and love stories that aren’t really all hearts and flowers but to me Rule and Shaw are based more in reality than Travis and Abby. I just can’t see my characters being tied into the mob or competing in underground fights, mostly because I know nothing about either of those things and like to write what I know. Beyond that I don’t really get it, but like I said it’s nice because I think she is an AMAZING author, one who actually edits 

3)Question from Court:   So, Jay, you work at a bar. Not a typical writer's job, but I bet it leads to some interesting stories. (Plus being a friggin' awesome career) Care to enlighten us with your favorite story you have about bar tending?


I dunno if I have a favorite story about being behind a bar. It’s a job like any other job but I get to wrangle drunks and stay out late on purpose so there ya go. It’s a good fit for me because I’m quirky and have a big mouth, plus I’m not a morning person at ALL. I get to watch football and meet all kinds of interesting folks plus I get to watch the way men and women interact on a bunch of different levels which I think helps me write about relationships in a unique way. I totally love it and I’m good at it so I’ve got no compl

4) What song do you think describes Rule?


Favorite real man candy is Pink’s husband, Cary Hart…total babe, Fictional man candy Jax Teller and Opie from Sons of Anarchy…I’m an Opie girl just saying, oh and as of late I’m a huge Tom Hardy fangirl. He’s prettier than I normally go for but there is just something about him.

5)Question from Talia: Well when I send these questions out, it happened to be Man Candy Monday. Who is your favorite fictional and real man candies?

If you read Rule you can tell I’m a big music girl so I don’t know that Rule the boy has one song. I guess if I had to narrow one down it would be ‘Beat the Devils Tattoo” by Black Rebel Motor Cycle club just because it’s gritty and dark and all about what happens when you don’t return the love you’re given.

6) Question from Courtney: Did you think that Rule would be getting such an amazing fan base or did you just get blown out of the water with the results rule has gotten so far?

NO!! No I had no idea that so many people would read it and like, and the flip side read it and be mad at me about the editing. Yes it’s getting updated THIS WEEK, but no I had no clue the response would be so big. Had I know I would have had it professionally edited before releasing it, like I said I published it as a challenge to myself. I should have been more careful and now that’s my cross to bear, but the response has been awesome for the most part. I try and respond to both the good and the bad, but honestly it all took me by surprise so I’m just feeling my way as I go.

7)Question from Talia:  So, have you happened to have any dreams about the characters from your book yet?

Right now I’m pretty focused on Jet and Ayden. I’m LOVING him…like a lot. He’s very different from Rule, just as hot and bothered but in a different way and I think Ayden is going to be the difficult one in the relationship. I have plans for Rome and plans for Cora, Rowdy and Nash I’m still thinking about but I’m pretty sure they all have a story to tell and should I be able to I’m going to tell them all.

Thanks for wanting to chat Courtney and Talia that was fun, hope I answered what I could.
Lots of Love from Colorado,
Jay

We'd love to thank Jay for wasting part of her life answering our questions because we both <3 author="" interviews="" nbsp="" p="">
If you have any other questions you want to ask Jay, just leave them below and later on this year I will do a random question, random author interview.

Find the amazing Jay at:
Goodreads
Twitter
Blog
Facebook

Buy Rule @:
Amazon

Review: Tight Knit by Allie Brennan

Title: Tight Knit
Author: Allie Brennan
Publisher: Allie B Books (Indie)
Pubished: December 30, 2012
Source:  From Author For Review
Rating:  5/5  Nooks
Reviewer:  Courtney
    Talia Gregory relies on her Nan for everything, especially helping her calm the anxiety that controls her life. But Nan gets sick, and it couldn’t be worse timing. Talia’s panic attacks are getting worse, her boyfriend is a jerk, her best friend is distant, her parents are more absent than usual and she’s stuck planning the Cozy Christmas Charity Drive for her knitting group in place of Nan. If that’s not panic inducing enough, enter Lachlan.

Lachlan McCreedy doesn’t rely on anyone. Not after what he’s been through. It’s him and Gram, nothing else matters but keeping his past buried, and his secrets hidden. So when Gram forces him to help with her Christmas sale, Talia is the last thing he expected, and trusting her with his secrets comes as a shock to both of them. But when he unexpectedly falls for her, the question becomes can he trust her with his heart?

      I haven't done a Cover Thoughts in what feels like decades.  Well, this book deserves it because a) the amazing Allie did it herself and b) because it is so beautiful that it deserves a shrine dedicated  to it.   In other words here is how I think of it:  

      The cover is so friggin' gorgeous.  I personally love it for the beautiful editing, the non-half-nude cover model, and the amazing beanie on the cover model's head.  Which I believe is Talia, in fact if it isn't Talia, that would be a very, very feminine Lachlan.  

The hat is a very important part of the book is hats.  Hats.  And more hats.   Talia knits hats, and she even knitted a hat Georgana "bought/stole" from Talia and gave it to her grandson, Lachlan.  Which set fire to the romance in Tight Knit.
    The only thing that I wished for the book is that there was Lachlan on the cover also, but with just Talia on it, it is still one of my favorite covers this year.

    My reaction when I finished the book:
   
    

   It isn't because the book was ultra-sad, even though it did have some very, very heart wrenching scenes that broke your heart into tiny pieces, but because I was so disappointed that it was over.  The book grabbed me by the hair and took me on an amazing ride on a motorcycle down Allie B Books BLVD.
  
     Simplity made this book a complete success.  Allie wrote a YA book with the style of an author that has 40 books out, and the characterization was phenomenal for a debut author.

   The wording wasn't forced as I sometimes find Debut authors doing after the first few chapters to just get some dialog in.  The characters said and did things in character, and we matured and grew with them in that short few month period. The way the characters matured through different events without out over an over cliche scene. Well, that is a mirical on its own.

    Then the plot.  Not the typical good-girl-meets-bad-boy=romance.  Talia  suffers from severe anxiety and panic attacks.  Usually the panic attacks create a barrier for her to talk to other kids her age, so she takes up knitting with her Nan.  What is more awesome than a teen knitting?  Nothing!
    
  Then steps in my Lachlan.  Bad boy extrodinare with a shady past.  Tattoos covering his arm ,and made irresistible for us book boyfriend hoarders.  He has his flaw as does Talia. They slowly build a relationship.

    Oh, and then it has Talia's name.  Which means she needs to read it, because there is an amazing female protagnist.  Which brings me to question why must all the mean girls in books have to be called Courtney?  I have read 5 books where the mean girl is named Courtney.  I'm not that mean. :P

  


 

Author Interview with Allie Brennan author of Tight Knit

Hey, Y'all I'm back with a very special guest, Allie Brennan Debut author of Tight Knit.   Which is a friggin' awesome book.  Refer to the bottom of the post for where to buy Tight Knit and how to contact Allie.  PS, Be on the look out for a review of Tight Knit before Sunday.  Because, I gave the book 5 stars!  Oh, and just to let you people know Allie is now part of my Stalkee program! :P  Here is the interview I was so excited to have with Allie:

1)  Hello Allie, welcome to Courtney's Book Nook.  What can you tell us about the experience you have had so far with your debut release, Tight Knit?
Hi Courtney! Hi Courtney's readers! *waves* First of all, I just want to say thanks for having me on your blog!

The response I'm getting to Tight Knit is far beyond what I imagined and I'm so grateful for everyone who picks it up and gives it a try! This is my debut novel so I'm mostly using this as an opportunity to learn and grow as an author. I'm paying close attention to every aspect and taking notes. It's just so much fun to watch it all unfold!

Tight Knit actually started off as a challenge to write and publish a book in 4 months. I didn't think it would happen. I told myself that if it wasn't good enough to publish by January, I would shelve it until next year. But I worked my butt off and had AMAZING feedback from other authors and Beta readers who are the best people in the world!

It was definitely challenging and I don't think I'd recommend it to other writers!! I'm giving myself some extra time for the next book! :D

2) Do you actually know how to knit?  Have a replica hat like Talia's?

I do know how to knit... kind of. I learned a few years ago but I don't practice enough to be any good. One of my Beta readers is an EXCELLENT knitter and she actually knit a hat inspired by the hat Talia gives Lachlan when they first meet. It's beautiful, you can see it on my blog here http://alliebbooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/how-freaking-cool-is-this/

3) So your from Canada, and in your story you write about Lachlan having a Louisiana accent. Why not a Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, etc. accent?
I consciously kept this book very geographically neutral. You'll notice I never mention the name or location of the city. All we know is it's somewhere where it snows. That could be Canada OR the US. I also keep all the legal stuff Lachlan goes through very vague, as well. That way nothing would seem off to either Canadian or American readers. BUT... in the first two drafts I kept rambling on and on about Lachlan having these 'Southern Gentlemen' moments so in my final edits I figured why not have him from the South. One of my Betas is from Louisiana. That's why I picked there.

4) So Allie, is there anyone in this story that is inspired by someone you actually know?

This book was inspired by my Grandmother (Nana). She lived with my family from when I was 15 until I graduated high school. There are pieces of her in a lot of the characters in the book. She suffered with anxiety like Talia, she was so kind an loving and selfless like Nan, she was meddling and funny like Gram, she was blunt and honest like Marybeth. There's nothing of her in Lachlan, though. Lachlan is all mine ;)

5) Lachlan.... What an odd name, and now, I consider it a very sexy name. Where did you come up with the idea from?

I scour baby name websites ALL.THE.TIME. Usually my characters begin with a name. It's actually backwards to the way a lot of writers work. I always come up with names first... but to be honest I don't actually remember the moment I decided his name was Lachlan. I seem to like strange names... Talia, Lachlan, Graceland, Bentley, Asher, Isla, Kellan... I don't do it on purpose, they just end up that way! :)

6) So what can you tell us about your upcoming releases?

I have two releases coming up for this Spring/Summer.

One is an New Adult about a girl with an amazing voice, Isla, who loses her boyfriend, Jared, in a car accident in her last year of college. She's given a journal at the one year memorial by his cousin/best friend, Kellan, who's been in love with Isla since before she dated Jared. In the journal is a road trip Jared planned that would take them across North America in hopes of getting Isla signed to a major music label. Isla hasn't sang since Jared died but her and Kellan decide to take the trip anyway, in honor of Jared. Along the way Isla and Kellan find out that they need each other to heal... and despite their differences they might just need each other, period.

The other is a Young Adult of a similar mature nature to Tight Knit. It's called Under the Dusty Sky and it's about a 16 year old girl, Graceland, who doesn't believe in love because of her mother, who walked out before she could remember her. What Graceland does believe in are memories and she's been collecting the perfect ones her whole life. The perfect first crush, the perfect first kiss, the perfect dance performance, the perfect summer with her best friend. The next on her list is the perfect first time. She's the only virgin left of her friends but she won't settle for anything less than a picture perfect experience. To give her this experience, she zeros in on Bentley, the 18 year old farm hand her father hired to help out until Harvest... he just doesn't know it yet. The problem is that Gracie starts to care, she starts to see Bentley as a real guy, with a background, and feelings, and goals of his own. The more Bentley distances himself from her, the closer she wants to get. This is the first book in a four book series about Gracland and her three brothers, Archer, Asher and Hunter.

Here is a small exclusive first draft excerpt for you and only you Courtney!! and your readers of course!

I catch a ride with Lacy. Bentley goes with my brothers.
We left Dad a note even though we'll be home before he gets it anyway. He’s usually in the field until after dinner.
“So what’s your deal with this Bentley guy?” Lacy asks, and I don’t look at her. I watch the flat dry land whiz by her tiny car window.
“Gracie, don’t avoid it. I know you’re up to something. I know you too well.”
I wink at her. I’m not ready to talk about it yet. She probably isn't either.
“He’s hot. Not much to figure out there.”
“Just be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She glances at me and I roll my eyes as we pull into town just behind Archer’s old rusty truck.
Just because she got hurt. Just because she lost it to some drunk loser on my brothers' football team doesn't mean it will be the same for me. I sat with her for days. I was soaked from head to toe in her tears before she stopped crying. It was a lucky coincidence that my brother, Asher, broke the guys arm not even a week later in practice. He said it was an accident, but I only half believed it. It made Lacy feel a little better that she wasn't the only one in pain.
We're silent until we get to Lacy's house and pull her tiny car into the driveway.
What happened to her will never happen to me. I won't let it.
I lean over the seat and kiss her cheek dramatically.
“I don’t get hurt, Lacy Bear. But I can’t make any promises for Bentley.”
I hop out of the car and pull my tank over my head. I wore my black bikini and my cut offs. Yes, on purpose.
Just as I'm passing Archer's truck, Bentley jumps out of the box and lands right in front of me making me jump.
“Good day for a swim.” He’s holding my gaze with his ice blue eyes. I nod, suddenly unable to speak. This doesn’t happen to me.
Bentley runs his hand through his hair causing his muscle to ripple down his arm and across his bare chest. His eyes don’t leave my face until he turns and follows Archer into Lacy’s backyard. I breath out heavily.
My heart is hammering behind my tiny black bikini. I’m supposed to be knocking him off his axis, not the other way around.
This isn't the plan.
He didn’t even check me out.
He didn’t even notice.

7)  I know my personal favorite male candy in YA/NA is Travis Maddox.  Care to enlighten us about your own favorite male, yummy candy?
*looks down nervously* I, um, haven't read Beautiful Disaster yet... I know, I know!!! I'm like the last person on the planet!  

But in my own defense my IN REAL LIFE yummy man candy is named Travis and it's kind of weird reading a book with his name in it!

Anyways! To answer your question... I have a MASSIVE crush on Griffin King from Kady Cross' The Girl in the Steel Corset. I like awkward, nerdy guys... even though I like to write dark mysterious bad boys... Big fan of Four from Divergent too! I don't tend to crush on fictional boys from contemporary novels... I like my fake boyfriends to have special powers ;)

8) Is this a complete stand alone novel or will there ever be little add on books that contain stories with Talia's little sibling or her best friend?
I am *hoping* to release a companion novel next Christmas called DECKED and it will follow Janna in the aftermath of Deacon and how she learns to trust again.

9)  I read on your profile on Goodreads that you were into stock photography.  Did you make the cover for Tight Knit?  If so, I friggin' love it.

Thank you! Yes, I design all my own covers. I have a degree in Graphic Design and it's what I do for my "Day Job"! I also have a book cover designing front called B Design. You've probably seen a few of my covers popping up in the Indie world!

10) Did you try to get Tight Knit traditionally published or did you just head straight for Indie Publishing?
No, I did not submit TK to any traditional publishers, or agents. I've always wanted to go Indie but I understand it's not for everyone. I live for challenge, as well as, I'm a control freak and ridiculously impatient. I am hoping to get some things published traditionally in the future but for now this is totally where I belong!

  Find/ Contact Allie at:
Twitter: @alliebbooks 
Facebook: Allie B Books 
 Goodreads: Allie B
Blog: http://alliebbooks.wordpress.com/ 

Cover Love: Fallen Too Far Series

FALLEN TOO FAR:

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far

____________________________

NEVER TOO FAR:

It had been three weeks, four days and twelve hours since I’d seen her. Since she’d torn my heart out. If I had been drinking, I’d blame it on the alcohol. It had to be an illusion; a desperate one. But I hadn’t been drinking. Not a drop. There was no mistaking Blaire. It was her. She was actually here.

Blaire was back in Rosemary.

   It has been a long time since I have done a cover love.  Which is a little odd considering they are one of my favorite things to do on the blog, except maybe author interviews.  So as you all know, Abbi Glines is one of my favorite authors and even though the content of her latest books have been a wee bit inappropriate for me, I can just enjoy the outside view though. ;) 

  Abbi's Fallen Too Far series' covers have me wanting to just buy the book ,so I can add it to my Abbi Gline's shrine collection accumulating in my room. 

   

It isn't just the people on the cover that make the cover, or at least not in my opinion.  It is how the cover was edited. The cover color scheme reminds me a little of the current Courtney's Book Nook look, maybe that is the reason I am a little bias.  Who knows?  All I know is that I may just print out a copy of these covers, put them in a picture frame, hang them on my wall, and then make me a cup of hot chocolate and stare at them as the sun goes down.  

(PS- I actually do think that the guy is a beautiful piece to add to the basement.  I am almost positive, I can convince Abbi to give him to me... She did send me Cage, Marcus, AND Jax. )