BLOG TOUR Bloggers Love Bloggers

Today we get a special treat! An interview with another blogger. This blog tour rocks! So I'd like to introduce Brooke of The Cover Contessa. Unforurtunetly, Blogger decided to delete her blog for spam(even though she's anything but spam!), so she's been blogging over at Contessa at the Crossroads! You can also check her out on Facebook! She interviewed me in the very beginning of January and now it's my turn to return the favor! A big thank you to Brooke! It was lovely meeting you. Check your her blog and show some love!


Can you tell us a little about yourself? 
Well, my name is Brooke. I’m 41 years old and I have three young boys who are 9, 6 and 3. I am a nurse. I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 11 years. We met through Match.com! And, of course, I LOVE books, or else why would I be blogging about them, right?

What are three unique, quirky, or silly talents or habits that you may have? 
Hmmm…interesting question. The first thing I can think of is my shower routine, I have to do everything in the same order every time I take a shower, or else I feel all discombobulated. Second thing I can think of is that I turn the tab of my soda can slightly to the right after I open it, so I always know what can is mine! Finally, I can’t stop reading a book in the middle of a chapter. I must finish the chapter or I feel incomplete!

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod(or you know, other musical device)? 
Funny, I really just listen to the radio, so it’s whatever comes on when I’m listening. Although, I tend to stay on the 80s music station on in my car. And if I had to choose something to listen to, it would ALWAYS be something by Duran Duran.

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? 
Free time, what the heck is that? I don’t have much of that, with my three rug rats running around, but when I do get some free time I spend it reading, of course!

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up? 
The last book was Asunder (Newsoul #2) by Jodi Meadows. I had three times in the book where I got teary eyed, didn’t actually cry, tho. 

What’s your idea of an amazing meal?

 Anything Italian, really. I love love love eggplant parm or rolatini. A good Italian meal includes that, antipasti, bread and a glass of awesome red wine.

What story does your family always tell about you? 
My uncle tells the story of the first time he met me (he’s my aunt’s second husband). They pulled up in front of my building and all he saw was this little stick of a girl doing cartwheels down the street towards him. He says that his first impression of me was spot on: hyper, funny, fun, talkative and ALWAYS on the move!

NOW ONTO SOME FUN BLOG STUFF!

What book did you most recently read or are reading now? 
I just finished an ARC of Dualed (Dualed #1) by Elsie Chapman. Currently I am reading an ARC of Fire Country (Country #1) by David Estes.

What was the first book you read that you just knew you had to let the author know how much you loved it? 
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I was flabbergasted with this book. It just floored me. I immediately sent her a note telling her how amazing it was. Since them I have come across many authors that I’ve sent notes: Christine Fonseca, A.G. Howard, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Julie Reece. L.S. Murphy, Emi Gayle, and my list could go on and on!

What genre do you like to read the best? 
I love the YA genre, and I’ll pretty much read any sub-genre of that, although I stay away from the really creepy stuff (it’s gives me bad dreams). I tend to gravitate towards the paranormal and dystopian books, tho.

Were you always a reader or is it something that you didn’t enjoy until later in life?
 I was a big reader when I was younger, through my 20s and into my early 30s. As a matter of fact, my first degree is in English! Then I got married and had kids and it kind of dwindled away having to deal with raising children, activities, work, and keeping a house together. I started reading again about a year and a half ago and I haven’t stopped since! I love reading and would rather be doing that than any other activity.

Out of all the books you’ve read which character do you relate to or see yourself in? Why? 
This is a hard one because most of the books I read focus on teens, and I’m a 41 year old woman! LOL! What I can say is that the characters who are the strongest are the ones I can relate to the most. A few I can think of off the top of my head are Alex from the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Mac from Emi Gayle’s After Dark (The 19^th year #1). These two characters are really strong and independent and that is definitely who I am.

Any books that you thought you weren’t going to enjoy, but ended up really loving? 
Splintered by A.G. Howard. It sounded quite good, but I’m not usually a fan or such macabre works. It’s based on Alice in Wonderland, but it’s much darker. I ended up truly loving it and now I’m a huge fan of Howard. Also, Laurie Faria Stolarz’s Deadly Little Secrets series. I picked up the first book because she was going to be at an author signing I was going to and I thought I should read her book. I tore through it in less than a day.

How you first got involved in with blogging?
 I wanted to share my thoughts and love of books. It really is something that I just do for fun. I don’t make money doing it. I have met so many great people and authors on Goodreads my blog has just kind of blossomed. Plus, I have become friendly with a few editors and publicists and that has really made blogging special for me (I feel like I’m really a part of helping authors get their books out there to be read and loved).

What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog? 
I am a nurse at a nursing home not far from my house. I don’t do direct patient care, but I still get to interact with the residents and families. When I’m not working, I’m taking care of my three small children and my house. Any other time I’m usually blogging, reading or finding stuff on the internet that has to do with books!

Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?  
Kathy from I Am A Reader Not a Writer, because her blog is great. Jean Book Nerd because she has some of the most awesomest interviews and giveaways. The girls at WinterHavenBooks, because their blog is fun and spectacular. Kay Leigh from KBooks because she’s so helpful whenever I have questions and we’ve just become buddies. There are so many more I can list (and I’m actually compiling a list so I can thank everyone when my one year bloggaversary comes around).

Have you got to meet or interview anyone that has made you star struck?  
I got to meet so many authors this last year, I am not sure where to start! LOL! I met Jennifer L. Armentrout twice, and I am just awed by her and her ability to blast out books. I got to meet Tahereh Mafi last Spring and she is just so down to earth and funny. I just met Kate Brian over this last weekend and I’m amazed at how much she has written with having children and a life outside of writing! Cyn Balag and Jennier Murgia who organized a huge YA festival in Easton PA last year with over 30 authors. And pretty much every author I have met, which are so many to list here right now you’d be crossing your eyes! 

NOW FOR A FEW SILLY ONES! 
  
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 
Invisibility. I don’t know why, to be honest. I just think it would be cool that no one could see me but I could see them. I love to people watch!

Craziest thing you've ever done? 
 Honestly, I don’t do crazy things. Probably skinny dipping in the ocean in Miami with my friend and her boyfriend.

What's the funniest prank you've ever pulled?
I’ll admit, I’m boring, I can’t think of a prank that has really been all that funny. I do remember calling my neighbors as a child to ask if their refrigerator was running. When they said yes I would shout “then you better go chase it!” and hang up!