Book Blogger Confessions #7

Here's what it's all about: "Started in January 2012, by Karen - For What It's Worth & Tiger - Tiger's All Consuming Media & now co-hosted with my good friend Pam from Midnyte reader, Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about blogging/bookish topics. Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions.

Just keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!"

June 3rd Topic: Does participating in book tours/cover reveals and author guests post drive traffic to your blog? What type of problems have you encountered when hosting them? (please keep it civil - no names or calling specific people out) As a blog follower, are you ever turned off by these kinds of posts? How much publicity is too much? 

Partcipating in book tours and author guests probably drives some traffic to my blog, but not followers who stick around. The amount of page views I have spikes when I have the occasional blog tour, but I think it's my own fault that not more people come because I don't do enough blog/book tours or author guest posts. Why don't I do more you say? Honestly because it takes a lot of time and effort to plan that out and I'm either too busy or too lazy to put in the time and work.

I have not personally encountered any problems. But I've never hosted a blog tour (when I think hosting I mean planning every single blog stop, not just participating). Has anyone else encountered problems? What kinds let me know below so I can be on the look out later!

As a blog follower I am sometimes put off by these kinds of posts. Often I find that the more popular blogs are just packed to the brim with tons of author guest posts, book tours, cover reveals, and I personally don't think that that's what book blogging is about. Sure, it's great to promote people, but if you're running a book reviewing site, then I want to see reviews. I think that's what frustrates me the most when I see other people have  a lot more followers than me. I try desperately to get people to follow me, and I'm posting my honest opinion on books. But, the mass majority it seems like follow the people who have tons of stuff that isn't even a review. I find that a little sad too. 

How much publicity is too much? Wow. Well, if I'm scrolling through a blog and every single post on the front page is something that's not a review, I won't follow the blog. I think that's just ridiculous. The blog has basically become a place to dump a bunch of ads for books. That's not book reviewing folks. And, yes, sometimes there are reviews attached to the blog tour or author post about a book, but doesn't it just seem a little obligatory to say something nice since you're doing this favor for the author by featuring them and their book on your blog? Then we the readers aren't getting a 100% honest review right? But I guess everyone has different opinions on this (and I'd love to hear them!)

What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments or leave a link to your own Book Blogger Confession and I'll come check it out!

See you soon!

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Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell Blog Tour and Giveaway

Hey everyone I just want to take a moment to talk to you about the novel Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell.
Check out all the info below: 

Title: Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)

Author: Mia Hoddell

ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA

ISBN: 9781291319170

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Romance

Description

There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenseless.

Serena knew that but still, it didn't stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love.

However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life... But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger.

Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important...her love or life.

Teasers

She only took one look at my face when her eyes creased with concern and worry.
“Serena what’s wrong?” ~ Page 17

As I took my notes out he continued to stare, and I tried to calm myself, not wanting him to know that sitting near him was making me want to flee the room. ~ Page 66

When the bus reached Chloe’s house she simply got up saying, “remember what I said about Kai,” before she walked off the bus without the usual hug and smile.
Sighing I stayed on the bus until my stop and when I reached my house I trudged to my room, nervous about what I would or wouldn’t find. ~ Page 100

We arrived on the outskirts of the city, quicker than I thought possible, to find smoke billowing above the buildings. I could just about see the enormous flames dancing in between the houses, while the smoke spiralled up. ~ Page 193

I turned my head, searching all the possible places he could be hiding but saw no sign of him. That’s when I felt two strong hands plant themselves firmly on my shoulders, causing me to yelp in surprise and fear. ~ Page 246

Buy Links:  

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Paperback (Lulu) and will be available on Amazon soon

About the Author

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and her preferred genre is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance. Before 2009, Mia wouldn't even pick up a book and was more interested in sports. However she finally found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of both reading and writing. Mia began with poems and after getting two published in separate anthologies she moved on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series The Wanderer Trilogy and from there other ideas have emerged which she hopes to turn into novels as well. Elemental Killers is her second series and book two will be out soon.

Author Links

Blog: http://miahoddell.blogspot.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mia-Hoddell-Author/421368247889610?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaHoddell

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/miahoddell

What people are saying:

“I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down. The story line was original, intriguing and made you feel like you were part of the action.  As well as this there were many twists and turns that kept me hooked and the book was really well written with a solid plot. The book didn't reveal everything straight away which was great as it left in suspense right up until the end.” ~Lucy M 5/5

“ I found that it's surprisingly original concept was quite common in real life but not so much in books. I found it a delightful read that I will look forward to reading in the future. And the new cover! Marvelous.” ~ Kathy H 5/5

“All I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different. I love the twist and detail she used I was instantly pulled in and felt like I was there with the characters.”  ~Brianna 5/5

Tour Wide Giveaways

•        1 ebook copy of Deadly to Love  through amazon kindle (INT)

•        Deadly to Love Swag (UK ONLY)

Swag giveaway code

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much to Mia Hoddell for hosting the tour and asking me to be a part of it! Enjoy everyone!
See you soon!
Paige

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