It’s my pleasure to welcome Aly of Reading Shy With Aly to today's edition of #ScriptFlip! Aly started RSWA a little over six months ago, because of her love for books. Bloggers & readers: Aly is currently looking for a co-blogger and/or reviewer, and you can find more info here. Authors: Aly is accepting review requests! She is a self-described romantic at heart, but she’s open to all genres except for children’s books, non-fiction, and most erotica. Find her at the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

JH: Welcome to #ScriptFlip, Aly! Lovely to have you on the blog today. For those of us who aren’t familiar with you or Reading Shy (but who will be now!), tell us a little about yourself.

Aly: Well, my name is Aly, I'm twenty years old and I'm a third year university student, majoring in History, and minoring in French and Classics (You do not know how often I've said that. I'm sure I could say it in my sleep if someone asked). Oh and Classics is pretty much history but it's more so ancient history (Greece and Rome) than medieval or renaissance. I'm Canadian and I do not say eh....okay well sometimes I do.

I got started on Reading Shy With Aly because I was reading a book one day and I kept exclaiming over things and trying to discuss it with my friend. But she hadn't read the book yet and I felt myself bursting with all these feels. I'd looked around and seen some book blogs and looking once more I thought, this could be a way to discuss books with others and do something I love. I decided to take a chance and start Reading Shy and so far I've loved it. I've gotten to read a lot of different books and interact with a lot of authors that I don't think I could have read or interacted with before. It's been great and I hope to continue doing this as long as I can.

JH: There's no denying the amazing energy within the book community, from bloggers to readers to authors. I think we all know that feeling of wanting to burst at the seams because of a book! But there might still be some readers nervous about making the leap to blogging. Any advice for them?

Aly: Just do it. Never let the self-doubts and others tell you you can't. I started out, trying to tell myself it wouldn't last because I can't write as perfectly as other people. But once I took the chance it morphed into something that I love. Yes, my reviews aren't perfect and sometimes I need to work on getting some of the things I didn't like about a book out there better but I'm learning and trying to improve as well as doing something I love. So, just jump right in, find a book blog you love or that might need a co-blogger or reviewer, or start up your own. Whatever you feel more comfortable with. And let your voice shine out! 

JH: Great advice! I think the #1 reason to do it is a love for books and the rest will come. Sounds like that was the path for you, but can you pinpoint your favorite part of blogging so far?

Aly: The fact that I've gotten to experience so many new and different books, as well as new authors. There's been some books that honestly I probably wouldn't have picked up or found otherwise. The fact that I've found these great books that I really do love after reading them just makes me feel extremely glad that I started blogging and get this experience.

JH: Okay, but with all those great books out there (and there are a TON), how in the world do you choose your next book to review for RSWA?

Aly: It all depends. If I have book tours or books that have specific times that the review needs to be posted then I'll read those first. Next it just depends on what kind of genre I'm feeling at the time (Romance, Young Adult, New Adult) or what kind of book I've been craving recently (MC, soul mate, etc). Besides that it usually comes down to when I receive requests. I try and keep it in order as best I can and that seems to be the fairest way to go about reviewing them.

JH: You bring up a great point. Sometimes you're just in the mood for a certain type of book and that's the best way to choose what's next. But surely you have your favorites... now, don't get shy on me Aly. Cough up the goods. You're stranded on a desert island with only three books or series... and go!

Aly: Toni Aleo's Assassins' Series, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series and......Shelly Crane's Significance series.......oh my goodness that was so hard! Why did you make me choose???

But yes, Toni Aleo's Assassins' series fills me with joy especially Empty Net (I need a Tate Odddddddeeerrrrrrrr). The hockey and romance and just....sigh.

The Harry Potter series was my childhood go to and I still love reading it at least once a year. It's my favorite series and it probably will be when I'm old and blind.

And now Shelly Crane's Significance series. I just love the whole Soul Mate concept and that series just fills me up with all the sigh-y, goopy, romance feels that make me want that. So while it was a difficult choice I had to put it down. (JH: Hey! I just checked & book 1 is free on Amazon.)
JH: Okay, I know that was tough. Thanks for being a good sport. Now for an easier question... just kidding. This one might be even harder. First I have to know, though—who's your favorite book couple? 

Aly: Right now and for the past few months it's been Tate Odder and Audrey Parker. Tate's the main goalie for the Assassins' in Toni Aleo's Assassins' series. And Audrey is the cupcake making, beautiful, shoe obsessed woman that loves him.

JH: Great. Now I want to know, if you had a chance to steal Tate from Audrey... would you?!

Aly: This is actually really hard. Because I feel like I kind of would.... because Tate is sweet and adorable and I wish I could find a guy like him. And he and Audrey are perfect for each other...plus I don't want to be that girl. You know the one. But at the same time, he's sweet, adorable and romantic. What more can a girl want?

JH: Scandalous! I'm pretty sure most women wouldn't be able to resist their favorite book boyfriends in the flesh—no matter what. Okay, last question, and this one's a fun one. If you or someone else were writing a romance novel loosely based on your life... what would it be called?

Aly: The Invisible Bae (my friends got me started with the bae, haha).

Good one! Love it! Well, Aly—thank you SO much for dropping by today. It was fun getting to know you and poking around your adorably-green blog. I enjoyed having you!

Don't forget, Aly is looking for co-reviewers and—hey, authors!—she is currently accepting review requests. Here's where you can find more from Aly: blog, Facebook, Twitter. Thanks for reading!

Have a question for me to ask or want to suggest a blog for me to interview? Tweet me @jess_hawk and include #ScriptFlip. Interested bloggers can contact me here.

The first few songs of the Night Fever Serial playlist (←click to follow along) are on Spotify! And I'll be adding more over the next few weeks as release day gets closer. Keep scrolling for the Pinterest inspiration board and first teaser.

I can hardly contain my excitement about today's #ScriptFlip feature, because I get to interview three of my favorite book people: Lisa, Kayla and Yolanda of A Risqué Affair Book Blog. Lisa was one of my first readers ever and has been on this self-pub journey with me since then. In fact, she also acts as my PA and has accompanied me to a book signing in NYC! Kayla & Yolanda have also been amazing to me, and as a whole, the blog has been a pillar of support for me for a long time.

Lisa and Kayla formed the blog in December 2013, and it's been going strong ever since. They're just over 7,000 followers on Facebook—that's almost 1K followers a month! A little later, they added Yolanda to the mix, and now they're up to 4 reviewers. Authors, pay attention to ARABB! They ARE currently accepting books for review and they don't adhere to one genre only—they review all over the spectrum. (FYI: There are a few books mentioned in this interview, so I've linked them up for your convenience!)

JH: Now for the good stuff! Ladies, welcome to the third edition of #ScriptFlip. The four of us are old friends, but why don't you give me the rundown on A Risqué Affair Book Blog & how it came to be.

ARABB: Lisa and Kayla connected on Facebook over their love for Cityscape. (JH: Um, totally blushing here!) They found they were both recommending the series and started talking. They found out that they had a lot in common, including their love of books. It seemed only natural to start a blog together.

Yolanda was always an active participate on the blog. One day, we noticed she wasn't commenting on our posts so we reached out to her. We fell in love with her personality and added her to be a reviewer on the blog. We quickly realized we needed to add another administrator to the blog, once we started growing. Yolanda was our first choice... and the rest is history.

JH: History... or only the beginning! It's amazing to hear when my series (or any book for that matter) has brought people together. Sounds like the friendship between you three runs deep. Based on that, I think I can guess the answer to this, but what's been the best part about blogging so far?

Yolanda: Meeting wonderful people! I love reviewing these amazing stories as well.

Lisa: Meeting and connecting with so many people and authors. There are authors that I would have never discovered without having the blog (since either they or their PA contacted us).

Kayla: Blogging has been amazing. The best part is meeting new friends and new authors. I have met some amazing people that have become true friends.

JH: Yep, that's pretty much what I thought. The blogger and indie author community is full of lovely, passionate, and hugely-supportive individuals who always bring their "A" game. Not only that, but they find a way to stand out in a sea of blogs. How does ARABB do that?

Kayla: I think what makes us stand out is that Lisa, Yolanda and I are like a family (sisters). (JH: They really are, I can attest to that.) We work well together and talk everything out. We each have different things we are picky about and it works well that way.

Yolanda: I think we all have something to give! We all have different favorites and we have introduce a variety to the blog! Also we all have different strengths. We are here for readers and authors and other bloggers equally.

Lisa: We really try to post everything that is recommended or messaged to us. Sometimes our email and messages get totally out of control, but I guess that comes with the territory, right? lol. I think that everyone deserves to have their book posted. I may not love the book, but who am I to determine what YOU should read? If we all read the same stuff, what a boring place the world would be.



JH: I think sometimes we authors don't realize how many messages a blog receives per day. It must be hard to keep up with posting everything—how do you choose what to read and/or review next?

Kayla: When its comes to determining my next book I go by authors that I have already read and have history with.

Lisa: First and foremost, how polite the message is. If you send us a message that starts with 'Hey, read my book', most likely I won't even consider it. Next, I take a look at the synopsis, cover & genre. I'm looking for something that jumps out at me since we really do get a lot of requests.

Yolanda: I usually choose what's next in I have a history with a author or how we are approached with the information. After that I just go by the first come first served.

JH: Okay, so you've selected your next read, devoured it, then what? Do you base your star rating on emotion? Quality? Something else?

Yolanda: For me a 5 star has to have these 3 qualities a. they need to grab me and keep me interested that I must know what happens. b. I must enjoy the plot and connect to the characters. c. a well written book that flows well is a big one for me as well. Amazing question.

Lisa: If a book is a 5 star book, I know as soon as I finish that last page and it's based solely on emotions. There's no wondering because I already know. It's giving less than 5 stars that is always tough for me. I really try not to give less than 3 stars. I feel like that author really did try and put so much time and effort into getting it out there. I try to give constructive criticism either in the review or to the author.

Kayla: Stars on a book to me is how the book is written, the characters development and of course if the books sucks me in.

JH: Sounds like a common thread is a book that brings out the feels. No surprise there, but nice to know that's a priority. So now I'm going to put you on the spot. You've told me what a top-rated book means for each of you—which three books or series are must-haves if you were ever stranded on a desert island?

Lisa: Ugh, seriously? Cityscape Series because, duh! I loved this series before I even started reading. The cover of Come Undone hooked me in right from the start. I'll support that series.. well... forever. (JH: Aw, thank you! As long as you aren't using the pages as toilet paper on the island ;) ) Bright Side by Kim Holden. I recently read this book and it is just one of those books that makes you want to be a better person. It's an ugly cry type of book and let's be honest... we all need to get a good cry out every so often. Sick Day by Morgan Parker. This book is another one of those 're-evaluate your situation' type of books. The best things, they're worth risking it all for. Go big or go home.

Yolanda: Only 3 OMG - 1. To Kill a Mockingbird 2. Manual how to build a boat haha no (JH: LOL! I just spit out my water.) 2. Sick Day by Morgan Parker 3. Love's Suicide by Jenn Foor.

Kayla: The Cityscape Series by Jessica Hawkins
Sick Day by Morgan Parker
Forever Series by Sandi Lynn

JH: Sounds like Sick Day by Morgan Parker miiight be a blog favorite? Honored to see Cityscape on there too, of course! So, this island you're on is very book friendly. There's also an author there who wants to have dinner with you (probably a coconut or fresh fish or something). Who is it?

Lisa: Ok, since I've already gotten to spend a day with Jessica (yay!) (JH: I second that yay!), I will go with Lily White or Morgan Parker... or maybe both together. Have you read their books? Lily, just because I'd love to see how her mind works. I read her books and wonder, how the heck does she even come up with this stuff? And, well, Morgan Parker because... that guy is hilarious. Who doesn't need a little laughter? And well, if you laugh so hard that soda comes out of your nose, while discussing ways to kill off characters with Lily... then that, my friend, would be awesome-sauce as far as dinners go.

Kayla: This is a difficult question. There are a few I would love to have dinner with but I would have to say Morgan Parker. Morgan seems like a blast and such a sweet down to earth guy. I would love to crawl into his mind and see how he works.

Yolanda: Morgan Parker... why is he has shocked me! I generally have had bad experience reading male romance writers. He is kind and meaningful and an amazing author. I think it would be an amusing yet interesting dinner!

JH: I think it's safe to say everyone reading this interview will be TBR'ing Morgan's books. I know I will! That's all I've got for today—ladies, thank you SO much for being here and for everything you do.

I count myself lucky to know the ladies of A Risqué Affair Book Blog, much less have their endless support. I remember when they had a handful of followers, but it didn't take long for others to see the amazingness I did from the start. Can't wait to see where they go from here. If you haven't already, be sure to check out their blog and Like them on Facebook.

Have a question for me to ask or want to suggest a blog for me to interview? Tweet me @jess_hawk and include #ScriptFlip. Interested bloggers can contact me here.

Welcome to the second edition of #ScriptFlip with author Jessica Hawkins, where I flip the script & put bloggers in the hot seat. Today I'm talking to Brittany of Brittany's Book Blog. She's a full-time student who has been blogging since December 2013—and for any authors reading, she also edits on the side! I'm proud to call Brittany a member of my street team, and I can attest—she brings it every day for her blog and for us indies. You can read Brittany and her co-bloggers’ reviews on Brittany's Book Blog, or also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

JH: Brittany, welcome to #ScriptFlip! You’ve been a presence on the blogging scene for a while now, and I’m excited to get behind the scenes with you. Tell me about the concept behind Brittany’s Book Blog.

Brittany: I'm 19. I stared blogging when I was 19. I worked on a different blog who kicked me off because I wasn't doing things right. After much pushing from many authors, I started my own blog. And I love it so much!

JH: Sometimes things happen a certain way for a reason, don’t they? Now the blog has well over 3,500 followers on Facebook, so you must be doing something right! As you grow, I bet you get a lot of requests for reviews. For any authors out there or curious readers, what goes into choosing your next read?

Brittany: Well, I read what interests me. I also will only accept requests if they seem more personal, not a copy and paste post that everyone gets. If you ask, "hey are you accepting reviews" I'm more likely to say yes, I'll help you, than if someone sends me the synopsis and buy links and such through a message on Facebook, with the request hidden through all that. I honestly don't read those types of messages.

JH: That’s good to know. Authors take note! Chances of review go up with personalized messages. I know many blogs have a rating system to keep things consistent. What’s yours?

Brittany:
5*= yes! Loved it! Need more! Soooo much emotion!
4*= good, there was some emotion missing, but I want to read the next one.
3*= there were some things that bothered me, I don't need more.

I don't rate books below three stars. I feel every reader's experience is different and I don't want to persuade someone from finding their next great read.

JH: It sounds like you’re passionate about your reads, which you'd have to be considering there are new books coming out every day. (Side note: Brittany even started a Facebook dedicated to reading, where she features an author a month. Request to join Brittany's Book Talk here.) What’s been the best part so far, though?

Brittany: Oh the best part!! There's multiple things. I love connecting with the authors and the readers. I absolutely enjoy when someone tells me I helped them pick a book that they loved so much. I just love helping people and sharing my passion.

JH: The thing about bloggers is, their dedication and passion overlaps to help both readers and authors. As you discover indies, readers also benefit by finding their next great read. What would you say to any readers out there who're thinking of joining the blogger club?

Brittany: Do it! Or possibly admin on a blog first, so you can see what it's all about. It's fun, you will love it! Put yourself out there. It may be discouraging at first, but as long as you're friendly and show the real you, people will follow.

Great advice that also applies to authors. Be yourself, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know whom you might connect with—it could be your next reader for life! Thanks so much for stopping by, Brittany. Join the discussion on Facebook in Brittany's Book Talk, and check out her fantastic reviews or send her a review request at the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Have a question for me to ask or want to suggest a blog for me to interview? Tweet me @jess_hawk and include #ScriptFlip. Interested bloggers can contact me here.

Lola Winters’ heart already belongs to Johnny, but for him, she’d sell the devil her soul. Unfortunately, the devil wants something else.

Beau Olivier is the kind of wealthy that buys anything—even people. When he makes Lola a proposition, she finds herself tempted into a seduction that will have her walking the line between comfort and humiliation, desire and resistance. He would own her—for one night. She would be his—for a price. It was wrong. It was scandalous. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sex, music, neon on the Sunset Strip—right in the middle of it all, he would have her. Come sunrise, he would let her go. At least, that was the plan.

Night Fever is an erotic serial coming October 2014.

I'm introducing a segment to my blog called #ScriptFlip, where I'll be flipping the script on bloggers and interviewing them instead of the other way around. For my first post, I have Bethany (a member of my fab street team) and Lydia from the fantastic HEA Bookshelf. Check out the blog for their reviews or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

JH: Okay, so let's start by hearing a little about the #HEAGirls and how you got into blogging.

Lydia: Hello, hello!! My name is Lydia, but everyone calls me Ly (Lee) or Hea. I’m in my twenties and happily in love with my soul mate – let’s call him J. I’m a new mom to two amazing boys and I absolutely love our imperfectly perfect life.

I decided to create a book blog where readers with similar tastes to mine could discover these Indie Authors that I had come to love and admire….and probably stalk via Facebook & Twitter. And so, it all began.

HEA Bookshelf was born.

Bethany: Lydia and I met because she’s a stalker. Seriously. She is. I was just learning about Facebook pages for the authors I was reading, and finding blog pages that I started seeing through the authors I had liked and I started to see her on there. We liked the same pages, agreed on some books and discussions and generally had a great time interacting. We even started to talk in PM’s before she friend requested me in April 2013. We started tagging each other in book sales, book discussions and book funnies. But then….CRAZY Lydia came out. She asked me to guest review on her blog. Hahahaha! I laughed at her….she was high, I was fairly positive. No way. She harassed me for MONTHS. I finally agreed to do it in August and wrote my first review for her. She was all excited and made me feel like I threw a whole bunch of words together, and they actually made sense! So I eventually started to review books that I had bought, and then I started to sign up for tours that I wanted and saw around FB…..and the fun began. I have loved doing it ever since. It truly is a joy and I have her to thank for it!! She's the best #BlogSister ever. <3
 
JH: You two sound like a match made in heaven. And BTW, I'm feeling the hashtag love in your answer! Where did the name HEA Bookshelf come from?

Lydia: I have a few rules as far as my reading goes. One VERY important rule being that the book MUST have a happy ending. MUST. I can handle cliffhangers if books are parts of series, but that last and final book in the series/trilogy MUST end in a HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Bethany: This was Lydia's baby....so I'm just along for the ride!! (tee hee) Lydia's the one that stalked me....so the name was already picked. I suppose she could have named it 'Stalkers R Us', but the name probably wouldn't have went too far. Hahaha!!!

JH: Hey, stalkers need happy endings too. (Wait, that came out wrong...) Moving right along. Here's a question every author wants to know—how do you determine what your next read will be?

Lydia: I use a few things to figure out what I want to read but the major factors I take into consideration are the author's message and attitude, synopsis and genre.

Bethany: I am a synopsis, cover and review looker--in that order. If it's a new book and there aren't any reviews available, I look at the synopsis and if it's part of a series or if it's a standalone (time plays a factor sometimes), genre of the book and then finally the cover. I do love a good cover.

JH: It's good information to hear that an author's message/attitude are determining factors in whether or not you'll review their book. What are some of your other do's & dont's for self-published authors who approach you for reviews?

Lydia: 
DO: be nice and down to earth... get to know the blogger behind the blog before even thinking about asking for favors.

DONT: if you've never even talked to the blogger, don't ask them to like your page or share your work.

Bethany:
DO: personalize your request, instead of saying a general 'hello lovely ladies', make sure you address the bloggers directly. It feels more personal that way and it lets us know that you actually know who we are. Check out our BIO on our blog page so you know what we are about and what we like to read. 

DO: be excited to get your book out there. We want to share in your excitement too!!

DONT: send an email/synopsis/teaser riddled with errors. I only say this because if an email/synopsis/teaser has errors and I notice that, I won't want to read it. I don't want to be rude, but a lot of people pick on that and it gets very distracting (to me too). ALWAYS proofread....have a friend lend an eye, be a sounding board, look stuff over. 

DONT: be upset when a blogger turns down a book. Time and schedules are crazy sometimes and we never mean any disrespect when we can't promise a review or any available time. I know that I have stopped taking books for a 'review whenever' because I feel guilty with books sitting there waiting for me and I have 6 tours coming up. Never give up. <3

JH: I think one thing at least is clear: you guys really care for the authors your promote. I know that firsthand since HEA Bookshelf has been such an amazing supporter of my series. So, if you could have dinner with any author, who would it be and why?

Lydia: Since I have so many, two that come to mind are Kristen Proby and Sylvain Reynard. 

Bethany: I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few authors (even having dinner and breakfast with them), but I don't know how to answer this....would I go back out with some favorites and pick their brain for their next book, their life and inspiration, or would I pick someone new to see what makes them tick? Such a common question; one that I have the hardest time answering!! It changes all the time...ha! 

JH: Bethany and I actually met & got to spend some time together at the Indie Mashup book signing in Arkansas last year. That's what I love about those signings the most—connecting with bloggers, readers, and other authors. Do you have a favorite part of blogging so far?

Lydia: I think the best part, for me, is the TRUE friends I've made along the way.

Bethany: I *LOVE* the people I've met, the books I've fallen in love with and the authors that have become friends. I love this blogging world!! 

JH: I love how passionate you both are about what you do. What makes HEA Bookshelf unique? 

Bethany: I think the fact that we are best friends as well as #BlogSisters plays a big part in things. We never disagree on things....ever. Like, ever! And we always talk about books....every.single.day. We call/text/message and FB with each other every day.

JH: I love that. It's amazing how people come together with one common cause—to support indies in this community—and end up finding friends for life. Well, it's been a pleasure having you ladies on the blog—thank you so much for stopping by! To see more of HEA Bookshelf, head over to their blog, Facebook or Twitter.

Have a question for me to ask or want to suggest a blog for me to interview? Tweet me @jess_hawk and include #ScriptFlip. Interested bloggers can contact me here.