Tell me about the person behind the blog?
My name is Noelle, I am in my mid 40’s and I have been an avid reader since the time I could actually read! During the day, I am a Senior Probation Officer and manage two teams of Probation Officers in a police station and a Probation Office. Every other spare moment I have is spent reading #AllThingsCrime! I have also been extremely lucky (#DreamComeTrue) to be doing freelance work for Bookouture (Eeeeek!) and Britain’s Next Best Seller (OMFG!). I also make time for my best friend, Buster, or #TheBear as I like to call him – my scrumptious, chocolate Labrador who has been a life saver for me!
When did you start blogging and why?
I had no clue what blogging was about until Kat Everett from Best Crime Books and More asked me if I wanted to do some guest reviews on her blog in Jan 2015. After a couple of months, Kat suggested I try and go solo and with her encouragement/support and the help from Sarah Hardy of ByTheLetterBookReviews – CrimeBookJunkie was born in May 2015! One of the best decisions I ever made and followed through on!
What are your proudest moments or achievements todate as a blogger?
Oh wow! There are so many! Becoming friends with and meeting so many amazing authors (#AuthorsAreMyRockstars); going to so many brilliant book events, launches, Harrogate, Bloody Scotland and all the Noir At The Bars! Winning the Best Newcomer Blog Award 2016; making some amazing/lifelong friends with fellow bloggers (#BlogSquad #Twinnie etc); the freelance work with Bookouture & Britain’s Next Best Seller; honoured to be a character in so many amazing books (and Buster too!); seeing new bloggers grow in confidence and do brilliantly with some awesome blogs! This list could go on forever as blogging really has changed my life, given me confidence, introduced me to things I would never have done in the past and allowed me to shout out and share my passion with others! I LOVE it!
If you had to breakdown the components of your ideal perfect book what would they be?
They have to have that #KillerHook to start with otherwise I grow bored. Characters are also really important to me, they drive the story and if I can’t connect with them I soon lose interest. I also thrive on twists. A few #Booms and I will not be able to stop reading until I have finished the book! Bonus but not a necessity, is a great cover…if the book gives me a #Covergasm then it is happy days! . A gripping storyline and sub plots also keep me hooked!
What is your favourite genre to read?
Crime….crime and more crime: thrillers, serial killers, psychological or legal….if there is a dead body with an exciting plot….I am hooked!
Can you tell me your Top 3 recommended reads please?
Graham Smith – WATCHING THE BODIES – I love a good action thriller with a killer hook and characters that get under your skin. This book ticks all the boxes!
Paul Hardisty – RECONCILIATION FOR THE DEAD – beautifully written, emotive and gripping. I am a huge fan of this series and would recommend it to everyone.
AA Dhand – GIRL ZERO – now THIS is a sequel that blew me away! I thought the first book was AMAZING but this one just floored me. Full of #BOOMS that had me hooked from the start. A must read series!
Finally, tell me more about your blog and why we should subscribe?
Crimebookjunkie is where I review all the fantastic books I buy or are sent from publishers/authors (ARC’s). I think I am lucky to be able to read some amazing books in the crime genre and my passion is evident in my style of review writing! I also have two awesome guest reviewers, Claire Knight and Scottydog (who is loved up at the moment so reviews are a bit slow from him! ) who share their love of crime too…every now and again a bit of the fluffy stuff gets through though…I blame Claire! It would be great if people wanted to subscribe, but I don’t really worry about stats etc…all I want to do is share my thoughts and get some notice for the bloody brilliant crime writers out there!
Thanks Tracy, for having me!
You can read more from Noelle and follow her through these links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crimebookjunkie/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Blog: www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk
Twitter: @nholten40 / https://twitter.com/nholten40
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16360682-noelle
