Tell me about the person behind the blog?
Hi, I’m Claire aka BrizzleLass.
I think it probably goes without saying I like to read! I’m also a huge music fan, my drug of choice is heavy metal, but I also have a weakness for Classical, Jazz, and Blues.
I’m a mental health advocate speaking publicly and writing about my own experiences with Bipolar and I work for a local not for profit who provide mental health services on behalf of the NHS and local authorities.
I also write and am working towards publishing my first book in 2018. I’ve been blogging since 2004 with my book blog being launched in April 2015.
When did you start blogging and why?
I started my first blog in 2004, I’ve had one ever since then although the topics have varied. I started the book blog in April 2015 completely by accident. I had just read a fantastic book The Monk: a romance by Matthew Gregory Lewis. It’s a Gothic Romance which is fairly unheard of given it’s years and just how good it is. I decided to write a review on my generic blog and it just took off. I looked into book blogging and it just spiralled from there. I still stand by that book being fantastic and it’s free on kindle!
What are your proudest moments or achievements to date as a blogger?
My proudest moment is kind of all encompassing. I discovered one of my favourite authors through book blogging. The first tour I did right at the beginning was for Kierney Scott and I fell in love with her writing. She’s become well-known for her thriller series but her romances are outstanding, if you’ve missed them go read The Firing Line series at the very least. Anyway, I discovered her writing, but I also made a good friend in her. Then I became her Beta reader, which was something I couldn’t have dreamed of. And then, she named a character after me which you will be able to see in her next release Cross Your Heart. I still get choked up thinking about it, when I first read my own name as a character in that first Beta read of the book I was completely overwhelmed. Next month I’m going to visit Kierney which will just about be the topping on the cake.
If you had to breakdown the components of your ideal perfect book what would they be?
For me it’s strong female characters, I don’t mind vulnerability but they need to have inner strength. I had maidens in distress and needy women with a vengeance. This applies across Romance and Fantasy.
For Romance: I like Alpha Males strong capable men who know what they want, when they want it and aren’t going to apologise for taking it. I particularly like MC romances where the men are bad boys…when you see the next bit of my answer you’ll understand this!
For Fantasy: I like villains, the evilest of the evil. I like characters who are going to rip the world apart and then tear a little bit more just in case they missed something. My favourite villain is the bloody awful Corvus from Godblind who is awful but I adore so yeah I definitely have a bad boy issue!
What is your favourite genre to read?
I’m torn between Fantasy and Romance
What 3 books would you recommend and why?
I read both genres fairly equally. I’ll roam into the middle and pick three Paranormal Romance…
1. Sins of the Father by Nikki Landis – This appears as a very normal MC Second Chance Romance, Nikki really plays her cards well with this and it’s outstanding. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.
2. The Castle of Earth and Embers by Steffanie Holmes – Wow, I finished this last night and it blew my mind. Fantastic set up with magic and the fae and a brewing war and an MC who is basically a genius but also really down to earth. Loved it and another one where I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
3. The Vixen’s Lead – Tate James – This is also a reverse harem but the series just keeps getting better and better. If you haven’t read an RH before then this is a great series to start with, it’s not sex heavy and the paranormal story is outstanding. Tate James is a fantastic writer based out of Sydney and I get sucked in and just can’t stop reading once I start I’ve read every book in this series so far in one sitting.
Finally, tell me more about your blog and why we should subscribe
My blog is BrizzleLass Books and I can be found at brizzlelassbooks.com. I post most days and have a few regular features including Unsung Heroes which celebrates people who work in the publishing industry but don’t necessarily get talked about too much, and The Bookshelf which takes a look at what Bloggers and Authors are reading. I also have a newly launched Facebook Group to chat about Romance, have author Takeovers etc called BLB’s Loveshack and another Facebook Group for people who are starting out as writers to support each other called Fledgling Authors Support Group.
All my links are:
https://brizzlelassbooks.com/
https://twitter.com/BrizzleLass
https://www.facebook.com/BrizzleLassBooks/
https://www.instagram.com/brizzlelass/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8565370.Claire_Ayres
https://bookandmainbites.com/users/21582
