Thursday, January 9, 2014

Euphoria by Erin Noelle Blog Tour


Euphoria 
By: Erin Noelle
Release Date: Dec. 15, 2013





After a series of catastrophic misunderstandings and impulsively poor decision-making, Scarlett MacGregor finds herself once again torn between two loves, as different as they may be. Lacking proper closure with their relationship, accompanied by the overwhelming guilt for her role in his devastating downfall, Scarlett resolves to help Mason recover and reclaim his life as a budding rock star. However, now that he has finally claimed her as his, Ash Walker is bound and determined to keep her by his side, and he will go to any lengths necessary to do just that.

Mason Templeton has hit rock bottom. He’s in love with a girl whose heart and soul belong to another and he’s partied his way off of an international music tour that was supposed to be his big break. Returning home for rehab sounds like the worst possible way to start a new year, but when an unexpected friendship emerges, he begins to realize that maybe everything does happen for a reason.

Euphoria is the third and final installment of Scarlett, Ash, and Mason’s self-discovering journeys to happiness and understanding the meaning of true love ~ the kind that begs for complete surrender
Recommended for readers 17+ due 
to sexual content and harsh language.




Erin Noelle is a Texas native, where she lives 
with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child. A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels. In 2013, she published the Book Boyfriend Series, which included books Metamorphosis, Ambrosia, and Euphoria. Her books have been a part of the USA Today Bestselling list and/ or the Amazon and Barnes & Noble overall Top 100. Most nights you can find her cuddled up in bed with her husband, her Kindle in hand and a sporting event of some sorts on television.  








Metamorphosis Buy Links





Ambrosia Buy Links



Euphoria Buy Links






    Hey Erin, thanks for taking the time to sit and chat with me. Let's get started shall we? 

     How are you handling all the backlash with the way the story unfolded?
To be quite honest, I expected a little bit of it. I issued my statement on my author Facebook page a couple of days after on why I did what I did, and I received some positive feedback from that. I’m always open to constructive criticism, I know that I have a ton of room for improvement, but reviews that are just written to be ugly or mean, I simply ignore.

  If you could change anything about the series, would you?
I personally think the beginning of Metamorphosis needs some cleaning up; I had literally just sat down to write with no real plan or anything. I also think I would include more in Euphoria covering the end of the book to the epilogue; however, I wouldn’t change anything regarding the storyline.

Where did the inspiration for the characters come from?
There are parts of people in my personal life within all of the characters, but more than anything, they were initially created to pay homage to a mixture of my favorite characters from books.

Are any of the characters based off of real life people?
Oops, I kind of answered that above. So yes and no J
         
    You mention a lot of books that are released for other authors, have you read those books?
I have read all books that I mention in my books. I am, first and foremost, a reader.

At what point in the writing process did your plans for the book change, and you make the decision for someone to die?
Well, honestly I really struggled with the decision. As I was writing Euphoria, my heart kept telling me she belonged with both of them, but I wasn’t writing a ménage obviously. When I read When It Rains by Lisa De Jong, there was this beautiful section where she describes the difference in soul mates and true loves, and it was then that the ending of the book came to me.

    What inspires you?
Other books, plain and simple. I love to read.
     Where do you do your best writing?
Up until now, I’ve done all of my writing in my bed late at night.
        
    What do you do to unwind?
Other than read, I haven’t had time for much else. I’m hoping to either start yoga or pilates here in the new year… something to help me clear my mind as well as give a little physical benefit.

What are your ideas for your next book?
I actually have 3 books swirling in my head right now ~ Max and Andi’s book which will include a novella that spans the time between the end of Euphoria and the epilogue; I have a PNR vampire book talking to me; and finally, my new series that I’m starting, which the first book has a working title of The Souvenir.

We know you recently left a job you had for a really long time, was that scary? Do you miss it?
I actually just left at the end of the year, so this first full week of January will be the first time that I haven’t gotten up and got ready for work in fifteen years, and yes, I’m scared to death.

Are you excited for the next part of your writing career?
I’m extremely excited about it. I can’t wait to have unlimited time to pour into this passion.

How was writing Euphoria different than Ambrosia or Metamorphosis?
I have felt increased pressure with each one, but especially with Euphoria because I knew that I was going to break one #Team’s heart.
 
   {Big Hugs} To Erin for sitting down and chatting with me.. but now I must shoo you off for my next friends to sit down and chat with us. They're your babies Erin, now let me have some fun with them...


 Hey Mase.. Hey Scar.. thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. How are you guys doing?

S ~ Doing pretty good, thank you.
M ~ Life’s crazy, but we are doing great.
 
  Well, let’s go ahead and get started..
S ~ I’m doing much better. I’m still seeing a therapist, I probably will for the rest of my life. I think it’s important that everyone, no matter how “normal” their life is to have someone to talk to.

What’s your happiest Evie memory?
S ~ My happiest Evie memory is definitely the night that she met Max. It was so awesome to see her face light up when they would talk.

We love that you started a blog in Evie’s memory. What 3 books would you recommend to our readers and why?
Well, obviously When It Rains by Lisa De Jong. That book made a huge impact on my life. I would also recommend Seductions and Snacks by Tara Sivec because we all need a good laugh in our life. Reading books with deep emotion meaning and that cause a good cry are wonderful, but sometimes I just want to escape and she does an amazing job with her Chocolate Lovers Series. And finally, hmmm… there are just so many good books and authors out there… I would have to go with The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. That’s probably one of my favorite books of all times.

You had a butterfly put on your back, any more tats been added?
 Well, I have the butterfly on my leg and the feather and birds on my back, and I’ve since gotten the kids’ name in a band around my wrist. I’m not sure if I’m done yet or not.

   What about you Mase?
M ~ *laughs hard* I just keep adding to the collage I’ve got going. I’ve added the kids’ names as well, but I’ll never be done… until I run out of skin.

    Mason, when you heard the news about what happened, what was the first thing you wanted to do for Scarlet?
M ~ Naturally, I wanted to go to her and make sure she was okay. It took quite a bit of convincing to keep me away from her, but when Max told me that it was the best thing for Scarlett, I trusted that he had her best intentions at heart.

   Coming back after the tour was over, what were your expectations? How did you think you were going to be able to help?
 I was nervous as shit. I had honestly thought that she knew I had called to check on her at least. I had asked that she not know it was me who had contacted Heather, though. I didn’t know if I would be able to help at all; I was just happy to see her doing well.

   Looking back is there anything either of you would do differently?
I’m a strong believer in the whole idea that your past makes you what you are today. Sure, I’ve made mistakes and done things wrong, but no one is perfect. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and not repeating them. I think there’s a plan for all of us, and I needed to experience everything that I have, both good and bad, to be able to appreciate the beauty what my life is today.
That’s why I married her… she’s so damn smart.

Mason how important for you was it to have the butterflies on your special day? It was a beautiful
 I wanted to incorporate the memory of Ash into the ceremony somehow. Truth is, she’d never have been able to love me completely without ever having known his love. I understand that he was a huge part of her life, and she needed him in her life. I wanted to remind her that he’s always watching over her.

Scarlett, how goes the singing? Mason, how’s the band?
Jobu’s Rum has slowed down tremendously this past year. A couple of the guys have started families and we don’t want to be on the road all of the time like we were the past few years. I’m also recording a solo album, so we will see where that goes.
 Since we have been blessed financially due to Mase’s musical abilities, I’ve put some of that money back into the love that we both share and opened up my own music school.  We have everything from voice lessons to piano lessons to guitar classes. I’m hoping to expand on that here soon and add a dance academy as well.
 
Mason, how hard was it when you went to rehab?
The hardest part for me was accepting I had a problem. Especially being in the music business, you see so many people that partake in drinking and recreational drugs on a regular basis, so I thought I was just like them. Once I understood that, I was focused on getting better. I was also very lucky to have a therapist like Heather. She made a huge difference in my recovery.

    What was it about Andi that made you do what you did for her?
Ya know, I’m not really sure. There was just something about her eyes that spoke to me, and then when she said that her parents basically didn’t want her, I knew I had to take a chance on her.

    Scarlett, why didn’t you ever let Mason fully go so you and Ash could actually have a relationship?
Once you love someone, you never stop, or you never really loved them, in my opinion. I felt responsible for the condition that Mase was in, and I cared that he got his life back on track.

If either of you could take back one thing, what would it be and why?
No takebacks. Whatever I did or said in the moment I did it or said it, was exactly what I wanted to do at that time. As an adult, you deal with the consequences.
 I don’t know. I’ve treated people in my life not very nicely at times, so I’d like to take back some hurtful things that I’ve said.

   Where do you see yourselves in the future in 10 years?
Oh goodness… parents of teenage twins, bless us both. On a personal note, I hope the school is still thriving and allowing children to enjoy music in whatever form they choose.
Ten years? Hell, I can hardly plan ten days from now. I’m sure I’ll be doing something with music, even if I’m not performing anymore. I don’t really care as long as my family is healthy and happy.

   Well.. I want to thank you both for taking the time to sit down with me. Good luck with the kids, music and the school. 
Thank you, too.
 Yes, thank you.







I'm at a little loss for words right now. This definitely did not end like I expected it to. I know everyone picks a side, but I didn't. I may have swayed or felt Scar should have went with one person or the other at times, but in the end I could never make up my mind either. The beginning of the story moves a little slow and it seems like the focus is on two things: masons recovery and Scars happiness with ash. Which is all fine and dandy. Mason needed that time in rehab. Much like heather said- to love himself. So Scar is off playing house, living in utter bliss with ash. The one thing I didn't like, that drove me absolutely insane is the back and forth. I understand she loved them both but I was screaming to myself- pick a side already. To me, I felt like she wanted her cake and to eat it too. She wanted them both to love her and didn't want to make a choice. She just wanted what she wanted at that time. Constantly talking to Mase made it feel like he could never move on to me. She needed him in her life so that was all that mattered. To me, it just felt selfish. She should have cut Mase loose so he could have had a fresh slate and tried to move on. But... I digress. I didn't hate the way the story evolved. I do like andi, sigh... And my Max, but he's happy again and yay for that. I will admit I cried... Okay okay I cried twice. Once when Scar gets the news in Vegas and when the butterflies are released. To me this showed such growth for Mase to acknowledge her love for ash. So yeah, I cried. It was a beautiful gesture to me. I have to give this book 3 hearts. Don't kill me, let me explain why. The who Ash thing kills me. The love triangle-can't make up my mind drives me insane. And I feel like Mase took second best when he deserved better. So I did like the book, love the series but I can't get past where the Ash story line went. Too much heartbreak. But I still loves the author! I heartYou Erin Noelle.








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