GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: The Devil’s Tattoo by Nicole R. Taylor

October 30, 2013 Julie Uncategorized 5

The Devil’s Tattoo

Nicole R. Taylor

Published on September 1st 2013

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Zoe Granger picked up her first guitar the day her heart was smashed into a billion pieces. It was a way to keep her mind off her inevitable downward spiral, but music soon became her escape. She's been burned too many times to tell and is just happy to coast through life, never putting herself out there. That's until her best friend Dee suggests they start a band and suddenly she finds herself not just a part of it, but fronting the whole outfit.

They call themselves The Devil's Tattoo and when they release their debut EP, it rockets to the top of the charts and it's like an overnight fairytale. Contracts, photo shoots, royalties and interviews are heaped onto the shy Zoe and it's like she's finally found her place. Then comes the phone call that changes everything. They've been asked to co-headline a tour with one of the hottest bands of the moment, The Stabs and Zoe will never be the same again.

Will Strickland is one fourth of the hottest indie rock band to ever grace the airwaves. He's the bass player in The Stabs, hot as hell and could have his pick of any girl that flings herself at him. But he's only got eyes for Zoe and she has no idea why he'd bother. She's got one hell of a trust issue and an attitude to boot and Will seems to be the one who wants to tame her, but is he game enough?

The Devil's Tattoo and The Stabs go on the road and it's either going to be a highway to hell or a stairway to heaven. Only time will tell who will come out on top and Zoe's determined to do it without getting her heart broken… again.

REVIEW

The Devil’s Tattoo grabbed me right from the beginning and kept my attention for two main reasons—Zoe’s character voice and the setting. I absolutely love books set in Australia. I love everything about it, including the obscure slang that sometimes left me wondering. I don’t care, I still loved it.

I thought Zoe was a great characters and the author did a really great job capturing her individual personality. She was cool, she was talented, and she was a survivor. But at the same time, she was very vulnerable. I loved that about Zoe. She was not a tough chick, and that’s unusual for a rocker book.

I think there were a lot of very unique ideas in this book, starting with the setting. Also, there were no drugs and I liked that. I’m OK with the drugs in a rocker book because it’s part of the trope, it’s expected and it sorta makes them bad and all that. But I like the unexpected more and this one delivered in that respect.

All the main characters seemed like good people, people you’d like to hang out with and get to know. Zoe was by far my favorite character, but her friend Dee came in second. I was only so-so about Will. He seemed like a good guy, but even though we get his POV I never felt connected to him like I did Zoe. I think this book could’ve focused entirely on Zoe and been just as good.

I think the fast-forward time in the beginning of the book was a little different. I didn’t really mind it so much, but I did catch myself saying – OK, that was sudden. So it took me out of the book a little. If I was a beta reader I would’ve said skip that beginning and just start it at the first show. But I’m not really picky about that. It was fine.

I liked the author’s writing style and I think she will just get better from here. This book had a very natural feel to it, especially once the bands went on tour so I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for future works. And the cover – LOVE IT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Nicole R. Taylor

Nicole R. Taylor is a Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Contemporary Romance author from country Victoria, Australia.

Previously, she has written for various small street press music and entertainment publications as a gig and album reviewer before publishing her first Urban Fantasy novel in early 2013.

When she isn’t writing, Nicole likes to spend time curled up with a good book and her 3-year-old rescue cat, Burger. She gets itchy feet more often than not and has lived in three countries and travelled to three times as many.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Giselle

October 30th, 2013

I love the setting in Australia, too! I always enjoy the slang and sayings of that country in books. Zoe sounds like a really great MC, too! Glad you liked it, doll!
Giselle recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (98)

Thanks for being a part of TDT tour! Awesome review ; )
Nicole R. Taylor recently posted…The Devil’s Tattoo is On Tour and a MASSIVE Giveaway

Denise Z

I have to admit this is not my normal type of read, but I do love a good story where I can really like the characters and from your review The Devil’s Tattoo delivers. I am looking forward to reading it and have added to my TBR. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and the treat of a giveaway opportunity.