{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway) The Devil's Tattoo by Nicole R. Taylor

Release date: September 1, 2013
Author info: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
Format: Egalley
Source: Provided for blog tour
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon

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.

Something inexplicably drew me to The Devil's Tattoo because I don't normally pick up books of this type, but I'd participated in the cover reveal and had been so intrigued by the teasers. Also, I love music and it's been a big part of my life for a long time, so a book in which music plays such a large role interested me. Not to mention, I think we all have a little fantasy of becoming rock stars, and that's just what happens to Zoe Granger. Yes, she has a troubled past, but music has brought her out of that misery and led her to a life she didn't dare to dream of before.

When Zoe's best friend Dee (short for Dylan, but don't tell anyone; it'll ruin his "mystique") decides they should start a band, she is skeptical, not to mention nervous. Not only has Zoe never played or sung for others, but she's nursing emotional wounds that have led her away from putting herself out there. But, not only is Zoe like another person on stage, but the band, named The Devil's Tattoo, takes off. Soon they're off on a national tour co-headlining with The Stabs. The bass player for The Stabs just happens to be Will Strickland, whom Zoe can't seem to stop thinking about. Zoe is determined never to be hurt again, but Will proves to be different, at least he seems to be. Just as Zoe lets her guard down, things fall apart. Can she make it through without losing herself again, or losing Will?

I really enjoyed the romance between Zoe and Will. It developed slowly, which just made it feel altogether more gratifying when something finally does happen. I know I was cheering it on, and you just want the characters to be happy. Also, you can't help but like both Zoe and Will. Zoe's had some hardships and people pushing her down, but she's fought past that, and you just want her to have someone to looooove her. And Will is just unbearably adorable at times. :) Even so, both have their faults that make you want to smack them--but that's humanity, eh?

It was such fun reading Zoe and Dee's relationship, as well. They're really the BEST of friends, through thick and thin and everything in between. They also have some of the funniest back and forths that will make you laugh out loud. :) Oh! And it's set in Australia! I don't often read Aussie authors--and I really don't read a lot of books set there!--so it was a fun, refreshing thing to see.

My only qualm is that it could use a bit more editing. I can't help but want to fix tenses that don't agree, misused words and phrases, and the like. It's a small thing, really, and something that's especially particular to me as a reader. It didn't particularly detract from the book as a whole, just momentarily distracted me.

So, if you like music and romance, I have a feeling The Devil's Tattoo could be for you! (I'm really trying to come up with a musical pun, but I've just got nothing.... Dang.) I will caution that this is a new adult book, so it does have adult content.

About the author:

Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian born paranormal, fantasy and contemporary fiction author. She is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Professional Writing and Editing programme and is a former music memorabilia sales person and grocery merchandiser. She currently lives in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia with a two year old rescue cat named, Burger. She enjoys reading, writing (of course!), traveling and a little too much chocolate. One day she hopes to sky dive, but has to work up the courage first.

The first in her new paranormal fantasy series, The Witch Hunter Saga was released in e-edition and print March 20, 2013.

And, of course, there's a giveaway! You can win a The Devil's Tattoo swag pack (pictured, 1 winner), signed postcard and band sticker (2 winners), or an ebook copy of the book (5 winners)! Open INTERNATIONALLY. :)

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