Featured Blogger: Wendy from Booklovercircumspect4

Today please welcome Wendy, who blogs at Booklovercircumspect4.

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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

Well I have always used circumspect4 as my alias so I wanted to include that in my blog name so people would recognize that name. I added booklover as the first part because I'm a lover of books and I write about mostly romance so I thought it worked.

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since July 2015, but I have been reviewing books for NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads for a lot longer.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I like romance novels because everyone can relate to love in any language. I also like the diversity of the different character personas and the different romantic themes different authors utilize.

Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?

Honestly, I work best under pressure. I've always done my best reviews when I feel pressured. I think I allow myself to think more clearly and openly because I know it has to get done.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Hell to the no, but I admit that I've done it before. Now with ereaders, it is so much easier to highlight and make a note.

What's your favorite place to read or blog?

I read from the comfort of my cozy bed every night. I can provide a photo later because I'm answering this from my cell phone.

What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?

That each blogger has their own views, thoughts, opinions, and biases on books. Particularly, I had a co-worker refer a book to me that she thought was so funny and a dynamite read. So I read it and I absolutely hated it.

Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?

Yes, I do and I feel terrible about it. But, I normally will read more about the book and its reviews before totally passing on a book.

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Thank you for joining us today, Wendy! Remember to check out Wendy's blog, Booklovercircumspect4, and leave a comment or question.

Featuring: Debra of The Book Enthusiast

Today please give a warm welcome to Debra, who blogs at The Book Enthusiast.

What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
I'm just crazy about books and talking about them. I can chat someone's ear off if they give me the chance! :)


How long have you been blogging?
I started the Facebook page in Nov. 2012 but really started seriously in January 2013.


Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I think what makes our blog unique is that we really do focus on the indie author. New authors are given a shot yet we try to sprinkle in the more popular authors as well.


What genres do you write about most, and why?
There are a lot of bloggers now on The Book Enthusiast and overall we review books with a romance theme I guess. We all have very different tastes in books. I know I personally will read/review almost anything.


Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?
When I first started blogging I felt pressure to review everything I was asked to review. I was all by myself and I just couldn't take the pressure and put the call out there for some help. I was so so fortunate in getting a group of ladies that are awesome, loyal and love blogging as much as I do. We respect each other and we all contribute to the blog in our own way. I feel very lucky in finding such amazing women to work with.


What's one book you think everyone should read?
That is like the toughest question to answer. Near impossible. However, I would say Sempre by JM Darhower and its follow up Sempre Redemption.


Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
I guess I do when the book is like epic. But normally no.

What's your favorite place to read or blog?
I don't really have a favorite place. I just fit it in when I can.


Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
I don't think it's an evil empire - without it we don't really have ebooks and the indie author isn't able to get their work out there on such a huge stage.

As with any company I think they can improve. The biggest thing is the 7 day return policy they have in place. I've learned lot about the back end of things since blogging and for a 99 cent book I think an author earns something like 15 cents after all the fees. 

Samples are provided to readers so I think there really isn't a need for a 7 day return policy. I can see having a one day return policy because mistakes do happen - I've purchased a book once by mistake. It's easy to do but 7 is extreme. I can read like 3 books in 7 days.


Book shelfie time! Take a "shelfie" of your bookshelves and share it with us.



What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
I've learned a ton! Most of it is probably boring stuff for the average reader but overall I think most bloggers are willing to help each other out. I know often there is a lot of negative thrown out there on Facebook but no one ever shares the positive.

I have a promotions site and I work with a ton of bloggers daily. I've not had a bad experience with any blog. I think if you are nice to people they are nice back - that goes for life in general, not just blogging. :)


Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Oh I'm a cover whore! I'm drawn in by covers but the blurb needs to be strong. The combination of the two can really help an author sell books and create interest.


One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
How To Kill a Rockstar? by Tiffanie DeBartolo is a book that I just don't see or hear about often. I can't say it's a book no one likes but just not talked about a lot with the bloggers/readers I know. However, it is an awesome book and I highly recommend it.


To DNF or not to DNF?
I've only ever had one book I just couldn't finish. I always try to finish each book.


What's one book that intimidates you?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.


If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
I totally want to go to London so there are a few books I've read that part of the reason I love them so much is because they take place in or around London.


How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
Between my promotions, work, and blogging they take up a lot of my time, but when I just need a break I love spending time with my nieces an nephew. They keep me laughing! :)


What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I tend to think the books are better period. However, the Twilight series is probably the most popular "book to movie" movies I've seen recently that were just bad. 

I thought the first one was the best and as they got bigger and bigger the movies just got worse. Sorry. I LOVED the series but the movies just didn't do it for me - although I saw them all.


What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Sorry I don't read reviews on other sites. I just don't have time.


What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
I'm the Serial Reader!


Thank you for joining us today, Debra! 
Remember to check out Debra's blog, The Book Enthusiast, and leave a comment or question for her below!

Colette from A Buckeye Girl Reads

Please welcome Colette, who blogs at A Buckeye Girl Reads. Colette's blog is known for romance reviews.

Questions:


NAME OF MY BOOK BLOG(S): A Buckeye Girl Reads

I HAVE BEEN BLOGGING SINCE: I have been book blogging for almost 4 years now! I can't believe it's been that long. :)

GENRES COVERED MOST ON MY BLOG: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

THE BOOK I HAVE RE-READ THE MOST TIMES: It's a tie between The Gift By Julie Garwood, Till Dawn Tames The Night by Megan McKinney, and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

MY BOOKSHELVES ARE: A hot mess!

MY TBR LIST/PILE IS: Ever growing! Here are some books in TBR: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, The Atlantis Series by Gena Showalter, Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson, Smoke & Bones by Lani Taylor, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Hallowed & Boundless by Cynthia Hand, Sever by Lauren DeStefano,

A BOOK THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN SOME WAY: Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch. I picked it by chance, loved it & devoured the whole series. It led me to be Gini's assistant, which I love doing!

A BOOK I LIKE THAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO: Twilight. (The books are so much better then the movies!)

A BOOK I DON’T LIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE: P.S. I Love You by Cecila Ahern and Eat, Pray, Love

IF I COULD GO TO ANY LITERARY DESTINATION I WOULD CHOOSE: Hogwarts!

MY FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION: Hm. The Hunger Games is the first movie that popped into my head. I think I was just so surprised that it followed the book at all & did a semi-good job with casting. (Although Peeta was so much more likable in the books!)

MY LEAST FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION: P.S. I Love You-I watched the movie as part of a reading challenge, and they changed the main characters nationality to an American!

MY MUST-READ BLOGS (PLEASE LIMIT TO 3): Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books, Hanging With Bells & boeklogboek

MY READING PERSONALITY (http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/) IS:
Serial Reader:
You may read a lot or a little, but either way you're a publisher's dream, because once you discover a favorite writer you stick with him/her through thick and thin and eagerly await the next in the series; but even you need to discover some new blood from time to time!



Thank you for joining us today, Colette! Remember to check out Colette's blog, A Buckeye Girl Reads, and leave a comment or question.