I've had the pleasure of knowing Fiction Vixen (online) for over 5 years now. We ventured into the book blogging community at the same time and I must say that so far I've had a blast. She introduced me to some great reads, including: Sookie, the Black Dagger Brotherhood and most recently the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost (thank you!!!). I always look to her for book recommendations; she never steers me wrong. So here's where I pick her brain.
FV: Hi BV, thanks so much for inviting me today.
BV: Thanks for stopping by!
Let's talk book reviews...
Let's start off by talking about book reviews. You write great reviews which not only tell your blog readers about the book but what you liked and disliked about it without spilling any blood. What's your formula?
FV: I don't have a specific formula that I follow every time I write a review. What I cover usually depends on the book and how I felt about it and what made an impression on me. Honesty is important to me though. If I loved it, you're going to know and if I was disappointed I'm going to tell you about that too. However, as you said, there will be no spilling of blood. It's important that what goes on my blog reflects my personality and personal style so you won't find any snarky reviews there, but you will find my honest opinion.
BV: Tell us about your review writing process? Do you make notes while you are reading about things you want to mention? Or do you wait until you have absorbed the book and let everything settle before cracking your knuckles and getting to the nitty gritty?
FV: Well, I admit, I've never cracked my knuckles before getting to the nitty gritty. I'm going to give that a try. *g* I used to read through a book then think on it for a day or two then write the review. However, now I prefer to use sticky notes to mark quotes or points I think I might want to cover in the review. (This is even easier when reading on my Kindle). Since I'm lazy, I rarely take notes though.
BV: What qualities and components must a book possess in order to get a 5-heart Fiction Vixen rating?
FV: It can be a combination of several things but not always the same qualities for every 5-star rating. I like a when a story flows and the characters come to life. If I'm thinking about about a book when I'm not reading it, then the author has done a good job in my opinion. I like my hero's and heroines to be flawed but redeemable. But most of all, I love the unexpected. Nothing makes me love a book more than when I sit back and say, "Whoa! I didn't see that coming!"
Let's talk books...
BV: Favorite read (book or series) this year?
FV: Hands down, The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. I think about this series constantly, discuss it with my book friends, pimp it out shamelessly, and I can not wait for the 5th and final book in the series.
[ I have this series on my TBR list. She recommended it to me :D ]
FV: Hi BV, thanks so much for inviting me today.
BV: Thanks for stopping by!
Let's talk book reviews...
Let's start off by talking about book reviews. You write great reviews which not only tell your blog readers about the book but what you liked and disliked about it without spilling any blood. What's your formula?
FV: I don't have a specific formula that I follow every time I write a review. What I cover usually depends on the book and how I felt about it and what made an impression on me. Honesty is important to me though. If I loved it, you're going to know and if I was disappointed I'm going to tell you about that too. However, as you said, there will be no spilling of blood. It's important that what goes on my blog reflects my personality and personal style so you won't find any snarky reviews there, but you will find my honest opinion.
BV: Tell us about your review writing process? Do you make notes while you are reading about things you want to mention? Or do you wait until you have absorbed the book and let everything settle before cracking your knuckles and getting to the nitty gritty?
FV: Well, I admit, I've never cracked my knuckles before getting to the nitty gritty. I'm going to give that a try. *g* I used to read through a book then think on it for a day or two then write the review. However, now I prefer to use sticky notes to mark quotes or points I think I might want to cover in the review. (This is even easier when reading on my Kindle). Since I'm lazy, I rarely take notes though.
BV: What qualities and components must a book possess in order to get a 5-heart Fiction Vixen rating?
FV: It can be a combination of several things but not always the same qualities for every 5-star rating. I like a when a story flows and the characters come to life. If I'm thinking about about a book when I'm not reading it, then the author has done a good job in my opinion. I like my hero's and heroines to be flawed but redeemable. But most of all, I love the unexpected. Nothing makes me love a book more than when I sit back and say, "Whoa! I didn't see that coming!"
BV: Favorite read (book or series) this year?
FV: Hands down, The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. I think about this series constantly, discuss it with my book friends, pimp it out shamelessly, and I can not wait for the 5th and final book in the series.
[ I have this series on my TBR list. She recommended it to me :D ]
BV: All-time favorite book?
FV: This is the hardest question for me to answer. I like books for so many different reasons and it's really hard for me to say which one I loved the best. I tend to like series books the best and picking one from the series over the others is difficult so I'm going to wimp out and and decline to answer *g*
FV: You're kidding right? There are so many. Ok, if I have to narrow it down, I tell everyone who will listen to read the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost, Skin Game by Ava Gray, Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward, and The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.
[ She's recommended all those books to me. She definitely knows the good stuff! ]
BV: What new (or new-to-you) author did you discover this year and fall in love with?
FV: All the authors named above since all were first time reads this year, and also, Lauren Dane, Lilli Feisty, and Megan Hart for Erotica.
[ These are some authors I need to try! ]
BV: What 2010 book release are you most anticipating and why?
FV: I'm most looking forward to Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. I can't wait to see what happens for Mac and Barrons and I don't think I've ever been this excited for a new release. Is it summer yet?
BV: What are your top 3 (because you can't have them all, I just won't allow it!) book boyfriends?
FV: Jericho Barrons (Fever Series), Bones (Night Huntress Series) and Vishous (BDB series).
[ Awww, Bones. I'm currently reading the series and I totally understand the Bones thing! ]
FV: All the authors named above since all were first time reads this year, and also, Lauren Dane, Lilli Feisty, and Megan Hart for Erotica.
[ These are some authors I need to try! ]
BV: What 2010 book release are you most anticipating and why?
FV: I'm most looking forward to Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. I can't wait to see what happens for Mac and Barrons and I don't think I've ever been this excited for a new release. Is it summer yet?
FV: Jericho Barrons (Fever Series), Bones (Night Huntress Series) and Vishous (BDB series).
[ Awww, Bones. I'm currently reading the series and I totally understand the Bones thing! ]
BV: Next 5 books on your TBR pile?
FV: Shattered by Joan Johnston, Friction by Samantha Hunter, Undercover by Lauren Dane, Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead, and Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper.
BV: Which book left you high and dry, and lusting for more?
FV: Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning. Worst/best cliffhanger EVER!
BV: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
FV: Twi-Lost
BV: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
FV: Twi-Lost
FV: Dangerous Highlander by Donna Grant (pre-order).
BV: Last book you received as a gift?
FV: Shades Of Midnight by Lara Adrian.
BV: Last book you gave as a gift?
FV: Shades Of Midnight by Lara Adrian (no, I didn't re-gift lol).
Let's talk Fiction Vixen...
BV: Where do you see your blog in 2010? Any new editions coming to Fiction Vixen?
FV: I really don't know. I really struggled to keep up in 2009 so we'll see what happens in 2010.
BV: Any bookish New Year resolutions?
FV: Nope, I'm a slacker and setting goals makes me want to take a nap *g*
BV: What do I need to do to get you to do a vlog? Do I need to send Bones knocking on your door? Bones! Get over here pronto!!
FV: The vlog thing is never going to happen. Not only do I cringe at the sound of my recorded voice, my face twitches when I get nervous. Never.going.to.happen. Not even for a Bones/Jericho/Me sandwich.
[ You can't say I didn't try :/ ]
[ You can't say I didn't try :/ ]
BV: Any lasting impressions you would like to leave us with?
FV: Thank you very much for having me here at The Book Vixen. You've got a cozy little blog here. :)
BV: Aww, thanks. And thanks for stopping by :D
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