Friday, May 26, 2017

Meet Book Blogger Bree of Bibliophile Reviews



 

Hi Bree! Thank you for visiting the Inkwell! 

Debra asks: How long have you been reviewing and how did you decide on the theme for your blog?
Bree replies: Hi Debra, thanks for having me today. I started reviewing book back in 2015, when my blog was more family focused than book focused. I found myself feeling pulled to review the books more than adding my life and took  a break to revamp the blog in the early months of 2016.  BIBLIOPHILE REVIEWS was born a little over a year ago. My theme is all encompassing so I hope that other Bibliophiles stop by and see a book or author they just have to have in their lives.

Wow! You've done so much in such a short time, really, and I think it's because you really promote the stories you've enjoyed. What’s the best part of being a reviewer?
I love finding the piece in the book to share. I am not a blogger that summarizes the book in a review. That isn’t what authors are looking for. I am a reviewer that finds a part of the book or a character to share about. It is like a treasure hunt where I always find the treasure.

That's a great way to put it! Reviewing can be simple (and, as an author I'll say we'd love more reviews. Simple AND the 'professional' kind!) but it's a special skill to be able to write those awesome reviews that really nail what is compelling about a story! What’s the most difficult part of the ‘the job’?
For me, it is hard to say “no”. I am starting  a new AUTHOR FORM to help make it easier to see if a book would really fit the blog and my reading style. I do enjoy reading more than mysteries and Christian fiction, but sometimes a book just doesn’t jive with me and it hurts to turn an author down.

I completely understand! 
Seriously.
What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
I have really loved reading two books lately. A Perfect Manhattan Murder by Tracy Kiely was cheeky and fun. That is what draws a reader to cozy mysteries, when the humor and characters outshine the shadows of murder.


I also really enjoyed  The Beloved Hope Chest, by Amy Clipston. If there was ever the perfect example of how to conclude a well-loved series, it would be this book. I was in tears not for it ending, but for the story alone. It was very touching to read.
 



 









I love to check in on your blog because mystery is my favorite genre! 
What do you do when you aren’t making authors happy? (Reviews. We live for Reviews.)
My life is a windy Spring day.  I have my daughter Valentina (who is turning 3 next month! look for a blog celebration of books!) and she is obviously my reason for always striving for more. If we aren’t reading, we are outside with the horses and grandma or just walking. Yoga is a habit that I try to incorporate into our lives as well, and cooking. I really enjoy cooking.  And with all of this I continue to work at the school district in town, and have just started back to school for my 2nd bachelor degree.

It sounds wonderful! I know you are treasuring the time with your daughter, but oh my! Wow. Working, being a mom and blogging is enough. SCHOOL TOO!? 
What would you like to share about yourself that few people know?
I come off as an extrovert, but honestly I am an ambivert, where I have strength of both extrovert and introvert.  

That works so well with blogging, doesn't it? 

Help Yourselves to a Croissant
Bree, what is your favorite…setting? Place and time? Genre’?
Oh, this is a tough question. I love a variety of settings for different reasons. I think it comes down to how the author approaches each setting.  If I had the perfect library filled with books (and I didn’t have an eclectic taste) they would be historical fiction, I really love to see the research done for these books. But thankfully, I read any type of time period. Genre- I really enjoy Christian fiction and Cozy mysteries.  

Oh yes! I pretty much picked up my love of history through fiction. Not through school! When I read a good historical, I end up researching the setting and background just to learn more about it.
If you had a rainy afternoon alone to watch a movie what would it be? And what meal would you have delivered if that afternoon included a quiet evening as well?
I adore You’ve Got Mail. That movie will always pick me up or give me a smile. With the movie I enjoy really good Chinese takeout, and ice cream, but don’t tell Valentina!


If you could wiggle your nose and be in a new career, what would it be?
A pastry chef and chef, trained and living in France. Not Paris. A beautiful little village with a darling school, where my bakery could be the hub. I would even have a little library inside. Can you smell the coffee and croissants? 

Yes, I can. Maybe because I watched that American Girl Doll movie GRACE. My granddaughter wanted the 1812 Doll but then Grace came out and she switched. Grace, the American Girl, is a pastry chef who goes to Paris. But I'd prefer the village myself. And I must say, you look like a beautiful French pastry chef. Does that help? OH OH and have you seen The Hundred Foot Journey?  Would that village work for your bakery?

Creative Commons Public Domain

What piece of advice would you offer authors who are just starting out?
Authors, we know that each book is a piece of you. And with that you are entrusting us, reviewers, with that piece. Take time to have it well edited. We want to enjoy reading your book and not be buggered up with issues overlooked. It is rare that a reviewer will actually review poorly based on edits, but it has happened.  And also, please remember that if we didn’t love your book, that you asked for OUR opinion, not for us to agree 100% with you.


Same for new reviewers--
Reviewers, follow the genres you love and as a dear friend reminded me “swim in your own lane”. It is great to see other blogs but don’t strive to have your blog be like theirs. It needs to fit you!

I've learned just how much one person can love a book and the next one can be 'meh' about it.  We all have things that we are going to love and not love in fiction. And ugh. Typos. Ugh. I don't want to talk about it. Even after edits they seem to crawl out and show up AFTER they go out in public. But enough about me...

 
Bree is offering a $10. Amazon Gift Card to one of you who comments here and (click) contacts her on her blog   or (click) follows her on Twitter.  Mention your interest in the comments, and on June 1, one of you will be randomly selected!  We'll post the winner here and Bree will contact you. 



You've been a delightful visitor! Thank you!

via Quozio.com/Pinterest

Follow Bree around Cyberspace at:

Facebook - Bibliophile Reviews
Twitter - BreeReviews
Instagram - Breannagolightly
Website - Bibliophile Reviews



Readers can always practice reviewing by contacting me, Debra E. Marvin, somewhere...maybe Facebook or debra (at) debraemarvin .com
Thanks for stopping in. Have another croissant!

42 comments:

  1. Thank you for having me! I feel like a celebrity!

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  2. It's nice to be a celebrity once in awhile, and I'm happy to have been part of the fun. I'm really enjoying this new promotion because 1)interesting people and 2)reviewers are such an integral part of the book world!

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  3. Giving a warm welcome to Bree. Wow, you two, this is a fabulous interview.

    Deb, I love your interview style where you inject relevant comments before asking your next question. I can actually imagine the conversation as you drink coffee and drool over croissants in your cozy kitchen, because it's the way you write it. Good on you.

    And Bree, such a warm heart for authors. I could "see" you wagging your finger in the air as you reminded us that we can't expect you to love every story, and your review should reflect your honest opinion. Well, unless you've been asked to be an influencer vs a reviewer, of course, but that's another post.

    I have another thought, and hopefully will be back, but will head off to share... :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Authors are always welcome to come by the blog.

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  4. I enjoyed this interview. It was fun to see things from a reviewers perspective. Bree, thanks for being such a huge supporter of authors and their books.

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    1. Exactly! This was the impetus for me to start this feature on the blog. Our reviewers and especially those who blog put in a lot of time to support authors--because they love good books and know the importance of what they do!

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    2. Thank you for stopping by, I hope my blog continues to support and shine love on authors.

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  5. Waving hi, Bree! So glad to see you!

    What a fantastic interview, ladies. I love learning more about Bree--I wish I could hang out with you and your horses or in the kitchen! How do you do it all? School, work, review, and family? Whew! Impressive!

    Thanks for all you do for authors, Bree. And thank you for the interview, Deb!

    I want to check out Perfect Manhattan Murder, pronto!

    Have a great day, ladies!

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    1. Hi to one penny favorite authors! Thanks for the love and support!

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  6. Lovely interview ladies! I'll just help myself to another croissant while I'm here! 😉

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    1. We are having sticky date pudding next week. You'll want to stop by...

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    2. Enjoy! They are my favorite!

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    3. When I was in Scotland and Ireland last fall (yes I take every opportunity to mention that..) Croissants were part of every breakfast. We stayed in AirBnBs and had them often. When I came home I had to go to the store and get one just because I was have croissant withdrawal!

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  7. Hi Bree!!! You have come so far in your blogging! Congrats! I still remember you becoming our 300th follower on Overcoming with God blog! You are a blessing to so many, myself included!!! Big hugs!!!

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    1. Thank you Carrie for stopping by!

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    2. Hi Carrie! Thanks for commenting. I know you are SO incredibly busy now with multiple releases and contracts! And life in general. You manage to do it all. :)

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  8. Wonderful interview! I'd love to be a pastry chef, also!! Mmm! Croissants! You've Got Mail is one of my favorites. I want to read both of these books.

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    1. Hi Becky! thanks for commenting!

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    2. Hi Becky! Thanks for stopping by. I am glad to see another fan out there 😀

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  9. Great interview. I love historical Christian fiction. My next go- to genre is suspense/ mystery. It's great if it's both! Thanks

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    1. Hi Paula. What suspense authors have you enjoyed lately?
      Thank you for commenting

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    2. Yes, Paula I would love to hear as well

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  10. (Would love to be entered)

    Very fun to read! And I totally understand how hard it is to have to say 'no' to review copies - something I struggle with too.
    Great interview!

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    1. Thanks Raechel! This is exactly why we need more reviewers. We don't want to wear you all out :)
      thanks for commenting!

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  11. Hi, Debra and Bree! What a fun interview! Yum--croissants! And I loved learning more about you, Bree! Hugs to you both!

    I'd love to be in the drawing.

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    1. Hi Winnie! I have more interviews coming and they've been so much fun to work on!

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  12. This was a great interview, Bree! I love that your little girl is an American Girl fan. Grace is one of my faves too! (I sew for dolls and she's one of my favorite models) I will be messaging you to enter using the link Debra gave.

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    1. We're enjoying the interview too. I'm glad you stopped in and will be entered in the drawing!
      I've had fun making doll clothes all my life so now I'm making them for my granddaughter's!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by yes the dolls are wonddrful

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  13. I love thsse reviewer interviews. Always so interesting. And I've never heard of a reviewer who does it quite this way. So fabulous!

    DeAnna Dodson/Julianna Deering

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    1. I'm amazed at all she gets done!

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    2. Thanks DeAnna, I have tried to be unique in all I do!

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  14. Hi, Debra and Bree! What a fun interview! Yum--croissants! And I loved learning more about you, Bree! Hugs to you both!

    I'd love to be in the drawing.

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    1. Thanks, Winnie! Thanks for stopping in!

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    2. Thanks for the message Winnie, you are such a wonderful reader

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  16. Fun interview! I think I love reviewing as much as I do reading. There's so many good books out there in all kinds of different genres. My two favorite are historical and suspense :-)

    I always enjoy your blog posts Bree!

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    1. P.S. Contacted on your blog and followed you on Twitter :-)

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    2. Hi Trixi! Thanks for stopping by and the message.

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  17. Hi Bree & Debra! Great advice! Now I want some ice cream! ;)

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  18. Loved this, particularly the conversation about the French bakery. My granddaughter also asked for Grace (and Gramma, of course, came through). She and I both love to bake. The coffee shop/bakery theme comes through in a devotional I recently wrote and released. :-) I'll be checking out Bree's blog momentarily.

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How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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