I'm so pleased to host this next guest as she's been at this blogging and reviewing thing for so long, she might be the first 'book blogger' I'd heard about when I started back on the path to publication! Please welcome Rel Mollet!
Deb asks: So, how long have you been reviewing and
how did you decide on the theme for your blog?
Rel answers: I’ve been reviewing books for 14 years and have been book blogging at RelzReviewz.com for 12 years.
D- Yes! I was right. It's been a long time!
What’s the best part of being a reviewer?
R- Connecting readers with books and authors. My best book blogging days are when I receive a comment or message from a reader letting me know they read a book or searched out an author on my recommendation, and they fell in love with the story and the author’s talent.
In addition, I’ve
had the privilege of attending the ACFW conference in 2013 and 2016, meeting
dear author friends along with many amazing writers I’ve been reading for
years.
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| Authors Dorothy Adamek and Tamara Leigh with Rel Mollet |
D- (PS I got to meet Dot and she's a doll!)
What’s the most difficult part of the ‘the job’?
R- The time commitment, for sure. Blogging is very time intensive from reading, preparing a review, creating the post, adding links, etc. It is a labour of love for me and I wish I had more time to devote to it.
D- What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
R- I’m halfway through Joanne Bischof’s July release, Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I’m captivated!
D- I'll try not to go all fan girl here, but I had a post Charlie Lionheart hangover for about two weeks after her first book! Double Sigh.
What keeps you busy or entertained (beyond reading and reviewing!)?
R- My husband and 3 daughters keep me both busy and entertained, no question, along with my work as a Virtual Assistant through my business, Author Support Services.
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| Rel with Steve and Sherlock |
R- I read very broadly, but if push comes to shove, romantic suspense is my favourite genre. I’m completely flexible on place, time, and setting, but I have to admit, as an Australian, I’m loving seeing international settings (outside the US) more these days. If you want to venture to Australia in the 1800s, get your hands on Dorothy Adamek’s Carry Me Home. If Europe takes your fancy, Rachel McMillan’s novella, Love in Three Quarter Time, is a must read. You can also visit my beautiful country and the gorgeous New Zealand in Kara Isaac’s Then There Was You. And if you are into globetrotting, travel across a few continents with Ronie Kendig’s Tox Russell and his team in Conspiracy of Silence, Crown of Souls, and the upcoming Thirst of Steel!
That said, as long
as connect to the characters and the location and cultural settings are
authentic, I’m hooked.
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| Authors Becky Wade and Kate Breslin with Rel Mollet |
D- That's quite a list! And super great word-of-mouth for these authors!
If you had a rainy afternoon alone to watch a movie what would it be?
R- I can’t go past North and South, based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, starring Richard Armitage! And it would have to be an afternoon and an evening as it’s a mini-series rather than a movie.
D- Goodness. If we had a nickel... that series is tops on many a list! Sigh...
And what meal would you have delivered during that latest showing of North and South? I’m paying with my virtual bank account!
And what meal would you have delivered during that latest showing of North and South? I’m paying with my virtual bank account!
R- Mmmm…that’s hard as I’m not a huge fan of take-away food! But nothing beats what we call a Chip Butte 😉 Hot chips (thick cut, not French Fries) from the Fish & Chip shop, brought home placed between two slices of buttered fresh white bread!
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| image borrowed from BBC America |
D-You didn't mention ketchup/catsup, but this is the best I could find!
If you could wiggle your nose and be in your dream career, what would it be? Or are you already living it?
If you could wiggle your nose and be in your dream career, what would it be? Or are you already living it?
R- I’m living it. After 21 years as a lawyer, I now work full time as a Virtual Assistant to authors in the CBA. I love being able to lift the burden of essential tasks that take away from a writer’s time to do what they do best…writing their stories. I’m privileged to work with talented and passionate storytellers – something I dreamed of doing for ten years before it came to fruition!
D- I dream of employing one! It's an amazing gift to authors because marketing seems to take up as much time as writing!
What piece of advice would you offer authors who are just starting out?
R- Write, write, write!
Then, if you are
heading towards publication, an informative and CURRENT website is a must.
Connect and engage authentically on a social media platform of your choice.
Don’t be afraid to contact book bloggers (after reading their review policy to
be sure your book is a good fit) and ask to be featured.
So, I guess I went
with pieces of advice rather than just a piece!
D- That's wonderful! More is Better and you've got the experience to show for it!
Same for new reviewers—
R- Review, review, review. Share your opinion of the story (not the author) honestly, - what you loved about the setting, characterization, and plot, and what you didn’t - all with sensitivity and grace. Avoid spoilers like the plague!
D- Thanks so much for visiting indulging me!
I loved getting to know more about you, and appreciate your visit and your experience!
R- Thanks for having me, Deb – it’s fun to be on the other side of blogging 😊
Website: http://relzreviewz.com/
Instagram: RelMollet
Twitter: @Relz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relzreviewz/
I so enjoyed 'chatting' with your Rel. You've inspired many reviewers as well as authors!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet to invite me, Debra! It was fun to be "on the other side", so to speak.
ReplyDeleteAs for ketchup, we call it Tomato Sauce, and while I personally don't put it in my chip buttes, I do dip chips in sauce when I get the chance.
What a fun interview. I remember meeting you, Deb! While I haven't eaten chips in bread, I have scoffed down Twisties in a bread roll! Now that's a true Aussie delight. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou haven't had a chip butte, Dotti? Ever? Haven't had Twisties in a bread roll since high school ;-)
DeleteThanks for stopping in and also for comparing Aussie goodies! It would be fun to see what I eat that completely confounds you!
DeleteLovely interview, ladies! Just popping in to say hello. 🙂
ReplyDeleteHello, friend!! Thanks for waving xo
DeleteHi Katie! thanks for stopping in. I can't assume you two have met. Australia is a BIG country (of course you almost all live along within a couple of hours from the coast, right? ) :)
DeleteI should have prepared PAVLOVA, right?
Haha! We certainly haven't met by accident, since we live about 1,000km apart (just over 600 miles) but I just spent a lovely weekend with Rel earlier this month :-)
DeletePavlova is definitely popular here, but our Kiwi neighbours would be quick to point out it's just one of the many things we've pilfered from them and claimed as our own! Right up there with Russell Crowe. ;-)
So fun. Loved this interview as I often look for Relz Reviews! I totally agree about the spoilers!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have made my day, Family K! Have a lovely one :)
DeleteFamily K... thanks for commenting! Any friend of Rel's is automatically a special guest as well!
DeleteSo nice to meet you, Rel! Fabulous interview.
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Susanne :)
Delete