Thanks so much for joining us! Tell us, how long have you been reviewing and how did you decide on the theme for your blog?
Rosalyn: I first started blogging my book reviews in 2017, so just over 2 years ago. The theme for my blog…well, I ‘borrowed’ it from a really cute older series of books, called The All of a Kind Family”. This works for me because I’m a mom of four daughters. Originally, I intended to blog about a wide variety of things, but…then I discovered book blogging and reviewing, and the rest is history! 😊 I do still throw in the occasional post that is not about books, but sometimes it feels like all I have time for (on the blog) is getting the word out about all these awesome new books!!
Deb: What’s the best part of being a reviewer?
Rosalyn: Well, it’s the books, of course! There’s just nothing like getting the opportunity to read and review so many new books! I also absolutely love it that I’ve had the opportunity to meet (in person!!) several of my favorite authors, and I’m grateful that social media has made it possible to interact with others. And I also love the privilege of being able to tell friends and family members about new releases that I’m excited about.
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| Rosalyn's Roses! |
Rosalyn: Well, again, it’s the books! Because, well, I do have a life outside of reading….sigh. 😉 I tend to find myself overcommitting to reading and reviewing books, because there are just SO MANY talented authors writing absolutely amazing books these days!
Deb: That's what I hear most often. Saying no is tough!
What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
Rosalyn: This is a hard question. 😊 I think it would have to be Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano. This book is definitely a five star book and is one of the best I’ve ever read! The story line was different, unique, and captivating. I also loved the setting, and the heroine. One of my favorite things, though, about this book was the way the author inserted nuggets of truth, little thoughts that made me really think, throughout the story.
What keeps you busy or entertained (beyond reading and reviewing!)?
Rosalyn: I mentioned it up there…I’m a mom of four daughters! And sometimes Mom life is absolutely crazy! Our daughters are ages 11 to 17, which means I stay busy just trying to keep up with all their schedules, school activities, etc.!
I’m not really employed, as such, my current job is working from home doing bookkeeping and various other side jobs.
In addition to these, my husband and I are also active at our church, with one of our responsibilities being youth leaders, and spending time with our youth group.
In my free time, I enjoy doing things with my daughters, including cooking, baking, gardening, and sewing. As a family, we enjoy camping and traveling.
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| Cinnamon buns.... melting in your mouth! Thanks Rosalyn! |
Deb: It sounds wonderful. And crazy!
What is your fiction favorite…setting? Place and time? Genre’?
Rosalyn: Again, another hard question. I love a wide variety of settings. I love reading about small town USA, I love reading stories set in other countries. I like reading contemporary fiction, but I also really love spending time in the past. So, I guess I’ll have to say, I really don’t have a specific favorite.
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CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Cristiane Tondin |
I do really enjoy Suspense, though, and would probably pick that as my favorite genre. But I also really enjoy reading contemporary/women’s fiction, those kinds of books that really make you think about life and the hard issues that we face.
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’m paying with my virtual bank account!
Rosalyn: Give me something clean, a bit of action (but not too graphic), and some romance… But most of all, I'd just love the time to read!
Food? I enjoy eating sushi, but hardly ever get to have it, so I’ll go for that! And then, for dessert, I’d have something rich and chocolatey, probably cheesecake. Or ice cream. (One can never go wrong with ice cream… 😊 )
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CC BY 2.0 Marco Verch Professional Photography, Creative Commons |
If you could wiggle your nose and be in your dream career, what would it be? Or are you already living it?
Rosalyn: I’d love to be a published author of bestselling Christian fiction
Deb: Oh that does sound nice. (ahem!) What piece of advice would you offer authors who are just starting out?
Rosalyn: Wow. Not sure what to say. I guess, that’s partly because I am a wanna-be author myself. I have always dreamed of writing a book…I even have some really great story ideas rolling around in my head…but when I sit down to write, I just don’t know how to get the words out so that it makes sense, or how to make the storyline work. I don’t feel like I have any advice to offer in this department, but I am definitely all ears if someone does!!
Deb: Authors are always interested in what readers have to say, so that's a start. As for writing. Just write garbage or stuff or stream of consciousness from a character. You can't fix a blank page! Start and you might not be able to stop!
Now, advice for new reviewers?
Rosalyn: Put your heart into it! It’s much easier to give a heartfelt review when you read books that you love (obviously this won’t be true about every book). When you write reviews, write it with feeling, imagine yourself telling your friend about the book and why they should read it. Sometimes I feel like I run out of ideas on how to make reviews fresh and interesting, especially for people that visit my blog and see lots of book reviews…then I have to give myself that very pep talk. 😉
Deb: I am a huge fan of reviewers because I find them very intimidating! (writing reviews, not reviewers! Ha!)
Thanks so much for visiting! I hope a lot of new readers find your blog (and follow you on their choice of social media)... and I look forward to your first novel one of these days!
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Thanks so much for taking part in this, Rosalyn! I appreciate it and all your efforts to promote Christian fiction!
ReplyDeleteDebra, Thanks so much for having me, I'm honored to be here!
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