We settled with coffee and a huge cake and had a chat.
Carol, what made you decide to start a book review blog?
I was looking for book suggestions to read and came across a book blog. I didn't even know what a blog was until that moment. I started following a few and decided I too wanted to share my love of books with others. So began the "little" book blog. I thought it would just be reviews and a bit of family news.
What type of book keeps you turning the pages and up all night?
Funny novels, like your novels Amanda, (ooh, I didn't even pay her to say that!) and well researched and written historical fiction/romance. I like a book that homes in on my kind of humour and can make me laugh out loud. I also like a book that can transport me back in time and teach me more about history.
As an avid reader and reviewer, would you ever put pen to paper yourself?
I would love to write my own novel. Historical romance or chicklit. I am a big history fan and would love to spend days, weeks, months researching for an historical novel. I have ideas for stories. My chicklit would be chicklit 40+, but if I draw on my own experiences it may be too much like those true life weepies LOL!
What type of books make you want to chuck them at the wall?
Celebrity books of any kind, autobiographies, biographies, ghost written novels.
I couldn't agree more - I'm sick to the teeth of every Tom, Dick and Harry 'writing' a book and nailing a publishing deal just because of who they are. Where do they end up? In the bargain bucket, where they belong! Bitter? Me? Yep!
So how do you tactfully say you hated a book? Or do you say it as it is?
If I don't like a book, I won't review it online anywhere. I don't believe in picking holes in an author's work. It may appeal to other folks. If it was a book sent to me for review I will let the author or publisher know why I didn't personally like it.
That's the sort of reviewer us writers love! Our books are our babies, try to treat us and them kindly - and as you say, it may not be the book for you but plenty of others may love it.
It's been great to have a reader/reviewer on the blog today - check Carol out on Twitter @DizzyCLBB and on her FaceBook page. Why not also check out her blog and take a look at the books she's read and what she thinks of them?
Next week I welcome my good friend and fellow Indie MICHELLE BETHAM and we have quite a giggle together as we nip off to fantasy land!
***** NEWSFLASH *****
I'm about to start on the joint edit of my Christmas novella which is due for release at the end of October. I'm also completing re-writes for my next full length novel which will hit the virtual shelves mid-December.
MICHELLE BETHAM is on her final read-through of 'Extra Time', the sequel to 'Striker', and it should be available to download any time soon.
GILLI ALLAN has released her latest novel 'FLY OR FALL': “Will the allure of the unknown ever overcome the fear of stepping away from solid ground?” Now on Kindle at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. Check out her author page to find out more about her other books. Gilli will be chatting with me here at FUNKY FRIDAY 28th March.
