Behind the Blogger: Jen from That's What I'm Talking About

Welcome to Behind the Blogger. Behind the Blogger is a feature where I interview and get to know fellow bloggers from different blogs in the blogosphere.

This weeks guest is Jen from That's What I'm Talking About. I was lucky enough to meet Jen at this year's Author's After Dark Conference and she is definitely one of the nicest sweetest persons that I have ever met and she's also a lot of fun to hang around with. I especially enjoyed author "stalking" with her. Though seriously, I am a big fan of her blog and have been following it for over a year now. So if you haven't stopped by That's What I'm Talking About before, make sure to take a look. You won't be sorry.

1. Why did you become a blogger?
I started out blogging because "everyone was doing it." My original idea was to chat about "life," and maybe mention some of the books I was reading at the time. Bells (from Hanging With Bells) was starting her blog about the same time, and so it was sort of a "joint venture" for me.  So after I began writing reviews, and it just took off from there.


2. Can you tell me a little bit about your blog?
That's What I'm Talking About is a book review blog. We mainly feature paranormal romance and urban fantasy. We've also branched out into contemporary romance and historical romances. We also have featured erotica and GLBT romances.  And most any kind of romance. I started the blog, and we now have 5 regular reviewers who help out on a weekly or monthly basis. We also like to promote authors via guest posts and interviews, and if we don't have time to review a book, we are happy to sometimes do special book features. We also LOVE giveaways!


3. What is your favorite book(s)? Why?
This is a tough one. I honestly don't have one favorite book. The Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews is superb. THE IRON DUKE by Meljean Brook was the best book of 2010 and I can't wait to read the next in the series! I loved the ACRO series by Sydney Croft. So far this year, I think my favorite book is SHADOW WALKER by Allyson James.


4. Is there a scene from a book that just stands out to you? What is it?
Yes. One of my all-time favorite scenes comes from the book SEDUCED BY THE STORM by Sydney Croft. (for my review click here) The scene involves a side-character - one that hasn't gotten his "HEA" yet. He is reunited with his true love only to have something major happen. (No spoilers here!) The scene was the perfect blend of physical and emotional detail. It was written with such power - it was intense and touching. I cried in the middle of the gym (I was sweating, no one could tell). Raw emotions...


5. Who are some of your go-to authors?
Meljean Brook. Larissa Ione. Stephanie Tyler. Lara Adrian. Nalini Singh. I have several others - but it is series specific. For example, Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series is an auto-buy, but I don't read her other series, same with Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels) and several others.


6. What are some of your favorite genres? 
I pretty much only read Paranormal Romance.  I enjoy certain Urban Fantasies and the occasional historical or suspense (like Stephanie Tyler's military suspense romances), but I always come back to paranormals. I have always been a sci-fi girl, even as a young adult.


7. When reviewing, do you stick to the books that you normal like to read, or are you more open?
My time is very limited, so I tend to stick with books I would have read even if I wasn't writing a review. Occasionally, I will pick up something different if I have time, but it's hard.


8. What are some of your favorite tropes? What about those tropes pulls you in? 
I don't know that I really have a favorite trope. I can think of ones I don't like (the "I'm so not worthy of her/him so I am not going to listen to the fact that s/he loves me and I'm going to martyr myself and walk away from this relationship" theme bugs the bejesus out of me! But I like things that are new and refreshing... bring it on!


9. What was the last book that blew your mind?
THE IRON DUKE by Meljean Brook. UNBELIEVABLE! She has created the most intense and fascinating world ever - I want to live there! And her story-telling is remarkable.


10. Do you have any advice for other aspiring bloggers?
Write with your heart. Don't be afraid to be different - but be yourself. Take time. Ask lots of questions. Find a blog you really like and contact that blogger to see if s/he can "mentor" you. Use Twitter.


11. When you aren't blogging, what do you like to do in your spare time? 
I have no spare time! LOL. I work part time, have 2 young kids and 2 cats. That alone eats up my time. I do try to blog hop, tweet, and read sometimes, too!


Thank you so much for inviting me to visit today! It was so much fun meeting you in Philly and I hope to see you again soon!  Thanks, Jen


Thank you so much for stopping by Jen. I enjoyed having you =)