Behind the Blogger: Laurie from Bitten By Paranormal Romance

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 week's guest is Laurie from Bitten By Paranormal Romance. If you haven't checked out this blog before it's a must if you are a fan of paranormal.

1. Why did you become a blogger?
I started reviewing books and wanted a place to add my reviews so I could keep up with them. I really didn’t know what the whole blogger world was at the time.

2. Can you tell me a little bit about your blog?
It’s a blog that’s focused on reviewing adult paranormal romance and erotic paranormal romance.

3. What is your favorite book(s)? Why?
Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. This was the first paranormal book I read with a plus sized heroine and I loved it.

Eternal Pray by Nina Bangs. I love the plot in this series and who would want a real predator like an Utahraptor for a mate LOL.

Blackmailed by Annmarie McKenna. I love m/f/m erotic romance and this one I just fell in love with. It was more the connection between all 3 of them than the story because it’s very, very slim. But sometimes I like to read just for a romantic connection and this one gave me just that.

4. Is there a scene from a book that just stands out to you? What is it?
Yes. It’s from Wings of Fire by Caris Roane. There’s a scene in there where the couple is having sex while in flight. It was my first ever reading something like that and it was awesome!

5. Who are some of your go-to authors?
Maya Banks, Sherrillyn Kenyon and Eve Langlais.

6. What are some of your favorite genres?
Paranormal and Historical romance.

7. When reviewing, do you stick to the books that you normal like to read, or are you more open?
I don’t get much choice in what I read. I mostly read and review what comes for request and I tell you I have found some awesome authors and books, which I would have never tired if I had a choice.

8. What are some of your favorite theme? What about those theme pulls you in?
I like all kinds of themes but I guess the biggest theme that pulls me is a romance with good humor in it. I have a hard time finding a good humor book without it becoming to corny, so when I find one I get sucked in.

9. What was the last book that blew your mind?
Regan Hastings, Visions of Skyfire.

10. Do you have any advice for other aspiring bloggers?
LOL I have tons of advice that I wish I would have known along the way. The thing is if you want to do this as a hobby or more.

• A book review blog is hard work with no pay and the more it grows the more it demands so if you don’t have the time stay small and don’t worry about building up a big following because you’ll find some awesome friends just by posting your reviews.
• If you do have the time to put in a blog and you want your blog to grow, the best way is to join the giveaway blog hops and don’t be skimpy on the giveaways.
• When you first start your blog don’t go out asking authors for books to review, let them come to you. Besides most authors don’t like to be asked because they have been ripped so much by new bloggers that asked and closed their blog. You have to remember this is for them to make money and your review is crucial to them. Again I have to stress this is work.
• Most important when you’re reviewing books don’t bash the author or book just because you didn’t like it… Keep in mind when you read something you don’t like, someone else will, so try to pull out the good in the book and put that in your review. Then be honest why you didn’t like it. The reasoning for no bashing the book or authors is, you really don’t know the time they spent in working with their characters and believe me some characters don’t want to play nice when writing. Odds are the characters good or bad have become part of the author so bashing the book is still bashing the author and come on get real the world is bad enough without taking something you don’t like and make it to where others will not try it. When we review we are just giving our opinion and in saying that you can make or break an author. So be careful in your reviews. I have to admit I have fallen in love with books that other people only rated a 1 or 2 and bashed the author. So don’t be scared to try a book with only a 1 start rating.

11. When you aren't blogging, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I love playing The Sims 3 but at this time I am working on some projects and I don’t play much anymore

Romance in Novellas

Most people freak-out when they see that a book is a Novella. I use to but anymore I love them. Reason, I read for fun no matter how short or long the book. Heck as long as the book makes me feel good after I read it why gripe about it just because it didn’t get into the person’s life or have a huge storyline. Novellas are good for getting some quick hot sex and a quick romantic connection without a huge story or back ground on the characters. These are books you read between your larger books or a book when you just want something quick and on the smutty side. Novellas can be used in so many ways plus they can be fairly cheap. The biggest downside to most is they are not in print and when they are they can be expensive.

If you have never tried novellas but want to, try one of Eve’s Langlas novellas first. Why? Because she writes them funny and very smutty. Plus her heroines are a blast and they get very hot demanding men. You also get a good romantic connection with all of her characters. So don’t fret next time when you see the word novella, just relax and feel the romantic connection and have a little smutty fun.