You might have noticed that the first two reviews here at Debuts & Reviews were not written by me. I have cohorts!
I have been following Superwench’s blog since 2006, when I “met” her during one of Rachel Vater’s query contests. She is my beta reader, and has read both of my novels (I’m still waiting to read hers). I noticed that she was reading a lot of things that I was announcing. Since almost exactly the same thing happened with Raven, I invited her to review here.
Superwench–aka Katie–has tastes that are very similar to mine, so expect her to read things that I can’t get to, and then for me to leave comments saying things like, “Oooh, I wish I read this!”
In the meantime, I continue to count on Raven to read the darker, grittier stuff that I don’t go for. She’s no huge fan of urban fantasy either, but she reads them occasionally enough for the purposes of this blog. She also reads horror. She has an aversion to romance, which is okay because a little romance is just fine by me. One of the things I appreciate about Raven is I almost have to give her no instructions. She models her posts very similar to mine, even using the same tagging scheme without my asking her to. Therefore, all I have to do is slap a cover image on it and post it. She is so very easy to work with! Raven occasionally blogs as well.
Please welcome them aboard!
A while back, on Fantasy Debut, I put up a post asking for an urban fantasy reviewer. And although I had many kind responses, my heart wasn’t in it. Urban Fantasy just isn’t my thing, and I really had little desire to cover it, especially since so many of them run right smack into my red flags. (Demonic/angelic/vampiric lovers–ugh! I prefer my male heroes to be actual men.) I will continue to showcase any debuts that I hear about, of course.
Blogroll Stuff
I have added a few blogs to my “Longtime Readers” category. I am still adding people; it’s going to be a work in progress.
I am also looking for some recommendations for blogs that cover the Mystery, Christian and Historical Fiction genres. Some of the things I look for when I consider adding a blog to my blogroll:
- Lack of long rants. I don’t mind rants, as long as they’re short and succinct. If I see a lot of long rants, I won’t be interested in adding it.
- Not cluttered by ads. I don’t mind some ads. But if the sidebars consist of nothing but ads, I probably won’t link it.
- Has a blogroll. I’m interested in linking to blogs that might reciprocate.
And that’s about it. Know of any good ones?
Aww! Thanks for the link!
Urban fantasy…. would this include the following?
Drowned City by Amanda Downum – she is a new author.
I’ve reviewed it 🙂 I like urban fantasy. Can’t quite remember my blogroll though… Loving this blog.
Yay to cohorts!
Hi, Yunaleska, and thanks! I’ve seen you at Kimber An’s blog, haven’t I? Thanks for the tip on Drowned City; I haven’t covered that one yet. I don’t think it qualifies as urban fantasy because it isn’t contemporary and isn’t set in our world. Which means I would probably enjoy reading it.
Yup, seen you on Kimber An’s blog too. Ahh…I still haven’t got to grips with all the different sub-genres. I just know that I enjoy what I read!
Thanks for the shout-out, Tia. 🙂 At this point I blog very, very occasionally (the phrase “almost never” springs to mind). I really need to make time to put up a post I’ve had pending for months.
I enjoy being part of Debuts & Reviews. Welcome, Superwench/Katie!
Here is my very favorite mystery blog.
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/
Danna is a GREAT host. She’s a bit like you; only the occasional personal post, a few rants, but not many, just a friendly place to stop by. Great place to hear about new books and old favorites. I comment over there so you can tell her that I sent you.
:>)
Maria
Thanks for the welcome, Raven! I’ve always loved reading this blog, so it’s nice to be on board.
As it happens, I read The Drowned City back in August. I clicked on over and read your review of it, Yunaleska. I’m glad you liked it. For me, it was one of those books which I felt like I should like, but I didn’t for some reason. All the elements for a good book were there, but I just couldn’t get into it. I can’t put my finger on why.
I couldn’t click over to your blog, Yunaleska! Your name has no link! How did Superwench do it? I’ll have to find you at Star Captain’s Daughter.
I don’t remember how I found it. Oh, wait…Yeah, I do. I had just finished reading the comments over here, and then I went to Lisa Shearin’s blog, and Yunaleska had commented over there. That’s how I did it.
Hey, thanks for the continued linkage. I only read/follow because I find your information and opinions extremely useful, and the atmosphere overtly friendly. It’s good to know you don’t find me rant-y.
You’re welcome, and thanks yourself! I guess I should explain why I blogrolled those who I did. I blogrolled the blogs that send me lots of traffic, and the blog owners who I know through comments. I left some rather inactive-looking blogs off the list, and I am by no means finished.