28th
Apr
Apr
Today I’m really excited to start with my new monthly
post ‘Book Bloggers Talk’. As a book blogger I’m very curious about my fellow
book bloggers and I really want to know the people I share such a passion with a little more. So as of today, every month, I will be interviewing another book blogger
about their blog, their favorite reads etc.
For my first ‘Book Bloggers Talk’ I’m super excited to
have Candace Robinson on my blog. Candace is the owner of Candace’s Book Blog
and the promotions company CBB Promotions. Since starting my own blog I’ve come
to know Candace as a lovely, kind, fun and passionate blogger and my blog just wouldn’t
be the same if I hadn’t known her. So let’s get to know more about Candace! 😀
have Candace Robinson on my blog. Candace is the owner of Candace’s Book Blog
and the promotions company CBB Promotions. Since starting my own blog I’ve come
to know Candace as a lovely, kind, fun and passionate blogger and my blog just wouldn’t
be the same if I hadn’t known her. So let’s get to know more about Candace! 😀
The Talk:
Tell me a little more about yourself?
My name is Candace, I’m a mother to two kids and live in
the beautiful Pacific Northwest in candacestravelblog.com. I
LOVE exploring places and am very lucky to live in a place where I can see
gorgeous mountains, rivers, lakes, rainforests and the ocean. All within a few
hours drive.
the beautiful Pacific Northwest in candacestravelblog.com. I
LOVE exploring places and am very lucky to live in a place where I can see
gorgeous mountains, rivers, lakes, rainforests and the ocean. All within a few
hours drive.
Washington State. I’m originally from
Sturgis, SD. I love to read, garden and spend time with my family and two dogs.
I’m also in training to be a Crystal Energy Healer and am getting my
certification. I’m learning a LOT of science about rocks and energy and it’s
fascinating! I’m also at travel blogger at
When did you learn about your passion for books?
I grew up in an extremely religious family. We didn’t
have a TV, radio or any sort of entertainment. So I read. A lot. I read so much
that my dad sometimes grounded me from my books.
have a TV, radio or any sort of entertainment. So I read. A lot. I read so much
that my dad sometimes grounded me from my books.
Which book was your childhood favorite?
I think maybe it was A Little Princess. I reread that
book many times and there was something about it that really connected with me.
I absolutely loved how she handled her situation even when things were at the
very worse for her.
book many times and there was something about it that really connected with me.
I absolutely loved how she handled her situation even when things were at the
very worse for her.
Which book (or books) is your favorite right now?
Technically this is probably impossible to really answer
but for the past 10 years I’ve been saying the Kushiel’s Legacy books by
Jacqueline Carey. If I were left on a deserted island I could survive with just
a few of her books. They are epic fantasy and definitely adult and they really
go as dark as books could possibly go, but there’s just something so beautiful
about them. How these characters can somehow survive these situations that
really aren’t very survivable. I just am completely wow’ed by them and highly
recommend to every fantasy reader out there.
but for the past 10 years I’ve been saying the Kushiel’s Legacy books by
Jacqueline Carey. If I were left on a deserted island I could survive with just
a few of her books. They are epic fantasy and definitely adult and they really
go as dark as books could possibly go, but there’s just something so beautiful
about them. How these characters can somehow survive these situations that
really aren’t very survivable. I just am completely wow’ed by them and highly
recommend to every fantasy reader out there.
What’s your favorite book genre?
High fantasy, or epic fantasy. It’s my favorite genre
because I truly escape the real world through them. They do tend to have a lot
of dark bits and so I get all the feels from them. But they are hard to read
and I like to spread them out so I don’t get too stressed.
because I truly escape the real world through them. They do tend to have a lot
of dark bits and so I get all the feels from them. But they are hard to read
and I like to spread them out so I don’t get too stressed.
Do you prefer paperbacks or eBooks? And why?
I will always love a real book. They smell good, they
feel good, they look good. I love them on my shelves. But I’ve been appreciating
my kindle more in the past few months. It’s easier to store books on but it’s
also easier to hold and carry around.
feel good, they look good. I love them on my shelves. But I’ve been appreciating
my kindle more in the past few months. It’s easier to store books on but it’s
also easier to hold and carry around.
How many books do you read in a week?
About 3, I think. I used to read a book a day but in the
past couple years I’ve cut back so I have time for my business.
past couple years I’ve cut back so I have time for my business.
When did you decide to become a book blogger? And when
did you start your book blog?
did you start your book blog?
I started my blog in the fall of 2008 just a few months
before my son was born. I started it just to keep track of what I was reading
but that was the time of the big book blogging boom and it quickly turned into
much more. I had been on Shelfari for a few years before that where I ran a few
different groups. So I felt like I already had my foot in it all and many of
those people are book bloggers today. I started my blog at the same time (close
to it anyway) as Lori at Pure Imagination and Angela at Reading Angel (she’s no
longer blogging). We were good friends on Shelfari and it’s carried on into the
blogging world.
before my son was born. I started it just to keep track of what I was reading
but that was the time of the big book blogging boom and it quickly turned into
much more. I had been on Shelfari for a few years before that where I ran a few
different groups. So I felt like I already had my foot in it all and many of
those people are book bloggers today. I started my blog at the same time (close
to it anyway) as Lori at Pure Imagination and Angela at Reading Angel (she’s no
longer blogging). We were good friends on Shelfari and it’s carried on into the
blogging world.
What do you love most about book blogging?
The people. I love working with authors and publishers
and the whole community but I really love the other bloggers and having this
opportunity to share the books I love with other like-minded people.
and the whole community but I really love the other bloggers and having this
opportunity to share the books I love with other like-minded people.
On your blog, you not only post reviews and interviews
with authors etc., but you also write about other bookish and life relating
stuff. Where do you get the inspiration for writing your posts?
with authors etc., but you also write about other bookish and life relating
stuff. Where do you get the inspiration for writing your posts?
Hmmmm… Life, I guess. I usually get inspired by
something that is happening or an experience I have. I use to have a ton of
different things to talk about but lately I feel I’ve been so busy my mind is
just blank.
something that is happening or an experience I have. I use to have a ton of
different things to talk about but lately I feel I’ve been so busy my mind is
just blank.
How do you plan your time for your blog? And how much
time do you spend on your blog?
time do you spend on your blog?
I use to be booked out for many weeks. These days I’m
often writing up my post the night before. I no longer let it stress me out. If
I don’t have something I let it go and don’t let myself get upset or worried.
Since my business kind of crosses paths with my blogging it’s hard to sometimes
differentiate what time is spent on what. But when it comes to blogging
networking is important. I comment for about an hour most days on up to about
20 different blogs. Most posts only take me about 20-40 minutes to write but sometimes
longer. I guess maybe about 2 hours a day?
often writing up my post the night before. I no longer let it stress me out. If
I don’t have something I let it go and don’t let myself get upset or worried.
Since my business kind of crosses paths with my blogging it’s hard to sometimes
differentiate what time is spent on what. But when it comes to blogging
networking is important. I comment for about an hour most days on up to about
20 different blogs. Most posts only take me about 20-40 minutes to write but sometimes
longer. I guess maybe about 2 hours a day?
You’re not only a book blogger, but you also have your
own book promotion business. Did you always know that you wanted to start that
business? And how did you get the word out for authors to find you?
own book promotion business. Did you always know that you wanted to start that
business? And how did you get the word out for authors to find you?
I didn’t always know. I didn’t know at all until an
author I had read and was devoted to suggested I try it. She was impressed with
how well I did with spreading the word about the books I loved and I had
already convinced a bunch of people to read her books. She told me I was a
natural and she helped with the start of the business. Honestly, I don’t
remember ever having trouble getting the word out. I think it’s all been word
of mouth. Once authors work with me they tell other authors and on it goes.
I’ve always had more business than I could possibly take on.
author I had read and was devoted to suggested I try it. She was impressed with
how well I did with spreading the word about the books I loved and I had
already convinced a bunch of people to read her books. She told me I was a
natural and she helped with the start of the business. Honestly, I don’t
remember ever having trouble getting the word out. I think it’s all been word
of mouth. Once authors work with me they tell other authors and on it goes.
I’ve always had more business than I could possibly take on.
In the last couple of years reading became less popular
than it was (according to the media),and children these days don’t read as much
as earlier generations did. What do you think of this development?
than it was (according to the media),and children these days don’t read as much
as earlier generations did. What do you think of this development?
It’s sad. And frustrating. I know that it’s hard to get
my own kids to read because they want to watch TV and YouTube and play video
games. I didn’t have a TV, YouTube or video games so I read. But I don’t know
what we can do other than just try to get books for our kids that they are
genuinely interested in. Ones that look and sound so good they can’t
resist.
my own kids to read because they want to watch TV and YouTube and play video
games. I didn’t have a TV, YouTube or video games so I read. But I don’t know
what we can do other than just try to get books for our kids that they are
genuinely interested in. Ones that look and sound so good they can’t
resist.
You’re a mom. Are your children also readers and do you
inspire them to read?
inspire them to read?
They are readers. But I still struggle. My daughter (10)
reads a lot at school (according to her teacher she’s ALWAYS reading) but at
home she doesn’t want to. So I’m not sure if it’s just her age right now or
not. But she has plenty of books to choose from. My son is 6 and so he’s just
learning to read right now. I think it helps that I get books for review so
they have fresh and new books to read all the time. Of course there’s the
library too.
reads a lot at school (according to her teacher she’s ALWAYS reading) but at
home she doesn’t want to. So I’m not sure if it’s just her age right now or
not. But she has plenty of books to choose from. My son is 6 and so he’s just
learning to read right now. I think it helps that I get books for review so
they have fresh and new books to read all the time. Of course there’s the
library too.
Some book bloggers out there are also inspiring writers.
Do you also write?
Do you also write?
I use to. When I was a teen I wrote ALL the time. I
filled up notebooks weekly. In Fourth grade I write a 40 page story about My
Little Pony. That was my first ‘novel’. In 6th grade I won a poetry contest and
it was published in a book. In high school my writing became more random, just
scribblings really. And then as an adult I mostly let it go. I’ve had some
periods here and there were I wrote and at one time I was having a dream over
and over that was supposed to be a book. But I just couldn’t seem to do it. I
had young kids then and it just didn’t come out right. Since then I’ve realized
I’m not cut out to be an author. At least not at this time.
filled up notebooks weekly. In Fourth grade I write a 40 page story about My
Little Pony. That was my first ‘novel’. In 6th grade I won a poetry contest and
it was published in a book. In high school my writing became more random, just
scribblings really. And then as an adult I mostly let it go. I’ve had some
periods here and there were I wrote and at one time I was having a dream over
and over that was supposed to be a book. But I just couldn’t seem to do it. I
had young kids then and it just didn’t come out right. Since then I’ve realized
I’m not cut out to be an author. At least not at this time.
What would you advise be for beginning book bloggers?
Network. I see this all the time. Bloggers start a blog
and then get frustrated because they don’t get any traffic. You truly have to
work for it. It’s hard work. It’s time consuming. But it’s necessary. Start
commenting on other blogs. Make sure to read their post and leave a thoughtful
comment that truly reflects what you read and what you think. Be friendly and
nice. Keep returning to that blog daily (or for each new post) and comment.
Usually they will visit back but if they don’t then just keep looking. Keep
doing it as much as you can. Over the years I’ve grown my ‘circle’ and have
about 20 blogs I visit regularly. Some of them aren’t daily but many are. And
they comment back on my blog. It can take some time though. Be patient. Also
make sure you have interesting content. I think posting cover reveals, teasers,
memes, etc are fine but I like to have a review as often as possible. If you
don’t or can’t review often then don’t post as often. I prefer to *try* to have
a review for every other post.
and then get frustrated because they don’t get any traffic. You truly have to
work for it. It’s hard work. It’s time consuming. But it’s necessary. Start
commenting on other blogs. Make sure to read their post and leave a thoughtful
comment that truly reflects what you read and what you think. Be friendly and
nice. Keep returning to that blog daily (or for each new post) and comment.
Usually they will visit back but if they don’t then just keep looking. Keep
doing it as much as you can. Over the years I’ve grown my ‘circle’ and have
about 20 blogs I visit regularly. Some of them aren’t daily but many are. And
they comment back on my blog. It can take some time though. Be patient. Also
make sure you have interesting content. I think posting cover reveals, teasers,
memes, etc are fine but I like to have a review as often as possible. If you
don’t or can’t review often then don’t post as often. I prefer to *try* to have
a review for every other post.
Links:
Curious about Candace’s Book Blog? Please visit her
lovely blog here. For more information about CBB Promotions please visit the
website here, and find more information about upcoming tours and more.
I would like to thank Candace for being on my first ‘Book
Bloggers Talk’.
You rock girl 😉
Thank you for visiting Maureen’s Books!
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Interview with Author A.J. Trevors
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Cassandra Piat
Book Bloggers Talk: Nikita Johri
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Tracy Kincaid
Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
Thank you so much for having me on! It was a ton of fun and I'm so honored to be featured!
You're very welcome! Thank YOU for being a part of it. I loved it 😀
What a fun feature! And so happy to see Candace featured – love her! 🙂
Thank you! It was so fun to do this interview 😀
Great interview! So nice getting to know a little bit more about the person behind the blog!
Thank you!! There's nothing like book talk 😀 Thanks for stopping by!