One of our reviewers interview Jasmyn

We have just a few interviews left. This one is from Jasmyn. She has been with us for a few months and is new to romance. *sonrt* She might be new to romance but she's been really going at reading them since she came on board the pack. LOL.

Now.... Let me see I believe Emi is up next... Yes, she will be on the next few days. Then we have Artemis. Oh where, oh where art thou Artemis? I hear crickets.... Don't you hear crickets? Oh yeah, those are definitely crickets I hear. I might have to bring out the whip before we see her interview. LOL.

Anyhow, everyone please welcome Jasmyn!

First off please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

I am a 33 year old mother of 2 (9yr old daughter and 1 yr old son).  My 9yr old daughter is big into ballet and we participate in a fairly large production of the NutCracker every year.  We are currently eagerly anticipating the announcement of who got what parts.  I work full time in accounting at a community college so reading is my creative escape from life.  I am a lover of cats – or anything else that purrs and snuggles on a cold night. 

Besides reading what do you like to do in your spare time?

When not working, hanging out with the family, or reading you can find me in front of a computer playing MMORPGs (massively multi-player online roleplaying games for the non-nerds among us) or trying my hand at a new cross stitch pattern.  I probably have dozens that I’m within a few days of finishing and never quite do those last little bits.

What the hardest thing to do when it comes to reviewing a book?

I sometimes have a hard time not raving about my favorite part of the book that gives the whole story away.  I can’t stand spoilers in reviews and do everything I can to avoid them in my own.  There are also some feelings I get from books that are difficult to describe in a way that I like.

The biggest thing for me is a books ability to take me away – even if just for a moment.  I’m bit on complex characters and relationships, so I love series that leave you just wanting to know more.

What are some of your favorite authors?

R.A. Salvatore

Margaret Weis

Tracy Hickman

Maggie Shayne

George R.R. Martin

Stephen King

I’m newer to the romance world so I don’t have too many in that genre yet, but the list of urban fantasy and fantasy authors could go on forever.

Questions from Bitten’s Facebook users

Venus Batista- I would ask with so many titles available to them, what is the determining factor in choosing which to read next? :) Always my problem

I try to read in the order I get them – except for series – those I try to read in order as soon as the new one comes out.  I will bypass a title and save it for next time if it just isn’t speaking to me.  I don’t want to give a book a bad review if I’m just not feeling that genre at the moment.

Debra Smith- What things separate your favorite authors from the ones that are just "okay"?

The ability for the story to stay with me after I’ve finished the book.  If I am still thinking about the characters and the story days later then the author quickly becomes a favorite.

Dominique Eastwick -When you review what constituted a 5, 4, 3, etc. in your eyes.

5 star = a book that I know I will want to read over and over again, that will never leave my shelf and I am really excited to own.

4 star = a book that I might read over again, am very excited to have read the first time, and will never get rid of.

3 star = a book I enjoyed but will probably not read again.  It may or may not stay on the shelves forever depending on many factors (cover, author, series, etc.)

2 star = a book I struggled to finish, but made it through without many major hangups.  I will probably pawn it off on a friend, garage sale, or library book drive the next time I get a chance.

1 star = almost couldn’t finish, something so off in the story or characters that I couldn’t follow or “believe” the story – super poor editing would be included.  I may go out of my way to get it out of my house for good.

J.v. Altharas- What's your length preference? (giggity) How short is too short, how long is too long?

The longer the better – but only if you keep it interesting and real.  As I mentioned earlier, I love series.  Once I get attached to a character or story I never want it to end.  Some of my favorite authors have been known to write single book that are over 500 pages on average and George R.R. Martin has a series of them that are all around 1000 pages each.