I’ve been in touch with Laura for a while now. I can’t actually remember how I first came across her blog, but now I’m a regular reader. She’s helped me out heaps of times with book and short story promos. Laura loves books, and I’ve found dozens of short stories and novels to read all because of her blog: FUONLYKNEW: Laura’s Ramblins and Reviews.I asked her if she’d like to answer some questions and she was game.
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Can you tell us a little about yourself and your blog FUONLYKNEW: Laura’s Ramblins and Reviews
Well, I’m not exciting. I’m a single mother living on the Gulf Coast with my teenaged son. I work as an auto detailer, cleaning the interior of some really nasty cars. It’s very physical and exhausting work and I’m getting to old for it:)
I love reading, playing with me dog, Quigley, fencing words with my son, and spending time in the pool.
My blog is an escape. It’s something all my own. I express my thoughts, spread the word about great books and have met some wonderful bloggers, a few of which are now my friends and I’d love to meet face to face some day. Giveaways are a fun way to get a book I want to read and to get a book into an eager reader’s hands, so I do a lot of them. My favorite part of blogging is the comments. Everytime I see one in my inbox, I rush over to see what was said. I’ll continue to blog. It’s now a part of my life, an important part.
Blogging is definitely an escape for me too. My own virtual space! And I love the name Quigley for your dog. Do you have a second blog, or another blog you contribute to?
Yes, I contribute reviews to the blog AKAQ, short for http://aknifeandaquill.com We review and promote horror books. If someone doesn’t die, we don’t want it! lol
Good to know! How did you get into blogging?
About a year and a half ago, on a whim, I joined twitter. That led me to Goodreads, and then I started a blog. I’ve kept it simple and small, not out to make a big splash. I just love talking about books I’ve read and enjoy helping to promote them and the wonderful authors that keep me sane!
Do you ever get tired of seeing queries from authors in your inbox and want to scream, “Bloody authors, leave me alone”?
I only get frustrated because I can’t accept them all. I never thought I’d get so many and just wish I could accept every one. In this digital world, there are so many authors out there struggling to be heard, and I’d love to review them all, but, I do work for a living and there will never be enough time to read them all.
Do you have a favourite genre?
Oh Yeah! Horror. It has always been my favorite genre. I like being scared, whether it’s a serial killer, some supernatural being, or a scenario that could really happen. I love creatures the most. I eat horror novels like Doritos, which are part of my required reading tools.
What are the main book genres you get review requests for?
I get many different ones, but I’d say most of them are fantasy/paranormal, apocalyptic,horror,contemporary, suspense/thriller. Wow, now that I’ve written this down, I’m surprised.
What authors, alive or dead would you like to go for dinner and cocktails with?
That’s easy. Dean Koontz and Stephen King. I’d like to sit with them and start telling a story together. Each of us taking a turn. Bet that would lead in an interesting direction. As the cocktails flowed, it’d get really out there, not that these guys don’t go there often:)
I wouldn’t mind being a guest at that dinner party. What is the best way for authors to approach bloggers with review and promo requests?
I can’t speak for others, but the most important thing for me is, use my name. I get many requests that never mention my name and look like spam and start with thing’s like “Hey!” That’s not my name. Now, if I know ya, that’s different:) A brief synopsis and links to find the book are appreciated and save me time when I check to see if I might be interested. Also, hop over to my blog and read my review policy. Everything you need to know is there:)
You hear that authors? Address the blogger in your query. How much of your life does blogging and reading and reviewing take up? Do you ever have moments where you want to shut it down?
A huge chunk! I usually log in each morning and take care of emails and make sure my scheduled posts are up. Then it’s off to work. When I get home, I take time to eat and get comfortable, and jump back on my computer. I’ll take a break and watch some TV but always check my emails before going to bed.
The best times are when I don’t have to go in to work. I take advantage of free days to do a bunch of my blog drafts. I do less on the weekends and enjoy doing yardwork and reading by the pool. I’ve never felt an urge to quit blogging, but I have felt overwhelmed sometimes.
If you could be a character in any book, who would you be and why? 
I’m so glad you asked me this! I’d be Elisabeth Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. I want to kiss Mr. Darcy!
Fun little questions:
Favourite book of 2013:
Each new one I get!
Tea or coffee?
Both. I love my coffee, but also like a cuppa tea now and then, expecially iced tea in the afternoon.
Wine or beer?
Wine, for sure. I like the drier Australian wines, but a good dark ale is tasty too. Especially on a hot day.
Favourite TV show of all time:
That’s a tough one. I’ll stick with more recent ones. The Closer and Eureka. Sadly, they’ve both ended, so now I’m shopping for something new. I do love Criminal Minds.
Favourite Films:
Oh wow. So many! Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Stephen King’s IT and Salem’s Lot. Also love the Alien and Predator movies.
Country/city you’d most like to visit in the world?
Ireland and Scotland. They look so beautiful and there’s so much history. Plus, a lot of my blogging pals live there:)
In a zombie apocalypse, what would be your weapon of choice?
A shotgun and a sword. The shotgun for a horde and the sword for up close. Also some really good shoes so I can run fast!
3 of your favourite blogs:
I follow so many my email explodes every day. Besides yours:) there’s
Sherry at her new site http://www.fundinmental.com
It’s not cheating because she’s my sister is it? We like to tag team our reviews and we are so different.
Ella at http://ellamedler.wordpress.com
She always cracks me up and she’s written some awesome books.
For her beautiful posts, with wonderful pictures, great music and exciting excerpts from her Light-Bearer Series, Emily at http://emilyguido.com
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Thanks to Laura for answering all my questions. I think she’d be feisty as Elisabeth Bennett and well able to handle the arrogant but gorgeous Mr. Darcy. 🙂 I didn’t realise Sherry’s site was up yet; I’m going to pop over there now to say hello. She’s another cool book blogger. I think Laura and I would get along great in real life chilling out with a glass of wine and talking books, TV shows and horror films.
I recommend you all hop over to Laura’s blog and show her some support. If you’re a reader, you’re sure to find lots of new books to add to that pesky TBR list. If you’re a writer, check out what you can do to snag a spot on Laura’s site.
TGIF. Have a great weekend everyone.
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Emma's Ramblings on Supernatural Fiction 
Loved this interview. I’ve been reading Laura’s blog regularly. I have a question for Laura. Do you read much “soft-core” or “quiet horror” and how do you feel about it since your favorite genre is horror? Do you find that if you read a horror novel, if it lacks the traditional violence or aggressions you expect, are you disappointed? I ask because I have a novel that is in the horror category because it’s supernatural, but it does not have a violent or graphic aspects to it. I’m concerned that horror genre readers want the hard core stuff and my novel doesn’t fulfill expectations. Thanks!
Hi Paula.
To answer your question, I read soft-core or quiet horror. I think individual people have different expectations for horror. I am never really disappointed if a horror novel is as you say, soft. I usually check out the free sample on Amazon and read the description before I buy. You can usually tell how graphic or violent it is within a few pages. If potential readers check a few reviews, that usually will tell them what type of horror they should expect. But that’s just me.
Thanks for stopping by, Paula.
Loved this interview with Laura! I love her blog! I found her through her sister’s blog, Fundinmental. I find myself surprised that she has loved my books since I don’t write horror and this is clearly her favorite genre! If I’d stumbled across her blog, I probably would not have requested a review, because I would’ve assumed my genre was not her thing. Glad I was wrong! And so glad I found her! Love hearing about a blogger for a change. It’s fun to hear all the insights into her thoughts and feelings about books and blogging! Thanks Laura! And thanks Emma! Great interview!
Hi Taylor. Thanks so much for your sweet words! I can’t help but think about Paula’s question about soft or quiet horror. I believe that is what you could say Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle are to some readers. There are so many wonderful authors out there and I’ve opened myself up to some genres I don’t normally read. I’m now eager to read all genres with the exceptional writing I’ve been tasting.
Looking forward to having you on my blog Taylor:)
Yes, Sherry’s blog is great too.
It’s great to hear from a book blogger’s side. Laura puts so much time and effort into her posts. Blogging can almost be a full-time job at times.
Thanks Emma and Laura for an awesome interview. Very entertaining. Thanks so much for mentioning me. I can just see you two sitting with Koontz and King dreaming up stories. LOL
Makes you wonder what we’d end up with, especially after a few toddies!
Yep, a few toddies would loosen the tongue. 🙂
What a great interview! I can’t imagine the work that goes into being a book reviewer.
Laura, I was excited to see that both It and Salem’s Lot are two of your favorite movies. They’re two of mine as well. I’ve watched both over and over again (although it has to be the original Salem’s Lot, not the remake!). Oh–and I love the name Quigley for your dog. Great to meet you!
Nice to meet you too Mae.
I agree, the original Salem’s Lot is the best. I’d like to see them make a movie from King’s The Regulators story. They did Desperation but Regulators would be awesome.Another I’d like to see made into a movie is Breathless by Koontz.
I got the name Quigley from the movie, Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck.
I remember my Dad saying he was so freaked out by watching Salem’s Lot back in the day he couldn’t move from the couch. 🙂
Awesome interview guys! Love the horror genre as well. Dean Koontz is one of my faves. Have you been checking out te TV show, The Following? Very suspenseful and lots of killings 🙂 Criminal Minds is my fave though. I’ve got a mad crush in Dr. Reid 🙂
Howdy!
I watched Criminal Minds Wednesday and they finally had the follow up with Reid and his potential girlfriend. I cried! Reid is my fav too and he reminds me of my son. I’ll have to check out The Following. Thanks
Thanks so much for having me on your blog Emma. This was a new and exciting experience for me. I hardly recognize myself and I wrote the answers! That happens with my reviews sometimes. I go back later and read them and think, “I wrote that!” Guess it’s all about letting my hair down and going with it!
I’m going to have to interview you now!!!
Someday, I’d love to sit down with you and have that glass of wine:)
You’re very welcome. It was great to learn more about you.
And I’m delighted Sherry’s new site is up and running.
We’ll have the wine someday, you can count on it.
I loved reading this interview with Laura. It’s always nice when someone (such as you, Emma) takes the time to really talk to and find out about a blogger, and what makes them tick. Thank you, Emma. Such a great post.
As for authors taking the time to find out the blogger’s name before bombarding them with any sort of request, I completely agree as this is something that truly drives me nuts. I never e-mail anyone without knowing their name, so can’t understand why some don’t bother to browse our blogs and do the same.
Anyway, I’m glad I was finally able to leave a comment! I tried a few times this morning, and nothing.
May you continue to have many happy years of blogging, Laura. We have good and bad moments, but at the end of it all, there are most good than bad ones. 🙂
I loved reading this interview with Laura. It’s always nice when someone (such as you, Emma) takes the time to really talk to and find out about a blogger, and what makes them tick. Thank you, Emma. Such a great post.
As for authors taking the time to find out the blogger’s name before bombarding them with any sort of request, I completely agree as this is something that truly drives me nuts. I never e-mail anyone without knowing their name, so can’t understand why some don’t bother to browse our blogs and do the same.
Anyway, I’m glad I was finally able to leave a comment! I tried a few times this morning, and got nowhere fast.
May you continue to have many happy years of blogging, Laura. We have good and bad moments, but at the end of it all, there are most definitely more good than bad ones. 🙂
Thanks so much Sandra. I don’t plan on slwoing down any time soon!
OMW, Emma. Now it posts two with the first one being the one that wasn’t ready to be posted! Sorry. See? I’ve been having problem today leaving comments.
Lol, Sandra. Thanks for the comments. 🙂
I’ll have to interview you soon. Yeah, I get people emailing me with requests with a “hey” or not even a “hey” sometimes. I have to stop and ask myself is a particular email just spam.
I really appreciate book bloggers like yourself and Laura.
I see all is back to normal today on my side! You’re welcome, even thought it does look like I was spamming you. LOL
That exactly what happens. Once, I even went so far as to tell the person that my name is all over my blog and that it’s Sandra. Guess what? He just said, “Hey <—-, cool, thanks." Lmao. I gave up after that.
Thanks, Emma. 🙂
Spam away, Sandra. 🙂
I can’t believe it took me this long to catch up with my fellow bloggers. But now I got my inbox to under 250 (from almost 700) I can spare the time again. 🙂 And what better way to spend my time than catch up with people I honestly admire.
Laura, Sherry, Emma, Emily, as soon as I can afford it, you’re all receiving tickets. We must meet! I require hugs! ❤
700? I’d just keep hitting the Delete button!
I so want to meet all you gals in real life. Where does everyone live? I’m in Ireland, Ella are you in the UK?
Yup. Cornwall.
I’m in the US. That’s why I keep saying I want to travel over the pond. My best buddies are over there!
Wouldn’t it be grand!! You never know:)
About the email. Mine is down to 300! I am so behind and I haven’t answered many reveiw requests yet. So don’t have enough time in the day!
Love all of you guys!!!
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