Tell me about the person behind the blog?
Hi I’m Lorraine, born and bred in a small village on the outskirts of Bristol and married to my childhood sweetheart Andy we have one son, whose married. I’m the wrong side of 50, but still like to think I’m a lot younger in body and spirt, but my bones tells me a different story. I’ve spent my whole adult life working with people with mental health problems, a grand total of 33 years! So mental health awareness is a subject close to my heart. Family are also a very important part of my life, followed by books. I have always been an avid reader and especially love crime and psychological thrillers.
When did you start blogging and why?
Last year I was off work for 3 months with a hand injury, I spent the time reading one book after another and posting my reviews to Amazon, but I soon got bored and decided to fill my time by creating a book blog, so after much research, tweaking and lots of swearing (I’m not particularly technology minded) The Book Review Café was born. I didn’t really think about where it would lead, I just thought I could have a personal record of the books I really enjoyed all in one place.
What are your proudest moments or achievements todate as a blogger?
I have loads interacting with some of my favourite authors (although yet to meet any), seeing my first quote in a book Between You And Me by Lisa Hall (in case you’re interested), getting approached by authors and publishers begging me (ok a slight exaggeration there!) to review their books. Getting voted for the best new blog award 2016 not that I had a chance of winning being in the same category as the awesome CrimeBookJunkie, there have been so many I could go on and on and……….,
If you had to breakdown the components of your ideal perfect book what would they be?
A book has to catch my attention in the first couple of chapters, it also has to have great characters, well plotted and I love a good twist that is credible, and the darker the plot the better throw in an intriguing serial killer and I’m hooked
What is your favourite genre to read?
I’m definitely a crime and psychological thriller fan I would say 90% of the books I read are of this genre. When I first started my blog I was going to call it the crime book review café, as I knew most of my reviews would be of this genre, but I thought it didn’t sound right so went with the book review café.
If you had to choose 3 books to recommend what would they be?
Block 46 by Johana Gustawsson and Maxim Jakubowski
The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker
The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne
Finally, tell me more about your blog and why we should subscribe
Oh I’m not very good at selling myself but here goes…….I like to think my reviews are fair and honest, if you’re looking for a wide range of reviews the book review café probably isn’t for you (see I told you I wasn’t any good at selling myself) but if you are a crime or psychological thriller you will find plenty of reviews to help you choose your next new book. I also run a very popular feature called #TopFiveThursday where book bloggers talk about their favourite books, authors, and much more. I also have loads of interviews on my blog with different authors which make for an exciting read (there have I made you want to subscribe?)
To follow Lorraine – click the links below:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/57975133-the-book-review-caf
https://www.facebook.com/thebookreviewcafe/ Twitter: @bookreviewcafe
