Winning Blog: Muse Reviews

This week's spotlight falls on
Muse Reviews

Welcome to Meg from Muse Reviews!

What is the purpose of your blog?

To bring honest and detailed reviews to my readers, letting them know what products and items we love as a family, letting them know how they may get their own. I love being able to give away items, as well, giving my sponsors more visibility and also blessing my readers with chances to win fantastic prizes.


It has also opened up a number of doors for me interpersonally. Blogging lets me "meet" so many interesting and fun people, establish professional relationships, as well as gain more information about companies and products we like so much.

How long have you been blogging?

I began blogging in January of 2004 when I found out I was expecting our first child. My original blog was a "baby blog," an online diary or baby book of sorts. As he grew and developed, I added more and more posts....and pretty soon, I saw blogging as an opportunity to tell my readers about products my kids use and enjoy. Thus, review blogging was born, and in 2008, my separate reviews page, Muse Reviews, took off.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I grew up an army brat and a preacher's kid! I am super close to my family and am so fortunate to be able to live near all of them even now. I married my best friend in May 2000, just a week after graduating from college with a degree in psychology. I have occupational background in retail, marketing, and legal assistantship....but above all, I love to write. My husband and I welcomed our first son into the world four years later....and a daughter in 2006. I have been a stay-at-home mom since the summer before our first was born....and love every minute of it.

What are some of your favorite things?

Books? So many! I love non-fiction books by Elisabeth Elliot and Ravi Zacharias. I also adore classics, such as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. I also enjoy military books and movies. Classic films and historically based films are at the top of my movie list. Music I love includes jazz, classical, reggae, classic rock, bluegrass, eclectic (I am so not picky when it comes to music). One of the most beautiful places I've ever traveled to is a jaunt through the New England states. I also enjoy Texas -- Galveston Island and San Antonio are my favs. My dream is to one day visit Scotland and Japan -- though not necessarily on the same trip. :)

Which genre most appeals to you, and why?

Actually, one of my favorite genres of books is memoirs. I love that they "read like fiction" but come straight from the pasts of people's lives. Fascinating. Heartbreaking. Inspiring. Real and raw.

What advice do you have for other book bloggers?
 
For newbies: Begin by reviewing books that are already on your shelves. Books that you can read again and again. Books that spoke to you and that you want to tell the world about. Then pick one or two publishing companies based on offerings....and write them. Let them know you're getting into book blogging and would they mind sending you a few titles to review?


For existing book bloggers: Don't feel like you have to write a positive review for every book. Folks come to your site for honest reviews. And if a book is just full of negatives (or goes against your morals or convictions), it's okay to let the publisher know that you can't review that book and review it honestly.

Most of all, have fun! Getting to read all the time? Not a bad hobby!
Thanks, Meg, for joining us here at Winning Readings today!  I love the advice about beginning by reviewing the books already on your shelves - the ones you love and want to tell the world about.  I think that applies to us all...

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BULLETIN BOARD

No linky today, but be sure to pop by Muse Reviews and say hi!  Nominations for future Winning Blogs are always welcome.

Have a blessed weekend!