Portobello Book Blog

I’m very pleased to welcome Emma Welton to the blog today. She tells me that the lovely picture above was taken on her honeymoon in Las Vegas. Emma blogs at Damp Pebbles and you can find details of that below.

Thanks for agreeing to be part of my Blogger in the Spotlight feature. First of all, would you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi Joanne, it’s my pleasure. 

My name is Emma and I live in Oxfordshire with my husband and two little people aged 5 and 2.  I’m in my, ahem, late-ish 30s and I’m a stay at home mummy.  Before that I worked for Oxford University but that seems a lifetime ago now!   

What books/authors did you enjoy as a child?

I always remember going to the library with my mum when I was young.  It was the smallest library I think I’ve ever seen but it was always a joy to visit.  I loved The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy.  I was delighted to discover that they are still available so look forward to introducing my daughter to Mildred Hubble.  During my early teens I was quite obsessed with Sweet Valley Twins and then Sweet Valley High.  I used to take my SV books to school to share with my friends.  The other author that sticks in my mind was the very controversial Judy Blume.  We all wanted to read ‘Are you there God, it’s me Margaret’, it felt very naughty!

What made you want to start blogging?

I was following a book blog (I won’t name the author as it’s someone we all know and love) and she inspired me.  My husband also suggested I start blogging as he knew I was after a hobby but I wanted it to be book related (nothing else would hold my attention!).  I LOVE books and I want to share that with fellow book lovers.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I’m really quite surprised by the camaraderie that exists between bloggers, it’s really lovely.  I’ve ‘met’ some really wonderful people.  I’ve always wanted to write a novel myself but I don’t have the self-confidence to do it so I do enjoy writing my reviews, letting the creative juices flow!  I guess the other thing is my husband now sees my blogging as my ‘work’ so he tries to not disturb me whilst reading, hahahaha.  Sorry Ryan.

Tell me about your blog – sell yourself!

My blog is called damppebbles and I’m so proud of it.  I tend to review only crime fiction and thrillers (and most of the sub-genres within).  It’s still very early days as I started damppebbles in January 2016 but I can’t imagine life without it now!  I am proud to have authors contacting me on a regular basis to ask me to review their work, that’s always an honour.  I’m starting to include author Q&As and I’ve signed up to a couple of blog tours so things are really starting to take off.

What’s your favourite book you’ve reviewed in the past year? Or favourite three if you really can’t choose.

Only three??  Yikes!  I’ve read so many fantastic books this year.  Robert Bryndza’s The Girl in the Ice was pretty spectacular.  I’ve recently read and reviewed The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada which was amazing (I really enjoy Japanese crime fiction).  I think the third book I will choose is my most recent review, A Tapping at My Door by David Jackson.  One not to miss if you love serial killer thrillers!

What are you reading just now? 

I’m reading Corruption of Chastity by Frank Westworth at the moment (04/16). 

Tell me about your reading habits:  book or kindle, bed or bath, morning or evening?

As a stay at home mummy I tend to read whenever I get the chance so don’t have a set time as such.  As soon as the kids are tucked up in bed at night you can guarantee I will have book within reach.  I much prefer to read a ‘real’ book than an eBook but it’s a lot easier for authors to send me a file via email, so I’m reading a lot more on my kindle at the moment.

How can people follow your blog or connect with you on social media?

My blog address is https://damppebbles.wordpress.com.  I have a Facebook page as well which is facebook.com/damppebbles and I’m on twitter as @damppebbles.  I always enjoy connecting with people so pop along and say hi.

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

Oh wow, this is a tough one.  Most of the characters in the books I read tend to die!  I’m going to go with DI Katie Maguire in the Graham Masterton series of the same name.  She’s one tough cookie and she always gets the killer.