Thoughts on being a professional reviewer

Reading has always been my passion. Sadly, my parents never read to me, nor my younger sisters when we were little. It was only in the first grade that I discovered the joys of reading. My world exploded with my first book possession of The Bobbsey Twins. As I grew I discovered the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, and Mark Twain. I quickly progressed to Agatha Christie, and the occasional book that contained sexual references that I was so young I did not even understand what the references meant. After asking my father for clarification of a certain book passage he began having the Readers Digest Condensed Book series delivered to the house, and I lived for the day when they would arrive.
I always had a paperback book or 2 stuck in my pocket, or purse, and tucked under my pillow. Soon the first thing I would pack for a trip anywhere, including the grocery store, would be the current book that I was reading, and any others that I might want to read while away from home. Fast forward to today, and I have reared my children. My daughter is married and starting her own family. My eldest son just graduated from West Point, so I am coping with the knowledge that my son will soon be leading men into combat. He is currently stationed at Fort Knox, and is able to come home for weekends occasionally. My 6 foot, 1 inch "baby" has moved out of town to work, and to hopefully attend college. Hubby goes to work, my little puppies are great company but they do not need a lot of care. After preparing meals for a family of 5, then 4 after daughter left for college, then 3 when son left for West Point, and now my youngest son is gone. I felt really lost for a long time,but a surprise blessing has happened.

I am blessed in that I have been allowed to review for 2 different web based review sites. The wonderful people at Cata Reviews, and Manic Readers, have given me a review job. I am actually being sent free books that _I _select_ for reading and reviewing. Of course, before this opportunity if I did not care for a book, I just put it down, and never thought about it again after finding a home with someone who might like it. Luckily, I have enjoyed every book that I have selected, which means writing a review for the requested book is much easier. Because I truly appreciate the opportunity to review these books I am spending a lot of time writing my reviews. Even a fairly short book's review can take me several hours to write as I work and re-work the review trying to capture the heart and depth of the story. I have had positive feedback even as I have tried to find my "sea legs" because I am learning the ropes and the responsibilities of a professional, albeit, unpaid reviewer. I am so thrilled when an author takes the time to send me an email thanking me for reviewing their book. I always feel that the pleasure is mine because I got to read their fabulous story, and receiving a thank you from published authors is truly humbling.
More later on my thoughts about authors, all of whom I adore.. I have to finish a review!! Grin.........