This month’s featured book blogger is Crystal from Just Another Book Lovin’ Girl. I frequent Crystal’s blog for her thoughtful reviews of new Christian fiction titles. I asked Crystal a few questions about her blog and book recommendations.

First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself. What are some of your interests outside of blogging?

I’m 20 years old and I’m from California. I’ve lived here all my life with my mom and 3 older sisters. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been most passionate about three things: My relationship with the Lord, my family, and books. When I’m not blogging I’m either working, spending time with family and friends, or trying to squeeze in more time for reading.

I also love photography, gardening, and cute fluffy puppies!

How old is your blog and what made you decide to start it?

My blog is two-and-a-half years old. I wanted to start it to keep track of the books I was reading and to share my thoughts on them every once in a while. It wasn’t until I heard about Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze program that I actually created my blog. Since then I’ve had a blast meeting lots of wonderful authors and making new blogging friends.

How does your faith impact how you blog and what you blog about?

My faith impacts every aspect of blogging for me. From the books I accept for review to the content I allow on my site. I want to glorify God in everything I do and my hope is that my passion and love for Christ comes through in the things I blog about.

What specific qualities do you look for in a novel that would prompt you to give it a positive review?

I want to connect with the story and characters in some way. I want to enjoy myself and at the same time come away from it with something new. I love when I’m still thinking about what I read even days after I’ve finished reading it.

What are some of the best books you’ve reviewed within the last year?

• Book one & two of Jennifer Hartz Future Savior series – Conception and Resurrection
• Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry
• Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutterridge
• Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl

What are your goals for your blog in the future?

To keep going. I love blogging and getting to know new people who have the same interests as me. I just want to continue doing this for as long as I can.

If you were an actress, which fictional character do you think you would be picked to play in a movie and why?

This is a hard question! I’d love to say a character like Katniss from The Hunger Games, but I don’t know if I’d be able to pull off a tough role like that. I think it’d be a lot of fun to learn a little archery, though. =)

I think you’d make a great Katniss! Name two famous people, living or dead, you would most like to meet and why.

The first is Jesus. To have the chance to sit down and talk to the One who gave his life for us would be the most amazing thing ever. I’m sure amazing wouldn’t even begin to describe what it’d be like.

The second person is  Lisa T. Bergren. She’s one of my favorite authors and it’s a dream of mine to meet her. Her River of Time series seems to be one of the most talked about series in the blogosphere. It deserves all the attention it’s gotten and so much more!

If you had to choose three books you think everyone should read, what would they be and why?

Of course my first pick is the Bible. Everything we need to know about how we are to live our lives is in this book. You really can’t go wrong with the Word of God.

My second pick is the River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren. This series is fantastic. It has romance, time travel, history(minus the boring history lesson feel) kick-butt chicks, and Italian knights. *sigh* Yeah, you’ve gotta read it!

And the last is, just because it’s an all time favorite of mine, The Hunger Games. What hasn’t been said about this book? I loved it.

Hunger Games was amazing! I can’t wait to read the River of Time series.

Lightning Round! Name your favorite…

Song: Hero by Abandon

TV Show: Once Upon a Time

Love that show!

Movie: Live Free or Die Hard

Excellent choice. You and I should totally talk action flicks sometime.

Comfort Food: Mac n’ cheese

Reading Spot: My bed

Thanks for visiting with us, Crystal!

Be sure to check out Just Another Book Lovin’ Girl and leave a comment! You can also follow Crystal on Twitter @Abooklovingirl.

This month’s featured book blogger is Rel from Relz Reviewz, the best blog out there for info about upcoming Christian fiction releases! Rel is especially well known for her Character Spotlight series (which I read religiously). I asked Rel a few questions about her blog and reading recommendations.

First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself. What are some of your interests outside of blogging?

Born and bred in Australia, I live in the sporting and shopping capital of Oz, Melbourne and am wife to Mr. Tall Dark & Handsome, mum to 3 beautiful daughters and a lawyer. I love photography and the beach. Having recently moved to a new church and taking some time to adjust, I’m yet to become involved but anticipate getting back into women’s ministry and running a book club again as I did in my last church.

I also write for FamilyFiction’s digital magazines, responsible for the Romance and Historical departments and other feature articles. I enjoy it immensely.

How old is your blog and what made you decide to start it?

I started my blog in late 2006 as a place to store the occasional review I was doing for one of our major Christian bookstores. It was purely for my own purposes and I imagined that my family might read it from time to time! I joined the CFBA (Christian Fiction Blog Alliance), made a few author and publishing contacts and things took off from there.

How does your faith impact how you blog and what you blog about?

My faith certainly impacts what I blog about and hopefully the way I blog. I only review Christian Fiction as I have a heart to share quality fiction that is available from authors who write from a background of faith. I love that we now have so many options in Christian Fiction and am passionate that readers understand there is an amazing depth now and not to dismiss all Christian Fiction as sub par prairie romances, which is such a misconception!

No kidding! What specific qualities do you look for in a novel that would prompt you to give it a positive review?

Bottom line is that I connected in some meaningful way to the story–it made me laugh, cry, smile or it challenged, thrilled or inspired me!

What are some of the best books you’ve reviewed within the last year?

• Ronie Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series – Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane & Firethorn
• Dale Cramer’s Paradise Valley and The Captive Heart
• Laura Frantz’s The Colonel’s Lady
• Lisa Tawn Bergren’s River of Time series – Waterfall, Cascade & Torrent
• Jenny B Jones’s There You’ll Find Me
• T L Higley’s Pompeii

I could go on!

Pompeii was one of my favorites too! What blogs/bloggers inspire you?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time to read other blogs. That is one of the down sides to having a busy blog of my own. That said, two writers’ blogs that I just adore are Jenny B Jones’s and Laura Frantz’s.

I’d also have to say my fellow INSPY Advisory Board members–they have so much passion for the written word–for the way it can make a difference, challenges how we think, encourages and entertains. Here’s to Amy, Deborah, Hannah, Lydia and Michael.

What are your goals for your blog in the future?

Mmmmm…..continue what I am doing, I think. Showcasing great authors, reviewing books, sharing the book love with my readers and giving them opportunities to learn about new fiction and authors that might appeal to them.

If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

Speed, I think. Whipping through housework, shopping and laundry in under 5 minutes certainly appeals.

Name two famous people, living or dead, you would  most like to meet and why.

This question is difficult for me to answer. I really don’t get the appeal of fame in the sense it is often used today although I appreciate there are some amazing people who are famous because of their contribution to society. Even so I’d much rather meet a couple of women who have made a real difference in my life over the past few years but I’m yet to meet in person–Ronie Kendig and Kelli Standish. They may not be famous in the way we usually understand but I’d choose them in a heartbeat over……oh, did someone say Richard Armitage?! Well, then………

If you had to choose three books you think everyone should read, what would they be and why?

• The Bible – can’t do better than the word of God!
• My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok – I read this book in high school and it had a great impact on me and made me think beyond myself.
• Firethorn by Ronie Kendig – because she my friend, I adore her stories, I’d love her books to sell in the millions and you just might recognise a character that has something significantly in common with me

Favorites—

Ack! Too hard to pick an ultimate favourite so I’m picking one of my favs of each thing

Song: Adele’s album 21–can’t choose just one, can I?

It’s literally impossible! I am crazy about her voice!

TV Show: The West Wing

Movie: North & South (BBC miniseries so technically not a movie!)

Comfort Food: Mangoes

Reading Spot: Wherever I am with a book and a spare moment!

Thanks for stopping by, Rel!

Be sure to check out Relz Reviewz and leave a comment! You can also follow Rel on Twitter @Relz.