Book Bloggers in The Spotlight:

Today on The Crime Warp we welcome fellow book blogger Marnie Harrison who is going to tell us about her blog, why she started it and a few wee secrets about her that you might not know. Over to Marnie. 

           What is your blog called and what do you feature on it?

My blog is call Once Upon a Time Book Blog and features my reviews mainly in my beloved psychological thriller and crime fiction genres. I also participate in cover reveals and when I can’t review, book promotions, sharing extracts etc to get the word out there.   

Here's the link to Once Upon A Time Book Blog

      Tell me a bit about how and why you started your blog

I started my blog in February 2019 when I was home from work on sick leave. For the past seven years I have been living with fibromyalgia, which is a condition that involves widespread chronic pain among other things. Over the course of that year, it became progressively worse and added to that a heart condition diagnosis, had  me having to resign from my job no longer able to work. I have always been an avid reader, but now books and my blog have become my lifesaver and is my perfect escape.

       What’s the most enjoyable thing about blogging about  books

Being exposed to new authors that I may never have come across if I had not started my blog. I also love participating in blog tours and being part of different book groups on social media, where I have made some wonderful new friends, both authors and other bloggers alike. The writing community has been so welcoming and  I am so glad to now be part of it. 

        Can you tell us two things about yourself that people may be unaware of?

           I am a massive fan of Kylie Minogue, which I have been for the last 34 years and also an avid collector of her memorabilia. The dream is to have it all set up in a dedicated “Kylie Room” one day.

          I have an obsession for everything to do with the 90’s  TV show Twin Peaks. I was so fortunate to attend a talk and Q&A with some of the cast when they were in Australia a few years ago. The best thing was I was able to hang out with them backstage and they shared so much of the show and themselves. They were all so amazing but the highlight of the night was meeting one of my all time favourite actresses Sheryl Lee who played Laura Palmer and eating cherry pie with her, which if you have seen the show, will know what a big deal this was!

     Which author are you cosying up with tonight?

                I have two books on the go which are

                The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris and Unfaithful an upcoming  psychological thriller from Natalie Barelli

     If you were to host a “Come Dine With Me” party, who would you invite from the Crime Fiction fraternity and why?

I have so many but to make it brief, in regards to writers, Carol Wyer, Rachel Abbott and Robert Bryndza, who’s books I just can’t get enough of. 

Characters are Natalie Ward (created by Carol Wyer), Erika Foster (created by Robert Bryndza) and Lindsay Boxer (created by James Patterson). These are 3 very strong females, not without flaws but don’t take any crap, have worked hard to get where they are and are just very relatable. 

Now for bloggers, again I could mention so many but it would definitely have to be Shalini from Shalini’s books and reviews. I just adore her. She has been so supportive       of my blog, has given me great advice and has become a good friend. 

        Do you have a fan girl moment to share?

Back in 2015 I met James Patterson when he was in Australia. I attended a Q&A with him and was able to get a book signed. We were told we could ask him a question and for weeks before the event I had been trying to come up with something intelligent which I  finally did, but when it was my turn I blurted out  please don’t kill off Nanna! If you have read the Alex Cross series you will get it. I was so embarrassed but he laughed at it

  Describe how you feel about books in 3 words