Kim: You started with "Romancing Rakes" ... how did you come up with the name? What did you want to achieve when you first started blogging?
Kati: I first started reading historical romances and was slightly obsessed with those lovable rakes who ended up getting reformed by a mere slip of a girl. When I came up with the idea of blogging, Romancing Rakes was the first thing that came to mind. I had this grand idea of reviewing nothing but historical romances but it turned into something more. Hey, there's rakes in every era, isn't there?
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| We have a few rakes in Hawaii ... |
Kim: You added "For the Love of Romance" ... what distinguishes your blog from the others in Bloggerland?
Kati: In February of this year, Jamie and I decided to mash our blogs together.
I think that makes us different from other blogs is that we have a fun feature called Studio Smexy Saturdays which showcases author Jenn LeBlanc's images and the models, designers and authors she's worked with. It takes readers behind the scenes of the making of a cover from the original image all the way through the final product. We also have Man Candy Monday which features a different theme each week (we're all about the eye candy) and we hold blog events such as the December Joyathon, Road To RomCon, Rock*It Reads and our yearly blogoversary. Our reviews aren't all written in a book review-type of setup. We've been known to make lists, pretend like we're Regency Gossip Girls, write up joint reviews and share our favorite quote. We like to have fun on the blog and I think it shows.
I think that makes us different from other blogs is that we have a fun feature called Studio Smexy Saturdays which showcases author Jenn LeBlanc's images and the models, designers and authors she's worked with. It takes readers behind the scenes of the making of a cover from the original image all the way through the final product. We also have Man Candy Monday which features a different theme each week (we're all about the eye candy) and we hold blog events such as the December Joyathon, Road To RomCon, Rock*It Reads and our yearly blogoversary. Our reviews aren't all written in a book review-type of setup. We've been known to make lists, pretend like we're Regency Gossip Girls, write up joint reviews and share our favorite quote. We like to have fun on the blog and I think it shows.
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| ... and Gossip Girls, too! |
Kim: I am looking forward to seeing you in Anaheim for the RWA National Convention. Who are you looking forward to meeting?
Kati: I am looking forward to seeing you again as well! I'm excited about finally meeting Vicky Dreiling and Kieran Kramer (the two authors whose join street team I run as well as assist) the most. There's just so many to name so here's a few: Britt Bury, Jaci Burton, Cathy Maxwell, Karen Erickson, Tessa Dare, Shana Galen, Roni Loren...I'm also looking forward to seeing other authors again who I last saw at RomCon.
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| Cathy Maxwell and Kieran Kramer await to meet Kati at RWA. |
Mahalo, Kati, for joining us today! I can introduce you to Cathy Maxwell ... and I'll join you in the hunt for the other fabulous authors! In honor of Kati, I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, July 21, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 22.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
It's always nice seeing and hearing about other authors and the backgrounds on how some blogs got started. I have visited Romancing the Rakes a few times - I need to visit more often :)
ReplyDeleteHi catslady! It's always nice to see you around the blog :)
DeleteHave fun at RWA. Can't wait to see all the pics from the convention.
ReplyDeleteLove hearing about authors I may not know about. That's what I love most about visiting blogs.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip and a wonderful time at RWA!!
ReplyDeleteROMANCING RAKES FOR THE LOVE OF ROMANCE is a great blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the community 'feel' of this post.
The 'Gossip Girls' are adorable.
Aww marybelle, you are fabulous. Thanks for taking time out of your day to stop by the blog :)
Deletewow great post. and nice pic too.
ReplyDeletei love the gossip girl. the girls are awesome!
Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance is one of my favorite blogs. I visit often. Always something interesting on there.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at RWA!
Mel
Hi Mel *waves frantically* It's always nice to see you.
Deleteso envy *sobs
ReplyDeletejust hope that i can visit RWA somedays :)
I'm a regular visitor to RTR...but it's nice to see it from Hawaii... Long time Scout camper.... My parents helped set up the Council camp.. it's now a nature preserve...
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great time at RWA! It sounds like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kim for having me. It was so much fun meeting you in Hawaii and having you take us around. What an awesome whirlwind tour. Can't wait to see you in a week!!!
ReplyDeleteY'all have fun at RWA. I'm off to visit Kati's blog now!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteOh Kati, you such fun and I hope to get to meet you one day. Maybe it will be over Earl. I hope have fun at RWA. ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha Melody May. I won't be held responsible for those Earl induced tweets that one night in LoDo. I hope to meet you someday as well :)
DeleteHave fun! I wish that I can attend RWA too but I live too far.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing how blogs get started. That's interesting about the behind the scenes feature of how a cover is made. I'll be checking that out!
ReplyDeleteI sooo want to be at RWA. But it cant happen this time. Regular ife intrudes on my book life all the time. Blah! haha I bet it will be a great time for all. lisakhutson at dot
ReplyDeleteI like Kati, she's really nice and I'm so proud and happy for her. She's my "kababayan". Have a safe trip to everyone! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Lory! It's always nice to see you around the internet. Salamat!
DeleteI really enjoy your blog, Kati. I need to hop on over there after I get finished here.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at RWA. I have wanted to go for years, but the extra money is hard to come by. Hopefully one day...
kscathy@yahoo.com
Thanks for taking time to stop by the blog Cathy!
DeleteHi Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having Kati over today! Kati and Jamie make a great team on For the Love of Romance and have "introduced" me to some fabulous authors new debut authors as well as letting me know more about those tried and true authors that I've read for years!
Anyone who hasn't visited the blog on Saturday has been missing out on fabulous post but the "man candy" featured on Studio Smexy Saturdays with the talented Jenn LeBlanc!
I went to Girl Scout camp when I was in Junior High and it was the best summer "vacation" I ever had! Usually my father took me every summer to his Hunting and Fishing club up in the Adirondacks (compete with out houses!) so camping came pretty easily to me. Both of my boys were Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts through High School. My husband had been a Boy Scout and had taught them the "basics" from the time they were in grade school. We live in a quiet area and are surrounded by trees with a lake just a block away so they started swimming as toddlers. "Camping out" in a tent in our backyard was something they did from the time they were in Grade School but "Winter Camp-Outs" with their local Boy Scout troop was a whole new experience!
I can still remember our "camping song" from that one summer I was able to go to Girl Scout Camp and the wonderful friends I made and the lessons I learned all those years ago as a Girl Scout!
Haha Jeanne, you are awesome! Thanks for always visiting the blog :) We love the Studio Smexy Saturdays feature as well.
DeleteI'm so jealous...I so want to go to RWA and stalk authors with you. You know I love you lots and hopefully one day I get to meet you and the lovely Kim. =) I can't wait to hear all about your trip to RWA.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, stalking is the best. You must make plans for next year. Jamie and I have already started planning-ish aka going by the seat of our pants. lol.
DeleteI'm not going to RWA, but I'm going to be at the Literacy signing. I took my vacation that week so I could visit my sister in California and we could go the the signing together. I've been lucky to have gone to book signings for RT and RWA when they were in Orlando, but she's never been, so it will be fun to go together. Hope you get to meet all the authors you have on your list Kati, it looks like it's going to be a fun scavenger hunt to find them since they're not seated alphabetically this time.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome vacation Barbara! I think I'll ride the elevators up and down for the author scavenger hunt. And if I get some restraining orders, that still counts as getting something signed, right?
DeleteOne of these days I am definitely going to make it to a conference and stalk some lovely authors :) Since I tend to have panic attacks in crowded situations, I am going to start small, perhaps with Lori Foster's Get together.
ReplyDeleteKatie you run such a fun blog. I have really enjoyed the Studio Smexy Saturdays!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about who you two get to meet and talk to at the conventions. It makes me want to go to one so badly. But for now I will just hang out at home with my kids and books and live vicariously through you =)
Lexi, thanks so much. We enjoy Studio Smexy Saturdays as well. Jamie and I enjoy attending conventions and sharing our time there with fellow readers via our blog, FB or Twitter.
DeleteHave fun at RWA!
ReplyDeleteGreat pic, have fun
ReplyDeleteKimh
Regency gossip girsl... now that would make a great show :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you both meet all the authors you love at RWA!
ReplyDeleteMashing a blog? What a great idea for two people that want to work together to bring us the best. Yes, the gossip girls are too cute!
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited Kati's blog yet, but plan to do so soon. Hope you both have a great time at RWA!!
ReplyDeleteLucky Kati to visit Hawaii, & lucky Kim to have her visit! I do enjoy the blog; especially the Man Candy =)
ReplyDeletethumbelinda03@yahoo.com
Linda, Kim is such a totally fabulous person. She took us on a whirlwind tour of the island. I'm so blessed to have met Kim :)
DeleteGREAT interview! I love romancing rakes for the love of romance! Have a fantastic time at RWA!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your self at RWA Kim. I read Romancing Rakes and it is interesting. lol
ReplyDeletemisskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Great interview in getting to know Kati! Hope you all have a fabulous time at the RWA! :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun at Nationals! I've only been to one book convention but I loved it.
ReplyDeletegeishasmom73 at yahoo dot com
Lucky ladies. Have a great time. :)
ReplyDeleteKati and Jamie, love your blo9g. It has so much and you girls are very entertaining. :)Keep up the good work.
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com