The first question we are answering is asked by Lisa
Congrats Lisa you are winning a $10 Store Credit to Loose Id
Lisa: Did you have any idea 4 years ago that you’d have reviewed so many books, had so many guest posters & hosted so many blog tours? I think you all deserve a huge ‘thank you” for all the time & energy you’ve invested into this site. Thanks!
Chris:
As one of the few reviewers that has been around the blog the longest (back before it was even called Love Bytes) I have had the privilege to see it change in so many new and interesting ways. From a handful of reviewers to what now what usually averages out as a dozen or more, it has been fascinating to see how each new reviewers changes the dynamic, and brings a whole new side to the blog that we previously left unexplored. We have gone from reviewing almost exclusively gay romances to trying to cover as much as the spectrum as reading time allows. It has been amazing to be here for all of this. I have grown, changed…and come out as trans on this blog. I have read interesting and some probably controversial author and blog posts. I have worked with some truthfully awesome people–most of whom don’t even live in the same country as me. I don’t think I ever really knew what I was getting in for when I first tried my hand at reviewing for this blog, but I have not regretted it since. 450 books, over four years, and so many fascinating moments later, I can honestly say that Love Bytes is an essential part of my life. I can only hope for many more years of the same and better.
Dani(elle):
When I was asked by the former owner Sid Love for the first time I declined. I had no experience what so ever in reviewing and didn’t think I could manage to do it 🙂
When he asked again and again I caved and started to review with lots of help as I am Dutch so English is my second language not my first.
When Sid needed to slow down I stepped in to help him out and in taking over the blog eventually.
So no I couldn’t have imagined anything at all when I first started out let alone this 🙂
I am happy about it though I love the diversity we offer in reviews and reviewers for that matter, the different posts we show on all kind of subjects and the progress we made in the years.
I am proud of my team and at what Love Bytes stand for and I am thankful that the authors, publishers and most of all the Readers! know how to find us ..
Of course we are curious to know what you think so for one of you who takes the time to comment there is a free e-book out of the MLR catalogue waiting !
It is great to read how wonderful the team is, almost like a family. That you have so much trust and love that Chris could come out as trans. It must be a joy to be part of that.
Thank you Dani for taking over the blog. You are doing a bangup job.
Dani truly has been an awesome friend and a wonderful lady to work for. She has gone out of her way to make this blog a welcoming place for me and for others. I very glad she gave me a platform to talk honestly about myself and to have the certainty that I could have a place 100% safe from all the crap life can throw at us at times.
:blush:
Thank you for your lovely reply 🙂
Thanks again for all that you do putting the site together. Chris, it takes tremendous bravery to put yourself out to the public when you come out so I commend you & wish you well on your journey. Dani, I didn’t visit the blog before you ran it. You do a wonderful job, thanks again.
Congratulations. I came across your blog site by chance and am glad I did. Thanks for the review work you all do.
l visit Love Bytes (on a daily basis) and it always feels like visiting very good
Friends <3 So congratulations to eveyone who makes Love bytes what it is!
Loved reading about some of the background and history into the website. You all have definitely worked hard to make it work and to connect authors with readers. Thanks so much!
The multicultural, international perspective is especially cool–in the US, we don’t get to see that often in the m/m scene!
I love that we have so many different people of so many different backgrounds here. Even if it makes scheduling things a bit confusing at times.
I read a lot of books and I often find it hard to put my impressions of a book into written words, even if I want to give the author some kind of feedback.
It’s really admirable that you can share your impressions on a regular basis and have been doing so for quite some time. I hope you’ll all continue for many years to come. Please stay open and honest.
Great response from the both of you. It’s impressive that you both decided to review and have gone on for so many years. It’s great that the site has grown to be what it is today and there have been reviewers from around the world that have been sharing their perspectives.
Love the history – thanks for sharing with us!
I started checking out the reviews when it was Sid Love’s blog so have seen it grow and evolve. Thanks for all your time, Dani and all the reviewers!
Thanks for the responses everyone 🙂 so great to read them !
congrats Dee Slate!