Meet the Staff

Co-Owner/Head ARC Coordinator/Reviewer/Interviewer/Database Manager

Co-owner of Love Romances & More is Gina who lives in bucolic Marin County, California with her three furfaced children, commonly called cats: Miss Molly, Miss Ginny and not-so-little Mel. All of them help with Gina’s reading, reviewing, editing and writing.

A life long avid book-a-holic Gina cautiously entered the world of reviewing in October 2003 reading and reviewing Michelle O’Leary’s Angels and Ministers of Grace. That book opened up a whole new world of reading and Gina was hooked. Not too much later, she tried her first interview which led to what are now Love Romances interview packages. During one such package preparation, the author encouraged Gina to write and at the same time she received her first opportunity to edit with Whiskey Creek Press.

2006 had several exciting new doors open with Gina first accepting co-ownership of Love Romances with Shaiha, starting her free lance editing business as well as co-founding Writingchallenge.net with Angie and Skylar and last, but not least, signing contracts for four books due out in 2007.

With a Bachelors in theatre and a masters in counseling, coupled with a background in police dispatch she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Love Romances.

Co-Owner/Webmistress/Head Editor/Reviewer/Interviewer/ARC Coordinator

Living in the wet State of Washington, I am in my 40's with one husband and owned by at least 3 cats and 3 dogs at all times. My hobbies include reading, animal rescue, volunteering with my local Pagan organization and playing on my computer. I became a reviewer because I figured out that there was actually a place for me to voice my opinion on the various books that I am always toting about.

Admin Assistant/ARC Coordinator/Editor/Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

I read and write from York, Pennsylvania where I live with my husband and a Dalmatian we called “Asterisk” aka “Trixie Dog”. I work for a small company that manufactures high end gift shop products, my job is perfect because I can often read between phone calls and shipping concerns. My reading choices are varied but some of my favorite authors are Rida Allen, Meg Cabot, and Janet Evanovich, Diane Mott Davidson, Joanna Fluke… I could go on all day! I am always looking for new authors to read, and often find myself searching the shelves willing a book to jump out at me. For me, reviewing is a great outlet, I find myself learning more about new authors and finding great books that I may have never stumbled across if I was not “out there” in the field of reviewing.

I have also recently become an editor for Chippewa Publishing, LLC where I can use my reading and writing knowledge to help authors take great writing to its best. I love working one on one with the authors that previously were just names on the pages. My dream job is to be a submissions reader/editor for a mainstream publishing house!

Reviewer

Hello, my name is Danny, that is short for Daniela, and I live in Germany. I have been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. I started to read books in English, because you have a much larger variety to choose from and you don’t have to wait ages till the book is translated, if ever. Beside of all kinds of romance books, I love to read also Historical and Fantasy novels. I really couldn’t live without books. My other hobbies are listening to music & watching movies (especially the LOTR trilogy). I am currently working on my first own book, which is sometimes driving me nuts.

Senior Reviewer/Interviewer/ARC Coordinator/Owner of LR Cafe

As a kid growing up, books were my constant companions and new friends were made each time I cracked one open! As I grew older, my tastes drifted from Nancy Drew to Nora Roberts, Bertrice Small and other more mainstream authors. When I started reviewing I found a whole new genre I never knew existed and the authors made my imagination take flight! With each book I review I find myself lost with in an authors' world of make believe and transported to eras and times that make the days and nights go by faster! Reviewing and meeting authors are a dream come true for me and I enjoy finding what new authors will have me salivating for more from them! Between single motherhood and college, I always make time for a good book and new friends!

Interview Coordinator/Editor/Reviewer/Interviewer

"I live in my own little world, but it's ok...they know me there"

I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. After relocating to sunny Central Florida, I earned my degree from the University of Central Florida where I majored in education, and minored in writing and humanities. My reading interests are quite diverse, and range from Eric Carle to Stephen King. My book collection is equally diverse, and is currently threatening to force us from our home. I love romance novels, especially with paranormal elements. So many books, so little time

ARC Coordinator/Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

Janalee Ruschhaupt has been with Love Romances for over a year reviewing and interviewing wonderful and insightful authors. She is amazed at the stories they pen time and time again. Leading her into worlds of unbelievable grandeur or maybe it is an otherworldly realm they procure for her. Whether it is historical, fantasy, paranormal, humor or contemporary the authors never cease to create wonderful tales for her to thrive in. She believes every author has a story to tell and she hopes to be able to read as many as she can in her lifetime.

Along with reviewing and interviewing, Janalee is also the liaison for Torquere Press and together with Angie and Gina leads the Writing Challenge weeks at Writingchallenge.net.

She is a member of RIO, Reviewers International Organization. An organization that sets high standards for reviewers and the reviews that they set forth into the public.

Janalee is also a multi-published author, which just helps her truly appreciate the time and effort it takes for an author to pen a story, whether it is a short or full-length novel, it takes talent and time.

Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

I began my life-long love affair with reading at age 2, when my mother gave me a can of Campbell's soup and told me to read the ingredients. After completing that great feat, I was off and running, with weekly trips to the library and the bookstore, which continue to this day. I enjoy reading almost every genre, but romance holds a special place in my heart, especially romantic suspense. I am married with 2 sons, and my entire family shares my love of reading. I enjoy reviewing because it gives me the opportunity to read new authors and broaden my horizons. Since the age of the internet and Amazon.com, I usually research books before I purchase them, so I enjoy the opportunity to give my opinion that may aid others in search of the perfect read.

Reviewer

One of my earliest childhood memories is of someone reading a story to me. Books have always been exciting and as soon as I could painstakingly form the letters to my own name I proudly acquired a library card.

Now, I am a homemaker and mother of two and happily read to my children. They seem to have been bitten by the reading bug as well and discussions of books or ideas and situations inspired by books make frequent dinner conversation at our house.

Since reading and talking about books has featured so much in my life, I was thrilled to discover book review websites that I could browse. It didn’t occur to me that I could be one of the people sharing my opinion on such. Happily, someone introduced the idea to me during a chat and I was welcomed into the reviewing family. It’s been a wonderful experience so far and I am happy to have found such a wonderful community of booklovers.

Senior Reviewer

Marie Hashima Lofton is 44 years old and is originally from Los Angeles, but currently resides in San Diego with her husband (as of 2000) and two cats Alice and Gertrude. Besides reviewing for LOVE ROMANCES & MORE, she also reviews for various other websites, varying her reading diet with mainstream as well as various sub-genres of the romance novel, thrillers, African American Lit, and almost anything that falls under the Fiction umbrella. With LOVE ROMANCES, she focuses mainly on Harlequin books, her specialty being the "superromances" which she enjoys the most. Favorite authors vary, as they include the likes of Margaret Atwood, Eric Jerome Dickey, Philip K Dick, just to name a few.

Other interests and hobbies include walking (volks walking), knitting, gardening, fine dining, and meeting new friends. While reading currently has put all other interests on the back burner, she still walks the occasional 10k with her club and of course continues to go out and dine with family and friends when she can. She also played classical piano from the age of 5, is somewhat bi-lingual, and has a great love of music.

ARC Coordinator/Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

I live down-under in New Zealand, and love books.

I’m a grandmother to two boys and mother to three. One daughter lives in New Zealand another in Scotland and my son is in Australia.

Love Romance is a great place to be for a book lover, I also do reviews for down under writers. I’m a freelance writer, student adviser with a correspondence school and also writing a novel. I also edit and proof read, love craft, art and quilting so keep out of mischief.

Senior Reviewer/Editor/Interviewer/Database Manager/Owner LR Book Club/Arc Coordinator

I joined Love Romances in June of 2003. WOW I can't believe it has been that long. I am married and a mother of 5. I live in Oregon and I am a child daycare provider by profession, although my love of books has led me to dabble with short stories, although I have never finished one. And in my spare time I love to read and play on the Internet.

I have been an avid reader since childhood. When I was in my teen years I discovered Historical romance because my mother was reading some at the time and I would snitch her books when she was finished with them. The first romance book I remember reading was by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and I was hooked. Now I am a fan of many different genres such as contemporary romance, inspirational, women's lit, and true crime.

Reviewing for me at the beginning was a way to support my reading habit without breaking the bank. But after a very short time, I discovered a love for it. Now I have several other responsibilities at Love Romances along with reviewing that include editor, publisher liaison, database co-manager, and owner at the print book club.

Reviewer/Website Graphics

Saje Williams is the author of several futuristic urban fantasy novels (known collectively as "The Infinity Project") and a self-described rabble rouser and political essayist with a passion for comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable. He takes an inordinate amount of pride at having once been referred to as a modern Mark Twain.

ARC Coordinator/Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

I am a native New Yorker who married a military man. We moved around quite often until he finally retired from the Army. I was a stay-at-home mom with my two boys but I re-entered the work force as a substitute teacher last year. It gave me the flexibility to work when I want and still be able to participate in all their activities. I like the entire romance genre from the historical to the contemporaries and paranormals. Some of my favorite authors are: Linda Howard, J.R. Ward, and Mary Balogh.

Senior Reviewer/Interviewer/ARC Coordinator/Contest & News Coordinator/Staff Picks

I am a reviewer by necessity as I read probably a book a day and can't afford to purchase the large volume of books it would take to keep this habit, I mean hobby, satisfied. I have been married forever, or so it seems some days, and am the mother of two very busy young boys. With the exception of six years living in North Carolina where I earned my BA degree, I have lived in central NJ my entire life. My paying job is as a researcher for a venture capital fund. Good money, but no adventure - thus the need for my escape into reading. In addition to reviewing for Love Romances, I also update the News, Author Contests and Staff Picks pages on the web site.

Reviewer

I am a mother of 3 who resides in the tiny state of RI! When not reading erotica you can find me hiding away in a corner of the house crafting my own stories; which will hopefully be published some day. I’ve also been a regular contributor to True Confessions since 1997. This reviewer loves reading and writing reviews while honing my passion for storytelling.

Senior Reviewer/Interviewer

Hi, I'm Valerie and together with all the lovely ladies here, I read books and get to tell you, the reader all about them. I am British but live in Germany with my German husband and our rather large family. I've always enjoyed reading since I realized that letters could be formed into words and always spent more time in the library than anywhere else. Reviewing feeds my book addiction and telling others about my reading gives me great pleasure