Beyond the Blog with Smexy Books

Welcome to Beyond the Blog, where we'll not only be featuring some amazing blogs but also the creative people behind them. Today we have an interview with Mandi a.k.a. Smexy!  Why do we follow her blog?  The Top 10 lists, Smexy Scene Sundays, the J.R. Ward info page, the interesting/helpful/often funny discussions and of course, the reviews.  It's a daily stop for us.  We could go on and on but we don't want to come off as stalkers so let's get to Mandi's interview.

Let’s start with a few blog related questions

What are 3 words that describe your blog?
Fun, Informative, and dare I say…Smexy

Have your blogging habits changed since you first started?
I’m much more organized and plan out my schedule far in advance now. But I don’t think my voice has changed in the three years I’ve been blogging. I would say the greatest thing that has changed is the amount of time I spend a day working on my blog. It’s a lot :-)

Can you tell us about the 3 lovely ladies that review for you site?
Oh, I love my Smexy ladies. Tori came on board about two years ago and Smexy wouldn’t be the same without her. She is a reading machine and never a day goes by where she doesn’t make me giggle. She puts a ton of hard work into Smexy Books and I would be lost without her. May and Helyce came on board about nine months ago. One of my favorite things about May is she can text me a single quote from a book she is reading that opens up an entire discussion. When she finds a book she loves, I can feel her energy without even talking with her in person. And when she finds a book that doesn’t work for her, she usually has me laughing so much my stomach hurts. Helyce and I share a very strong interest in m/m books and sharing smutty pictures *ahem* She is also one of the sweetest people I know and has done some really thoughtful things for me. My favorite thing about all three ladies is their passion for romance books and our community of bloggers.

What is a favorite post that you’ve done?
Hmm…I’m not sure if I really have a favorite. I love doing my top ten lists because I can share book news I’ve found and pictures of hot dudes all at the same time. Creating my lists makes me laugh and I hope I can pass on a giggle or two to brighten a Friday afternoon. Speaking of hot men……

David Gandy on a motorcycle. There…this interview is Smexy now.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to blogging? 
First of all, stick with it. Blog even if no one is reading/commenting. Because they will come. Blog the way you want to blog, not the way you THINK you should be blogging. They only way you are going to be successful and enjoy blogging, is if your blog is a reflection of you. And finally – read. Turn off the computer and the phone, and read. You can’t blog about romance books if you don’t read them.

Let’s get to know the blogger behind the blog, shall we?

It’s noon on Sunday, what are you up to?
My Sunday’s are pretty relaxing so I am most likely keeping an eye on Twitter, reading my book, working on the blog and driving children to and from play dates. Does it sound exciting? LOL.

What is something that people might be surprised to know about you?
I’ve been to a few author/reader conventions, and the first thing everyone says is – wow, you are a lot taller than I thought. I’m 5’8ish – maybe 5’9. I don’t feel super tall but maybe I blog and tweet like someone shorter? LOLOL.

What is your favorite thing to do (aside from reading) in your down time?
My favorite thing to do is get together with friends, let the kids run around and play outside and have a glass of wine. Also once a month I gather up all the girlfriends, leave the kids home with the men and we go to our favorite wine bar.

If you could be anyone (real or fictional) for 24 hours, who would it be and why?
I would be Xhex so I could live in the BDB mansion for 24 hours and do naughty things to John Matthew. I would also try to do naughty things with Vishous. Hey – if it is only for 24 hours – I have to pack a lot in. *ahem* And I can’t choose to be Jane, because who wants to be a ghost?

What was your first full on, geek out fan moment?
Probably when I met JR Ward. It was at the RWA signing in 2009 and that was my first author signing. Not only was she there, but hundreds of other authors. It was overwhelming. At the time I didn’t realize it, but now looking at this picture, it looks like I was grabbing her breast. I swear – I didn’t molest JR Ward on purpose!

A lot of people credit Stephenie Meyer and her Twilight series for kicking off their reading addiction. Have you always been a reader or is there a book/series that got you hooked?
I’ve always been a big reader. My parents always read books at night, and my mom got me hooked on historical romances at a young age. Mary Balogh became a favorite of mine. I also went through a huge King Arthur stage. The Mists of Avalon remains a favorite. I remember my first really sexy book being something by Sidney Sheldon. I haven’t read his books since then, so it would be interesting to go back now and see if I enjoy them at all. But I was obsessed with his book..LOL.

You just won your dream vacation, all expenses paid. Where are you going?
Northern California and do a tour of all of the amazing wineries up there. And eat a ton of bread, olives and cheese while drinking wine. Then go back to a luxury cabin in the woods and sit in a hot tub. Yes, I’m ready.

Oh, we forgot to mention you get to take your fantasy man with you. So, who are you taking?
Barrons, of course!! And screw the wineries, I’ll stay in the cabin with him. I probably won’t come home. *grins*

Thanks for having me!


Thank you Mandi for the picture of David Gandy!  Oh yea, and for the interview.  If you want to know even more about Mandi and her blog, here's where you can find her around the web.

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