Once Upon a Book started out as Angieleigh’s thoughts on what she’s read. Once she started to get into the blogosphere and make new friends, she realized that she was going to need to add a few more staff reviewers. So she contacted a few friends who were more than willing to share their thoughts and opinions of the books they’re reading. Without further ado, meet the review staff of Once Upon A Book!

Angieleigh: I’m a thirty seven year old mom of two teenage boys. I married the love of my life on June 8th, 1996 and still wake up being grateful that he’s my husband every day. I have been an avid reader since I was four years old – anyone else devour the Disney Encyclopedia set when they were young? Oh man, I probably just aged myself big time.

When I started this blog it was a way to keep me occupied rather than playing Facebook games all day. That was almost two years ago. Now we are approached daily by authors to read and share our thoughts with our followers. Unfortunately reading has been relegated to the backseat as I move into a new realm – being a virtual assistant, social media marketer, and public relations specialist to several bestselling independent authors and a publishing house that’s growing every day. While being fun and fulfilling, it’s also a lot of work, though many think it’s easy.

I love historical and contemporary romances, but I’ll be honest and say that I devour historical far more than contemporary. Oh, and I love series that go on and on and on and – you get the point. Ever since I read the Harry Potter series {no lie, I’ve read the entire series at least thirty times}, I’ve been addicted to Young Adult books as well. I don’t read horror//gore or overly suspenseful books – my nightmares are creative enough, thank you. I’m not really into sci-fi unless you count time travel romance as sci-fi. Dystopian I can take or leave depending on the book.

The biggest thrill for me these days outside of my children is when an author takes the time out of their busy lives to jot me off an email, tweet, comment, etc. to say that they really liked my review and then participate in a discussion about the characters. Another thrill {blessing, really} is the fact that I get to assist several bestselling authors – Cecilia Gray, Rachel Van Dyken, and Rose Gordon – and promote up and coming publishing house, Astraea Press.

I’m also quite known for choosing to read a book because the cover drew me in. Don’t judge me – more often than not my love of a pretty cover has drawn me to a book {series} that I probably wouldn’t have read otherwise as I thought it wasn’t in my safe, fluffy comfort zone.

You can find me on Twitter, Goodreads, or on our Facebook page.

Falon: Hello there readers!

My name is Falon (aka the GoblinQueen) and I’m a 30yr old geek girl and cat owner (or owned by cat?) With a smattering of random interests, artistic streak, as well an obsession with Labyrinth & all things Henson. More importantly a self proclaimed book-aholic since at least 1995.

I have been an avid reader with a voracious appetite for books of varied genre since the tender age 14. Books were in my life before that sure, and I read, only not for recreation. It was a troubling time for me around that teen-period, I had very few friends and I was horribly shy. So one day I picked up a book I had laying around and figured,”Why not”. I really enjoyed what I learned! After that I found a great escape in books, and have since been ever addicted to the fantastical, dramatic, exciting, and oftentimes romantic written worlds of others’ creations ever since.

Even though I am an adult now (debatable), I still read for that note of escapism. One will more find me in the fiction section unless it’s a titillating bit of history in my interest range. I read very few biographies and will basically pick up whatever catches my interest. I suppose I’m a bit like a magpie as well when it comes to a pretty cover! Lately those covers have belonged to Young Adult Fiction, and Romance Novels.

♕ I’m on Goodreads ♕

Krystal:

Howdy y’all! My name is Krystal and I am a 20-something year old mother of two from New Jersey. When I’m not reading, I love to spend time with my family, write {hoping to eventually be published myself one day}, target shoot and go camping.

I have been reading since I was very young {a trait that I have thankfully passed on to my daughters}. I don’t really have a favorite genre, I’ve been known to read just about anything that catches my interest.

Hopefully, you will enjoy what I’ve read and reviewed and I look forward to sharing my opinions (whatever they might be) with you!

Jenna: My name is Jenna though you might know me better as “Geeky”.

I was an avid book reader that would read tons of novels per week without any hope of quenching my thirst for escapism! But I went to college as an English major, and soon my passion for any written word was cruelly crushed beneath the heel of administrative requirements (to get my ass) to graduate. So I will admit to you readers that I am in a bit of a funk, and disillusioned with the magic of the written word. But there’s still great books that manage to pull me I, and it is happening more often as time goes by. So if my review comes off as tetchy, or plain “bitch please!” I apologize in advance, but as an aspiring writer I respect any one who has the balls to make their dream come true by finishing a novel. I’d like to thank any one in advance for allowing our site to read and review their books, and invite anybody to comment and start a discussion with me. I’d actually like to hear opinions other than my own. That’s what makes books fun, discussions about them!

I’m interested in any genres, except for erotica, and mystery (I can watch Clue for that!).
I’m on Goodreads

Jessa: My name is Jessica, but most people call me Jessa. I’m 28-years-old and live in a very peaceful area of Pennsylvania with my two cats, Sierra and Jasper. I’m engaged to the man I’ve been in love with for almost a decade and he sure does know how to keep me on my toes! I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, listening to music, watching movies, playing games, doing various crafts, and reading (of course!).

I vividly remember learning to read; the day when the jumble of meaningless letters suddenly came together and made sense and I was instantly hooked. I’m always reading. When I don’t have a book in my hands I’ll find something, anything else to read to fill the void; like the back of the cereal box at the breakfast table or the ingredients of my shampoo in the shower. Some would call me an addict, and they’re probably right, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll read any genre, but my true love lies in memoirs, biographies, mysteries, historical romance, paranormal, and pretty much anything and everything having to do with the Amish (hey, I’m in Pennsylvania, a fascination with the Amish is pretty much required!).

Aside from Once Upon A Book, I also post my reviews on Goodreads.

Aurora: I’m a woman of mystery! If you look me up on Google you won’t find me, but you will find another woman of the same name… I’m often referred to by my internet nickname “Drake”, even in real life, and as I like the name I’m not about to complain!

I’m a 33-year-old native Californian who is finally getting around to getting a college degree, and it feels like everyone around me is so young! I’m focusing pretty much all of my attention and time to this, as it’s something I’ve wanted to be able to do for a very long time, and I often end up reading all of my textbooks cover to cover.

I’ve been reading for as long as anyone can remember, and if I don’t have something to read I will read cereal boxes and street signs to get my “fix”. The children who had the misfortune to have to spend time with me when I was a child often got roped into playing “library”, and I still miss the old card catalogs. (I wouldn’t trade the internet for their return, though!)

My preferred genre is science fiction/fantasy, but I do like to read a good romance every now and then (though they’ll usually have a science fiction or fantasy slant, too)!