Interview with Linda Mae Baldwin of Road to Romance

Until six months ago, Linda Mae Baldwin was the Inspirational Review Coordinator for Road to Romance. Though she still reviews for them, she now primarily reviews for her own site. In addition, she's an Associate Reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine, and authors and publicists often send her advance review copies and finished books for review. For review requests, you may contact Linda via her Web site.

Thanks for your time, Linda. How long have you been reviewing?

I have been reviewing for about five years. I was the inspirational review coordinator for Road To Romance until the owner sold it last year, and I’ve been a reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine for about three years. Just recently I’ve been putting reviews on my own Web site LindaMaeBaldwin.com. 

Tell us about your site. 

I have a personal award, the Flamingo Award. If you get Five Flamingo’s it’s like stellar. If you only get one flamingo, it means I didn’t like the book too much.

How many books do you review a month?

I do at least one for Romantic Times, and want to do at least five for my site, but haven’t gotten there yet.

How do you select the books you review?

Usually a publisher, public relations firm or author requests a review from me.

How do you determine which reviews to post on your site?

I am going to post all that I read. (Eventually.)

What is your policy when it comes to negative reviews?

I try to be honest. If I can’t get into a book, I say so, if it’s slow, I say so….I also try to always something good. There is always something good.

There was a lot of controversy last year between print publication reviewers and online bloggers. In your opinion, what defines a "legitimate" reviewer?

Article Author: Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children, teens and adults. She also offers online workshops on the art of reviewing and picture book writing at SavvyAuthors.com.

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