NovelTalk - Reviewer Bios

About Our Reviewers

Lettetia Elsasser

I am a retired chef who still loves to cook and a very prolific reader since my brother introduced me to Little Women. My preferences usually run to historical and contemporary romance, but I read across the board from the Bible, cookbooks, the classics, and all manner of fiction.

I am excited to try book recommendations from authors and other romance lovers and relish the opportunity to make recommendations through my reviewing. I began pursuing a position as a book reviewer in 2002 when I realized I wanted to tell others about the books I read. The message boards I frequented on various websites provided an outlet for a time, but just didn’t seem to really fulfill what I wanted to do in my reviewing, share my love affair with books. Today, I am happy to say I am affiliated with several “families” of amazing people who share the same passion for books that I do. If I can make a difference in a person’s view of reading, or share the emotional connection I have found through books, I will die a very happy woman.

To me, there is nothing more satisfying than sharing a fabulous meal with friends and talking about books. I have added significantly to my To Be Read “room” through the years, and I take great pleasure in discovering new authors, trying new genres and talking about the books I read.

Mahaira Fatima

Reading has always been a passion of mine. I am a voracious reader, inheriting my love of books from my grandmother and my father. I have been reading as long as I can remember and have always had books. I read between 3 - 5 books a week, on average, and am interested in new authors with fresh voices. My favorite genre is fiction.

I have always thought about writing reviews as I love to read and also tell people about the books I have read, but never got the opportunity until now.

When I am not studying, I am either curled up in my favorite chair with a book or spending time on the computer. I love to laugh, smile and make new friends and have made many close friends over the internet.

Melissa Kammer

I have been reading since the age of four. I have a general love of books, and have found very few that I have not enjoyed. My bookcases are overflowing, but that will not stop me from buying more. I become enthralled by the worlds other people create. I have tried to write a few stories of my own, but that is only for my fun. Reviewing gives me an outlet for my writing, and allows me to tell people about all the wonderful books and authors out there.

I live in Ohio, a state with every season from hot summers to cold, snowy winters. I have a degree in chemistry and work in a quality control laboratory. To balance out my analytical mind, I like to collect many whimsical items. Other than reading, I enjoy working on puzzles and playing my flute or piccolo.

Amy Lavora

I have four (daughter coming December 2007) kids, three donkeys, 3 turtles, 1 cat, 1 dog and am pretty sure a partridge in one of our pear trees. My hobbies include reading, roller-blading, yoga, and trying to find a few me-time minutes each day. My latest project has been trying to help my husband renovate our home that we bought last year in the outskirts of Houston.