I am pleased to welcome Val Kovalin as a reviewer on the website. Val will also contribute occasional posts on M/M topics that intrigue and confound her and you have already seen her post on Orgasmic Description last week.
Val has been reviewing for about three years. She reads across most fiction and nonfiction genres, but likes m/m fiction best. Visit her Obsidian Bookshelf blog (see link below) for reviews and advice on reading and writing topics in the m/m genre. Val is also the GBLT Romance Columnist for Wildfire, the All Romance ebooks newsletter. Beginning this month Wildfire will feature 5 rotating columns where staff members will choose their one Top Pick and 4 Recommended Reads from among the site’s new releases. Val will choose the GBLT selections.
Val’s first review is already on the website and I’m sure she would welcome your comments. 
http://obsidianbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://www.obsidianbookshelf.com
Welcome, Val. I am looking forward to your reviews!
Leslie
Thank you, Leslie, very much!
Welcome Val! I already admire your reviews, you always bring a measured, intelligent and enthusiastic approach to your feedback. Hope you have a great time at Wave’s! 🙂
Hi, Clare! Thank you. Believe me, I’m definitely having a good time already!
Welcome Val!
Thanks, Kassa!
Welcome to the madhouse, Val. Nice of you to join all us loonies here.
Thanks, Jenre! I’m glad to be here. 🙂
Another step on your journey Val…
I will be following your reviews ..
Welcome
E.H>
Thanks, E. H., you’re the best. 🙂
Good to hear, Wave! In addition to being a genuinely nice person, Val always has thoughtful commentary to bring to the table. Great addition to your already impressive stable.
(Welcome, Val! Didn’t mean to refer to you in the third person if you’re hanging around here somewhere.)
Thanks. K.Z.! And no worries about third-person and me lurking at the time that you posted. Believe me, I sleep far too late in my particular time-zone near the Mexican border, ha, ha!
KZ
“Stable”? Are we now horses??? Maybe thoroughbreds!!
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I think Val will be a great addition to the wonderful reviewers who do me the great favour and compliment every day of contributing to the website. I think she will complement the already incredibly talented group of reviewers that I know you love to challenge from to time.
Thank you, Wave, this is a terrific write-up you gave me, including the Wildfire info and everything! It looks great! I’m so glad to be part of the stable. 🙂
Val
It was my pleasure to welcome you officially.
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You have to watch KZ – she loves to challenge reviewers. So you like being part of the stable huh? 🙂
“So you like being part of the stable huh?”
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Definitely, in a stable as lively as this one! 🙂
Welcome, Val! I’m looking forward to reading your reviews!
Thank you, Larissa! I’m looking forward to doing them. I learn something new every day about being a reviewer!
Welcome Val. Good to “see” you here. Look forward to your reviews.
Hi, Tam! Thanks.
Welcome Val. After reading your Orgasmic Description post, I can’t wait to read your reviews and future post here.
Thanks, Elyane, I appreciate it! I definitely had fun with that Orgasmic Description post. 🙂
Hi Val, a warm welcome from me, too. 🙂
Hi, Christian! Thank you very much! 🙂
Welcome,Val! I’m looking forward to reading your reviews and posts.
Hi, Nichem! Thank you. I’m really looking forward to bringing forth some new material. 🙂
I really enjoy your Obsidian Bookshelf blog and looking forward to all your contributions here.
Lisa G., ooooh, you read my Obsidian Bookshelf blog? Bless your heart, and thank you very much!
“You have to watch KZ – she loves to challenge reviewers.”
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I do? Hell, I only average about two reviews per book. That doesn’t give me a lot to challenge! 😉
K.Z.
I was thinking of doing a duelling review with Jen of Bastards and Pretty Boys so that you can start off right away with your two reviews for this book.:) Alternatively Kassa could do the review with Jen. What do you think?
“You have to watch KZ – she loves to challenge reviewers.”
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Ha, ha, it’s good for us!
Oh! Fantastic! I love the Obsidian Bookshelf too, and Val always does wonderful posts.
Congrats! I look forward to seeing you here too
Elle Parker
Hi, Elle, and thank you! Yes, I remember you were one of the first ones to come to my Obsidian Bookshelf blog. Thanks again!
Welcome, Val 🙂
You know I’m already a fan of your site. It will be nice to see your input here as well.
Hi, Lily! Thank you so much! It’s always fun to talk with you on my blog, yours, and here. 🙂
I just requested to be removed from 54 newsletters. (Yes, I actually counted.) “Wildfire” is actually one of only a handful I kept. It is the only newsletter that I will at least skim if not actually read with any consistency. The irony is that I rarely buy from ARE. I am a rabid Fictionwise buyer. I like ARE & have bought from them, but FW is my “true love” (How I love thee let me count the ways…) So you see, those of you involved with the newsletter must be doing something right. Not only will I will read it, but you keep ARE on my mind for when I am willing to “cheat” ;o)
Oh, wow, Cathleen, 54 newsletters, and you kept Wildfire! That’s outstanding. I’m so glad to hear it. We will definitely strive to keep up the good work. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Cathleen,
It was really nice to hear you’re keeping up with our newsletter and are enjoying the changes. Our goal has been to make the Wildfire about more than our new releases. We’re also working to provide our readers with content that is both interesting and entertaining. Reader loyalty and feedback is hugely important to us, so the fact that our newsletter survived your spring-cleaning was very satisfying. We strive to provide our customer’s with a fabulous shopping experience, not just to meet expectations but also to exceed them. Although praise and compliments are always welcome, we additionally want to hear about ways in which we fall short so we can continue to grow and improve.
You can email me any time, my address is below.
Lori James
Chief Operating Officer
All Romance eBooks. LLC
lori.james@allromanceebooks.com
Whoo, late to the party again 😀
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Congratulations, Val! I think your reviews and Wave’s blog will be a great fit. I find this blog’s reviews to be more analytical than those at many romance review sites, which is also how I think of your approach!
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*explodes*
couldn’t resist
Jordan
“*explodes*
couldn’t resist”
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You are such a little shit.:)
Wave
Yay Val!!! Welcome. 🙂