Introducing Rel Mollet

By Dorothy Adamek

It’s my pleasure to introduce and welcome Rel Mollet to our ACW readers, today. 

Rel’s a Melbourne girl, but she’s known worldwide for her reviewing of Christian fiction and much admired as a champion of writers. I had the privilege of taking Rel on a lunch date a few weeks ago. 

Rel Mollet ~ Relz Reviews

We first met many miles from home, at the 2013 ACFW conference in Indianapolis, where Rel captured some of her author interviews on video. You can see those, and much more at Relz Reviewz.

Rel’s joining us for a regular quarterly guest post at ACW. Look out for her first post next week. 

So why is Rel a much respected reviewer? Here’s some of what she shared with me. 

Dotti ~ You're known worldwide for your impressive website, author spotlights and reviews. How did Relz Reviewz come about, and what keeps you doing it?

Rel ~ Well, thank you for your kind words, Dotti, you’ve made me blush!

I began writing some fiction reviews for Koorong’s fiction e-newsletter around 2005, I think. I printed off each review to keep in a file as I was so chuffed to have the opportunity to talk about what I loved so much ~ quality fiction written by people of faith. That’s more of a mouthful than Christian Fiction but I think it more accurately reflects the reality. At the time, I was mentoring a beautiful young woman and she had started a personal blog that I loved to read. It struck me one day that the blog format would be a better way to “store” my reviews, and thus began Relz Reviewz. I knew my mum and sister would enjoy reading my reviews and didn’t once think my audience would be broader than those people who loved me!

I remember finding the courage to email the fabulous Siri Mitchell to thank her for the wonderful hours I had spent reading her novels, Chateau of Echoes and Kissing Adrien. She offered to put me in touch with her then publishing house to arrange review copies to be sent to me ~ I was beyond thrilled. Soon I became part of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, and began receiving books from all the major Christian publishing houses to review. This also enabled me to continue my practice of running a personal library ~ lending books to my family, friends, church family, and others who might not otherwise have ongoing access to Christian novels.

As for what keeps me doing it? Well, I am passionate about connecting readers to great faith fiction, I have a heart for authors who want to share their God given talents with readers – who have poured part of themselves into each story. I want to support them and connect them with readers who will be encouraged, challenged, and blessed by what they read. I want to continue to share my library with others. It is where my passion lies!

Dotti ~ Wow! I’m sure all authors would echo my thanks for your tireless work, encouragement and promotion. Australia is very blessed to claim you as her own, and I guess we’re ok to share you with the rest of the world. (wink)  Your website mentions your book club. How does that run and what's your involvement?

Rel ~ At the suggestion of a former pastor who knew my love of books, I began a book club around 14 years ago, and lead it at that church for about 12 years.  Upon leaving that church, I have began a book club in my home and am blessed to have some original members from the first meeting 14 years ago attending. We meet every six weeks on a Friday night, geared up to discuss a selected novel, enjoy each others’ company, and eat a yummy supper!

As a result of my connections with authors, publishers, and publicists through my blog, on most occasions we have input from the author of the book by way of a written Q & A, telephone conference, Skype, or video chat. It really adds something special to the night. We’ve had telephone conferences with authors including Tamara Leigh, Charles Martin, and Jenny B Jones. We’ve skyped with Ronie Kendig, had Q&As with Jolina Petersheim, Tosca Lee, Julie Cantrell, Cathy Gohlke, Robert Liparulo, and many more.

Dotti ~ I’m sure your book club members know they’re blessed to read and share some of your excellent choices. Reading for pleasure is one thing, but reviewing is a particular skill. What are the challenges in reviewing Christian fiction?

Don't hate me. Lunch date with Rel :)

Rel ~ For me, I don’t know that the challenges would be any different than if I was reviewing general market fiction. I want to write honest reviews but not scathing ones. Maintaining integrity with my readers is vital - I will say when something didn’t work well for me. However, I won’t shred an author to pieces if the book was poorly written but will highlight the positive and the negative, as I experienced it. My obligation as a reviewer is to my readers – not the author or the publishing house.

Dotti ~ How do you define a quality book?

Rel ~ A quality book to me is one that evokes a response. Whether that response be feeling encouraged, challenged, surprised, delighted, saddened, thrilled, terrified, or joyous. I want to feel engaged by the characters, immersed in the plot, transported to the location. A book that makes me think, question, or wonder. Those are quality books for me, even if in some instances they may have technical weaknesses, as long as those weaknesses don’t pull me out of the story too much, and I respond in some emotional or heartfelt way, I’m hooked!

Dotti ~ Thats’s a great checklist. What turns you off reading a book?

Rel ~ Cliches – whether characters, dialogue, or plot. Lack of authenticity. Bad cover art (unless I know the author’s work but I still might not read it publicly ;-) Might be shallow, I know!).

Dotti ~ No, I share your 'shallow' view of boring covers. Are there any writing mistakes or issues that bug you?

Rel ~ The use of “devastatingly handsome”! Ugh!!! Makes me shudder. What does it even mean?! 

Unauthentic writing.

Shallow characters. 

An antagonist that is overtly horrible/deceitful/mean in a way that is obvious to every other character but the heroine.

Dotti ~ So much to think about. I’m with you on those cliches. Thanks for chatting with us today, Rel. We’re thrilled to have you join the ACW team and look forward to your post next week. 

Rel ~ Thanks, Dotti, what a treat to visit here! Thanks for having me. 

*****

Please welcome Rel to Australasian Christian Writers. She’s made a compelling mark in the world of Christian fiction reviewing, and no doubt her wisdom in future posts will challenge us all.  

What would you like to see Rel cover next? 

*****

Dorothy Adamek lives in Melbourne with her Beloved and their three gorgeous kids.

She's the winner of the 2013 FHL ~ Touched By Love Competition. Enamoured by all things 19th century, she writes The Heartbeat of Yesteryear, Historical Romance - Aussie style. Come say G'day at her blog, Ink Dots.