EDITORIAL: Sexist Smut

🎊Good-bye 2017🎈Hello 2018 🎉

A new year is almost upon us.  Out with the old, in with the new. Or as Edith Lovejoy Pierce more eloquently wrote: 

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”

A whole new year of books awaits us. Some authors are still penning them. Others have the publish button at their fingertips. And then there are the words not yet written, the scenes still to come to fruition.  

In 2017, one word was looked up more than any other: feminism. "The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” and “organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests” perked the interest of more people than any other.  It's an important word, though often misconstrued. It's undoubtedly a good thing that more  people are seeking out it's correct definition. It's past time that women took it back from its critics who sought to disparage it in an underhanded attempt to halt a theory from becoming practice. 

Women writers hold at their fingertips the power of the pen, the power to help shape the advancement of women, the advancement of equality. 

“For masterpieces are not single and solitary births; they are the outcome of many years of thinking in common, of thinking by the body of the people, so that the experience of the mass is behind the single voice.” —Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

One of the great things about the romance market is that it allows women to embrace their sexuality.  There's no better way to give a big F-U to the outdated Puritan values that brainwashed generations into the very incorrect assumption that women were not and should not be sexual beings than to read a clearly distinguishable romance book in public. And it's not just about sending a message; romance reading has allowed women to explore their own likes and tastes when it comes to their sexuality. Through books, woman can gauge their own limits, explore their own fantasies, and take tips back to the bedroom where they are equal participants in the action. 

But..... (you knew there had to be one coming) like most things, the genre isn't perfect. And one of those imperfections is a word that's been seeping into the romance and erotic fiction lexicon. 

It's not feminism, of course. In fact, used in the way it's being used in romance books, it's not helping feminism in the least. So before it starts spreading like manure, let's take a closer look at it. 

Imagine if I said the word of the day is 

breeding

noun  breed·ing

Don't worry, I'm never going to really proclaim that a word of the day; this is just a hypothetical exercise. So take a moment, close your eyes, and picture what comes to mind when you hear this word. 

😚 If the cover of a contemporary romance novel comes to mind, then Houston—we have a problem. Because in the words of the noble Inigo Montoya:

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." 

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, breeding is simply:

"—the process by which young animals, birds, etc., are produced by their parents

—the activity of keeping and caring for animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind

—the way a person was taught in childhood to behave : good manners that come from being raised correctly "

Notice all those references to the reproduction of animals? And yet this word keeps creeping up in erotic romance.

I've been over here scratching my head trying to figure out when "breeding" became sexy or romantic for quite some time, and as we head into a new year with new opportunities, it seems now is just as good as time as any to bring it up.

For decades, women have been able to vote, own property, and hold important positions in government, and yet we are still being depicted in fiction as nothing more than a warm body for a over-possessive chauvinistic douchebag to dump his over-entitled seed so he can propagate more sexist renditions of himself.  A man who thinks of "breeding" his woman is a man who views impregnating a woman as a means of suppression, domination, and control. 
He is in layman's terms...a pig. 🐷

Why in the world is he being portrayed as a romantic hero? 😦 You can bet your barn that a guy like this in real life not only wants to keep you hog tied to his pen while breeding his babies, but he's also gonna want to take away any other choices you're entitled to. 

If these types of  "romantic heroes"  were truly such swoon-worthy book boyfriends, they'd be more focused on empowering the woman they claim to love than impregnating her in an archaic approach to claiming ownership.  

To be clear, I have nothing against a romantic story where the a couple have a baby together. This is not an anti-pregnancy post. Motherhood can be a wonderful and rewarding experience.  What I object to is when a woman's body is being used as a method of female subordination and an innocent child becomes an instrument used to keep the mother suppressed. 

Still not convinced? Think it's simply harmless smut?  Well let's consult the Urban Dictionary for their definition then.

" —To be pregnant. Word dates back to slavery days when the master would breed his slaves to   get more slaves. 

—An intercourse between HIV positive and negative without condom. Sometimes the ejaculation of HIV positive one to negative one's orifice; usually anus.  "

Wow, now the word becomes associated with STDs and the propagation of slavery.  Are you getting turned on? Does it make you fall in love with the hero?  Personally, I'm thoroughly disgusted that this term is being tossed around in modern romance.

Come on, readers! Why are we blindly accepting this kind of sexist pillow talk?

The next time you encounter the word breeding, whether you're reading it or writing it, and it's not referring to your four legged pedigree who's in heat or something of that nature, take a moment and consider the wider implications of it's misuse.  

🐶 2018 is the year of the dog, but that doesn't mean romance heroes should act like one.  Oh, and spoiler alert: 2019 and 2020 are the years of the pig 🐷 and the rat 🐀. Let's not emulate them either. 

Instead, let's work together to create another year where the advancement of women is front and center, where blank pages are filled with positive presentations of women, and where opportunities exist for women outside and alongside the role of motherhood.  We aren't animals to be bred. We aren't subordinates to be controlled. We are humans to be valued.  

So the next story I encounter where the "romantic hero" proclaims he's going to breed the heroine I'm not going to picture him like the hunky dude who's displayed on the cover. Oh no, I'm going to picture him like this...

🎶 Happy New Year Everyone! 🍻

🍸Let's party and toast….

To a sexy, not sexist, 2018!!! 



~Check out last year "resolutions"~

Read Post: HERE

EDITORIAL: Put Down the Book; Pick up the Peace Protest Sign

Two Different Worlds

I haven't spent much time in the book world the last two days, and when I say "book world" I mean everything from reading to following book news. Unfortunately, the real world sucked me in, and what I became engrossed in was current world news. Finally last night I checked back in to find the book world a buzz and a blast over a new release. Wow, I missed a lot, I shook my head and chuckled.

Then I thought about it some more, like I generally do about most things I read. So I read a few more viewpoints, and finally decided this post was worth making. Consider it food for thought or a way to put things in perspective.

#1 When a book is marketed in the romance genre it's going to come with certain expectations. Romance is a fairly clear cut genre as far a genres go. There's a whole lot of leeway when you label something simply General Fiction or Fiction-Drama. But Romance and even Dark Romance has its boundaries. If the story goes too far out of the box, well it's simply not romance anymore. I should add to that that there are some themes and content that straight out aren't romantic. If a plot incorporates those real life issues that have extensive consequences, legal ramifications, and far reaching effects, then narrowing down the appropriate audience becomes even more important. There are some things not to be taken lightly in any kind of fiction. Social consciousness is important. An author can write anything they desire for themselves, but once that work, even of fiction, becomes a published piece, it's open to analysis, critique, and discussion by the general public. And romance readers are probably going to be particularly sensitive to certain content because most of us read to escape.

[Fun Fact: Is it a coincidence that National Book Lovers Day coincides with the anniversary of the Mason murders and the Nagasaki bombing? Probably, but it sure doesn't hurt to have an uplifting book to escape from reminders of those horrors of history.]

#2 Amazon deciding to no longer offer a title for sale is not book banning. Amazon is a retailer, not a government organization or some kind of bureaucratic affiliate tying to dictate to the public what one can and can't read. Censureship does happen. In fact, I see it from time to time in the book world in all kinds of subtle ways, often in regards to suppressing lower star reviews. But Amazon or any retailer "passing" on a title or deeming that it doesn't meet their publishing guidelines, mission statement, or product line is not true censorship.

To be clear, I'm not an Amazon fan girl. I have my own complaints about the company, largely in regards to their inconsistent and misleading policies regarding their gift cards. (A totally different issue, by the way.) Are they also inconsistent though on other things like what passes their review? I don't doubt.  But the overall issue at hand here, their ability to sell and not sell certain titles, is nothing new in the book industry. Indie authors may have become accustomed to having their titles available on all of the major online platforms, but as I imagine some authors who've published professionally or someone who's worked in the publishing profession as I have can tell you, retailers "pass" all the time on what they stock, especially when it comes to brick and mortar stores where space is limited. Publishers make sales presentations to the buyers in specific categories and what those buyers order can be affected by various factors from sales projections to content. As I once explained many a time to published authors when I worked for a traditional publisher, the publisher or sales rep could not control what a specific distributor, store, or venue stocked. They could only make the sales pitch and provide the buyer with the required information to make their purchasing decisions. And it's much the same way for indie authors selling today. Ultimately, the decision is the retailer's. But that's not stopping the book from being sold other places or directly by the author. It just means that labeling the title in the most fitting genre, targeting the correct market, and being a little creative (but never deceptive) with marketing is a bigger deal than ever.

Now I'm going back to worrying about the bigger problems in the world as two egomaniac man-children hold their fingers over the nuke buttons. In the end, I'm far more concerned that that drama resolves itself peacefully. ☮

EDITORIAL: Mythbusting the Book Review System

This segment in the Book Reviews Matter series focuses on keeping the industry honest and fair.  There seems to be some confusion, or more specially misunderstanding, in the romance book community when it comes to review copies.  So this post is aimed at clearing things up. 

Myth #1

  “If I can’t rate a title 3 stars or higher, I must withhold or delay my review. Everyone knows how that works with ARCs.”

Reality: It is unethical for an author or a tour company to distribute review copies under the condition that it must meet a specific star rating.  Reviewers are meant to be independent, unbiased critics. Do not feel pressured to comply with any review conditions that would compromise that position. For full transparency, you should detail any review stipulations in the disclaimer for your review.  FTC guidelines seem pretty clear that the burden is not on the consumers, or the general readers in this case, to be knowledgeable of industry practices. It is, in fact, the reviewer who must be transparent about any affiliations with the author or promoter and conditions placed on the product (in this case the advanced copy) they received.  

Furthermore, the other issue or myth here is one this community must get past—the idea that “good” reviews are only 4 and 5 stars and anything less is “bad.”  The star rating does not tell the whole story. A truly good or helpful review will explain the reason for the rating and allow the readers of the review to make their own decision. For more on this topic, see the post Make Your Words Count.

Myth #2

“I received an ARC for a tour or release blitz and didn’t care for it; therefore, I should wait to post my review.”

Reality:  Withholding reviews only negates the honesty of the review system.  Note the word “Advanced” in ARC, meaning that edition was distributed prior to publication so the review could be posted before or in time for the release. 

If you’re still not convinced that it’s in the community’s best interest to not delay, then consider it from the average reader’s shoes. Imagine you are a reader perusing reviews of a brand new title to decide if that book is right for you.  All the reviews are positive, glowing reports, and you purchase the book feeling confident it’s a winner based on the high ratings it’s sporting. Then after reading it, your excitement and warm fuzzy feelings over the title (and those reviews) have vanished. We must not have read the same book, you begin to wonder. So you go back and look at the reviews again. Now there are several low reviews posted— ARCs that were previously held back. And low and behold, the less than stellar reviews point to the same issues you had. Don’t you feel duped? You should because under this scenario the review system didn't give you an ample sampling of varied opinions.

Myth #3 

“Before posting a low star review I should contact the author prior to posting or in lieu of posting my review at all.”

Reality:   A reviewer is under no obligation to contact the author or the promotional company prior to posting their review, no matter the star rating.  And some authors may not want to be contacted in that situation. Either way, once ARCs are distributed it is out of the author's or tour company's hands what kind of response the book receives. That is how the review systems works in order to keep things honest. It’s the same thing for filmmakers who premier a new movie. They can only invite the critics to the showing. They cannot tell them what to write.  

Myth #4

“If an author paid for a promotional tour, it should only highlight positive reviews.”

Reality:   The realities of #1-3 all apply here. But this bears repeating because the thinking behind this particular myth can potentially cross a legal line. When an author purchases a tour package from a promoter they are not purchasing positive reviews. That would essentially be like paying for 4 and 5 stars.  They are, in fact, paying for the services of the PR companies to promote their title(s) which may provide reviewers with ARCs and other promotional materials; however, their payment to the promotional company should not guarantee the reception of the book.  This is where promoters must be clear of the message they are relaying to their reviewers as they [the PR firm] are also, if not more so, potentially liable under FTC regulations.

Myth #5

“I’m a huge fan of an author so if I come across negative reviews I should tell the reviewers how great the book really is.”

Reality:  It’s one thing to have different opinions; it’s another to harass or bully another reviewer.  Comments such as, “I really liked this book, but sorry it didn’t work out for you” are usually fine, probably more appropriate if this is someone who you generally discuss books with rather than an absolute stranger.

On some rare occasions there may be some gray areas if a reviewer completely misconstrued or misrepresented an aspect of the story. But be very careful if you decide to step up to the plate and address the error. In fact, make sure it really is an error, not simply a difference of tastes and opinions. If there's truly an issue with a review (as in it goes against the site's policy) let the administrators review it and make a decision. 

What’s not okay is telling the reviewer that they are ruining the author’s life with a bad review or espousing any of the above myths about book reviews.  Unfortunately, I’ve seen this happen. Don’t be that fan girl. In fact, it’s more likely to have a negative effect on the author than it is a positive one if you sound like you are speaking on his/her behalf.

Sadly there are some not so pretty things in an industry devoted to love. You might call this post the dark side or the underbelly of the romance industry. It doesn’t have to stay this way though.  Follow the FTC guidelines, use good judgment, and keep things honest. Believe it or not, indulging in these myths does have wide ranging consequences. Failure to comply with FTC regulations may result in formal notice to correct your errors and/or led to fines. I am not in any way affiliated with them so see their website for official policies whenever in doubt.  In the meantime, Amazon has already started cracking down on reviews they feel are compromising.  They’ve updated their guidelines; they’ve deleted some reviews; and they’ve more prominently featured verified purchases.  

But all the formal sanctions aside for a moment, as a reviewer don’t you want other readers to feel they can trust your reviews and opinions, whether they agree with them or not? And same goes for the authors whose books you are reviewing. If that author is a serious writer, he/she is more interested in receiving valuable feedback rather than an ego inflate over the praise and number of stars.  

Not sure what to include when composing a romance review? 

Then check out the first in this blog post series, Book Reviews 101.  There you’ll find literary topics to address and tips on writing a thorough review.

Scared off of writing reviews and only want to leave a star rating?  

Make sure to read MakeYour Words Count before you go that route because what you have to say does matter. 

EDITORIAL: Make Your Words Count

A Case for Words vs. Numbers…And Being an Informed Consumer

I’m sure most mathematicians would argue otherwise, but words are better than numbers. Am I probably biased? Yes, I have a background in English literature. Words describe emotions, expressions, moments of being. Can numbers do that? Probably not. Or at least not eloquently. But I’m not writing today to argue which field of study is more important; they certainly both have their merits. Instead I’m going to make a case for a place where words speak volumes, and numbers…well they can be misleading.

I’m a book blogger and book reviewer. I understand the importance of writing reviews. The key word there is writing them, as in analyzing the story and leaving an opinion on the strengths and weaknesses. I promise, it’s really not that hard, and if you’re a reader who feels overwhelmed with the task, I refer you now to a previous post I made entitled Book Reviews 101.  But wait! Before you go, maybe you should keep reading to find out why I think reviewing books means more than just leaving a number.

Any kind of product review is aimed at keeping the manufacturer honest and the consumer informed. That’s why it’s so important for readers to leave them. Whether they are good or bad (and I mean that in more ways than you’re probably thinking, but I’ll get to that point in a few), they can be so helpful.

☑ Helpful to the manufacturer, or the author in this case, as feedback— A well thought out review helps the writer hone in on their work’s best selling features as well as the places where improvements could be made.

☑Helpful to the consumer, or reader in this case, as a recommendation— A well thought out review helps other readers decide to one click or keep browsing.

So why just stop with a star rating???

Simply clicking on the number of stars says very little. It’s a particular pet peeve of mine when consulting reviews. I peruse all levels of stars before making my selection and let me tell you there is nothing more frustrating than star ratings with no text to back it up. I know, I know, time is short and life is busy. But if you felt compelled enough to punch that star button 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times, take an extra few seconds to jot down why you choose that rating. Because here’s what happens when you don’t:

1. The author has no idea why you loved it, hated it, or rated it something in between.

2. Other readers have no idea why you loved it, hated it, or rated it something in between.

3. Some readers will just ignore that rating all together because there’s no support to back it up. (That would be me!)

4. Some readers will blindly allow it to influence their purchasing decisions and quite possibly either end up wasting their time on a story they may hate or missing out on an awesome tale they may love.

Case #1 👚

I was doing a little on-line shopping a few weeks ago and came across a nightshirt I thought was cute and looked comfy. Do I buy the pink, black, or gray, I lamented. Then I spotted the average rating—3 stars. Hmm? Here’s where I paused on the ‘add to bag’ button and made sure I did my research. Now, had I just taken the star rating at face value, I might have kept browsing. Being that it was clothing, an obvious assumption would be that the rating reflected the material quality. However, upon closer inspection I found there were only 3 reviews which comprised this 3 star average: 1 five star, 1 three star, and 1 one star—not a lot to go on but a sampling of responses none the less. Well, the three stars didn’t leave any explanation. Disregard that one. The five star thought it was well made and a cute gift for her granddaughter. Okay, at least she commented on the quality of the material. The one star was also purchasing it as a gift for her granddaughter. She, however, vowed it was her last purchase from this site! Apparently she was unhappy about the "see-through" quality of the fabric, though she didn’t specify which color she chose.  Conveniently, Valentine’s Day was just around the corner and my hubs generally doesn’t mind me spending his money as much if he’s getting something out of it too if you catch my drift. 😉 What didn’t work for her, worked for me. So the granny who was worried about what boy was going to see her granddaughter at bedtime was ironically the “bad” review that sealed the deal on my purchase.  But had she not explained why she 1 starred it, I wouldn’t have had at least some buyer feedback to make my purchasing decision, and I wouldn’t have been able to understand the reason behind her 1 star.  I ended up buying both the pink and black. They were both soft, comfortable, and not translucent! 😲 Perhaps she bought the gray, which I didn't; perhaps she has x-tray vision; or perhaps she was as dramatic as her review suggested. (Seriously? Never buying from a major retailer again because of the style of one item?) Either way, I was a satisfied customer even if prudish grandma was too picky.

Case #2 🌊

Warm weather had me jumping the gun on swimming season so I went looking for a pair of water shoes for around the pool. Color me confused when a low star review complained the shoes were uncomfortable walking around in all day. 😕 These are shoes designed for the beach or the pool, made by a well known brand whose name screams swimwear.  Everything about the product should have made it obvious that it was not meant for hiking.  Purchase decision on my end: Side with the high star reviewers who actually bought the shoes for their intended purpose. 

Case #3 📚

This one actually deals with books, just not in the romance market. I was looking for some women’s history titles to use for my children’s educational studies. Now since I have a background in women’s lit I already had a fairly decent handle on the topic so I knew a bit of what I was looking for.  Imagine my amusement when one particular publication that I was considering sported a 1 star review that described the book as a feminist rant. Well gee, women’s history and feminism do tend to go hand in hand. But then it got even “better.” It seems this reviewer felt that the author projected her hatred of religion into her analysis of multiple religions. Now, I’m not including this example to get into any kind of debate, but I think most unbiased women studies scholars would agree that religion has historically oppressed the female gender in a multitude of forms and depictions.  Anyways, the reviewer stated that she DNF-ed the book before finishing that section, and I was left wondering if she wasn’t exactly the type of person who needed the enlightening. That aside though, what she did do in her review was point to her very lack of prior knowledge on the topic as well as her inability to fully grasp the subject matter discussed in the text. Plus, she didn't read the whole book. Believe it or not, (and I swear this on my copy of The Second Sex) that one of the key points of a book review is to establish that you possess a basic understanding of the book’s purpose. Clearly this reviewer did not, and if you haven’t already guessed, I 1-clicked that baby.  See my review HERE.

Case #4 📚
Lastly, this one deals with a 5 star review that made me run screaming away from that purchase.  See if you think browsing and choosing books in the romance is tough, it's a cake walk some days compared to choosing textbooks (which can be really expensive) for your homeschooled kids.  But it was easy to strike one text off the list when I came across a 5 star reviewer who explained that she chose the book because it was out-dated and politically incorrect!  I swear, I'm not making this stuff up. That was actually the reason she chose it--to instill those ideas to impressionable young minds.  Sadly, while her views and approach to teaching were disgusting, her review was helpful. In fact, I ended up finding a newer published, brand new condition text in that subject for a great bargain. I can't tell you how thankful I am that I read the reviews in that scenario. 

My point to all this, if it’s not clear by now, is that readers need to take the time to explain their rating and stop fretting over leaving bad reviews. But at the same time, readers also need to stop relying on simply the star rating and take the extra time themselves to read the reasons why another reader rated it the way they did. Then authors can stop worrying about receiving negative reviews and feel more secure that their readers are also informed consumers, not easily led by….numbers! Heck, in simply the last month it was negative reviews that positively influenced three of my purchases and a good review that ensured that I wouldn't buy! Guess the "bad" reviews aren't so bad after all. And the "good" aren't a guarantee that other readers will agree or 1-click.

So next time you finish a book…Tell us how you really feel! ✍

EDITORIAL: How Fiction Can Influence Reality

                The fictional world, especially the romance one, can be a great escape from the harsh realities of the real world.  It’s part of the reason why I chose the Henri Laborit quote in the blog’s banner: "In times like these, escape is the only way to stay alive and keep dreaming." 

                In times like these indeed. When the new leader of a nation sports rhetoric of hate, it makes the urge even stronger to turn to the pages of a book devoted to love. But simply being a fictional story doesn’t absolve it from having a greater purpose in the real world, a social consciousness, or a role in shaping reality.

“Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.” —Virginia Woolf

                Feel free to explore those words further and in greater context in Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own. It really should be required reading for every woman writer and reader.  In the meantime, consider coming together in the romance community to make strides much like the 2.9 million women who came together yesterday to stand united in their devotion to keep moving forward with progress, equality, and so much more.  👏 (A big round of applause for everyone who participated in the Women's March and showed their support. Let's hope this is just the beginning!)

                There are so many ways to evoke social change—marches, rallies, legislation, fund raisers, volunteer work, voting...the list could go on. But let’s also make sure to include the written word. Because literature (like art and music) also has the power to produce change.

                As producers and consumers of the written word, we can make progress as well. We can focus on positive depictions of love and working together, emphasize strong female characters, and eliminate sexist heroes and restrictive gender roles.

                Because these representations have not only the potential for subliminal effects on the reader, but they can also speak volumes about the writer and the literary legacy that women today leave for women of the future.

                Take a moment to reflect or go to a book group and discuss the current depictions of women and men in romance. Choose your favorite book or your least favorite—analyze it, look at the characters, the dialogue, the tropes, the messages, and the themes.

                If that’s still too broad or you've never dabbled in feminist literary theory before, then consider these examples as starting topics for reflection and discussion:

•  Sibling’s best friend is a popular premise for romance novels. Hand up if you’ve read one. ✋ I’ve gravitated to this plot line myself. Now look deeper at the story. Why is the idea taboo? Who decides it’s taboo?  Don’t misconstrue where I’m headed with this; I’m not knocking this type of story. Some of them do a great job exploring the pros and cons of dating someone close to your family but also someone you’ll have to continue to be around if the relationship doesn’t work out.  Others simply give the brother character far too much power!  If the literary conflict of the story revolves around his feelings above and beyond that of the two people who actually have a mutual attraction to each other, then ask yourself what that says about the limitations of women’s freedom to make their own decisions about their love life. 

• Separations are a key ingredient in second chance romances. The building of the story requires not just the development of the couple’s past and present, but of the time they spent apart.  Have they spent those days, months, or years longing for each other? Have they moved on in life only to come face to face with each other again? Now here comes the sometimes misogynist part…what if one of them has lived life to the fullest, raking up a plethora of new sexual and romantic experiences, while the other has been lonely and/or left largely unfulfilled? An imbalance indeed, but a decidedly sexist one when the majority of the instances it’s the heroine who’s been celibate while the hero was a manwhore.

                Keep in mind these are just two examples where power is imbalanced, double standards come into play, and certain expectations are subtly inserted into the text. There are far more intricately woven ones out there as well as more blatant ones.  While I'd love to hear from readers directly about the sexist elements that they find still prevalent in fiction, the main call to action of this post though is be more conscious when we encounter them as readers and not give them a pass, and to be more diligent as writers by avoiding perpetuating them. Like anything, it involves working tougher as a team and making this reading community a place to be proud of, leaving a new legacy for our “daughters” while honoring the late and great women writers of the past who worked so hard to make this both a better profession and pastime for women.

  

                I’m closing this post with a quote from a speech made yesterday because I love the prospect of female empowerment alongside getting to know each other and striving for a better tomorrow. 

“We're staying together. And we're taking over. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure you introduce yourselves to each other and decide what we're gonna do tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and we're never turning back.” —Gloria Steinem

EDITORIAL: Shall These Unromantic Trends Be Forgotten: A Plea to Contemporary Romance Writers

🎉Good-bye 2016🎈Hello 2017 🎉

A new year is almost upon, and resolutions are about to be laid.  If you’re an author in the romance community, do you mind if a few suggestions are made?

 My plea is to writers from famous to virtually unknown, if you’re selling your book in the romance market, can you make them ones romantic readers truly want to take home?

 Because there are some literary devices out there that are a bit yucky when it comes to the fucky. Yes, you read that right. When readers get to the sexy nitty gritty, we don’t want to run in freight.

So my poetry sucks, but I'm not a poet. I'm a romance book blogger and in that role I do my fair share of reading—everything from contemporary romance books to the reviews and comments of other readers on those titles. So I’m going to close the year with a little commentary on the trends in the current romance market. While not everyone is going to agree with me because everyone has different opinions, I did not pull this list out of my ass either. I might have compiled it with sass (*groan* I know, another bad rhyme), but it does represent a fairly valid summation of complaints I see from readers time and time again. 

#1 The Manwhore Characterization

“Yes, I’d like to order a new contemporary romance novel please?  Heavy on the smut factor but go easy on the manwhore. However you prepare him, please don’t supersize him!”

Those so-called sexy male sluts are everywhere. Except when did they become sexy? And when did they become the staple of the romantic hero? Seriously, it’s hard these days to find a male lead without this characterization to some degree.  

Some of them were manwhores in the past, but they’ve now changed their ways after finding love or lust at first sight with the heroine. That’s okay. Romance readers are big on redemption as well as the heroine being the game changer. But writers, ask yourself this before you pen those lurid past details: If the past is really in the past for this character, why is he relating all the titillating tidbits to the reader in the present? Because just like it's not cool to talk about your exes or former conquests on a real date, it can be equally unromantic to the reader when a character does it. 

Look, I get you’re trying to convey that your hero is a winner between the sheets. He has experience; every woman wants him. That’s great. But there’s a finesse to this, a subtly if you will, that makes the difference between conveying him as a talented lover and a walking STD.

It’s okay to drop a few details about his sexual history if it's relevant so long as you don’t beat the reader over the head with it, especially right off the bat. One of the biggest ways I get turned off as a reader is when the hero is introduced with a monologue about how frequently he gets laid and with how many different women. Or worse yet, he is introduced displaying his prowess with someone other than the heroine. Which brings me to …

#2 Hero Has Sex with Other Women (OW) Scene

“Give me a gallon of brain bleach, please?...What you don’t sell that? Then how in the hell am I supposed to get the image of the hero bending one of his bitches over a desk out of my head?”

I don’t want to imply any double standards here, so let me be clear. The heroine having sex with another guy (OM) in a romance is just as counterproductive as the hero having sex with another woman. If it happens after they have they connected/become involved, well then see #4. But even if it’s depicted before the hero and heroine cross paths, what purpose does it serve?  Are you trying to convey they had a life before meeting each other? Yeah, I think most readers are smart enough to figure that out without the TMI. Are you trying to amp up the steam factor in your novel? Well that can be accomplished between the hero and heroine!  Because unless you’re writing straight erotica, with no intentions of a romantic vibe, then leave the panting and moaning action to your main couple. Otherwise it just makes it harder for the reader to picture the pair you’re trying to put together actually together because they're distracted with the image of the hero or the heroine with someone else. 
🙈🙉🙊 And if it isn’t bad enough when the reader has to endure it, it’s even more revolting when…

#3 Heroine Hears or Sees the Hero Having Sex with Other Woman (OW) Trope

“I’d like to speak to a manager! Page Dr. Phill. Is Dr. Ruth around? Or maybe…summon the ghost of Dr. Sigmund Freud? We might need to break out the big guns to analyze this one.”

On what planet did this scenario become foreplay? Because I’m pretty sure on Earth, most women are more likely to break into tears upon seeing or hearing their crush fidgeting the midget in Bridget than they are to suddenly become hot and bothered and want him all the more.  Buzz kill doesn't even begin to describe it. It's heartbreaking, pure and simple. 💔

Now perhaps if you’re trying to convey that your heroine has secret fantasies of becoming a swinger, then this type of scene might work. But if your goal is make the reader connect with the hero and heroine solely as a singular romantic unit, then this trope needs to go the way of the dinosaurs. Enough said. Moving on to another one that should have been extinct in the romance market long ago...

#4 'Cheating' Plot Conflict

“Customer Service, please…Yes, I ordered a romantic hero but I was given a cheating bastard instead. I’d like my time and money back pronto. There’s some deceptive advertising going on in your establishment.”

I’m not even going to go into explanation on this one because I’m pretty sure you don’t need a book blogger, Dr. Phil, or Dr. Ruth to tell you that cheating is not only unhealthy in a relationship, it’s also decidedly unromantic. It doesn’t belong here. And if it’s in your novel, then romance is not what you’re writing. And don't try to skirt the issue by having the main couple break up 40% into the novel, screw other people till 90%, and then get a rushed reconciliation. It might technically not be cheating up, but it's unromantic just the same. 

Still feel compelled to use cheating in a ‘love story?’ Allow me to direct you on a little vacation to the Freudian section of the psychology bookshelves where you might gain some insight into that fiction novel you're really writing. In the meantime, the rest of us will be over here analyzing this next one…

#5 ‘Breeding’ Diction and Theme

“I’m sorry; I thought I walked into a contemporary establishment. I must be in the wrong year or maybe I accidentally 1-clicked an erotic edition of Animal Farm!”

I have a post coming up in greater detail on this one, but it needs a mention on this list too. So even if you’ve managed to create a hero who avoids all the issues in #1-4 but then succumbs to #5, he’s still a creep.

Two people in love making a baby 👶 can be a beautiful plot development in a romance, but when the hero spouts off chauvinist gibberish that contain this ‘B’ word, whether it be to the heroine or in the hero’s head, the romance just went out the door. 
Can’t you just smell the chauvinist manure?  💩

“Breeding” in a romance book is a problem with both word choice as well as the message it sends.  It goes beyond being simply a poor use of the word. It’s distasteful and implies a whole lot more than just conception. It’s a misogynist theme. Real liberated men don’t need to conspire to impregnate their woman to claim her or keep her so romantic heroes shouldn’t either.

Writers, you want your hero to show the world that she’s his? Write an epic public marriage proposal. 💍 You want them to have a baby together? Then write an intelligent conversation between a man and a woman who mutually decide to procreate together. 👪 Or have the freaking condom accidentally break. Whatever! But this is not a decision to be made by only one person in the relationship. No doubt readers would look down on a heroine who got pregnant on purpose to trap the hero. Cease the double standards. A hero who does the same should not get a pass.  Heroes who want to "breed" their heroines are not swoon-worthy over-the-top alpha males. They are insecure sexist pigs without an ounce of integrity or respect for the woman they claim to adore. 🐷

🎶 Should these trends be forgotten? And never brought to mind?

Frankly, I’m not sure how they ever became synonymous with the word romance to begin with. They are about as far from romantic as it gets. And if there's one thing that's key to the romance genre, it's certain expectations that readers come to expect when they flip open the pages to escape for a few hours. Positive depictions of love culminating in a HEA is what essentially defines the romance reading genre. If you decide to deviate from that, you're not cutting edge, you're not infusing gritty realism, or thinking outside the box.  You are outside the box! As in, you're no longer writing in the genre. 

And bear in mind, I’m not telling anyone what to write or not write. What I’m saying is that there’s a growing consensus in the reading community that romance, one of the biggest book buying genres, has become a dumping ground for everything from angsty melodrama to erotic suspense to short story porn. So before you slap that “Romance” label on the cover or market it in the romance category, make sure what you’re really presenting is romantic. We need love more than ever these days!

🎉 Happy New Year Everyone! 🎈

🍸Let’s close with a toast….

To a more romantic 2017! 🍻

EDITORIAL: Book Reviews Matter

Frequently in the book community I see authors reminding readers the importance of leaving reviews as well as readers lamenting how to write one.  So in the interest of both parties I’ve decided to create this post to:

A) Help readers become better reviewers.

B) Help authors get more reviews. 

Hopefully, it’s a win-win situation.

💕Note: I’ve tailored this post to be applicable to romance publications.💕  So if writing a review for a different genre, obviously some aspects won't not apply.

¶ First, let’s address one very important issue when it comes to book reviewing.  Honesty.  If a review, whether a glowing 5 star or a scathing 1 star, isn’t honest and unbiased, then it has no place in the book community. Not only that, but it compromises the whole purpose of the review system. And I'm going to take that sentiment a step further. Withholding reviews that do not meet a certain star level also negates the integrity of the review system. I know some readers feel bad about leaving a negative review or adopt the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" philosophy, but before you go that route strongly consider how it can be misleading to both other readers and the author who wrote the book. 5 stars lose their luster when handed out too easily. There's nothing wrong with a low star review when written in an honest, constructive criticism manner. Not everyone likes the same things. Just choose your wording carefully. And don't fall prey to these myths:

http://book-bosomed.blogspot.com/2017/05/editorial-mythbusting-book-review-system.html

¶ This brings me to a second point. It's also important to remember that book reviews are designed to serve two purposes.

1. To help other readers choose books.

2. To provide valuable feedback to the author.

A truly helpful review will and should do both.  After all, simply and only stating “It was AMAZING!” or on the flip side, “This books sucks!” really tells no one anything about why the book was good or bad.  Was it the writing? The characterization? The plot? A helpful review won't leave either other readers or the author scratching their heads trying to figure out the reason for the rating or simply discrediting the review altogether. 

So where to start when writing a review…

& If you have the time, it’s best form to start with a brief explanation of the premise of the book. Not only can this be helpful if the book description or blurb is a bit vague but it can also help illustrate that you possess a basic understanding of the book’s purpose.  To be clear though, this is NOT retelling the whole plot. And if 90% of your review is a summation of the book description, then you aren’t writing a book review but writing a book report.  

& Once you’ve  helped establish what your interpretation of the underlying foundation of the story is in a few simple sentences, it’s time to move on to what you perceive to be the book’s strengths and weaknesses.  If it’s a 5 star, it’s probably all strengths. If it’s a 1 star, it’s probably all weaknesses. And all the stars in the middle are a variation of both.   

Things to consider and include when reviewing romance titles: (You don’t have to include them all in every review, but these are valid points to take into account.)

C or D

• Are the main characters sufficiently developed?  Did they meet your expectations as the hero and the heroine of the story?

• Is the romance sufficiently developed? Did the author aptly convey a sense of chemistry between the characters? Did you understand and/or relate with the reasons why they fell in love?

• Is the story well written?  Overall, is it grammatically correct?

• Did the plot flow well? Did it make sense? Were there any continuity errors or factual mistakes in the storytelling?  Did you ever feel the need to skim? Was the story so engrossing you couldn't put it down?

• Are there significant themes to the story and if so, did the author handle them well?

Other helpful aspects to consider including in your review that may be critical to other readers in deciding if this story is for them:

Romantic Angle:  Is this a second change romance? Opposites attract? Friends-to-lovers?  Does the romance develop quickly (insta love or insta lust) or is it a slow burn? 💑

Romantic Content:  (I'm  being PC with this heading. Let's face it, if you're reading a contemporary romance then you probably should comment on the steam factor.)  As far as the sex scenes go, is it dirty and erotic? Or is it a clean romance?  Maybe it's somewhere in between, but do your best to rate the smut level. 💏

Tone/Mood:  Is this story dark? Is it angsty? Is it light-hearted? Does it have humor? Is it suspenseful?  This might also be where the phrases "I laughed my ass off" or "I had a big ugly cry" could be used. 😉

Narration: Is the story written in the first person, and if so is it the heroine’s POV? The hero’s?  Dual POV?  Or is it told from a third person narrator?

Length: Was it too short? Too long?  Is it a novella or a full length novel?

Publication Information: Is this story part of a series? Can it be read as a stand-alone? Or is it part of a serial that must be read in order?

Genre/Subgenre:  Is this a billionaire romance? Step-sibling? Sports? College?  Rockstar? Mafia? Or perhaps most importantly, is the category listed on the retailers website or Goodreads an accurate description of the story?   For example, if there was a lot of drama and little romance, then perhaps the book would be more acutely labeled General Fiction or Fiction-Drama than romance. Helping identify the type of story that’s portrayed can go a long way in steering other readers in the right direction.  Audience is key!

Recommendation:  As you bring your review to a close, you may choose to comment on your recommendations for the book at hand. Is it for everyone who enjoys romance or readers that prefer a specific brand? Are there triggers that could be a turn-off or offensive to other readers? It doesn’t have to bother you yourself in order for you to mention it out of courtesy for others who might. If you truly feel it's could be construed as a spoiler, simply tag it appropriately. 

¶ Don't get overwhelmed. Just consider the above mentioned literary aspects and comment on the ones that speak to you most in your review.  The more reviews you write, the easier it will become.

¶ Always keep in mind that a review is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. For readers, that means that not everyone is going to agree on the same book. So be respectful of other but don’t be afraid to leave your own review if it differs from your reading friends. For authors, that means the opportunity to use reader feedback to be a better writer—by both focusing on your strengths and improving your weaknesses.  And no matter which category you fall in, reader or writer, it’s always important for everyone to keep things courteous and professional.

As far as major no-no's in the book community go…

N:Readers—Don’t attack other posted reviews. And be careful to not take things out of context. Book discussion is all part of reading, but keep it friendly and polite so it stays fun. If you have been the victim of bullying, don't let it stop you from writing reviews. Use the proper channels to report the offender to the administrators of the site you are using. 

N:Authors—Publicly complaining about negative reviews is very unprofessional, and while it might garner you some drama, it will just as likely turn off not only new readers but existing fans.  Social media is not the place for venting. If you feel a review was truly unfair or has no merit, confide in a trusted personal friend or spouse to let off some steam. 

—Also, requesting that readers and reviewers withhold reviews under a certain star rating is not only unethical, it also constitutes a form of censorship and infringes on free speech. So don't even entertain the idea, yet alone make it a condition of reviewing. 

*Policy note from the blog: This blog does not support authors who behave badly. Review and promotion will not be provided to any author caught publicly posting in an inappropriate manner or requesting readers withhold less than stellar reviews. 

O One last thing I’d like to address because I occasionally see some confusion on this. There is a difference (albeit in some instances slight) between writing a review and providing an endorsement in the publishing world.  Reviews should represent unbiased opinions provided without compensation or rating/reviewing conditions and can be written by anyone from a general reader to someone in the book or publishing field. As discussed above, a review may contain praise; it may contain criticism; and will quite possibly be a mix of both.  An endorsement, on the other hand, is all praise or support for a publication generally written by either an expert in the field, a celebrity, or someone with an affiliation to the author.  It is a marketing tool used to provide accreditation to the publication. Compensation (in various forms) may likely be involved.  Endorsements are subject to FTC regulations.  See HERE and HERE.   Of most relevance to those reading this post, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’ve been offered any kind of compensation (not simply limited to monetary) or if you are somehow affiliated with the author then transparency regarding such relationships and transactions is necessary.

I hope this post has been helpful!  Happy writing, reading, and reviewing everyone!!!

8 Additional Recommended Reading:

Want a simpler overview of a book review?  Check out How to write English's section on what to include in a book review: HERE

Want a more in depth look at writing a book review with examples? The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill has a excellent section on their website: HERE

Want a few good reasons why simply leaving a star rating doesn't suffice? Check out "Make Your Words Count:" HERE