What's Up With That?

*** Disclaimer**** The purpose of this post is not to attack anyone personally or any one author in particular. Its to bring attention to a few issues I have noticed as a reader and blogger within the IR community. This is not the gospel just one person's opinion. We all have them but leave your negative comments to yourself.

It’s been awhile since I have done a “what’s up with that post” I only do these when something triggers it. My fellow blogger and friend Musings of an IR Junkie recently did a blog post about how there is no U.N.I.T.Y. in the IR (Interracial) genre. This post was one of those triggers as well as the foolishness I have been seeing on social media and Amazon.

Here goes……

Regarding no unity being in the IR community the simple fact is that there is none. I don’t want to rehash everything that was said but I will add my spin on it. This is a business first and foremost. As an author you are your own brand. So I don’t understand how you expect to sell if you don’t market yourself. I am speaking of the authors who only stay within their own group and don’t step outside of their circle or clique. Frankly speaking you don’t support others but want to get in your group and whine woe is me. Newsflash: You Get What You Give!!!! I have seen new authors come in and do blog takeovers, offer contests, and hold discussions about their up and coming books. For a genre that was made for us by us I don’t get why we tear each other down. I have seen authors allow their admins, and street teams bully reviewers, fans and other authors. Are you that insecure that you will tear a fellow author down? And you wonder why your stuff doesn’t even make the U.S.A. bestseller list. Focus more on actual writing quality work then what others are doing. It doesn’t take anything from you to help another author out.

On the flipside you do have authors who support each other but they only support those who fit inside of their clique. Like I mentioned earlier this is a business shouldn’t you be focused on making sales? I think it’s funny when some of these authors take to their social media and post all about love and harmony but then the mean girl comes out. It’s really sad that some people are stuck in high school. I believe the lack of unity and support of fellow authors hurt this genre. Maybe it's why the genre is seen as a joke? This is displayed by the fetish type books that are now flooding the genre. We have some very talented authors in this genre but the talent is overshadowed by the bad behavior and blatant lack of support amongst fellow authors and fans.

Now regarding the fans lack of support:

I have seen fans say that they don’t support some authors because of how they were treated in groups or the author’s disposition. The fact of the matter is social media is a blessing and a curse but a necessary evil. For instance an author commented on an Amazon review after her fan girls attacked the reviewer for a difference in opinion. Really? Is it that serious? Why do you care about what one person is saying about you when majority of the reviews are all positive? Not everyone will like you. Hell I know many don’t like me or my reviews/posts. And guess what? That’s fine because no one pays my bills. Back to the issue at hand. Well this author goes on and on about how they don’t read reviews and so forth but explains why the reviewer’s issue with the book were unfounded. First many complain because they don’t get reviews and now you want to tell a person how they should review? Do you see why reviewers get frustrated? Who has that kind of time? My issue is that this behavior turned me completely off from the author. Your admins represent you. Granted you can’t control other grown people but you can correct behavior. I still don’t understand why fan girls and admins spew such hate. Are you getting paid? More than likely you are getting free books. Which in itself is laughable going all out of your way  to bully another for what a $5.00 book. Honey if it’s that serious e-mail me and I will send you the book.

I understand reviews help authors but the fact of the matter is some simply don’t review. I have seen posts where people mention that their t.b.r. pile is so long. You know that that means? Maybe they just haven’t had time to review your book yet. And then some simply don’t like to review. Who am I to judge them or condemn them? Heck at least they bought the book when most are pirating books these days. The point is pick your battles. You know what I miss? Book chats/character chats. Lately these groups have been flooded with penis pictures or what’s happening in pop culture. I feel like we should all get back to basics. It’s only so much bloggers can do to help.

My other issue is the darkened photo covers on books. I know that there are select stock photos to choose from but just like with this genre create them. Please don’t darken photos it looks cheesy and fans aren’t stupid. Another issue I have seen as a trend as of late is the demonizing of black men in these books. It’s as if the black woman in the book can only be with the white man because the black man was this horrible monster. What is that? So in order to date a white man, black men have to dog you out? In the beginning the reason why I loved IR books was because it didn't focus more so on race but on the love story itself. Not that I don't enjoy stories that discuss race in books because lets be honest race is still an issue with some but be tactful in how you handle the issue of race.

Also what’s up with the lack of descriptions of the women in these books? Are you trying to appeal to a larger audience or don’t feel the descriptions are necessary? I genuinely want to know.

To sum all of this long post up:  We have to support one another and get over our own insecurities it’s enough room in this genre for everyone. Step outside of your groups and your fantasy world and support, like some posts, hell say thank you to your supporters.

 

 

Loving My Neighbor By: Christopher Maddox

First let me say that this book was recommended to me by a friend. I love new reads and in the IR genre reading a book written by a male a white male at that is very rare. So when this book was suggested to me I immediately dove into it. Unfortunately I was sadly disappointed in this book and its representations of women of color. Below is my review:

Where is the plot? When this story first started off the premise was good but about 10% in the story takes a turn and ends up being more sex than a plot. Scenes, and scenes of the same sex gets a little boring at times. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Where are the descriptions the only thing I know about the female lead is that she needs a `tan." As a reader we are lead to believe this is a joke but Sabrina kept bringing the issue up. Now let's get down to the big issue for me the issue of race. When both Jason and Sabrina had to tell their parents about the relationship I felt as though I was in the 1960's. One of the scenes Sabrina's mother tells her, "I figured you would marry/date a white guy because you are so pretty." Exactly what does that mean? Only ugly black women date inside their race? Even Jason mentions that he never dated outside his race because the "cute" black girls are taken. This kind of stuff is problematic one it screams ignorance and two the misappropriation of black women are out of control. This is not to bash the author but to bring attention to some issues that he can work on. I found this book was just sex and no attention to the development of the two relationship and all in a span of 2 weeks. I know with some stories you have to suspend your belief in reality but this book was just so far left it wasn't even funny. The race issues, the parents, and just the blatant ignorance about IR relationships. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

His Witness By: Vanessa Waltz

Welcome back to the Vittorio Crime Family! His Witness is the fourth book in this series but can be read as a standalone. Before I get into my review I will say that this is a very dark read. It deals with abuse, violence, and graphic sex. This book is not for the faint at heart. I say this not to discourage the reader but as a forewarning as to what to expect.

Tommy head enforcer and a bit of a psychopath when it comes to his victims has never fit in anywhere. His biological family treated him as if he was non-existent and Jack his surrogate showed him in only the way the mob or any gang could what it feels like to be a part of something. Although Jack was the first one to introduce Tommy to this life he still will never be “made” because he isn’t fully Italian. Because of this Tommy takes liberties where he wants with little to no repercussions. Like many men in this family when he sees something he wants he takes it including women.

Melanie has taken over for her father in the family business. Her dreams of attending Columbia University have been shattered with the burden of helping her father. Jumping in bed with some strange bedfellows Melanie has to sign a deal with the devil. Because her father has business with the Vittorio Family Melanie has no choice but to let them flood drugs through her club for their business. Verbally and psychically abused by the men in this family Melanie has created a hard shell. She doesn’t back down to these guys and lets them know exactly where they can shove it. I love the fact that Melanie is very sassy and has a bit of a filthy mouth.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances Melanie is now Tommy’s captive. Tommy has always had a crush on Melanie but each time she turns him down. Now that he has her exactly where he wants her his goal is to break her by any means necessary.

If you have read any of the other previous stories this story will really make you dislike Vince. He’s a bit of a douchebag to everyone except his wife. While I love a good mob read I had a few issues with the inconsistencies in this story. For instance Melanie says to Tommy, “You said you have anger problems, but I don’t see it at all.” Or my favorite when Tommy says, “I never laid a hand on you I’m trying to help you.”  (Potential Spoilers) He only beat her and starved her and made her sit in the cold basement naked for days. I would agree his issues go beyond anger but who are we kidding?

I did find that there were parallels between this story and the other stories in the series. For example Jack has an issue with one of the love interests of his men and wants them to get rid of said love intrest. But the men can’t find a way to part with the women they love and except them for who they are. The women all have issues with Jack and make note to mention that Jack is using them. But because of some blind loyalty to Jack the men including Tommy try to work something out. Although unlike the other men Tommy is more of a man of action and doesn’t just speak about things he makes them happen. I do like the fact that the author does pose questions to the characters that the readers are thinking themselves. i.e. Melanie doesn’t want to leave Tommy after the God awful things he has done to her. She pleads her case which sounds a lot like classic Stockholm Syndrome but Tommy corrects her and lets her know that, “its normal to get attached to the person you are spending so much time with.” I honestly didn’t feel these two characters shared anything more than insults and sex. I would have liked to see more of a connection between the two if possible.

This story is more than Melanie being Tommy’s captive it balances the budding “romance” between the two with the business of the family. I won’t give too much a way but there are a lot of twists and turns in this story and the way the author left the book off I am sure there is more to come. Don’t judge this book based on this one review but for yourself.

La Femme Selita By: Lolah Lace

La Femme Selita starts off with a kidnapping of the male lead Ben. We don't know much about why Ben has been kidnapped by the beautiful Femme Fatale just that his father owes a debt and Selita the heroine doesn't mind using him as leverage to get it. Or so it seems.... Each chapter is told in days, and what happened on each of those days to Ben. During this process of Ben being captured a sort of love hate relationship grows between him and Selita. And dare I say a lot of lust. Really what's a guy to do when you have a gorgeous captor like Selita who can not only keep up with you intellectually but can handle her own.

For Selita to be a hit woman she is very forthcoming about certain areas of her life: her educational background, last name, etc. Meanwhile Ben has some idea of why he is being held captive as it relates to his father Benny but as a reader majority of the questions focused around Ben's infidelity. I thought this is interesting a trained killer with morals? Talk about oxymoron. Ben's character with his inner dialogue sounds a lot like the authors most famous character Mason from her Balls to the Walls series.

For the first 43% of this book it is more of Ben's inner dialogue and his limited interactions with Selita. Although when they do interact it's like someone has lit a fire. The growing lust between the two characters is palpable. Sure there are some HOT sex scenes included but as a reader I was left in the dark wondering what really was going on? We don't know much about Selita and the pieces of information we do get aren't fully explained. For me there was too much attention giving to the issue of Ben's infidelity when some of that I feel could have been given to flush out the story better. After reading this story the reader is left with more questions than answers well at least I know I was. Don't get me wrong even though this story started off a bit slow it still was an intriguing read. I liked the concept of the story I just wish certain elements of the story were explained and flushed out. If you are a reader who likes IR (Interracial Relationship) books and a gorgeous female lead with a very sexy male this story is for you. All in all I think Lolah did a great job. Like I always mention don't judge this book based on one review judge for yourself.

Shame On Me By: Cassie Maria

I have never read anything by this author before but this book was all the talk in some of the IR groups I frequent and the book was free. I am all for reading and discovering new authors. I think there is enough room in this genre for everybody and if there is a story to be told then I would love to read it. When I first saw the cover I was immediately liking the book. Rarely in books, magazines, etc. do you see full figured women on the cover.  Unfortunately this book was one of those cases where the cover doesn’t actually match the description of the character of the book. Which is fine and it didn’t take a way anything from the story except a few preconceived notions about what kind of book I was reading.

Mia is a young girl who likes to have a fun time and by fun time I mean she likes to hook up. She has no emotional attachment to the men she “hits” a regular love them and leave them type chick. Being hurt from a previous relationship Mia keeps her heart guarded at all times until her meddlesome friends or what she calls the boys play a hand in finding her true love.

Ethan the very handsome guy at the bar catches her eye but he is more than a “hitter” according to her boys he’s the one. I love that in this story we get a bit of the male perspective when it comes to relationships which I love. Ethan has his own issues he was hurt before as well but unlike Mia he is ready to move on and settle down with his life.

Of course these two immediately hook up. Did I mention that this was an insta-love type book? Well more on Ethan’s part Mia is a little more reluctant. I don't know if their attraction towards each other it's completely ruled by lust since the boys seem to have a hand in their hooking up. The after morning hook up is pretty funny I won’t give too much a way but I can understand Mia’s reluctance. These two shared bodies and he seems to know more of her then she does of him. The roles are reversed and she is being told what to do for once I would have like to see more (in the beginning) communication between the two besides the sex and eating with each other.

All the superficial contemplating back in forth about being with him got a bit annoying after a while. Because Mia has her own demons with her ex-Noah they seem to be playing out in her relationship with Ethan. Her issue with not wanting to be lost is a man and being bullied parallels with her relationship with Ethan. I wish she would have been more confident after sharing her hurtful past with her ex the biggest freak out she has is that her hair isn't tame. I think this reminds the reader at how young she is.

This story doesn't just focus on the main couple but on the friends who are getting married Ava & Steve. I think if the author included them like she did more should have been given on their relationship. Otherwise it’s just an insta-love story with no depth. I know it seems odd to be discussing the main characters in such a length and then transition to the secondary characters in my review but this story was told as such and each character was connected through the main characters.

Ava’s story from the limited interaction she had with Ethan’s best friend Steve seems to be the same mo. as the main story boy meets girl is naturally attracted to her beauty and the semi bit of sass she has and is declaring his undying love for her. Where is the buildup the anguish? This story is told in lapses of time. For example something would happen with no details on the event then the next paragraph it would be 4 weeks later. This book was less show and read as more as an outline then a cohesive novel.

At about 45% the story does pick up and we get to see more focus on Ethan & Mia relationship this is the part I really enjoyed getting to read about some of the development of the relationship between the two. The huge fight between the two seems very juvenile but at least we are seeing some real raw emotion between the two instead of told what the relationship is like. 51% in and  Mia mentions all the things shared between her and Ethan those are the things as a reader I wish to have read about it would have made the relationship seem more real than on the surface. I loved the shift in the story and thought it added more depth to the story and made it seem more real.

I was beyond frustrated with Mia constantly blaming herself and all the drinking. At one point I wanted to yell, “get it together.” And the drunken fight scene between the two was a bit much and very contradictory. For instance he has moved on but flips when she tries.  So when questioned he says you made your bed. I felt like certain situations in this story were brought up to add drama but just seemed forced. The ex-boyfriend situation disappeared as quickly as it appeared. And the baby situation? Now that was the most farfetched and unrealistic situation I have read. I think this book had a great concept it was just too many storylines thrown in at the end and not enough real interaction between the two characters.  I am noticing lately that with a lot of these stories the female characters descriptions are barely described but the men are giving descriptions down to the finger nail. In the beginning I didn’t know what Mia’s color was because it wasn’t described until later on and then it was she is chocolate with long hair. I really only knew she was black because she kept mentioning he was white. And then his parents mention, “I knew you would be with a black girl.” I always wonder what statements like that mean exactly. Anyway, these are just my thoughts on this story and I’m sure what I don’t necessarily like others will love. Like I always say, “Judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.”

Someone To Watch Over Me By: Sienna Mynx

When dealing with books of this nature the author usually forewarns readers in my review I will as well. This book deals with mature themes such as rape, and violence. I say this not to detour anyone from reading the book but just a warning.
Someone To Watch Over Me opens with a steamy sex scene introducing the hero Brick and heroine KaeCee to the readers. And what an introduction it is! Brick a private investigator hired to locate one KaeCee "Princess" former member of the Motorcyle Club the Black Spyders finds himself in a world wind of trouble watching over her. This job isn't as easy as Brick once thought KaeCee's father is the head of the black motorcycle gang (club) and on the run from her father's associates one in particular Gloque.

One of the things I noticed about this story is that it differs from other stories in the fact that Brick is described as not being handsome. He is described as being someone that not only people fear because of his stature but it was mentioned that he is somewhat of a Frankenstein replica. It is rare you get a hero that isn't described as an Adonis. Brick had a very self-deprecating view about himself. He sees himself as not as smart rare for a male lead. I like the complexity of his inner battles of feeling not good enough but on the outside a fighter ironically solid as a brick. KaeCee although she is very sassy and knows how to play the game is battling her own demons. She may be into nice clothes and a love for the color red but it is more to her then meets the eye. Both come from less than ideal backgrounds dealing with physical and mental abuse. The subject matter in this story is heavy at times. Like I mentioned above Someone To Watch Over Me deals with issues such as rape. And it is one of the major themes of the story in my opinion. This book is an emotional roller coaster granted this is a story about two people trying to right a wrong the wrongs done are very serious in nature and not for the faint at heart. If you are a person that just wants a sweet romance this is not for you.
This book is a little more "thug" that Sienna's usually mafia books that present a more decadent lifestyle. By that I mean the language used has much more slang and both characters are a little more gritty then what we usually see from Sienna. One thing that is a constant with this author is her sex scenes are off the chart. The dream sequences in this book are FIYAH!!!!! I would describe this book as much more drama sprinkled with some romance. For me the romance aspect was overshadowed by the situation both of the characters are in. Without giving anything away both character's run into some serious trouble and tough situations with the MC gang and Brick's connections with his old life. But Brick and KaeCee fight for redemption and a chance at love neither of them expected to find.

The flashback scenes dealing with KaeCee and Brick's past as younger kids was a lot to swallow. But does offer some sort or explanation as to why both characters are the way they are. One of the things that annoyed me about Brick was that he never really stood up for himself not in the physical sense when it came to the physical he was a force of nature but when it came to people calling him dumb he just took it. It was a turn off that he was believed and further perpetuated to be not as smart. I know do to his upbringing he suffered not only physical but mental trauma but I would have like to see him overcome those issues. This book was slow in some parts the information given was heavy and at times it seemed like overload. I did like that both characters were complex and that their relationship wasn't nice and neat and was very messy at best. Drama followed them even towards the end. I wanted a bit more closure with the ending it seemed to be tied up to nicely and left me with a lot of unanswered questions. For instance: did KaeCee ever get help for her ptsd? All in all I think this was a good read very different and a little dark. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick read but a very thoroughly told story. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

Coming Around Again By: Billy London

The story starts off with an introduction to the couple Niels & Stella who have been married for 9 years and have two twin boys William & Daniel. They go through a series of changes as most couples do and often times it's just a lack of communication but at the end of the day everyone has a breaking point. Something has changed in Niels and Stella's relationship the spark is gone and Niels feels like his wife "endures" him. He travels a lot for his job and is gone for long periods of times. Stella who is used to being self-sufficient and self-reliant does what she always does and has basically learned to do which is do everything for herself. Feeling emasculated and no longer willing to participate in this one-sided marriage Niels files for divorce might I add after a very sexual tryst. Stella is breaking fast in her mind she is the perfect wife, she cooks, cleans, makes sure the kids are taken care of and has her own business. The problem is where does that leave Niels?
At this point although they very much so love each other the pain is very deep and what do people do when they are hurt they hurt others. Stella has basically went to war she is not willing to give anything up not even the kids. Niels don't get me wrong has some issues of his own. He is very much so the dominant especially in the bedroom. The thing is Stella is very stubborn and won't listen to anyone not even her solicitor who happens to be a good friend. I love the foreshadowing used in this book. For instance Niels mother gave Stella some marital advice about nothing being wrong in letting a man feel like a man. Basically dependence sometimes doesn't take away from your independence. It takes Stella awhile to grasp that concept and in the end I'm not so sure she fully understands. Like most people we learn from our parents relationships good or bad. I understand Stella running everything by herself and her husband feeling not needed but in the 9 years when was he going to get a backbone and step up? Like I said everyone has a breaking point and Niels chose to use actions instead of words. As to not give anything away the story chronologies over the span of two years after the divorce and what the couple goes through on a day to day bases. You get to see how divorcees date, manage their kids and just live. It's not all heavy and emotional there are some very erotic and laugh out loud moments in this book. Billy doesn't sugar coat anything in this book.
I however had very few issues with this book. As a reader I like to have some physical descriptions of the characters I am reading about. A good visual can do wonders. There were very few descriptions of the characters. I only knew this book was IR because of the cover and the Judge in the book mentioning something about people of colour and different cultures. At times I got a little frustrated with Stella's bitter attitude. I would have liked to see Niel's point of view more. This book is majority of Stella's experience with divorce her dating and moving on with her life. I love books with the guys point of view I understood they were divorced and had very limited interactions but I would have liked to have a glimpse into how he went on with his life. For the ending I thought it tied up a little too nicely after all the drama the couple had been through. I just felt like more interaction between the two was needed because let's face it Stella had some serious issues and Niels needed to assert some authority. Besides that I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it. Like I always mention don't judge this book based on this one review judge for yourselves.