This is for the Male in You…

Author Alexandria Infante.

This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series…

 

So,

     

I was listening, or more like eavesdropping,  lol on a conversation between this couple. The girl was complaining that the guy had no spark anymore. He was pretty much absent in the relationship, and she wanted to know if it was over between them. The guy came back with the normal guy speak, ending with the infamous, ”Just because I don’t say I love you everyday, doesn’t mean that I don’t!” 

I sorta chuckled to myself, then shook my head, finished my Starbucks, then left. 

Since Sundays seem to be the only day I don’t have a million fricken things to do, I’ve decided that I’ll make Sundays blog day. For some reason your body seems to just go into that lazy mode, and won’t come out of it :)

     In my quest for the perfect relaxing Sunday, I did a bit of internet surfing, downloaded some new tunes, and just pretty much vegged; with a cold glass of moscat or as the popular term so deems it, moscato.

 

And no I didn’t do it wit no hands…

 

     Well, my music library is pretty nil now (My music man isn’t home for the summer yet :(  especially since it seems like there’s a new hit every five seconds, so I thought I’d replenish it. Moreover, since I write Romance, I try to keep my library full of sexy cuts like Trey, Drake, Omarion, Robin Thicke, Bichatas, and even some alternative love songs.

       In my search for love songs or just some get down and get nasty music lol, because I need that too since I write sensual Romance. I paused to think about the slow jam, the alternative love song, or some of that plain amazing 70s and 80s music, which was sung by some relatively hot looking guy who swears he meant the words he was singing. 

 

My mind instantly reverted back to that conversation between the guy and girl.

 

(Love songs by women are entirely different), and for today this is about the “Male” lol.

 

From

     Steven Tyler’s, “Don’t go to Sleep”, Player’s “Baby Come back”, Journey’s “Send Her My Love”, Incubus’ “Wish You were Here”, Mike Posner’s “Please Don’t Go” Nevershoutnever’s “Trouble” Crossfade’s “Cold” and Trap’s “Echo;” they all seem to imply some romantic sense of what men think. Especially, when that certain woman decides she’s had enough and walks.

     Nevertheless, as I delved deeper into the music, I found myself going back to my roots, R&B, Bichatas, and the like.

My first impression was; why can’t men really think like this?

 Seeing that I write romance, I normally get my creative juices (my brain people) flowing when I listen to music.

       If it’s a fight scene, then it’s Evanescence, Nickel Back, Link n’ Park, Three days Grace, Disturbed ect.  If it’s dialogue, then it Michael Bubble’, good old Frank, and 70s & 80s music as a whole. 

        However, when I get to the intimate scenes or argument scenes where the two main characters are pissed, have a huge fight to which one eventually storms out, I find myself going back to real R&B, (Tank, Tyrese, Usher, Robin, Jon. B., Trey, Jamie) or what my daughter and her friend like to term “Ridiculously Black Slow Jams”, love songs (mostly women here, because after all, I am. I loveeee Adel) because it seems to stimulate my brain for what it is exactly I need to write. In addition, don’t even get me started on Musiq Soulchild’s Beautiful!

God, I loveee that song!

 

Nevertheless, as I was listening to music, Trey Songz’s Role Play to be exact, I wondered to myself;

   “Why aren’t men really like this?”

And if they are, where the hell are they??? Lol

Any wonder we women love Romance in most forms.

 If you’ve watched any of Trey’s videos, you would think he was in actuality, the “Black Casanova”, because the sensuality just exudes from his videos.  I had an urge to watch the video, and I was still amazed at how men just don’t seem to get it?

 

To my Male Counter parts out there;

 This is what a woman wants!!!

   

Usher’s Trading Places is one of the hottest videos out there, and I suddenly thought;

 “If men spent as much time watching these types of videos as they do say “Sports!” They would have a clue as to how a woman wants to be treated intimately, and essentially score major fricken brownie points.

     Sadly enough, most men think artist like Drake, Tyrese, Trey, and Usher are punks (nicest word I could think of as opposed to what some of my guy friends called them), because they give up too much emotions. Nevertheless, here’s the thing guys; if you took even the slightest amount of advice from their songs, you know that hot chick  you’ve been after for so long?

     She would ultimately melt in your arms, if you took your head out cha ass for like two seconds and said hummm, “Maybe there is something to this.”

I swear, she would be eternally yours.

       Even if you’re well endowed, if you don’t know how to use it, and when I say use it, not just the sex; but the sensuality of it, then you’re still a douche lol.

 Moreover, learning is fun, and maybe you might even actually go so far as to ask her what “She” wants.

You might just be the guy women fight over.

      Have you ever wondered why that amazing looking chick was with what you would consider a douche or a nerd?

It’s because he put her first (sexually, sensually, and emotionally). There is no such thing as emotionless sex, no matter how both sexes like to think there is.

Yet, to my male compradors, this intimacy is what keeps her there!    

If you find that your relationship is lacking, your marriage just doesn’t have that spark sexually anymore, or something is just missing; try reading Women’s Fiction. 

Even if it isn’t manly,

consider it your research lol. 

        Whether its a Sexy Paranormal, a Hot Steamy Contemporary, or that Sensual Historical Fiction,  they all have one thing in common; they were written by Women for Women.

What better way to know the mind of a woman, or what she wants then to read it? 

It is written there in plain English what she wants, what she dreams, and her wildest fantasy… 

     In addition, if you’re a guy who dates women of color, (African-American, Latina, Indian, Arab, ect) you had better invest in some ethnic culture. The one major thing the above artist have in common; is women all over the World LOVE them, no matter what Race, Sexuality, Sexual Orientation or Creed they are, and you know why?

Because they speak to the heart of the women, and what she wants intimately…

Just a thought. 

      If you’re a male reading this, women know what other women want.

 It’s like my younger brother used to tell me when I was on the dating scene and asked him about some guy I was dating. He would reply, “Don’t ask another man about a man, unless you want the truth.”

 

That goes for us women too…

Have an awesome day!!!

 

Books…Books…and More Books :)

Author Alexandria Infante.

This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series

So,

I started a new book, Then There Was None; lol just a working title right now guys.

Not really sure what I want it to be.

Anyway, the premise is an older woman falls for not one, but two younger men.

The differences in societal structure, labels, (ie. Cougar, old enough to be his mother, her own condemnations, ect) and such become an obstacle, and now she must choose between the two of them, find someone her own age, or just accept the single life.

I think I really want her to choose one of the men; however, they are like night and day personality wise; so she must make a choice between them.

 

Now here comes

the fun part…

What I want to do is write the book, but don’t finish the end.

I want to let you readers finish it for me!

After having read the story, you choose how you think it should end!

This sounds like loads of fun to me, and that way I can write two versions of it.

The best ending, will get credit in the book, on the site, and on the acknowledgement  in the book.

I’ll keep you guys posted, and let you know when I’m almost at the end of it.

 

Other

News…

In other news, the next installment to the grave reviews is almost upon us. I had sooo much fun writing it, and not just because I wrote it. I can’t say anythin about the fact that reviewers are getting picked off lol, or it may be taken out of context, but it was a blast to write.

 

Free

Books…

  

I’m still offering free reads of the first books in the series Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn www.poisonedpin.webs.com, Midna’s Farie Tale www.farietalewish.webs.com, A Slow Time to Love www.alieinfante.webs.com , Mendacity www.contemporarylove.webs.com

If you would like a free PDF copy, all you have to do is head on over to either of the sites above and download it for free under  “Free Reads this Month,” and it’s completely yours free of charge. Just give a shout out on the message page.

 

Happy Reading…as Always

~ Alie :)

Authors…

 New Authors, writers,

and anything else out there that is different…

 

 

So, when I first got into this business;

 

I decided to write a paranormal book from my own cultural perspective. I’m Latin (Puerto Ricania/ Cubanita), Irish, African-American and Native American.

Yet, I wanted my characters to reflect who I was, but incorporate other cultures as well. My paranormal books center on the myths of Asť, the Egyptian Goddess Isis, Osiris, Horus both Elder and Infant, Thoth, the Underworld, the legends of the first wolf King linked to Romulus and Remus, the Goddess Sekhmet, the Japanese Sun Goddess, Finnish and Keltic legends, Ancient Church societies like the Brotherhood, the Avantes and Flameni, Wyatt and Surrey, Tantric Sex, Spartacus, Merlin, Shamanistic Rituals and the legend of the ancient Blackfeet; and Teaching.

I’ve written 11 1/2 paranormals so far, (Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn Series) 3 paranormal Fae ( A Lite Farietale Series) 4 Historical Romance, and 2 Contemporary Women’s fiction. My first book published was Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn by Eternal Press on Aug 7th of 2011.

Anyway, I thought I would take what we know of the paranormal genre, and instead of making the main character some kick ass detective, hunter, or private dick; I decided to throw a bunch of teachers in the mix, who had historical knowledge of what vampires, wolves and ghosties were all about; but would never in a million years believe it was true.

This my friends was…the…hardest…idea to sell to anyone!

Lol, but finally I did. 

I received a bunch of rejection letters that were both painful and insightful; but I will say that the most hilarious one I received (won’t embarrass the editor because she wasn’t prejudice, just more like ignorant; and she apologized profusely later) was from this company, who looked at my last name INFANTE and assumed the accents my Scottish werewolves have were actually typos. She said the book was very entertaining, but she was very concerned about my language skills, then suggested I take an English as a second language course. Needless to say, I laughed hysterically, sent her an email back and told her that not only was I a teacher, but the characters had accents.

After that, my sister gave me this awesome little book called, “Dirty Rotten Rejections,” and I still laugh every time I think about that one. The book was very uplifting, and told of the plights well known authors went through. Huckleberry Finn was rejected 35 times, E.T, 28, and a host of others. I bet the studios that rejected E.T are still kicking their own asses!

Hahaha!

I wanted this blog for several reasons, because although we live in the 21st century, there are a vast many wrongly sighted stereotypes, labels, ethnic discrimination and beliefs that continue to be perpetuated out there in the real world. The very idea that a publishing company would think the average soccer mom wouldn’t want to read my book, because the main female character is Half-Caucasian and Half-African seems preposterous to me.

Nevertheless, many of the editors I have spoken to in the last five years swear this is true. They themselves are in no way prejudice (at least they didn’t sound like they were), it’s just that this is still a business; and they want to be able to market what they know they can sell, (Hence Twilight. I have no prob wit Steph; I’m just not a fan. However, I am a fan of her popularity. Hook a sustah up Steph!)

Albeit, at the same time, I think it is equally unfair to be pigeonholed into one specific section (like because I’m multiracial my books should be in either the African-American section, or the Latina. This stems from that antediluvian idea of “One Drop” rule bollix that continues to be preserved.

My blog today is for those of you who feel like I do, and want to vent lol, or just talk and swap ideas about the paranormal, historical, sci-fi, contemporary genre, and what we think would make it even better than it already is. Paranormal and many of its origins; Voodoo, Necromancy, Mystic entrancement, Sangria, Wicca, Magick, Volduron and a host of others, as well as the ancient spiritual workings which originated to begin with, which many subscribe to today are not from America.

Therefore, to classify them as one specific forum seems like complete bollix to me. Remember, America, Spain, as well as Rome wanted to stamp out anything that wasn’t of a Christian/Catholic edict.

So, if you write, are an author already, are trying to get published, black, white, Latin, other, gay, straight; or anything in between (cuz I love transgender and transsexuals, you guys rock! Because if you can overcome that stereo type and keep on keepin on as my abuelito use to say; you deserve credit. I love you guys, you make me proud!)

Feel free to stop by and join the blog!

 

Have an Awesome Day!!!

Contemporary Romance…

So,

I’m about to start on a new book, well, after I finish up book 12 in the TBMD series, and the premise is 40 yr acomplished woman, has to choose between two men. She’s torn, because the problem is, both men are in their mid- to late 20s. I’m stuck on the ending though. As soon as I get to the meat of the book, I was thinking about doing a

“Fan Finish”

 

What do I mean by fan finish?

 

I want the fans to finish it! ;)

I think that would be totally awesome. So once I’m at the end of the book, I’ll post some portions of the end; then let you guys decide on how it should end.

And It’s All Yours….Free

For the Month of April

Author Alexandria Infante.

This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series

Since things are going pretty well, despite the fiasco @ good reads… I’m offering free books this month.

If you have ever wanted to read any of my books, well now’s your chance. 1 free book per person, in any genre you like. Just send an email request for the book with a happy word for the day or night lol, and that’s it. I’ll publish your name and word for the day, and which book you chose. Happy Reading :) To get info and chapter samples on the books to choose from; head on over to; any of the following

http://www.poisonedpin.webs.com (for paranormal romance)

http://www.alieinfante.webs.com (Historical romance)

http://www.farietalewish.webs.com (paranormal Fae romance)

http://www.contemporarylove.webs.com (contemporary romance)

choose, then  email me @www.infantealexandria@yahoo.com and it’s all yours :)

~Alie

Titles:

Paranormal Romance

Rating- Barometer heat scale 1- being very little intimacy

5- being off the chart

Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn Series

T.B.M.D; Arieanna’s Legend (3)

T.M.T.N; Kissing Cousins (3)

T.C.B.M; the Arvantes (3)

Dark Premonitions; the Seeker (4)

A Kiss Between Midnight & Dawn; Sephoroth’s Return (3 1/2)

The Gargoyle Keeper: Best Mates Forever (3)

Red Ryzin: Okuzo (3 1/2)

Blackwind’s Song; Love at First Sight (3)

Cycles of Change; Jade Council (4)

Loose Connections; Making Choices (3)

Carousel: Legacy (4 1/2)

A Lite Fae Series

Midna’s Farie Tale (3)

To Teach is Divine; Halleren’s Prophecy (3)

Precede with Caution; Bekan’s Quest (3)

Historical Romance

 A Lad’s Trousers (4)

A Slow Time to Love (3)

Fire and Ice (3)

Napoleon’s Gift (4 1/2)

It’s your Pick :) Happy Reading…

New Reviews…

Reviews…

Hey guys!!!

 

Starting Today, we’ll begin doing full-fledged reviews on books we’ve read, and what we liked about them lol.

I borrowed my daughter’s kindle, and oh my God, there is a plethora of excellent  free, and .99ct books out there to read! I was amazed, and even thought I might add my Fire and Ice book to the .99ct bin.

Nevertheless, what we won’t do is criticize, trash or defame authors. I want the reviews to be constructive. Also, we won’t give any stars, just whether the book was entertaining, enjoyable, good, fair, or needs some work.

I’ll compile a list of things you guys think the author (my books included, don’t forget me guys) should do to make the story better, then send it off to them. Maybe a bit softer coming from another author lol. We won’t however, publish anything mean spirited, foul, or just plain ugly.

So, in the spirit of reviews, I have three to post today :)

 

Fifty Shades of Jungle Fever

by L.V. Lewis

 

fifty shades

 

This was an awesome book to me. I laughed, cried hysterically, at the two warring imps. This book was just an all around good entertaining book. I think the part that most people are missing here, is the fact that it’s a parody to the top selling book Fifty Shades of Grey.

I thought Ms. Lewis’ characters funny, Tristan attractive in a S&M kinda way, and unlike many other readers; I read the book to be entertained, not think about the fact that she had a master’s and was still what they called “ghetto”.

I would challenge anyone in America who says they have no lingering of where they grew up, whether high roller, teacher, doctor, or what have you. I even find myself reverting back sometimes, and it just strikes me as funny. To me this was a very pleasurable read, and I definitely recommend it.

 

open door

 

Open Door Invitation

by Dee Carney…

 

I saw this book on a review site, and it looked very appealing. It’s a short guys, but very enjoyable. I liked the set up, the way the characters interacted, and the fact that this guy just shows up every now and then. There is this menacing quality to the set up, but you somehow know from the way he looks at her that he isn’t there to hurt her. You can feel the chemistry between them, even though they’re strangers.

Very amusing. I liked the cloak and dagger of the vamp. My only dislike, it wasn’t long enough lol.

Ms. Carney, I’ll look for more on you, and it would be totally awesome to have a full length of this book :)

 

 

design

 

                Design on a Crime

                 by Ginny Aiken

 

I truly loved this book guys. I’m a secret mystery buff, and have been all my life. From Sherlock, to Agatha, mystery has always been a passion for me. This book did not disappoint  Moreover, the awesome part, I found it on Amazon.com for .99ct guys! A great book for .99ct, you can’t beat that with a stick.

Haley is one of those characters you just have to love. Life has given her some hard knocks, however she bounces back, minus a little faith. Her best friend and mentor Marge helps her get back on track, gets her a design job for one of the wealthiest women in the town; only to be killed at the very event. Haley finds Marge’s body, and the chaos of Haley trying to prove that she didn’t kill Marge, despite the fact that she just inherited Marge’s entire estate begins.

Truly enjoyable read, and I completely recommend it.

See ya tomorrow guys, with three new reads. Happy reading :)

Why Do You Write…

Why Do You Write What You Do…

 

When I was a kid, a published author meant Random House, Double Day, Penguin, Harlequin and the like, and it still amazes me everyday that I am a published author lol.

I wrote my first play (because let’s face it I’m from Hollywood hahaha) at the age of 13, and it was based off a Shakespearean tragedy. When I look back now, my friends and I laugh constantly because it was a tragedy in writing. I can say, that it made them laugh, which at 13 was pretty much what I was aiming for anyway lol.

I went on for years in two different careers, but I knew something in me wanted to put pen to paper in that fashion, but life gets in the way sometimes; so we often place those hidden secret wants and desires on the back burner to marriage, kids, and just living.

Well I picked it up again after all this time, and although I loooove my paranormal’s, my A Lad’s Trouser’s was the first book I ever wrote. It went through years and years of re-writes. So many, that I assigned it a lower priority in life as well, and thought I’d try a paranormal. I started reading Laurell K Hamilton, and boy was I taken aback, traumatized, scandalized, astonished and blown away all at the same time. I had always been a vamp/were fan, but never anythin like this. I was clueless to this genre, and I became ravenous for paranormal. Then thought one day, “I can do this!”

I was doing some research in the library one day, and I came across this book on Egyptian myth. Now, of course I knew Egyptian myths, I’m a teacher, but I had for years done what most of us do. I knew of them, but I had never truly ever studied any of them.

As I sat reading a passage on Ast’, which is Isis’ real name. She was given Isis by the Romans; I saw this woman in my head walking down a corridor in some kind of tomb. It was like a filmstrip, I just had to write it down; and thus began the Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn Series.

I love the Paranormal, but I didn’t see myself reflected in the works that I read; and if I did it was a side character, a supporting character, or a villain; so I thought I’d write my own. Being multiracial (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Native American, Irish and African-American).

I wanted to see a character like me, and the fact that this is rare spurred me on. Authors like me tend to get pigeon holed into one specific genre like Minority literature, Latina, African-American, or Ethnic, who hardly ever move out of that; and I think that this is completely unfair. I hoped by writing what I believe the genre should encompass, people would see the book for the story and negate the race of the character; that being, anyone could place themselves in the shoes of the character, not just someone of a minority background.

 

I’m sure I’m prejudiced by plenty of things when writing my style of the paranormal, so I often use that to my advantage lol. I discover brainwaves in songs, movies, the world at large, or just simple phrases sometimes. I love to write at Starbucks, because the bustling people always inspire me.

The nasty woman impatiently yelling at the Starbucks` employee because she gave her a mocha coffee instead of a mocha latté becomes a villain. The Hugh Jackman look alike becomes the next wolf, the sexy emo guy ordering the Eggnog latté becomes the next Master of the city for my vamps, or the hot blonde ordering the Tazo berry tea becomes the next warlock. I can even go so far as to make the tiny brunette  the next main female character.

I love to write at night, especially since I write paranormal. Rainy nights are good for scenes of action, but full moon nights always seem to give me the most creativity. People in general instigate me to create something new. I base both my Paranormal and Fae series on mythology, so I am constantly inspired by a new myth, new legends, or new facts about lost artifacts, church scandals, or just random things in the news; and I incorporate them into my books.

 

Why do you write?

Let me know, I’m totally interested in why other writer became aut

Why Do You Write What You Do…

Author Alexandria Infante. 
This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series



When I was a kid, a published author meant Random House, Double Day, Penguin, Harlequin and the like, and it still amazes me everyday that I am a published author lol. 
I wrote my first play (because let’s face it I’m from Hollywood hahaha) at the age of 13, and it was based off a Shakespearean tragedy. When I look back now, my friends and I laugh constantly because it was a tragedy in writing. I can say, that it made them laugh, which at 13 was pretty much what I was aiming for anyway lol.
I went on for years in two different careers, but I knew something in me wanted to put pen to paper in that fashion, but life gets in the way sometimes; so we often place those hidden secret wants and desires on the back burner to marriage, kids, and just living.
Well I picked it up again after all this time, and although I loooove my paranormal’s, my A Lad’s Trouser’s was the first book I ever wrote. It went through years and years of re-writes. So many, that I assigned it a lower priority in life as well, and thought I’d try a paranormal. I started reading Laurell K Hamilton, and boy was I taken aback, traumatized, scandalized, astonished and blown away all at the same time. I had always been a vamp/were fan, but never anythin like this. I was clueless to this genre, and I became ravenous for paranormal. Then thought one day, “I can do this!”
I was doing some research in the library one day, and I came across this book on Egyptian myth. Now, of course I knew Egyptian myths, I’m a teacher, but I had for years done what most of us do. I knew of them, but I had never truly ever studied any of them.
As I sat reading a passage on Ast’, which is Isis’ real name. She was given Isis by the Romans; I saw this woman in my head walking down a corridor in some kind of tomb. It was like a filmstrip, I just had to write it down; and thus began the Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn Series.
I love the Paranormal, but I didn’t see myself reflected in the works that I read; and if I did it was a side character, a supporting character, or a villain; so I thought I’d write my own. Being multiracial (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Native American, Irish and African-American).

 I wanted to see a character like me, and the fact that this is rare spurred me on. Authors like me tend to get pigeon holed into one specific genre like Minority literature, Latina, African-American, or Ethnic, who hardly ever move out of that; and I think that this is completely unfair. I hoped by writing what I believe the genre should encompass, people would see the book for the story and negate the race of the character; that being, anyone could place themselves in the shoes of the character, not just someone of a minority background.
I’m sure I’m prejudiced by plenty of things when writing my style of the paranormal, so I often use that to my advantage lol. I discover brainwaves in songs, movies, the world at large, or just simple phrases sometimes. I love to write at Starbucks, because the bustling people always inspire me.
The nasty woman impatiently yelling at the Starbucks` employee because she gave her a mocha coffee instead of a mocha latté becomes a villain. The Hugh Jackman look alike becomes the next wolf, the sexy emo guy ordering the Eggnog latté becomes the next Master of the city for my vamps, or the hot blonde ordering the Tazo berry tea becomes the next warlock. I can even go so far as to make the tiny brunette  the next main female character.
I love to write at night, especially since I write paranormal. Rainy nights are good for scenes of action, but full moon nights always seem to give me the most creativity. People in general instigate me to create something new. I base both my Paranormal and Fae series on mythology, so I am constantly inspired by a new myth, new legends, or new facts about lost artifacts, church scandals, or just random things in the news; and I incorporate them into my books.
Why do you write?
Let me know, I’m totally interested in why other writer became authors J

Reviews cont…

Author Alexandria Infante.
 This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series





Due to the Gr thingie we decided to talk about reviews, how we feel about them, and how they affect us the author. I’ve only been in this business for the last 2 years, so I’m still learning new things everyday. When I was a kid, a published author meant Random House, Double Day, Harlequin and the like, and it still amazes me everyday that regular people can write a book lol. 

People say that as authors reviews should not define us, but I will state now it is terribly hard for them not to. We are connected to an art which most often exposes and eviscerates, then renders the inner most thoughts and feelings of the author on paper. So when you hear, “Well that just sucked,” or “My God, what was the author thinking,” or“This author needs an ESL Class,” for something many authors have spent their entire lives working on; it can be excruciating, agonizing, embarrassing, dejecting and miserable. We have a heart that bleeds red as well, that hemorrhages with an unquenchable passion, that hopes, and dreams too.  
What people seem to forget is, to do what we authors do takes tenacity, drive, passion, and an understanding that to make it in this business; you need the skin of an armadillo. People will not always like you or what you wrote, however I do believe that the door to courtesy should swing both ways. I find it next to impossible to believe that if the author is being attacked by readers, reviewers, or just people in general, the masses feel that we need to just grin and accept it.
Moreover, the ironic part is that this is an accepted practice nowhere else, but in the creative field.
If you don’t care for today’s special after the server tells you it has garlic, yet you order it anyway because you want the Chef to take the Garlic out. The server explains that it is next to impossible to do, because it is pre-made like that. Even after that, you order it anyway, and it is exactly as he described, and you don’t like it.
However, you have no cause to complain.  Yet, because we are such a privileged nation the way in which people are today, they will go online to trash or write three comment cards about the service, the fact that the Chef sucked, people should never eat in his restaurant again ect ect.
This to me is the saddest part of all. I write in a genre that isn’t as accepted as the masses would like you to believe. Interracial Romance is mostly purchased by minorities, or happenstance. Therefore, reviews are doubly as hard for us. Albeit, if the review is speaking on technical things then I’m fine with it because that is something I can change, that isn’t necessarily a part of me the individual. It is a bit more decisive when the reviewer hates your characters, your world, your pov, and the context of the book itself. This to me is harder on the author, and where I find feelings are always high strung when it comes to these points.
Most authors aren’t reacting to the reviewer personally, because most reviewers try to be constructive. I feel like, just as we authors need to learn the schematics and schemes to writing, reviewers need to learn the same. When authors like Stephanie Myers get hate mail, hate sites and such, you have to ask the question; where do we as human beings draw the line between opinion, and harassment. 

Everyone is, entitled to their opinion. Yet should it be at the maltreatment and torment of other people? Moreover, where do we draw the line between Reviewing, and Bullying? The people on the Gr site didn’t like what the girls did, and that is their right, however banning my books, labeling them with things like “I’d rather stab out my eyes,” “Don’t Read,”is it really justifiable behavior from people who were so angry over what those girls did, that they would resort to the same behavior?

On the other hand, do people not truly consider it bullying because in America, the public is always right? Equally, I feel like some reviewers write what they write to get a reaction out of people. How anyone could send an author death threats and hate mail over a fictional character is beyond me!

The fiasco with Good Reads is a shinning example of it. The reviewer felt like she was doing a good job on reviewing the book. I personally had no problem with what she wrote, however the girl Leelia/Cynthia did. 

Conversely, because she disagreed with Heather’s review, does that make her wrong in her review? How can we respect their reviews as authors, when they don’t even respect each other? Maybe those girls had a point? Makes you think. Is it standard that a review can’t be reviewed? Where is it written that this is a taboo?

I’m on this site where you can watch movies for free. I see nothing but people contesting other people perspective, reviews, or outlook of the movie; yet I have never in the year that I have been on that site seen people attack those nae sayers of the movie like they did those girls on the Good Reads site.
Were their opinions not just as valid?
my daughter happen to be the ex of one of the girls, nevertheless, does this make the opinion void? Doesn’t she have the right to a review opinion as well?
Here in lies the double standard of the industry.

You can review my book, but I can review neither you, your review, nor your behavior; because I am the spiteful author out to persecute you, because you don’t like my work.

    There is much recidivism in this profession, on who should really have the manners. People assume that because you are in the spotlight, you should be gracious, always smiling, and giving them attention; because after all, if it weren’t for them, you would be nothing. 
I find that statement very manipulative.
It is more of a “You had better do, say and act the way I want, or you’ll be sorry!”
I also find it completely insane that authors have to be silent!
If they aren’t what they say is taken out of context, seen as an attack mode, and they’re made to feel like they did something wrong. I have been on threads where I have asked a legitimate question, because I’m new to this business, and people took it as an attack from an author. I had to write out in the simplest language I could think of to explain myself, and even then after the explanation there was still some hostility.
Why is this so?
Why does it go against the grain, for an author to question, or answer a review? Who said this was law, and why is this acceptable?

These are all questions I have asked, and gotten attacked myself for asking them. Yet, why are my questions not seen as valid, or seen as an attack on a reviewer?
This has boggled my mind since I started in the business.
For the readers out there, if you have the time please take a moment and respond to this, because I truly wish to know.
I have received a few low stars, but they have never affected me like the Gr crap. I always just figured that I’d hit the mark next time, and if they didn’t like my book in this genre, maybe they would like it in the next. I have plenty of fans who don’t like my historical, but love my paranormals. I know you can’t please everyone.
When reviews don’t go our way, or our editor says drop back 50 pages, then delete the next 30 I need more from you; it makes us sometimes what to scream, but this is what we do.
If only the reviewer understood this as well. Like any field where there is criticism, there is bound to be hurt feelings. I most often ignore reviews that are harsh. Equally, although painful I never respond to reviews where the reviewer is speaking about me the person, because they can always be spotted for what they are.
 I tend to concentrate on the ones where the reader is actually explaining to me what they saw wrong with the book.

Nevertheless, at the same time, this too needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I remember I had one reviewer ask me to change the entire plot; she didn’t like my description of the character, and thought I should just scratch intermingling. I was a bit shocked that she would ask me that, and I felt if I did it would change the book entirely, so I ignored her. 
Unfortunately, we authors can’t live without reviews, both good and bad.
Albeit it, I will say that everyday I’m getting better and better at acceptance. Before I became a teacher and had to learn to hold my tongue, I might have done a bit of what Amber did when they began calling her names.
That God the old Alie has been transformed!
Asi mi uta!




Reviews…reviews…reviews

Author Alexandria Infante. 
This is the Teaching between Midnight and Dawn Series

So, now that we’re over the Good Reads crap I wanted to poll the group and ask about some of the reviews you guys have received. I learned when I first got started, that you have to suck it up. I remember I used to be so dejected about them, but my colleagues at work would tell me to suck it up and realize that everyone isn’t going to like what you write. 

The funny things is I actually ask readers now what steps they feel I should take to correct the manuscripts, which is why the Gr thing was so shocking to me. I love hearing from fans whether good or bad, because it keeps me on my toes. I’m not stupid, I know they are my bread and butter. I haven’t experience anything like the Gr thing up until this point, so I counted myself as lucky. 

I love twitter and facebook because I actually get to see the fans pages, who they are, and what else they like. I’ve always garnered good reviews, however I have encountered a few that weren’t so nice. I won’t post them here, but if you want to check them out just head over to the website (www.poisonedpin.webs.com)


 As most of you know I used to write for Eternal Press, but we parted ways because of a stalemate. I will say this though, it was a bit easier to be a part of a company; because if there were typos and such, you could at least blame it on the last round of edits hahaha!


The problem with self publishing, is although I do have an editor, she’s only one person. So this can often times come out in the work itself. No matter how many times you read and re-read that blasted manuscript, I promise you’ll still miss something, and nowadays even the big houses are doing the same. Traditional publishing houses are becoming obsolete, because of places like createspace and amazon, but I don’t have to tell you guys that. I was thinking of finding a beta group again. My students used to beta read, but unfortunately for me most of them have graduated lol, and are in their master’s programs now; so I only have Carin. However, she’s the shiznet. She’s freelance, so I’m not her only client. Yet, even with both of our eyes we still miss stuff.


My latest book was released two weeks ago, and it received a three stars from a reader; however, she said there were some issues with the antagonist’s plot. I wish I had her email, so I could ask her what she thinks I should change, but unfortunately she’s on good reads and I will never go back there.


So if any of you happen to buy the book and see the same things, please don’t hesitate to email me on the subject.


Tomorrow…

Reviews cont…

Sat:
Why do you write what you write?

Hope you guys have an awesome day!!!