My review in the June RT for Kiss of the Night is awful! 
I’m not kidding. It’s just plain bad.
Here it is:
KISS OF THE NIGHT
by Sylvia DayRT Rating: Two Stars
Category: EROTICA
Publisher: EllorasCave.com
Published: June 2006
Type: Erotic Romance (Futuristic/Vampire, E-book)Alexei Night is hired to transport Interstellar Council Representative Briana Michaels back to her home planet, where her family is in danger. Almost immediately, Alex and Briana begin exploring each other sexually. But they both worry about a future together. After all, how could it work if he’s a 223-year-old vampire and she a human politician?
This novella lacks any real substance. Readers are expected to believe that the heroine is intelligent because she’s a politician, but Briana’s actions make her seem like just another dumb blonde. She knows nothing about Alex, yet quickly gets naked with him, and she never worries about her troubled family during their journey. Both characters’ intriguing backgrounds are not explored. Neither are Alex’s vampire traits — it’s as if Day made him a vampire just to jump on the bandwagon. There’s little in this book for readers to care about — even the sex scenes are bland! (dl $5.20) â€â€Cheryl A. Hoahing
I was surprised at how it made me cringe and then I just got over it. The review is just so mean. Really, dreadfully mean. Poor reviews hurt, especially the ones where they otherwise would have found the book to be good except for a few parts that struck the reader wrong. But when nothing about the story strikes a positive note with the reader, you have to consider that the book/author and reader just weren’t a good fit. And I just don’t have it in me to get upset about something like that.
BUT… *g* In order to present both sides of the review coin (for fairness, of course), here is the link to other reviews for the book.
(BTW, I’m awfully proud of my thicker skin. 
But I do still feel a bit queasy .)
Great attitude, Sylvia! You’re right about the meanness, and I’m glad you can put it behind you…where it belongs.
on April 24th, 2006 at 11:59 am
Yes, it stings and there’s always that fear that thousands of readers will never want to read your stuff. But what can you do? Nothing.
Except go back to writing the 6 books you have contracted…
:hug:
on April 24th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
I’m sorry. She’s wrong, you know.
Here’s the thing: I read RT more to find out what’s out there, not to accept their reviews as gospel. So someone might be intrigued by the 223-year-old vampire/human woman scenario.
If they don’t, they’re missing out on a good story.
on April 24th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Ick! Sympathies on the sucky review. Seems like the reviewer wrote it while ODing on lemons.
Sometimes people just don’t like books… it’d be nice if more people could step back and ask “Is it a problem with the book or am I just not the right reader?” Unfortunately, most don’t seem able to.
*offers chocolate and sympathies*
on April 24th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Great attitude Sylvia. I read RT but I make my own decisions anyway. I just like to find out about new books. (Plus ever since I read an unfavorable review of Erin McCarthy’s “The Pregnancy Test”, which I had read previous to the review and LOVED, I just take the RT reviews with a couple of grains of salt).
I will admit that a lot of the newer reviewers at RT are very blunt and a little mean. I don’t think a reviewer needs to gush over an author, but the same goes for not bashing one either. In my petty little heart, I think of these types of people as frustrated writers LOL. Have a good one - and I’ll still buy the book!
on April 25th, 2006 at 4:25 am