I have sometimes wondered exactly HOW my books ought to be rated. Christian books that "tell it like it is" seems like a tricky concept.Some people will find them mild and even dull because they are Christian.
However, other may find them controversial because they deal with real life issues. Relationships, break-ups, domestic violence, teenage suicide, death, grief and loss.
The fantasy books are a different genre - but I also try to tell a moral tale - despite the delicious vampire trappings.
So how do they fit together really? Book Cave has a community rating system similar to that of the cinema. The first book I put through their system was Silver Springtime, which came out as "moderate" to my surprise. I suspect the "violence or horror" is exaggerated - a push or shove is hardly "horror", and there is no alcohol or drug use except for one instance of prescription drugs, but that is how it comes out.
I am awaiting a rating of Mystic Evermore, which is totally different. It has "love bites" and making out (occasionally), and battles with imaginary monsters.
Okay, I expect this to be "Moderate". Vampire stories are all mildly gratuitous. I made a rule that a character had to be over 18 to date a vampire - just for safety...
Now the rating for All for Love.
I'm sort of puzzled how this sugar-sweet book could come out as moderate. I cannot down-rate the romance because the aim of a book is a relationship, and the girls discuss their different opinions. I did go back and down-rate the violence. The controlling ex and accidental firecracker incidents are surely "mild" and these is "no blood". But what is the definition of cartoonish?
One of the main issues is substance use. Some characters enjoy a cold drink - others prefer not to order alcohol. They discuss their points of view... did I over-rate this as "substance use"?
