Search by Content- Book Ninjas Allows You to Chose

Recently I was made aware of a site called Book Ninjas, where readers can search for books in order to determine their sexual content level. Now, I know there are other sites like this, however this is the first which I have seen were you can actually search for a title or author instead of just by genre. So instead of looking for new books, I can check the rating on a book I am already considering. (Now picture me getting really excited!)

Today I have Lily Black, one of the Book Ninjas, here to tell us a little more about the website:

1.      How did Book Ninjas come about?

As a romance reader I (that is, Lily) was always stumbling across scenes that were way too hot for me, as well as books that had language I didn’t want in my head. After complaining of this to my sweet hubby for a few years, he got the idea to create a program which could quickly provide a blush level for books, so readers could choose books that were the best fit for them. Flash forward several years of hard work, and we launched Book Ninjas in November of 2016!

2.      How easy/difficult is it to rate a book on the blush-o-meter?

Hmmm…so, this question can be interpreted two ways. How easy is it for me, Lily, to add books to the catalog? That’s fairly simple, thanks to the algorithms and tech-wizardry that goes on behind the scene, as the Ninjas do their work. I simply select a book file (with its attached cover image and author) and add the description and genres. The Book Ninjas do the rest, providing the book a blush level!

Behind the scenes, the Book Ninjas use a variety of lexical analysis techniques to analyze the books, and give intermediate scores for language, overall heat level, and highest heat level (i.e., the hottest scene), which are then combined to provide the overall blush level.

3.      About how many book ratings does Book Ninjas currently offer?

We’ve just passed up the 1,000 mark for books in the catalog, and are super excited about that! Of course, that’s split over lots of genres plus further divided by romance vs. YA, etc., and by blush level. But still, we’re thrilled to have so many books in the catalog, and we continue to add more all the time!

Any authors or publishers who are interested in having their book(s) added to the Book Ninja catalog can contact me directly via email at lily at lilyblackbooks.com, or can use the contact form here [http://www.book-ninjas.com/contact-the-book-ninjas/]. Books need to have a minimal number of reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads, but we are eager to help authors and publishers get their books into the catalog.

4.      Are there any plans to expand the blush-o-meter? Whether to other types of content or else to offer a breakdown of content?

Yes, we are planning to add a rating indicating how bloody or gory a book is, which should be useful to readers in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense genres.  The Ninjas are voting to call it the “blood-o-meter,” but we’ll have to see.  We’d also like to offer something for kids books someday, but that is further down the road. The Ninjas are always learning and training hard behind the scenes!

As for a breakdown of content, that’s already in the works and will soon be available to registered users! The extra info we plan to provide to those who’ve created an account will allow readers to see individual ratings for language, overall heat level, and hottest scene. The Ninjas will also break down the specific swear words included in a book, and other useful information. User interaction with the rating system is also planned. We should be rolling these (and other) updates out soon, so anyone interested should sign up for the newsletter here [http://www.book-ninjas.com/newsletter/] to stay informed!

Thanks Lily! I can't wait to see Book Ninjas expand.

Bio:  Lily Black believes in true love, but is also quite sure going after it is the scariest thing we'll ever do!  She explores this dynamic in her romantic suspense novels, which are set in the small imaginary town of Willowdale, where people dream big, love deeply, and kick butt if necessary.  She has a black belt in Chung Do Kwan Tai Kwon Do, and has also trained in everything from judo to broadswords.  She lives in North Carolina, where she works as a content editor for a small publisher, and divides her free time between the mountains and the sea with her very patient and loving husband and their teen daughter. She is also the co-creator of the Book Ninjas’ Blush-O-Meter. Readers everywhere search the Book Ninjas’ online catalog for romance, YA and chicklit novels in all genres, and find books that match their preferred blush level!

Author website: http://www.lilyblackbooks.com/

Book Ninja’s Catalog: http://www.book-ninjas.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lily-Black-1713161408963150/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilyblackbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16078435.Lily_Black


She has a new novel coming out, which is a 4 on the Blush-o-Meter, if you would like to check it out.



Description: Love is worth fighting for.

Alexa Wolving has just one rule: never give a guy a second chance. That works just fine in the safe life she’s built. In the charming town of Willowdale, her day job as a librarian balances perfectly with her evening job as a black belt instructor. But when she attracts the attention of a stalker, Alexa’s carefully built world begins to crumble.

Drew Cosimo knows he broke Alexa’s heart five years ago when he took his first Ranger assignment and disappeared from her life. Now that he’s out of the army, he’s moving back home to Willowdale. He’s not looking for a fight, but making peace would be easier if Alexa hadn’t told the entire town he was a money-grubbing jerk. Despite the tension between them, Drew is quick to offer his protection when a stalker forces Alexa from her home.

As the stalker’s attacks escalate, Alexa and Drew are forced to face their painful past and the simmering attraction between them. They must fight to save each other before everything they care about goes up in flames.