by Anna Campbell
I'm delighted to welcome back a great supporter of her fellow romance writers and an all round super gal, BEVERLEY KENDALL.
Bev is here to talk to us about her wonderful new historical romance A TASTE OF DESIRE. She has very generously offered one lucky commenter today TWO books, A TASTE OF DESIRE and the first in the Elusive Lords series, SINFUL SURRENDER. So good luck, people!
Cathy Maxwell, NYT Bestselling author, says A TASTE OF DESIRE "is deliciously intense, intelligent and fast paced. Once I start a Beverley Kendall book, I don’t put it down until I’m done."
Sarah MacLean, NYT Betselling author, says A TASTE OF DESIRE "is just what one wants in romance—a vibrant heroine and an irresistible hero, combined with finely-wrought emotion and blistering dialogue that makes the pages turn faster and faster until it's over...and you're wishing you hadn't read so quickly!”
Check out this fun trailer for A TASTE OF DESIRE:
You can find out more about Bev and her books on her website:
http://www.beverleykendall.com/
Bev also runs the wonderful Season website for lovers of all things romance novel.
So here's Bev!
The Art of the Back Cover Blurb
If you’re a writer—aspiring or published—you’ve come across these before. For the aspiring writer, it’s the query letter you write to pique the interest of either an agent or editor in hopes they’ll want to read your manuscript.
For the published author, it’s the summation of your book by the marketing department to do what the query does except its target is the general public, the readers.
Pique. Intrigue. Compel. These are some of the things we hope it will inspire in the reader.
I’ve written my share of queries. Is six a lot? It seems a lot to me. I’ve experienced only two back cover blurbs and I was pretty happy with both.
For my debut, SINFUL SURRENDER, I thought the back cover blurb made the book sound much lighter in tone than it actually was. Even if I wanted to write a very light book, I don’t think I could pull it off. The part of me that loves my stories darker and angstier always surfaces. So if you bought SINFUL SURRENDER thinking you were getting a light, fairly uncomplicated story of a young woman’s unrequited love for her brother’s best friend, you may be—dare I say—pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised.
Below is the blurb for my new release, A TASTE OF DESIRE. What kind of story would you expect given the back cover blurb?
She Challenged His Pride...
Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the most brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently—and loudly—derides one of society’s most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn’t be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night…
He Challenged Her Willpower...
But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called “Lady” Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father’s great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate—properly chaperoned, of course—to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior…
Have you ever bought a book based mostly on the back cover copy and felt it was completely misleading? If so, did it end up being a better or worse reading experience?
Comment to enter to win a copy of the first two books in The Elusive Lords series, SINFUL SURRENDER and A TASTE OF DESIRE.Thanks, Bev. The new book sounds delicious! Good luck, everyone!
118 comments:
Yep, sometimes the back blurb is completely wrong.
Sadly I'm a bit of a cover whore lol and a lot of my book choices have to do with whether or not the cover is appealing/smoldering/sexy/hot.
I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover but, ACK, I just cant help myself:(
Luckily there is some fantastic cover art out there so I rarely purchase bad books!!!!
'Sinful Surrender' sounds just that....sinful and juicy and drool worthy (and right up my alley:))
Thanks for the chance.
cbcowley@gmail.com
hey, the rooster coming this way? :)
Congrats on the release Bev, Taste of Desire sounds yummy. I often buy based on the blurb and occasionally it misleads. When that happens I'm disappointed as I was expecting one thing and all ready for that but dished something I wasn't in the mood for. Can spoil what may have otherwise been a good book.
congrats on the rooster Sheree -- you snuck in while I was typing (stupid sticking keys) :)
Wow! Like I said this is one of those books that I MUST HAVE! I have never...well let me rephrase that. I have bought many books due to their covers. Especially Lisa Kleypas After Mine Till Midnight and Meet Me At Sunrise. Wait..all of the Hathaway Series...because even though the cover of the books come differently or oddly, when you turn the first page...you see the two most fascinating characters...I find it rather tempting and very alluring...actually beautiful!
I have to admit that I have bought a many books that seem very misleading and some come as very good stories while others very...un-intimidating? I like to read so when I catch sight of new books that come with misleading covers...I read the back of it to see what the story could be about or lead to. Hehe. I'm silly that way I suppose. But its quite fascinating! It also led me to a better experience reading the book!
Congrats on the new novel Bev!
Hachigatsu@live.com
I meant 'A Taste Of Desire' sounds right up my alley.....however based on my cover art attraction they'll both end up in the TBR pile!!!!
For example, the back blurb of Bertrice Small's "The Border Vixen" only covers about the first third of the book! They get married by page 124 of the 413 pages book so all that Scottish political intrigue and Fingal's Odyssey-esque return to Maggie isn't mentioned at all.
Danielle, I love Lisa Kleypas' books and the two you mentioned especially so since the man on the stepback is my favorite cover model, Paul Marron, as both Cam and Kev.
Hi Beverly! Welcome back to the lair!
Gotta say I love your new cover! The cover gods have been good to you.
On blurbs - years and years ago, I bought a category romance and the story was absolutely nothing like the blurb - nothing! The heroine's name was the same but it was as if the wrong cover had been placed on the text. The story was good - I wasn't disappointed, but rather surprised.
I've had some less that stellular back cover blurbs, and I've had some really excellant ones. Can't say I'm that great of a blurb writer myself, but I'm getting better - I hope.
Congrats on the rooster, Sheree. Hugs on just missing him Gamistress66. He's a hot commodity that GR.
I too am a cover art person, as well as the art and blurb on the back cover. Here again, never judge a book by its cover, but I am only human...lol
Your front and back covers would have me hooked, well...they do have me hooked. Can't wait to get my hands on them...lol
Well, I did once buy a book with completely, totally misleading covers: once I opened the book and started to read I found that the title, name of the author and the blurb were all misleading, because on the title page there was a different title and different author and the story obviously was different, too. The book had completely wrong covers!
Hi Bev,
Congrats on the new release. I'm pretty sure I have been pleasantly surprised and disappointed when the story is quite different than what the blurb suggests.
I've read both good and bad back blurbs and the ones (to me) that are good are the ones that compel me to buy the book or intrigues me enough to look up the book on Amazon to read reviews and see if I like what the story is about.
There have been some blurbs which have taken my fancy and I've bought the book only to be disappointed by the book itself when I was reading it. I've also been confused by the blurb enough that when I'm reading the book, I find myself going back to the blurb to see what the book is about because at some point in the reading, the book does not seem to be what I thought I bought - neither good nor bad, just different.
I have liked both the blurbs on your books and have bought them both based on the blurbs.
Congrats on the release of the new book.
Sheree, hooray for the GR. Have fun with him.
Aloha, Anna and Beverley! I spend hours looking at book covers and reading the blurbs!
Beverley's cover is hot ... just as I am sure the writing will be!
I am curious if the Cabana Boys moonlight as cover models ....
Woohooo Sheree!
Nice catch!
Oh, yes indeed, I've bought books which were not about the same issues on the back cover. The names of the characters were the same, but the publisher had pulled some tiny element out of the story and written an entire blurb around it.
But you know? I'm getting a sense of why that happens sometimes I think. Very complex stories can be hard to nail down to a line or two summary.
Usually when this has happened to me, the story has been better--and MORE--than I anticipated.
Looking forward to these. They look wonderful. YOu've intrigued me with these characters!
Well done Sheree have fun with him
Hi Beverley and Anna
Firstly I loved Sinful Surrender and am soo looking forward to A Taste Of Desire Whoo Hoo.
I have read lots of blurbs over the years this is what encourages me to buy a book I haven't heard about around the blogs or is a releas from an autobuy author but I gotta say I have never been disappointed with a book that I have read I am sure that some of the blubs aren't always a good match to the full story but once I get into the book it doesn't seem to bother me.
Beverley huge congrats on the new release I am looking forward to it
have Fun
Helen
Congrats on getting GR Sheree
Hi Anna and congrats Beverley on the new book.... I have trouble keeping up with all the books on the blogs LOL so haven't had to read the blurb for a while but it has to be a bad book for me not to finish it
Hi Beverley,
I have bought books where I felt cheated for things didn't match up. Can't think of a title right now but it was usually when the story didn't turn out as nice as I had hoped.
I also hate it when the picture up front shows a completely different H/H. Black hair instead of blond etc.
Your books sound really great btw.
Hey, Sheree, and sometimes when you get in early it's completely RIGHT to get the rooster!
Cath, I have to say I love covers too, always have.
Wow, did you three first gals see how close you all were to grabbing the chook? WOW!!!!!
Gamistress, actually something I don't like is when the blurb gives away too much of the story. I like to be surprised sometimes!
Danielle, Lisa Kleypas has delicious covers, doesn't she? Someone else who has lovely covers is Liz Carlyle. There was a series of One Little Sin and Two Little Lies (might have the title mixed up but you get the gist) that had absolutely luscious covers with rich colors.
Sheree, I've had Paul Marron for my last couple of books and he's extremely handsome!
Actually, Donna, I like writing promo stuff like blurbs. It's one of the fun bits of putting a book together.
DL, Bev's covers are lovely, aren't they?
Ooh, Minna, that sounds like a publisher's error to me. Ouch!
Jane, I like the blurb to reflect the tone of the story too.
Deanna, interesting about your mixed experience with blurbs. I was trying to think of one where I've been seriously misled but I think the rain here has rusted my brain!
Kim, the cabana boys are too busy keeping the Banditas supplied with margaritas to have time to moonlight as cabana boys!
Cassondra, how interesting that sometimes that misleading blurb has ended up being a GOOD thing!
Helen, I think that blurb really does work to draw a person in, especially with a new author. Honestly, there are authors I'll buy anyway. They could be in a brown paper cover with no title and I'd still buy their books!
Barb, I agree with you - these days I hear about a book before I go looking to buy it. Back in the old days, pre the internet, I used to rely much more on covers and blurbs to draw me to a new writer.
Kirsten, I don't like it when the characters don't match the illustration too. Or there's a scene that just doesn't take place in the book. I remember a Laura Kinsale many years ago (think it was the Prince of Midnight) where the cover featured the hero and heroine cavorting in a waterfall. Um, very nice, except there was no such scene in the book.
How is your story darker than the blurb? I don't necessarily take a blurb as gospel, but just the gist of a story.
Yes, I have found several books that were no where near what the blurb suggested, each and every time though it was a pleasant surprise so it's all good. Kind of like getting a package all wrapped up in pink paper and ribbons but the gift inside is royal purple. Richer and more satisfying. Sounds like that is the case with yours so I can't wait to read it.
What gets me is when back covers have like 2 sentences and that's it that tell you nothing or the ones that don't have one at all. That's just plain frustrating and if i willusually not buy the book at all then.
congrats on the new release. Your cover looks great!
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
Welcome back to the Lair, Beverley!
I must admit I only really look at blurbs for new authors or impulse buys. Then, it's only to make sure the story isn't set somewhere I'm not too fussed about or has a storyline I won't enjoy.
These days, I find that there are so many resources available to us to check out books - especially when we buy so much online, that I rarely put much faith in the blurb other than to give me a general idea of the story.
Also with series, especially if I'm glomming onto a new-to-me author, I tend to check out blurbs to see who is in the books and if they're connected.
Look forward to picking up A Taste of Desire.
Hi Bev,
Congrats on the release. I have it on my TRL of course. I used to read the back blurbs but like a few posters have said I can find out so much on the internet now about a book . I love Hot covers and am influenced by them sometimes. Like Anna said, I have Authors I buy even if they were wrapped in brown paper. :)
Carol L
Luy4750@aol.com
Congrats on the new release, Bev! As you know, I've been excited about this book since Thomas and Amelia first met in Sinful Surrender (another terrific book!).
I used to make many book-buying decisions based on back cover blurbs and, yes, I've been led astray a few times though, really, not that many considering how many books I've bought over the years.
Congrats on nabbing the GR, Sheree!
Hi Everyone! I'm overwhelmed waking up to so many comments already. Thanks for stopping by. I'm ducking in between the lull at work so if I'm not quick to comment, pardon me.
Sheree, I'm with you there. I have been led astray more than once. I remember someone on Goodreads said of Sinful Surrender, "I expected a much lighter read." I chuckled when I saw that.
Cath, I was just going to say I think you mean Taste. LOL. And here I thought you can't (or is shouldn't) judge a book by the cover. ;) (Even though we do). I hope you get a chance to read them.
Gamistgress66,I remember one book in particular that from the cover copy, seemed right up my aisle but once I got into it, not only was it dark, it dealt with a subject matter, had I known was in there, I would NEVER have picked up the book. To me, reading is about meeting or exceeding expectations. Sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised it's better than you thought it would be or quite the opposite.
Hi Danielle. Lisa Kleypas is definitely one of my faves. Love her stuff--especially Wallflower series. I try very hard not to judge a book by the cover because I do know authors have practically NO SAY in what goes on their books but I'm human, and nice covers will always attract me to picking them up and at least giving the blurb on the back a read.
Hi Donna! I have to admit, I've been blessed with some really lovely models on the covers of my books. When I first saw Sinful Surrender (the male model), I wanted to call up Kensington and demand to be on all photo shoots! And you know they really hit the nail on the head in matching the models with my characters--okay, Amelia does have darker hair. On another note, you all now have me curious about Sheree and this rooster.
Hi DL! I'm so happy to here my blurbs are doing their job with some readers. It's a simply terrifying experience to send my books off to be read--and judged. I hope you enjoy them!
Minna that is so funny. Which book was it. Now I'm totally curious.
Hi Jane, I've had both experiences with blurbs. Surprised and delighted and disappointed and vowing never to not buy that author again. And the not buying that author again is because I realize they don't write the kind of books I enjoy. And I do realize the authors have no say in what goes on the back cover copy. None.
Daz thanks so much. A new release is always exciting and nerve wracking. I'm so glad you purchased them and that they are working. I hope they won't or didn't disappoint. :)
Aloha Kim! So which Cabana boys are you talking about. Looks like I need to check them out. LOL.
Beverley, by reading that back cover I'd assume it was a very sensual "battle of the wits" novel. Yes? :)
You are to be applauded for the quality of The Season http://theseasonforromance.com/
website. It's wonderful!
I don't trust back copy, because I do now know that authors don't write it. I always read the first few pages.
Hi Bev~waving. I am more of a cover person too. I don't think I have ever found a book were the back cover mislead me. More the front cover where it has nothing to do with the book.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Congratulations Beverley on your new book! I have bought a few books based on the blurb and found it was completely wrong which usually annoys me. One time I thought I was buying an historical but it turned out to be a time travel.
Hi, Beverley and Anna. I'm looking forward to Thomas and Amelia's story, Bev. Congratulations!
I don't think I have ever been mislead by a book's back cover blurb. I don't like the phrase or one-sentece blurbs, though. Do the publishers think they are teasers or enicements to pick up the book? Not to me because it's frustrating to read a phrase that doesn't really tell me anything about the story.
There are some great web sources to read about books. I have found, though, that the reviews just depend on the person and the time they may have read the book. I sometimes read a book and find myself disagreeing with some of the reviews.
LASTLY, I am guilty of looking at front covers and picking up the book to read if it captures my eye or interest. (Men in kilts usually perk up my interest quite quickly.) :)
Beverley, it was so long time ago, I just can't remember which book it was. It was some Harlequin book, though. Finnish translation.
I like blurbs. They give a "taste" of what's to come. I've read that were misleading, but not totally. They're like movie trailers. Have you ever heard the "best lines" from the movie in the trailer and thought, "I've already seen the movie?" LOL. But writing a blurb that entices and makes the reader lust for what's inside, that's an art.
~Avery Aames
AveryAames.com
Mystery Lovers' Kitchen
Beverly, welcome to the Lair. We hope you have a fab time here today.
I'm sure I've bought books based on the back cover copy, but I can't remember a specific example of when I was disappointed or it was misleading. I love really beautiful book covers. I think they make all the difference in the world to if browsers in a bookstore notice it, or even online browsers as that's becoming more and more commonplace. One example I do remember is seeing the cover for Lauren Kate's Fallen in a display at B&N. It was so striking that I picked it up, flipped it over and read the back, and bought it. If not for the eye-catching cover, I might have passed it back.
Oops, sorry, I misspelled your name in what I just posted, Beverley.
If I am looking at a book by an author that I'm not familiar with than I will look at the back cover copy as well as inside front excerpt.
On the other hand I always remember my mother's warning to "not judge a book by it's cover" or in this case it's "front and back". I rely more on randomly opening the book and picking out a paragraph and getting a "feel" for the book.
Now accoridng to my husband if it's romance I'll read it and love it so take what I say with a grain of salt!
Got your hands full today, Sheree! That GR is trouble!
Hello Beverley! Congrats on your latest! That back cover blurb definitely piques my interest!
I do read back covers and sometimes they even influence me to buy, but I am more likely to know a bit more about a book these days because of great websites like The Season, or a blog tour by the author or just word of mouth. I recently picked up one of my auto-buy author's books without reading the back cover or checking inside and I was a bit disappointed. I expected a Regency historical and got one set in the early 1900's. A duke who rents his estate out to Americans and a heroine who drives a car and wears Turkish trousers just didn't appeal to me when I was expecting something else entirely.
Good morning, Beverley & Anna! I know exactly what you mean about the back cover blurb being misleading. I love it when the blurb is a preview of the reading experience but I get that it's tough to make that happen.
My stories all start out all dark & angsty as I figure out what baggage the characters are carrying, & only slowly, slowly through many painful drafts does the story start to leaven. The charm is hard fought & comes slowly.
But they give you, what, a week at best to review & edit back cover copy? I'm always worried my blurbs sound darker than the story will be, so sort of your opposite problem.
Can't ever be easy, huh? Though that does beg a good question: Is there a part of the writing process that does come easily to you? Some part that you never worry about that just flows?
Meeting over so I'm back for a few minutes. :)
Cassondra, I think sometimes with publishers, they try so hard to find the right blurb that will entice the reader to buy it, they lose focus on if it actually correctly represents the tone and story. It's the really hard balancing act, and believe me, I would want to do that for a living. Too hard to come up with those blurbs. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get a chance to read Taste or/and SS. :)
Hi Helen!! So happy you stopped by. You've been so enthusiastic about my books and I appreciate that tremendously.
Thanks so much, Barb!
Hi Kirsten! I have an author friend who had the same experience. Her hero was blond and the pic had a very dark-haired man on the cover. She was mortified and changed his hair color in the book. Stuff like that used to make me scratch my head, now I know what I know so I have no expectations the model on the cover will fit the character. I hope you get a chance to read Taste. I had a fun time writing it.
Hi Dianna! Hmm, well I would say that the cover copy makes it sound light, a heroine set to lure this poor unsuspecting hero with hijinks aplenty. I heard from some readers that my hero could have been kinder, that he was rather the dark and brooding type. There was a rather serious set of circumstances that comes up to put a kabosh on their matrimonial prospects are heroine is compromised. Things like that made Sinful Surrender not as light as some readers (via the blurb) thought it would be.
Hi Lisa! Yes, those 2 sentence ones are killers but even worse is when you can't even FIND the blurb. Though not many, I've seen books were they simply didn't have one. That's when you have to go hunting on the internet if your curiosity reaches that level.
Yeah , i do that all the time , and it's annoying.I buy the book based on the back cover , and then Pufff..rezults that was wrong :(
raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com
Oh, I pitty a misleading blurb. I can't remember for sure for sure, becasuse while I do buy a lot of the time based on blurbs and excerpts, by the time I finish the story, I am hardly thinking if it lived up to it's title.
I can vaugely recall one blurb: on the back of a Julia Quinn novel,'The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever', and I remember reading it online and being a bit turned off by it-idk even why because reading it now it looks okay. This was before I read my first JQ or checked out blogs so I didn't know anything about quinn or her excellent writing style. I read Splendid by her first, then Dancing at midnight and was hook, but was still wary thanks to that initial reading of the blurb. I bought and read "What Happens In London' and figured I should stop shrinking from the possibility of a bad read and just read the darn thing. It turned out to be one of my favorite books to date.
Blurbs definetly influence my decision to buy a book and I hate that I passed over some books that I later read and love all because the blurb didn't hit me.
Woot to your release and many blessings everyone!
-Rita
Hi, Beverley, welcome back to the Lair and congratulations on the release of A TASTE OF DESIRE. It sounds delicously wicked!
I do read the back covers and then a few pages of the book itself before I purchase. I don't care for light, silly romances, although I do like a heavy dose of clever witticism.
Congratulations Beverley on your new release!
Yes, I buy books based on the back covers synopsis. I don't feel they're misleading sometimes but I do feel as though they aren't detailed enough.
I have bought a book that way before and the back cover was completely wrong. Sometimes the book will be better but most of the time its not. It can be very disapointing at times.
Yes, I have read books where the back blurb is very wrong. Very annoying but the book is usually good anyway! That has not happended in awhile. Sometimes the blurbs are confusing and I have to read them several times to understand them. They should be easy and straight forward. Thanks for sharing with us today!
Hi, Bev! Congratulations on your second book release. A Taste of Desire is already among my TBR books. I really enjoyed Sinful Surrender and have been looking forward to Thomas and Amelia's story.
Honestly, neither covers nor blurbs influence my book buying since I joined the online romance community. My TBB list consists of autobuy authors and books I've seen reviewed and discussed. I'm more likely to browse at the library, but even there I read the beginning and the end before I check out a book.
Louisa, I think I know the book you mentioned, and the things you found unappealing were part of the reason I was delighted with the book. Different strokes, yes?
I usually judge a book by the back blurb and I have been disappointed by a couple of books but there have been some blurbs that I do not feel did justice to the books. I can understand feeling upset when you feel like a book is supposed to be about one things, but turns out to be something that you are not interested in.
Congrats on the release.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Dianna, what a lovely description of when the book is richer than the blurb indicates! By the way, huge congratulations on winning the major prize in the Christmas goodies. That's an amazing haul heading your way!
Modokker, I haven't seen too many like that. I agree - wouldn't convince me to buy the book unless I knew the author.
Anna, I'm like you - I like to start a series with the first book so yeah, I'll check the blurb in that case or sometimes the printing date.
Carol, I agree with you about the blurb not being so material to my decisions these days when there's so much info on the Net about the book. Sometimes too much! I don't like knowing the whole plot before I start to read a book!
PJ, I've been so looking forward to having Bev back as our guest. She really made the cabana boys smile last time round - hmm, that sounds naughtier than it's meant to!
Hi Bev, welcome back to the lair. Love your new cover!
As far as blurbs, I know there have been a few that as I'm reading the book I'll go back and look at because they are so far off.
Good luck with the new release!
Gillian, the Season is a fantastic site, isn't it? I always check out the reviews there.
I read the first in this series, Sinful Surrender, and loved it. I'm sure A Taste of Desire is going to be another winner!
Covers get my attention and I usually make my choice with the blurb but I don't like to be told too much lol.
Sue, I've definitely been misled by covers rather than blurbs. There's a definite trend to make the covers pretty sensual and then when I read the book, there's not much going on in that department at all. Oh, no, now I sound like a dirty old woman. Perhaps it's time for another bwahahahahahahaa!
Maureen, I sometimes wonder if they do a blurb that doesn't mention elements of the book that aren't perhaps flavour of the month. Time Travel has had its ups and downs in recent years whereas over the last few years, historicals have sold really well. I think it's unfair to the buyer, though, to play games like that.
Deb, I think reviews demonstrate that you can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time but NEVER all of the people all of the time. Mind you, it would be terrible if everybody reacted the same, wouldn't it? How boring would that be?
Avery, great to see you here. Yeah, I hate it when the best lines in the movie are in the trailer! Drives me bananas.
Trish, one of the things I've noticed in covers is that there's waves of fashion in colours and styles. At the moment, it seems to be solo girls in beautiful dresses on historicals - or at least it is at Avon. Bev, you've got a lovely clinch. I know they're sometimes derided, but a clinch screams romance to me!
Jeanne, I have to say I don't read any of the actual book when I'm buying but I love reading that teaser inside the front cover to give me a flavour of the story. Laughed at your husband rumbling you!
Ooh, Louisa, I rather like the sound of the 1900s book. I occasionally like to flirt with a setting other than the Regency.
Susan, you're right about it not being easy! Mind you, that's probably part of the charm. Snort! Interesting about you having to dig for the charm - it seems so effortless in your books!
Pinkstuff, welcome to the Bandits! Hey, nice to see so many new faces today! Here, have a margarita, you guys. Oh, and there's a spare cabana boy or two to go around.
Welcome, Bev! Congrats on your latest release - sound fantastic!
I can't remember a time that I bought a book based on the back cover blurb and had it turn out to be totally different. Will have to mull it over a bit *g*
Oh, dear, Rita, that's terrible when the blurb turns you off the book all together! Good thing you persisted with JQ!!!!
Jo, interesting take on your tastes. I must say I love some apt witty banter, myself. I read The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer again over the Christmas break and wow, that woman could write dialogue like nobody else! Spark, spark, spark!
Lustee, it's an interesting process putting a blurb together. I've had big input on my last few (in fact with MRS in Australia, that's basically the blurb I wrote instead of the one Avon here used). There's a balance of house style (Avon definitely have their own individual blurb style) and something that reflects the book. We usually get something from a blurb writer, then my editor and I push and pummel it until we're both happy with the results. Amazing how much work goes into just those two paragraphs!
Virginia, sorry to hear that! As I said, I can't remember too many times that's happened to me. I've read blurbs which emphasise certain elements of the story over things I think are more important.
Johanna, I've definitely been caught, as I said, by the blurb making the book sound much sexier than it actually is. But of course, sex sells!
Janga, I agree with you about different strokes. I know I have fairly specific tastes but those aren't necessarily the same as everyone else's. I remember reviewing a Madeline Hunter book on Romance Novel TV (sigh, I miss RNTV!). I think she's marvellous (she's one of my brown paper cover authors) and a couple of people came on and said they just didn't like her stuff at all. These days, I tend to hear about a book from the net or word of mouth before I get a chance for a blurb to drag me in. Although I always READ the blurb, even if only when I get the book. But of course, I'm compulsive that way. I read dedications and notes and everything!
Stephanie, someone earlier said that it's difficult for a blurb to encompass all the complexities of a story sometimes. I love the way Dianna said that she loves when the story is so much richer than she expected.
Hi Christie! Isn't it great to have Bev back in the lair! Sven is giving her a massage as we speak.
Catslady, I agree with you on not wanting all the surprises in the story spoilt. As an author, I try and set up 'ooh, I didn't see that coming' moments in the story and it's such a shame when something that's designed to intrigue and please the reader is telegraphed in the blurb.
Beth, we love having Bev in the lair, don't we? And guys, if you haven't checked out the wonderful Season site that Bev runs, hie thee hither! http://theseasonforromance.com/
There have been quite a few that have been so far off the mark I had to keep checking if I was reading the same book. For me what grabs me, I hate to say is the cover. After that I actually like to look inside and see if there is a little snipet from inside the book. You know, the little paragraph that is usually on the first page. If the book doesn't have that, then I usually check the back plurb.
Danielle, I always like those little snippets too. If it's intriguing, it will always convince me to buy the book.
Anna, I read dedications and acknowledgements religiously too. I always have, but they are even more fun now that I sometimes know people who are mentioned. I cheered when I read Toni Blake's dedication to Lindsey Faber in Whisper Falls, and I blush to admit I drove my family crazy showing them my name in some acknowledgements. I just wanted them to see my name was in a book, even if it's not yet on a book cover.
LOL! Yes, that's completely annoying. I try to not buy just based on blurb for that reason. Usually a combination of blurb and excerpt or if I already have heard or read the author the before keeps me from making a grave mistake... It is a disappointment if the book isn't really what the blurb leads me to believe, but if the story's good, that will redeem it. It's similar to when a cover doesn't really match the insides, only a little worse, because the words for me really should give me a real feel for the content.
Janga, I always get a kick out of seeing myself in acknowledgements too. Mind you, that's the whole point - I love giving thanks where thanks are due and knowing it will make the recipients smile. And as you say, lovely to see our friends mentioned too!
Fedora, somehow the blurb not matching is worse to me than the cover not matching. Not quite sure why!
Karyn, hope your holidays were great too. With the awful weather here, I got lots of reading done.
I have gotten a book based on the blurb and been disappointed. Now I usually check out the excerpt and/or word of mouth before buying.
Chey, that's so much easier these days than it used to be, isn't it?
Sheree, congrats on the bird!
Bev, welcome. What a fabulous trailer! I always read blurbs, but I hate the ones I write. I think there's a real art to encapsulating a story in a way that's both accurate and engaging.
Nancy, so glad you got a giggle out of the trailer. I sure did. Love the music. Bev, where did the music come from? It's so perfect.
Anna -- I don't want too much to be given away either. Just when you pick up a book expecting adventure & action but but that's only a minor subplot in the middle of the book (it's really a "great misunderstanding" book) or the blurb makes it sound like a fun & humorous story but it's really more a high tension or serious read it can spoil the book. If I want humor & get high tension (or visa versa) it makes it hard to get into the story and enjoy it.
I have bought quite a few books just because the back blurb read good....and now for many of them I stalk those authors' websties awaiting release dates for their next books. Some I've even bought previous book just because I wanted to see how their writing style varied. I have only come acrossed a few books that I really wished I would have read online reviews before hand, but my library has no problem with me dropping them off :0)
Hi Anna, I totally agree with you on that, there are tons of places to find out about books on the internet. It's literally a click of your fingers and voila.
And when I find a good series or a new to me author I really like, I practically devour their backlist. I hope you enjoy TASTE!
Hi Carol (**waves madly**)! Thanks for coming by. So tickled you're excited about the book. And yep, there are authors I'd buy if even the cover copy didn't sound like something I'm not keen on.
Hi PJ!!! Thanks so much for dropping by. I did get many emails about Thomas and Amelia when Sinful Surrender came out, so I know she made an impression. But actually, I received just as many emails asking about Alex. ;)
Hi Gillian,you would be very right in thinking this is very sensual. There's a lot of sexual tension and oodles of conflict. These two are not overly fond of each other and it takes them a good while to become OVERLY fond of each other. LOL. I'm so glad you enjoy The Season site. It's fun.
Reading the first couple pages is great, that's why I love the browse inside feature they have for so many books now.
Katsrus, I'm waving back!! In romance, I would say there aren't that many covers that turn me completely off a book--but there are some. And while I know it reflects nothing on the story, I still won't pick it up. How sad is that?
Hi Maureen, thanks so much! Oh I can see how easily it would be to think a TT is a historical or contemporary. I was reading a Harlequin Presents the other day which was some sort of TT warp thing. She was in the 1960s a better part of the book and I was so lost I had to tweet and get answers. LOL
Thanks so much, Deb! Hope you enjoy TASTE. LOL. You don't KNOW how many times I disagree with reviewers. I know everyone has different tastes so I don't let what a reviewer says sway me that much if I think I'll like the book.
I love a man in kilts if there won't be a lot of fighting. ;)
Hi Minna, if you get the title, you'll have to share.
Avery, I can't tell you how many times I've found the trailers have the best parts of the movie or the funniest parts in a comedy. Which is sooo not good.
Hi Trish (almost everyone misspells my name so don't worry), thanks so much for having me here today. I'm guilty of the same thing--that whole cover bias. But we are a big looksie society. Visual impact is very important.
Gamistress, you're so right about getting the tone to suit the story!
BJ, it's great how a wonderful blurb can lead you to another must-have author, isn't it?
Jeanne, it seems your husband knows you too well. LOL. Like you, I do try not to do it but I fall down on the job many times.
Hi Louisa, thanks so much for dropping by! I'm hoping that for anyone who loves a fiesty, sensual sparring by h/h, they will try TASTE.
Hmm, which book was that? I get the feeling I should know this one. You've now piqued MY interest.
Hi Susan, would it be bad if I said sometimes the entire writing process is difficult most of the time??!! LOL. But the honest truth is I'm a reviser, so finishing the first draft takes a great deal of effort because I want to go back all the time to 'fix'. I literally have to write straight through and come back on the second draft and do my 'fixing'. I want to write a polished manuscript right out of the gate, but that's impossible for me. I need to learn this...and learn it soon.
What flows is dialogue. Sometimes I wish the whole book was pure dialogue.
PinkStuff28, as I said above, it's all about not meeting expectations. Sigh.
Hi Rita, thanks for stopping by! I rather enjoyed The Diaries of Miranda Cheever. I like it when JQ goes for a darker hero and more angst. As for passing over some and finding them later on, I think that's like the best part, that 'discovery'. It reminds me of LK's It Happened One Autumn. It started in a perfume shop and I thought, hmmm, this isn't for me. I put it down. Went back to it because I was sooo desperate for something to read and BAM! It's one of my FAVE books.
Hi Jo, I so love the sound of that, 'deliciously wicked'. I definitely would same Thomas is that. He definitely gives as good as he gets. ;)
I really love dry wit, which the Brits are famous for. It's my favourite kind of humour.
Thanks Lustee!! I'm excited that it's FINALLY released. I think it's hard to get too detailed on the back cover for space reasons alone. I think the publishers also want to keep your interest piqued.
Hi Johanna, that's so much for dropping by.
Hi Janga, that is pure music to my ears. I love both books for different reasons because Missy and Amelia are almost polar opposites. LOL.
This is how I use reviews; I usually start reading the book I think will be interesting. If I'm not getting 'into' it, I start hunting for reviews. I want to know if it's just me or if others feel the same way.
Hi Stephanie, thanks so much! I think in the long term--for that author's future--best to be as straight forward about the story. Less disappointed readers that way.
Hi Christie, thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Beth, thanks a lot. I'm hoping enough readers like it. I'll be here while you mull. ;)
Oh Danielle, I LOVE the excerpt in the front of the book. Believe me, I was so disappointed when I found out that TASTE wouldn't have one. I make a lot of book buying decisions based on the excerpt.
Janga, you need to tell me the book so I can look for your name--which is???
Flchen1, I would definitely say blurb and excerpt are huge selling points.
Hi Karyn!!! Thanks so much. It always makes me so happy to hear that.
Chey, word of mouth from my trusted friends who really knows my taste, will get me to read a book I otherwise wouldn't be interested in.
Hi Nancy, thanks so much. It was the first trailer I ever made so I kept it realllly simple. LOL. I so agree with you on accuracy and engaging. But sometimes those two conflict and won't have the masses running to pick up the book so...
BJ, I really heavily on the back cover blurb and that excerpt in the front of the book. I've discovered many good books that way.
Anna Campbell said...
By the way, huge congratulations on winning the major prize in the Christmas goodies. That's an amazing haul heading your way!
Oh girl, I was so excited I was beside myself.
Welcome to the Lair, Bev!
Sorry to be late to the party, but BIG thanx to our Fo for bringing you over to join us today.
I'm sooo glad I'm not the only one who was less than thrilled with a back cover blurb. My last book, The Wild Irish Sea, had the back cover changed at the last minute (I never knew why) and gave NO HINT of the major paranormal elements in the story. :-( I hope readers weren't too disappointed.
AC
Dianna, it was a truly magnificent prize! So many goodies, you won't know where to start.
AC, lovely to see you! So sorry you weren't happy with your blurb. Actually you made me think of a blurb that really did misrepresent the book. Over Christmas I read a Sandra Marton Harlequin Presents which was actually a time travel (yeah, I was surprised too!). And there was not one hint in the blurb that there was any paranormal element in the story. I sort of went with the flow but I can imagine a lot of diehard HP readers being a bit shocked!
I look closely at the cover, read the cover quotes, and read the
blurb. I don't rely only on any
one alone for a decision on what
book to purchase. There's only
been one book in which I was so
totally disappointed that I could
not finish it: Peyton Place. It was so cheesy that I threw it away!
Thanks for inviting Beverley to
visit the Lair, Anna!
It was fun reading your blurb. I have to say that blurb's are definitely either the turn on or off for me. If the blurb doesn't hook me then I usually pass.
My blurb addiction can sometimes lead me to pass on books that other's hail as great and wonderful. Then I have to go back and give them another chance. Your blurb for the first book is now on my must-read list. If it gets a little darker than that I am excited. Thanks for coming to the lair and sharing. I'm going to love getting to know your characters. :)
Hi Aunty Cindy, it's never too late to join the party. Thanks so much for having me. I so feel you on the missing paranormal element on blurb. But I'm sure your book is doing great.
Hi Pat, thanks for stopping by. I haven't read Peyton Place so I can't comment. Wasn't that adapted to a tv series??
Hi Slush!! Are you a sucker for a 'in love with brother's best friend' plotline like me? Those will pull me in EVERY TIME. I hope you enjoy Sinful Surrender.:)
Anna and all you wonderful ladies from in the Lair, thanks so much for having me again. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. :D
Now I'm off to bed to wake up very very early in the morning. Night everyone!!!!
Pat, my mum gave me Peyton Place as a 'racy' read. But by then I'd been well and truly indoctrinated by historical romances like the Woodiwisses and the Rosemary Rogers. PP wasn't racy at all!
Slush, thanks for swinging by. So glad you're another blurb addict!
Thanks, guys, for a great day in the lair. Bev, thanks for being such a great guest!
Don't forget to check back to see who won Bev's fabulous books. Good luck!
I read SINFUL SURRENDER and enjoyed it. I have been waiting for A TASTE OF DESIRE. Congratulations on its release. The back cover blurb is important to me. I may be attracted by the cover, but it is this short synopsis of the story that will sell me on the book. It needs to be accurate. It is quite irritating when the story is not what you are lead to believe.
Best of luck with the release and I look forward to Book 3.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
to be honest theresbeen a few thats been good and bad one exheeded my expectations and then aother was totally misleading that irked me and i hated it
ihave to say i love those covers Beverley
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