February 2, 2007 • Print This Post
The coverflats for my July ‘07 release, Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy, came in the mail last week. They’re gorgeous and sexy and classy. Perfect for the book. Here, see for yourself:
I love this because it’s mine. I also love it because I love well-done covers. I’ve purchased many books and new-to-me-authors based on covers and cover copy. See, I’m one of those folks who enjoys going to a bookstore, browsing through the shelves and tables and looking at covers. A bit dork-like, I know, but we all need to find a thrill however we can.
On this search I sometimes stumble across a cover that makes me, well, wonder a bit at the boldness of the cover. In case you’re unclear, “boldness” in this context usually means my reaction to the cover went like this: “wow, look at all the naked people…wait, where is his hand?” Now, I’m not a prude. In my novella in the anthology When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys my hero spent a good portion of the story naked and handcuffed to the ceiling in a secret basement room. Yeah, there’s nothing prudish about that. Despite my likes and dislikes in romance reading, some covers do seem to go a bit far for my book buying taste. Not sure why, but they do.
Now, if you’re visiting the Brava blog I’m assuming you enjoy romance with a bit of spice and heat. Some of you may spend time checking out covers just as I do. So, let me ask you - have you seen the cover that goes that one step too far? The one that makes you squirm a bit…and not in a good way. I haven’t in Brava. I can’t think of a single Brava cover that crossed that line for me. In fact, I can only think of a few covers over the course of the entire imprint that I didn’t like. Usually, I love them. And, just wait because some of the 2007 releases have amazing covers.
But what about you? Ever have an adverse reaction to the “hotter” covers for the “hotter” books (I’m afraid to use the term erotic romance because the phrase tends to make people nutty, so we’ll go with “hotter). Did the cover keep you from buying the book? Did it make you seek it out on the internet/in private? Did it make you want to check out the reviews or the author? Or, are those hot covers not having any real impact on you?
Since I’m curious, you leave a comment and you’ll have a chance to win a copy of When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys…you know, to read that handcuff scene for yourself 
I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday.
Posted by HelenKay Dimon @ 6:00 am • Filed under: HelenKay Dimon
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Interesting question HelenKay. I think that a lot of the “hotter” covers are, for the most part, tastefully done if a bit risque, and don’t stop me from buying them. I find them to be rather gorgeous and sexy. I’m more embarrassed by some of the covers with computer-generated couples on the front - they look like characters from a video game, and I don’t like them.
Really the only ones I don’t care for are the ones showing a woman tied up because those books are usually more about some level of the sub/dom relationship, which just isn’t my thing. Other than that, I’m okay with them.
Your cover is gorgeous, btw.
I don’t personally have a problem with the “hotter” covers, however, as a mother I have been know to not buy a book because my kids would see that cover and having a ten year old girl, I am not ready to answer certain questions. I want my kids to see me reading so I don’t hide any books, that being said, I buy almost every book I want, unless the cover is way past the line of appropriate. Brava has never had one of those covers.
The only downside I have with “HOT” covers is that it limits where I can read them. For instance - my daughter is in dance/tumbling three hours a week. I sit in a chair outside the studio door, in a long hallway with many other parents - and lots of kids from the various classes that arrive and depart every 15 minutes. Most days I use that time to read, but I have to be careful not to take something that is going to shock the kids (or some of their moms).
And I don’t do bookcovers - they’re a PITA to keep on a book while you’re reading it, and they tear or get snagged in my purse.
Great question
But
(I’m afraid to use the term erotic romance because the phrase tends to make people nutty, so we’ll go with “hotter).
I have to agree with Stacy. Ditto on the computer generated images. Some are downright scary!
As long as they are tasteful, I don’t have a problem with a slightly risque cover.
Would I take them out in public and read them? Maybe not. Not because I am embarrassed, but because I get tired of hearing the asinine comments from people who have no clue. However, that problem can be easily solved with a suitable application of a book cover!!
I am not hesitant to buy any book I really want to read because of a steamy cover picture. I won’t judge you by the purchases you make, so don’t judge me! I never let the cover influence my decision to buy a book.
I have seen a few covers that would probably make the DH ask some questions if he saw them, but these weren’t Brava-type romances, either!
And I love the cover above, HelenKay.
Angie
If the cover is appropriate for the book, then no problem. The “hotter” books should have hotter covers, etc. What makes me mad is when I buy a book based on the “hotness” of the cover only to get it home and find out it’s “lukewarm”.
Very, very nice cover there, btw.
I love your new cover!!
not really, i like the covers, but some are racy than others, but wont keep me from buying it. HI helen
I enjoy hot covers but not too hot. If there is nudity on it or people tied up I don’t feel comfy buying it because I would be afraid to have my son getting a hold of it. If it is available in ebook and I really want to read it then I would buy it in that format to save myself some embarassment.
Hot covers are what makes the book. It doesn’t prevent me from buying the book. In fact they are enticing and unique. your cover is extra special.
If there is nudity on it or people tied up I don’t feel comfy buying it because I would be afraid to have my son getting a hold of it.
Cherie, that is how I used to feel, too. But now that my sons are older (15 and 18)I don’t worry about that so much anymore. Now when they see a racy cover, they rag me about it. Usually in a “Fabio” voice, in the absolute worst “purple prose” you can imagine! :roll:That’s my spawn for you….
I don’t think too much about covers but I like them to be tasteful even when they’re hot.
Hot covers don’t keep me from buying a book. In fact, I will pick up a book with a hot cover to see what it is about.
I’ve always been open with anything I’m reading so I don’t remember ever not buying a book because of the cover. But I do know someone who is afraid her grandchildren will see them. Mostly it’s probably people who wouldn’t be reading the books in the first place lol.
I love sexy, hot covers. I think Brava’s cover are great.
I don’t like the covers which are (usually for e-publishers) comic book style. But I love Brava’s hot covers.
I think hot, sexy covers catches the readers attention and it’s an incentive to pick up the book to read the blurb at the back. That’s what usually happens with me.
Thanks guys! I love the cover too.
The more I think about this, the more I think it’s a reader expectation issue. Like Crystal, I pick up books with hot covers just to see… Sometimes everything works together. For example, Sasha White/Saskia Walker’s KINK or Cathryn Fox’s PLEASURE CONTROL. Those are tasteful covers that telegraph to the reader what’s going to be inside. Everything from the title to the cover to the copy works. I think with the very provocative covers, my issue sometimes is that I assume the stories will be all sex and little more. That’s fine sometimes, but not what I want as a steady reading diet.
And, before anyone starts pelting me with books, I know that’s not a fair assumption. Before the sharp increase in the popularity of “hot” romance, I did find many of the “hotter” (it’s probably fair to say erotica here) books of this type lacking in plot. Not anymore. But the old bias and new and sometimes shocking covers often combine to mess up my good intentions.
My favorite story about “hot” covers happened right around the time Aphrodisia started up. The B&N I used to go to all the time had the romance section right next to the young reader’s section. All of a sudden all these boys of about 12 or 13 started hanging around the bookshelves. I couldn’t figure out what suddenly turned these boys on to reading. Thinking it must be Harry Potter or something, I go over and see that the new Aphrodisia titles were laid out on a table right next to the young readers section. Interesting book promo by the folks at B&N. The boys certainly appreciated the layout of the bookstore.
That cover is great! I’l buy it
The Brava books have had amazing covers for their great books!
I love your new cover! Very nice.:smile:
I love hot covers, and I think Brava do them great. And I will buy them in my shop, though my cheeks might be slightly flushed when I’m paying for the book.
Brava has some really neat book covers, and I love them. Your cover is terrific. I am not into covers that show bondage or things on the front, they just don’t work for me…..
I personally don’t have a problem with the hotter covers, but I don’t think they sell more books for the author. Several people have mentioned being limited in where you can read these books (if you don’t have a book cover). Also, a lot of bookstores will NOT face risque covers out. That’s another opportunity for a sale lost IMO.
Since I love reading the “hotter” stories, I have these nifty generic book covers that I use when I am reading on the bus or at work. Plus, I make all my book purchases online, so I don’t have to fidget at the check out stand while the clerk gives me “that look”.
Hmmm - guess I don’t really care for overly sexual covers - or the ones that degrade anyone. I do like somethings left to the imagination - your cover falls into that category!
I must admit usually the first thing that catches my eye on a book is the cover. I don’t mind hot covers. If the cover catches my eye than I usually pick the book up and read the back. Your cover is wonderful by the way! Have a great weekend.
I remember being embarassed at the checkout by some of Black Lace’s covers (Note I still bought the books). And I’m shy enough to keep the books with risque covers hidden and I’d never read them in public. Online bookstores have been great for us closet “hotter” book readers.
I absolutely adore your cover! Yes I will definitely buy it!
Yes I do get embarassed by risque’ covers. I pass those books by. My tastes leans towards tastefully done romance covers.
I don’t have a problem with the covers, however hot they may get. If I decide to take my book out some where with me to read, then I will just make a plain brown paper book cover for it. I have to do that when I have my stepkids visiting when I don’t want them looking at the cover.
Well, most of the books with the really hot covers I tend not to read anyway, but when it comes to genres or such that I do read, I think there were two or three that I might have passed by because I thought the covers were a little too much for me.
Lois
I don’t let a cover sway me but it will influence my decision. Just like what books I’ll read on my lunch hour. I’ll usually bring the more sedately covered books to work or the doctor’s office and read the racy covered books at home.
Love the cover! I like hot covers! I usually buy a book because the cover caught my attention.:mrgreen:
The cover does catch my attention; then I read the back blurb.
Sorry to say, the Ellora’s Cave Covers turn me off and anything where the cover is half cartoon/half human looking.
UPDATE: we have a winner. It’s Lois! Congrats
Email me and I’ll get the book out to you.