So, readers, what do you think?
"A chance encounter on a mundane morning bus commute leads history scholars Jill and Derek into a spontaneous, uninhibited romantic encounter that leaves both reeling – and ready for more. Derek has a secret that will keep them apart, and when Jill finds out she turns her razor-sharp mind against him by day – but channels her anger into passion-filled nights. Will Jill overcome Derek's secret as she investigates the past? Can she unlock her own secrets in time to save their relationship? Readers with an insatiable curiosity won't be disappointed as Legs covers three countries, two centuries, and one fiery journey of two souls destined to make history together."
Does it make you want to read the book? The book blurb, or back-of-book description, can make or break any book. With romance fiction you want to grip the potential reader and convey that the book has passion and conflict - and hint at the "HEA," or the "happily ever after." Does this do that?
I like to be teased in a book blurb. I find too many rhetorical questions irritating.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz - thanks for your comment. So does this blurb have too many rhetorical questions (2)? I can rephrase the rhetorical questions into more teasing/leading statements.
ReplyDeleteIt does convey the passion and conflict, and I would want to read the book. I will read pretty much anything.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it's unclear to me what the book will be like. Some of the blurb says "hot contemporary" and other parts imply something more like a Carol Goodman book (_The Night Villa_, etc.). I don't really think you've maximized the "teasing" aspect of the blurb, although it seems a good draft.
Joy - thanks. It sounds like you and Liz are on the same page. I need to work on this, obviously. I really appreciate the input. Any chance you can direct me to some blurbs you've seen that *do* work well?
ReplyDeleteIs there such a thing as a blurb seminar, I wonder? I'll be attending a regional RWA conference at the end of April, so maybe they offer one.