Fresh Fiction Blog | Bella Andre | Cover Choice -- Sexy Chest or Attractive Couple? Tell Us So

Earlier this week, I asked the following question on twitter/facebook: What catches your eye more on a cover of a sexy contemporary romance - a hot guy or a couple (man/woman)?

I'll use two of my books, TAKE ME and LOVE ME, as examples. TAKE ME, which was released as a trade paperback five years ago, has a couple on the cover. Do they look like the characters in my head when I was writing the book? Sort of. The hero, Travis, definitely looks like the model in the picture. Big, hunky, gorgeous. But the heroine? Well, considering TAKE ME is a book about a full-figured woman who finally finds her HEA with the man she's been in unrequited love with her entire life, then, no. I'm afraid she doesn't really look like the version of Lily that I have in my head. To me, Lily is smaller, curvier, softer. That being said, the art department at Pocket did go back to the drawing board several times with this cover (probably because I freaked out when I saw the initial cover and she looked like a size 2. Barely.) and ended up with this model on the cover. She isn't exactly full-figured, but she isn't tiny either.

With my newest trade ppk/ebook release, LOVE ME (the sequel to TAKE ME), I was hoping to go in a different direction. For five years, readers have been asking me for the TAKE ME sequel. And for five years, I've been walking around with Luke and Janica (Travis and Lily's brother and sister) in my head. Which means I know what they look like, probably better than most of my other characters. It was very important to me that the cover of LOVE ME reflect that. Do I think Luke Carson looks like the guy on the LOVE ME cover? Heck yeah! In my head, that picture was taken right after a game of pick-up basketball with his brother, Travis. :)

In any case, when I posted my question about covers earlier this week, I was hoping readers would chime in with their thoughts. I wasn't dissapointed. Based on my informal poll, couple covers won 2 to 1 over solo hot guy covers. Even more interesting, was the fact that people kept saying the same thing: They want the people on the cover to match the descriptions inside the book. I couldn't agree more. I'm constantly referencing the cover as a read a book, even thought I know what ends up on the cover is frequently completely out of the author's hands.

I'd really love to hear from you now! Are you more likely to pick up a book with a sexy couple on it? Or do you gravitate to the hunky guy covers? Also, does it matter if it's an ebook vs. a paperback. Are you drawn to different kind of covers depending on format?

Please let me know your thoughts. I'll be giving away a copy of one of my earlier books - TEMPT ME, TASTE ME, TOUCH ME - to someone who comments.

Thanks so much,
Bella

Bella Andre has always been a writer. Songs came first, and then non-fiction books, but as soon as she started her first romance novel, she knew she'd found her perfect career. Since selling her first book in 2003, she's written thirteen "sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publisher's Weekly) about sizzling alpha heroes and the strong women they'll love forever for Simon & Schuster, Random House, and Hachette Books. Her books have been COSMOPOLITAN Red Hot Reads twice (GAME FOR ANYTHING and WILD HEAT). Her books have been translated into German, Thai, Japanese and Ukrainian. If not behind her computer, you can find her reading, hiking, knitting, or lunching with her favorite romance writing ladies. Her latest release is LOVE ME, the long-awaited sequel to TAKE ME. www.BellaAndre.com

Comments

I prefer the cover with the couple on it. I also pick paperback over ebooks, since I don't own an electronic reading device.
(Ginger Hinson 2:02am September 24, 2010)

Definitely the cover of Take Me, with the couple. I love a book in my hands, so I would have to say print books over ebooks.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:18am September 24, 2010)

Print books win with me. from a marketing stand point, I think just the man on the cover as the female book buyer would like to insert her own mental image with the hot guy.
(Karen Gervasi 7:16am September 24, 2010)

I'm more attracted to colors and the general "feel/mood" of the cover than the people.
(Shannon Scott 10:01am September 24, 2010)

I definitely like covers with couples on them and perfer books as i do not have an electronic device.
(Karen Hofmaier 10:47am September 24, 2010)

I perfer a hot guy on the cover hands down. It draws me in and make me wonder how close the cover is to how the main character has been described.
(Lori Tassie 10:56am September 24, 2010)

Well.....I am more attracted to a hunk on the cover than a couple. I'll certainly will pick it up and give it a good look.

After tearing my eyes off the cover...I'll check out the blurb and stuff.

I love books....full stop!!! Doesn't matter if it's an e-book or a print. I have tons of both and enjoy reading both.

Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 12:13pm September 24, 2010)

Honestly, covers don't sway me very much. I usually know what I'm going to pick up before I go to the bookstore or library. Thanks for visiting.
(G S Moch 12:30pm September 24, 2010)

Well, I don't have an e-reader, so it's all print for me. Which is fine and dandy because then I can stroke the cover when it's a hot male bod. LOL!

Honestly, it all depends on the actual cover. If I'm choosing between the two covers you are offering above; then, yes, I choose the cover of the couple. Now, if you would have offered me a different male torso or a different couple, who knows.

OMG YES! Please have the cover models in some way reflect the H/h. I just finished reading a new release where the hero was definitely blond. The cover model: brunette. Give me a break! Knock, knock...hello art department!!!
(Cynthia Netherton 12:34pm September 24, 2010)

It all depends on my mood at the time I am buying. I go for the sexy hunk cover, the loving couple, or the beautiful detailed cover with no characters on it... all depends on my mood!
(Colleen Conklin 1:11pm September 24, 2010)

I always find it disaponting when the cover has very little to with the people in the books.
(Barbara Hanson 1:22pm September 24, 2010)

The hunky guy will always get me to gravitate towards a book. Ebook or paperback it doesn't matter, the same holds true.
(Leni Kaye 1:50pm September 24, 2010)

Hi Bella,
I do want the cover to match the characters physical attributes. I like covers with the hero only and also the ones with the couple.
(Jane Cheung 1:54pm September 24, 2010)

Happy Friday! So glad to be here today. Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback!
:) Bella
(Bella Andre 2:07pm September 24, 2010)

Hi Bella! Have a great day! I love to read & have been doing it since I was 5 years old.
(Terri Quick 2:34pm September 24, 2010)

I really like the hunky guy covers and I prefer reading print books but I would like to get an e-reader sometime.
(Cheryl Lynne 3:39pm September 24, 2010)

Hunky Guys always. Prefer paperbacks to ebooks. But that's just me!
(JoAnn White 3:46pm September 24, 2010)

A couple is most attractive to me, but those ripped Abs are something else that would be nice to hug or hold.
(Alyson Widen 3:49pm September 24, 2010)

I like both but a sexy chest is ALWAYS nice to look at ;0)
(Vickie Hightower 3:51pm September 24, 2010)

I go for the hunky guy covers every time. Thanks.
(DeeAnn Szymanski 4:02pm September 24, 2010)

I like to see a man on the front of the book.. not a women.. good job....
(Danielle Pontow 4:14pm September 24, 2010)

An attractive couple works best for me. It's not all about the guy.
(Mary Preston 4:19pm September 24, 2010)

I would generally say hunky guys alone. But if it is like one of your book covers where the couple is hot, wel... I do prefer cover models to at least resemble what the author has drawn in my head. ;)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 4:30pm September 24, 2010)

I think it's important to have the cover people match the author's description of them---makes no difference to me whether it's the couple or the hunk.
(Sue Farrell 4:35pm September 24, 2010)

Either or neither, depending on the book. Actually, it's the title, back blurb, and inside cover excerpt that get my attention first, and they are what influence my buying choice much, much more than the cover. Having said that, I'd probably give the solitary hunk the edge, if it's a toss-up otherwise.

And like so many others, it's the real thing all the way for me, as I don't own an e-reader, and don't like reading books on the computer, although I have been known to do it in a pinch.

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 4:40pm September 24, 2010)

I love real books!!!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:49pm September 24, 2010)

I like the couple on book covers as opposed to a single man.
Give my paperback anytime/all the time. It is much nice to hold the book in your hands while reading.
(Robyn Lee 4:54pm September 24, 2010)

I am commenting?? I like your plot - sounds interesting.
(Beth Elder 5:07pm September 24, 2010)

I actually like both your covers but to tell the truth I rarely buy a book for its cover; though once I read the book I am very disappointed when the hero and heroine do not match the cover.
(Diane Sadler 5:14pm September 24, 2010)

I go for the books featuring couples on the cover. It's easier to imagine myself in the girls shoes. lol
(Becky Pena 5:32pm September 24, 2010)

I want the covers to reflect the
characters. If the heroine is rounded
or full figured and they use an
anorexic chic, it is really irritating.
You don't have to be a size 0 to be
pretty. I like both types of covers if
they are tastefully done. Is it me, but
are the pant getting lower? Some of
these guys better not sneeze or the
cover goes to x-rated real quickly. I
like something to be left to the
imagination.

I prefer real books to e-books. Of
course I don't have an E-reader. I still
like the feel of paper and substance a
book gives.
(Patricia Barraclough 5:36pm September 24, 2010)

Wow - I just checked back in and saw that there's a cover party going on in here! :) Lots of awesome comments and I'm noting everyone's preferences with great interest. Looks a bit more even on this blog than it did earlier this week when I asked my cover ?. Sounds like no matter what, the cover needs to match the character descriptions in the book. Totally agree!

And Patricia, I had a good giggle over your comment about a sneeze leading to an x-rated cover! (Not that I'm complaining, mind you..LOL)

Looking forward to getting more feedback! I will check in again after my son's school picnic.

:) Bella
(Bella Andre 6:15pm September 24, 2010)

I like a sexy couple and prefer paperback.I will reread a book ,I like, two or three times.Different covers,if it looks interesting,but I also checkout the backcover and first page.
(Deb Pelletier 7:36pm September 24, 2010)

LOVE the hunky guy cover the most. But a sexy couple cover is nice too! And I think the photo(s) on the cover should 'match' the character it's about. Most of my books are now ebooks because I have a kindle, but I would not hesitate to buy a real book if the ebook was not available! Bella, I loved 'Love Me'!! It's my favorite so far.
(Sharon Schofield 7:45pm September 24, 2010)

I like to see a man...with some hint as to his personality
(Diane Pollock 7:56pm September 24, 2010)

I don't understand why covers sometime have a couple pictured that are nothing like the characters. They don't even try to match up haircolor or eyecolor or anything sometimes.
(Sherry Russell 9:31pm September 24, 2010)

I usually notice a couple over a single man.
(Brenda Rupp 10:28pm September 24, 2010)

I do buy the book by the cover. I don't based the cover if it has a hunky guy or two almost naked couple. I buy the book because the arts appeal to me.
(Kai Wong 12:03pm September 25, 2010)

I like both couples and hunky guys on the cover as long as they match the author's description of the characters.
(Anna McKenrick 12:05pm September 25, 2010)

I prefer a couple rather than the hunky guy covers and it doesn't matter if the cover is ebook or pring.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:18pm September 25, 2010)

I prefer couple covers that match the characters in the book. As long as the cover respresents what I can look forward to reading about, I'm happy.
(Quetzi Fernald 5:52am September 25, 2010)

I am still attached to the paperbacks. I like to have a physical book in my hands. I tend to like the covers with a couple on it more than the ones centered around the man-titty. :P Although I'm thinking a lot of the books are becoming more and more over the top.
(Rosie Nguy 5:25pm September 25, 2010)

for this book, definitely the couple & yes, they need to match the description in the book. Hate it when there's no resemblance @ all between the cover art & the book. I've been waiting forever for this book. You've made my day w/ this news!
*doing a happy dance*
(Ivy Truitt 11:48pm September 25, 2010)

I don't see anything wrong with the couples covers. There have been a few times where I have seen couple covers where the printer has gone a little over the top, and made the book look cheezy and cheap. I actually laughed out loud when I saw a couple of these covers, because I figured the writing inside would be pretty close to the cover picture. If a cover is fun, flirty, and not over the top, it makes you want to reach for the book, buy it, and read it. Single male books can be quite attractive as well, as long as they have a well-toned body, and aren't doing anything stupid that would stop someone from purchasing the book. I know I would buy a book with a hot guy on the cover if the title was good as well!! Looks like you picked a winner this time!! Congratulations!
(Peggy Roberson 12:10pm September 26, 2010)

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