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Em Petrova | You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
March 30, 2011
In the days of old, the covers of romance novels sported heaving bosoms and man
chests, limbs entwined and rapt expressions. Many readers cringed at the thought
of carrying them to the checkout. I know I’ve been there--wishing there was a
long line of customers rather than just lil ole me on a Tuesday afternoon,
sliding the book face-down to the twenty-year-old surfer guy who only reads
comics and listens to death metal, only to have him flip it over and snicker at
the passionate scene on the cover. How about curling up on your lunch break with a romance while the office whirs
around you? Jed needs copies stat. Your boss is terrorizing the other
department. Mark comes into the break room to microwave his tuna noodle
casserole, and while the room fills with noxious tuna fumes, he teases you about
the busty blonde whose wound in the arms of a Highlander on the front of your
book. But oh, the passion for these tales--tales of alpha vampire males and strong
hips wrapped in kilts, and the feisty heroines who tame them! Beautifully
written heroes who sweep us off our feet while single-handedly taking down the
enemy! Now, since the advent of e-books, the faithful romance readers can, with a
simple click, download the latest steamy novel. Carry it in her purse without
the worry of someone spotting it on the subway. Or read it in the doctor’s
office waiting room without a solitary soul knowing that she’s reading about the
soft meeting of mouths or growls of passion. I personally curl up with my iTouch every night and read scorching scenes while
my hubby watches sports. He doesn’t know the heroine I’m reading about has two
male partners or that the hero craves a deeper connection through submission,
but if my husband’s lucky he’ll benefit from my reading later! Also, the new flood of erotic romance on the market has helped readers dig
deeper and explore their fantasies. Erotic romance sales have soared in the past
two years, and e-publishers are popping up all over the net. From M/M to ménage,
there’s always something to read. For the faithful erotic romance readers, the digital age has opened the bedroom
doors wide. We don’t have to covertly slide a sexy title across the counter and
into the hands of a smirking salesperson or even explain to our spouses why
we’re reading it. And personally, I’m happy I don’t have to put a paper bag book
cover over my novel so my kids can’t tell what I’m reading. In an e-book, the
covers are all there, but for my eyes only. My friends use Kindles, Nooks and Sony e-Readers. They read on their phones,
laptops, and even their iPods. But they all have one thing in common--they’ve
been bitten by the romance bug, and they’ve proven that romance is a big
business. They’ve proven that love is alive and well in a sometimes harsh world.
And they’ve proven that romance is here to stay in new and exciting ways. For those of you who have never picked up an erotic romance, I encourage you to
try one. Many of my faithful readers have admitted they’d never read an erotic
romance but the cover of my debut release Runes encouraged them to push them out
of their comfort zones. Shopping for erotic romance is a pleasure all its own.
Reading blurbs, gawking at sensual cover art. Now you can do it in the privacy
of your home. And for those of us who truly love the papery smell and feel of a real book,
there are tons of options out there. Most major e-pubs have their top sellers in
print versions. In this business, there’s something for everybody. Next time you’re on the bus or sitting at dance, waiting for your daughter’s
class to wrap up, take a look around at the people using e-readers. Try to guess
whether they’re perusing the New York Times on Kindle or a smutty pirate tale.
But while you’re people-watching, don’t forget to escape into a book of your
own. Want a chance at a free copy of my upcoming release, TREFOIL-Book
Two of the Immortal Series? Leave a comment to enter! Thanks for reading. Em Petrova Author Bio: Em Petrova is a writer of hot, lover of all things coffee,
devotee of books, and worshipper of the iPod. She penned her first novel at the
age of twelve, and after gaining an arts degree, has returned to her literary
roots. She loves to dig deep into the souls of her unique characters and uncover
their secret desires when she doesn’t have her nose in a great new read. You can
find more about her sexy stories at http://www.empetrova.com About TREFOIL: When the husband Lillian LeClair has been bound to since World War II takes her
on vacation which turns out to be a tour of cemeteries, she is bombarded by
glimpses into a mysterious man’s soul as well as memories of her life as a
mortal. Once she realizes this mystery man is tracking her, she is frantic to
escape. But the phenomenon known as the Calling has her in its grip and Lillian
is aboard the runaway train which will inevitably link them. Famous and centuries-old sculptor Nathan Halbrook is on the receiving end of
Lillian’s Call, and is tormented to discover the woman he’s waited years for is
the wife of another man. As Nathan and Lillian come face to face, they find
themselves embroiled in the puzzling events surrounding her delivery into
immortal life. With the holes of her memory plugged, a sacrifice is made to keep
her Walking and in the arms of her immortal mate. Watch
the book trailer
Comments
44 comments posted.
Re: Em Petrova | You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
E-readers have certainly helped to open erotic romance and erotica to those who wouldn't be seen with a salacious cover on a paper book. How much, I wonder, does the mostly undressed and engaged figures on a cover--ebook or paperback--affect sales?
I have been actively involved in working with cover artists to design my ebook covers. From what I've seen from others, mine seem rather tame.
(Desmond Haas 6:59am March 30, 2011)
Your books sound great. A combination of paranormal story and erotic romance. I would love to read this. I think e-books are wonderful, especially for erotic romance. While I would not want my young neices and nephews to know what I am reading, as it would not be appropriate for their ages and this way they can not see the book covers on my bookshelves or while I am reading.
(June A, Manning 7:24am March 30, 2011)
love the cover only thing better than one hot guy is two
(April Strength 8:36am March 30, 2011)
sounds like my kind of reading!!! Love the cover. Dark and sexy.
(Karin Arthur 9:07am March 30, 2011)
I agree with you 100%. Marketers believe that covers are very important in selling a book, and yet, most of us have probably had that moment where you just don't want to hand it over. I do think erotic romances have taken off on ebooks for this very reason. Good luck with the book. It sounds great.
(Carly Carson 9:22am March 30, 2011)
Sounds great! Anxious to read!
(Dawn Staniszeski 9:26am March 30, 2011)
I agree with you so very much. I don't leave home without my Nook or a paperback in my purse. Book covers today convey a picture that is absolutely worth 1,000 words. I don't necessarily want the comments that usually spring up when a person sees what I am reading. And oh yes, when I'm reading and DH is flipping channels, who knows what may happen later on!
(Cynthia Netherton 10:38am March 30, 2011)
Hello Em! I do read erotic romance in both ebook and paperback forms. I wouldn't be anxious about buying one at a bookstore unless it was an in-your-face BDSM cover. I do have a Kindle and it has made buying all kinds of books so much easier. I am addicted to their One-click button. LOL!
(Stacie Deramo 10:46am March 30, 2011)
Your book sounds great! E-Books does make erotic books easier to buy for sure... :) and easier to read too...
(May Pau 11:41am March 30, 2011)
A love that transends time and a romance that calls to one another no matter the distance is a passion of faith and being true one's heart. This story sounds to be a promising read and i can not wait to read it.
(Anthonia Sharp 12:23pm March 30, 2011)
As much as I prefer reading real paper books, I do love my eReader. I feel some publishers put embarrasing covers and titles on books to attract attention. Well, I would just as soon keep my reading habits to myself.
(Joan OToole 1:38pm March 30, 2011)
I have so many more books now... so many e-books to enjoy along with my normal print book pile... as for the covers, some I find I do not want my little nephew to see, so a reader is a great device.
(Colleen Conklin 1:44pm March 30, 2011)
I like the sexy book covers. My reading has increased ever since I started reading erotic romances. I don't see too many of them in my local bookstores, though. They're slowly adding titles to the shelves.
(Leni Kaye 2:07pm March 30, 2011)
I love sexy covers too. Yours looks great.
(Eden Elgabri 2:58pm March 30, 2011)
I love steamy books and am not put off by the sex. So a couple of months ago I tried erotica and was extremely disappointed! It was all sex and no story! Hopefully that was an isolated incident and not all erotica are "storyless". However, I'm willing to try again and would love the opportunity to read this book. It sounds like there's quite a story.....and a lot of sex!
(Laura Henderson 3:32pm March 30, 2011)
Your book cover is hot with a lady sandwiched in between a two-fer. I can just imagine the sizzle and sparks that'll fly.
(Alyson Widen 3:32pm March 30, 2011)
Laura Henderson, there is a definite difference between erotic romance and erotica. Erotic romance is about the romance with graphic language and sexual content, whereas erotica is about the sexual journey and sometimes the conquest. TREFOIL is an erotic romance. In fact, this hero has a special place in my heart. If I could bring any of my characters to life, it's centuries-old granite sculptor Nathan Halbrook. YUM.
(Em Petrova 4:11pm March 30, 2011)
Thanks for your comments, everyone! Seems like e-readers are your favorite device too.
(Em Petrova 4:12pm March 30, 2011)
Love erotic romance and do not read much sweet romance anymore. It seems odd to have the door close and the fade to black. The extra connection seems to be missing between the characters.
(Lindsey Ekland 4:15pm March 30, 2011)
IF I WANT TO READ A BOOK, I DON'T CARE WHO SEES THE COVER!
(Silvana Moscato 4:18pm March 30, 2011)
I pick up a book and read what the back cover says about the story. The cover has drawn me to books I have not enjoyed, so it's not much of an enticement for me. I still love holding a printed page book and resist buying an e-reader. Besides, authors can't autograph a machine.
(Rosemary Simm 4:27pm March 30, 2011)
Oh I know exactly what you mean! Working at a bookstore during my time a s a student I too snickered at those covers - how couldn't I? They were often really, ahm, embarassing while the book itself might have been great.
(Birgit Lehner 4:33pm March 30, 2011)
Love the cover and yes love reading steamy books, don't really care who knows, though do have to put up with my husband's teasing!
(Jean Patton 4:48pm March 30, 2011)
The cover looks great! Can't to read it!
(Judith Mor 4:54pm March 30, 2011)
Gee Whiz!!!!!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:59pm March 30, 2011)
I like them mostly undressed.Now if I could just win those two gentlemen, my husband doesn't need to know ,I'll just hide them under the bed.
(Deb Pelletier 5:11pm March 30, 2011)
I have to agree with you. For myself an interesting cover had me picking up a book that I may not otherwise have. What a shame when you think of the authors that I have missed.
(Cindy Olp 5:27pm March 30, 2011)
I like the title and love vamp books!!! Looking forward to reading your's!!!
(Joanne Bozik 5:38pm March 30, 2011)
I love all the HOT covers. I have tried to hide a few in my time. But a good 'bodice ripper' image - bring it on.
(Mary Preston 6:09pm March 30, 2011)
For me its the cover and the blurb. I don't like the covers that cut off the heads. The cover attracts me but the blurb has to make me want to read it.
(Jo Anne Benware 6:32pm March 30, 2011)
Looks very interesting.
BJ Jann
(Brenda Jann 7:11pm March 30, 2011)
As in a previous comment, I don't want my young nephew to see the cover of everything I read. When he's around, I make a conservative selection because he always asks what I'm reading. I come up with a "clean" synopsis because I don't want to discourage any interest in reading. I recently got an e-reader & realized that will be very helpful.
(r w 7:14pm March 30, 2011)
i love the cover and then i like to read it
(Desiree Reilly 7:40pm March 30, 2011)
Enjoy erotic romances and enjoy e-reader too!
(Diane Sadler 8:03pm March 30, 2011)
I like the cover and read on itouch too.
(Beth Elder 8:54pm March 30, 2011)
just finished the NOR chat, popped over to FF & here you are again! Great looking cover & loved the sysnopsis!
(Diane Sallans 9:04pm March 30, 2011)
Thanks for all your amazing comments. It's interesting to get a feel for how readers choose books and how they're faring in the age of technology.
(Em Petrova 9:26pm March 30, 2011)
I must admit that I am so out of the loop!! Due to my voluteer work, and being a caretaker where I work, it leaves me little time for reading. I have never read an erotic book yet. Call me the shy one at the register, I guess. lol I'd have to get up the nerve to purchase one and give it a try. I've heard so much about them!! Your new book sounds very good, and the artwork on the cover is so well-done, that I'll have to give it a try. Thank you for a most entertaining post!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:27pm March 30, 2011)
I used to read erotica a long time ago. Now that I have more free time, I am reading more about erotica and I've become intrigued all over again. It seems there are more erotica genres and authors now - which is pretty cool!! I have to agree that the e-readers make it much easier for us to read erotica today; I like that I don't have to answer questions about what I'm reading or why. Em, saw your name on a NOR email today and checked your website and have added it to my list to check frequently. Love the cover on your new book and look forward to reading it. Continued success!!
(Karen Cherubino 10:34pm March 30, 2011)
I had not thought of that benefit of ereaders! Interesting!
(Robin Daily 11:41pm March 30, 2011)
I love reading (both real books, and digital), but the digital age has brought something that real books make difficult: Simplicity in portability. Case in point: I went to the store tonight, saw a book I'd like, and came home to download it digitally, because I can have it on my ereader or phone, and don't have to worry about losing it when I move.
I haven't read a lot of erotica lately (mostly historical romance), but this does look interesting. Thanks for the chance!
(Rebecca Dee 11:57pm March 30, 2011)
Love the cover. Thanks for giving me a chance to win and read your book.
(Linda Hall 11:59pm March 30, 2011)
Luckily for me I have never been embarrassed by what the cover
shows when buying nor reading a book. However I do enjoy the
freedom of anonymity using my Sony E-Reader whilst reading
erotica on the bus :D
(Ilona Fenton 1:11pm March 31, 2011)
I am on the fence about an e-reader. I enjoy curling up with a good book, holding it, and the scent of newly opened pages (I know, I am weird) BUT, in talking about book cover judging...I have learned that sometimes, many times, there are good stories with poor covers. My daughter is starting to get into reading now, and I am trying to show her that lesson as well.
(Patti DelValle 1:55am April 4, 2011)
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