Comments on: The Anatomy of a Potential Bestseller

By: Kate Worth

Kate Worth — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:58:15 +0000

The cover doesn’t say “historical” to me. If I were to glance at it without having any other information, I would think it was a contemporary shape shifter/werewolf story. Placing the guy naked in the trees with the moon contributes heavily to this. “Oh shit, I woke up in the woods again naked… where am I and what happened to my clothes?” It also reminds me of the graphics for Fire in The Sky, that alien abduction movie. Travis Walton was on the highway, last thing he remembered was a bright light, he comes to three days later, dazed, confused, and his butt hurts. What the…?

One suggestion: try some dramatic storm/lightning graphics in the background instead. Something to indicate the hero’s magical powers… tattoos of Pictish symbols, a ring of celtic knots around his muscular arms, or something… easy enough to Photoshop onto your hottie and it would be eye-catching. Or have the main characters interacting with each other in the foreground in some manner described in your book. Lightning crackling between or around them. Something more exciting. The cover is attractive, but I like more color. Is that font Copperplate? It reads a little Western to me.

By: LSUReader

LSUReader — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 01:00:55 +0000

I don’t dislike the sample, but it doesn’t give me enough to go on. Would I read a longer sample? Yes. Would I buy the book today, based on available data? No.

Incidentally, the cover is acceptable for a paranormal, but in no way suggests a Regency setting. (Perhaps that’s intentional.)

By: Kimh

Kimh — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:57:29 +0000

It is not the genre I read but the cipover is cute,

By: Sandra Lynne

Sandra Lynne — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:29:00 +0000

The book looks interesting even though it isn’t a genre I read much. I never saw this book advertised and I’m not familiar with the author. My general impression with the book is favorable. The blurb looks good. So does the cover. Yes, I would buy a self published book. I don’t have an ereader yet though so it would have to be on paper. The sample sounded good.

By: Tricia Schneider

Tricia Schneider — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 02:48:47 +0000

First glance at the bookcover, it looks to be a romantic suspense. I would not have guessed regency OR paranormal. The blurb sounds intriguing (something I’d definitely like to read), but the excerpt is too short.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:36:12 +0000

I wish the sample had been taken from the body of the book, not the prologue. I want a look at the characters I’ll be spending a whole book with, not one character’s parents.

By: Beverley

Beverley — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:16:38 +0000

Good idea!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:35:28 +0000

Hi again,
Here is my official input:

Title: My biggest problem is the title, MAGIC IN THE STORM. What storm? Is it some 500 year storm that is supposed to increase your powers exponentially?

Cover Design: (Caviat–I’m a senior designer in marketing/communications/advertising, my critique is solely meant to be professionally constructive. Take the emotional equation out of it.)
I wouldn’t pick it up. It holds no appeal. It looks like contemporary suspense, not regency paranormal and definately not romance. And, a big AND, there is no tie in with the title. There is no storm on the cover, no hint of wind, no magic, no hint that this is a historical, and no hint that this is a romance. It looks like someone is holding a flashlight on a nudist in the woods at night. Honest, harsh, but true. I can think of a lot of titles that would work great with the cover art, but that’s another conversation that is to be had while drinking martinis at the bar.

Back Cover Blurb: There isn’t any connection between the title and the cover blurb and doesn’t give me any kind of meaningful hint. “The only way to fulfill their destinies is for each to unlock the powers of the other – through the magic in the storm.” This doesn’t hit the mark at all.
And why is this a problem? Do they not like each other? What is it that is so terrible that this is a near impossible task?
The blurb talks about his delima, her delima, but not their combined delima (as in what is keeping them apart? And why?)–which I think would help make the back cover blurb stronger. Also, there is no mention of the storm/or what it means, in either description.

On to the Prologue: I was intrigued and would have continued reading. Thumbs up! Good first line.
However, I stumbled over the wrong word in the second paragraph. …where he stood coddling that infant in his arms. THAT infant should be THE infant. The reader does not know who’s point of veiw we are in until Tatiana has her first viseral reaction, “…fury burning through her.” Incorrect grammar on the first page will lose a lot of potential readers.

Good luck!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:32:11 +0000

Hi,

The thing on his forehead is the back of his hand covering his eyes from the glare of the light. I got it right off the bat. LOL

By: SharonD

SharonD — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:35:54 +0000

I wish the sample was a little longer. I must be greedy because I kinda like it when I’m given a whole chapter or at least a prologue. I’ve bought many a book that I’ve read a chapter that was sampled at the end of another book I’ve read or sampled through Amazon. That’s a good thing about Amazon is that you can sample a good chunk (usually) before you buy.

Lately there are so many books on my tbr pile from authors that I’m already familiar with that I tend to not want to spend too much on authors that are unknown to me (especially self-published). I have tried new reads when they are on sale through kindle for like .99 or 1.99 and ended up loving them. And if that’s the case, that author usually will go on my alert and I won’t mind paying full price for future books. If I love an author I will buy everything they write.