Here’s what I read the past week:
January 4:
Title: “The Surrender Gate”
Year of publication: 2015
Author: Christopher Rice
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Desire Exchange #1
# of Pages: 247
Paper or plastic: Paper
How obtained: Got it free at a conference (most likely RT)
Blurb from Book: Emily Blaine’s life is about to change. Arthur Benoit, the
kindly multi-millionaire who has acted as her surrogate father for years, has
just told her he’s leaving her his entire estate, and he only has a few months
to live. Soon Emily will go from being a restaurant manager with a useless
English degree to the one of the richest and most powerful women in New Orleans
It’s a task Emily can’t undertake alone. But there’s only one man qualified to help her, her gorgeous and confident best friend, Jonathan Claiborne She’s suspected Jonathan of working as a high-priced escort for months now, and she’s willing to bet that while giving pleasure to some of the most powerful men in New Orleans Jonathan has uncovered some possible leads to The Desire Exchange—and to Ryan Benoit. But Emily’s attempt to uncover Jonathan’s secret life lands the two of them in hot water. Literally. In order to escape the clutches of one of Jonathan’s most powerful and dangerous clients, they’re forced to act on long buried desires—for each other.
When Emily’s mission turns into an undercover operation, Jonathan insists on going with her. He also insists they continue to explore their impossible, reckless passion for each other. Enter Marcus Dylan, the hard-charging ex-Navy SEAL Arthur has hired to keep Emily safe. But Marcus has been hired for another reason. He, too, has a burning passion for Emily, a passion that might keep Emily from being distracted and confused by a best friend who claims he might be able to go straight just for her. But Marcus is as rough and controlling as Jonathan is sensual and reckless. As Emily searches for a place where the rich turn their fantasies into reality she will be forced to decide which one of her own long-ignored fantasies should become her reality But as Emily, Jonathan, and Marcus draw closer to The Desire Exchange itself, they find their destination isn’t just shrouded in mystery, but in magic as well.
It’s a task Emily can’t undertake alone. But there’s only one man qualified to help her, her gorgeous and confident best friend, Jonathan Claiborne She’s suspected Jonathan of working as a high-priced escort for months now, and she’s willing to bet that while giving pleasure to some of the most powerful men in New Orleans Jonathan has uncovered some possible leads to The Desire Exchange—and to Ryan Benoit. But Emily’s attempt to uncover Jonathan’s secret life lands the two of them in hot water. Literally. In order to escape the clutches of one of Jonathan’s most powerful and dangerous clients, they’re forced to act on long buried desires—for each other.
When Emily’s mission turns into an undercover operation, Jonathan insists on going with her. He also insists they continue to explore their impossible, reckless passion for each other. Enter Marcus Dylan, the hard-charging ex-Navy SEAL Arthur has hired to keep Emily safe. But Marcus has been hired for another reason. He, too, has a burning passion for Emily, a passion that might keep Emily from being distracted and confused by a best friend who claims he might be able to go straight just for her. But Marcus is as rough and controlling as Jonathan is sensual and reckless. As Emily searches for a place where the rich turn their fantasies into reality she will be forced to decide which one of her own long-ignored fantasies should become her reality But as Emily, Jonathan, and Marcus draw closer to The Desire Exchange itself, they find their destination isn’t just shrouded in mystery, but in magic as well.
My thoughts: Man, that’s a long blurb, huh? This is a new-to-me
author, but not his first novel. What I didn’t like about the book: Marcus’s
point of view doesn’t show up until page 112. Before that it was mostly all
Emily’s POV and the book was easy to put down (it was kind of slow, but
interesting enough to keep reading). What I liked about the book: Marcus! Once
I was able to see into his head, I wanted to keep reading. I would have loved
for him to have shown up a little bit earlier, like maybe the first time he
noticed Emily. Certainly would have perked up those first hundred pages! As for
the paranormal/magic portion of the novel… Eh. It doesn’t evolve from the main
characters and it’s not really explained, but then it is the beginning of the
series, so maybe it will be later. Some storylines are left hanging at the end,
but not the main one, which is good (because I hate cliffhangers). It’s not all
that erotic (although some people have labeled it such), just sexy. Overall it
was an enjoyable read, but I doubt I’ll continue with the series. Not
paranormal enough for me. Besides, the next one isn’t out yet, if it’s even
written. Maybe he’s a slow writer like me. J
I almost had two books to add this week, but I thought I
would wait and finish my current read today so I would be sure to have a book
to report next week. I’m such a cheat, huh?
So… What makes you pick up a book from a new-to-you author?
The title or the cover? I’d have to go with cover. Especially if it’s sexy. I
can’t help it. My eyes are automatically drawn to it. But then the title has to
be intriguing, too, if I’m going to read what the book is about. Time is
precious. Seems the older I get, the faster time goes. Just doesn’t seem fair
now, does it?
Happy Reading
Stacy
8 comments:
The cover always draws me in first. Science fiction and fantasy tend to have some of the coolest cover artwork. After that, it's the blurb that will decide whether I buy it or not.
Depends on whether the book cover is facing out or not--could be cover, could be title (I still tend to do most of my book shopping in a physical store). Keep up the good writing!
Alex - Well, the blurb and first few pages help me decide whether I want to read (buy) it, but the cover (and title sometimes) helps me decide whether or not I want to read the blurb.
Jeff - I love bookstores. They're like a candy shop. So hard to choose. At least it's calorie-free, though! Haha! :D
Title and cover definitely make me check out a book. If I like the blurb I'll check out the sample. If I like that, then I buy. But I always check the sample, if for no other reason to make sure the book's not written in present tense.
Jennette - I always check out the sample, too. But that's because I look to see if it's in first person. I usually stay away from those. Has to be exceptional for me to read. Oh, and you probably won't like this book, because it is in present tense (which is weird and I couldn't figure out WHY). Fortunately, that doesn't bother me as much as first person and I was able to continue reading. :)
I am so visually oriented that until recently it was: cover, cover, cover, author, cover, then back-cover blurb. Isn't that just awful when authors had so little to no control in cover? But w/ most of my reading now on Kindle Paperwhite, the cover has become the worst "measure" of a novel. I'm much more dependent on: short blurb hooks (not whole back cover), promo/samples at end of another novel, and recommends from such as you!
A bad cover can kill a potential sale. There was a series not so long ago by a well known author. For the life of me I can't remember her name, but her publisher chose some hideous covers for her series. I know people who didn't buy because of that.
Tanja - Don't you LOOK at the cover before downloading a book to your Kindle? That is another thing I dislike about e-books. I don't see the cover as often. With my paper books, the cover is always THERE! Even hardbacks, since I put the cover somewhere for me to look at when I'm home. I love to admire a good cover. :)
Maria - Publishers aren't the only culprits with bad covers. I especially hate it when I see the same couple or model (or even picture!) used for several different books. It's kind of lazy work and makes me wonder how much work was put into the novel.
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