Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Romance Novel Cover Guest Blog by Lisa Mondello




The Romance Novel Cover by Lisa Mondello

The old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” is widely known.  Unfortunately, a book cover is one of the most important tools publishers and self-published authors use to help attract readers.  It’s the first thing readers see and, other than the title, is the only reason a reader chooses to pick up your book from the shelf to read the back cover, or click on the book at an online retailer to see more.

A romance novel book cover is nearly as important as the story itself and, in terms of marketing the novel, is really more important.  Many “okay” books sell well because the book has a fabulous cover that attracts readers.  Likewise, a book with a bland cover or a cover that doesn’t reflect the tone of the book, may fade in the background of other books, never to be picked up or read.  It may be the next Twilight phenomenon, but no one will ever know because the cover failed.

So, the million dollar question is this.  What makes a winning romance novel book cover?  I know what works for me.  I have to admit I like the shirtless hero.  I know some people don’t like it.  But I do.  And I love to see the hero and heroine kissing on the cover or in a hot embrace. 

For romantic suspense covers, there is always the woman in jeopardy, i.e. girl on the run cover that works.  It conveys the message and immediately intrigues me. 

But, I’d love to know what works for readers.  What type of book cover makes you take a second look at a book? 


Nothing But Trouble
Lisa Mondello



Genre: Contemporary Western Romance

ASIN: B005O549IA

Number of pages: 148
Word Count: 40,000


Book Description:

Contemporary Western Romance Novel

What's a girl to do all alone with a rodeo cowboy for 1 month in the Wyoming wilderness?

Melanie Summers has something to prove! Being a zoologist is her dream and the only thing standing in the way of her going on an African expedition is her father and his fear.

So she strikes a deal. She has to spend a full month in the Wyoming wilderness and show her father she can handle being in a remote area while managing her Type 1 diabetes before he'll agree to fund the expedition to Africa and allow her to go. But her daddy isn't the only one convinced she'll fail...

But she's not about to let any man underestimate what she can do. Especially not the sexy rodeo cowboy she's hired to help get her through the month in the wilderness.

Yes, he knows what he's doing. But so does she! Yes, he's ruggedly handsome...well, he can't help that, can he? But no sexy cowboy is going to keep her down!

Stoney Buxton needs to raise cash fast to save the family ranch after a barn fire injured his father and left the family finances in ruin. Re-entering the rodeo circuit seems like the best way to get the money he needs. That is until Melanie Summers shows up at his ranch flashing easy money. T

To everyone else, Melanie's offer seems like the answer to all his prayers. But one look at her long legs and pouting lips and Stoney knows this high society gal is going to be nothing but trouble...for his cowboy heart.







About the Author:

Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen.  Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 400,000 downloads worldwide.

She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com


@LisaMondello


0 comments: