Laid Bare With Flair Contest – Day Fifteen!
Jul
17
2009

Today’s prize comes by way of TJ Michaels! She’s offering up some lovely lovely jade jewelry in honor of her book Hapsept Heat!

Blurb: Kenoe: A sexy lethal weapon. Shinju: Ditto—with more dangerous curves.

Vampire Council of Ethics Book Three

Kenoe Hatsept is in a quandary. The handsome elite Seeker spent years training for a single burning goal: Revenge. Now that the object of his attention has been brought to justice, what’s next? Japan, the one place that has always called to him, sounds like the perfect place to relax, search his soul and plan out the rest of his life.

Instead he finds his head, and his hands, full of a woman who’s sharper than she appears on the surface…in more ways than one. And she’s hip deep in trouble.

Shinju Maruyama just wants to keep her profile low and go about her business. But the long-toothed people just don’t want to let her keep her family secrets. It’ll take all her skill with her brain and her blades to change their minds. There’s something strange and irresistible about Kenoe, and it scares the hell out of her. But she just can’t seem to shake him.

For Kenoe, endangering his life to help her bring the bad guys to heel is easy. Revealing his true nature to her risks far more—his heart.

T.J. Michaels is back again with her exciting third installment in the Vampire Council of Ethics series. Although, this book can be read independently, I would suggest reading the previous two novels in order to gain a better understanding of the historical events mentioned in Hatsept Heat. I was very impressed by how Ms. Michaels was able to insert just the right amount of vulnerability into Shinju’s personality but, didn’t allow it to become overbearing or allow it to take away from the storyline. Kenoe was a true alpha male who was used to having his way without being questioned or denied, however, he learned the hard way that Shinju wasn’t going to fall in line just because he told her to do so. I just couldn’t get enough of this couple. I simply had to keep reading until I discovered just how everything was going to pan out. Readers, you will not be disappointed with this thrilling, mysterious, super-hot plot. Hats off to Ms. Michaels for writing yet another spectacular novel!
5 Angels from Contessa, Fallen Angel Reviews

Today’s Question: What makes you try a new to you author? Cover? Buzz? Genre?

I’ll choose a winner tomorrow! Good luck and remember all winners have three days to claim their prize or I will re-draw!

63 comments to “Laid Bare With Flair Contest – Day Fifteen!”

  1. Teresa
    July 17th, 2009 at 3:19 am · Link

    I try to read reviews about book(s) of author I’ve heard about. There are blogs and reviewers I trust, so they are my primary source while choosing works from authors I haven’t read.
    Covers are not so important- I’ve read some great books with really bad covers, so I try not to judge book that way.



  2. Edie
    July 17th, 2009 at 3:57 am · Link

    blurbs and excerpts. are the things that suck me in, and with epubs – I must admit, I am not too eager to try new authors from unknown publishers.
    Though these days I will also hunt around and see if there is a review around, If I find a couple of strong reviews I will try. ie. One of this weeks buys, will be Tessa Dare, as I have read a positive review of her on nearly every blog I visit.. lol



  3. Edie
    July 17th, 2009 at 4:00 am · Link

    whoops.. no edit need to re-read before hitting submit 😳
    re the Tessa Dare, I visit several blogs regularly and nearly every single one has reviewed it positively. So now I hunt it out.. lol



  4. Crystal B.
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:33 am · Link

    For me, it is a combination of buzz, back cover blurb and the genre. If the book sounds good, I want to read it. 😀



  5. Susan K
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:33 am · Link

    I roam the library and pick up books randomly. I guess it’s the title that gets me to pick up a book and the blurbs that get me interested (or not :)).
    Recently I joined a book club my friends have put together. Everyone recommends books and puts the link to a review and we vote.
    This has been fun since I’ve read and enjoyed some books I may never have picked up using my usual method.



  6. Lea
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:34 am · Link

    Good Morning Lauren:

    Generally buzz about the book and definitely genre. I also read an excerpt if available on-line and reviews.

    Thanks
    L



  7. Lisa J
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:19 am · Link

    All of the above. Sometimes the cover catches my eye, I know it’s shallow, but it happens. Buzz will make me take a second look and if it is really good buzz buy it. Genre can also play a big part. If I am looking for a specific genre and the book sounds good (blurb/excerpt) then I have to have it.



  8. Melissa Conatser
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:20 am · Link

    I guess the first thing would be genre. Then it would be the blurb. I may even look around for reviews of the book, if I am unsure. If I have heard a lot about an author, then I will go for it. For example, I heard alot about Nalini Singh through blogs, people mentioning the Changeling series in comments. So, I bought one of the books and fell in love!



  9. Christine
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:34 am · Link

    Definitely an interesting cover, a good review, the blurb on the back and interesting excerpts really all the together is what make e me try a new author.



  10. Blanche
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am · Link

    I’m going to have to say all of the above too! I first go by buzz and blurbs but covers catch me too! Genre is a biggie as well! :mrgreen:



  11. alba
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:43 am · Link

    There are a lot of reasons I choose a new author, it the excerpt,the review a friend the cover the mood I’m in.



  12. Huguette E.
    July 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am · Link

    For me is all of the above. I mostly find books I would love to read through giveaways, I don’t win but then I go buy the books because it seems such a great read!



  13. Roberta Harwell
    July 17th, 2009 at 7:34 am · Link

    Here lately, I haven’t had to do much to read some new to me authors. I write reviews and all the authors I’ve been reviewing have been new to me. I don’t care about the genre because I’ll read anything once. Usually what grabs me is the blurb. If you haven’t caught my attention in the first three sentences, I put it back on the shelf.



  14. Anne
    July 17th, 2009 at 7:42 am · Link

    Blurbs and Excerpts on the web primarily. I don’t have time right now to wander the book stores or library.



  15. Cybercliper
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:10 am · Link

    I’m in the same boat with everyone else regarding blurbs, reviews, covers, but I also look for other author support. For example, I’m a major Showalter fan, and if she presents a new author’s work on her website or has a blurb on/in the new author’s book, I’ll buy it based on her rec.



  16. Tamsyn T.
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:27 am · Link

    Mostly a combination of all three. I also subscribe to a number of newsletters and pick up new authors that way as well. Blogs that hold contests and introduces authors and their books is also another source for me.



  17. Christina Mays
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:29 am · Link

    Mostly it is recomendations from other people with the same taste in books. My sister and I swap authors all of the time. When I find a new author I gleefully read every word they have written. Finding those new authors (unless it is a recomendation) is a combo of cover blurb and chance/fate.



  18. Fedora
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:34 am · Link

    Mostly buzz and recommendations from fellow readers with taste 🙂



  19. Jody F.
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:45 am · Link

    For me it’s a combination of blurbs, excerpts, genre, and reader’s with similar tastes recommendations. And having a cover with great eye candy definitely makes me pick the book up, but the other factors determine if I keep it.



  20. chey
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:54 am · Link

    If someone recommends the author to me, or if I like the blurbs and excerpts.



  21. Anne
    July 17th, 2009 at 8:55 am · Link

    It’s the cover or the title which makes me pick up a new author/series/book in the book store. I like punny, fun titles. The excerpt would have to sell me on the book though.

    If a book gets great buzz like Harry Potters or The DaVinci Code, I’ll look them up and see if they’re in a genre I like and then get them. I don’t like weepers, so regardless of the buzz I won’t get a LaVerle Spenser (sp?) or Nicholas Sparks type book.

    Recommendations from readers with similar tastes.



  22. TAMARA HOLBERT
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:10 am · Link

    I will try a new author if a friend or another author suggests him/her to me. A cover can be something that initially attracts me
    but,I will read the back cover to make sure it interests me. Sometimes, it can be that I’ve found them in the bargain bin! I’ve discovered some great ones that way! 😀



  23. Suzana
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:11 am · Link

    I mostly rely on recommendations( usually picked up on blogs I like)



  24. Heather Brewer
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:13 am · Link

    I’m always looking for new authors. I love to read and I’m not real choosey on what I read. I primarily stick to para, romance and fantasy/urban fantasy though.

    I love anthologies because they can introduce you to new authors that you might not have read. I’ve found several that way and hunted down their back lists.

    I also love the author talks and interviews on many of the blogs I follow. I have found a lot of new authors that way too. I read their interviews, excerpts, etc.

    One author I found that way was Frances Stockton and loved the excerpts so much I bought both of her ebooks that day.



  25. limecello
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:16 am · Link

    What makes me try a new author? Well, it used to be blurbs and excerpts, mostly. Now, I’ve built a “trust network” and will go with recommendations. I also use libraries. Less of a risk, I suppose – but if I really like the author I’ll go out and buy [her] back list.
    Free reads on websites/promos are also great because then I’m much more willing to try a new author I’m not sure about – and much of the time I’m pleasantly surprised and go through all their other books.



  26. Melissa
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:23 am · Link

    I’m going to say all of the above, lol.
    If I hear or read alot about it online, I will definently check it out. If someone whose tastes I trust tells me I should read it, I will read it. Or if I read an excerpt on a blog that snags me. You’ve snagged me on many, Lauren, as have other blogs I visit when they post snippets of other authors work.
    I’ve heard really good things of TJ Michaels work, just havne’t had a chance to check them out yet. But I have them on wish list!!



  27. Calila
    July 17th, 2009 at 9:50 am · Link

    What gets me to try a new author is a combo of everything. Sometimes its a great book cover. Sometimes its recomendations from fellow romance readers at sites a go to. Sometimes its the back blurb.



  28. Dana
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:00 am · Link

    Keywords: New Author

    Blurb AND Cover. I realize that a cover should NOT matter to the extent of purchase.

    However, if I’m browsing NEW Authors an intriguing cover can LURE me to the blurb.



  29. Marjana Kaly
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:00 am · Link

    Both cover and the buzz makes want to try new authors.



  30. Karin
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:07 am · Link

    The first thing that draws me to a new author is definitely the buzz around them. Since I’ll read almost anything except for horror, I’m open to a lot of new authors. Recommendations also nudge me to try new authors. Along with all that, I’ve tried some new authors just based on excerpts and things I’ve seen posted on blogs and email loops I’m part of now.



  31. Lexee
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am · Link

    A cover will get me to pick it up but then the blurb has to catch me as well. Sometimes a weird title will catch my attention and i’ll read the blurb if he blurb gets me then i’ll get it.
    lexeetoste at sbcglobal.net



  32. Zarifina
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:24 am · Link

    Today’s Question: What makes you try a new to you author? Cover? Buzz? Genre?

    I think for me it is a combination of all three. But I must admit I do get sucked in by a lot of covers, even though they say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.



  33. Laney4
    July 17th, 2009 at 10:27 am · Link

    When at the store, I always check the back cover and read the excerpt first. IF that keeps my attention, then I’m hooked! When on the Internet, I read the excerpt, as well as the author’s comments.



  34. Larena Wirum
    July 17th, 2009 at 11:09 am · Link

    Cover, blurb on a book and reviews a lot of times will get me to try a new author. :mrgreen:



  35. Jeanette Juan
    July 17th, 2009 at 11:51 am · Link

    Sometimes its the covers that catch my attention but usually it’s the blurbs on the back cover or excerpts I read that pertaiin to the book. I’m usually hooked if it’s a paranormal novel involving vampires or shifters of some sort.



  36. Terri W.
    July 17th, 2009 at 12:42 pm · Link

    For me to try out a new author what catches my attention is the cover, blurb and reviews on a book.



  37. Valerie
    July 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pm · Link

    It’s usually buzz and genre.

    I have a few friends who read the same type of books I do and when they recommend a ‘new to me author’ then I take notice.



  38. Gloria T.
    July 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm · Link

    If the book sounds good, I want to read it. All the above. Cover, Buzz and Genre.



  39. Rita A
    July 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pm · Link

    I would say cover and genre. The cover catches my eye then if it is the type of story I like, I will read it.



  40. Beverly G.
    July 17th, 2009 at 1:48 pm · Link

    well honestly for me its a little of everything the covers of a book if i read blurbs on blogs and such sometimes if im shopping i just randomly grab a book and buy it if its a new author i havent heard of cant know if they are any good if you dont just throw caution to the wind and give them a chance thats at least my method blurbs and excerps are awesome but sometimes the blurb or excerp doesnt actually do the book justice so I dont base my decision on them because i may not like that excerp but like another one later in the book so thats what i do and congrats on ur book ! look forward to reading more of it



  41. Jane
    July 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm · Link

    The genre and buzz are usually what influence me to try a new author.



  42. Sandy M
    July 17th, 2009 at 2:16 pm · Link

    For me it’s a little of everything. If a cover intrigues me, I’ll more than like buy the book, as well as the back cover blurb and genre. I’ll definitely buy a book if the author is recommended by a friend. Buzz is a good way to find a new author, but it’s probably at the bottom of my list.



  43. Kris
    July 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm · Link

    All three. I am a total cover slut and will buy new authors with great covers. I have bought because of cover quotes as well from authors that I really like.
    I tend to stay clear of historicals unless the hype about it has been that it is a must read.



  44. Pat Cochran
    July 17th, 2009 at 3:07 pm · Link

    It’s a combination of things: buzz, blurb,
    excerpt, cover, blog recommendations,
    word of mouth. Once read, I then pass
    along my opinion (usually good) and send a note to the new-to-me author.

    Pat Cochran



  45. Shelly A
    July 17th, 2009 at 3:15 pm · Link

    Genre and book blurbs. A really hot book cover helps too! Like to read anthologies that have a new author included. 🙂



  46. Arianna
    July 17th, 2009 at 3:18 pm · Link

    I am definitely drawn by a great cover. Beyond that, If the genre doesn’t do it for me then I won’t purchase it. Hatsept Heat has a wonderful cover and is a fave genre! 😀



  47. Amelia
    July 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm · Link

    The cover, the blurb and the buzz if I’m considering a new author. I don’t read reviews as I prefer to hear the opinions of my friends.



  48. Mary Preston
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm · Link

    Mostly I go by word of mouth. My friends & I are all avid readers & recommend books to each other. I love to browse around author sites too. If I read a book by an author & love it then I go through & seek out ALL their work & then books the author loves.



  49. Sue Brandes
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:19 pm · Link

    Sometimes it’s the cover or the title. And sometimes it’s what it says about the book. Also if someone says they enjoyed that author I will try a book.



  50. Cathi O
    July 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm · Link

    I choose genre first, then cover and synopsis, and I look at what authors I am familiar with have to say. Of course, I am such a prolific reader, I have to constantly try new authors or I would go months without books to read. Thanks, Evelyn Woods!!!