a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A Dose of Reality by Heidi Hall
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover? Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want to BUY the book? Discuss.
Not my genre, so take these comments with a grain of salt. The gold lips look kinda out of place, even foul. I think the color scheme is good, the fonts, great and the pearls I like. I just don't like the gold. I'd guess the book is about a woman who has a sugar daddy then loses it all.
I agree with the others. The lips aren't appealing. And, they're kind of "disembodied." No upper lip, no chin. I think it would be better with a regular face with normal-looking, sexy lips.
Otherwise, I think it's good. I like the fonts and colors. Just needs a little work on the face.
I haven't heard the term "gold-digger romance" before, but it fits what I make of this cover. Gold on the lips is intriguing, and biting the pearls is evocative, and yet there is something missing here. How about a subtitle or a quick blurb. Viz: "Candy knew how to get what she wanted from men -- till she met Allen..." There isn't really space for that, I admit -- because the author's name is quite large, and in fact is more noticeable than the title.
I love and appreciate all the comments! Yes, the lips are supposed to be yucky... this is a romantic suspense in which the MC (a pharmacuetical heiress) discovers that the trappings of wealth can begin to tarnish. It is hard to see, but there are little Rx symbols inscribed on the pearls and the pearls themselves are integral to the story.In addition, the story heavily revolves around alternatives to synthetic medications and I wanted to convey that artificial/toxic theme.
I had never thought of the gold-digger aspect, because as the writer I know that she is the opposite, but it is a VERY valid point! I also like the idea of a cover blurb, although it is hard to do that in thumbnail size and have it noticeable at all--definitely something to consider on the DTB. Thanks for all of your input :-)
I am going to be to opposing voice here. I loved the cover and would possibly pick up/look into further after just looking at it. I actually like the gold on the lips because they are cracking and pealing. A tarnishing of sorts, which goes well with the title.
The cracking/wearing/decaying of the gold on the lips is one of the things that actually would cause me to look closer and find out what the story is about. And I'm not big on romance, but I think this is nicely done, especially after hearing the synopsis. (liked it before I read your comments Heidi and I'll happily admit I'm totally a judge a book by it's cover type of girl. Sad but true. A book can win me or lose me based on the cover alone.)
Not my genre, so take these comments with a grain of salt. The gold lips look kinda out of place, even foul. I think the color scheme is good, the fonts, great and the pearls I like. I just don't like the gold. I'd guess the book is about a woman who has a sugar daddy then loses it all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the gold lips look gross. I would say romance but it gives a very mixed message with those lips.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others. The lips aren't appealing. And, they're kind of "disembodied." No upper lip, no chin. I think it would be better with a regular face with normal-looking, sexy lips.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I think it's good. I like the fonts and colors. Just needs a little work on the face.
(Eric-)
ReplyDeleteI have not a clue what this book is about. The gold lips turn me off, the pearls in the teeth?
If I had to make a guess I would say Gold-digger romance?
I might not be the target audience, but this cover turns me off a bit.
I haven't heard the term "gold-digger romance" before, but it fits what I make of this cover. Gold on the lips is intriguing, and biting the pearls is evocative, and yet there is something missing here. How about a subtitle or a quick blurb. Viz: "Candy knew how to get what she wanted from men -- till she met Allen..." There isn't really space for that, I admit -- because the author's name is quite large, and in fact is more noticeable than the title.
ReplyDeleteI love and appreciate all the comments! Yes, the lips are supposed to be yucky... this is a romantic suspense in which the MC (a pharmacuetical heiress) discovers that the trappings of wealth can begin to tarnish. It is hard to see, but there are little Rx symbols inscribed on the pearls and the pearls themselves are integral to the story.In addition, the story heavily revolves around alternatives to synthetic medications and I wanted to convey that artificial/toxic theme.
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of the gold-digger aspect, because as the writer I know that she is the opposite, but it is a VERY valid point! I also like the idea of a cover blurb, although it is hard to do that in thumbnail size and have it noticeable at all--definitely something to consider on the DTB. Thanks for all of your input :-)
~Heidi
I am going to be to opposing voice here. I loved the cover and would possibly pick up/look into further after just looking at it. I actually like the gold on the lips because they are cracking and pealing. A tarnishing of sorts, which goes well with the title.
ReplyDeleteThe cracking/wearing/decaying of the gold on the lips is one of the things that actually would cause me to look closer and find out what the story is about. And I'm not big on romance, but I think this is nicely done, especially after hearing the synopsis. (liked it before I read your comments Heidi and I'll happily admit I'm totally a judge a book by it's cover type of girl. Sad but true. A book can win me or lose me based on the cover alone.)