a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Hard Target by Barbara Phinney
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.
I like the cross hairs, the protective and seductive positioning of the characters, and the font is very eye catching. Definitely looks like a suspense/thriller and would read based on the cover! If any critique, the background is a little busy and takes the focus off the characters, but this is a minor detail and maybe just me:-)
I find this cover very eye-catching. It has to be a romantic supsense. If I were perusing a shelf of books, cyber or otherwise, I'd definitely take the time to stop and pick this one up.
Love those crosshairs and that red thriller-type lettering of the title. And really love the look of that guy - very protective. :) Definitely romantic suspense.
I usually only post a comment if I really like or dislike a cover. For the most part, I feel like judging a cover without knowing the classification or being able to read the description is somewhat futile since it's take out of context, so to speak.
However, I like this cover and think it looks professionally done. I like the image, the layout, and the size and fonts for the text.
The only thing I'd change is to resize and move the blurbs at the top of the cover. If this is for a print book then the size is probably okay. If this is for an ebook then I think the size needs to be increased so it can be read in a small format. In either case, I'd move the second blurb up closer to the first blurb to make things a little more balanced.
Otherwise, I like this cover and would probably read the description to learn more about it.
Sigh.. so tired of authors dragging their fans over for gratuitous squee.
Overall, I like the gunsite and the typeface work, though the white dot in the middle is really stepped/poorly done.
Unfortunately the models and background are far too busy and she gives off a real 80s vibe with her bleach blonde hair and heavy blue eyeshadow. I'd keep the rifling look and typefaces and replace the background with something much more simple.
i agree with robin. the model is classic 80's and you could do a plain black background and have it look much clearer and more professional. i can't even tell what's behind the house. is it a moon? i like the title and the lines like a periscope.
Well I don't know Ms. Phinney. I actually got to this site from another author. But I love this cover. The only thing I would change is to move the second blurb up beneath the first like someone above said. Looks like romantic suspense to me and I'm off to see if I can find this book.
In a sniper situation, s/he is going to take the shot when and where the chance presents (so background is meaningless). If you want to AMP UP the immage, get one of the modern heavy sniper rifle scope redicles and the cross-hairs have "hash marks" for various distances and are lighted in GREEN OR RED! These scopes are upwards of $3,000, Nightforce target scopes might have these features but I'm pretty sure the Schmidt & Bender Scopes (much more expensive) will have them. As I said before, these folks best duck!
Thank you, Vamp Writer. With your knowledge, I had better duck when you're around! I'm not sure what the white in the center means. I assumed it was just 'white hot' adding to the feel. I thought of the cross hairs because the story contains a sniper, who, ironically, says something similar to Vamp Writer. "If I wanted you dead, you would already be dead." OMG, I think that Ashley Judd says that in Missing! I wonder if cover artists choose examples, or impressions, or representatives, rather than the real thing. I'm not a cover artist, so I don't know. I just know what I like, and I like this cover! This is a fabulous discussion. Thank you all.
Nice! If it's true that we can judge a book by its cover, that'll be one great read. Looks so... suspenseful! :)
ReplyDeleteRenee-Ann
I like the cross hairs, the protective and seductive positioning of the characters, and the font is very eye catching. Definitely looks like a suspense/thriller and would read based on the cover! If any critique, the background is a little busy and takes the focus off the characters, but this is a minor detail and maybe just me:-)
ReplyDeleteI find this cover very eye-catching. It has to be a romantic supsense. If I were perusing a shelf of books, cyber or otherwise, I'd definitely take the time to stop and pick this one up.
ReplyDeleteI love this cover. It draws me right in. Easy to see the woman is in jeopardy, and it makes me want to know why.
ReplyDeleteLove those crosshairs and that red thriller-type lettering of the title. And really love the look of that guy - very protective. :) Definitely romantic suspense.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover...It makes me want to know more about the book.
ReplyDeletegreat cover--I agree with the comments here.
ReplyDeleteI usually only post a comment if I really like or dislike a cover. For the most part, I feel like judging a cover without knowing the classification or being able to read the description is somewhat futile since it's take out of context, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I like this cover and think it looks professionally done. I like the image, the layout, and the size and fonts for the text.
The only thing I'd change is to resize and move the blurbs at the top of the cover. If this is for a print book then the size is probably okay. If this is for an ebook then I think the size needs to be increased so it can be read in a small format. In either case, I'd move the second blurb up closer to the first blurb to make things a little more balanced.
Otherwise, I like this cover and would probably read the description to learn more about it.
Sigh.. so tired of authors dragging their fans over for gratuitous squee.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I like the gunsite and the typeface work, though the white dot in the middle is really stepped/poorly done.
Unfortunately the models and background are far too busy and she gives off a real 80s vibe with her bleach blonde hair and heavy blue eyeshadow. I'd keep the rifling look and typefaces and replace the background with something much more simple.
i agree with robin. the model is classic 80's and you could do a plain black background and have it look much clearer and more professional. i can't even tell what's behind the house. is it a moon? i like the title and the lines like a periscope.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't know Ms. Phinney. I actually got to this site from another author. But I love this cover. The only thing I would change is to move the second blurb up beneath the first like someone above said. Looks like romantic suspense to me and I'm off to see if I can find this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your comments. I appreciate each one. The thoughts on the small print are very good. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteIn a sniper situation, s/he is going to take the shot when and where the chance presents (so background is meaningless). If you want to AMP UP the immage, get one of the modern heavy sniper rifle scope redicles and the cross-hairs have "hash marks" for various distances and are lighted in GREEN OR RED! These scopes are upwards of $3,000, Nightforce target scopes might have these features but I'm pretty sure the Schmidt & Bender Scopes (much more expensive) will have them. As I said before, these folks best duck!
ReplyDeleteThe basic design for the cover is very good.
ReplyDeleteThe little text is totally unreadable and should be lost for the e-book thumbnail.
I am puzzled by the white mark at the center of sniper scope. It doesn't work and looks very odd.
Thank you, Vamp Writer. With your knowledge, I had better duck when you're around! I'm not sure what the white in the center means. I assumed it was just 'white hot' adding to the feel.
ReplyDeleteI thought of the cross hairs because the story contains a sniper, who, ironically, says something similar to Vamp Writer. "If I wanted you dead, you would already be dead."
OMG, I think that Ashley Judd says that in Missing!
I wonder if cover artists choose examples, or impressions, or representatives, rather than the real thing. I'm not a cover artist, so I don't know.
I just know what I like, and I like this cover!
This is a fabulous discussion. Thank you all.