  Romance/Love
This week: Why Did you Read that romance? Blurbs Edited by: StephBee - House Targaryen  
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Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it's destination full of hope – Maya Angelou.
Continuing the theme of what attracts us to the romance books we read, I thought I'd examine the blurbs on the back of the book. Do the blurbs suck you in and make you excited to read a book?
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| ASIN: B01IEVJVAG |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
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The book blurb is usually between 100-150 words that are meant to engage the reader. It's purpose is to stand out and quickly convince a read to "buy this romance now!" A blurb must have:
Intrigue
Mystery
And not give the whole story away.
Here are 5 elements that make your story blurb attractive:
#1 – The Opening Line:
Grab 'em right away with action or paint a scene of mystery.
Example: "Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most famous scoundrel in London." – Lisa Kleypas.
#2- Introduce your Characters.
Let readers know they are interesting. Talk about their dilemma or the journey they must take. Give the reader a reason to care.
Example: "No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower and the sinfully handsome viscount." – Lisa Kleypas.
#3 – Don't Be Misleading
Don't paint a picture of romance when your book is really a mystery. Now, the mystery may be the journey the characters take to fall in love, but it's more about the romance.
#4 – Don't Give Away the Entire Book
Hook 'em, Intro the characters, and reveal the conflict in a blurb. That's it.
Example: "When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife." – Lisa Kleypas.
#5 – Keep Readers Wanting More.
Ask a question that poses a cliffhanger inviting readers to buy the book and discover the ending. Use a thesaurus to find dynamic words for your blurb.
CHALLENGE: Here are 3 short stories. Write a 50-75 word blurb for them. I'll share my favorites in my next newsletter.
FOR YOU PARANORMAL LOVERS:
RESULTS OF LAST MONTH'S POLL:
Buy a book based on the Title:
#1 – Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
#2 – Chilled by Kendra Elliot
#3 – The Rogue you Know by Shana Galen
Now, let's pick our favorite Blurb:
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| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1585128 by Not Available. |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
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Your Full Time Romance/Love Editors:
Crys-not really here 
Lonewolf 
StephBee - House Targaryen
FEEDBACK FROM MY 16 SEP 2015 NEWSLETTER:
Joy 
Hi Steph,
I took your poll after seeing it in your wonderful NL. I chose Devil in Winter, but I need to explain my choice. I would not choose a book with the word Devil in it, if there were no other criteria, but I knew how the other authors have written from my earlier readings.
I don't want to badmouth any writer, but I have my picks among them. One of those in the poll writes non-stop about billionaires, which any book about billionaires annoys me to the sky. Then another one uses the language in a way I find less than acceptable. Believe it or not, I have a file in my computer with a list that says, Don't Read These Writers.
Then I checked Devil in Winter out and saw that it was about family difficulties plus romance. It meant possibly better character development and sturdier plot, as I always check what a book is about and read an excerpt before committing my time to it.
Come to think of it, you know more about how a romance novel can be constructed to become a decent, successful one, as I believe, your books have a much higher literary value than most other books in the romance genre that are in publication.
Best Wishes, and Write On! 
Joy, thanks so much for explaining your choice. I think we both enjoy a book that has good character development and a sturdier plot. I hope you give your input on "The Devil in Winter" blurb this month!
Lexi
Hi Steph,
First, I wanted to thank you for featuring my item in your last newsletter
I chose "Chilled" because it seemed like the most ambiguous choice. Although there is a simplicity about the title, it feels like the book I'd want to pick up just because of the title alone.
Write on!
~ Lexi
Thanks for sharing Lexi. There is success in simplicity.
Quick-Quill 
Titles are hard to find on your own. Having to pick a book just based on a title is horrific! Titles don't tell much about the book anymore. There are so many books with similar titles and totally different plots its hard to choose. Chilled seemed to me to be a mystery or thriller. Like a Kay Hooper book. I choose a book based on the cover photo and the synopsis. The title only applies when the synopsis connects with it. I've been fooled by titles.
Shanna by Katherine Woodwiess. One of my top 10 books. Not a title I would have picked. How about Birds? or To Kill a Mockingbird?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We're exploring blurbs in this newsletter. I generally don't pick up a book on a title, but some titles do pull me in. I like Shana Galen's writing and I love what she does with her titles. For me, I find her titles 'playful' and that's attracts me to her.
willwilcox
Thanks for the plug of "W.D’s Advice For Forlorn Lovers" http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/774451-WDs-Advice-For-Forlorn-Love... I got some new and welcomed reviews.
You're welcome Bill. I always enjoy your writing.
Osirantinous 
I picked The Devil in Winter but when I Googled it and read the 'blurb' on Amazon, I didn't see much of a devil and definitely nothing of winter. I like there to be a match of some sort between these two 'hooks'. Mind you, my most favourite romance of all time is Midnight Madness by Laurie McBain. The title, I think, comes from the character's role-playing as a thief, but it doesn't exactly draw one in or give the plot away.
Thanks for sharing. I believe the setting of the novel is in winter and Sebastian is supposed a "devil" (scoundrel) but from the blurb, you're right – you might not pick that up.
StephBee - House Targaryen Is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest release is "A Princess is Always Right," Book 4 in the Windsor Diaries steampunk romance series, released on 11 Sept 2015. 5 Stars, A. Brantly, Amazon Reviewer. "Stephanie Burkhart has an amazing ability when it comes to creating realistic characters and detailed scenes."
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| ASIN: 0997970618 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 14.99
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Romance/Love: October 14, 2015 Issue [#7261]
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