I picked up a couple of books on the weekend (yes I actually bought books).
While I was deciding which ones to take home with me I realised that a big part of my decision was based on cover art. One had a house with a garden and a nice banner with the title and author; the other had a flap that opened to show a naked Fabio (yes the Fabio) with a shift-clad redhead strategically placed at his knees. I opted for the naked seagull bait.
I have to admit that I love the old covers. The windswept cliffs with fairy tale castles in the background, the almost accurate characters, and of course the suggestive poses. Cheese, please!
I think my favourite is Swan Road by Rebecca Brandewynne. The inner flap of the cover shows a shirtless Viking in pants tighter than Robert Plant's. He is very obviously ready to finish the job of undressing the woman he's holding. If I'd noticed the extremely prominent bulge when I first saw the book there would have been no hesitation about buying it.
And so, with that bit of sillyness and cheese out of the way I pose this question to you ladies:
What is the best, worst and favourite cover art you've got? seen? bought a book because of?
Best cover Any cover with Fabio, John DeSalvo, Joe Anselmo, Steve Sandalis, Mike Hern, Cherif Fortin, Leland Burbank.....oh shucks! Y'all get the picture (so to speak); and for their pics, I get the book.
Worst cover Any cover that has no hunk in front, in back or on a step-back. Which maaaaybe I might buy, if the author's a fav and the story's gotten a rave.
Favorite cover Mine to Take by Dara Joy. Joe Anselmo is the cover model and he is to KILL for! I don't do to-die-for for anybody!
That is indeed a very hot cover!! I've never read anything by her. What's she like?
I couldn't find anything on Mike Hern, but I noticed all of the guys you mentioned (other than Fabio) are dark. I've been looking for blondes lately and am hard pressed to find any! It seems that brunettes have more fun when it comes to cover models!
Mike Hern was mostly portrayed as a blond. He left the scene in the mid-90's. Remember that show American Gladiators? He was one of the gladiators that the contestants had to best. He always came out in a thigh high, white toga w/gold accents and 2 gorgeous females draped over his arms. If his brain had half the usable cells as his ego had needs to be stroked, he'da been twice as smart as Einstein, but he WAS a gorgeous thing to look at! BZH Anne
Worst cover is so easy; Heather Graham "Runaway". Loved the book, but I had a hard time getting that picture out of my mind while reading it. It just did nothing for me! Also Johanna Lindsey "Say You Love Me" UGGGHHH, cut that mans head off & flush it ; gross. The final thing I have to say about bad cover art is I frown towards any cover that says "Family Drama" on it, I've got enough of that going on in my real life. Though I do read Binchy now and again.
Now Best that is a much tougher one. I do have a few that stick out in my mind, I have no clue on who the men are, but I wouldn't mind meeting 'em though! (Is that like really inappropriate?) Anyway:
Heather Graham "Rebel", Johanna Lindsey "Until Forever" (WOW, really good picture)
Anne- Personally I enjoy it when there is no picture, especially when the ones that they put are as as the ones above. Then I can use my "IMAGINATION". I especially like imagining the Black Irish (I think that's what they're called). Black hair, blue eyes or green, either (HOT< HOT< HOT) K- now I'm sweating!
Jennifer I went shopping too, I picked up One night of sin, Gaelen Foley (So far, So Good!) You were looking for Blonde cover models right; go to Nicole Jordans website and checkout Wicked Fantasy & The Prince of Pleasure, both blondes, I don't know if they're all that hot though!!! The prince of pleasure is pretty cute all naked there with that big smile on his baby face.
Wrestling huh? (Yeah, I suppose I used to drool over my little brothers wrestling posters a bit.) I would steal his action figures, have them beat up Ken & then make out with Barbie. Can't beat beat a half naked man, oh I suppose you could;
" 2 Half naked men "
Anyway back to Cover Art! My big "Peeve" is I find so few perfect pictures. I have seen some Hotties don't get me wrong & there are quite a few covers that I would like to enlarge, frame & hang in my bedroom. (If not for my Husband & my three impressionable young daughters!) I keep picking up the books with pictures that just don't fit the bill! So I would just as soon see them in my mind as seeing them displayed poorly.
K-Nough Said I'll shut up now, Connie (We need a Wine Glass emoticon)
How about this one, you have an awesome cover the man is beautiful the woman is beautiful, while you are reading and the descriptions start up, the woman is describing the mans chest hair. Yet you look at the cover and he is all smooth hard muscle no hair whatsoever??? I do like having the art to reference to though.
Frankly, while I can stomach the DESCRIPTION of chest hair, I don't wanna havta look at it! I much prefer the visuals be clean. The less apelike the better, I say. Men have enough ape tendencies; don't need no more! lol BZH Anne
OMG!!! You cracked me up this morning!!! I personally like a bit of chest hair myself, not apelike, but some. I just think it is funny that they even describe having it, yet none on the cover. Heck why bother describing!!! I am with you though those smooth muscled chest are quite beautiful
). 
Any cover that has no hunk in front, in back or on a step-back. Which maaaaybe I might buy, if the author's a fav and the story's gotten a rave.
Mine to Take by Dara Joy. 
Joe Anselmo 
; gross. The final thing I have to say about bad cover art is I frown towards any cover that says "Family Drama" on it, I've got enough of that going on in my real life. Though I do read Binchy now and again. 
(Is that like really inappropriate?) Anyway:
(Yeah, I suppose I used to drool over my little brothers wrestling posters a bit.) I would steal his action figures, have them beat up Ken & then make out with Barbie. 
(We need a Wine Glass emoticon)
