Even so, I'm curious—what attracts you in a book cover? Is it people on the front? A creepy image? Color? Movement?
One of my favorite of my book covers is FORBIDDEN TOUCH:
It's my favorite even though the hero on the cover does not REMOTELY resemble the hero inside the pages. Maddox Heller in the book has sandy blond hair worn shaggy and long, down almost to his shoulders. (Hey, LOST was still on and Sawyer had been going from bad boy to hot, partially redeemed boy. I was helpless.)
The reason I love this cover is that the passion and longing between the hero and heroine is palpable in this image. It sucks me right in and makes me want to know more about them. (Plus, a wet shirt on the hero is never a bad thing).
Another Intrigue book cover I love is BJ Daniels' PREMEDITATED MARRIAGE.
Atmosphere galore! The cover itself teases the reader. Who's in the truck? What is he/she doing at this secluded looking store in the middle of nowhere? Is something bad going to happen? I love covers that tell part of the story.
I didn't care that much for the TWILIGHT books by Stephenie Meyer, but I did think the covers were distinctive and intriguing.
The use of simple iconographic symbols (apple, flower ribbon, chess piece) and the stark black/white/red color scheme is an interesting way to tie the books together while having each book cover distinctive enough to stand alone.
So, do you have a favorite cover? What do you look for in a cover? Are you more a back blurb reader than a cover aficionado?
