Virgin Slave, Barbarian King? Puh-lease, no question that this is a horrible title, that it in itself goes in the completely wrong direction if historical romance is seriously trying to elevate itself above bodice ripper status, and was quite honestly the butt of several jokes at my expense for my reading it, and online, when I went to research the author and her body of work. It was it seems, even the subject of an academic study . And OY the cover...my eyes, my eyes!!! The hero isn't a King, and admittedly doesn't even want to BE one, and as for the Virgin...well, not so much and the Slave thing? It didn't take. It's a darned shame, because surprise, surprise, this was an extremely interesting and engaging story, factually accurate and sensitively told, at times humurous and yes at times caught me with a severe case of the weepies. Good book, shame about the title. Louise Allen, can we talk?
Jayne
Community Manager
"We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh"—Agnes Repplier
Jayne - can't argue with you about the title
given that I wouldn't let myself buy a book with a title like that,
)
and am not even sure I'd accept it as a free book (which is a MAJOR
admission for a readaholic like me
I'm glad to hear it had redeeming qualities, but I don't think I could get past the title and the cover
Hugs and glad you enjoyed it
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
Okay, so I was going to
Okay, so I was going to behave ... but questions instantly sprang to mind.
First, who picked that title and can we smack them? I think it makes even the most devout of romance readers cringe.
Second, will your experience with this book make you think twice about picking up another with a questionable title/cover?
And third... judging a book by it's cover Sadhbh? tsk tsk
You know, I don't think I bought this one myself, which also remarks upon the title choice, because I tend to snach up the historicals and I've read Louis Allen before and do enjoy her voice.
Add some SPICE to your life.
Don't judge a book by it's title.
What a great question Lorie, and the thought actually did cross my mind that I should be a little *kinder* next time I see a book with a less than stellar title.
Jayne
Community Manager
"We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh"—Agnes Repplier
Wee-eell…
IMHO some Presents titles would be right up there with this one. But "they" tell me, it sells books, so go figure!
I love this discussion of the novel that you link to. Great stuff!
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Unfortunately the cover does play its part
I mean look at the cover of the Blaze Flyboy and tell me that it hurt its sales and expect me to believe you!
It
shouldn't necessarily stop me from buying a book, but the title/cover
combination just scares me away so I wouldn't even pick it up to try
out the first page, which just might hook me otherwise
There are
the Presents titles which don't always appeal (though as we've
discussed on one of Vince's blogs, some of that is considered
deliberate to attract a certain romance reader and sales of Presents
would seem to indicate that it appeals more than it dissuades) and it's
true I rarely buy Presents, but I do buy Historicals, just not one that
has my hot buttons
Slavery was officially abolished in some
countries even though it's making an unofficial comeback but even if
it's a misnomer I still won't buy a book with Slave on the cover
Sorry Louise
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Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs