November 30, 2006
Catch phrases or words
Written by Anne Mallory in Jaunty PostI was looking over the back cover copy (not written by me, so more thought provoking to me) last night for What Isabella Desires, my August 2007 book, and started mulling over what makes me buy a book. I like blurbs that hint at mystery. I love powerful heroes. I like heroines that are seeking their own adventure. I like secrets. So mystery, power, adventure and secret are words that jump out at me and make me more likely to buy a book. There are also situations that spark my interest - like reunion stories or high seas’ adventure - that make me give a book a go.
What catch phrases or words do you like as a reader? What in particular sparks your interest?
Also, are there any that make you want to scream? I had to laugh when a writer friend said she hated the word “feisty.” It’s a pretty dominant word in the back cover blurb market. LOL 
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Robyn DeHart Says:
I enjoy heroines that get themselves into trouble and adventures and heroes that are naughty but with hearts of gold. I also love marriages of conveniences and scandals. So any of those words/phrases will catch my attention.
Bel Says:
I’m really looking forward for this book! I love it when the main character has the same name as me :o)
About your question, it’s doesn’t really make me scream, but I do get a bit tired of the word wicked. So many hero’s are called wicked, or it’s in the title of the book. Nothing really bad, really, just something that bugs me
I love it when a hero (or heroine!) puts on a “mask” as if he is a bad guy, but as Robyn said, had really a heart of gold and would go through fire for his loved ones. Also duels and when the hero/heroine doesn’t realise he/she is in love. About a “lost soul” finding salvation.. oh and definitely “steamy romance”. But I think my favourite ones are when the hero and heroine can’t stand eachother, untill the “hatred” turns into something quite different..
But I don’t know how to phrase that :o)
Clarisse Says:
I like widows and tend to veer away from virgin stories, but of course there are lots of readers who are insistent that the heroine be an innocent. So I suppose to catch both kinds of reader you might want to be vague about that in the blurb.
Rainy Says:
I guess I am intrigues when an “anti-hero or heroine” is the protagonist. You know, someone who is not the most beautiful, handsome, rich or powerful..but has character. Of course, one main character would have to have some of those characteristics. I guess I’m thinking of a Jane Eyre sort. She’s not beautiful but always knows who she really is. Strong, as opposed to feisty.
I love hints of strong suspense. Also marriages where families oppose the spouse.
Pam P Says:
I like a bit of mystery and intrigue with the romance, too. I have a fascination with the Templar Knights so that’s a catch phrase for me. I also love books with pyschic elements, so any words related to anything pyschic will get my attention and make me read more to see if it’s a book I’ll like.
Bel Says:
I’ve been thinking about this. Insanity was the word I was looking for where the hero/heroine keeps over their own feet because of the other.