This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READER’S Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.
From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.
WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Join in and see where it leads.
Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.
This week
On Tuesday I missed the parcel delivery man by minutes and he left a note saying hubby’s parcel would be left for us at the local post office for collection. A couple of hours later I power walked to collect the parcel, only to be told it wouldn’t be dropped of until after 3.00 pm. Wednesday I took a hour long round walk to include the post office to try again, this time I saw the parcel but I hadn’t thought to take any ID and so I left empty handed. I’m off later for a third time lucky attempt! So this week my search term thoughts were filled with “Parcels”.
I found…Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux
Book Description
Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott had their happy ending in sight when a friend’s call for help almost ended with them losing it to the blade of a knife. Now, in the aftermath of near-disaster, both men are trying to heal and move on.
Moving on together, though, is harder than either of them realized it would be. Kelly struggles with simply being a lover instead of the Doc, while Nick is mired in his recovery. The distance between them inches along in stilted silence.
Desperately seeking solace, Nick finally gathers the courage to sort through the possessions his dear friend and fellow Sidewinder teammate Elias Sanchez left him when he died. Instead of comforting memories, Nick and Kelly find a stack of letters and strict instructions from Eli that prompt them to send out a call for assistance. With Eli’s letters in hand, Sidewinder sets out on one last mission together, seeking peace and absolution from beyond the grave—and from each other.
This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as part of the Sidewinder series.
Price; Kindle £6.49 Paperback £14.99 $7.99 kindle $15.86 paperback
Number of Reviews; 7 x Uk 5* reviews, 64 on US with a high majority 5*
Would I BUY or PASS?…….PASS
Analysis
I chose the book because of the purple colouring (my favourite colour), although the picture depicts a letter rather than a parcel. I am a little confused by the book description, I’ve read it a couple of time and I’m not clear if the character called Kelly is male or female, the whole tone of the description doesn’t flow smoothly for me. Add to this an extremely high price for both kindle and paperback, it’s a gamble on a book I’m not prepared to take.
Over to you….
In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?
AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?
My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….
1) Go to any online book supplier,
2) Randomly choose a category,
3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,
4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,
5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,
6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?
(then write a little analysis about your decision)
Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.
Here are links to fellow bloggers taking part in today’s challenge
Shelley has found a fun Witch novel. The Last Challenge by Sharon Karaa
Cathy has found a thriller. Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris
I agree, Rosie. The blurb is far too confusing to provide any real hook for the reader. We were both attracted to purple covers this week! I’d PASS too. 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Would You BUY or PASS? The Last Challenge by Sharon Karaa #FridayFiveChallenge #Paranormal #Romance | Shelley Wilson
Adele has joined the challenge this week.
I chose “You Come When I Call You” by Douglas Clegg.£3.99 Amazon Kindle The cover attracted me, the writing was horror based and it was linked to Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro and Dean Koontz if you like them you will like this book. I went on to read the first four lines and decided. The opening lines lead straight into the heart of it when the boy says, e.g. “We let it in.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that sounds intriguing.
LikeLike
You had me at ‘horror’ – Sounds great 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, I was a little confused as well, and read through the blurb twice. It would have to be a PASS from me too.
LikeLike
Pingback: #FridayFiveChallenge~ Buy or Pass @rosieamber1 Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris #Thriller – BetweenTheLines
The blurb is a bit confusing. Kelly is mostly a girl’s name (even though I know used for men as well) and then it turns out he’s a guy – or so it seems. Also, I’ve discovered that giving names at the beginning of the blurb kills half the reader’s interest. We can have an interest or identify with School Teacher X or Y, or Bad Boy Craig, but names without previous indication of who the character is tend to kill interest. I’ve started my blurbs with names too, but I’d do it differently next time.
Very interesting topic, Rosie, I love it.
LikeLike
Thank you Ana, some good points.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I also found it difficult to figure. Although it says it can be read on its own, I think unless you know who these sidewinders are, you wouldn’t choose the book from this description.
LikeLike
Thanks Olga, its a bit like handing out info on a need to know basis only.
LikeLike
Confusing blurb and too high a price.
Hope you get your parcel 🙂
LikeLike
I did thanks, first day I went round too early, second day I didn’t take any ID, third day I got my parcel – well hubby’s parcel anyway.
LikeLike
Love the subject you chose! Boring, confusing blurb and ludicrous price. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t want a blurb fooling me into reading the book through exaggerating of clock-and-dagger suggestions. Too expensive as well. 😦
LikeLike
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
LikeLike
Not my kind of book. I’d pass.
LikeLike
How about that? Purple is my favorite color too, but probably not good enough as a factor to buy a book. Good choice! 🙂
@dino0726 from
FictionZeal – Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews
LikeLike
It doesn’t grab me either, although the cover is quite striking.
LikeLike