This is a shoutout to let everyone know about my new release, Texas Wedding for their Baby’s Sake, which is officially coming out September 1st (but is available at eHarlequin now.) This sequel to The Rebel and the Lady tells the story of the younger brother, Brandon Dumont and the woman he left behind...“Caroline Benet enjoyed one night in her fiance’s arms before he left to fight in the Texas territory. The day news reaches her of the Alamo slaughter is the day she learns she is carrying his child.
He may have survived, but Brandon can’t return to the life he once knew or the woman he once loved—not as a cripple and a man battling his own personal demons.
When Caroline shows up in Texas, Brandon is determined to send her packing. But Caroline wants more than Brandon’s name for their baby. Looks like it will take a love as big as Texas to win him back.”
Okay, okay--I've heard some remarks about the title. Yes it's long. Yes, it contains those special words that help sell a book--namely Texas, Wedding, and Baby. I've also heard that there are others out there--words that is, that help sell a book. What are your thoughts on it? Do you pick up a book based on certain words in the title? I'm curious now. And the opposite--are there any titles that make you put a book down?
No matter your take on this particular title, to celebrate its release I’m running a contest on my website this August for a free autographed copy along with a Borders Gift Card. Hope you’ll check it out! (The contest and the book!)
26 comments:
Having read your blurb, I would probably like this story. The title is a complete turn-off to me, personally. And I know the title isn't your doing, so I feel comfortable saying that.
I think it's the combination "for the baby's sake" that's killing it for me. It's putting the emphasis on the marriage taking place for what is, essentially, a "wrong" reason (or at least it is from a modern standpoint). I know that happens in romance novels all the time, and I know that, given the genre, the couple will end up staying together for the right reasons, but don't thow it in my face. LOL, I don't know if I'm expressing myself very well here or not.
Yeah, not crazy about the title. What are they attempting, a cross over from Presents? (Not that I dislike Presents!!)
Hey! Thanks for commenting Anonymous and Marianne. And yes, there is quite a difference between the 1800's and modern day when a woman gets pregnant and is not married. You are also correct in that I had little say over naming the book, but I have grown to like the title which at first seemed way too long. I think it has something to do with liking the cover so much.
Some of my favorite titles in the past are from Nora Robert's books--Honest Illusions (about a magician) and Carnal Innocence (about a corrupt town).
I like the cover! :) THe title seems very long... I like to discover the plot, not usually have it all wrapped up in the title.
It sounds like a great book though!
Congratulations on the upcoming release! Woot!
Lisa :)
Lisa--I'm with you! In the story, I kept the fact that the heroine was expecting hidden for a little while. But then, I don't know much about marketing a book and Harlequin has a GREAT marketing department, so I'm happy to go along with their suggestions. Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I'm not crazy about the title, but I love the blurb. Titles might catch my eye, but I always check out the blurb before I buy.
Best of luck with it.
I think Seduced by History would make a good title, too
Hi, Kathryn!
I don't usually buy a book by it's title, but it's blurb. I think that's the real selling point.
Yeah, the title is a bit much. But the first book by Susan Elizabeth Phillips I ever read was Nobody's Baby but Mine, which is more than a little awkward. And I love SEP, despite that! So you should be fine! :)
Great post and a great question.
I think a title will catch my attention. As does a cover. But unless I'm I'm at the book store browsing to buy, I don't pick one up just for that. I think my #1 reason to buy is word of mouth. If someone I know recommends a book to me, I'll be at the bookstore ASAP.
CC
Have to admit, I don't like that title, either. But the story sounds good!
I like the "marriage for baby's sake" theme, and I love the blurb. Wounded hero gets me every time. Looks great, Kathryn!
Thanks for your input, Gwynlyn and Jean. Yep the blurb is the main selling point for me--(well a nice looking hero on the front cover helps too.) There are some titles that really stand out for me--however I must admit I think many of the catchy ones tend to be on contemporary stories. One I particularly like (the book and the title)is Learning Curve by Terry McLaughlin about a romance that takes place at a high school.
Ilona! Good to see you here. Thanks for posting.
Hi Rachel. I love SEP's stories. I think the first book of hers I read years ago was Fancy Pants--a cute and rather sassy title.
Hi Christie -- Word of mouth--I've got to agree with you. And with Facebook and Twitter nowadays, I hear all kinds of things about how they can up that to the nth degree.
Thanks for posting!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for stopping by! You know? The title is a lot more direct than my past two books and I guess I was expecting something more along those lines. (My first books were titled The Angel and the Outlaw and The Rebel and the Lady.) My first thoughts for a title for this book were
(drumroll...) The Soldier and the Southern Belle or else the Doctor and the Debutant which actually are rather vague.
So when I learned what the title would be, it took a bit of adjusting. Like I said--I have come to like it just fine.
Hi Jill! Lovely to see you here. Great to see things going so well for you and your career! (And I sure miss the San Diego RWA gals. Can't wait to visit!) I agree with you--a wounded, tortured hero just sucks me in so much more than any other type of hero. Thanks for posting!
Kathryn, I think a lot of Harlequin titles are silly, but I think your book sounds fantastic, and the cover is gorgeous! I love plots that includes babies/children, so that's always a plus for me. :-)
I bought a bought cause the title was long once & it caught my eye. Crazy Aunt Purl's Druck, Divorced & covered in Cat Hair (The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split). By Laurie Perry. And it's my favorite book! So yours is much shorter. LOL. You book sounds really great. And the cover is beautiful.
Hi Kathryn. As usual, I can't wait to read it. I know I've told you before, but we're all so proud of you and the success you are having couldn't happen to a nicer person. Keep up the good work and know that we are all behind you.
Oh, thanks for posting Donna! I like to see the way a hero or heroine responds to a child or baby in the story (although I don't want the child to take over the plot--at least not in a romance.) It adds another facet to their personality.
Hi Sue! What a title! Thanks for sharing. It's a hoot!
Kelly--how good to see your post! I've been wondering how your summer was going! Thank goodness for FB (Face Book NOT Football!) or we'd all lose track of each other. Hope you enjoy this book. The title will grow on you--trust me. It has for me.
The title strikes me as off--but honestly most of the HQ titles are like that so I didn't even notice. For me its the cover pic and the blurb that sell the book.
Congrats!!!
The blurb is important, but isn't the title what catches your attention?
Anyway, the title is to long in this case
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