DOES A SEXY BOOK COVER GET YOUR ATTENTION?

If you ever grab a romance novel from back in the 80's and 90's, you may have noticed a face (and body) that turned up all the time on a cover.  If you guessed Fabio, you'd be right. Yes, his full name is Fabio Lanzoni, and at 58, he's not married.

This Italian hunk got his start by getting a Ford Modeling contract in New York earning $150,000, including working with Gap. Eventually, his face and body became so popular, that writers contacted him to star on their book covers.  

In addition to all those covers, his endorsements, commercials, and acting gigs have earned him over $15 million.

On the other end of the spectrum is Jason Baca who began his career as an actor.  Always in shape, he continued to remain diligent about his exercise regimen and diet and tried traditional modeling, but that wasn't really his thing.  One day he walked into a bookstore, looked at the covers, and told himself that he could do that. Then came the hard work of reaching out to 80 various authors, only to be rejected over and over again.  But one well known writer did give Jason a chance. Can you guess who that romance author was?  The very talented Lisa Renee Jones put him on the cover of her novel, The Legend of Michael.  He then went on to do over 540 additional covers for many other book publishers and writers.

Despite showing off his amazing abs on all those books, this 46 year old hottie actually works in the customer service department of the Housing Authority in California. That should probably tell you that this side gig doesn't pay a lot.  For his covers, Jason may earn about $20,000 annually. Huh? 

Despite not getting rich from his side gig, Jason still holds the record for the most book covers, surpassing Fabio, and that was his goal.  At this point in his life though, do you think Fabio really cares? (lol)

Is his wife of 9 years concerned that her hubby is often photographed in the arms of a lot of beautiful women?  Not at all. She knows all the real romance goes on at home. That's pretty neat!

Everyone says that sex sells, but does it make you purchase a novel?  

As a younger romance reader, I was totally obsessed with a the scantily clad people on the cover.  For some reason, it just seemed scandalous and naughty.  These were the books I was hiding inside of a science book from school.  I didn't focus on the actual authors until much later. I just wanted to read about the romance that was alluded to from those covers. (lol)

Of course a six pack is cool to look at, but all that awesomeness won't make me run to the bookstore.  

I'm more likely to be drawn to something abstract or action-filled, soothing, or with food.  

It's hard to say what in  the heck may grab my interest, but it's not those things I was drawn to as a kid.

Still, there's a ton of book covers out there that could zero in on our deepest fantasies - or not.

What about you?  Do you really pay attention to those sexy pictures on the cover of a novel?

In the US, some states have reached temperatures in the 90's, with heat indexes in the 100's. So why in the world would anyone think it's okay to leave a pet or a child in a hot car?!

Even worse, how in the heck can you go to work or a party, or appointment and FORGET that you left someone in your vehicle?

Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside an automobile can spike up to 125 degrees real quick.  

A child or a pet who dies from either of these scenarios is a tragedy that can be very easily avoided.  Every time I see it on the news, I just can't believe that it still happens.  Crazy!