Thursday, July 13, 2017

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!

42 comments:

  1. I usually don't really care about half naked men on the cover. I prefer a more sweet pose with the couple embracing or almost kissing pose. but I am sure those half naked covers sell else they probably wouldn't be still making those covers. I don't mind a bit of heat in the actual book, but I don't have to see that on the cover.

    I also can't believe people still forget pets or kids in cars, it's so sad and like you said something that can easily be avoided.

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    1. I agree. I'm not that into the sexy covers anymore the way I used to be, but they're still being done. It's just too hot in a car to leave a child or a baby in there! Hope your Friday is going well! Hugs...

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  2. I'm probably the wrong person to answer on the book covers, not being a romance novel reader, but I think as we mature images like this really don't matter as much anymore, seriously when I am looking for a book to read, the "sexy" covers and such I simply skip over.

    Leaving pets and your children in a hot car is insane, we have been in triple digits here and just the other day the police were called for two dogs left in a car, they both were suffering from heat stroke and when first opened the temperature was like 161, the owner had gone in to watch a movie, there is no excuse for this, common sense should tell us to not put our children and pets in an oven.

    I'm glad you wrote about this RO

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    1. What in the heck Jimmy? The owner was watching a movie while the dogs were suffering in the car? Unbelievable and quite sad. I just don't understand this at all. Hope your Friday is going well! Hugs...

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  3. Oh RO great post as always. A sexy guy on the cover actually turns me off. I'm so over shirtless cover heroes and half dressed heroines whether its historical or contemporary. I love the way publishers do western romance with the girl in a skirt and cowboy boots and a guy in plaid and jeans, I also love abstract covers.

    Wow people who leave pets and children in cars, I used to think they all should be hanged but I have heard legitimate reasons where parents have left children in cars, and while I agree to a punishment I do feel for them. HOWEVER pets aren't quiet passengers, there not buckled in the back out of sight and perhaps sleeping so people who leave pets in a hot car know they're doing it. Hang them!!!

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    1. I really loved the racy covers back in the day, Debbie, but like you, now I want pics of food or abstract, or cute couples. Even flowers are cool. (lol) For Pete's sake, cats and dogs already have fur on them, and to allow them to suffer in a hot car is just horrible! Hope your Friday is going well! Hugs...RO

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  4. It would appear that more revealing covers tend to get more attention from people. Its surprising that the model has appeared in so many book covers but barely makes any money from it all.

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    1. That really surprised me as well that he doesn't make much money doing that at all. And the time he spends working out, too? You just never know. Hope your Friday is going well! Hugs...RO

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  5. Interesting stories about the models behind the covers. I recognize both of course. I like all kinds of book covers and have learned that I can love a book and hate the cover so I am more careful about judging on that alone.

    Ah, yes, thank you so much about the heat and cars. I get so angry when I see a dog in a car and ask the store if they can make an announcement. So far no kid sightings thank goodness.

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    1. Give me a cover with food, and I'm happy Sophia. (lol) There are some men on covers though that are quite gorgeous for sure. I used to use that as my model to how the hero looked inside, but soon realized, like you, that it wasn't always the case. Our pets should definitely be loved and treated well, and it does make a person frustrated to see that happen. Happy Friday!

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  6. whenever I check the amazon best seller lists, there's all these covers with half naked models and I wonder who buys them, certainly not me, but someone's buying them. I guess I'm more conservative than I thought. I go for the tame covers, I guess.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. I think I'm going for the tamer ones these days too Lissa. Hugs...and Happy Friday!

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  7. I will break a car window open if I see a dog locked in during the summer. I don't care about the consequence. I will also call the police immediately. I routinely put flyers on windshields about the dangers of keeping pets in cars in the summer, even if the window is cracked a bit. We bring out dogs with us when we do short shopping trips, but only if it's under 20 celcius.

    I don't choose a book for the cover, but I will be attracted by a nice looking cookbook! That makes me interested in reading the table of contents.

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    1. Seeing an animal in that predicament definitely makes a person angry, and I love that you place flyers on cars as reminders. Isn't it great to see a cool cookbook? Hugs and thanks for stopping by to say hello. Happy Friday!

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  8. I cannot believe that a parent or grandparent will forget that they have a little person in their backseat. If they are that forgetful they don't deserve to have that child in the first place. I will gladly go to jail or pay a ticket if I have to break a car window to save the life of a child or pet. Leave your pets at home in the summer. There's just no reason to take them with you in the heat of the summer.

    I really do notice book covers. I've bought books with really nice covers just so I have those covers on my bookshelf. Not even kidding. I don't like the headless torso covers, I want to see a face.

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    1. That actually happened here with this guy. He literally went to work for the day, and actually came out to the car again to get something, and still didn't get the kid, who of course died. Sad story. That's so cool that you sort of collect covers. You're right. Some are pretty neat to keep around. Hugs...R

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  9. Even as a young thing, hotties on the cover didn't do it for me. A quirky title is MUCH more likely to get my interest.
    The leaving children, furry family in a car thing? Aaaargh. It is selfishness. I have never, ever heard of anyone who ruined their groceries (much less important in my book) by leaving them in a hot car.

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    1. A really unusual title can grab me too, and will definitely make me look at the blurb to see what's going on. I agree. People don't leave food in the car, but a live person or pet, is unbelievable and quite cruel. Send some snowflakes this way, please. Hugs...

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  10. I do like a good cover but it's not usually a hottie cover (lol) that will get me. I mean maybe lol. But seriously I had no idea fabio was 58!

    And yeah the car/ temps thing is crazy. Why anyone would do that is beyond me. And the suffering that would go along with being trapped like that- can't even imagine.

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    1. From what I've seen Greg, there's a pretty good mix of sci-fi and other things that are unusual, which is neat. These days I like something that's creative. However, there's nothing wrong with a hottie on a cover either, right on occasion, right? (lol) I just really get upset when I see or hear about this. Our kids and pets really depend on us to keep them safe. Happy Friday!

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  11. Honestly? I find some of them a bit uncomfortable to look at - or to bring the book out in public with. LOL I don't mind some though; I mean a lot of them are pretty sexy. But no, they aren't going to make me pick up a book.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. There was a time as an adult that I felt a little embarrassed by the cover and what I was reading, particularly with the erotic romance, but I eventually got over that. Like you, the hot guy may not necessarily make me pick it up in a store. Hugs...

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  12. I used to love reading these romance novels when I was growing up. My Dad used to make fun of me but my Mom loved it. Fabio was the man in the 90s. I wonder what he looks like right now. Oh thanks for included a recent picture, he still looks good, just a little older and a lot less tan. Wow Big Rock looks racey.

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    1. You're right, he hasn't changed all that much and still has all that long hair. LOL - Big Rock. Happy Friday!

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  13. I remember these book covers from way-back. Since I wanted to read these books in high school, during Study Hall, I would make a book cover from the Sunday comics. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Why didn't I think of that as a kid, Angela? (lol) That's brilliant! Happy Friday!

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  14. Covers speak a thousand words to a reader. They are, or at least should be, the visual synopsis of a book. Where a quick look will clue you in as to what type of book you just picked up and what may be inside it. So, when I'm in the mood for some hot n heavy romance, then usually the books with the half naked men on them are a sure bet. ;)

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    1. You've got a point there Kristin. When you see that book, you definitely know what you're gonna get in most instances, but I've been fooled a few times that I can remember. (lol) The half naked men definitely tell a story, right? (lol) Happy Friday!

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  15. In my earlier years book covers featuring half naked men got my attention. Now it neither here or there as I come to realize the cover is not indicative of the story between the pages.

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    1. Me too! I was running to the bookstore to grab those naughty books! (lol) Now, I'm a little more relaxed. Hugs and Happy Friday!

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  16. At this point I don't think any of the children left in cars are accidents. There are evil people out there and apparently it's the best way to get away with killing someone. It's disgusting how they rarely get any kind of punishment.

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    1. I have to agree with you on that one Anna. I mean, you walked to the car with the baby, and actually placed him or her in a car seat. You live with and feed a baby every day. It just doesn't make any sense to me at all. How could a person sleep at night?

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  17. I'm honestly not attracted to those kinds of cover! I'm more likely to be interested in a girl's dress on the cover than a handsome guy, but more often, I love compelling typography more than anything!

    Rachel @ Paper Cuts

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    1. I fell in love with the sexy stuff years ago, but now, not so much. I want something a little unusual to grab my attention! Thanks for stopping by Rachel! Happy Wednesday to you! Hugs...

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  18. I'm not a fan of the "sexy" cover. There were a number of romances that I wanted to read pre-Kindle I just couldn't deal with the cover and passed it up! That's fascinating about Jason Baca. I would have thought all that cover work would earn more - not that $20,000 is anything to sneeze at!

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    1. Yes, years ago, that was my thing, particularly with erotic romance, but these days, I'm looking for covers that are more unique and creative. I was shocked to see that about Jason too. All those covers? However, Fabio realized there wasn't much money in covers and used his looks to go into other things like commercials and acting. That was smart of him.

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  19. I know in the video game world, a lot of female characters usually lose a lot of their clothing. Female fans complain but I hope they don't read these books

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    1. The only video game I've ever really played was Pac-Man, and everyone had their clothes on. (lol) I had no idea that that was the case in most of these modern video games. LOL - you're right, Adam. If they see some of these covers they may very well run for the hills. Hugs...

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    2. But Pacman wears no clothes, look at his 3D model self now. He's just strutting it proudly

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