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Because Not-So-Subliminal Sex Sells

Jamie Sobrato's picture
Submitted by Jamie Sobrato on Thu, 2006-12-07 18:13.

Let me just say first: I’m all for sex in advertising. If I have to be bombarded by images and annoying ad copy from companies trying to get me to buy their crap, I at least want to be titillated in the process. Show me some skin, some sexual tension, and throw in a double entendre or two, and I’m at rest with being a media-saturated tool.

Which brings me to my thoughts on the name of our new blog, Love Is An Exploding Cigar. I was a late-comer to this enterprise, so I wasn’t involved in the blog-naming process, but I want to commend my pals who came up with it. Nothing short of brilliant.

Oh sure, they can claim all they want that it’s about the inherent danger and unpredictability of love, the symbolism of a fix that blows up in your face and leaves you maimed when you least expect it, but I know the truth. It’s totally phallic.

And what a fun phallic symbol it is. “Exploding cigar” indeed. They don’t call it the money shot for nothing. The name certainly gets my attention.

Could I get an exploding cigar on my next book cover, maybe? Do you think the Harlequin art department would accommodate me? At the very least, I want a crotch. Because, as the focus groups tell us time and again, crotches sell books. My particular favorite is Nancy Warren’s old Blaze, Live a Little (hmm, I would link to the cover but I can’t figure out how to do it with this software…you can look it up on Amazon). Straight-up crotch shot.

What’s your favorite over-the-top-sexual romance novel cover?

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Couples in Clinches

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Thu, 2006-12-07 20:32.

Okay, as you all know, I have little self-restraint. I was waiting for readers to come in and start the responses, but hell, this is too fun, so I can't help but jump in.

I'm not a crotch-cover person, though crotches can very nice, indeed. My favorite all time Blaze cover is also one of my favorite all time Blazes, and that is Janelle Denison's The Ultimate Seduction. No crotches, but these sexy B&W covers are so gorgeous, and I think my favorite covers show couples in clinches...so Friction and Untouched would be favorites among my own books.

However, I think we should all lobby for Jamie to get that Exploding Cigar cover... ;) Maybe when Birgit (the Executive Ed at Harlequin in Toronto) comes on here to blog in Jan?

Sam

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beggers can't be choosers

Submitted by Jamie Sobrato on Fri, 2006-12-08 02:21.

I will just be happy not to get another mirror cover. My two mirror covers, Sexy All Over, and Any Way You Want Me, are also my two least favorites.

I do love clinch covers too. And I love a good object cover. As far as blatant sex on my own covers, Pleasure for Pleasure is my favorite, I think, because they couple both look seriously hot and aroused.

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Hi Jamie! See, aren't I

Submitted by Cindy (not verified) on Fri, 2006-12-08 02:37.
Hi Jamie! See, aren't I good? I came by! I LOVED your Pleasure for Pleasure cover. Definitely my fav of yours by far. Please, no more Kevin Federline, though. Okay, that's the extent of my insight. Cindy
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KFed

Submitted by Jamie Sobrato on Fri, 2006-12-08 03:00.

Hi Cindy! Thanks for stopping by! If one more person claims KFed was on my July 06 cover, I'm going to barf. Okay, I know the resemblance is uncanny, but I personally get to distracted by the glowing horse and cowboy to notice the hero much. At least the heroine was hot...

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Sexy

Submitted by Mads on Fri, 2006-12-08 23:21.
I like covers to show a little beefcake but, I don't know about crotches. Give me a picture of a man with broad shoulders and a really good body and I'm gone. I loved Sams cover for Hide and Seek. The blindfold and Nathans smile just did me in, but I wouldn't have minded a little beefcake too. Good Luck on getting the exploding cigar cover.lol. It would definitely be something different. Mads
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"If one more person claims

Submitted by KimW on Sun, 2006-12-10 19:21.
"If one more person claims KFed was on my July 06 cover, I'm going to barf." hahaha! That's funny, Jamie.
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give me beefcake

Submitted by Sarah Mayberry on Fri, 2006-12-08 02:05.

I like naked men. So sue me. I know a fully naked man on the cover of a Blaze might just tip it into brown-paper-bag territory, so I'll settle for a really good back or chest shot. Mmmm-mm. After almost-naked men, I like clinches. I thought the cover of Sam's Hide and Seek was very sexy, with the silky blindfold thing going on. And I can't wait to show off the front cover of All Over You, my April release. It's so dirrrrty! I nearly fell off my couch when I saw it. I actually think the Harlequin art department do a great job.

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no naked men for me :-(

Submitted by Jamie Sobrato on Fri, 2006-12-08 02:19.

I feel so disenfranchised--I've never gotten a good naked guy cover. No chest, no back, nada. I REALLY want a good chest cover.

And you already got your April cover?! Must go request mine now...

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YES! YES! YES! y....yes.

Submitted by Kathleen on Fri, 2006-12-08 16:56.
(oops got a little excited there) Give me some beefcake! First I'm one of those readers who would be too shy to buy the beefcake cover or even to read it in public. Give me pretty flowers or whatever on the cover and I'm happy. To be honest the cover doesn't really do anything for me story wise. I love the fake cover idea, I remember a few Johanna Lindey's like that. But for the Blaze books I want some beefcake! Those are for private readings anyway. For me anyway. I enjoy sex and I enjoy reading about it and even have a small video collection, but for some reason it really bugs me for people to know I am reading about sex when I'm currently reading it. I'm quirky and shy and a tinsy bit a prude. LOL
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Hi Samantha, Karen, Sarah

Submitted by KimW on Sun, 2006-12-10 19:20.
Hi Samantha, Karen, Sarah and Jamie! Love the title of the blog. I think that will be one that is easy for me to remember. I like the steamy covers especially if there is a hot, goodlooking, well built guy on the front of it. Live a Little does have a good cover.
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ROFL!

Submitted by Dee Tenorio on Mon, 2006-12-11 19:13.
There have been some GREAT crotch shots, but I was totally deflected by the thought of KFed as a cover model, lol. I mean, he DOES need a job now... Hee hee! But back to covers, Vicki Lewis Thompson's "Truly, Madly, Deeply". Chest and crotch, if I remember correctly. Sigh... Damn that man was hot.
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Here's an example;take the

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2008-02-06 01:23.

Here's an example;take the world famous Virgin logo.If you turn it slighty to the left so that where the underline and tail of the g form an X,you'll also notice the V forms a slightly hidden S and the i,r and part of the g form a broken capital E,spelling the word SEX.
So you have Sex/Virgin in one word.Very clever Mr.Branson.

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