IF ONLY I COULD TEACH MY CHARACTERS HOW TO TYPE by Cathie Linz

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I write a character book and I’ve often said that if I could only teach my characters how to type, I’d be in great shape.  I usually get an idea of who my characters are as the first step in thinking up a new story.   

For MAD, BAD AND BLONDE (out now!) I actually not only had the character but also had the title and the opening lines, which are: “It was the perfect day for a wedding.  Too bad the groom didn’t show up.”   I knew the hero wouldn’t be the jerk who left my heroine at the altar.  And I knew the heroine would be a children’s librarian. As a former librarian myself, I love writing about librarians.  I also love writing about Marines and former Marines.  Okay, the hero Caine Hunter had to be a Marine.  So here’s what I came up with:JILTED AT THE ALTAR!Librarian Faith West is going on her Italian honeymoon solo, but she’s not staying that way for long. Does her sexy rebound man have ulterior motives? When they both return to Chicago, Faith has her hands full keeping former Force Recon Marine Caine Hunter in his place…and out of her bed!     

     MAD, BADAND BLONDE has already received great reviews, including a highly coveted Starred review from “Booklist,” which describes it as “a rare treat.”  Library Journal’s Xpress online review describes it as “a perfect choice.”

Do you pick a book based on the characters?  Do you notice the cover first? What makes you buy a book?

For more info about me visit my Facebook pg at Facebook.com/cathielinz or my website cathielinz.com for contest info to win a free book or read excerpts from my books. I’m also on Twitter.

20 Responses to IF ONLY I COULD TEACH MY CHARACTERS HOW TO TYPE by Cathie Linz

  1. Christy H.

    I’m a “whole package” type of book buyer: if I’ve read the author before and liked the work I will ALWAYS buy again; the cover is the first thing that catches my eye; of course I have to read the blurb on the back cover or flap; and I’m an “eavesdropper” buyer ~ if I hear people talking about a book I want to read it too.

  2. catslady

    The cover gets me to pick the book up but I usually depend on the blurb in the back. I just have to care about the characters – otherwise the book will never work for me no matter what!!

  3. Carol L.

    Hi Cathie,
    I love the blurb and enjoyed the cover. I usually by a book based on Author, cover and blurb. You are on mt TRL now.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

  4. Cherie J

    Usually a cover will invite me to pick it up but what will seal the deal is reading the blurb and an excerpt and just gettin hooked into wanting to know the rest of the story.

  5. Valerie

    Oh, I have this book on my TBR pile and I am looking forward to getting to it.

    Valerie

  6. Lindy

    I do get a feel for books from the cover (seems like cover styles often match the story type), but it’s the blurb that sells me. Reviews, too. Occasionally I will pass up a book if I get the impression I won’t like the characters, and that usually comes from reviews.

    ~Lindy

  7. Maureen

    I usually look for authors that I have enjoyed reading in the past when I’m in a bookstore. Sometimes a great cover will catch my eye from an author I have never read and then I’ll read the blurb to see if it’s a story I might like.

  8. Crystal B.

    Hi Cathie. I choose a book by reading the blurb and the excerpt and if the book sounds good to me I will buy it. A interesting cover will get me to pick up a book to see what it is about.

  9. Cathie Linz

    Sherry, I do the same thing.

  10. Cathie Linz

    Debby,Thanks so much for the positive feeback on my bks! I really appreciate it! Cathie

  11. Cathie Linz

    Pam, my book BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY had a white cat on the cover and was just featured in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly!

  12. Sherry Haut

    I pick up books for different reasons. It may be the author , that I like the cover or the blurb on the back.

  13. Debby

    Hi Cathie, I love your books and this one looks great!!

  14. Pam Keener

    I always look to the blurb on the back of the book but that being said I guess a cover will kind of draw me in. If there is a cat or dog on the cover I am automatically looking though.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam Keener in PA

  15. Cathie Linz

    Diana, Berkley (my publisher) did a super job with the cover art – having the bride stomping on her bouquet was my brilliant editor’s idea! My editor just told me that my book is already number 16 on the Boders Romance bestseller list whoo hoo!

  16. Diana Smith

    I notice the cover and then read the excerpt to decide if I buy the book, This book sounds good and I like the cover and the title.

  17. Cathie Linz

    Billie Jo, Wow, an auto-buy – the highest reader recommendation! Yes I know I am using a lot of exclamation marks but I was offline with modem trouble for three days and barely made it here so I’m feeling a little fazorked (grin) Cathie

  18. Cathie Linz

    Kathleen, Thanks so much for adding my bk MAD, BAD AND BLONDE to your TBB list! I’m honored! Cathie

  19. Billie Jo

    Hi Cathie!!

    Welcome to RJ 🙂 I can’t wait to dive into your new book.

    I buy books based on the blurb only. I don’t ever look at covers (ducking). LOL.

    Since you are an auto-buy author for me, I buy it because of that. You write great books with awesome characters and plot.

    I hope all is well with you.

    Hugs
    Billie Jo

  20. Kathleen

    I had just read an excerpt of your book in another book I was reading and it has me hooked.. I buy my books based on the story.. It has to be something that is going to grab me from the get go.. Characters are part and parcel of that and covers don’t hurt to draw one in either.. But in the end it has to be the story line.. What better way to draw readers to you book than a jilted Bride. Every bride’s worst nightmare..
    I will be putting this on my tbr list for sure..

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