Do You Love Book Samples—or Leave Them?

by Maureen Bonatch

How do you choose the next book you’re going to read?  

A captivating cover? 

An enticing blurb? 

A favorite author? 

The first line or paragraph?

Everyone has their preference and no one way is right, it’s just what works for you. For me it’s the last one. That beginning of the story has to draw me in. When I’m browsing through books I tend to open it up and see how it starts. If I’m interested, then I want to read more.

Have You Ever Been Offered a Sample?

It could be at the grocery store to try to lure you into trying something new, or a freebie in your email, or the beginning of the story.

If you’re offered a little sample do you say, “no thank you” thinking of the calories in that tasty treat, or fear that you’ll never scale your ever-growing stack of TBR books.? Or do you say, “yes please” because that little sample makes you want more and it’s hard to fill your reading appetite?

Who Loves a Sample of a Story?

That’s the idea behind providing a sample of another book by the author, or the beginning of the next book in the series at the end of a book. To draw you in and want to read more before you move onto to the next book in your TBR pile. (Plus- no calories, unlike those samples at the store that can add up.)

Before ebooks, these samples at the end of the book drove me crazy because if I wanted more, I’d have to go buy the book—and it wasn’t always that easy. The book store might not have it yet, or I’d have to wait days for delivery. This was before the days of ebooks can be so easily downloaded it’s easy to just jump right into the next book and keep going - immediate gratification at its finest.

So What’s a Book Sampler?

Another type of sample is one of several authors in a similar genre. Because maybe if you like one author in a genre, you might find others that satisfy your reading needs. My book, Evil Speaks Softly is going to be in an upcoming Fantasy Romance Sampler from my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. Nine other tasty samples of Fantasy Romance for you to enjoy a little casserole and see which ones tempt you to read more. (Plus it’s still calorie free enjoyment!)

Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know when it’s available. For now, I just wanted to whet your appetite with a little sample of what’s in store.

Do You Love or Leave Samples?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter