And about that link, I’d love it to go straight to the forum topic for the specific the book. Not to the overall LS Forum. I really enjoy LS, but must admit I find the forum a bit frustrating. Particularly b/c I have to leave the main page/s to see the Coming Soon titles and then scroll thru a list of title topics. I’ve always preferred Coming Soon pages that list the books with their cover pics (even a placeholder). It just seems easier and clearer as opposed to the forum where nothing catches my eye quickly (except maybe an author’s name).

On the other hand, the forum is a great tool for the authors to post multiple excerpts, share their thoughts, etc.

What can I say, we can’t have it all!

I’m with Vein…I like to read the scene that leaves me hanging. Typically not right in the middle of sex, because all those scenes start to blend together if I don’t know the hero and heroine yet.

So ‘hanging’ to me could be a bit of the set-up that will keep these two apart or a moment of high sexual tension. Either works for me.

So yes if I have the choice of only one excerpt then I want a teaser excerpt. I don’t want to slog through multiple first chapter excerpts to find the story I’m looking for. Let’s face it, after 4 or 5 of them I get really really (did I say really) bored until finally I’m frustrated enough to say screw it and grab something from my paperback shelf instead.

And ya know what kills me after reading all those first chapters, I probably still don’t know anything about the chemistry between the leads. Yep, I’m soooo with Karen on this one. I read romance for that chemistry. Don’t get me wrong, I want a great story too, but please help me get instanteous gratification easier. I’m much more likely to binge shop that way if you don’t slow me down.

That said, I’d love and want the option of reading the opening chapter(s) after I’ve read the teaser excerpt. That’s for when I’m still on the fence. Maybe, maybe not.

But don’t give me too many choices. I don’t want 5 excerpts and all these links to extras or cut scenes on the same page. If you want to have those additional options put them in a different tab.

Keep the sales and excerpt pages clean, quick and consistent. Make it as smooth and fast as you can so I can get in and out with my purchases. Oh, and make sure I can add a book to either my shopping cart or my wishlist from anywhere.

And puts it down because they think they’ve read it.

First chapters…not good. I try to use a section from a high tension moment that leaves the reader with questions and they need those answers!

Sex sells people!

Tina, I don’t think it’s about getting rid of the first chapter altogether, it’s just about getting more relevant and exciting excerpts, wherever they come from. I just don’t think that the first few pages always have that va-va-voom.

A 1st chapter excerpt is helpful b/c it gives you a better idea of the writer’s style. But many 1st chapters are about setting up the story and aren’t particularly dramatic or tension-filled to capture my attention. Doesn’t mean I won’t be interested and buy. But it does mean I might be more inclined to pass.