Wait. Maybe I should explain that. I'm a writer, and I know I only have a few paragraphs to reel my readers in and make them want to continue the story. With so many books to choose from, you really have to stand out. And really, every author wants his/her book to be one of the chosen. So how do capture the readers' attention?

Sometimes there is a build up:

Heart of the Dragon (my Jan, 09 rerelease)

~ "Do you feel it, boy? Do you feel the mist preparing?"
Darius en Kragin squeezed his eyes tightly closed, his tutor's words echoing in his mind. Did he feel it? Gods, yes. Even though he was only eight seasons, he felt it. Felt his skin prickle with cold, felt the sickening wave of acid in his throat as the mist enveloped him. He even felt his veins quicken with a deceptively sweet, swirling essence that was not his own. ~

Sometimes a single statement can lead to questions (questions the reader will hopefully want answered):

Jewel of Atlantis (my Feb, 09 rerelease) 

~ The gods never meant to create them. ~

With that one sentence, I hoped to make the reader wonder what exactly the gods had created.

And sometimes emotions are the way to go:

The Vampire's Bride (my new book, March, 09)

~ Layel, King of the Vampires, hated son of Atlantis, fought so fervently against his chains that the metal cut past skin and muscle, nearly slicing into bone. He did not care, continued to struggle. What use were his hands without his beloved to caress?~

I hoped to capture his total, consuming agony to help readers better understand this man who had been a villain in other stories.

As much as I am a writer, though, I am also a reader. I adore romance novels. Here are some of my favorite openings by other author:

~What was she doing? Or had just done? Miriam Cole sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes tight. It didn't change a thing. He was still there. ~ From "Primal Instincts" by Jill Monroe.

I had to know what Miriam had done and who "he" was.

~ "With me, nothing is as it seems. It's usually much, much worse. And then- What do you mean I only get one epigraph? I get as many as I please. Only pre-eviscerated people have ever said things like that to me."
--Sabine of the Sorceri, Queen of Illusions, anointed princess of Rothkalina

"That sorceress might be an evil bitch, but she's my evil bitch. And I'll have no other."
--Rydstrom Woede, fallen king of Rothkalina ~

From "Kiss of a Demon King" by Kresley Cole. Beginning with quotes from the characters themselves was brilliant. I had to meet these two - and see them as a couple.

~ "Yep, I had a seriously sucky birthday," I told my cat, Nala. ~ Short and sweet from Chosen by PC and Kristen Cast. I immediately identified with the character. Haven't we all had a terrible birthday?

So what are some of your favorite book openings?
What made them stand out for you?
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Posted in: sex, love, romance: b(u)y the..., michelle buonfiglio, contests, nora roberts, paranormals, gena showalter

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