Query Letters, Part 3—The Good

Nyree Belleville (writing as Bella Andre) not only sold me based on this letter, but I used this (almost verbatim) to sell her book to Pocket. Mine, All Mine (the title in the letter) was published last year as Take Me. Since then, Bella has gone on to sell two more books to Pocket, both publishing in 2007.

While Bella certainly had a lot to sell herself on—a hot (pun intended) market and great reviews, her letter still covers all the information I routinely ask for.

Ms. Jessica Faust
BookEnds, LLC
136 Long Hill Road
Gillette, NJ 07933

February 12, 2004

Dear Ms. Faust:

Thank you for responding to my e-mail query so quickly! Here are the first five chapters and synopsis for Mine, All Mine, a single title erotic romance that is a perfect fit for Kensington Brava. I believe your agency would be ideal for representing the project.

Mine, All Mine is the erotic story of desire, passion and unrequited love in San Francisco and the rolling hills of Tuscany. Lily Ellis has been deeply in lust with Travis Carson for well over a decade. But since Travis likes his women bold and sassy, not meek and size 14, she knows her feelings will never be anything more than bathtub fantasies with Travis’s name on her lips as she comes. But all it takes is one special night at a fashion show in San Francisco, one very special dress, and the wonders of Tuscany to change Travis’s feelings for Lily forever.

My first novel, Authors in Ecstasy (published by Ellora’s Cave under the pseudonym Bella Andre), received a 4.5-star revew in the March 2004 edition of Romantic Times magazine.

“Andre writes a wonderful story filled with lovable characters and steamy sex. Anyone looking for a funny and intelligently written read should definitely give this book a try!” (Romantic Times 4½ stars Authors in Ecstasy).

“Fall-off-the-chair funny in places, very sexy, and well written . . . a novel readers will not want to end.” (Romance Reviews Today, Authors in Ecstasy).

“Wonderful and so very hot that it will melt your screen.” (The Romance Studio, 4½ hearts, Authors in Ecstasy)

“This is my first story by Bella Andre and all I have to say is damn! This is a wonderful and funny story. Not to mention hot! I very much anticipate Bella Andre’s next story. 2 thumbs up!” (Just Erotic Reviews, 5 stars, “Candy Store” novella, Passionate Hearts anthology)

My publishing experience also includes several novellas with Ellora’s Cave and two nonfiction books on the music business. I am a member of RWA and graduate of Stanford University.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Nyree Belleville
street, city, state, phone, e-mail