Many thanks to Amanda for providing this photo of Morrow from an east coast bookstore. The little placard on the shelf sure makes me smile ~ haven't seen anything like that before. Quite charming! I'm truly grateful to all of you for taking time to send pictures and letting me know you're bumping into Morrow from Kentucky to Oklahoma to California and other parts:) As an author, it's kind of fun to see who you're beside on the bookshelf. Usually Ann Gabhart and I are keeping company:)I wanted to give a shout-out to Heather for hosting Morrow on her blog. It would be a lonesome journey without blogging friends. Her site reflects her own love of history and is super-creative and inspirational. Please take a peek at her amazing artwork!
Today is our fourth and final giveaway and then I'll begin spotlighting and sending out new books by other authors starting in August. For now, today's winner is...Britt! Looks like I'll be sending another book to Tennessee:)
I couldn't wait to share my news about the title for book 3. Drum roll, please, which seems so fitting given it's about a Revolutionary War hero... I just heard that the official title for The Colonel's Lady is...THE COLONEL'S LADY! Since it's the essence of the book, I'm so glad the title was kept. Now for that cover. Improving on Morrow will be hard to do.
I'd love some help. Soon the art team will ask me about ideas for this upcoming book cover. When you hear the title, The Colonel's Lady, what comes to mind? What kinds of things do you like to see on a cover? Do you prefer covers with just the female ~ or the male, also? I'd love to know! No idea is too silly. It's fun to brainstorm. And your ideas just might come to life on the cover:)
Happy Friday.
Hmmm...cover ideas...let's see, first thing that comes to mind is the female lead, perhaps on the arm of the colonel? He doesn't have to be fully "seen" on the cover, though.
ReplyDeleteI like Ruth's idea too. Maybe if the female is in the forefront but evidence of the military is somehow sketched in behind her in the distance? When you think about it, Christian books (in the romance genre anyway) tend to always have the female on the cover but rarely the male. I wonder if that's because we readers like to conjure the hero up in our minds as we fall in love with him and so they don't want an artist to mess with that image?
ReplyDeleteRuth, Love that! Maybe just the colonel's sleeve (after all, those Continental uniforms are quite dashing, even down to the slightest detail). I rather like the idea of the man being partially seen, maybe extending his arm and having her hand on his sleeve as that's quite gallant...
ReplyDeleteI love Amanda's picture of Morrow on the shelf. I can also report, she will soon have a home at the five branches of the Lexington Public Library. She showed up in the system as "on order" this week.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the title is staying the same for The Colonel's Lady! As for cover, perhaps a blue dress. And the colonel should definitely be on the cover too!
Ooo I love Ruth's idea! Since it's about a Colonel's lady maybe a fort in the background or something? I'm not very creative. LOL
ReplyDeleteXOXO~ Renee
I love the pictures with the man in the background,like the cover on The Frontiersmans Daughter.Also the woman to look rather mysterious like The Lady In The Mist cover. That may not fit your storyline,however...Have fun! Those first 2 covers will be hard to beat so you may have to settle for just as good!
ReplyDeleteI do think that it might be a nice change to show the male lead on the cover of one of your books (SO EXCITED!!). A red or blue dress perhaps? I am not sure why, but that is what I see. And possibly (unless this doesn't pertain to your character) a homespun cap on her head with a more hard working appearance.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, all I do know is that it will be great and I CAN'T WAIT!! When does it release. Probably not until next year. :(
Something to even expound on with Ruth's suggestion would be to have the heroine looking at the camera while you see her arm tucked in the arm of the colonel... his uniformed arm... and maybe only his arm. Oh wait, just read your comment and you already have that idea. Or you could always have the colonel in the background. I guess it depends on the message. Is she very close to him throughout the book? Is it mainly the heroine's perspective? I do like props that go with the book.
ReplyDeleteLaura, before I read your comment and ideas, along with Ruth's, I was thinking, show the famale lead on the arm of the Colonel, showing just enough of the glittering braid and buttons on his uniform to show that they are at some kind of special event, and dressed to the nines. Did ladies wear gloves for formal occasions, then?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this one!!
Laura, I loved "running into" a character from TFD in CML. Will that be happening in The Colonel's Lady?
ReplyDeleteI won? I won? Oh goodness and hooray! I have just ordered a copy, but I think I'll give it to my Mother-in-Law. She was asking about your new book the other day. Of course, I gushed about you and told her she had to read TFD as well. She's going to borrow it too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Thanks so very much!
I'm also thrilled to see that you get to keep your title. I kind of like seeing the man and woman on the front. Or even a little mystery about their features, like Deeanne Gist's covers.
Now, I do like Morrow's cover a lot. She's so lovely, and the backdrop is breathtaking.
Thank you again. Thank you so much.
~Britt
Along with Sally I too am wondering what is going to happen in this book. Will it still have that element of surprise that you are known for,Laura? The title does kind of give it away(though knowing you and your gift of twists and turns;it probably gives nothing away).haha I opt for the blue dress as well and like I said before an air of mystery about her.If it fits in the storyline,beautiful,but not dressed so elegant. Love cloaks or capes or whatever they called them in those days. Lends a different air to the character.
ReplyDeleteAnd now that we have all got you totally confused....lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, not confused at all! Or not at all bumfuzzled, as Lael would say:) This is just what I was looking for! I am taking notes quite happily here. Let's see...
ReplyDeleteWe seem to agree that the colonel should appear in some form - at least some appendage! Since those buff and blue uniforms were so gallant, I agree:)
The dress color should be blue some of you said ~ that would be a nice change from Morrow's bright raspberry silk. It should be a little less dressy, perhaps, given Roxanna's character. The idea to add a cape or cloak is so nice - and gloves! Oh my! Can you tell I'm costume crazy?!
Love the idea of a fort in the background as this is where all the action is this time.
Back to work on editing that dashing Colonel McLinn. Will answer each comment later today when I get him a bit more polished! Bless you all for your great ideas!! This is just what I was hoping for:)
Yes, Britt! You're the winner:) And I have your addy so will mail that out today! Congrats on winning and thanks so much for buying a copy and gifting your MIL ~ I appreciate it so very much.
ReplyDeleteAw, you're the sweetest! I'm sure the winner of the latest Morrow will love her!~
ReplyDeleteHmmm....covers....those are so fun! I've been loving the covers you've been showing us so I know yours will be lovely, without a doubt. Its hard for me to state what it should be though without knowing the story but, just from the images conjured up by the title I envision, for some reason, a proud young woman in a dark blue velvet riding jacket with some type of impressive hat--- perhaps even a tricorn? ot with a plume of feather. I dont see a man in the forefront, but possibly in the distance a unit of militia or soldiers practicing drills in the lush Kentucky landscape, a newly designed American flag unfurling within their ranks.
When i think of your books I think of "girl in landscape." i suppose because Kentucky is a character in the novels itself, and can never go wrong with being beautiful! Perhaps Kentucky mountains in the autumn in the background? I could go on all day ;)
Happy Friday Laura!!
ReplyDeleteHow cute!! I just got back and WOW, what a surprise!! This post put the biggest smile on my face, for many reasons of course, but one in particular is the picture :D Oh, I'm so flattered you used the pic I sent you! It was God that I even had my camera with me that day (something I don't usually do). And, Ann's book "The Seeker" is to the right, actually, just outside the frame. In fact, her book is set up just like yours with a little placard, too! I should have gotten a shot with her book in it, too- I was just so excited about seeing Morrow, I sort of had tunnel vision. Maybe next time?
And PRAISE GOD!! I am SO blessed for you (and for us!) that they kept your title "The Colonel's Lady"!! How WONDERFUL! God is GOOD :)
Oh, I really like the blue dress idea, too! Morrow had that beautiful raspberry silk and we wouldn't want any confusion with a red dress. I think a royal blue would be perfect (or maybe a deep plum?), but I guess the shade would depend on Roxie's color hair and eyes :) I think putting a man on the cover is a little risky as a girl usually draws the eye more and it's hard to find 2 models that perfectly match the characters in a book. Take Morrow for example: she just commands the cover that it would have been an injustice to add anyone else (though Red Shirt in the flesh would have been VERY nice *sigh*). But since you are writing the POV of both heroine and hero this time, and it is called The "Colonel's" Lady, maybe McLinn deserves a rightful place on the cover, too :) I will be keeping it in prayer right along with you. The Lord already answered our prayers for the title, I'm confident the rest, from the cover pic to your deadline revisions, will be answered in like manner and have His thumbprint all over it :)
Thanks again for using that pic Laura :D Praying you have a BEAUTIFUL weekend my friend!!
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
Is the setting still Kentucky? Bluegrass Region?
ReplyDeleteBlogger told me this was too long (after I tried to post it 4 times) so I'm gonna post it in 2 parts instead. Take that blogger! Goodness, they're enough to make a Christian lose their testimony ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday Laura!!
How cute! I just got back and WOW, what a surprise!! This post put the biggest smile on my face, for many reasons of course, but one in particular is the picture :D Oh, I'm SO flattered you used the pic I sent you! And, Ann's book "The Seeker" is to the right, actually, just outside the frame. In fact, her book is set up just like yours with a little placard, too! I should have gotten a shot with her book in it, too- I was just so excited about seeing Morrow, I sort of had tunnel vision. Maybe next time? ;)
And PRAISE GOD!! I am SO blesed for you (and for us!) that they kept your title "The Colonel's Lady"!! How WONDERFUL! God is GOOD :)
...
So glad The Colonel's Lady is still the Colonel's Lady! I've just skimmed the other comments but I see I agree with a few others---I see the heroine in a BLUE dress on the arm of the hero. She is looking directly at us, but we can't see all of him. There is something military related in the background.
ReplyDeleteI know this is kind of vague but I hope our ideas are helpful to you!
I guess my original comment did go through :) Sorry for the extra post everybody.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I was reading through the comments (sometimes I post without reading all of them first, stupid me) and I think you made a VERY good point, those Continental uniforms WERE quite dashing!! The more I thought about it the more I thought it was a GENIUS idea :D McLinn on the cover in full uniform would look WONDERFUL! Besides, a man in uniform has my vote no matter what ;) Even if it's just part of him, like Ruth said. So, I guess I'm changing part of what I said before, LOL! A handsome Colonel isn't so "risky" after all... or is he ;)
Either way, I pray the cover of TCL is ALL you dream it will be and MORE!! :)
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
Still trying to figure out why my comment was posted twice. A sign maybe?...just kidding! Alot of creative ideas,but we all seem to agree on one thing !
ReplyDeletehi laura...just a note to say that i love the cover of all of your books :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Kav, That's a valid point. Revell used to include the heroes on the covers but now they're getting away from that and I wonder if it's because of your reason. Each one of us has a different idea of an appealing hero, that's for sure:) And often it does NOT match the image in mind. At least for this hopelessly romantic historical author/reader!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Oh, such good news! I have such a fondness for libraries, especially Kentucky libraries, as that is home for my books. A dream come true for me:) Bless you for checking and telling me! Makes my day! Kav's keeping an eye on her local bookstore and I'm also so encouraged by that:) Glad you like the title ~ yes to the blue dress and something of Colonel McLinn!
ReplyDeleteRenee,
ReplyDeleteLove the fort idea ~ that is perfect and fits the book so well:) You are far more creative than you think! I must admit to being very unsavvy about these things myself. I think it would be cool to choose from several different cover options for the same book. That does happen sometime. I got to take part in that for a nonfiction book last year and it was fun:) Thanks much for the ideas!
Diana,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you love the covers of both books! I love your thumbs up for the blue dress and a cloak or cape. Roxanna does have a scarlet cape typical of the time but I really love that blue cape from Lady in the Mist.
Oh, so many fine ideas ~ bless you all!
Casey,
ReplyDeleteOh, love your excitement! I think you'll really like Roxanna. You said something important that I told the art team already ~ that Roxanna is not as fancy as Morrow. Since Morrow is a seamstress her dress reflects that. But Roxanna is older and more down to earth...
This one will likely release June/July. Isn't it hard to wait so long between books?! Grrrr. I'd like to churn out 1 a month, at least:)
Adrienne,
ReplyDeleteYou asked such an important question - whose point of view is the story told from. Well, this is my very first book told from both the hero and heroine's perspective. Usually I just stay with the female lead but have found readers prefer to get into the hero's head. I did enjoy wearing that Continental uniform and thinking all those testosterone-charged thoughts:) However, using 2 POV's really cuts out many of the surprise elements in a novel which is a challenge. And I love unexpected twists and turns. The Colonel's Lady is very, very different than my first 2 because of the POV expansion. Will see if you like it ~ sure hope it works for readers (and editors)!
Regina,
ReplyDeleteYou and I have a definite appreciation for a man in uniform:) I made much of Colonel McLinn's gilt and braid and buttons in the book as I find all that so appealing. What I would give to eyeball George's uniform in the Smithsonian. Viewing it online just doesn't quite do it.
Yes, ladies wore gloves! For all kinds of occasions and reasons. I will try to post a pic soon of some pretty ones:)
Oh Sally, I wish I'd had your input when I was writing TCL! I do make mention very briefly of one character from Courting Morrow Little. But now I see that I could have leapfrogged a character very easily from book 1 or 2 into book 3in a bigger way. I can tell you are a writer/editor! Hmmm. May have to put my head together with yours in future:)
ReplyDeleteHeather, You need to be a part of the art team:) Love the hat idea also ~ and the flag of that period with the 13 stars:) I'd been wishing for a flag as it does exist in this particular fort. Wish we could work everything in! Oh my...wishing I could have 10 covers instead of one...
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteSo thankful you had your camera that day! Bless you for that! Glad to hear Ann was on that shelf with me:) She usually is! I usually forget to take my camera too and always wish I had it.
I sure hope His fingerprints are all over this particular book ~ what a delightful thought! That will keep me going as I edit and polish this final time. I'm always a bit sad saying goodbye to characters and these have grown on me so much.
Thanks so much for your insights and suggestions. I'm taking notes:)
Wonderful!!! I love the title and am so glad you got to keep it.
ReplyDeleteI like Ruth's idea, too. Maybe not see the colonel, just his sleeve with his military coat/buttons. (I just read that you said that, too! Hadn't read all the comments yet. And now I see Adge said this very thing.)
Do you see a theme developing here? You'll have to tell the art department that your readers are all over this idea!
I love what Heather said about Kentucke(y) being a character in your novels. So true!
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteLove questions about the book itself. This one is still set in Kentucky but takes place in Louisville before there was Louisville:) Just a fort on the Ohio near the falls there. When I was last home and visited Locust Grove, I fell in love with the river and George Rogers Clark and the history there so just had to put all of it in a book. Had to give that rascal Clark a happier ending than he had before alcoholism and bitterness and singleness took their toll. He's one of my favorite historical figures ever but such a complicated man. If you ever want to read a great book about him, try James Thom's Long Knife.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteYou just said in a few words all that I hope the cover captures. I really am giving all these suggestions to the art team when the time comes. It's great to have feedback like this as readers have a very unique perspective on what works and doesn't. Sometimes I am quite blind about it all. So thanks to you and everyone for helping here!
Amanda and Diana,
ReplyDeleteBlogger is doing magic this week with disappearing and multiplying comments:) It's just like Amanda said ~ makes you almost lose your testimony! Still chuckling about that! I apologize for blogger because blogger appears unremorseful in the extreme!
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThat's such a lovely thing to say. Thanks so much! I know the art team would love to hear that, too. My very favorite part of publishing is the book cover itself. I feel like a kid at Christmas when that email pops up with that attachment for the first time. I always hold my breath and click ~ and cry:) For JOY!
I'm so glad they kept the title. I hadn't thought of a better one in all this time. You've got some great suggestions for the cover. I'm seeing Roxie with her hand tucked into Cass's elbow, perhaps looking up at him so we see her face in profile, but all we see of him is half his back, shoulder, and maybe his chin, part of a hat, and tailed red hair. Enough of these half-headed females. Time to have half a man's face on the cover!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure whatever they do will be gorgeous. Revell does great covers... though I'm not always partial to having characters depicted on them. A cover that evokes setting or the book's tone is more to my taste, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of those these days.
Lori, Yes, tailed red hair! I've been wondering how many female readers dislike red hair and if my editor will ask me to change? Care to take a poll here on that one, dear readers? Let's see, today I've used scarlet, titian, russet, copper, and bronze instead of red. But I must confess I love redheads:)
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Kindred I never think of a standard cover (nor do you, it seems)! I always think of scenery and a vague image of a woman. Don't know why. Same for Willa. So excited for you, Lori. You're coming closer all the time!
Carla,
ReplyDeleteI thought of you so much today. Praying as you work on that chapter by chapter. Glad you like the title:) Hope you like the book! It is softer and as much character-driven as plot-driven this time. Now that the title has been decided, the cover art can begn in earnest. I usually don't see the cover till October and can't post till November. But it's always a thrill when I do and this time it's much more fun since my readers have had their say. Bless you and can't wait to hear how things are going!
So true about blogger multiplying and deleting. I said the one thing we all seem to have in common was the color blue for the dress.The blogger deleted the word "blue". Since the book is titled The Colonel's Lady I would think that the lead pic would HAVE to be her. I can't say anything derogatory about red-headed men since all my brothers were red-headed. However,when I'm reading the book and picturing the colonel am I going to picture one of my brothers.Oh no,quick! Change his hair color! LOL
ReplyDeleteLaura, with the popularity of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, featuring red-headed 6'4" Scot Jamie Fraser... there should be no prejudice against red hair, I wouldn't think. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Lori, Thanks for the reminder! I'd forgotten that Jamie was a redhead:) Or that he was so tall. Oh to write like Gabaldon...
ReplyDeleteDiana, Oh no, you have redheads in your family line! And you're so blonde ~ maybe with red highlights? My husband has black hair with red threaded in ~ it's quite a sight as his mother was a redhead. My boys have red highlights, too. I've always dreamed of a redheaded grandbaby ~ a little girl. Maybe I'll get her yet:)
ReplyDeleteI used to have reddish hair until the white started showing up. Now I have to get lowlights put in to keep from looking so pale. I don't have a problem with redheaded men,but was just wondering when I am envisioning the colonel when I read,I'll see those little rascals who used to pull my hair and tattle on me when we were little. Not very romantic...lol
ReplyDeleteAnother year??? I'll wear out my other two by then! That is definately the problem when you don't have any back lists to catch up on while waiting for another release. But it will be the worth the wait I am sure.
ReplyDeleteIs this one set in Kentucky too? I certainly hope so!
Diana, Your comments of little redheaded rascals makes me smile:) Don't want to give anything away but I have some of those little redheaded rascals in the epilogue of TCL:) They're just so doggone cute! I think there's a Scripture about white hair being a sign of Godliness. That seems to fit you so well, Diana.
ReplyDeleteCasey,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're chomping at the bit for more books! At least there are some good ones to fill in along the way. Stay tuned as I'm going to be giving some new reads out in August though as well read as you are, you may have read them already! Anyway, thannks so much for your words of support and encouragement. They go a long way for a writer like me:)
Ooooh, Louisville! I haven't been there in several years. I would have the Ohio River in the background on the cover, maybe even the falls themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs for Colonel McLinn having red hair. It makes perfect sense as he's based on GRC. Seems like that was a family of redheads (I know William Clark was at least). I don't see how him having red hair should be a problem.
Yes, Michelle,
ReplyDeleteLove those redheaded Clarks ~ even the sister of William and George R were fiery headed:) That would have been a sight to behold. I'm sure it only added to the Clark aura. I was never fond of Louisville myself as it always seemed a rival to Lexington for some reason. Kind of the step-sister out there on the river. I do hope they include a river this time, too. The river on CML's cover is the Ohio. The Red River is just a trickle in comparison:)
Hope you're having a restful Saturday ~ with a good book!
Aw thank you,Laura. You are so sweet. Guess I'll wear this white mane proudly,then. Hope you have a blessed Sabbath!
ReplyDeleteTo see lots of pics of Red Shirt, click on this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.american-tribes.com/Lakota/BIO/RedShirt.htm
LOL, Laura! I'm sure I'll love The Colonel's Lady regardless. Wish it were coming out sooner rather than later. :(
ReplyDeleteBless you, Sally:) I sure wish these authors could churn out a book a month! Glad you want to read TCL once it arrives. I'm working away, polishing for my August 1 deadline. So blessed you are a reader and friend!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, Chris! I have all of these separate but none together like this. It's especially poignant as these show him from youth through old age. Thanks so much for this!
ReplyDeleteTotally off topic but I just had to give a shout out. Went to my Christian bookstore yesterday and bought BOOKS!!!!! (duh, what else?) BUT I checked on 'Courting Morrow Little' and discovered only two left on the bestseller shelf and 3 in the regular section which means they've sold nine in a week!!!! And that's their second shipment depleting. :-)
ReplyDeleteKav, Thanks so much for this!! That's one of the strange things about the publishing process ~ I don't have any idea how she's selling. The reader often knows more than the author by keeping track like you've done:) I gave up trying to figure out Amazon rankings last year, etc. This is such welcome news! I credit the art team for such an appealing cover. I LOVE thinking I have Canadian readers!! I really needed the encouragement today. It's been a long week. You are such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I saw some carpet roses today and thought of you and your garden:)
LOL, Kav! I said it's been a long week and it's only Tuesday!! Mercy, as my Roxanna would say:) Can ya tell I meant it?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea who the colonel's lady is or how you have written her physically or personality wise so you may have to totally disregard this flash from my imagination. When I read the title of your third book I pictured the female with long red hair, curls only halfway tamed, a demure facial expression but a fiesty look in the eyes. She was on the arm of her darker haired colonel, his eyes were fully engaged on her, only his profile is showing, but she is facing fully forward toward the reader. Her eyes are green, her skin pale with subtle color highlighting angular cheekbones. Her dress and cape are a warmed bronze. The setting is dark due to the evening approaching and only the outline of a military outpost is visible.
ReplyDeleteAs for a red headed male lead....it would have to be pretty dark auburn, pale skin and freckles on him don't quite cut it in my picture:)
I love reading about your activities. Keep running the race Laura...you're doing great!
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to hear from you!! You are a writer at heart! I read you description and held my breath! It's just beautiful! I think you've just given me my next heroine ~ no kidding:) And she's going to have hair just like yours! I had been puzzling over what she looks like as I only have her name. Love the image of the bronze dress and cape. Ever thought of writing a book?
Thanks so much for encouraging me ~ it comes at such a needed time. Life really is a race. I hope you've finished tackling that big hurdle of yours studywise and are enjoying summer in the valley over there. Sure miss you here! Hugs to the girls and hi to J! Please stop back by!
I think the cover should be of the female and the colonel walking in a pasture with horses in the back ground. The female should be in a midnight blue dress and the colonel should be in his uniform.
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteYou're as creative as your sweet momma! I love the pasture image and also the midnight blue dress. Readers here have said they like the color blue best for her costume and I agree! Will tell the art department, for sure, as they really want to know what readers think makes a cover tick:) Bless you, bless you, bless you!
Please tell your mom that she got the personality of The Colonel's Lady right in her lovely description! Only Roxanna has black hair:)