Wednesday, November 3, 2010

roxanna...


Please click on the cover to enlarge and see the detail...

76 comments:

  1. Laura, love the cover! That periwinkle blue is one of my favorites.

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  2. Love it! The color of the dress is just perfect!

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  3. Sally, Thanks so much for commenting! I love the blue silk - too, and periwinkle is just the right word:) I tried to enlarge it but it won't enlarge but the Revell book site shows much better detail, especially the locket. Oh well...it's finally up and I'm thrilled!

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  4. It's much better on here. I can see the locket and more details. Very beautiful.

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  5. Whoa! This "announcement" came out of nowhere!

    I. LOVE. IT.

    I love the blue dress. I can't wait to meet Roxanna!

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  6. Michelle, You readers got that blue dress you requested:) And Roxanna "looks" like just like she should with that black hair. How the art team gets it right every time is way beyond me...

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  7. Oh Laura! Laura, Laura, LAURA! You just MADE MY MORNING! (and I sorely needed it. :) How gorgeous is that?!?!?!?!?!

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  8. I have to agree this made my morning too! I LOVE the cover!! I am so excited, the dress is beautiful!! :)

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  9. Winter, Thanks for stopping by in both places:) Wish I could enlarge it but can't for some reason. It's much prettier LARGE. Praying for you today!

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  10. Mary,
    Love that you love it:) I was so hoping you would. Ann said she thinks I may be nominated for having the "best dressed heroines" only I can't take any credit for it. Bless the art team! Fortunately, Roxanna looks just right. Not all heroines are who you had in mind while writing. We were just talking about that in California. Bless you today!

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  11. Casey, I'm so glad it made your morning as it surely made mine:)! And I'm sorry to say I had one of those other kinds of mornings yesterday and hope yours improves like mine did. Praying for you, dear friend, and hoping today ends well for you!

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  12. Oh, that's beautiful! I agree with the others in that I love the color of the dress. They must have just put that picture up this morning or during the night because I've been checking the Revell site every day for a week or so to see the picture.:) I was reading the synopsis of the book on Revell's site and have a couple of questions. Is Roxanna's last name pronounced Row-un or Row-anne? Another county here in NC is Rowan County and it's pronounced Row-anne. Also, is the hero's name pronounced Cass-ee-us or Cash-us?

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  13. Cassie,
    Like I said on FB, love when you come over here, too! It is fun to post after all the waiting:) Rel over at Relzreviews has put up a whole bunch more that are just stunning. Eye candy and more!

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  14. You mentioned that the cover picture cannot be enlarged, but when I click on it it blows up as large as the Revell one does.

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  15. Thank you Laura and I am SURE if the story is even half as beautiful as that cover it will be your best yet!! :)

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  16. OH WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT! I didn't think I would like a dress as much as I liked Morrow's but Roxanna's is amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I will definitely be featuring this on my blog next week for Waiting on Wednesday! :-D

    XOXO~ Renee

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  17. Sylvia, You are AMAZING! Leave it to you to click and enlarge and teach me something else! I just added a tag, thanks to you, that tells readers to click... And it delights me that you've been looking just as I have:) Someone snuck it up on the web during the night, I guess. Thanks so much for your support and enthusiasm!

    And bless you for asking for pronunciation as I was actually wondering recently if readers would have trouble with that.

    It's Row-un and also Cash-us:) The variation of Row-anne is certainly interesting for that NC Co. I took Roxanna's name from the Rowan tree (not sure why) and Cassius is from a real historic h---ion (dare I use that archaic word ~ 1787, a mischevious or troublesome person) from Kentucky - Cassius Clay. I have to say, if John Thornton had a twin it would by my Colonel McLinn...

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  18. Oh Renee!! I was so hoping you'd like:) No, LOVE:) I'm glad we aren't asked to choose between Morrow's raspberry silk and Roxanna's periwinkle silk as it would be a battle!! Poor Lael in her simple homespun!!

    I would love for you to put it up on your site:) Bless you, bless you, bless you! I will come over that day and comment, for sure!

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  19. It's breathtaking, Laura! All the waiting to see the cover did not disappoint as we know the story within shall not either! The detail is exquisite with the beautiful locket. I just love her posture. A lady indeed.

    And the large print of your name did not escape my notice! They have great plans for you, my dear, as you can already see! (The Lord's plans!)

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  20. Oooooh, I love her! she's so lovely and refined. I cant wait to meet her! How long are we waiting for this one?

    Congratulations Laura! You must feel so proud and excited!

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  21. Now that I've enlarged it, I must say I love the detail on her bodice! It's SO pretty!

    I find myself intrigued that Colonel McLinn would be a twin to John Thornton.

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  22. Oh wow! It is different than the rest but it leaves more room for the imagination. I definitely like the cover!

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  23. Well... I love the dress, needless to say. I especially love her dangling that lovely locket--so enticing. Hmmmm. Can't wait!

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  24. Carla,
    You have an agent's discerning eye ~ Janet noticed that immediately too. But blonde that I am, the font completely escaped me! The Lord's plans, indeed. Thanks for that.

    So glad you like the art and find it intriguing. The locket is a lovely touch and central to the plot. This book is bigger than TFD and weighs in at 417 pages or so. Love those big fat books!! The Lord helped me so very much with revisions and fine-tuning everything. It's a bit different as I write from the colonel's POV as well as Roxanna's.

    Bless u today!!

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  25. Adrienne,
    YES, it does leave more room for the imagination! Love that! I like that this one is indoors. If you look closely you can see the tapestry sofa or chair she is sitting on and the fine woodwork in the background, etc. They left the window out originally and then added it which I love. And I was able to request a heart-shaped locket:) Thanks so much for sharing my excitement here.

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  26. Heather, I AM so excited as my revisions were accepted yesterday and so we're really on our way with this one, my most challenging book yet (well, each one is challenging in its own way...)

    This one is up for August 2011. But that usually means it will appear in July. I'm planning a Kentucky launch so if any of you want to join me for that (Kentuckians, anyway), I'd so love to have you! More about that later...

    So happy you like it!!

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  27. Michelle, My McLinn is Thornton's red-headed twin, anyway:) Remember back in August when I posted about The Ballantyne Legacy? And declared Richard Armtitage my template for my next hero, Silas Ballanynte? Well, that was BEFORE I saw North&South. I discovered that the only thing my Silas and Johnny have in common are their looks. But close your eyes, and you'll swear Colonel McLinn is directly related to John Thornton ~ in temperament, anyway! Poor Roxanna...

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  28. Oh Myrna! So glad you're here:) That makes my JOY complete! You mentioned everything I like, including the locket. Bless you for that.

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  29. So beautiful! Did you want to cry when you first saw it--happy tears : )

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  30. Of course, the one day my morning was too hectic to check the site for your new cover--I visit during break time and it's up! It's breathtaking, Laura! I'm so glad God delights in beauty and gave us eyes and hearts to appreciate it, also!

    As a lover of Christian historical fiction, I appreciate your work to bring us stories that not only feed our imaginations but also our hearts. Can't wait 'til it comes out (Amazon says August 1?) so I can read it and then encourage all my friends to grab a copy!

    Isn't it so good when the God who created us with certain gifts and talents, brings them to fruition? Blessings today and always, Laura!

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  31. LAURA!!!!!!!
    IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
    SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ROXANNA IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    OH, I am SO, SO happy for you, my friend :D I LOVE that gorgeous blue silk dress, and how the colors all work so well together (the darker background really enhances the dress and her ivory complexion- she looks like a porcelain doll!), and of course that lovely heart shaped locket (can't wait to find out the role it plays in the story!)!! It's all so eye-catching!! Even if I had never heard of you I would buy this book just because it's SO GORGEOUS :D And, I have to say that I LOVE how they did the different fonts!! The words "The Colonel's" look so strong and powerful, the way one would imagine a colonel to be ;) And the word "Lady" looks so feminine and elegant! It's a striking contrast and fits PERFECTLY together! I also love that she has dark hair like me ;)

    Laura, I love the growth in your book covers. They get better and better with each book! From what you've told us about TCL and Roxanna herself, I think this cover fits her so very well- it's so very mature and refined, truly a woman's book cover :)

    Goodness, I wish I didn't have to wait till August to "be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness" :( BUT, I know it will be worth the wait :)

    Thank you so very much for letting us see your new baby and for letting us share in your JOY :D

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  32. Col. McLynn is red-headed? Thank YOU! I think Mary Connealy is the only other author that I have read that has had a red-headed hero. I notice that you had several red-haired men in CML. I appreciated that. Red-haired men rarely get to be heroes in books. Every other novel I read has a red-haired heroine, but not the men; not even in supporting roles.

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  33. Oh. My. Goodness!!! That cover is gorgeous!!! Congratulations, and I so cannot wait to read it! :D

    I LOVE that dress--the color is so delicate and stunning! The cover is beautiful, but I'm sure the writing within is even more so. :)

    I'm just so happy to finally see the cover!!!

    ~Amber

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  34. YES! Oh, beautiful. I'm very pleased. I hope you are too. :)

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  35. That book cover is so exquisite it makes me giddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must be so thrilled! I guess if we're looking at it from a birthing analogy this would be the ultra sound pics you're sharing with us. LOL.

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  36. Love your words here, Renee Ann. It IS wonderful when God gifts us to do something and then provides a way to do it, making it beautiful along the way like you said. I'm thinking you must feel that way about your teaching - and all the inspiration your students provide!

    It means a lot that you would read and recc. my books. I do hope they bless those who read. That's certainly my intent. Feeding the imagination and heart is so well stated. Thanks so much for that!

    Yes, it should be out August 1st though it usually is out a couple of weeks earlier:) For some reason I love August releases and was actually sad when Morrow appeared in June. Not sure why but I just didn't feel ready for some reason!

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  37. Virginia, Bless you!! Yes, I always get a bit weepy/happy/giddy over my covers. And I think you understand that perfectly:) Being a sensitive southerner and all and loving history like we do, it's easy to do! I'm so glad you think it's lovely, too.

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  38. AWESOME!!! I was going to comment on the periwinkle blue....but wow! I'm not the only one who likes it. Love the necklace also!!

    Yay!!!

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  39. Ah, Amanda - magic words..."true and refined". And it really does reflect Roxanna so well:) Don't know how the art team does that! Supernatural gifting, I'm thinking. I always pray a lot about my covers. It seems like such a small thing and silly almost but it's a beautiful thing when it comes together well. And since God is a God of beauty, I think eye-catching and heart-catching covers reflect that, though Renee Ann said it much better than I!

    You listed ALL the little things I like about it - love seeing it fresh through your eyes:) SWEET, as my boys say!

    Hope you like the romance and forgiveness in the story. These first 3 books have such similar themes but are so different. I could go on and on about the characters you'll meet therein and you'll even find - can it be?! - a touch of humor when you meet Bella. Can't wait:)

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  40. Sylvia, I wonder why there are so few red-headed heroes? There must be some stereotype about them because when my colonel appeared in my mind and had very red hair, I worried that readers would find that icky for some reason. And personally, I find redheads very appealing:)

    I had fun thinking of all the variations of red in the novel to describe his hair - russet, ruby, scarlet, cidery, copper, scarlet, etc. He's quite the man, especially in uniform:)

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  41. Amber, So glad you're here:) And happy you like what you see!! You readers here really did get that blue dress you were hankering for - at least some of you! The art team did honor that and the color is delicate and stunning. Wish I had that dress...and that locket...and that small waist:)

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  42. Lori, Was hoping you'd stop by in your editing, leafing, fall break:) IF there is such a thing! Glad you like it. It's the same design team that did Liz Curtis Higg's newer Scottish covers. Though they're not similar I like the look. They know their 18th-century stuff!

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  43. Okay, Kav, now that I've stopped laughing:) YES, the ultimate ultrasound - the baby is in silk! And instead of a silver spoon in her mouth she has a locket:) I am absolutely giddy, too.

    In fact, I'm glad we only do this once a year as I don't think I could stand the excess of JOY otherwise! I just went about floating all day today ~ in the grocery, violin/fiddle lesson, errands, etc. And much of it was from all of your wonderful comments here. I can't thank you enough for caring enough to comment and share your thoughts. Such a blessing.

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  44. YAY! Dawn is here:) So glad you like the periwinkle - that is such a wonderful word:) And the locket is lovely and SHOULD be around her neck but there's a bit of mystery surrounding why she's holding it instead...

    You've made my day, Dawn. Am thinking of you and praying for you as you write!! And submit:)

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  45. Very pretty, though I wish we could see her face like the Morrow cover!

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  46. Rebecca! YAY! That's what I wanted at first look - to see all of her! I even enlarged her 200% and discovered she has freckles:) BTW, I saw your Amazon list and love the book you chose as a header. Bless you so much for that!!

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  47. Laura, I know this is way off topic, but since you write such wonderful books I am so curious to know what your love story is. Could you tell us or do you already have a blog post about this topic in the archives?

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  48. OH, LAURA!!! I love it!! I love the color of blue!! So beautiful!! And the locket!! "So much scope for the imagination" as our literary friend "Anne" would say.

    And I'm glad you have a redhead in your book. My daughter is a redhead, so I'm a bit biased :)

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  49. Laura, the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! I can't wait for the book to release!

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  50. Julia,
    I'm so glad you're here:) I missed you and thought you were probably busy homeschooling that redheaded daughter of yours (you lucky mother!). Randy has red threads in his dark hair as do my boys as his mom/their grandmother is a redhead. I keep holding out for a redheaded grandbaby someday:)

    Love the Ann "scope of imagination" and so happy you like the cover! It's nice to have an "indoor" cover this time. The room she is in is right out of the book! And she really looks like she should, black hair and all...

    Thanks for sharing my excitement. Cover days are some of the best days of all!

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  51. Sylvia,
    I'm going to dedicate my next post to you - what a great idea! I think you might find my personal romance unusual and nearly fictitious-sounding in places:) Wish I had a scanner and could post a wedding pic to go with... Will think of something. Thanks for this - will try to get it up next week! And bless you for your gracious comments about my books and the romance therein...

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  52. Ruth! There you are! I thought of you when I posted and was waiting for you to weigh in:) So glad you like...gorgeous is certainly a good word! Let's hope readers like the story just as much!

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  53. Yes, they say it skips generations...so maybe you will have a redheaded grandchild. Chris' mom is a redhead, too. And Chris' beard grows in red, although his hair is dark blonde/light brown.

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  54. Laura, if you don't have a scanner you could always do what I have done in an emergency. I get out the digital camera, steady it, and take a non-flash focused picture of the thing. Then I post it as a picture off of the camera.

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  55. I didn't think it could be possible to top Morrow's cover...but this is so beautiful. I love the color of her gown and I love her cheekbones. And the locket is intriguing. How excited are you?

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  56. Britt, I'm beyond thrilled! Mostly because you're here:) I'm really glad you like the cover. I keep waiting for someone to say "oh, not so much" but it really is very well done and I'm thankful.

    You mentioned her cheekbones which are definitely pronounced! She even has freckles if you look closely enough and enlarge:) Of course, since she's my baby, I've been over her with a fine tooth comb... The locket is intriguing like you said and very central to the plot. It's funny what gets worked into a novel, right down to such small things as jewelry.

    Hope you are doing well!! Prayers with you!

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  57. Sylvia,
    You've inspired me and I've been a busy bee since we talked this morning. I will keep your camera tip in mind:) I nearly did that but then took my wedding photo to a friend who has a scanner and viola! You should see it next week, Lord willing, provided I can bring you a post to go with it. Such a good idea ~ a little real life romance for a change:)

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  58. Julia,
    I'd guessed it was you who was the redhead, not Chris:) But I know you have dark hair! Randy's beard grows in red like Chris's. I didn't know it skipped a generation or so!

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  59. What a beautiful cover! I love that color dress. Courting Morrow Little just arrived in the mail and I can't wait to start reading it tonight! I just read The Frontiersman's Daughter a few weeks ago and have been following your blog ever since. :) I thought it was a brilliant story and your writing is so inspiring. I'm looking forward to reading more of your books.

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  60. Patty,
    So happy to meet you here! Welcome to my blog. I love knowing how you first read Lael's story and are about to meet Morrow:) That blesses me so much. I wish I could look over your shoulder while you read and be fresh to the story myself. I miss those characters so much. Some love Lael's story best but some prefer Morrow's. Some say they're too different to compare. I'm just thrilled that you're my reader!

    I have a Kentucky Patti in my life who I met through The Frontiersman's Daughter. So it's wonderful to meet another Patty. Thanks for reading my blog and my books! And please stop by again! Your comments here are a true blessing.

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  61. Oh, and you got your first headless (or half headless) heroine! Something about this cover reminds me of Siri's striking cover for The Constant Heart, even though the design is very different. The colors, I'm thinking.

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  62. Laura, Thanks for the welcome! I have to add that The Frontiersman's Daughter changed the way I've been praying for the lost in my family. I never really gave it much thought before, but when I read how Ian was praying for Lael, "whatever it takes", I realized that is not how I was praying. I had to ask myself why I wasn't praying that way, and realized I was afraid to trust God. So ever since I recognized this, I've let go of my fear, and have been praying differently and trusting God to do whatever it takes to bring my loved ones into His arms. So thank you for doing what you do, because it woud've taken me a lot longer to figure it out if not for your book.

    On a related note, the very next day after I finished the book, the first song on the radio as I'm driving to work is "whatever it takes". If that's not a sign, I don't know what is..

    Have you finished North and South? Elizabeth Gaskell is one of my favorite authors, so I hope you enjoy it.

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  63. Patty,
    I'm so thankful you shared this with me as I find it so moving and encouraging. I remember wondering, when writing TFD, if I should include Ian's thinking/admission of that and felt led to put it in. Now I know that it really did mean something - to you, in such a heartfelt way! And you described our struggle with praying that risky prayer so well - it does come down to a trust issue. We should be able to trust God over all else but so often He is our last resort. I struggle with this on an ongoing basis. But our lost loved ones are really safest in His hands as only He can deal with them best as He knows them so intimately. And we are blessed by releasing them to His care.

    I can't thank you enough for your comments. They make what I do so meaningful and worthwhile here below:)

    And yes, I am almost finished with Gaskell's novel and am going to watch the amazing film again! It is my favorite movie and the book is so beautifully written. Glad to know we are kindred book spirits, Patty!

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  64. Lori, Yes, Siri's is somewhat headless as are all of Dee's, at her request as she thinks it leaves more to the imagination, or something like that:) I'm so curious to see the spine and the back...

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  65. This is so gorgeous! Can't wait for it to come out!

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  66. Dear Roving, Soooo happy you like:) And want to read! BTW, you have some great books over on your inspiring blog! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting!

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  67. LOL, Laura, I'm guessing you're saying that because of Elizabeth's picture. Everyone says she is my twin, except for the hair :)

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  68. How exciting to see the cover of your next release. Her posture is certainly inviting and the slight profile adds a hint of mystery. I am so looking forward to reading it.

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  69. Julia,
    You really DO look alike:) Facial features are amazingly similar! Will be interesting to see if that lovely red hair darkens over time or stays true:) I'm not sure what real redheads do! But speaking of beautiful redheads, Kelly B is here and she is the template for my red-headed heroine in The Ballantyne Legacy...

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  70. Kelly,
    I was thinking about you and your girls this week, wondering how EWA is treating you:) Lots of lovely fall color over there, I'm thinking.
    So happy you like the cover. Love your comments. This book does have a mystery therein - a bit of Revolutionary War intrigue:)
    And if you missed the above comment, you are my template for Eden, my upcoming heroine in The Ballantyne Legacy. I hope you still have your long hair! I know it's still red:)

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  71. Glad to see Roxanna is a hit! I may just post her without the other covers if they aren't forthcoming soon ;-)

    Bless you!

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  72. Rel, Couldn't rest till you'd chimed in:) Though I know you'd gotten a peek from the powers that be! So glad you like it and plan to post. I'm hoping Sarah's and Ann's will be up soon. Would be fun to feature an 18thc, 19thc, and 20thc cover side by side:) But solo is fine, too. Bless you and hope your time away was refreshing and full of blessing!

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  73. Laura, I know I told you this in person, but I have to tell you here too how much I like this cover. Love the locket and the color and the detail and the dress. Hmmm. Can you tell I like it?

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  74. Sooo glad you like it, Lorna:) Thanks for telling me again. I can never hear it too often! Wish I could prolong the cover bliss forever! It really ranks right up there with Christmas or a beloved holiday to me. Cover days are some of the best days ever and I'm so glad we get to share them together, my dear friend:)

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  75. Holly, So good to see you here! Whenever your name pops up I find myself thinking, "Oh, hope Holly isn't too tired today"!). I remember those days... Actually, I'm having one of those days:) Bless you for sharing my excitement. Praying this book blesses you and others...

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