Here is more cover candy, at the risk of making you sick:) Some of you may be thinking I need some fresh ideas but I dearly love new covers and it's fun to keep up with the market. Plus these are both Revell covers. I endorsed one of them, but will leave you in suspense as to which...I'm thankful that there are so many different historicals coming out now. That wasn't always the case. Just a few years ago the CBA wasn't interested in historicals, or so I've heard. Hope that trend doesn't repeat itself!
Speaking of historicals, I have quite a dilemma on my hands - whether to read Liz Curtis Higg's Mine is the Night or begin Betsy Ross and the Making of America by Marla Miller. Grrrr. Don't you wish all decisions were so delicious? Personally, I'm not one who likes juggling books and reading more than one at a time. Call me a purist, but I'm a one book lover all the way.
How about you? Do you read more than one book at a time? Have you seen these covers? Can you tell I'm stuck on historicals;)?!
Happy reading...
Ooh! Both covers are stunning. I've heard it said in Romance Writers of America® circles that the CBA is known for having some of the best covers out there, and I heartily agree.
ReplyDeleteHistoricals are the staple of my literary diet, Laura. I love that there are so many I can indulge in. They're a calorie-free treat.
Oh Keli, Well said! As usual:) I find it so interesting (and am thankful) to hear that the RWA thinks CBA covers are admirable. Another plus for our novels is that they're plus-sized, so to speak. When my mom first saw my book her first comment was, "It's so BIG!" She reads mostly in the general market.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the calorie-free comment as I'm watching my weight (mostly I'm watching it rise), but hey... I can still indulge in a cover or two;)
There are so many beautiful covers nowadays--not that we're supposed to judge our books that way! I always have several books going at once. Sometimes, I put a movie in and read a book while I'm half listening to the movie. I guess that makes me feel like I'm multi-tasking!
ReplyDeleteRenee Ann, I wonder where the comment about not judging a book by its cover originated? Hmmm. I may have to look that up. I think books and movies make good company. Just last night I was watching Amazing Grace again and kept switching on and off to read and write. Maybe I'll just leave it on next time:) Like the mulit-tasking part!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful covers!
ReplyDeleteI do juggle several books at a time. I'll listen to an audiobook on my mp3 player while I'm sewing and doing housework, a book on my B&N Nook, and a regular book I carry all over the house. I'm not a big TV watcher so I listen to books while I'm doing anything where I can't hold an actual book. I'm not as talented as my sister who holds a book and reads while she's blow drying her hair.
I'm reading a book right now called "Loves Rescue" by Tammy Barley. Her writing style reminds me of yours. And the main character is from Kentucky!
Have a great week.
Barbara, I think you have some serious readers in your family:) I smiled when I read about the blow dryer. I might just have to try that as my hair, long as it is, takes forever to dry and I am often bored doing it. You mentioned audio books which I'd love to get into. There are so many wonderful ones available. I bet you're enjoying your Nook as much as I'm enjoying my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteI find it so interesting to hear that Tammy's writing reminds you of mine. You're not the first to say that so now I'm really interested:) And if there's a Kentucky connection, I'm hooked!
Love both of the covers! There are so many pretty covers now. It's always fun to look at them. I'm so glad there are so many historical to choose from.
ReplyDeleteI always juggle books. I can't even remember when I started to do it. I'm one of those people who has a book in the living room, a book in the bedroom, etc. I read and watch TV all the time too.
The one thing I've not mastered doing is reading while surfing the internet, lol.
ha! of course i read more than one book at a time! I wouldnt know what to do with myself if I didnt. I like to read different things according to what sort of mood I'm in. which leads to a frightfully high pile of books!
ReplyDeleteThese covers are both very pretty! Im guessing perhaps the one on the left is the one you reviewed?
Oh, and I think I read some of that Betsy Ross book. Not sure why I didnt finish it...I think I had other stuff going on and was getting bogged down in minute detail. its interesting stuff to be sure though!
Both those covers are beautiful! Can't wait till they come out. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I know how you feel - I can only read one book at a time as well. I am able to enjoy the book so much more then if I was in the middle of several! :-)
Hey Laura,
ReplyDeleteLike you I am a one book at a time gal :) For me to completely connect with the story I want to be in it and not thinking about some other book I've partially read.
Covers are interesting things! As you know I do a lot of cover previews on my blog and am often disappointed by the sameness of so many covers, especially in the CBA and dare I say, in historical romance. I'm not saying the covers aren't lovely but just too often so much the same - lovely girl in a beautiful dress, most often looking over her shoulder coyly! I'd love to hear what your readers things on that topic.
Personally, I'd rather not see her face at all (like TCL) and leave it to my imagination.
What do you think, Laura?
Oh, I'll never tire of great book covers...in fact, my first comp came last week and they did a great job...just a few tweaks needed.
ReplyDeleteI love both of those covers! They both do a really nice job of giving a taste of what's to come!
I'm a one book at a time purist as well. And sometimes I have trouble switching gears to another era or writing style, but nearly a day goes by that I'm not reading historical fiction.
I agree that CBA historicals have great covers. One of my recent favorites was Girl in the Gatehouse, and I've really loved Siri's front and back covers. The back covers were very unique, I thought. I hope that trend continues.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I'm reading about five different books right now, but only two are fiction. I usually have a few different ones going--one actual book, a Kindle book, one I need to review.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteYou've got me there Laura, I haven't seen those before! And I bet you endorsed Laurie's book. :) I wonder when they will be out... ?
I usually have 2-4 books going at one time, it's the only way I keep my stack managable. :) One on the exercise bike, 1 on my nightstand (sometimes 2) and at the momemt a biography on Joseph Smith is on my nightstand too with "Religion in America" waiting in the wings.
Phew! Big THICK tomes! LOL, it is a delicious quandry isn't it?? I have a couple of those on my TBR stack.
Oh, one more thing...I got an email from Revell yesterday with upcoming releases to review and YOURS WAS ON THE LIST!!!! :D I can't WAIT to get that invitation. :D
I love it when you share covers!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are beautiful: the lighting in Serena Miller's cover is radiant, and the content of Laurie Alice's cover is intriguing and fresh, plus the model has a terrific facial expression. Drooling over here. :-)
Michelle, Now THAT would be interesting - reading and surfing:) I know people who have books waiting in the bathroom which always tickles me as that's one room I want to leave ASAP. I think our reading habits are formed early and if we juggle several at one time that's almost a gift. Now that I'm in the publishing world, I have to juggle books, research and fiction mostly. Sometimes I have so many going I run out of bookmarks and actually forget a few for a time. Oh, those days of reading one book at a time...
ReplyDeleteHeather, If you're like me, I'd rather be writing than reading so reading often is bumped. I imagine your artwork is the same. And like you, I get on reading tangents like the Romanovs and all things Russian. Thank heavens for the library! That helps keep the old Amazon bill down:) You are pretty perceptive as I did endorse the book on the left. Somehow it has a Lael-look about it:)
ReplyDeleteKaty, Excellent point - you can really lose yourself in one book rather than feeling spread out in several. Plus, if you're like me, a really good book is hard to put down and you don't want to dilute the experience with anything, including eating! So glad you like the covers. I think we're about up to date on them for this year as many pubs don't release books over the winter months as they don't sell very well (or so I've heard). Bless you today!
ReplyDeleteRel, You always bring up such insightful things. I have to agree with you, I'm afraid. While lovely, each one is basically very like the other. Kaye Dacus has a good word for that - homogenous. We were talking about CBA houses in particular and novel content. But I think the same thing could be said for cover art.
ReplyDeleteRemember even a few years ago, the trend was to put the male on the cover, too? Personally, I don't like the male on the cover. However, I thought it might be different/nice/tantilizing to have the sleeve of my Colonel McLinn's uniform coat on my nearly headless heroine cover, though I like what they did. But I digress:)
Dear readers, what do you think? Do you feel CBA historicals tend to be too similar cover-wise? How could the marketing and art teams do things differently? What would YOU like to see? Which type covers do you like best?
Carla, Oh, that must have been a happy day getting that comp! Of all the hoops/milestones in publishing, cover comps are my favorite, right up there with holding that first copy in hand.
ReplyDeleteYou've said something that is at the heart of titling and cover art - they have to give readers a good sense of the book and what is to come. The essence of the story. Sometimes it's done well and sometimes it's not. I have an author friend whose second cover was so botched it really hampered sales. Her third cover was incredible! In a good way! I wanted to hang it on my wall!
Anyway, can't wait till you can do the cover reveal for your first book!
Sally, I'm trying to figure out my Kindle and why it makes for such a different reading experience. An agent I know said she is reading 3x the fiction she used to because of her e-reader, maybe because it's so handy to take everywhere? I put mine in my purse and love how it just opens to the page you were on at the press of a button.
ReplyDeleteI share your back cover art appeal for Siri's and Julie's books. I think the dress and setting instead of the facial emphasis is nice. One trend I'm noticing is that some pubs are moving away from endorsements and don't have them on covers so much, especially Bethany and some others. But that's a whole other, often controversial topic:)
Casey, I'm so glad you told me:) Honestly, blog tours are still a bit of a mystery to me and it's fun to know when readers and lists connect. Bless you for that!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering how you and Amber and others manage so many books at one time. Guess you're getting into good shape for future writing deadlines as you certainly have them with these blog tour reads and reviews:) You DO have some big fat books to digest! Mine, included!
Rosslyn, You've used 3 of my favorite words here - radiant, intriguing, and fresh:) Laurie Alice told me her cover was something she thought up and Revell agreed almost to the letter. The model does look delightfully intriguing and just invites you in, plus I just noticed the gentleman's glove...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thumbs up on cover art. I remember your post the day your cover came in and how excited we all were. Not too much longer now for you!
Unfortunately, I can't just read one book at a time. I have been stopping and starting the Betsy Ross book for months now. It's really, good but other books keep getting in the way!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you reminded me of Liz's newest book. I have been waiting anxiously for it to come out. I'm going to see if my library has it first, but I'm sure I will end up investing in her "Ruth" series (I say that because I'm terrible at remembering titles these days!)
AND I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-DD
ReplyDeleteMary, I have YOU to thank for the Betsy book. You mentioned it here several months ago and it sounded so good. I can't wait to read and know I'll learn a lot. She led such an interesting life and I'm especially interested in her Quaker roots and life in Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're a Liz fan:) I had to chuckle as I have the hardest time remembering the names of this particular series. The "Ruth books" sound just fine to me!
Just had to pop on here and let you know I just left Barnes and Noble with LIZ'S NEW BOOK. I wanted to have the paper book in my hand also and not the digital version this time.
ReplyDeleteBetter get off, time to start reading!! I write when I have come up for air! :-)
Stacie
Oh Stacie, Wonderful!! You and Michelle are one step ahead of me:) When I finish these page proofs I'll join you. Please let me know how it goes! I've heard it's a joyful book!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful covers and I'm going to vote for Mine is the Night. I'm reading it right now and I guess I will have to go back and read the prequel. For some reason I thought they were standalones. Liz has a beautiful cover to this book, I love the lavendar dress.
I'm in agreement with Rel here I must admit about the sameness of the CBA covers in historical and romance genres. I think in general ABA has less people on the covers and I think sometimes the abstract covers are beautiful. (Although I do love a pretty dress like your heroines wear).
LOVE new book covers. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI tired to post before but had a problem with my internet connection so I'm not sure if it went through. So sorry if this comes up again.
ReplyDeleteLaura, these covers are beautiful!! I just LOVE candy! ;)
I never used to read more than one book at a time but I've been doing it lately. Usually one fiction and one non-fiction. Its hard to read two fiction books at once because characters/plot get a little fuzzy/mixed-up sometimes. And, I've been stuck on historicals since I fell in love with reading! It's rare for me to go contemporary but I really like Deborah Vogts books, maybe because they have an old-fashioned feel to them :)
Thanks for sharing your candy :)
Blessings,
Amanda
Amanda, BLESS YOU for persisting! Grrr, hate those internet bumps. And nope, you haven't shown up twice yet but that's fine if you do:)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea to read one fiction and nonfiction title in tandem. In fact, I'm beginning Betsy Ross and Mine is the Night tonight for dessert:) I have so much on my plate right now I can only read one chapter in each each eve and can hardly wait to begin...
Deborah V. is such a nice person so I imagine her books are delightful, too. You really do rub off in your work/writing. It's a bit strange but writing is akin to your real voice in person.
Glad you like the cover candy. So glad it's calorie-free like Keli said:) Bless you bunches!
Julia, So glad you're reading Liz. I hope, if you haven't yet, you'll indulge in her other Scottish historicals, esp. Grace In Thine Eyes. Only Liz could take a mute heroine and make her sing:) The violin therein is lovely, too. I can hardly wait to get started as she's one of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteI think the more abstract covers are very appealing, too. Sometimes just scenery or nature does the trick. I'm absolutely in love with Chris Fabry's new cover, Almost Heaven. Sometimes I think a person detracts from the cover. But romance lovers probably disagree.
Happy reading!
Rel and Laura,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean when you say that historical romance book covers can get pretty similar. While I think each one is beautiful and stunning in their own way, they often are the same in style, as you pointed out.
I love it when they design a book with the girl in a different posture or scenery! :-D A few that come to mind are Making Waves(I've never seen that pose on a cover before!), The Colonel's Lady (Her head is in there just a tad, giving lots of room for imagination!), and The Preacher's Bride (The viewpoint is from behind her, and you can see only a part of her face. Neat!)
Just wanted to chime in for a bit! Rel and Laura, I love it when you post the covers of upcoming releases! Always fun to anticipate them! :-)
~ Katy
Katy, I love your examples - thanks so much for the insightful comments. Lorna is a dear friend of mine and I've always been in love with Marguerite. I told her it looks like she's being pinched on the backside:)
ReplyDeleteAm wondering if you've seen Dee Gist's upcoming one - talk about a cute pose:) I think it's titled Love on the Line and is one of the best covers I've seen as far as originality and just plain fun!
I'm going to do something a bit radical for my series and ask for something quite different. I'm still thinking about it now or I'd tell you all but need to give it a little more thought. Anyway, you've sure blessed me/us with your comments, Katy! You're a GEM:)
Hey Katy, thanks for that - I love posting them! I have some more coming soon.
ReplyDeleteLaura - I agree with you, I love Chris Fabry's cover for Almost Heaven. And Dee's latest is fun. Now, it is not an historical romance but I adore the cover of Michael Snyder's A Stand-Up Guy - that is a fun cover :)
Rel, I'm off to look at Michael Snyder's cover:) Thanks for the fun tip!
ReplyDeleteLove the the covers. Can only handle one book at a time as I totally become immersed in the characters and their lives and couldn't handle more than that. SO sad when the book ends. Love your newest book Courting Morrow Little can't wait for the next one!
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteSo understand the one book at a time scenario - I don't even like juggling characters and stories while writing them!
And thanks so very much for the thumbs up for Morrow's story. Now that's one book I was sad to finish writing:( I could have gone on and on... You've sure blessed me!
Anon,
ReplyDeleteSo understand the one book at a time scenario - I don't even like juggling characters and stories while writing them!
And thanks so very much for the thumbs up for Morrow's story. Now that's one book I was sad to finish writing:( I could have gone on and on... You've sure blessed me!
Casey, I now see your big :) squeezed in here. Bless you for your excitement!! And guess what? I thought of you yesterday when Barbour and MaryLu asked me to endorse Surrender the Dawn:) Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the covers!:) I think books that have good covers seem more interesting!! It gives it that special touch. The main reason why I usually pick up books and preview them is because of the cover.
ReplyDeleteI am drawn to 'The Measure of Katie Calloway'....maybe it would be along the line of 'Her Father's Daughter
ReplyDeleteby Gene Stratton- Porter.... I usually read only one book....and straight to the end if its as excellent a read as your books. I still want to re-read the last few chapters of 'The F. Daughter'...I loved it so. You made us ALL fall in love with Ian...I think. =) When I was younger...I collected Grace Livingston Hill books. I loved them, and still am fond of them, but I know the stories almost to well by now. Now it amazes me at all the Christian authors on the market now...and leaves me profoundly thankful. Right now, I am reading the Laura Childs tea shop mystery...the 'Strawberry Strangler'. I found it 2nd hand for 50 cents....and I do like her mysteries. I can put it down though....and not be anxious to get back to the story. Its a nice read though..I like the way the main characters stay the same...it helps me remember them...like family sort of. And your book covers are gorgeous...I love the gown on 'Morrow Little'...it looks so real and beautiful! Eye candy indeed...
Oooo, how fun and exciting is that?? Can't wait to read the book AND your endorsement. :) I trust we'll get a small taste here on your blog as the time draws closer?? :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Maggie Ann! So good to see you here. It's blue sky and sunshine out my way after all that rain.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy hearing what you're reading and can relate to becoming familiar with characters in a series and enjoying the familiarity. I'm working on my first series now and it's exciting to think I don't have to drop a cast of characters at the end of one book - always a gloomy prospect for me. I think I'm going to love continuing the characters through subsequent books, even if I have to age them or have them pass away. OUCH!
The Strawberry Strangler is certainly a catchy title:) And thanks for the thumbs up regarding Ian. He sure won my heart while writing as he became so real to me. I wish now I'd written from his point of view. I'm having to do that in The Colonel's Lady for the first time and it was quite intersting;)
I'm a former Grace fan, too. I was always drawn to the covers of her books. My neighbor has every one she ever wrote in her collection, I think! And there were so many.
Hope today is a blessed reading day for you!
Dear Anon,
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about covers. Sometimes I just buy them simply because the cover is too beautiful to pass up! Here's a cover tidbit that I find interesting - if the cover has a bonnet on it (the heroine is wearing one), the book sells twice the number of copies, be it Amish, Quaker, Shaker, Puritan or whatever. So says the director of marketing for my publisher. I'd love to be part of the design team for covers. Thanks for sharing the cover candy here:)
Casey, Good idea about the sneak preview:) You are one creative reader/writer!
ReplyDeleteLove those new covers, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI like to read one fiction book at a time, but I may have book markers in several non-fiction books.
You'll be happy to know that my book marker is currently in TFD!! :D
Have a blessed day~
Michelle T.
I have seen these covers and they are both so pretty! I'm with you, I'm lovin' all the historicals that they are putting out this year. I do admit to juggling more than one book at a time. I'll start a book and then I'll get something that I've REALLY been wanting to read in the mail and I can't wait so I just dive right in. :-) For instance if I'm reading a book this August and then I get a certain lady's book in the mail I will definitely be putting everything aside to read it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteXOXO~ Renee
p.s. BTW the Revell newsletter says that your book will be on tour in August! I'm SO excited!
Michelle, Oh, that means so much to me! I hope Lael's story blesses you in some way. You have to wait awhile to meet Ian but hope he's worth the wait:) I'm trying to get back to Mine is the Night. So many distractions right now! Like you, I have several bookmarks in nonfiction books, my fav being Betsy Ross at present. It's easier to put aside a nonfic than fiction. Anyway, bless you so much for letting me know just what you're reading:) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteRenee, The author is always the last to know - lol:) I'm so glad TCL is on the list and you're ready to read! I'm about 100 pages from finishing the pages of it and it's old fasioned historical fiction, that's for sure. Not so dialogue driven as my series is becoming. Guess I had to have my last shot at all that old time narrative I love!
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at what a voluminous reader you are. The blog tours would keep me on my toes. I wish I'd known about those prior to being published. I think it's a great way to get on board...
BTW, I've just arrived in Pittsburgh and it's a very hot June 1793 day. Am staying at the Black Bear Hotel (it did exist) and am rubbing shoulders with Hugh Henry Brackenridge and James O'Hara (some of the city's leading founders) at this dinner party. Needless to say, I'm having a fine time. I've fallen in love with Pittsburgh...:)