But first...
"Why just Kindle covers? Do you have something against my Kobo reader? Are you anti-Nook?!"
Honestly, there is no conspiracy! I'm not being paid/coerced/bribed by Amazon in any way. The boring answer is that it's just because I own a Kindle and Amazon is the site I tend to go to for books. That's it. They generally have good coverage of all the latest books, though I know Smashwords and other sites catering to other e-readers have plenty too. Hey, it's easy and I'm lazy, okay? Don't judge.AND...My Usual Disclaimer: The following reviews are of the cover art ONLY. I have nary a clue if they're good, bad or ugly inside. But outside? Darn, but they're pretty.
Okay, now on to...
TREND SPOTLIGHT...THE WOLF PACK
I know this trend has been around longer than Twilight and True Blood, but we STILL seem to have a ton of were-related fiction pumping into our e-readers! The selection below is from one week of publishing alone, and only includes those that are listed under Romance!I loved Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, but I think I still need to find a writer that really grabs me with their take on the whole shifter/were/wolf-person thing. Suggestions are most welcome!
ITSY BITSY FAUX PAS...
It started with a severe case of deja-vu, but once I did a double-take, I couldn't ignore what I was seeing. You know how big a deal it is when two gals show up at a red-carpet event in the same dress (think Hilary Swank and Sally Fields at the Oscars this year? Ouch.)? Yeah, it's got to feel a bit like that when your book goes out the same week as someone who has used an IDENTICAL cover image. *facepalm* Glad it's not me, just sayin'.
AND THE RUNNERS UP ARE...
THE RED & THE WHITE
Here are some covers that caught my eye, all in red and white this week!
Title: Perfectly Scarred
Author: Lucy Covington
Publisher: n/a
Genre: n/a
I really do love this cover. Perfect contrast, the image backs up the title with the scarred, cracked ice and the heart-shaped drop of blood. 10 out of 10 from me! The only trouble? I nabbed this one early in the week (I confess. I'm such a NERD I start looking for covers at the beginning of the week!), but when I went back today to grab some more information about the author/publisher, etc, it was...gone. Poof. Vanished. Can't find a thing about this book on the interwebs anywhere. So Lucy, if you're out there - LOVE the cover, and hope you'll be re-releasing it soon?
Title: The Taste of You
Author: Chazley Dotson
Publisher: Amazon/Self-Published
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Yes, that's right. Those are red blood cells. What a wonderful twist on the vampire theme! I'm ALL about the sexy-neck-poses we usually see for the genre, but I thought this was pretty genius. The text is very minimalist, which I think does work, though if it were me (subjective opinion alert!), I'd have made the title much stronger and made sure both the title and the author's name were either both centred or both left-justified. But that's just a tiny little detail based on my opinion - overall, it's eye-catching.
Title: The Vampire Affair
Author: Vivi Anna
Publisher: Amazon/Self-Published
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Contemporary Romance
I seem to be on a vampire kick now - two in the row! But there's everything to love about this cover: the dedication to the red and white theme, the text held within a composition which draws you in. You're being offered something, and you know it's dangerous at the same time. Great choice of font, gothic and memorable, and the author's name is prominent, but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the cover. I like the use of (literally) white space at the top right, which is exactly what keeps this cover from being too busy.
DAY & NIGHT...
Title: A Jane Austen Daydream
Author: Scott D. Southard
Publisher: Madison Street Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance
Here's some idyllic English countryside, though the blue sky is something we rarely seem to see these days! But we get a sense of quiet, rural life with the chance to possibly wander through the world as the intrepid Jane Austen. The cover is balanced, and I like the fact that just for a second, you think the book is actually written by Jane herself. The author intends the story to be from her perspective and in her style, so there's reason for it. Its the lovely bit of filigree above and below that hooked me. Just a touch of fancy estate gateway come to mind, and the far-off sound of carriage horse hooves on a gravel drive.
Author: Monica D. Pitts-Lack
Publisher: Amazon/Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Have I mentioned that I'm a SUCKER for contrast? I am. I truly am. This cover has it in bucket-loads, with the title and author's name against the deep black, and the detailed text in the middle nicely framing the brooding ruins. I was surprised to note that this isn't set historically, which belies the oldy-worldy fonts, and sort of intrigues me more.
GOING GREEN
Title: Stages of Grace
Author: Carey Heywood
Publisher: Amazon/Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
There's a softness about this cover which is very pretty. According to the blurb the story deals with loss and letting go, and the closed eyes and peacefulness of the image line up with this. The contrast, again, draws me in, and the unusual colouring is intriguing. Maybe it's just me being samey-samey in my tastes, but there are a lot of similarities of composition here with my pick of the week on 4th April! Not the same cover designer by any chance?
Title: The Magic Stone
Author: Marie Sterbenz
Publisher: Marie Sterbenz, 2nd Edition
Genre: Historical Fiction
Just like the white&red, it seems I'm getting into the white&green this week. Perhaps it's my penchant for fantasy novels, but I instantly loved this cover. The medieval feel is immediate, which is perfect considering this is a historical romance. Nice, simple uncluttered composition. And how can I resist the gorgeous green horse, with my little white pony looking on?
Title: Doctors
Author: Erich Segal
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Genre: Medical/Romance
A republished classic by a well-decorated author (why haven't I read any of his books?!), I thought the 'modern' take on the cover design was fitting. Simple, eye-catching colours, and those evocative wedding bands. I know this is a far-cry even for me from the standard man-clutches-swooning-woman of the Romance genre norm, but from what I can tell, there is a passionate love story underneath the clinical layers of medical drama. On my to-read list!
Which leads us to my...
PICK OF THE WEEK
This particular cover is a fantastic example of a title that is released with different cover designed depending on the market and on the published format. I've chosen the version for the UK ebook, and it is my favourite of all the various versions I found while reading up on this title. Here's my pick of the week:
Title: The Exiled
Author: Posie Graeme-Evans
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, New edition
Genre: Historical Romance
Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) the 'professionals' get it right, and not only could I not fault this cover, I can't deny that it drew me in. Apparently I'm also a sucker for textures (see my pick of the week for 13 April), and this one delivers. The white scratchiness around the edges gives a digital product that well-loved look. Like a copy of an adored classic that's been handed around. The pose and the fabric of the fur-edged gown all beg you to learn about this mysterious, waiting, trapped woman.
If you'd like a master-class on the power of cropping, this is one. Check out another version of this same cover I found. I don't know about you, but when we can see the rest of her face and her eyes, the tension falls away completely from the image. Without being able to see her face, the image is more voyeuristic, more mysterious. That, and I'm not sold on the green text rather than the white/cream of the one I chose.
And, as promised here's a view of all the versions the publishers have released:
I have a feeling the far-left is destined for the hardcover/print version, the middle version is targeted for the UK, and the far right is for US readers. Which one do you fancy best?
Okay, before we go, we can't forget our...
(BACK-)ABS OF THE WEEK AWARD!
I actually picked this out as one of my runners-up this week - gotta love the contrast in this gorgeous photograph. Again, I seem unable to resist the 'back-abs' (has anyone found out if there IS such a thing??) In a word: Yummy.I leave you with...
Title: Falling for Heaven
Author: Anne Conley
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, New edition
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
NEED MORE COVER LOVE?
- Melissa Walker talks to authors about their cover design process in her 'Cover Stories' blog series
- Pippa Jay talks to authors about their favourite book covers in her 'Cover Love' blog series
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