Welcome Susie!
Last November, Cover Cafe added an additional member to our contest committee, Ms. Susie Black. Beginning this month, Susie is also volunteering her services as a Cover Cafe contributor. She will write articles for both the Cover Biography feature and our Dear Publisher Blog. I will enjoy having someone assist me with the feature section. Susie, before you begin your first Cover Biography, please tell us a little about yourself.
Linnae
My name is Susie and I hail from the Deep South. I currently work as a librarian, so of course, I have a deep love for books, the romance genre in particular. Contrary to my family's belief, I am not a book "hoarder" and I do not belong on a segment of that cable reality show. All kidding aside, I do love books and I possess a "healthy" book collection of favorite reads and keepers. Since working with books on a daily basis, I've discoverd I'm drawn to certain book covers and I notice current trends in the publishing world. I am honored to write for Cover Cafe and I'm excited to explore both the on-going and new trends in the world of covers.
Behind The Scenes - Who's That Guy?
Sleuthing Cover Model Identities...
How many of you avid romance readers have ever looked at a romance cover and wondered about the male cover model? How many of you have, inconspicuously, of course, mused in the aisle of a romance section, “Who’s that guy?” or “Where have I seen this guy before?” or even perhaps, “How can one guy be so gorgeous?” I proudly admit that I have done that and sometimes I’m not even aware that I’m doing it.
Take, for instance, the first time that I realized I might have a teeny-tiny problem (no clinical help needed), concerning one male cover model in particular. One day several years ago, I was shopping at a bookstore and I went to the counter to pay.
As the clerk tallied my total, she looked up and said, “That’s weird. All of these books have the same guy on the cover.”
Very weird because, although I was unaware of it at the time, I had selected paperbacks (five of them) with the same guy on the cover. My reply was, “I guess I have good taste.” And whom do you ask, was the lucky recipient of my borderline obsession at that time?
It was none other than my still numero uno favorite male cover model, Nathan Kamp. What can I tell you about Nathan, other than the obvious…that he’s visual perfection (sigh). As a cover model, Nathan has been known to show a lot of versatility. He’s played many different types of heros, everything from a swashbuckling pirate, to a loin-clothed Native American, to a stallion-riding desert sheikh. Trust me, this guy can be any gal’s dream man.
For the paranormal romance lovers out there, need I mention that his dark hair and smoldering eyes make him perfect vampire material? Edward, who? Should I mention that he also has six-pack abs? Instead of going on and on about how aesthetically eye-pleasing he is, allow me to just show you a couple of my favorite covers featuring Mr. Kamp.
Need I say more? Nathan has been busy with other personal endeavors and he hasn't been featured as often on romance covers. (From what I’ve read, he’s happily married to his sweetheart and pursuing a cooking career as well.) Here's a link to the website Nathan set up a few years ago showcasing his culinary skills: Live To Eat. A romantic man with substance, who can actually cook and looks like Nathan. (I’m seeing an Inception tone here: a dream man within a dream man...within a dream man...) As much as I will miss seeing his likeness on romance covers, I'm wishing Nathan the very best in everything he chooses to do in life. With that being said...
Wanted ASAP: New, up and coming, male cover models. Interested applicants apply only if you possess the following attributes: a healthy respect for sun-bronzed pecs and abs, a love for all things chiseled, and a high tolerance for women who can’t help themselves but ogle. Oh, wait, I see that we already have a qualified applicant on hand: Mr. Paul Marron. Follow this link to his website and enjoy learning more about Paul.
Paul, welcome to the romance genre. I see that you meet all of the requirements. Let me take a moment and tell you that I, as a representative of the women-who-can’t-help-but-ogle club, expect great things from you. Whether you are a shirtless, brooding, panther shape-shifter or a scarred, wrangler-wearing cowboy in a ten-gallon hat, or even a secret federal agent with amnesia and on the run, to me you will always be, a tall glass of water (wipes mouth). If you ever need to find a representative from our club, we can easily be found perusing the new covers in the romance aisle of any local bookstore, asking ourselves this very question, “Who’s that guy?”
Artist: Cover illustration: Alan Ayers
Finished 5th in Cover Cafe's 2008 TIC Category
Okay ladies, how many of you out there buy books because a particular male cover model is on them? Or, do you have a favorite male cover model and/or a favorite cover with a male cover model featured? Send us an () with the details and who knows...maybe he will be the next model featured in Who's That Guy. Thanks! Susie
