Ballantine
Cover artist: Jacket Design Gene Mydlowski;
Jacket Illustration: Judy York from photographs by First Light / Corbis and Shirley Green

This year's winning romantic suspense cover was Every Breath You Take. Voters appreciated that this cover combined the menace of suspense with the romance of a sexy couple.

Kate commented, "These covers all seem quite similar with the setting set back, surrounded by 'mystery' elements: snow, fog, a storm. Almost as if they're trying to distance themselves from the romantic elements. For that reason, I like Every Breath You Take, which still has the suspense elements with the muted colours and sinister dock, but also a shadow of the couple, adding humanity to the cover. I think it's more suspenseful for that reason: yes the setting is spooky, but there are people who are going to get caught in the story as well..."

Other voters commented on the cover's design: the atmospheric colors, the mysterious fog, the shadowed figures. April agreed. "I like this cover because it manages to appear very clean and uncluttered. The design is, to me, more sophisticated than the other covers."

The second place cover was a reprint of a classic gothic novel by Barbara Michaels, The Sea King's Daughter. Voters loved the beautiful colors and the evocative image of sea, cliffs and a mysterious ruin. Lynn commented, "There's just something very haunting about this one."

Amanda found the image haunting as well. "In my mind, the cover could be a beautiful painting -- I could look at it many times and still find something new. I love it!"

Maria agreed. "One of my favorites in this contest. It's wonderfully atmospheric; the beautiful use of blues and greens, the sea at night, the mysterious steps -- where will they lead the heroine? This is the kind of cover that makes me want to buy the book to see if the story has the same haunting beauty."

Harper
Cover artist: Alan Ayers

Mira
Cover artist: Unknown

Marian was a particular fan. "Black Ice is just inspired. The cozy little cottage with the icicles hanging over it, like the teeth of a trap about to close. The footsteps leading up to the cottage. It's subtle, stylistic and... perfect."

Susan agreed. "I like how it twists elements of a sweet, domestic cover (beautiful scene of a house in the snow) to suggest something is wrong and scary."

LFL appreciated the cover artist's attention to detail. "I like the contrast between the peacefulness of the setting and the danger of the jagged icicles. And I like the details in the picture, the way you can see the light reflected in the icicles and every little branch on the trees."

Zola found the cover particularly evocative too. "The image powerfully evokes the sense of an oncoming storm -- perfect for suspense. I can almost feel the wind whistling in my ears and down my collar -- those looming clouds, the overgrown grass...the isolated house...something's about to happen. Nice colors too. The artist could have chosen to do a night scene, but instead chose late afternoon or twilight -- and it's somewhat scarier to think of things happening in the daytime."

And the cover found another convert in Caryl. "Wow! On the cover alone, I'm going out to get Dark Sky. Wonderfully atmospheric and darkly menacing in every touch. Gives me the shivers, while evoking the scent of rain, late summer grass, and deep rich soil."

Mira
Art director: Margie Miller

Harlequin
Cover artist: Sam Montesano and Virginia Macdonald;
Art Director: Vivian Ducas;
Typographer: Ivan Angelic

Happily Never After shared that sense of menace, and left readers wondering about the missing bride. Sandra commented, "That wedding veil just blowing in an ominous breeze -- what happened to the bride? Makes me think suspense with just once glance."

Ruby agreed. "Look at the veil and you know something went wrong with the wedding. Then you must read the book to get the answer. Good visual lead into the story."

The sixth place cover was Jigsaw. Voters loved the clever incorporation of puzzle pieces into the cover. Helen said, "The jigsaw pieces compliment the title. That's creative. The cover suggests romance and suspense at the same time."

Like many covers in this category, this cover had a gothic feel. Robin agreed. "This cover reminds me of the old gothics and why they were so popular. You can just imagine yourself alone upstairs, in that house with Heathcliff or Mr. Rochester downstairs waiting."

Leisure
Cover Artist: Franco Accornero

Five Star
Cover artist: Jennifer Wahi;
Art Director: Thomas-Gale

Sanctuary is one of the few finalists in the contest from a small publisher. Voters appreciated the mix of elements on the cover, as well as the romantic couple (a rarity on suspense covers). Malvina agreed. "One of the only two to actually show a couple on the cover -- hello, we're talking romantic suspense here!"

Lauri liked the distinctive layout of this cover. "Love the layering of the map, cat, exotic locale and shadowed people. Gives you an immediate image of what book is about."

The last three covers were separated by just a few votes. The eighth place cover was another bucolic scene, interrupted by a hint of menace: Convictions. Stefanie chose this cover as her favorite. "The landscape is very relaxing. But those eyes... They show that there is something wrong. Not everything is as it should be..."

Coverballot member Mary Lynne agreed. "This combines the two most common elements in a romantic suspense cover in an uncommon way. A lot of romantic suspense covers show a landscape. A lot of romantic suspense covers show a close up. This has the placid landscape being ripped apart to show what's underneath -- the image of that woman. Is she the one in trouble? Is she troubled? I don't know, but this cover sure makes me want to find out."

Berkley
Cover design: Annette Fiore

Mira
Cover artist: Unknown

Eye of the Beholder was the ninth place cover. Voters loved the color scheme, and wondered what the heroine saw through the door. Kimberly said, "It's gorgeous, it pops and it sets the mood." This was my choice for this category. I loved the rich colors, and it reminded me of the Agatha Christie books that I loved when I was younger.

The category was rounded out with The Protectors: The Beginning by Beverly Barton. Voters loved the cool blue color scheme and the ominous atmosphere. Anna commented, "the atmosphere of eerie dark and cold is almost palpable." April agreed. "I love the color scheme."

HQN
Cover artist: M.T. D'Avella;
Design: Gloria Tacconelli

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