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Jenny Gustafsson - Commentary |
Several years ago, when we started the cover contest and were still affiliated with AAR, the two cover category only featured Historical two image covers. Then, in 2002, a category for non-Historicals with two image covers was added, and in 2003 these two were combined into one two-cover category that includes Historicals, Contemporaries, and Alternate Reality Romances with either a step-back or a second image found on the back cover of the book. There used to be many more step-back covers out there, but nowadays they are a little harder to come by. Whether that’s due to declining budgets (obviously they are more expensive to produce) or just a shift in style and taste is hard to say.
The embracing couples, clinch covers, or as Susan expressed it “couple in a clutch” (good one!), that are often found in this category are for some voters embarrassing and very much disliked, while to others they are hot and sexy and fits perfectly. Some voters expressed dissatisfaction with the choices offered in this category; however there were also plenty of enthusiastic comments.
A Most Unsuitable Man was the winner in the two image cover category for 2005. The wintry scene with the lone horseman and carriage, together with that eye-catching close-up of the hero became quite the favorite among the voters. It was also my favorite cover. Elle admits: “I actually *bought* this book in part because I liked the cover (and I never do that.) I think that the cover model that they choose for this one is definitely worth looking at (for a change!) The snowy scene is fine, but it was Blondie who caught my eye on this one. Hate to gush, but nice cheekbones!”
Signet |
The hunky guy on the front cover won the heart of many voters:
Lynne: “He looks like a real person, not a generic Sexy Beast. And the scene tells us something about the story.” Caroline: “This is what I call a truly good-looking hero – if he is the 'most unsuitable man' mentioned in the title, I'd gladly read this book! The second image is lovely as well, romantic in the very best sense.” A Most Unsuitable Man was the favorite for several of Cover Café’s members as well. Blythe was one of them and said: “I'm totally motivated to vote for this one because of the hot blond guy. ;)”. I have to say that I quite agree with her. Did I mention that I also voted for this cover. : ) Cora: "Most cover choices in this section are plain embarassing, but I quite like this one. The combination of a rather handsome man (though he doesn't look like a Regency gentleman, unsuitable or not) with the snowy background works surprisingly well, and the stepback is pleasantly uncluttered." |
Some Enchanted Evening came in second place, only 13 votes behind A Most Unsuitable Man. This enchanting cover in purples and blues with a swan and an embracing couple appealed to many voters. Nora liked it and said: “moonlit sky and starlight, a placid swan gliding upon a lake, and a romantic encounter in this setting: it is really an enchanted evening, and the cover proves it :)”. Gigi called it “utterly romantic and charming.”
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Mary Lynne from Cover Café had Some Enchanted Evening as her favorite:
“I think it captures the feel of evening, and I love the tranquility and grace of the
picture. It's nice to see an Avon cover where the hero still has his shirt on! :-)”.
Cover Café’s Karen liked it as well: “I love the way the front cover and the stepback work together, and I love to see a couple together on a cover – without one of them being shirtless! (If only this lovely picture wasn't marred by an ugly bar code...).” Nikki: “The way the heroine is sitting on the wall and staring out made me wonder what she was thinking about. Was she remembering a specific event or was she imagining something in the future? Then when the book is opened, you get a glimpse of what is on her mind – but you still don't know if that is a memory or a fantasy. Let's read this book and find out.” Debra thought that the cover matched the title and said “I can believe that it is an enchanted evening.” |
Avon |
Third place went to One Little Sin. The red color scheme and glimming key, as well as the hero holding a baby caught the eye of many voters. Katherine said: “The cover is beautiful and I love the sparkling key. I like the inset as well. The hero holding the baby is sexy and sweet (a nice combination).”
Meljean: “The only reason for a stepback, imho, is to hide the hawt luv action from the prying eyes of strangers. This image has a nice teaser on front, with the lovely red satin, and then, whoo! clinch. I love that. I think the front image of After Midnight is actually better, but the stepback is horrid and ugly, so this one wins.”
Pocket Star |
Cover Café’s Linnae voted for this cover: “Both covers are rich and elegant. Love the red and the tender embrace. Plus, the hero and his uniform really makes it a winner for me.” Former Cover Café member Kellye also chose this cover: “I love Carlyle and I love the covers she gets. The key on the cover really gets you thinking of where you can go with the right key... The hero holding the baby on the stepback is very nice.” Sandra: “OK first of all I think that After Midnight, Much Ado About You, and Something About Emmaline have the same couple. Now I almost voted for Emmaline because I think that couple had the best pose out of the three, but One Little Sin had three pictures in one stepback! I think it is so great how the couple is fully dressed, and the hero is holding a baby. It really goes with the plot of the story.” Sharyl’s comment had me laughing out loud: “OMG! Is that guy in the background trying to nurse a baby?” Agatha wasn’t so impressed with the choices in this category: “None of the choices grab my attention. I viewed front cover only, instep only, and both together. I finally choose this for the front cover. I tried to figure out why this one. I think it is a subliminal message (at least for me). The deep red fabric covering the body of a faceless woman with white lettering over the top of both her body and the fabric announcing One Little Sin. Purity! Sensuality! Sin (but Only one Little one)! I don't know. Maybe the artist just likes red and white and female bodies minus the head??” |
In fourth place was My Sunshine. This striking and sunny cover appealed to quite a few voters. Sonia said: “It's so simple yet conveys so much: the whimsy, the drive off into the sunset, the woman's face superimposed over the other objects in the picture denoting her importance as indicated by the title.”
Nana: “Maybe I'm a little biased because I absolutely loved this book, but I think the cover is wonderful. The color is eye-catching – what other color could you make a book called My Sunshine? There's a picture of a sun. There's even fake lens flare over the image of the heroine. A lot of these covers would have been better if only one of the images had been used. This is the one where the effect of the whole is actually greater than the sum of the two parts.”
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Cover Café’s John voted for My Sunshine and said: “its the only one that doesn't look like a reprise of the others (and others for many years). And she is very pretty!”
Cindy liked it as well: “Love the yellowed profile overlooking the road. It gives this book a classic look.” And Jess thought it was “fresh, bright and different.” Addy admits: “I could do without stepbacks entirely. I don't know why people want a visual of the characters at all. For me the whole point of reading as opposed to watching a movie is getting to make up my own characters. Anyway, as far as stepbacks go, I like My Sunshine the best. You get a glimpse of her, an intriguing glimpse, but not enough to totally shape her. Nice.” Kate had trouble choosing and admits that she liked After Midnight best but continues and says: "the step-back cover didn't live up to expectation. I had a hard time picking, but kept coming back to this cover, so striking in its colours, warm and vibrant. I like the heroine in profile, lit up, but not smiling, a bit vulnerable. You may want to dismiss her as being too sunny, too perfect, as 'My Sunshine', but the set of her mouth suggests that she knows the darkness too... All in all, intriguing.” Caryl was a bit dissatisfied with the selection of covers and said: “Not an easy choice, but this time because the offerings were so lack-luster. Why do 2-image covers look like they were done by Better Homes and Gardens? Is this just an excuse to put more flowers on covers? Yikes. At least My Sunshine conveys warmth and intensity.”
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Signet |
Avon |
After Midnight came in fifth place. This second cover by Rick Johnson had a darker and more mysterious edge to it than Some Enchanted Evening, and quite a few voters mentioned how sexy it was. Angela was one: “The step back is sexy! The front cover is mysterious and sinister, just like the novel.” Isabelle: “The misty blue color is mysterious and sensuous. I love covers which show heroines from the back - it lends a hint of mystery - and this shot is beautiful, especially the flower in her hair. The stepback is also simple and beautiful, without showing too much skin.” Anna: “Though I'm far less excited about the two image covers this year than in prior years, the stepback for this one is something I could imagine framed as art. There's a smokiness to the mood, and it does convey an intimacy between the characters.” Maria: “The front cover suits the book's name and there's a quiet, haunting quality to the woman. The couple on the inside cover are shown in a pose that, to me, suggests intense emotion but no fulfillment yet - so I'd have to read the book to find out!” Cydi: “the cover is tasteful and the setback is a nice clinch. I could take this out in public without blushing.” |
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In sixth place was One Night with a Prince. Amelia voted for this red hot cover and commented that it “reflects the sensuality and passion inside the book.” Jessica said: “In the front cover we see her all messed up and in the inside cover we see what got her that way and all I can say ‘You go girl!!!’” Melanie: “I like the use of red and the pose on the cover. The kind of casual, then oops, here we are in bed!” Cover Café’s Leanne was one of the voters who commented that in this bedroom setting, at least the hero had a reason for being undressed. Lynn was another: “It's just so refreshing to see a naked torsoed hero in a place where I might actually expect to find him naked. Rather than in a field or astride a horse or standing with sword in hand in front of his castle, this guy actually waited until he was in a bedroom to take it off. If you must have a clinch cover, this is the only sort that makes any sense to me.” Sheela: I wanted to vote for One Little Sin because that is one of the few stepbacks where the man doesn't have his shirt falling off (which I can't stand!). However, I couldn't understand what was going on in One Little Sin's stepback -- did the heroine have two different dresses on at the same time? Why is she fading away? Anyway, I chose One Night with a Prince because at least here, the man has his shirt off for a good reason.... |
Pocket Star |
Avon |
Something About Emmaline came in seventh place. Voters found it beautiful and romantic. They also liked the colors. Sharon said: “It says Romance with a capital R. I like the use of soft colors and the guy isn't bad either :)” Liz: “It's sweet. It's well laid out, easy on the eye, and although I take author blurbs with a grain of salt, this one fits the mood of the cover perfectly. It does look like a book that might leave me smiling--I'm curious now to know what's inside (and that's a good cover!).” islandelf: “Very romantic and I like that there's a progression to the covers: first, he takes her for a ride in the park, and then, oh, my! garden nookie!” Wendy had trouble choosing her favorite cover: “I almost went with One Little Sin because I adore how the cover is so mysteriously tempting in an almost flirty way, and, then, when one opens the cover, it becomes even more delicious & enticing! However, I also loved the fairy-tale quality of Something about Emmaline. It may not necessarily be the best cover, but it has that certain "something" that works for me. Perhaps, it's because it reminds me of a scene in Laura Ingalls Wilder's "These Happy Golden Years" where Almanzo takes Laura for a drive in his carriage. "These Happy Golden Years" was one of my favorite books when I was a young girl, and this cover reminds me of that young girl who believed in fairy tales.” |
In eighth place was Love According to Lily. Voters thought it sensual yet tastseful. Rebecca: I just loved the colors and the style–it has a very sensual appeal but not too fairytale or bodice ripper. Zola: He appears to be actually doing something, undressing her, rather than simply gazing into her eyes or into the distance. Nice that her left hand seems to be engaged in something–what that is isn't visible, but I get the sense that she's taking an active role in this encounter, which matches the title. Haven't read the book, but the title suggests Lily might be a strong character. Malvina: “For a start he's not half naked with his shirt flapping the the stupid breeze and her boobs are also not heaving around (not a frightfully good look and so 70's...), plus they're not twisted into some tortured position while they supposedly look like they're in the grip of passion. Ahead already, IMHO. But, aha, he's slowly peeling her dress away, his fingers touching the skin of her back, and his lips at her neck. Ooh. And she looks soft and acquiescent–like she's enjoying his attention, which is about to get a lot more interesting as that dress falls away. Very romantic without being over the top blowsy.” |
Avon |
Avon |
Avon |
The ninth place cover was Much Ado About You. Voters who picked this often commented on the soft colors, artwork, and that it was sensual yet tasteful. Carol said: “There is just something so beautiful about it, something that says ‘Love is in the air.’ It really sets the tone for the story between the covers of the book.” Suzannah had some trouble choosing: “It was close–between One Little Sin, Some Enchanted Evening, and this. Fact is, when I have a stepback I want the outer cover to look as staid as possible and the inner cover to be romantic without being steamy. I like this one for the summery look and the fact that the couple is clothed and not all over each other. I like that the inset on the front hints at the picture inside without being exactly the same picture. And finally... (despite the abundance of pink)... I like the title. Is it just me, or did the painter turn to the Kenneth Branagh Much Ado for his green/white/gold colour scheme? With added pink, of course?” Bonnie’s comment made me laugh out loud: “The picture is just so ‘pretty’ ... lovely colors, softly muted and lush. And NO overt Man-Titty!!!” |
This Rake of Mine came in tenth place. This was my second choice. I like the colors and that the couple is dancing. And then there’s that handsome John DeSalvo on the cover! Many voters noticed that fact, and one of them was Karen: “It's John DeSalvo! This is my favorite category cause most of these have great pictures of great-looking guys! In fact, there are a couple of other good ones. Unfortunately, there are also some terrible ones–Some Enchanted Evening and Much Ado About You. The drawings are awful!” Carol said: “This Little Light of Mine is coming through the window...oops, that's a rake, isn't it? A bare-chested rake, at that.” Karyn: “All right... This decision was also pretty tough, but mostly because none of the covers appealed to me so greatly that I absolutely HAD to pick it... Some Enchanted Evening is nice, but looks like they stole the scene right out of Walt Disney's Cinderella, where the main couple gets to sing in the garden during the ball... But there's nothing like a bare-chested, well-muscled prime piece of a guy dancing with you in front of a hearth with this certain glint in his eyes...” April: “I like the way the image was cropped for the front cover (barely showing the faces of the couple and set off-center), it gives an impression of movement; the way it was placed on the front page makes it more alluring and interesting.” Spbhatti: “Sorry the reason I choose this is because the bloke reminds me of Roarke - That's a good reason, yes!!–Absolutely yummy!” As perfect a reason as any. ; ) |
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