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Vanguard |
The most popular cover was Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge, which won by a wide margin. Voters were drawn to the rich and dramatic colors of this striking cover. Jeanne summed up this cover’s appeal: “This cover is just so lush, vibrant and enthralling… when a cover works, it is distinctive and everything works: the type, image, colors, etc. It all works on this one.” Diana agreed. “This cover is gorgeous and evocative. It jumped right out at me, every time I saw it. Heads and tails above all the competition, in my mind.” Cover Café’s Mary Lynne also found the cover appealing. “Hands down, the most effective use of color in any cover this year. The elements of her face are used artistically, and the juxtaposition of her red lips against the white skin, against the scarlet hood, is pretty amazing.” Several voters were reminded of a childhood favorite, including Karyn. “Woooow! Little Red Riding Hood grew up! And now she’s got something up her sleeve! Better watch out! This is just so… naughty fairy-tale.” Courtney was thinking along the same lines. “Before moving on to view the larger images, I knew Woman in Red was my choice. The richness of the red cape and the heroine’s lips grab my attention and form an inherent bond with the story of Little Red Riding Hood from my childhood. I find myself wondering, what dark path has this woman traveled to arrive at this point in time? Will she find happiness in the end?” |
The second place cover, Recipes for a Perfect Marriage by Morag Prunty was also a favorite of many voters. Readers were drawn to its simplicity and old-fashioned look. Bethany admired the artistry of this cover. “The photography is beautiful, the details are stunning. I love the flowers and the letters, and how the packet is the only piece in focus. Beautiful work. Alexina agreed. “Sometimes it’s the most simple design that can make the biggest impact. Beautiful.” Other readers thought the cover evoked a simpler, more romantic time. Maria said, “In these days of email, a handwritten letter has become a romantic gesture that’s sure to sweep me off my feet. This simple yet gorgeous cover, with the letters and flowers that remind me of my own cherished mementos, is among the most charming I can remember seeing.” Marian was torn between this cover and another minimalistic cover, but chose this one in the end. “Both this and Return to Me are beautiful: if they were pictures, I’d love to hang them on my wall. This cover just made me feel happy, though. The carefully saved letters, the flowers, the sunlight in the background… and I can’t help thinking that 'recipes' means something yummy inside as well!” |
Hyperion |
Zondervan |
Return To Me by Robin Lee Hatcher finished in third place, and readers were drawn to this cover for its simple, evocative design. Many readers felt that this cover told a story, and were eager to find out what would happen next. Cover Café’s Mary Alice was one of the fans of this cover. “The weathered door frame, the door and the dying leaves all make me wonder if a love has walked out the door and the one left is waiting for them to return. Or has a love been gone a long time and is finally returning? The opened door and leaves in the doorway could be saying goodbye, or could be open and waiting to say 'welcome home.'” AAR’s Rachel also thought this cover told a story. “I love this cover! The leaves and the faded, chipping paint on the warping wood speak of better times in the past, but also suggest the damage is not so great that it cannot be repaired with effort. An excellent visual mirroring of the title: Return to Me. The open door suggests a new beginning as well.” Grace had a more skeptical opinion of the cover, although she still picked it as her favorite. “Oh hun, you don’t want him back! He leaves the door open, doesn’t sweep the porch, still didn’t repaint the door! You can do better, girl!” |
If Truth Be Told by Lynda Fitzgerald was in the fourth spot. This book, published by Five Star Expressions, was one of the few small press finalists in the contest. Many readers who chose it felt that it seemed more romantic than many of the other finalists in this category, although voters disagreed on whether the figure in the foreground was a lover or a threat. Cora was one reader who preferred the more romantic tone of this cover. “A very strong category, but I finally decided on this one, because it is so evocative with the sunset on the beach and the shadowy silhouettes. Besides, this cover actually tells a story. Just why is she walking away from him and what painful truth was told here? Seeing this in the bookstore would induce me to pick up the book in a way that all those lovely flowers, landscapes and swings would not.” Other voters loved the artistry of this cover. Kate agreed: “An absolutely striking use of color and light. This one really caught my eye.” This was my favorite cover in the category. I loved the combination of colors and textures, the tranquility of the beach scene, and, as a romance reader, I like a cover that hints at a romantic relationship. |
Five Star |
Warner Forever / Grand Central Publishing |
Romance lovers also voted for A Kiss In Winter by Susan Crandall, which finished just a few votes behind the previous cover. Mary summed up the appeal of this cover: “It’s the only one that says 'romance' to me.” Other voters loved the cool color scheme and the way it reflected the title. Mary was drawn to the soft, muted colors on the cover, and felt the cover was “simplistic enough to draw the reader into what is happening in the house.” Kristie agreed. “The title seems to go with the cover – the lonely look of winter with the hazy winter sun. The couple at the top just adds to it. In fact I think I bought this book based on the cover, and isn’t that what a cover is supposed to do?” |
The next cover, P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern, evoked some controversy. Many voters wondered why a movie cover tie-in was eligible for the contest. The cover committee debated this as well. In the end, we decided that since the book was clearly a contemporary romance and eligible for this category, it could stay in the contest. We didn’t think it was fair to disqualify it just because the cover happened to be related to a movie. In the end, the movie stars on the cover probably hurt it in the contest, even though the cover image is very striking and romantic. The main appeal of this cover can be summed up in two words: Gerard Butler. As Nathalie put it, “Put Gerard Butler on a pack of rice crispies and I’ll buy it!” Other voters were drawn to its contemporary feel. That was what drew Sabrina to this cover. “It’s touching, yet also clean and crisp and contemporary feeling. No mistaking what genre it is.” Carol agreed. “This cover just seems more now, maybe because it is a photograph and not a painting.” |
Hyperion |
Mira |
The next three covers in this category all evoked a particular time and place, and voters who loved them were swept away. Readers were drawn to The Southern Comforts by Luanne Jones because of its evocative cover that reminded them of lazy summer afternoons. Jennifer was one of them. “This cover is gorgeous. The colors mixed with the summer dress, the bare feet, the swing… and the heroine leaning back enjoying it all. What could be more free?” Charlotte agreed. “One of the reasons I loved going south to my grandma’s in the summer was the swing in the old oak tree. I often saw my adult cousins and aunts swinging in their Sunday dresses on a hot afternoon. I think that is the main reason I was attracted to this cover.” |
Moving up north, voters were drawn to the crisp colors of New Hampshire Weddings by Rachel Hauck. Jill particularly liked this one. “Another tough one, but I love the birches. My eye kept being drawn to them. I’ve never been to New England, but this seems to fit my idea of New England.” Lisa Marie agreed. “The use of color and placement of images is striking. It’s the only cover in the group that would prompt me to pick up the book to read the cover blurb.” Carrotbat was another fan of this cover. “I can’t find one single thing to dislike in this cover. I like the red, the green, the way they work together without looking anything like Christmas, the leaf at the bottom, the way the trees blend into the solid areas… beautiful.” |
Barbour |
Mira |
The cover of Chesapeake Summer by Jeanette Baker evokes another blissful summer day. Readers were drawn to this peaceful, relaxing cover, and wished they could spend their vacation in that comfortable swing! Angie was one of the readers taken by this cover. “The swing, the water and the trees look so relaxing, like you could enjoy a good book.” Maureen agreed. “I could walk right into this cover, it looks so peaceful and calm. Looks like a good vacation read.” Alfonsina was another fan. “I really was taken to the summer season by looking at this cover. So often, you look at the cover for a romance and it doesn’t fit. This does.”
Only You by Deborah Bedford also drew voters who were attracted to the warm and sunny cover. Jeremy explained its appeal: “It’s the scenery. It makes me want to step through the book and walk the orchards.” Elaina agreed. “Now I’m intrigued as to who this “you” is! Not to mention the warm feeling of walking in an orchard.” Karen found the central figure intriguing. “This cover stands out for me because of the heroine in the center, with her back to us. Who is she? What is she thinking? I want to pick up this book and find out.” |
Steeple Hill |
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