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There were just a few old paintings on this year’s Historical cover ballot and that makes me very happy. Last year I told you how much I dislike old paintings on historical romance covers but since the entries are nominated by many people they still pop up now and then. The naked backs and headless people are still going strong as well.
We had 158 covers nominated in the 2007 Historical category and a lot of them were of the very romantic sort. You know, the ones that make you blush in the subway because everybody knows what kind of book you are reading? Personally, I feel it’s a shame that we are still embarrassed by overtly romantic covers because here on the Continent (I live in The Netherlands) these covers are very popular as opposed to the U.S. In fact we buy for the cover more so than the content!
I had a great time reading all your comments. Funny, smart, sassy and sweet. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Berkley Trade |
The winner this year is The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall. Words like “classy” and “sensual” and “sad” came up a lot in the comments. The combination of poppies and dragons attracted the attention of many voters. Kate says: “I like the orange overtones - a colour not often used in romance covers. The seated woman, half nude, lends a wistful sad air to the cover, and I want to know why. Plus, an unusual setting, with an unusual skyline in the back makes me want to pick this up and delve into a time and place I know little about.” Richard found it: “sexy cover and a bloody good read...” And John: “hot girl!” Susan’s comment was one most of you shared: “Delicious East/West fusion.” |
First, There is a River by Kathy Steffen is the number two winner. This was something really different in the world of Romance Novel Covers. The words: intriguing and unusual were used often in the comments. The colours did it for most of you. C said: “If this is really a romance novel, I'm shocked and refreshed by how original the cover is.” Some comments were a little unusual like Colleen’s: “This looks like a not-well-made e-card.” I agree with Jackie who says: “Nobody with half a head cut off.” Jeanne said: “It's beautiful, lush and I could read it in public without concern.” Now Jeanne, I hope we can read any book with any cover in public without concern. Susan (and some others) said: “It looks like a lovely historical painting. I like some of the others, but this one stands out for its artistry and, in addition, there are hundreds of covers with bare-chested men and/or dresses-falling-off women, so this one is unique.” |
Medallion Press |
William Morrow |
Everlasting by the late Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is number three. Please notice the resemblance with the first place winner in this contest. This one was my favourite and I agree with Elizabeth who said: “This cover really grabs your attention and keeps it. I love the contrast between the misty background and vivid scarlet of the dress.” The misty background and the colour of the dress intrigued a number of you. Ulrike’s comment: “soppy, but in a wonderful way.” And Diane thought: “The picture looks like I think 'Everlasting' would look.” Kirsten was intrigued: “The woman's dress is down and she's looking off to the side..... at what? Her lover? She's in a field by a castle or something and it's foggy. It leaves a lot to the imagination. Love it!” Or maybe most of the voters will agree with Kim who said: “Just because ….” |
Remembered by Tamara Alexander is in our number four spot. How I love carrotbat’s comment: “I'm glad to see we're seeing the entire head on some of the covers this year! (The headless heroine trend can die any time it wants!)” And Avocado’s: “Conveys historical; looks different, doesn't chop her head off. I'm sick of the "female body, no head" effect. Enough about headless heroines.” Zola stated: “The use of an out of focus background and sharply focused foreground works perfectly with the title. Also, the period clothing (not the hair) looks accurate. The use of contrasting text is an unusual choice for romance covers and it looks nice.” Julie is a woman of few words: “Simple and Elegant.” Alison wondered about the man in the back: “You get the sense that the heroine on the cover is looking back at her memories. It also makes you curious who the blurry man in the background is, the person being remembered or someone else.” |
Bethany House |
NAL Trade |
The King's Nun by Catherine Monroe has fifth place.
Edie says: “Looks like a real painting.” You know, Edie, I think it is a real painting. Kathy has a comment that we still see now and then:”Historicals with a historical looking cover are less embarrassing to read in public.” Same goes for Beth: “It actually LOOKS historical. It also breaks the mold of sexy lady in a not really period dress in a clinch with the same model on half the other covers. This is a book I wouldn't be embarrassed reading on the subway; if I took the subway.” And Kimberley: “The cover just fits the title so well, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen reading this book! No heaving bosoms in sight.” Susan is on the same track: “If nothing else, I could read this on the bus to and from work without feeling the need to hide the cover.” And Kelly: “Classy, upscale, historically accurate and un-embarrassing.” Annie had a nice comment: “Very Shakespearean, virginal and classic looking.” The fact that the girl on the cover is reading a book was really important to some of you. |
The number six winner is Shadow Music by Julie Garwood. The colours of this cover did it for most of you. Sarah’s comment: “The silhouettes are sexy and mysterious without being over the top.” Lesa said: “It's mysterious, but doesn't scream historical right off the bat.” Courtney wrote: “Though I myself am not an avid reader of Historical Romance, this cover always seems to catch my eye when I’m browsing the bookstore. The plum shade infuses the cover with a bit of romance and an air of mystery. The scrolling ironwork can easily be seen as musical notes and ties in with the novel s title well. I am, also, left wondering what mysteries and/or challenges await the couple behind those iron gates.” |
Ballantine Books |
Zondervan Publishing Company |
Written on Silk by Linda Lee Chalkin is in seventh place. The dress and the fan are highly appreciated by many. Amanda: “Just lovely--and not reproduced artwork, but an actual new image with appropriate costume.” And Marian thought: “It's an excellent historical cover. Many of the others are wonderful, but don't fit the category as much as this one.” Joanna needed only three words: “Hot. Pink. Fan!” Simone only two: “Wow, beautiful!” Sandra knows what she wants: “I love covers with a couple, but the dress and the combination of colours of this cover completely draws my eye. And I want that fan!” A number of you think that this is a painting. Is it? I’m not so sure. Angela wants to read the book anyway: “A lush, well-painted portrait. Makes me think of secrets and entices me to read the book.” |
Lady of Sherwood by Jennifer Roberson is number eight. Kayla had a very special reason to vote for this cover: “Because my friend CJ Hollenbach is on the cover.” Wendy said: “The look of love.” Part of Sandy’s comment: “Lady of Sherwood caught my eye with that beautiful fiery orange/red of the forest to compliment the heroine's gown and to tell us about their passion.” Anne likes it because: “The colours, the fact that both a woman AND a man are on the cover (most historicals have one or the other). It's just very lovely and blends well.” And Courtney: “The couple is sexy but tender. It's a moment of passion tempered by love, which always gets my vote. That kind of emotion on a cover always makes me happy.” Pearl said: “Appeals the most to my historical heart.” Jennifer’s comment was the reason for most of you to vote for this cover: “Gorgeous colour and couple...very pretty.” |
Kensington |
Jove |
Leisure |
Geraint (Knights of the Round Table) by Gwen Rowley is in the number nine spot. The romance in the cover was the reason for many votes. Like Vail said: “Who doesn't love a fairy tale? This picture evokes the idea of a happy ending before the first page is read.” Lynn has a romantic heart too: “I was struck by how very romantic this picture looked.” Malvina dreamed away: “This is gorgeous. Tender, in the way she's leaning over her knight, and lovely and romantic. He's covering her hand with his as he looks up to receive her smiling kiss, awww. At first I thought he was kneeling before her, which would be doubly romantic, but on closer look she's standing on a balcony. Still, gorgeous, especially in the way the pink of the flowers is echoed in her unabashedly pink frock. Big sigh.” And how about Rachel: “Geraint gets my vote because I'm a sucker for a hero in chain mail.” |
The Bare Truth by Elizabeth Clarke is a beautiful number ten. Many of you liked the window very much. Like Brandy said: “The window adds an interesting change to the usual man and woman in a dramatic pose. It's very eye catching.” Lauren said: “This cover is unusual and atmospheric. The fact that the couple is separated from us makes me immediately want to know more about them. It has a slightly voyeuristic feel which gives added excitement and intrigue.” Molly liked the window too: “Somehow the font really works with the pattern made by that incredible window.” The cover made Sindee curious: “Intriguing, makes me want to know what's going on in the book.” And Lynne said: “It has an enigmatic quality I like.” Jane read the book: “The cover looked interesting and the book was good, as I have this book.” |
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