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The Two Image Category started out with only Historical two-image covers but since 2002-2003 it also includes Contemporaries, and Alternate Reality covers. The second cover can be found as a stepback cover or on the back cover of the book.
After an increase in the number of TIC nominations in 2006, we saw a slight dip in nominations in 2007. Also, the nominations in contemporary and alternate reality two-image covers are very few and far between, and this year, as you can see, the final contest slate only included historical two-image covers.
Some voters intensely dislike or are very embarrassed by the clinch covers that are so often found in this category. However, others find them these clinch covers very sexy and think that they fit perfectly! Regarding the final contest slate offered in this category... I’m very sorry to hear that some voters aren't very happy about it. Please, do take the opportunity to nominate two-image covers for 2008, while you still have the chance to get your favorite covers into next year’s contest! And don't forget to nominate contemporary and alternate reality two-image covers as well!
The winning cover in the Two Image Cover category for 2007 is How To Engage an Earl by Kathryn Caskie. The creative play between front and back cover made this one a winner for many voters. Nancy was one: “it's engaging, the cover starts a complete picture to the back.” Amy said “I like that you don't get the whole picture until you see it together.”
Avon |
One voter said: “Again, I'm picking for originality rather than whether or not I like a cover--because originality will catch my eye more than the same-old, same-old. I admire this particular cover because of its efficiency at using both the front and back, rather than wasting extra paper printing a step-back.” Jenny: “Different from the rest, both in layout and theme - less of the swooning heroine, a bit more naughty and playful.” A heroine in charge appealed. Cassie commented: “I like how the woman seems to be the aggressor here. Better do what she wants, dude, or she'll strangle you with your cravat, lol!” Charlotte: “I like the fact that it is the back cover making a single image with the front rather than the usual set-back. I also like that the woman is quite involved in the action. Of course, I am also impressed by our hero's physique (so sue me).” Lynn was also distracted by the hero and said: “I love this shot. He's hot and not a lot of stuff in the background to distract you from his ripped body.” |
Michelle: “It's clever and original. Originality is dashed hard to find on the cover of any romance, especially an historical. None of the others stood out. Very much a case of 'same old, same old', with heroines leaning against heroes or back posed. The poor Hawkins heroine with her strategically place plaid looked as though she would be frozen to death all too soon.”
Lynne wasn’t that impressed by the selection in the Two-cover category: “All the others are sappy, cheesy or a mixture of both. This one is snappy and funny, like the title. But I used to love the stepback covers. These aren't covers I'd want on my bookshelf - they have an old-fashioned feel.”
Cora: “Every year, I have problems deciding what to vote for in this category, because most two-image covers are just plain awful. I finally picked this one, because while the models still look way to modern (hairless Regency chests and modern make-up), this cover is at least funny. And it actually utilizes the potential of having a wrap-around cover.”
Nana: “I picked How to Engage an Earl because even though it's not perfect, it's by far the most interesting of the covers in this category. I've never seen this wraparound concept before, and I like the manipulation of the shape of the book to showcase the sexy tension between the heroine and the hot, stripped-down hero. On the negative side, the purple background is bland and the front cover is poorly composed. I wish the image were a bit more to the right, so that the heroine's hand on the cravat could appear on the book's spine. Her dress may also be the ugliest thing I've ever seen on a romance heroine, and I include Fabio in that statement. Overall, though, it's an intriguing effort, and the hero is ridiculously sexy.”
Beware a Scot's Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries is our second place winner, only five votes from the winning cover and with a wide margin to third place. This sexy cover was the favorite of many voters. Tarah said: “Not only does it feature my favourite cover model, Nathan Kamp, I just love the passion between the two, her hands cupping his face, and the falling off kilt!”
Karyn: “Looooove Scotsmen! And that's only one reason for picking this cover! My first impression of the outer cover was rather fuzzy yet delightfully sepia, and I definitely wanted to know what was going on in that bathtub. Everyone's a little voyeurist inside, right? *sweat* What made my breath stop was the actual...well...gentleness of the inner cover. It looks like they are a newly-wed, madly-in-love couple and that was a refreshing difference to what we know... the usual rather in lust than in love pictures... And! both of their body positions actually work in real life, too! It's a homely, serene scenery, yet it's made sizzling by the looks of the cover models, and the prospects of the positions plus this niiiiice bathtub.”
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Kathy: “My visceral reaction to the images was immediate and unmatched. The spare background hints at mystery, and the image of the couple on the back is, for me, passion incarnate. Fantastic!”
Kristen: “The couple looks so in love and in a bathroom, no less! Her gown is slipping off and he's wearing nothing but a plaid (of course!) blanket, embracing her leg. They both love each other, obviously.” Cover Cafe’s Jo-Ann voted for this one and said: “The stepback decided me on this one. Hands down the prettiest and sexiest.” Lauren: “This cover is hypnotic, you can't stop staring at it. In comparison to the other entries it is softer, more romantic and less gaudy. The couple staring into each other's eyes look genuinely in love.” Lynn: “Because how can you resist that bonnie Scotsman not quite wearing his kilt?!” Nikki: “The colors used for this cover are very subdued and yet eye-catching. In fact, the front is downright subtle and the stepback is extremely sensuous. And I like that the couple is not reclining somewhere, although it appears they just haven't gotten to that point yet.” |
Pocket |
Third place winner is A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander.
Courtney: “Red is very sexy and quite wicked. The whole cover looks wicked: the red, the scantily clad people, the sexy peek of the garter. If the primary image didn't hook me, the passion and abandon of the secondary image definitely would. The cover fits the title and makes me wonder how those two got in that position.”
Avon |
Alyssa: “Fantastic tease on the front cover that opens to a lush step-back image.” Sara: “The front cover is a little bit sexy without going overboard- plus, red is always a good color. The back cover is also great- not too cheesy, and pretty much what most women would love to have happen to them at least once in their lives.” One voter thought it was “eye catching and you look at it again to see what that really is on the cover and then pick it up to check out the 2nd part of the cover.” Andrew: “A Little Bit Too Much Red Satin is more like it. Are these two sharing their passions inside Liberace's bedroom? Or perhaps a bakery’s display window near Valentine's Day? Anyway, this gets my vote for being subtle yet suggestive on the front cover, hinting at greater passion within for those who dare turn the page.” Tina: “The red color is outstanding, and the outside cover makes me wonder why she's wearing a black garter. The inside cover is sexy!” |
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In fourth place was The Perfect Bride by Brenda Joyce. This classy and romantic cover became a hit with many voters. Limecello: “Hands down this one! It has a soft focus quality that goes with ‘perfect’ and ‘bride’. Nicely. It's also classy and tasteful, yet obviously a romance cover. Some of the others are just ridiculous or too raunchy. Subtle sometimes is best.”
Marie: “Just simple and beautiful.” Cover Café's Heather said: “This is one of my favorite covers of the year. Pretty historical structure/landscape on the outer cover and a couple in an obviously romantic situation on the inside.” Jess: “I love the simplicity of this cover. It is beautiful and romantic. I love breathtaking covers and this was it for me at the store...” Susan: “Like the gauzy white on both front and inside cover, as it adds a bit of mystery. Plus the man is handsome and this cover, unlike some of the others, doesn't screen at you (he actually has his shirt on!).” Heather: “Most of the step-backs were a bit too cheesy for me. I picked this one because it was a bit more subtle and subdued while still being romantic.” Cover Café's Lisa: “She looks quite bridal on the inside cover, but naughty enough to do a little dance for her new spouse.” |
HQN |
A Dangerous Man by Candace Camp came in fifth place. This romantic cover with the heroine being swept off her feet by the hero was the favorite of many voters. Ellen: “I'm always a sucker for getting carried away by a big sexy man. He looks so concerned about her! *Sigh*”
Jessie: “I love the vulnerability of her bare feet combined with him being fully dressed! I have to confess, this is one of the few I wouldn't mind carrying around in public. It's romantic instead of straight-up sexual.”
HQN |
Sarah: “The interior alone is what romance is all about.”
Jennifer: “The front is believable. The heroine is tucked away in a corner, peeking at the ‘dangerous’ man. He, of course, probably knows she's there. I love the floor. The inside shows why we read romance. The gorgeous hero carrying the heroine away...to safety? To make love? It looks as if he's whispering to her, ‘It's OK, I've got you now - I will take care of you.’” Denise had trouble choosing her favorite cover: “Extremely difficult choice between this one and Jeffries' Beware a Scot’s Revenge. This one got my vote by a hair because I liked the title cover a little more. The inside cover is lovely. We have the strong hero with the heroine, but it's not the typical ‘conquering’ pose we often see on historicals. This has more of a rescue or comforting tone, not only in the fact that he's carrying her, but the expression on her face is one of trust. It's almost fairytale--as if Cinderella didn't quite make it out of the palace without her shoes before the Prince caught her.” Sandy: “This category had too many nice choices! But I liked the stepback the best of A Dangerous Man. It had more emotion and feeling to it than the others, showing the dichotomy of what we know we'll find inside - that dangerous man, but one that we, along with the heroine, will love.” Karmyn: “The front is intriguing. I want to know who these people are and why the woman seems to be spying on the man. The inside cover is romantic without being cheesy or embarassing. It's very lovely. The soft colors give it a dreamlike quality.” |
In sixth place was the sultry cover Rogue's Salute by Jennifer Blake. Stephanie said: “I'm a sucker for the green dress, but I also love that it's a very romantic, delicate embrace- instead of the usual ‘desperate clutch’ on a lot of stepbacks. Just beautiful in every way.”
Leila: “I definitely wouldn't mind a ‘salute’ from that guy! All in all, I felt this was the most subtle of the covers, and conveyed romance and love, rather than you know, outright lust?”
Robin: “Just by the cover I know the story takes place in New Orleans, what I like about New Orleans, the beauty. The cover conveys the sultryness of the city.”
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Emily chose this cover and said: “This one is actually pretty, so I have to pick it. Her dress is lovely, the roses are a nice frame, and there isn't any actual groping going on.” Then she continued: “As for the others, we have: Girl climbing guy in plaid towel like he was a tree; Girl who looks like an overgrown five-year-old who fell asleep at a party carried by guy in flesh-tone pants; inexplicable swaths of tartan; sleeping woman watched by creepy guy; woman in prairie dress trying to strangle a Chippendale dancer; wrong period wedding dress; Geronimo in a too-small redcoat outfit; airbrushed butt-crack; Fabio sniffing the armpit of some chick with gravity-defying hair. These ALL belong in the WORST category.”
Carrotbat: “Good slate of covers this year! I love that the undressing is generally confined to places that make sense, the actual person-sized heroine on the Candice Camp cover, and I -love- the layout on To Engage an Earl I almost voted for that one, in fact, but I can't stand the heroine's dress! The dress on Rogue's Salute is much better, and the rest of the artwork is beautiful -- all those flowers, I almost wish it were a scratch-and-sniff cover!” Stephanie: “This cover isn't the most original or beautiful, but there is something extremely charming and ‘old school’ about it. It hints at the kind of danger, sweetness and passion that was the hallmark of the older epic romances.” This cover was the favorite for Cover Cafe member Mary Lynne as well: “I love the way it conveys a real sense of romance without having either protagonist lack clothing! What a novelty for a stepback. That it's a lovely, lush stepback to boot is also a real asset.” |
Mira |
Avon |
Seventh place went to An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James, with its lush colors. Bethany: “What a stunning cover. It screams Christmas without being cheesy or tacky, only lush and rich. The art is glorious and the setback is even prettier than the cover, even though it's pretty over the top.” Vail: “The action in the picture is wonderful, her hair a study in passion. ...and I collect christmas stories ;)” Anna: “This reminds me of everything I love about the old school covers-- the historically accurate costume on the front, the romantic stepback pose, and the blond h/h seem to be the exception these days.” Malvina: “There she is, firstly, at the masked ball. All gorgeous in her red Christmassy frock, hair perfect, leaning against the window like she's waiting for someone. And then, voila! There he is, and there *she* is, all deshabille with his ardent, naked attentions. What a yummy Christmas present.” |
Eighth place went to To Scotland, With Love. Bonny summarized reasons for voting for this cover: “Castle, plad, scotland? Hell yes!” And another voter asked: “who wouldn't love ANYTHING to do with Scots?” LLB’s reason was “the use of the kilt, and the small scenes - of the castle and the coach being followed by the rider.” Karen: “The covers on the whole trilogy are so pretty - They are shining and the art is amazing.” Linda: “It's a Scotsman in front of a fireplace - what more do you need???” What more, indeed!!
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Pocket |
Avon |
Ballantine Books |
The ninth place cover is The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell. The hero of this cover captivated many voters. Dalia: “His presence is like a surprise - lookit what was behind door number one!” Linda: “I like the enigmatic smile of Simon and the fact the next scene leaves things to our imagination.” Anna: “The dual covers seem to match the theme of a ‘secret passion,’ because in one it looks like she is alone, and in the inside view you see who she is with.” Maria: “This is an elegantly sensual cover that feels unpretentious despite the fancy clothes: there's something natural and appealing about the poses of the characters.” Jami: “The best historical romance cover I've seen this year. So different, lovely colors - not at all generic like most of the historicals romance covers.” |
Her Secret Fantasy came in tenth place. The garden was a hit with many voters. Kelley: “Gorgeous. I like the romantic cove with the garden and gazebo that leads to the image of the couple.” Deborah: “Great home and garden view and then the title lends itself to the seductive couple. Wish I was in her place!” Daphne: “The title says it all ... truly a secret fantasy!” Jane: “Gotta love a man in buff breeches. And boots. With tassels. And no shirt. ‘Dammit, who hid my shirt?’” Lora: “Well, I guess the hero is my type! Innocuous front cover, but real cutie inside and I like her outfit. Shallow, but it works!” |
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