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Harlequin |
The overwhelming favorite in this category was first place winner Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, receiving almost twice as many votes as any other cover. Readers were drawn to the depiction of a summer evening, like Dee. “I was immediately drawn to this cover because of its lightness and sense of innocence. Maybe it was a flashback to childhood." Linda agreed. “I just FEEL summer in this cover.” Many other voters felt the same way, remembering their own summer nights. Debra agreed. “The cover triggers my imagination – seeing fireflies and a canning jar on a gingham tablecloth makes me think of small town summers. I would pick up this book based on the cover, and read the blurb and flip the pages to see if I wanted to read it...” Cora was also attracted to this cover. “I love the simplicity of the cover. The open jar and the fireflies flitting about (escaping?) as little dots of light are very evocative.” Other readers liked the specificity of the cover. It stood out from the other covers in the category. Jean said, “The subject of the cover seems to illustrate the title, which is nice. The blue color is pretty, and it’s the only one out of the group that isn’t a generic landscape.” Chez agreed. “...This has a whimsical approach that stands out to me.” |
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky came in second place. Readers were drawn to the combined images of a mysterious landscape and a romantic couple. This was Maria’s favorite cover. “These are all beautiful covers, but I love the melding of the elemental mountains and the characters’ faces here. The smoky colors, the unexpected brightness of the word “night”, the beauty of the faces that are just a little misty, so not overly precise: all these add up to a beautiful cover that makes me want to know more about the book.” Anna agreed. “It looks like an unusual setting in the snow covered mountains. I also like that the couple is not embracing or kissing. It makes you wonder what their relationship is to each other.” Nynke also loved this cover “for the dreamy landscape and colors, and the portraits that leave you wanting to connect to the hero and heroine, while leaving just enough to the imagination.” Jambrea summed up the appeal of this cover: “Mysterious and beautiful at the same time.” |
Multnomah |
Mira |
Just one vote behind, A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr came in third. Even though readers voted in sunny May, they were drawn to the wintry scene on this cover. Alice summed up the appeal. “It looks just like a Christmas card!...” Stacie also found it appealing. “It has that fantasy of being tucked up someplace cozy and warm when the world is cold.” And so did Diana, "I like the winter scene in the mountains and the lights in the trees and the little log cabin. It makes for a very merry scene." Evelyn agreed. “...Like homemade cookies, how can one resist pulling this book off the shelf? The cover looks as though one could simply step into the picture! I can almost feel the cold of the snow, and the cabin lights are calling to me in a welcoming manner. The brightly decorated tree and all the undisturbed snow also gives this viewer a sense of peace and tranquility. However, I know that there is more there than meets the eye. I think this cover is just wonderful!” |
Kate Wilhelm has had several excellent covers in the last few years (one made the finals last year), and Cold Case placed fourth in this year’s contest. The cover has a beautiful green and blue color scheme, which worked well with the suspenseful theme of the book. Several readers noted the colors and the use of light. Julie commented, “I like the way the light breaks on the water.” Kaitlyn agreed. “The coloring gives it a creepy feeling, which is what I think the author is trying to convey.” Pat said, "That empty bench is just crying out to have someone sitting on it. Evokes a mystery all by itself. Love how the light comes from behind to light the pond, too." Many voters felt that they wanted to know more about this book like Nicci, “The title, contrasted with the empty bench at the water’s edge would intrigue me enough to pick up this book. It makes me want to know what’s happened.” |
Mira |
HARLEQUIN |
Elizabeth Adler has had many excellent covers on her books, including two in this year’s finals. The reprint of The Last Time I Saw Paris came in fifth place. Readers were drawn to this iconic image of Paris. Maria commented, “The Eiffel Tower is a classic, but it’s been done so many times that it can be hard to stand out. This cover manages that perfectly. It says “romance” in the best way. The colors, the mood, the beauty…” Andrew agreed. “In the hands of the right artist, a contemporary reworking of classic themes can be marvelous. A couple holding hands, pastel pinks, the Eiffel tower, and a fountain might all be clichéd, but skillful design brings them together for something more than the sum of its parts!” Robin said, "I've seen sunsets with just these colors. I love how it all washes together, highlighting the couple in gold. A lovely picture of a place I've never been and always wanted to go, and just the way I've always dreamed it would look." |
The sixth place cover for The Hunted by Rachel Lee was one of the few romantic suspense covers in this category. Voters felt that this cover conveyed terror and suspense, perfect for this book. This was my favorite cover in this category. It was such a strong image, almost like a scene from a movie. It made me want to pick up the book to find out what would happen next. Susan said, "This cover seems to set the scene for what the book is about - red, mysterious light, forest..." "The eerie trees with the red makes me want to read the book." was Samantha's comment. Margaret felt, "The cover makes me think of a hunted animal, searching and death." This was also Tilesan’s favorite cover. “...The Hunted was the most evocative; creepy dark trees, the beam of a flashlight, the red tone, the sharp, tall, white lettering. Is the light from the pursuers or the one being hunted?” Katherine agreed. “Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. I’m terrified before I’ve even opened the book.” |
Mira |
Love spell |
Readers also liked seventh place Destiny Bay by Sarah Abbot, although some of them were confused by the figure on the cover. Was it the hero or the heroine – or was it a topless woman? Voters weren’t sure, but they loved the beautiful scenery and the evocative colors. Crystal Dee summed up the appeal, “It’s moody and beautiful.” Andrea also found it appealing. “I’m always drawn to this cliff and water scene.” Cheryl agreed. “Very beautiful scenery in the background really sets the mood for the story.” Teri said, “I just like the majesty of the view. Very pretty.” |
Freedom’s Price by Suzanne Brockmann came in eighth place. Voters were drawn to a cover that featured a romantic couple, like Jennie. “A guy, a girl and a beach, need I say more?” Mary R. was also attracted to the imagery. “Love the sunset beach scene, who does dream of romance that involves palm trees and oceans. It’s a cover most people I know look for.” Mary M. agreed, "Palm trees, gorgeous colors and silhouettes, three elements I love." Sarah said, "This looks like the most romantic scene--love the purples and blues. "Mary Alice agreed. “It’s a beautiful cover and very romantic. Makes a person wonder what price they have paid for freedom to love.”
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Bantam Dell |
Hyperion |
Harlequin |
Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King came in ninth place, but it was a favorite of several Cover Cafe committee members. Mary Lynne admired the artistry of this cover. “I love the pastel colors here, and how the font used for the title so complements these colors." Denise agreed. “The most visually appealing of the choices because of the watercolor effect and the spring colors.” John of the Cover Cafe committee felt that the cover fit the book. “It is really hard not to vote for Paris, the city of romance, but this one just seems to have a story. The party at the gazebo belies the title, Queen of Broken Hearts. Sandy had similar thoughts. “I love gazebos. The color and the foliage are just beautiful. It’s actually contrary to the title, the women looking like they’re having a good time, but we know something untoward happens to upset that happiness.”
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One of Those Malibu Nights by Elizabeth Adler finished in last place. This was surprising to me, because this cover was a favorite of many of the Cover Cafe committee members. But this cover had a number of passionate defenders. ACJ was one of them. “The other covers aren’t necessarily contemporary – they could represent decades in time, potentially. This has romance and contrast and what looks like modern lights in the distance.” Anne agreed. “Yay, it’s a contemporary cover with people in it!...” Others found the cover striking and romantic, like Julie. “...I’m a sucker for strong blues, if it has a contrasting color like gold. And who doesn’t love a romantic moonlit walk?” Jaq was also a fan. “The scene is incredibly romantic. I want to be the one walking on that beach, and it makes me want to read the book to get to that scene!” |
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