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Most of these colorful, watery covers translate into landscapes and voters were quick to take note of that. In fact, this year there were more comments than ever on the array of choices presented – good and bad. Many were unhappy with the variety of choice and thought the total was drab and dull, but others thought the covers had amazing quality, were stunning and they loved them. One person thought one cover was ridiculous; while another thought the same cover was wonderful. As usual it all comes down to one’s personal taste and artistic appreciation compass!
The top three covers gathered fifty percent of the votes. There was not a huge margin between any of the three and it was the same between the remaining seven. Overall there wasn’t a huge number spread, and again, it was most likely due to the similarity between most of the covers.
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense |
The 2008 Series Cover contest winner is Bayou Paradox by Robin Caroll. The author of this book has the unique distinction of
having two of her covers come in both first and last place. Another of her Bayou books, Bayou Judgment , was on the ballot, finishing
in tenth place (see below) and, interesting to note, her book, Bayou Corruption , was also in contention for the contest. Water again!
Light really came into play on this cover, infusing the predominantly green cover with blues, grays, yellows and browns so subtly that it just screams
atmosphere and mystery.
Debra L.: “Not my favorite cover as far as being the prettiest - but to make me think Suspense and Bayou, plus that it is inspirational, I think the cover conveys this. The murky greens of the swamp makes it creepy and spooky so I would anticipate something murderous in the story, but the sunrays convey that it is in the Inspiration line.” Susan W.: “So simple, but so *right*. I like the way all the elements of the image draw the eye to the title.” Author Dee S. Knight: “I could almost see a gator snout breaking the surface.” Cheryl M.: “The colors are amazing, and the light in the background is beautiful. Really fits the series.” Katherine B.: “Hot and menacing, clever title. Imagine being the coroner when they dredge up what's beneath the surface of that!” Maria K.: “Amazing colors. This is a beautiful image, not too crowded or loud.” |
Voter Susan named our second place winner, The Vow by Rebecca Winters, “Northern Lights with poetry”. What a perfectly lovely description for such a stunning cover. This cover generated more comments than any other on the ballot. Obviously it was a huge hit with the voting public! A. Solomon: “The colors are different, the sparkling stars catch my attention, and I like the understated simplicity of the title treatment as compared to the whooshing visual.” Sarah R.: “This is a beautiful cover - not a lot of distracting stamps or quotes, but it speaks volumes.” Amy M.: “It is a stunning cover - one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.” Tina S.: “It was between this or Wildfire but the vibrant, rich colors on this cover are so gorgeous and I love the writing across the sky. I want to know what it says and why it's important.” Sara B.: “It's different. The colors catch the eye, and the mostly-illegible text piques curiosity about the story. This is also that rare piece of cover art that works perfectly with the title and blurb -- whatever's written in the Northern Lights there is probably the "vow" the title refers to, and its prominence makes me wonder how it becomes the basis for "the ultimate love story...” Tanya W.: “…that fuchsia and turq[uoise] combo is a stunner!” Andrew L.: “…The Vow wins with its simple but stirring depiction of one of the world's most beautiful sights. Well done!” |
Harlequin Everlasting Love |
Silhouette |
In third place is Sail Away by Lisa Jackson, a reprint of one of the author’s earlier works with a brand new, pretty cover.
It’s part of Harlequin’s Bestselling Author Collection. Many voters really like covers that paint a picture and make them wonder.
This one raised a lot of questions in voters’ minds.
Sandy M.: “A man in contemplation will get me every time. Is his love on that boat sailing away? Is he thinking of leaving? Or is he planning something unexpected for his heroine? A lot of possibilities!” Beverly G.: “It looks like the man is dreaming about sailing away because of a broken heart but is afraid of losing "her" forever if he does. It's a cover you can put many ideas to.” Kristie J.: “This one makes me want to know the story behind why the guy is standing barefoot on the beach looking at the sailboats. What has gone on before and what is coming up next. I think I just may get this one to find out in fact!” Cover Cafe’s Mary Alice: “...I chose Sail Away because of the body language of the man. He seems to be so sad and lost, looking at the ships as though his true love has set sail and is slipping away from him.” Karen H. chose it for an entirely different reason – one echoed by a number of other voters also. “At least there's a man on the cover. This was just as difficult as [the] previous category--I don't want landscapes! I want a man on the cover!” |
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A Taste of Murder by Virginia Smith came in fourth place and was my pick for the Series ballot.
Even though I love water on covers (pictures of water, not the real thing…), I chose this for the old-fashioned "noir"
feeling, the exquisite use of color and light, and the mystery and danger portrayed which excellently supports the
Love Inspired Suspense line.
Anna B.: “The wash of light could be sunrise/set, could be fire, which gives an element of uncertainty and danger that applies well to romantic suspense. I like the use of the Ferris wheel and the buildings, in style and color, look intriguing and yet familiar.” Allison: “Love the quaint little town and the creepy title.” Tammy: “It contains both the innocence of the fair with the dark foreboding of the rundown buildings to create a suspenseful theme.” Brenda: “It's that darn Ferris wheel! It seems out of place, which makes one wonder if it relates to the murder mentioned in the title. That would be enough to give the book a try.” Cora: “Here's why: What can I say, I'm just a sucker for fairgrounds, particularly vintage fairgrounds. The sunset color scheme is really lovely as well. I don't read inspirational (partly also because they're not available where I live) but the Love Inspired line consistently has some of the best series covers out there. I like pretty much every cover from that line in this category.” |
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense |
Harlequin Next |
The now defunct Harlequin Next line went out with a very nice cover, Risky Business by Merline Lovelace, which placed fifth
in our contest. The Next line has contributed several great covers in the Series ballot and two of them were the winners of the 2005 and 2006
Series ballots! This particular cover was bright, colorful, sexy, hip, romantic and fun – with or without Tom Cruise. Voters loved it.
Gina: “LOVE the discarded clothes; so fun AND suggestive!” Stephanie: “This book looks like hot sexy fun! I even love the corny quote on the cover.” Manjari: “I like books where the title and the cover fit well together. This one makes me think of the "risky business" of flinging off clothes and swimming in your underwear or even skinny dipping!” Anne M.: “Clothes just sitting there on the rock - VERY sexy! Sexy & hot without being sleazy. Perhaps the picture is a little bit too covered by the author name and title but other than that - very nice!” And here’s my very favorite, short and simple, straight-to-the-point comment by any voter: Kay T.: “I want to read this book based on the cover.” |
Made For Each Other by Irene Brand took the sixth spot. Voters liked it for the gorgeous flowers and the comforting feelings it evoked. It was a favorite of several Cover Cafe committee members! Cover Cafe’s Lee: “The flowers in the garden.” Cover Cafe’s Jeanette: “Very difficult. But the flowers did it.” Cover Cafe’s Sharon: “I'd love a place like this to go to & just sit.” Caroline C.: “The flowers on the garden bench are so romantic in the very best sense that the cover just drew me in and spontaneously made me wish to read the story it belongs to.” LOU: “It not only captures the title and adds to the marketability of the book - it is a stand alone work of art that's just plain beautiful!” Steve M.: “Colorful without being gaudy. Quietly romantic-- the flowers on the bench say it all. Excellent art work!” |
Steeple Hill Love Inspired |
Silhouette |
In seventh place, we have another reprint from Harlequin’s Bestselling Author Collection, Loving Evangeline by Linda Howard.
Color, light and water are mixed in this illustration to great effect. In fact voters who already have this book might get this
copy just for the beautiful cover!
Gale: “I already have this story, and this release would tempt be to buy it again.” Cover Cafe’s Karen: “I love most of the covers in this category, but this one is just so beautiful, with the sunset colors.” Julia: “I like the quality of light and bright color in this. It's the best of Wildfire and The Vow together.” David S.: “Because the title suggests a Longfellow poem, and the scene on the cover lends itself to many poetic thoughts.” Never underestimate the accuracy demanded by informed readers! Barb K.: “Great cover even if the artist never read the book. (Hint: Evangeline rents fishing outboards, not sailboats.)” |
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Okay, the Love Inspired line ruled this ballot. Coming in at number eight is Keeping Her Safe by Barbara Phinney.
It’s atmospheric, picturesque, and again, has a terrific use of colors. You can almost hear the storm coming.
Diana S.: “I like the rustic house and fierce looking sky.” Iriz G.: “Looks like a rustic secluded house. The house looks ordinary but seems to hold a lot of secrets.” Jeanne E.: “There looks like a storm is brewing here. Looks like a scary storm is about to hit!” Roxanne K.: “The color contrast between the trees and sky is very eye catching. It's captivating in a slightly creepy way.” Norma R.: “There is just something haunting about this picture.” |
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense |
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense |
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense |
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Wildfire by Roxanne Rustand is in the number nine spot. Its simplicity may have kept this cover from placing higher in the contest, but it was my number two pick – the image is stunning, breathtaking and just so well done.
Ember M.: “Warm/hot colors of red and orange over the cold blue of the rippling water suggests a passionate yet chilling read. It's elegant in its artistic simplicity and beauty.” Elizabeth B.: “I love the colors and the contrast between the leaves and the water. It has good interaction with the title, too.” Karalynn: “What a wonderful way to show a fire -- by its reflection in the opposite element, water. And an autumn-colored leaf of the same blazing hue...” Elyse B.: “Just a lovely painting. I love to watch autumn leaves twirling in a stream.” Heather B.: “There's not one cover in this category that I don't like. I like the colors and the uniqueness of Wildfire .” |
Since there are no losers in this contest, Bayou Judgment by Robin Caroll (sound familiar?) has the honor of coming in tenth place
among all the Series romance covers published in 2008. And guess what? It’s of the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense line! No big surprise in this
contest!
Susan G.: “Deserted church, dirt road - draws you in.” Mical H.: “The church looks as if it's hiding secrets.” Elysabeth W.: “Creates a feeling of 'being there' “ Denise M.: “This cover 'haunted' me! With its hanging moss, the setting sun, and the desolate church, I found myself staring at the cover in hopes of seeing a hidden shadow or a hint of voodoo. It is very intriguing. Great job, Sam and Blake! You have my vote!!“ Donna Lea: “… Bayou Judgment worked best for me in expressing the heat of the bayou (the gold tones) and the idea that there is something here that happens in or near a church. But it was a very close call…“ |
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