The first place winner for 2010 is UNDER THE MARSHAL'S PROTECTION by Kathleen Tailer. The artist is Blake Morrow whose illustration for Robin Caroll’s Bayou Paradox also won the SE category in 2008. The common thread of the comments was that this cover was intriguing and suspenseful and would make the viewer want to buy the book and read it.

Rachel expressed the sentiments of many voters: “Ooh, that's lovely. It's so evocative, I can practically feel the languid heat and hear the gators making their lazy way through the swamp. This cover actually makes me want to read the book; that doesn't happen very often.”

Deborah L. appreciated all aspects of the cover: “I like the spooky feeling of the illustration, and the fade effect on the text adds to that. As a plus, the text is easy to read, and the series banner isn't obtrusive…”

Mary M.: “Love the scene - alone in the bayou with some sexy marshal - a little scary, but you've got someone with a big gun to protect you.”

Cover Cafe’s Cindy agreed: “With this cover I think of bayous and flavors of the South.”

Abi: “I just love the atmosphere…spooky but not too scary.”

Cora: Love Inspired Suspense consistently has the best series covers. I picked this one, because I love the bayou setting, the blue-green colour scheme and the light falling through the foliage.

Merretta P. pointed out another theme in the comments for this cover: “This cover speaks to me of intrigue and subterfuge, but the bright light shining from the window promises all will be well.”

Several voters were drawn to the rays of light and the lighted window as an indication of hope and a happy ending. (Nancy F, Denise, Carolyn G, Anne-Catrin S) and Nancy said: “…That one light is what makes this cover really work.”

Theo cut to the chase: “Because sometimes you just need atmosphere.”

THE TUTOR, by Hope Tarr, came in second by just a few votes. The couple’s unusual pose drew in most of the voters. The Art Director and Artist/Photographer duo of Tony Horvath and Robert Goshgarian have another cover Ambushed! in this year’s finals and they appeared in last year’s finals as well.

Laura H. responded to the artistry of the cover: “Lushly romantic and beautifully designed creating a circular eye-track from the title at the top to the woman's arm, down through the faces, then his hand points the eye back up to the title. Brilliant. She is almost completely upside-down yet everything is so balanced the viewer is at ease. Remember how sweetly sexy the upside-down kiss in the 2002 Spiderman movie was?

Also, kudos to the photo staging for getting just the right amount of dishabille--yummy 5 o'clock shadow, a few tender tendrils of her hair just waiting to be brushed back over the ear, and a sensual little slide of ribbon punctuating the satin skin of her back.”

Voters also commented on the artistry (Beth and Zazie) and harmony of the composition, (Katarina O.) and compared it to a movie poster. (Stephanie, Cynthia, Sula)

Sandy said: “I've never had such a difficult time choosing in your contest before! Again, Tempting the Negotiator and The Tutor caught my interest right away. I'm going with The Tutor because it's a bit more romantic to me. You can tell it's an historical, and that brings up thoughts of their conflict because of station and all that goes with historical romance. And I love a stubbled hero!”

Romance and intimacy were important to many who voted for this cover. As Trisha D. said: “WOW! Amazing chemistry and such a softness that this scene is very touching. These models look so in love and so into each other, unaware of everything else around them. AMAZING!”

Others echoed that sentiment. Catie J.: “This one best captures the mood of intense romance…” Karyn: “There’s a sense of true affection..." Yuri mentioned: “…really unusual and romantic pose…is just incredibly tender.” Keely T.: “Love the dreamy-drowsy heat between the h/h.” Diana Q.: “Very romantic, sensual cover.”

The third place winner was the other landscape cover, CRITICAL IMPACT by Linda Hall. Art Director William Laughton was also responsible for the first place cover but the artist this time is Sam Montesano, who painted the second place winner in the 2009 contest and had three covers in the 2008 contest. The colors were appealing to many voters (and if I would ever vote for a landscape, I would pick this one for that reason alone).

Cover Cafe’s Marian said: “As an artist--this appeals to me a lot. It's the colors and the sky. It's beautiful.”

Casey: “Love the red and pinks. Looks like a mystery begging to be read.”

Lynn: "A beautiful picture -- well balanced and a great use of colors."

Linette: "Now this one has me curious! Critical Impact with an innocent looking pic of a sweet country church in an all American hometown setting. Now I want to read to learn the mystery."

Beret B., Naomi M., Jeanne H., Sonia, and Linda S. chose this cover because they prefer landscapes to people.

Crystal M: “Love this scene. It looks like a painting that you'd hang in your house.” In fact, Kristi M. and LisaCharlotte compared it to a painting by Thomas Kinkade.

The church was an important element for several voters, especially with respect to the suspense theme and in contrast to the colorful landscape. They saw more than just a pretty picture.

Barbara P.: “Lonely church, fall weather, burgeoning clouds. All mixed messages of hope and doom.”

J.M.H.: “It has a really edgy, suspenseful feel appropriate to the genre. The colors also back that up, plus the juxtaposition of the church with the threatening colors is very nice.”

Dierdre M. and Maggie M. were reminded of the song Church in the Wildwood.

AMBUSHED! by Vicki Lewis Thompson came in fourth. It was certainly my pick because he’s a cowboy, he’s good looking, his shirt is open, and he’s not headless! This is the second cover in the contest with Art Direction and Art by Tony Horvath and Robert Goshgarian, and they took second and fourth place. “Hot cowboy” was the number one reason for voting for this cover.

Camille said it for us: “I should just say this now, if there's a cover with a delicious man on the cover AND he's showing off an impressive set of pectorals- he WILL get my vote. lol Who doesn't want to be 'ambushed' by THAT?! It even says that he's a son of Chance and there are only two left- how do I get to what looks like the grand canyon and a stream and how do I get there yesterday???”

Heidi recalled a popular country song of a few years ago that nobly called for saving the horses: “Well, I could ride that cowboy!!!!”

Kara L. realized there was more to the picture than just the cowboy (not that she missed him): “The combination of hot guy with an interesting expression on his face and a gorgeous, unusual background.” Somehow, Lisa also managed to see there was more to the picture: “Cowboy at dusk in rugged territory. Looks sexy.”

Joy H. revealed the best way to read a book like this: “... I would probably be reading this book & flipping back every page or so just to look at the cover--to remind me of how handsome the subject matter is!”

Karen C. got her point across with a great play on words: "Because it makes me want to take a chance and ambush him for personal pleasure!"

Tracy Z. appreciated all aspects of the cover: "He can ambush me anytime. Very HAWT guy. And actually a very pretty blend of color."

Andrea also liked what she saw: "It's the most attractive of the bunch. A man like that on the cover is all it takes in this case."

Fifth place went to THE BEST LAID PLANS by Sarah Mayberry. The artist, Steve Brennan, has been represented in the contest many times, including the first contest in 1999. The red umbrella was a hit and appealed to many voters.

Michelle W.: “I like couples posed under umbrellas. It's such a charming idea. This is a good example: him leaning toward her, she taking his arm…”

Jenny B. referenced an old song (but it’s a great one from my teenaged years): “…in my head, this book is a novelization of the old song ‘Bus Stop’ by the Hollies – ‘Please share my umbrella!’ You could do worse for a plot than that, and I want to read this book already…”

Julie: "There is just something about the umbrella, not to mention the way the hero leans in and the smile on the heroine's face."

Betty A.: "It's a sweet, intimate cover with the couple tucked under an umbrella...it's unusual and beautiful."

Pat N.: "Love the simplicity - two figures, one dark, one light, and the great statement of the red umbrella."

Madeline simply said: “I want that umbrella.”

Carin gave kudos to the publisher for tying the cover to the book itself, something that’s not always done: “Here's why: I loved this cover before I read the book, but I loved it even more when I read the book and realized it's a scene in the book! Nicely done, Harlequin!”

Cover Cafe’s Elaine was also pleased with the connection between the cover and the content: “I actually read this book (excellent read by the way) and felt that the couple portrayed on the cover were the couple portrayed in the book. Two good-looking thirtysomething attorneys walking downtown. There is some serious chemistry between the couple, and they have eyes only for each other, but they are just two people in professional attire who also happen to be in love…”

The sixth place cover was HOUSEKEEPER'S HAPPY-EVER-AFTER by Fiona Harper. The happy couple on the beach said “romance” to many voters.

Belinda K.: “When feeling romantic, this is always how I envision myself!”

Stacy G.: “It makes me want to take this book to the beach!”

Karen: “Lovely summer beach scene...looks as if you can walk right into the cover onto the beach.”

Anna: “This looks like a shot from a wedding album for a beach wedding. Intimate and romantic.”

Meghan: "Another couple that looks really happy to be together, and the beach scene is lovely."

Marie: “Usually I don't care for beach covers, but there's such a sense of affection between the couple. A cover that suits the 'Happy-Ever-After' title!”

Vivienne O.: “A simple, uncluttered composition. Lovely use of colour. “

Dianne B.: "The sea, romance, a second chance, what could be better? Bright background is key."

Janet G.: "It's truly Romantic with a capital R."

Kate T.: "This cover just oozes warm skies and happiness."

Dina S." "Like the soft and dreamy look."

Cover Cafe's Mary: "This is just a happy, loving cover. Beautiful people, beautiful scenery, beautiful and happy relationship. Very romantic and makes me believe in 'happily ever after'."

THE FAMILY MAN by Trish Milburn came in seventh place. When I notified the author that the cover had reached the finals, she replied “I really did love this cover and I affectionately dubbed the guy on the cover ‘My Yummy.’” Voters agreed, many expressing a fondness for his smile (it was my number two choice for that reason though the biceps don’t hurt).

Caren H. said it well: “That guy is completely adorable! The cover is clean, the colors appealing, his arms are amazing and he has the greatest smile! An all-around awesome cover that looks contemporary.”

More fans of his smile: Diane P.: “I like his smile!” Susie: “That smile!” Susan S.: “What’s not to love about a guy with a smile like this? Not to mention the arms…” (which, of course, I didn’t).

Trish B. thought the cover matched the title: “Good looking man, who could very well be the family man, like the book suggests. No excessive skin being shown.” Virginia C. thought so too: “Make room for daddy…”

Cover Cafe's Lisa agreed: “I love this portrait and the warm comfortable expression in this man's face. I believe this guy would make a good father.”

And several readers appreciated the man himself: Mary V.: "A good looking man gets my vote every time."

DeAnna D.: "What can I say? I'm a pushover for a wholesome-looking man!"

Phyllis B.: "The hero is totally hot, but approachable looking!"

Lee M.: "Hot hero!"

Number eight is CHEYENNE BRIDE by Laurie Paige. It appealed to readers who like brides and weddings or who appreciated the happiness the cover expressed. Artist Larry Roibal finaled in this category in last year’s contest also.

Laura F.: “I just LOVE weddings! The roses and pose of the couple is perfect!”

Kathy M.: “Brides are always beautiful. The cover almost always makes me want to read the book.”

Jillian K.: “Wonderful colors and add the couple, the dress and the bouquet and you get a hard to resist cover.”

Author Cheryl St. John: “Lovely face lift for an old book. Visually appealing. Love the dress and the colors.”

Caroline G.: “This picture just radiates happiness!”

Katherine E.: "This cover gives the aura of a happily ever after story."

Amy S. took an artist's view: "Text layout is engaging instead of typing that covers a picture you wish you could see...and the dress frames the text so that eye goes right to it...the rose vine at the top frames the whole book and brings your eye down into the picture. Well done!"

Julia B. found it: "Beautiful!" and Larry C. said it was: "Just plain appealing."

TEMPTING THE NEGOTIATOR is in ninth place and it is another Blake Morrow cover! The general agreement among the voters is that this is one sexy cover!

Gigi: “Sensual and sizzling!”

H.H.: “Tantalizing cover.”

Sharon A.: “Very sexy!”

Nikki B.: “Sultry yet sweet. Also love the tagline.”

Jennie W.: “Sexy, yet mysterious…”

Sandie H.: “I love the art work on this one, the color of the sky.”

BevQB: "The pose of the couple, combined with the tag line and title give me a pretty good idea of what to expect from the story..."

Last, but certainly not least, since there were several hundred Category Romance covers published last year, is the tenth place cover, CINDERELLA ON HIS DOORSTEP. This is the second Larry Roibal cover in this year’s contest. The voters liked the sweetness they saw in this couple and their surroundings.

Sweetsiouxsie was succinct: “Very sweet!”

Anita L.: “The first impression I have of this picture is sweet innocence. I like that!”

Terri H.: “The couple are surrounded by flowers and it is just a simple setting. The way they are sweetly looking at each other I want to find out their story.”

Anita S.: “Again, the complementing colors, the simple yellow dress, the flowers on the stairwell, but mostly, the lovely way they're looking at each other.”

Teri E.: “It’s a beautiful setting they look very loving…”

Carrie T.: “Nice design and colors. Very romantic and fits the title well.”