Cover Cafe

Before I became the head chair for the annual cover contest, I was chair for the Series category from 2001 through 2005. I fondly refer to the Series category as the stepchild of the romance industry.   I adore Series romance, even though authors can't wait to graduate to the big leagues of single title and many readers disdain the genre as beneath them.   

My aunt and grandmother introduced me to the wonderful world of romance via Harlequin and series romance will always have a unique place in my heart.   One subject that seems unique to the series genre is the topic of babies and pregnant women on covers.  Baby covers are both loved and hated by romance readers.

One of my goals, when I first became a chair, was to have at least one baby cover make the top ten finalists.   In both 2001 and 2002,  I nominated covers that even the most "anti-baby cover" person could love.  They both made it to the top ten and finished in sixth and fourth place respectively in the online voting.   I could step back and relax.   It WAS possible to have a baby cover be universally popular.   I still love those covers to this day.  Here they are...

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But let's face reality for a minute.   Many romance readers do not want to think about being pregnant nor about the added responsibilities motherhood brings when they pick up a romance.   They want to escape the duties that come along with parenting and experience the hearts and flowers from a typical romantic fantasy.  Babies on covers can burst the fantasy bubble and leave the reader fantasy free and reality based with just one quick glance.   However, being pregnant can still be sexy on romance covers, when executed properly, and the heroine is dressed in a killer dress or nightgown.   The two covers below are sexy, romantic, and they leave a reader's fantasy world protected.   

Yes, being pregnant can still be sexy but the minute the little munchkins appear, well let's just say, it becomes a challenge to create a great cover that entices readers.   Below are a few 2010 baby covers, currently on the market, that I think still give the readers an "ahhh" moment.  

Do they work or will you groan and pass them up?   I guess I'm asking Cover Cafe visitors this question.  Are you anti-baby cover or pro-baby cover?  Until next time...

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