1. What was the first book you remember reading? Can you describe the cover of the book and did you like the cover?

The first chapter book I remember reading independently was Little House in the Big Woods, which has a drawing of Laura holding her doll with behind her the rest of the Ingalls family in their log cabin. (Actually, I’ve always liked all the drawings in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.)

2. Have you ever purchased a book because of the cover alone? If yes, which one and why?

Oh, too many times to count. I’m a sucker for covers. I remember the cover of Dara Joy’s Mine to Take which had a bare-chested man in chains (!!!) It was terribly risqué at the time and I snatched it up. Also, I once picked up a book because of the back cover — Connie Brockway’s The Passionate One with that guy lounging in a chair. Rhoar!

3. When did you first know you were destined to be a writer?

Age 35.

4. Who gave you your first break in publishing?

My agent, I guess. When I signed with her, I began believing I might actually get published.

5. What was your first published book and what did the cover look like? Did you love it or hate it and why?

The Raven Prince. I really love it, but every time I see it, I think it looks a little dark.

6. Do you believe a cover can increase or decrease the sales of a book? Have any covers affected the sales of your books?

I think covers do matter a lot—most romance books are impulse purchases (still!) which means the reader is wandering through the store when a cover catches her eye. To Seduce a Sinner was my first book to make the USA Today list and the cover certainly didn’t hurt!

7. What has been your favorite book cover from all of your releases and why?

To Seduce a Sinner. I love the color combo (yellow and green—different!) I love the model’s pose, and I love the model they picked—she’s a little exotic, not an average beauty.

8. What trends do you see in book covers currently and in the future?

We still seem to be deeply in the “big dress” covers. I like the big dress covers for historicals—they look lush and colorful and sensuous and I think readers like them, too.

9. What has been your least favorite cover from all of your releases and why?

I’ve been very lucky with my covers—none of them are bad and I like them all. Having said that, the cover of The Leopard Prince doesn’t really “go” with the rest of the series. It’s more soft and the pose is a little confusing. Also, as many readers have pointed out, the hero is missing a finger—and his unscarred hand is prominently displayed on the cover! ;-)

10. Do you have a current or upcoming release to share with Cover Cafe? Please give us the details and a peek at the cover, too!

To Desire a Devil is my November, 2009 release from Grand Central Publishing! All of the covers for the Legend of the Four Soldiers quartet (To Taste Temptation, To Seduce a Sinner, To Beguile a Beast, and To Desire a Devil) were created about the same time nearly two years ago now, which resulted in a nice, similar look. Interestingly the first version of To Desire a Devil had a more coppery color—I think it was supposed to be more autumnal. The final version has deeper colors and to my mind looks more Christmasy.

Update: Elizabeth Hoyt's latest releases are Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane Series, Book 1) released in August, 2010 and Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane Series, Book 2) released in February, 2011 by Grand Central Publishing.

Elizabeth Hoyt's website

Linnae Crady ()

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Author image, and covers are displayed with permission from author.