Archive for the ‘What We’re Reading’ Category

Posted on March 22, 2012 - by Regina

DRESSES . . .

Your dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman and loose enough to show you’re a lady.–Edith Head

Dresses.

Long dresses, short dresses, elaborate, simple, work-related, evening attire . . . I love dresses.

So when I see a cover with a beautiful dress – or even one that just catches my eye – I’m hooked.

That’s what got me started with Deeanne Gist’s and Julie Klassen’s books, and now Tamera Alexander’s!

Did I mention Laura Frantz? Oh, boy, does she ever have the DRESSES! I can’t wait until her next series comes out!

When I am drawn to a cover with a beautiful dress, I always wonder, will this dress actually be featured in the book? When I picked up Tamera Alexander’s book, “A Lasting Impression, a Belmont Mansion Novel,” I had to wonder if that magnificent dress on the cover could possibly belong to the poor waif in the beginning of the novel. I found it, late in the book. I won’t spoil anything by saying that it had to be the most romantic part of the book – which made the dress even more important to me!

As beautiful as all of Deeanne Gist’s covers are, my personal favorite is “Beguiled.” A contemporary, the cover looks like something that could be “Flapper” era, or the current era. A suspense thriller co-written with author Mark Bertrand, this novel brings the historic areas of Charleston to life in the current day. If you’ve visited that beautiful city, you’ll feel that you’re walking the streets right along with the heroine!

Our own Inksper author Lorna Seilstad has magnificent dresses on her heroines, as well! As a librarian, I can’t help but notice that when Lorna’s books are tagged and displayed as a staff “favorite,” it seems to fly off the shelf, and one of the comments invariably mentions the beautiful dresses on the cover!

I could go on, being the girly-girl that I am, but just take note, the next time you’re in your library or favorite bookstore, just how absolutely enchanting are the covers on the books. See if, sometimes, beauty alone just MAKES you reach out and check out that back cover!

Posted on March 21, 2012 - by Brenda Anderson

In Search of Scintillating Covers

Brendianna Jones Anderson here, writing from the wilds of Minnesota where I’ve run from ginormous rolling snowballs and have dug my way out of dangerous garter snake pits all while searching for the elusive scintillating book cover.

Okay, okay, a bit dramatic, I know, but isn’t drama what we want when searching for books? Aren’t we looking for the cover that hints of escape and adventure? Something that removes us from our little universe and gives us a greater sense of the world around us?

I have been on a search for the book cover that catches my eye, the one that compels me to pick up that book and check out the description. The greatest difficulty in this process was turning off my bias meter (the one that immediately discounts genres I don’t typically read) so I could scan shelves for covers that grabbed my attention.

This search has taken me down several paths, but two were the most fruitful.

I scanned the latest Christianbook.com spring fiction catalog solely looking for what provoked a second glance regardless of genre. Several jumped out at me, but these three really tell a story with their cover:

GONE TO GROUND by Brandilyn Collins.

First off, I LOVE the color. The vibrant red is definitely gaze-grabbing. But then I looked closer and saw that drip of blood hanging from a petal. Gives me goosebumps! There’s no doubt I will pick up this book and read the back cover.

Amaryllis, Mississippi, resembles the flower for which it’s named—bright with southern hospitality. But poison lurks in its center. A serial killer is responsible for five unsolved murders. And now the blood of a sixth stains the town. Three terrified women are sure they know who the perpetrator is—but they all suspect a different man. Who’s right?

THROUGH RUSHING WATER by Catherine Richmond. This entire cover hints of mystery: a foggy lake, the woman gazing off into the distance … I want to know her story. What is she looking at? Regrets? Hardships? I have to find out!

Elegant and educated, Sophia Makinoff is sure that 1876 is the year she’ll wed congressman Rexford Montgomery. But he proposes to her roommate instead! Humiliated, Sophia signs on with a foreign missions society to go to China—but ends up with the Dakota Territory Indians. Can she find a purpose in God’s plan?

THE TELLING by Mike Duran. Another cover that gives me the chills. The shadowed mountains, scraggy dessert, the lettering, the raven. Right away I think of Edgar Allan Poe and, as a Poe fan, I’m going to pick this book up and look deeper.

Zeph Walker had abandoned his prophetic gifts—until detectives ask him to explain his own murder. During the bizarre investigation, Zeph discovers that early miners in Death Valley accidentally unearthed a sacred site where spiritual and physical forces converge. Can Zeph overcome his own despair in time to seal the ninth gate of hell—before evil finds him?

I couldn’t leave my hunt for the perfect cover to an internet search so I headed to my local Christian bookstore and took along my book-loving and very astute daughter. Together we scanned the fiction racks for covers that stood out. We picked out several that warranted a second look, but we had one problem: the majority of books showed only their spine. That sent us on a new trajectory.

Looking beyond the author’s name, we sought attention-grabbing spines. Several intrigued us including Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy, Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy, Book of Days by Jim Rubart, and Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry. (I should have brought my camera to the store because I discovered it’s very difficult finding pics of book spines on the web.)

Chris Fabry’s ALMOST HEAVEN jumped out at me because of the mandolin pictured on the side. That was an immediate attention grabber for this music lover. Don’t you love how the mandolin wraps around to the front? The foggy mountains in the background indicate story setting. Just from the spine, I know I’ll give this book a closer look.

Billy Allman is a “hillbilly genius.” Folks in town say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin—and was cut short on social skills. But there are two things they don’t know—he’s troubled by a brutal secret, and an angel is determined to set things right!

As for why those particular spines stood out, color was top on our list. We both gravitated toward bright colors. Shadowing was also important as it hinted at mystery. The title, font, and color indicated genre. A small picture depicting the story was a great  help. The spines that were merely a title on a colored background were easy to ignore. If you look at the spines of our own Lorna Seilstad and Shannon Vannatter‘s books, you’ll see their spines tell a story too.

I love spines that hint at drama. What about you? When you go to a bookstore, what on a spine captures your attention? The lettering? Color? Shadowing? Title? Author? What will compel you to pull that book from the shelves to look a the cover?

For me, it’s a combination of all of the above.

This is Brendianna Jones Anderson signing off after a successful spine-tingling search for scintillating covers.

 

Posted on March 20, 2012 - by JerriLynn

The First Glance

As authors, I think we tend to ponder over all types of things when it comes to our writing.  Everything from the words that we put on the paper, to the way in which their formatted, and yes, even to what the final package is going to look like.  As readers, I think that final package is one of the most important elements when choosing a book.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but for me, the first thing that draws me to the book is the cover. If the cover doesn’t look interesting, the back cover copy or book description doesn’t usually even get a glance. I know it’s not fair.  After all, the parable tells us do not judge a book by its cover. But I do. And that’s why I think that covers are one of the most important elements of a book.

As a self publishing indie author, I’m in charge of all of the elements of my books from the first story draft all the way to the complete package, and that includes the cover. And while working on my first book, Biloxi Sunrise, I knew that I needed something that would really catch people’s attention. So, I turned to a professional designer to create the cover.  I was truly blessed, because I did find a great designer, and I think she did a fantastic job. Such a good job, in fact, that I’ve asked her to do all the covers for this series.

It got me thinking, though.  What goes into an eye catching cover? Is it coloring? Or wording? Characters? Or impressions?  Here’s what I think is most important.

• It must be eye-catching. This is an element that’s hard to explain.  A great book cover should really grab hold a reader and make them  want to read the book.  For me, that means the cover should contain some elements of mystery or murder.  For example, a cover that I think does an excellent job of portraying these things is for The Righteous, by Michael Wallace.  The cover calls out to me and makes me want to read the book, just to find out what’s going on.
• The title and author MUST be immediately obvious. I know, I’m strange.  But I don’t like to pick up a book if I can’t tell what the title is.  The author is important, too, I’m not sure why.  But the title is far more critical to me.  I can dislike covers where the author’s name is more prominent than the title of the book.  It’s like saying “Hey, read this book because this author wrote it,” instead of telling a reader to pick up a book because it’s about a certain story.  For instance, with the cover for The Righteous, I really want to know just what exactly the righteous is. What does it mean?
• It must be professionally done. Amateur covers scream to me of amateur writing.  I know that’s not a fair judgement, but it’s the honest impression that I get.  I prefer to see covers that look like they were designed by someone who has been trained in graphic design rather than by someone who is actually an author trying to do things on the cheap.  For example, I think all of Dee Henderson’s covers are very well done. Her cover designers take the time understand not only who they are trying to reach, but also the content of the story. A well-done cover says to me that the author cares about impressing the reader.  And as a reader, I like to be impressed.

What do you consider an element of well-created cover?  And what are some of your favorites?

Posted on March 19, 2012 - by Kim

Across A Crowded Bookstore

There! You refrain from pointing because it is bad manners. Nevertheless, there is no doubt you have found THE ONE here. Just beyond the squat balding man who doesn’t seem to have a clue the willowy blonde he’s chatting up isn’t giving him the time of day. And though there is too much distance to hear an accent or pick up a snippet of the conversation you are certain is an interesting one, you know. Call it instinct. Call it your gut. Call it whatever you want but you know beyond a shadow of a doubt you’ve found your perfect match.

How could you not? After all there’s intrigue in the way all the pieces fit together. A physical attraction to the sharp lines and angles. Never has there been a more flawless specimen.

Baldy shifts and, for a heartbeat, you think all is lost. So you crane your neck and pray this perfection incarnate will still be there… Your breath catches when Blondie has enough and moves toward the exit followed by Mr. Clean revealing you haven’t missed your chance.

Not caring about politeness and upbringing, you push your way forward, keeping this wonderful creation in sight. Each footstep brings you closer until you can reach out, your fingers brushing the cool card stock. A surge of energy passes through you as if the spine has touched yours.

Of their own accord, your fingers curl around this glorious tome. Bills. Gas. Food. All of it can go to rot if it means you can possess this treasure. If you can but stroke the cover over and over until you can move beyond its beauty to the marvels its sheer elegance promises.

Okay. So that might be a bit of an exaggeration. But let’s face it. The attraction to a book starts with the cover. And it can be as tangible as the physical attraction to a handsome face or a crisp accent from the British Isles. While the blurb might draw you into the story, its the photograph or the artwork on the front that takes up the space left by the title that what leads you to pick up book in the first place. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at a few of the ones in my recently read, currently reading or in the cue to be read next pile.

 

Mary Swan Middleton has always taken for granted the advantages of her family’s wealth. But a tragedy that touches all of Atlanta sends her reeling in grief. When the family maid challenges her to reach out to the less fortunate as a way to ease her own pain, Mary Swan meets Carl–and everything changes. For although Carl is her opposite in nearly every way, he has something her privileged life could not give her. And when she seeks his help to uncover a mystery, she learns far more than she ever could have imagined.

 

 

 

 

 

On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.

 

 

 

 

Grace Bradley went to work at Riverton House as a servant when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they — and Grace — know the truth.

In 1999, when Grace is ninety-eight years old and living out her last days in a nursing home, she is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback, this is the story of Grace’s youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant twenties and the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.

 

Posted on March 16, 2012 - by Dawn Ford

Cover Mishmash

I am a visual person, therefore the cover art needs to help me connect with the story on some level. I don’t think there’s been a book where I haven’t stopped in the middle somewhere and flipped to the cover for a quick peek. Since I have some pretty eclectic tastes, the books I chose were a good mishmash of choices for your exploration. Please click on the titles to travel to Amazon’s website for more information on each book.

The first book that called to me from the shelves of bookstores everywhere this past year was Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. It wasn’t until the second in the series, Clockwork Prince, came out that I finally gave in and actually bought the first book so I could read the second. Talk about an author’s dream reader, huh? It’s a steampunk story where angellic Shadowhunters battle it out with faeries, vampires, werewolves, and demons along with the added bonus of a race of machines created to get the girl and eradicate the Shadowhunters. A love triangle between the shape-changing protagonist and the two opposite Shadowhunters had me choosing sides. If you’ve read Clare’s Mortal Instruments series which begins with City of Bones, this series, the Infernal Devices, is gentler to the senses. I loved it, but beware, the third in the series doesn’t come out until next year. (I hear the collective groans.)

Next is one I came across from a blog I read the other day, Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. Now although the covers aren’t calling my name from the bookshelves, the pictures intrigued me enough to read the blurb and together it has drawn my interest. These are real life stories from interviews from the women who were Alice (Alice Liddell Hargreaves) from Alice in Wonderland and the real-life wife of Tom Thumb (Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Bump). I can’t wait to read them.

I searched the Christian Book website for YA covers and found many from Lisa T. Bergren that I liked. Her Waterfall book is about two sisters on a boring family trip to Italy who actually time travel back to the 14^th Century and into the midst of a battle. There’s dashing knights, castles, and of course, the allure of time travel. My heart is already aquiver.

The dress on this last one drew me in, and the story sealed the deal. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott takes on the Titanic from a dressmaker’s POV. The seamstress believes it’s luck that she lands a job with a wealthy employer which includes a trip aboard the Titanic. She survives the tragic sinking, only to be thrown into a media scandal afterwards. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the survivors of the Titanic, this book gives you a peek into a small window history. Go to this Amazon page for the author’s research about the employer, Lucile Duff Gordon. You’ll find it as intriguing as any work of fiction.

P.S. I found this link to the ACFW Speculative loop library and thought it would be great to share with those who aren’t on the loop, but like to read speculative fiction. There are some great books highlighted. Please click here for it. Special thanks to Rebecca Luella Miller for this list!

Posted on March 15, 2012 - by Shari Barr

First Impressions

Book covers play a big part in whether or not I choose a book from the shelves and carry it to the checkout counter. If the blurb on the back intrigues me, but the cover isn’t appealing, in all honesty, I probably won’t buy the book. I’m probably losing out on a lot of good books this way, but I need that visual image to entice me to get out my debit card and take the book home. Great cover art should lure me into the story and make me curious about the lives of the characters involved. It should set the tone of the story and give a sense as to time and place. Emotion should surge from that first image.

One of my favorite covers is from Icy Sparks by Gwen Hyman Rubio. The black and white photo is perfect for the 1950’s setting. The girl in the white dress walking down a country road arouses a curiosity in me. Who is she? Why is she alone? Where does the road lead? What lies beyond the hill? I like that little girl immediately, though I know nothing yet about her

Another great cover is from They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti. The empty rowboat on a vast lake evokes a suspenseful element to the cover. Again, questions immediately arise. Who almost always comes home? Why didn’t they? What role does that empty boat play in this drama? The story behind the cover has hooked me into wanting to know more.

From the cover of While We’re Far Apart by Lynn Austin, I immediately know the novel is World War II era, a time period I love. The young woman appears deep in thought as she walks away, her arm outstretched as her fingers trace the wrought iron fence. My heart goes out to her since I feel certain someone she cares deeply about is caught up in the horrors of war. This beautiful cover definitely makes me want to read the back cover blurb and then open the book to the first chapter.

What are some of your favorite book covers? Do they really make a difference as to whether or not you read a particular book? Take a minute and let us know.

Posted on March 13, 2012 - by Shannon Vannatter

Cover Conundrum

This post was tough for me. I don’t really pay attention to covers and can honestly say I’ve never bought a book based on the cover. My perusal of the cover consists of looking for layers of fabric, dead bodies, or bonnets and buggies. If it’s not historical, suspense, or Amish, then I’m good. I turn straight to the blurb and see if the story grabs me. Only four covers have really intrigued me. And I still didn’t buy the book–I won one, influenced for another, and still don’t own the other two.

Christine Lynxwiler’s Along Came a Cowboy was the first inspirational romance novel I ever saw with the guy on the cover instead of the girl. I thought it was a novel idea. I mean–romance readers want to read about the guy, not the girl. I got lucky and won this book and it’s still one of my favorites. One I’ll definitely keep and re-read.

Karen Witemeyer’s A Tailor-Made Bride was the first historical to ever intrigue me. I love clothes. Not layers and layers like this, but I can feel her cringe as this rude, ruffian steps on the hem of her dress she probably spent months hand-stitching. I didn’t buy the book and probably never well. No offense, it’s just not my genre. But if you’re a historical reader, I’ve heard it’s really good. Seeing that dress just makes me mad. I’m way too modern. If I wrote historicals, my heroine would be ripping off layers. “Don’t you people know it’s 105 and we don’t have air conditioners. I’m not wearing this mess.” Probably wouldn’t go over very well, so I’ll stick with contemporaries.

Jennifer Rogers Spinola’s cover intrigued me partly because I sat across from her at Barbour’s author reception one year and partly just because it’s such fun. She was so fun to talk to and her story was so interesting, I asked her to be on my real life romance blog and received an influencer copy of Southern Fried Sushi. This is another keeper that I’ll re-read. The unsaved heroine is so unapologetically selfish and it’s so fun to watch her change and grow. Her reactions and thoughts are so real and true, it made me take a good look at myself and repeat, It’s Not All About Me. I recently received my copy of the sequel Like Sweet Potato Pie. Another keeper. The difference in the heroine since she met a certain Savior is like night and day and I can’t wait for the third installment.

Linda Yezak’s Give the Lady a Ride caught my attention because I was researching bull riding for my rodeo series. Her book is about a woman learning to bull ride. I thought it sounded like a nice twist and I really like the cover. Partly because if I had a backside like that I’d wear blingy jeans just like those. I haven’t bought it yet. But if I happen upon it in a bookstore, I probably will.

Usually, the way I decide to buy a book is by author name. Sorry, but that’s just the facts and true for a lot of readers. Which means this no name author needs to get busy and make a name for myself.

Lorna asked me what I was going to blog about and I told her I didn’t know because covers don’t matter a lot to me. I said, “The ones I really like are the ones with the guys.” And she said, “That’s what you should blog about. It’s a new trend.”

So for your viewing pleasure:

Look, the same yummy guy that graced Christine’s cover is on Susan May Warren’s Reclaiming Nick. I hope he sticks around and graces lots more covers in the future.

Mary Connealy’s Over the Edge–this guy might convince me to buy a historical. Not to read mind you, just to look at him.

The trend has caught on over at Love Inspired too with Debra  Clopton’s Her Rodeo Cowboy. I really like this guy and might have to buy the book. This surprised me since Love inspired covers are mostly couples or families.

One question, why are there only cowboys gracing covers? Okay, I love cowboys too, wrote three books about them, but regular guys are hunks too. Nothing curls my toes like a man wearing a nice button up shirt,  jeans,  and no shoes. Maybe sitting in the sand on the beach. I haven’t found that cover yet. If you find it, let me know.

It sounds like I don’t get books unless I get them free, but it’s not true. It’s true I grew up a library mouse, so for years I never bought books. But last year, I decided that if I wanted people to buy my books, I needed to be a book buyer. I’ve bought more books in the last year than I have in my whole life. I just didn’t make my purchases based on the cover.

Time to chime in. Does the book cover affect what you purchase? What do you think of the trend with guys on the cover?

Posted on March 12, 2012 - by Lorna Seilstad

Quintessential Covers

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Perhaps that’s true, but if the cover doesn’t get a reader’s attention, then they’ll pass over it without a second thought.

Perusing book shelves is becoming harder and harder with the numerical decline of bookstores. My to my great sadness, my own local Barnes and Noble closed just before Christmas. For me, there is nothing like picking up a book that catches my eye and reading its back cover copy.

Book shopping today has changed in many ways. Many of us do more shopping online. We may catch site of a new release on a blog or follow a bestseller list. No matter what, at some point, you see a cover and decide if you want to make that commitment to purchase the book.

What gives you that  I’ve-got-to-have-that-the-minute-it’s-released feeling? Do certain book styles always get your attention? Are there too many similar book cover styles in the CBA?

In the next two weeks, the Inkspirational Messagers will be discussing the importance of a good book cover, the elements that go into a good book cover, and sharing some of personal favorites from various genres and upcoming releases.

Now, sit back and let me parade a few books in front of you for your browsing consideration. As a Revell author, I decided it was time to take a look at their upcoming releases. I love their covers and I marvel at how well they’ve nailed the “feeling” of their books.

 

Words Spoken True by Ann Gabhart (Feb. 2012)

Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father’s newspaper offices. With ink in her veins, she can’t imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855.

When Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over a competing newspaper, the battle for readers gets fierce. After Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune‘s future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story–and the girl.

I have loved this cover since I first saw it. When I look at it, I am instantly transported back in time. The model is not only beautiful, but looks strong. I think the textures in this cover–from the dress, to the hat to the lamp post, to the stones, to the branches dangling overhead—all make a reader want to reach and experience it for themselves.

 

The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad (May 2012)

The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws’ home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. However, her in-laws find that life utterly unsuitable for their grandson, and when a row ensues, a handsome stranger–who designs roller coasters, of all things–intercedes on her behalf. Still, Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky (though charismatic) gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.

The Ride of Her Life? How did that get in here? Okay, with the release of my book only about six weeks away, I couldn’t resist.

I love how fun this cover is, and I think the red is very eye-catching. People often ask me if I have any say in the cover, and I tell Revell works hard to get their author’s input. They send out a questionnaire and ask me questions about the story, my ideas, who I’d ask to play the role of the main characters if it were made into a movie, etc. I send them any photos I might have used for inspiration of characters and dress, along with any ideas I might have. On this cover, they let me pick her blouse, hat, and skirt through e-mailed pictures.

SHAMELESS PLUG: If you haven’t pre-ordered The Ride of Her Life, the pre-order prices are terrific right now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com.

 

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport (May 2012)

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago’s rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work–and the classes she is secretly taking at the newly opened University of Chicago. When she meets an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World’s Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family’s expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

 

I love the colors in this cover. It’s very pretty and feminine. You get a feel for the time period, too, which is extremely important for historicals. I love how prominent they put Olivia’s name. It’s the perfect romance writer’s name, too.

 

 

Mary Magdalene by Diana Taylor (June 2012)

Long maligned as a prostitute or a woman of questionable reputation, Mary Magdalene’s murky story seems lost to the sands of time. Now a portrait of this enigmatic woman comes to life in the hands of an imaginative master storyteller. Diana Wallis Taylor’s Mary is a woman devastated by circumstances beyond her control and plagued with terrifying dreams–until she has a life-changing confrontation with the Savior.

To me, this cover is very beguiling. The model’s express and dark eyes draw you in, and I love the color and typeface used for the word “Mary.”

 

 

 

Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson (June 2012)

Life sometimes gets the best of us. For some it’s the daily pressures, for others it’s the shadows of the past. For Patsy Milstrap, it’s both. When she travels to beautiful Cedar Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast in search of healing, she never dreams her past will be waiting for her there.

This is one of those covers that elicits an emotion from  the reader. I can almost feel the breeze off the ocean. The colors on this cover work beautifully, and I think it’s the details like the word “for” and the dotted accent line, that make this such an inviting cover.

 

 

 

 

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz (Sept. 2012)

On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in Lancaster. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege’s daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other’s jealousy destroy their love?

Don’t you just love this cover? What makes it work? For me, it’s the colors. From the model’s hair to the details on the dress, the colors are so rich. The placement of sunset near the title draws you toward it, and the river acts like and arrow pointing the reader to Laura’s name.

 

 

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Lt. Mellie Blake is a nurse serving in the 802nd Medical Squadron, Air Evacuation, Transport. As part of a morale building program, she reluctantly enters into an anonymous correspondence with Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer in the 908th Engineer Aviation Battalion in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face to face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage to their past? And can they learn to trust God and embrace the gift of love he offers them?

Again, the Revell artists have nailed it with this cover. I was so pleased to see that they captured the era of Sarah’s books in a whole new way. The uniform, which the photographer had to work very hard to get accurate, ties this series into the last, but the “look” of this cover leaves no doubt that this is brand new series.

So, what do you think if these Revell covers? Does one grab your attention more than the others? Are there any you can’t wait to read after glimpsing the cover? Curious minds want to know.

P.S.  Click on any title for a link to purchase the book.

 

 

Posted on January 30, 2012 - by Lorna Seilstad

Authorpalooza winners!

During our last two weeks, we’ve had a wonderful opportunity to meet some new authors and their latest releases. To celebrate that, the Inkspirational Messagers have some special giveaway winners to announce. Winners were selected through Random.org.

 

 

 

The winner of Susan Page Davis’ The Lady’s Maid is Pam K.

 

 

 

 

 

The winner of Margaret Daley’s Dawn Comes Early is Pam (daysong).

 

 

 

The winner of a 3 book package is Marianne. She’ll be receiving  Wence Came a Prince by Liz Curtis Higgs, The Perfect Match by Janice Hanna, and Love Remains by Kay Dacus.

 

 

 

Posted on January 27, 2012 - by Kav

More Love and Laughter from N.Y. Times Bestselling Author

Margaret Brownley

 I ‘discovered’ Margaret Brownley when I picked up a copy of A Lady Like Sarah at my Christian bookstore. I took a gamble and won. What a gem of a book and I eagerly awaited the next two in the series. Now I hear she is embarking on another series, releasing in March and I’m tickled to death to be able to introduce y’all to one of my favourite authors. So without further ado, here’s the interview.

 Think back to when you were 11 years old. What did you think your future would hold? Any truth to your childhood prophecies?

 First, thank you for letting me visit today.  To answer your question: Oddly enough I wrote my first novel when I was eleven years old and in fifth grade. Talk about childhood prophecies.  The book was a mystery that I didn’t know how to end. Still don’t.

 That’s great! I wrote my first book when I was eleven too! As I recall it involved aliens and a mystery and there might have been a bit of time travel in there as well. Clear to see why you’re the published author!

 When you embark on a new writing project what comes first — characters or plot?

 It’s different with each book.  Sometimes characters spring up and lead the way. At other times I have to chase after them with a hatchet.

 BTW: The idea for Brides of Last Chance Ranch series came to me after reading an old newspaper article in the New York Times dated 1891. A group of fifty ladies of the First Church of Millford formed a society of old maids in 1861. Each member vowed she would not marry.  Each woman paid five dollars on admission with the principal going to the one who remained unmarried the longest.  Thirty years later all but fifteen of the original had married. I was never able to find out who won the prize—and sincerely hope no one had— but the concept intrigued me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

 I love when real life inspires fiction! A church I went to a while back had a group of elderly unmarried women, though I’m not sure they took a vow! They called themselves The Unclaimed Treasures. How cute is that?!

 You are known for your spunky heroines who dance to a different drummer. Do you have any tips you can share with hopeful writers about how to flesh out memorable characters?

 For me it’s all about voice.  If a character isn’t waking me up in the middle of the night to chat than I know he or she isn’t fully developed.  I start by having each character say the same sentence in their own unique way.

 In Dawn Comes Early I asked my characters to introduce themselves.   My heroine Kate Tenney said “How do you do.”   The hero said, “Howdy ma’am.”   That’s when I knew that Kate was college educated and Luke was not.  In fact he’s a blacksmith with little formal education. This makes for an interesting conflict between them.  Half the time he doesn’t even know what she’s talking about. 

 Note to self: it’s okay to talk to characters in the middle of the night.Phew! Love how they become such a part of you. That really reflects in your writing.

 I love all the historical details you add to your books — from the chapter quotes to stories seeped in history. I feel transported back in time when I’m ‘reading Brownley’. Are you a history buff with tons of information at your fingertips or do you have to work at your research. You certainly make it seem easy!

 At last count I had 1500 research books in my library and I’m always on the lookout for interesting tidbits and unusual facts.  Since the heroine in Dawn Comes Early is a dime novelist I read a bunch of them.  When things like “Curses, foiled again” started popping out of my mouth I knew it was time to stop.  

 The trick is to slip historical facts into the story naturally as part of dialogue or action and not narrative.  Historical details are best served in little doses.

  1500 hundred books! A woman after my own heart (says the librarian who collects books the way other women collect shoes.)  What aspect of being a published writer surprised you the most?

 After having published more than twenty-five books the thing that surprises me the most is that I’m not rich. 

 If you had one piece of advice to pass on to an aspiring writer, what would it be?

 Enjoy the ride.  Unpublished writers have a luxury not accorded those of us published; you can spend as much time as necessary writing the book and giving it all the loving care it needs. The rest of us have deadlines to meet. 

 Sage advice that puts a whole new perspective on playing the waiting game. Savor the moment. Thanks for that!  Can you tell us a bit about your new book coming out in March?

 Dawn Comes Early

 Looking for woman

of good character and pleasant disposition

willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona Territory.

 Must be single and prepared to remain so

now and forever more.

 Will be given ownership of ranch.

                                    –Eleanor Walker

 Her latest dime novel banned, twenty-nine-year old KATE TENNEY finds herself without a publisher or other means of support. An advertisement for a woman willing to learn the ranching business seems like the perfect solution for a displaced western writer who has no intention of getting married—ever. 

 Trouble begins the moment she steps foot in Arizona Territory. The west is nothing like she wrote about in her books. Not only does she have to deal with a hard-nosed ranch owner, and nefarious outlaw, but a traitorous heart.  Deserted as a child by her father, grandfather and others—even God— Kate does not trust men and has no intention of falling for LUKE ADAM’S charm.  She’s determined to learn the ranching business and prove to the doubting ranch owner that she’s up to the task—if it kills her. Her faith tested by the harsh realities of the desert, Kate battles to hold on to the one thing that promises permanence—land.    

 If only she could stay away from a certain handsome blacksmith and his two matchmaking aunts.

 Okay – I’m hooked and already stomping at the bit for a chance to read another Brownley gem and I bet our blog readers are too. So, if you would like a chance at winning a copy of Dawn Comes Early, please leave a comment below. Be sure to include your email address so I can reach you if you win. But remember to disguise it from spammers by using AT and DOT instead of @ and . Winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday January 29^th. Oh – and since the book doesn’t release until March, your copy will be pre-ordered and shipped when ready. Just think of the extra joy you’ll get anticipating its arrival!

 And if you would like learn more about Margaret Brownley and her books you can contact her here:

 www.margaretbrownley.com

 You can also find Margaret on Facebook and Twitter

Thanks for stopping by inspirationalmessages, Margaret! I’m glad we got to know you better!