tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31447997166357106302024-03-06T04:36:58.160+00:00Beatrice HolleyWriting for love...Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-79183866557377247332019-01-16T04:34:00.001+00:002019-02-04T02:58:03.149+00:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - January 15th, 2019Happy New Year, Romance lovers!!<br />
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Nothing better to kick off January than some of the loveliest <b>Contemporary Romance</b> covers from the past few weeks. I've compiled some of my favorites, and I see some trends (in what I'm liking, at least).<br />
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<h4>
The Purples</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RqAKKNEFI80Yeqymgf-GA1QoPfb06TatkyhzERFmncVXyzAjD-tCi0vlW9w0OhtZLtWkkhu2a6lysB_GexHatj_EZfD6n5q5x2MxhstpYnMpYt6SHpmO8_N0XX3NZILdXUbIZIso56XZ/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Purples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="994" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RqAKKNEFI80Yeqymgf-GA1QoPfb06TatkyhzERFmncVXyzAjD-tCi0vlW9w0OhtZLtWkkhu2a6lysB_GexHatj_EZfD6n5q5x2MxhstpYnMpYt6SHpmO8_N0XX3NZILdXUbIZIso56XZ/s640/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Purples.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><i><br /></i></a>
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank">"The Magnolia Inn" </a>-</i> Carolyn Brown<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Inn-Carolyn-Brown-ebook/dp/B07DC8LGG7/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611419&sr=1-4" target="_blank">"Seductive Temptation"</a></i> - Anthology<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HWSHYH4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1" target="_blank">"Once Ghosted, Twice Shy"</a></i> - Alyssa Cole<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Right-Roommate-Accidental-Love-ebook/dp/B07JZ31QW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611526&sr=1-1&keywords=wrong+bed+right+roommate" target="_blank">"Wrong Bed, Right Roomate"</a></i> - Rebecca Brooks<br />
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<h4>
The Pinks</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzu3Ze8LzQ5s__3OsPXg3hBFsxnAP08rR-rDbX_HMhZcfxLhVfB_6lhpyhipXqqdprKGoO8moV9tb3PwcAiw0Kz8g5WT6XRowSsP_Vy7uFMYXQIXgvL3-n7KdxBk0AAU-6O0FKvqZhmoc/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Pinks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="973" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzu3Ze8LzQ5s__3OsPXg3hBFsxnAP08rR-rDbX_HMhZcfxLhVfB_6lhpyhipXqqdprKGoO8moV9tb3PwcAiw0Kz8g5WT6XRowSsP_Vy7uFMYXQIXgvL3-n7KdxBk0AAU-6O0FKvqZhmoc/s640/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Pinks.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Thief-LJ-Shen-ebook/dp/B07MLR5WY6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611668&sr=1-3&keywords=the+kiss+thief" target="_blank">"The Kiss Theif"</a></i> - L.J. Shen<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Signature-Sweethearts-Kelsie-Rae-ebook/dp/B07K2K282P/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611697&sr=1-1&keywords=sophie+by+kelsie+rae" target="_blank">"Sophie"</a></i> - Kelsie Rae<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/These-Scars-Amanda-Heath-ebook/dp/B07MJJ5G9L/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611742&sr=1-1&keywords=these+scars" target="_blank">"These Scars"</a></i> - Amanda Heath<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Let-Me-Monroe-Sisters-Book-ebook/dp/B07L3XR36W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547611797&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Let+Me+Go%22+-+Aliyah+Burke" target="_blank">"Let Me Go"</a></i> - Aliyah Burke<br />
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<h4>
The Darks</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRYIyo5P6uewLUBWfetslkIi0JoyfsqHZ2gl25tivQfLcmoJoXhy8ksWsR_KPfIyE1VHJT_5eGE-8Zrfl-LXPyvYw76d8KQfQldLkAuUoEqU8C1x1KF-pya7b-b3Doyw_dSaTpS1pWxz_/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Darks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1242" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRYIyo5P6uewLUBWfetslkIi0JoyfsqHZ2gl25tivQfLcmoJoXhy8ksWsR_KPfIyE1VHJT_5eGE-8Zrfl-LXPyvYw76d8KQfQldLkAuUoEqU8C1x1KF-pya7b-b3Doyw_dSaTpS1pWxz_/s640/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Darks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Matrimonio-por-contrato-Amor-Rom%C3%A1ntica-ebook/dp/B07MMNP18H/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612457&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Matrimonio%22+-+Sophie+Rose" target="_blank">"Matrimonio por contrado de Amor"</a></i> - Sophie Rose<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Truth-Tanya-Jean-Russell-ebook/dp/B07MLYQZYV/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612550&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Shadows+of+Truth%22+-+Tanya+Jean+Russell" target="_blank"><i>"Shadows of Truth"</i></a> - Tanya Jean Russell<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/En-tus-caricias-Serendipity-Spanish-ebook/dp/B07M59C6RQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612596&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Serendipity%22+-+Moruena+Estringana" target="_blank">"Serendipity"</a></i> - Moruena Estringana<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Consequence-Falling-enemies-lovers-romance-ebook/dp/B07MJYH8T2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612683&sr=1-1&keywords=%22The+Consequence+of+Falling%22+-+Claire+Contreras" target="_blank">"The Consequence of Falling"</a></i> - Claire Contreras<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Crows-Addiction-Blandine-Martin-ebook/dp/B07JGPLQ3J/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612730&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Wild+Crows%3A+1.+Addiction%22+-+Blandine+P.+Martin" target="_blank">"Wild Crows: 1. Addiction"</a></i> - Blandine P. Martin<br />
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<h4>
The Doppelgangers</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf3WedpBiHsk8kKWHvbHqqKiDKTahWkEXn2yN3KoQpnLPqqF1uoVnBH8vNIU7u5t9WQs5LMs6FGqFENg3qFVOjlEPUw1KW0eQz5kNIUrLyIV9804h8JarvrMwQYZAkEC868QWi1BAYY2M/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Dopplegangers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="1007" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf3WedpBiHsk8kKWHvbHqqKiDKTahWkEXn2yN3KoQpnLPqqF1uoVnBH8vNIU7u5t9WQs5LMs6FGqFENg3qFVOjlEPUw1KW0eQz5kNIUrLyIV9804h8JarvrMwQYZAkEC868QWi1BAYY2M/s640/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+-+Dopplegangers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The new release in this line-up is #3: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Come-Little-Closer-Georgia-Boys-ebook/dp/B07MF9BVY1/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547612977&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Come+a+Little+Closer%22+by+Chrissy+Brown" target="_blank">"Come a Little Closer" </a></i>by Chrissy Brown. And while the others do well with the same image, I'm loving the contrast and texture in "Come a Little Closer", and the title is the most readable of the four.<br />
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I am always fascinated with <a href="https://beatriceholley.blogspot.com/2013/05/sextuplets-or-how-to-avoid-embarrasing.html" target="_blank">duplicate images</a> in book covers. In a genre that has such high turn-over of books, it's somewhat unlikely your book will get mistaken for someone else's. But if you're going to pick a popular stock photo, make sure the designer knows how to make it fit the unique mood and feel of your book. Seeing these covers side-by-side is a great way to learn about what makes a good cover design that pops.<br />
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Until next time, happy reading!<br />
<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-88731501532160437732018-12-31T01:10:00.000+00:002018-12-31T01:31:44.784+00:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 30th December 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM84iTmL-DYh-MMm34sR5KJVg5jmg31hzZbs6JFoQQBqkLVIIN_EOprAT6l7mMgBUfHpih4FVFDhlKHtxKPCtLjyRB6Q_gpMHfUkfSf374Vxr5PmPiw9bSuTTRIqdV_sPfV3LKu2zzYxc/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+12.20.2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="519" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM84iTmL-DYh-MMm34sR5KJVg5jmg31hzZbs6JFoQQBqkLVIIN_EOprAT6l7mMgBUfHpih4FVFDhlKHtxKPCtLjyRB6Q_gpMHfUkfSf374Vxr5PmPiw9bSuTTRIqdV_sPfV3LKu2zzYxc/s640/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+12.20.2018.JPG" width="548" /></a></div>
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I've said this a few times before on this blog, I'm sure. But I do so judge a book by its cover. That might not be right. Or fair to the writing. Particularly if the author hasn't had total control over the final design of that cover (traditionally published) or struggles to find the resources to hire a great cover artist (self-published). </div>
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<b>But I am totally sucked in (or totally put off) a book by what it looks like. And I don't think I'm alone.</b></div>
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So I'm back doing what I did some years back which was to trawl through the latest releases on Amazon Kindle (they aren't paying me, I wish. I haven't even got affiliate links sorted out, folks) in the past 30 days and grabbing a few of my favorites, which you can see in composite (in no particular order) above. In this case, I filtered specifically on Contemporary Romance, as I'm doing my own tiny bit of market research.</div>
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<b>The things that typically make me want to read the back cover copy:</b></div>
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<li>Font choice and use of font (see above, <i>'There Was This Boy'</i>)</li>
<li>Color (see above,<i> 'Love You', 'Lost and Found'</i></li>
<li>Balance of text/image (see above, <i>'Romy and Juliet', 'Wall of Flowers'</i>)</li>
<li>Novelty (have I seen this a million times before? See above, <i>'Dateless' </i>- interesting camera angle)</li>
<li>Tie between the image and title that isn't the usual generic clinch/abs that gives me a stronger sense of the contents (see above,<i> 'Love Unleashed', First Time Player'</i>)</li>
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...among other things my subconscious is most certainly doing on my behalf that I have no clue about :)</div>
Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-53051096731053784602018-06-17T19:07:00.002+01:002021-01-27T23:39:07.413+00:00Alice and Chris: Work-in-Progress PlaylistThere's something about the right music that puts my brain just where it needs to be for the words to flow. Every story I write comes with its own musical exploration, searching for songs that capture the mood and emotions of my characters.<br />
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Sometimes it comes with surprises! One character, an intense and angsty guy, only seemed to want to come out on the page when I played Adele non-stop. Don't ask. I haven't a clue why.<br />
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Here are <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ZsK6LgPgUp5a3LRKz9jGb?si=PSQxcVRvSEOYtel0eqTiHw" target="_blank">some of the songs</a> that are helping fuel my current work-in-progress. Set in one of my favorite places, eclectic east Austin, it's all about living through deep loss, found-family, second-chance love, and some symbolism around fire. Enjoy!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6ZsK6LgPgUp5a3LRKz9jGb" width="300"></iframe>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-79730375133367466542018-03-27T03:15:00.000+01:002018-03-27T03:18:40.084+01:00Struggles of a Non-Visual Writer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkM-UMCkAZHE_m2e6u-vldM9QGrlLgms9fDVlgPvQt955KJzcGA8Thu8-PsuX57_4JWUyX7F1pZXwHsbjFdnvtX2U5neU71S4WJvd6EeH7EpautNXXKBwNEoA7Qfq5LRoZk-ebB87vI-5/s1600/Non-Visual_Writer_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkM-UMCkAZHE_m2e6u-vldM9QGrlLgms9fDVlgPvQt955KJzcGA8Thu8-PsuX57_4JWUyX7F1pZXwHsbjFdnvtX2U5neU71S4WJvd6EeH7EpautNXXKBwNEoA7Qfq5LRoZk-ebB87vI-5/s1600/Non-Visual_Writer_02.jpg" /></a></div>
I spent most of my life collecting images. I have boxes full of faded magazine clippings and expired calendars. I'd always been fascinated by color, shape and contrast. I even spent time as a studio-dwelling art major in university.<br />
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<b><i>You can imagine my shock to learn that I'm not, in fact, a 'visual person'.</i></b><br />
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We have many senses - hearing, taste, smell, touch. Apparently, you can determine a person's predominant senses simply by the language they use. Just ask someone to describe their favorite holiday, and if you listen closely you'll begin to notice if they speak about it in terms of what they <b>saw</b>, what they <b>heard</b>, what they <b>tasted</b>, and so on. Key words relating to each of the senses will crop up every time.<br />
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Someone tried this exercise with me, and while I described the smell, and feel and sound of a village in the south of France, I used a surprisingly few number of visual cues. I know from photographs that the sky was blue, and the tree blossoms were pale pink and there were bright yellow dandelions everywhere, and an incredible natural waterfall in the middle of the town. But that's not what I talked about. I talked about birdsong, and the taste of the fresh goat's milk and the feel of the spring sunshine on my skin.<br />
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<b>But how can an art major 'flunk' at being a visual person?!</b><br />
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Thinking back, I can see now that I never was able to draw anything straight out of my head. I always needed a model. It's the <b>internal </b>visual sense that I lack. And my continued attraction to external visual things is likely a way of compensating for my lack of 'inner eye'.<br />
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So what does this have to do with writing?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>The writer is the eyes of the reader. The writer looks around that internal landscape and paints the reader a picture. That descriptive function is vital for building a sense of place, mood and context. So what happens if you're not all that hot on the visual stuff? How is your reader going to 'see' if you can't? Is all lost? Do I just quit now and go back to my scrapbooks?<br />
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<b>Not necessarily.</b><br />
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Just because you're a non-visual writer, doesn't mean you'll be bad at description. Quite possibly the opposite, in fact.<br />
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Think of all the other senses you can activate in your writing! Instead of just relying on visual cues, you're giving your reader the tastes, smells, and sounds. When you do focus on what things look like, you will likely need to take your time and really force yourself to look around internally. All this makes the work richer and builds a deeper sense of setting and place<br />
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Like anything else, you can work on strengthening your visual sense. Visit locations and take photos and notes. What do you actually see if you look closely? Not what you think you see, but what is truly there.<br />
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<b>Bonus!</b><br />
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Guess what? Not all readers are visual readers. Maybe they like to smell, taste, and touch their stories too! And if you're non-visual as a writer, your tendency to overcompensate and try harder to fill your descriptions with visual cues will thrill those less-visual readers too.<br />
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I should know. I'm one of them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7318277/?claim=zyvuvmeds8k">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-37934608684360019562015-06-28T21:38:00.001+01:002015-07-11T22:48:44.447+01:00Getting Serious.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzRI7fy-hs95lJeAKEyB7iZIOVyrTVBFfxTR5LYq8Jr0xLqNlUm1fa3ijFu_YkC-An-qc6npJh5aPL3H6839zJFHCgI4vxCkJf_4joADMgE9g8pOjB69_mTr2H8sJ13HGYvVhYeOyyhjM/s1600/33361655_s_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzRI7fy-hs95lJeAKEyB7iZIOVyrTVBFfxTR5LYq8Jr0xLqNlUm1fa3ijFu_YkC-An-qc6npJh5aPL3H6839zJFHCgI4vxCkJf_4joADMgE9g8pOjB69_mTr2H8sJ13HGYvVhYeOyyhjM/s1600/33361655_s_b.jpg" /></a></div>
Writing is a little like falling in love.<br />
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<h4>
<b>You meet writing for the first time.</b> </h4>
You dive in recklessly and with abandon, without any real aspiration other than just seeing if you CAN. Seeing if what's in your head looks good on paper in the first place. It's a heady feeling. You are the consummate artist, tapping frantically into your laptop in the back of a coffee shop, fueled by an irrepressible idea and too much caffeine.<br />
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But as with any love story, things don't go smoothly...<br />
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<h4>
<b>Conversation is always a little awkward on the first date. </b></h4>
Where do those pesky quotation marks go anyway? Do you start a new line? Hit the tab key for dialogue? What do you say after or before or in the middle of the conversation other than...'he/she said'?! Why is this so complicated?<br />
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<h4>
<b>On the second date, you start getting a few niggling doubts.</b> </h4>
Do you really have a plot? How long is it going to take to get to THE SCENE that's been burning a hole in your mental pocket since you typed the first word? Can you even make it that far? And is it lying or laying? Really. That just doesn't look right.<br />
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<br />
Then...<br />
<b><br /></b>
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<h4>
<b>A friend reveals your writing's true feelings for you.</b> </h4>
You finally pull together enough courage to actually SHOW your writing to someone, and they come back to you raving and saying that they LOVE IT and please WRITE MORE and I HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE SO TALENTED. It is a revelation. The relationship takes a whole new serious tone. This isn't just playing around with a few ideas and paddling in the shallow end of the writing pool. Now you're considering getting serious with writing.<br />
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So, you take a bit leap and...<br />
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<h4>
<b>You bring your writing home to meet the parents (a.k.a. real reviewers).</b> </h4>
Oh. Not good. They really REALLY disapprove. A debrief reveals that out of an entire chapter, one partial sentence might truly show promise. Your writing has been tried and found wanting.<br />
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You consider breaking up with writing. It was obviously not meant to be. You turn to your good friends quilting and Facebook as a focus to get your mind off of the train wreck that is your relationship with writing. Quilting lets you tell sad stories over a glass of wine and doesn't judge you. You decide it's all over with writing.<br />
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But...<br />
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<h4>
<b>Writing just won't leave you alone.</b> </h4>
It keeps bugging you with new story ideas. New characters wandering around your head wanting to be let out. What has writing done to you? What horrific brainwashing has taken place?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2RmdeiON7bgG7qXKdkPseS3XY_PpZRaSCUHW5eNXnHgI-bxKtX5AcbqtciSBVh_EnRCGT4K-xNScV15A7FO0dkIFD6lQoisrodHye-MoNc0Tp-AjByTp0p4oRTNT3RRM-TPLviLUAquO/s1600/tumblr_mnlhkt9me31s9gzhqo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2RmdeiON7bgG7qXKdkPseS3XY_PpZRaSCUHW5eNXnHgI-bxKtX5AcbqtciSBVh_EnRCGT4K-xNScV15A7FO0dkIFD6lQoisrodHye-MoNc0Tp-AjByTp0p4oRTNT3RRM-TPLviLUAquO/s1600/tumblr_mnlhkt9me31s9gzhqo1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
So...<br />
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<h4>
<b>You confront writing, and agree that you want to go steady. </b></h4>
You write not one story, but two. You're hitting 2000 words a day, despite your full time day-job. You buy Scrivener so you and writing can spend more quality time together. You start a blog to tell the world about the journey you and writing are on in your relationship. You start to tweet with other people who are also in love with writing, and laugh together about the foibles and struggles of being in love with writing.<br />
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Then...<br />
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<h4>
<b>Writing gets down on one knee and asks if you want to make this relationship...permanent.</b></h4>
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And you panic.<br />
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You run away. Far away.<br />
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You are too busy. You have no time. Your laptop has a virus. Writing has so many other lovers, why would it need you? And how would you make a living, married to writing? Everyone knows there is no money in it.<br />
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<h4>
You and writing 'take a break'. </h4>
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So, now what? The fence is a painful place, especially when you find yourself perched on it for nearly a year. You halfheartedly check twitter every few weeks. You occasionally pick up one of the twelve stories you started and never finished. You change a few words here or there. Change them back again. Watch 'Breaking Bad' from end-to-end. Eat a lot of ice cream.<br />
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<br />
*Siiiiiiiiiiigh*<br />
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<h4>
You decide to go see writing. Just to say 'Hi.'</h4>
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You look deep into writing's eyes (stay with me, no matter how thin the metaphor is stretching here). You take a deep breath.<br />
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Okay, It's time. No more denying how you feel. <i>Let's do this thing.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ryan Gosling memes courtesy of <a href="http://goslinggetswriters.tumblr.com/">http://goslinggetswriters.tumblr.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Balloon image Copyright: </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/profile_federicofoto" style="font-size: small;">federicofoto / 123RF Stock Photo</a><br />
<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-69207562191998675022014-05-29T05:06:00.003+01:002014-05-29T05:06:44.792+01:00Why I Haven't Blogged for a Year (and other excuses).That was a bit of a shock. Checked my blog and saw that next month will be a full year since I blogged anything at all!<br />
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<b>There is a good reason.</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q_RL9dv40PbSFOttshvxQrWVr4LXUQtQIZoVCBw2q_JuHLDfoTbcGIyrGCIKsZRozTNMUgr_fUMWoGAKwOHUY_aDSNMLoQGSitwE5L69lUPP9pw7TZy2WAGUiVFG5j-htaCDhdg-SwSU/s1600/heart_texas_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q_RL9dv40PbSFOttshvxQrWVr4LXUQtQIZoVCBw2q_JuHLDfoTbcGIyrGCIKsZRozTNMUgr_fUMWoGAKwOHUY_aDSNMLoQGSitwE5L69lUPP9pw7TZy2WAGUiVFG5j-htaCDhdg-SwSU/s1600/heart_texas_01.jpg" height="224" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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I moved countries. Well, both me and my husband moved countries. Together (of course). We have left the damp streets of London, England for the sun and heat of Austin, Texas. The whole process started at least three years ago, heated up when we applied for the Green Card Lottery in 2012 (better known as the Diversity Visa), and went stratospheric when we were granted the chance for an interview. When we were actually granted the visas in January this year, we went into a sort of deep shock and have only just started to thaw out now, five months later.<br />
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Our life has been in utter limbo for nearly a year and a half. Emotionally/psychologically for a lot longer than that. We are now finally landed (but barely a month ago), in Texas, and are up to our eyeballs with the whole getting-settled process which includes buying everything we need from scratch and having no friends. Oh, that and I have to find a job. Like...yesterday.<br />
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<b>Are you still writing??</b><br />
Yes. Yes, I am. I actually finished a draft of a story that hit over 100k in word-count, which shocked me, I can tell you. I'm now left with the quandary of what exactly to do with this mammoth tome, as it clearly needs some editing down. That and it's the raciest thing I've ever written and I'm not sure it's exactly what I want to lead with when submitting to publishers! Eventually I will take the leap and put the, "But what will your MOTHER think?!" issue behind me. Eventually.<br />
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<b>What's next?</b><br />
I need to get my feet on the ground. Get a job. Move into our house. Find furniture to sit on/lie on/cook on. But as much as I tell myself this, there are already two new characters running around inside my head making eyes at each other and whispering all sorts of stuff I should probably write down before they find someone else to write it for them. So...who knows. Writing is one of those things that doesn't ever, entirely let you go.<br />
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Oh, also what is next is another <a href="http://torchystacos.com/" target="_blank">'Kingpin' taco at Torchy's</a>. Because they are AMAZING. You should try one.<br />
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<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0Austin, TX, USA30.267153 -97.74306079999996729.828484 -98.388507799999971 30.705822 -97.097613799999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-31795093686447547342013-09-09T20:41:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:53:28.286+00:00Kindle Romance Cover End-of-Summer Catch-up! Hello you lovely readerly and coverly-loverly folk - we're back!<br /><br />Okay, so that didn't feel like quite so long a 'holiday' as it should have done, but if the kids (others', not mine...I have none of those!) are back at school that probably means I need to hang up the flip-flops, stop overdosing on <i>Bones</i> reruns and find me some purdy Romance covers to share with you all.<br /><br />I didn't give up on cover-hunting over the holidays, don't worry - plenty covers from around the genres added to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/beatriceholley/cover-lover/">Cover Lover Pinterest board</a>!<br /><br /><h3>CUTE BLUE</h3>Both of these are cute, sweet and clean and use that bright blue with just a punchy little highlight of red or pink to set it off. You get a sense of blue-sky optimism from these covers, with a little passion thrown in.<br /><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>I Dream of Johnny</i></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://www.julietmadison.com/">Juliet Madison</a></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Escape Publishing</span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unkonwn</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance</span></span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Of-Johnny-novella-ebook/dp/B00EAEDY4Q"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ47nk1pPY3vhiQmEZtCaRchMtc5Yde-1ysdxXBaWqYGAd57KCW3qAH-kRK1Sz6T1jHSZThC0wlDsgwVlCGQ5B2ZBWknAEI2naWA8qvYW_lU3iTv-uIKB10UkBjH2O7Iv14G62LDZzAUQ/s1600/I+Dream+of+Johnny+by+Juliet+Madison.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Olivia</i></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://www.paolacalvetti.com/">Paola Calvetti</a></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Ediciones Martinez Roca</span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unknown</span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Contemporary Romance</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0P_rKZNSGmwgip29HWkEZB8fk1F_6xt_MOBmoe5Wlb9XfTEgXHiegfNTQkgLhU0zT8wK1eLNQHG-RkSw4RLDY663HjUAlcpoNvHD4VfKldZt4deTrH3VCTM1ompQFBflPA1LxqkNxQY/s1600/Olivia+by+Paola+Calvetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0P_rKZNSGmwgip29HWkEZB8fk1F_6xt_MOBmoe5Wlb9XfTEgXHiegfNTQkgLhU0zT8wK1eLNQHG-RkSw4RLDY663HjUAlcpoNvHD4VfKldZt4deTrH3VCTM1ompQFBflPA1LxqkNxQY/s1600/Olivia+by+Paola+Calvetti.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><h3><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">A FEW MORE OF MY FAVOURITES...</span></span></h3><div><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">There are so many!! I really just couldn't pick from them all. So much gorgeous cover goodness! Here's a sampling from just the past week...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS2VQspEClCsThCeLSURsvEXZGKE_YYXPktLJOUmKfalz4gIDHHfRbtlMCBDCN0qKG15dc_9pFGq_Ywjc_oGncuOyR8ZhsOs4VccEDXtwhag2Rnjmtpru5eYJqepPexMwH1VE4z2T-BM/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+Sep+3+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS2VQspEClCsThCeLSURsvEXZGKE_YYXPktLJOUmKfalz4gIDHHfRbtlMCBDCN0qKG15dc_9pFGq_Ywjc_oGncuOyR8ZhsOs4VccEDXtwhag2Rnjmtpru5eYJqepPexMwH1VE4z2T-BM/s1600/Kindle+Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+Sep+3+2013.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">And of course, it couldn't be KRCOTW without a Pick of the Week...</span></span><br /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><br /><h3><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">PICK OF THE WEEK:</span></h3><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Left</i></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://thewarriorseries.blogspot.co.uk/">T.R. Graves</a></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Amazon/Self-Published</span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span>Claudia McKinney of <a href="http://phatpuppyart.com/">Phatpuppy Art</a><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Genre: </b>New Adult Romance</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSClW9NFiTms4x09OoKPiyhAo5Ca_rBwYeO6xhSxRwpb4to0yYwYF85t49y9J4vv3dU-QO_cjbx9KKLT_WFwYZ7O5W8riwZ-ZJLKSbw7OMh3-1PGCeirKKeIRXSCSLbET-wfKvLQe9fc/s1600/Left+by+T+R+Graves+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSClW9NFiTms4x09OoKPiyhAo5Ca_rBwYeO6xhSxRwpb4to0yYwYF85t49y9J4vv3dU-QO_cjbx9KKLT_WFwYZ7O5W8riwZ-ZJLKSbw7OMh3-1PGCeirKKeIRXSCSLbET-wfKvLQe9fc/s1600/Left+by+T+R+Graves+2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SCORES OUT OF 5</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; clear: both; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thumbnail-ability:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 3.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Font & Text:</b><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">4.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre-fit:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Composition:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 3.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Concept:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 3.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">OVERALL SCORE: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>3.8</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><b>What's to love...</b><br />Clean, simple, pretty but strong. I think what I liked best about this cover was the fact it was just somewhat different than the usual formula. No couples embracing, no cowboy or kilted rogue looking back over his shoulder. The ribbon feels a bit more like the tenuous connection between two people and not too bondage-y (something I think we're all pretty much <i>over</i> these days!). Simple body language with just two hands. Maybe she's pulling him. Maybe he's reaching out to her. Or maybe both? Nice simple palette. Very pretty brush-script for the title. I don't even mind the little embellishment under the author's name, as it grounds the whole area of text.<br /><br />Let's see what next week brings us!<br /><br />Now, off to even out my sandal-tan in the last of the late-summer sun. Oh that's right. It's raining. *sigh*<br /><br />Is it nearly Christmas yet?<br /><b><br /></b></div>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-54004859337337603962013-07-16T20:52:00.000+01:002018-12-31T00:13:32.793+00:00Kindle Romance Covers is taking a Summer 'Blog Holiday'...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnUSxxLmnyT0bJkSXXW65FMWLVXL3UyIwz3qS_lHKY_Pxx_4sfJf7_m5LhxZhGYgQfRxeEIruzS-lGzLVIuQ9DsCVehki4uvTN-IZAmkIoWrdhrLh4V6Z3X6DdViffHtFmORcwlWnI60/s1600/19181669_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnUSxxLmnyT0bJkSXXW65FMWLVXL3UyIwz3qS_lHKY_Pxx_4sfJf7_m5LhxZhGYgQfRxeEIruzS-lGzLVIuQ9DsCVehki4uvTN-IZAmkIoWrdhrLh4V6Z3X6DdViffHtFmORcwlWnI60/s1600/19181669_s.jpg" /></a></div>
It's finally hit me. I need a break. <b>A summer break. </b><br />
<br />
Working a full-time day job, writing three 1st drafts, revising two second drafts, two blogs, two twitter accounts and Pinterest is usually okay. I can do all that. I don't have kids. I don't have a diabetic dog. It's not so bad.<br />
<br />
But folks, it's summer. It's damned hot. And I seem to have guests coming to stay almost every weekend.<br />
<br />
So I'm treating myself to a break from blogging for a few weeks. I need to recharge. I need to be excited about doing this and not phased by the fact only Google bots read my posts.<br />
<br />
<b>So what's to look forward when I'm BACK?</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>'Official' Book Cover Review -<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Set-me-free-ebook/dp/B00CKN505A"> Set Me Free by Jennifer Collin</a> (my first real review request!)</li>
<li><a href="https://beatriceholley.blogspot.com/search/label/%23KRCOTW" target="_blank">Kindle Romance Covers of the Week</a></li>
<li>Updates on my <a href="https://beatriceholley.blogspot.com/2013/06/deja-vu-2-overused-cover-image-of-week.html" target="_blank">Overused Cover Images</a></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
See you when it cools down, lovely readers! Have a most wonderful summer...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
xBeatrice<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Top background image Copyright (c) </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/" style="font-size: small;">123RF Stock Photos</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-42919089126920745082013-07-12T08:05:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:53:28.339+00:00Fabio Friday! -={ 12th July 2013 }=-<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yay - it's Fabio(esque) Friday again! What better way to usher in a summer weekend than a steamy cover of yesteryear? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've chosen 'HIGHLAND ROGUE' this week, in honour of Scotland's own <b>Andy Murray</b> and his <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23217393">valiant victory at Wimbledon on Sunday</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgfu1yKXUkGat3v8hNTyVftPycSSksMkj-Vq5iZZHnvdyFR4ZGuxzRqGnJfMJPlN48pU-1YWOugO2JU7jzIlULutLR2kIvn1P0bibbBwKdhgBzRe4gAdBb1xApR8AEtPpNBzJiXWnv3Q/s1600/highland_rogue_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgfu1yKXUkGat3v8hNTyVftPycSSksMkj-Vq5iZZHnvdyFR4ZGuxzRqGnJfMJPlN48pU-1YWOugO2JU7jzIlULutLR2kIvn1P0bibbBwKdhgBzRe4gAdBb1xApR8AEtPpNBzJiXWnv3Q/s640/highland_rogue_web.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But why is this particular rogue not even bothering to wear a kilt? Or was this perhaps during the time the kilts were illegal? Gosh...gotta go swat up on my Scottish history, or I'll get myself into a right pickle...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Or is it the ENORMOUS FIRE burning in the grate? No wonder they haven't got many clothes on...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. I'd like to go with option a) a scoundrel set on seduction, please.</div><br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-38690650035329109252013-07-05T20:36:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:53:28.362+00:00Fabio Friday! -={ 5th July 2013 }=-Heard it's been hot hot hot in the US, and it's been almost summer-like here in the United Kingdom as well (apparently miracles DO happen!). So what better to suit the week than a Fabio-esque cover so hot and steamy that the couple can barely keep their clothes on?<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviaJM1t3inLe01Mb7nR3UN7npCamsIv3Sb6h6g4DtMGN_971ThHrCdWY93uilW-fGkHrra2LxfgLqiFGmvCDqPYt8XdhOuk84HmZkBaTYDczr8R_moJ8MBOYFbOost2po77FoeDOtuc0/s1600/kinsale-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviaJM1t3inLe01Mb7nR3UN7npCamsIv3Sb6h6g4DtMGN_971ThHrCdWY93uilW-fGkHrra2LxfgLqiFGmvCDqPYt8XdhOuk84HmZkBaTYDczr8R_moJ8MBOYFbOost2po77FoeDOtuc0/s640/kinsale-fire.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's 'Seizing the Fire' alright...along with a few other things! *fans self*</div><div><br /></div>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-82996296721108081762013-07-04T17:21:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:53:28.384+00:00Kindle Romance Cover Pick-of-the-Week - 4th July 2013I'm keeping it short & sweet from now on - wow, those posts were getting LONG. There just isn't time to write OR read that much cover goodness. So I'm diversifying. My favourite 'runners up' will get some <a href="https://twitter.com/RomanceCovers">raving tweets</a> and shine their little lights on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/beatriceholley/cover-lover/">Pinterest boards</a>, and I'll review one lucky cover a week right here on the blog.<br /><div><br /></div><div>That leaves me MORE time to investigate <a href="http://romancecoverreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/deja-vu-2-overused-cover-image-of-week.html">duplicate-cover-image scandals</a> (not really a scandal, I'm just a nerd), and carefully select a <a href="http://romancecoverreviews.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Fabio%20Friday">Fabio-esque cover</a> for your Friday enjoyment. And other things I haven't even thought of yet. I like to keep you all on your toes (and by 'all' I mean the 6 people who read this. Or maybe the 6 Google bots who visit the blog).</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been in two minds about this pick as STRANGELY enough it shares exactly the same colour scheme as my <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/576320083535659092/">last pick of the week</a>. Either I am exceedingly limited in my taste in covers, or it's just some big coinkidink.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Fractured</i></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Dani Atkins</span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://headofzeus.com/">Head of Zeus</a></span><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unknown (please let me know so I can credit!)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yiflx6jSgXDUg5AaT2wMx1SsVOMbxTckGFmK7s3JLG3gBnoXYPtFBrcFbq-PWeFDwWh9feXl-i5Il_vzzVGBvXy83LytrA2X-gtzVoEeeCgcH-ksQVmZo-5YM3YWP4MjF5fFYeFeSEg/s570/Fractured+Dani+Atkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yiflx6jSgXDUg5AaT2wMx1SsVOMbxTckGFmK7s3JLG3gBnoXYPtFBrcFbq-PWeFDwWh9feXl-i5Il_vzzVGBvXy83LytrA2X-gtzVoEeeCgcH-ksQVmZo-5YM3YWP4MjF5fFYeFeSEg/s1600/Fractured+Dani+Atkins.JPG" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SCORES OUT OF 5</span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; clear: both; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thumbnail-ability:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Font & Text: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">3.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre-fit:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 3</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Composition:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4.5</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Concept:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">OVERALL SCORE: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>3.8</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><b>What's to love...</b></div>Maybe it's my recent 'discovery' of Mad Men, but I'm liking this retro 'flat' style of illustration. The contrast of hot red against cool sea-green makes it pop. The black line art helps balance out the whole composition and gives some hint at dark things in the past or to come.<br /><br />The split caused by the 'reflection' is a great mechanism, and ties the title into the composition for me - 'Fractured'. I already get a sense of a person in two parts, or a story in two chapters. So what will it take to flip the whole thing around and it be a couple greeting each other joyfully and not just a woman walking alone? <b>I do so like a cover that makes me wonder...</b><br /><br /></div>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-7931795217985329252013-06-30T15:23:00.000+01:002018-12-31T00:18:26.519+00:00Déjà Vu #2: Overused Cover Image of the WeekIt happens. A great picture shows up on a stock images site and you JUMP on it. Unfortunately, <b>so do several other people.</b> Or more than several.<br />
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You might remember when I <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/sextuplets-or-how-to-avoid-embarrasing.html">started tracking several images</a> that seem to reoccur in Romance covers over and over (and OVER) again. I've managed to find <i><b>this </b></i>image used in covers <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/sextuplets-or-how-to-avoid-embarrasing.html" style="font-weight: bold;">sixteen times</a> (and counting):<br />
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<a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/sextuplets-or-how-to-avoid-embarrasing.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixznUhL2UBbxeslxc3-8oaeUfhnj2K3obWiOSP_zZyhpsvFyUrNKvmxjJ4XYE-YjK-HLSkcNafIsAMt52k8g-IkGnC6hlyh1YwVmdf3Fb5Emibr3Yet8qCupPTwUCj61nhuSXmu8wUrTY/s300/sillouhette.jpg" /></a></div>
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But that's not the END of the story, by any means. These covers all went live on Amazon Kindle WITHIN THE SAME WEEK:<br />
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Cover # 1:</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnTVKBICthOdzAp76FpiTDx1rF14WzuwI8zbu8C_8PJJsP4qvRx1lvRM0RGhZ4Lx5tXJHDFGSIzu0MJ1Qw66X0s6ydCMNJVki5-JMvQALtW2uTAFQ7VDGJXekwSZT57y-2TR4Ow5LHA8/s488/HASH+Human+Alien+Species+Hybrid+April+M+Reign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnTVKBICthOdzAp76FpiTDx1rF14WzuwI8zbu8C_8PJJsP4qvRx1lvRM0RGhZ4Lx5tXJHDFGSIzu0MJ1Qw66X0s6ydCMNJVki5-JMvQALtW2uTAFQ7VDGJXekwSZT57y-2TR4Ow5LHA8/s1600/HASH+Human+Alien+Species+Hybrid+April+M+Reign.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Cover #2</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UzgOBBYqVDVM40NosbyyvywMgFc0mhQ0NBNFJtV_poJ27uAGtLShOo154fSlz6U81LOhTIwcH4kpIi3cqEkJzBT-_UjQnOI-8g_UlXuQUZ-KNHJSaUomPQCbxMmjZoQRmSpeMS25ASE/s465/A+4th+July+To+Remember+T+J+Honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UzgOBBYqVDVM40NosbyyvywMgFc0mhQ0NBNFJtV_poJ27uAGtLShOo154fSlz6U81LOhTIwcH4kpIi3cqEkJzBT-_UjQnOI-8g_UlXuQUZ-KNHJSaUomPQCbxMmjZoQRmSpeMS25ASE/s1600/A+4th+July+To+Remember+T+J+Honey.jpg" /></a></div>
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Cover #3:</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fcVuCGgYGILr6P8sw7rIIgDS8S_re2hCkylZTCn5OWva7-ZIsyV75n70xTHtsmf_GQdh1uvSEgAHreViUElfURohWfofmhmBZMVYBIf6SZMTX3oxtFjTS5b9YqlJGXofa1HIZ6VC-34/s495/Falling+Into+Love+Selene+Chardou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fcVuCGgYGILr6P8sw7rIIgDS8S_re2hCkylZTCn5OWva7-ZIsyV75n70xTHtsmf_GQdh1uvSEgAHreViUElfURohWfofmhmBZMVYBIf6SZMTX3oxtFjTS5b9YqlJGXofa1HIZ6VC-34/s1600/Falling+Into+Love+Selene+Chardou.jpg" /></a></div>
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(#3 is by far my favourite - gorgeous job by Stephanie Nelson of <a href="http://www.onceuponatimecovers.com/">Once Upon a Time Covers</a>)</div>
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You can bet I'll be keeping an eye out for this image from now on - let's see how high the count gets!</div>
<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-68924014879348263632013-06-28T18:14:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:53:28.433+00:00It's...Fabio Friday! -={ 28th June 2013 }=-<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because...what else is better on a Friday than a dose of Fabio-esque man-wonder?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nah. I couldn't think of anything either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabioifc.com/BOOKCOVER_SHOTS_2/untamed_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fabioifc.com/BOOKCOVER_SHOTS_2/untamed_web.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is it just me, or is that striped purple throw-cushion getting a bit fresh with her thigh? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*tassel tassel*</div><br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-38206412054534873172013-06-24T22:05:00.000+01:002013-06-24T22:07:42.270+01:00Too Stupid To Live (TSTL) - Mistakes of a Rookie Writer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcwjRkTLWj53M6hmwYmcP3EwBbrMmn1GytOqPTiZwfz2yKOkOzGcs2v7aq4OD5co1S1ajNYjpFrF4j9b0-45nY9ZDq6FaNEGkD4LmSIKEUbiIkfk-gAmMO94JN_SIizD-Y5ke67qD37lq/s1600/Too+Stupid+to+Live+-+Burn+It+All+-+Beatrice+Holley+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcwjRkTLWj53M6hmwYmcP3EwBbrMmn1GytOqPTiZwfz2yKOkOzGcs2v7aq4OD5co1S1ajNYjpFrF4j9b0-45nY9ZDq6FaNEGkD4LmSIKEUbiIkfk-gAmMO94JN_SIizD-Y5ke67qD37lq/s1600/Too+Stupid+to+Live+-+Burn+It+All+-+Beatrice+Holley+v2.jpg" /></a></div>
Yes, so, I thought I'd get some objective feedback on the first portion of one of the first stories I wrote. Second draft. Much snappier than the first. Was <i>certain</i> it would get some sort of positive feedback. I mean, my writing isn't Man Booker Prize-worthy, but it's better than some books I've PAID for, right? Right?<br />
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No. Not so much.<br />
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So before I bury my poor wounded writer's head in the sand and follow that insane impulse to NEVER WRITE AGAIN EVER EVER AGAIN <i><b>EVER</b>.</i>..I thought it best that I just write down a couple of things I need to learn from the whole experience. Maybe they'll be useful to someone else, or at the very least it will help me remember (as if I could forget).<br />
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1. TSTL</h4>
My first lesson was on the acronym 'TSTL'.<b> </b>New one for me, but a quick Google session told me that every time someone was calling my leading lady 'TSTL', it meant she was 'Too Stupid To Live'. As in,<i> 'How on earth did she get from being born to being an adult without accidentally getting herself KILLED. Killed from sheer STUPID.' </i>Other words used to back up the 'TSTL' label were such glowing descriptors as '<i>twit</i>' and '<i>such a ditz</i>'.<br />
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Now, I'm not about to go into detail about the actual piece (particularly as it's still partaking in a ceremonial burning on the back patio and LET'S JUST NOT GO THERE), but here are a few more things I'm taking away from the experience.<br />
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2. FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT</h4>
Your character is allowed to be human, make mistakes, and be flawed. But (apparently) you <b>cannot</b> show all their WORST traits in the first two pages without turning at least a few readers into haters. They want to get pulled into the life of someone they can either relate to or at the very least, vaguely respect. So if all I give them is a series of reasonably dumb mistakes and nothing much in the way of redeeming qualities, apparently ...that's a turn-off. Being dramatic is not enough. Being dramatic and DUMB is bad.<br />
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This might seem entirely logical and obvious when you read it. You're nodding to yourself now. You're thinking, "Nah, I'd never do that." But how easy is it to forget that we know our characters intimately - especially if we've written the entire book and know their whole story. How easy is it to forget that our character still has to make a first impression on a completely 'cold' audience who don't yet know about our character's winsome smile or quirky laugh or extended butterfly collection? First pages do sorta have to be all about that first introduction. A polite how-do-you-do, or at least NOT a display of all your beloved character's worst traits. Like I did.<br />
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3. IF YOU THINK YOU'VE CUT ENOUGH BACK-STORY...YOU HAVEN'T</h4>
I really thought I had this down. I'd read enough excruciating 'laundry-list' intros to books that I thought I knew what I was doing. I cut a lot out. I thought I'd been brutal. I wove subtle details in. I thought I'd been clever. But instead of the gripping wash of introduction to my heroine's dilemma that I'd intended, it mainly just came across as navel gazing. Too much thinking. Not enough doing. WAY too not-enough-doing. So, if you think you've been sparing? Cut more. Snip snip. You have a whole book to bore people with the details. Or at least..<i>.</i>I do.<br />
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4. GO WITH YOUR GUT / STOP OVERTHINKING</h4>
Ironically, but probably not very surprisingly, the one line that someone picked out as being reasonably on the way to showing a tiny glimmer of potential was one of my weird, out-of-rear-brain-nowhere things I just chucked in and shrugged about. Wasn't bad enough to cut, so I left it in. And THAT is what they liked.<br />
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So often I catch myself writing the way I think writing SHOULD BE. As in...not obeying the words on the tip of my brain's tongue (that sounded weird...but I'm going with it), but reformatting the whole thing until it sounds the way writing is 'supposed' to sound. And in the process, the pure voice of it gets muddied. Muffled. Stamped out. Out goes the visceral. Out goes the instinctual. If there's one thing I am really taking away from this is...give myself permission to BE MYSELF.<br />
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That might take a while. Work In Progress.<br />
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Lastly...<br />
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5. I SURVIVED</h4>
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That's all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Top background image Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-49254705343747655822013-06-11T22:08:00.000+01:002018-12-31T00:33:42.726+00:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 11th June 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cACbFUM0HqAV0AnJTQew6TTZJDmmSBMqp17TqHH0sp4eIXMfLxLQ8Abmg2kLFbfAdcYM_MxBTv4j_-nxC2gEL2nf6m5qWC4mUFbY2Le0SIkqds4ZnGM7v7tbiRe2wglg2xyd75j7XHY/s1600/Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+June+10+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cACbFUM0HqAV0AnJTQew6TTZJDmmSBMqp17TqHH0sp4eIXMfLxLQ8Abmg2kLFbfAdcYM_MxBTv4j_-nxC2gEL2nf6m5qWC4mUFbY2Le0SIkqds4ZnGM7v7tbiRe2wglg2xyd75j7XHY/s400/Romance+Covers+of+the+Week+June+10+2013.png" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT A REAL BOOK! Just having some fun :D</td></tr>
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<b>It's that time of the week again!</b> I've tumbled through the torrents of torrid love story book covers on Amazon Kindle UK, and picked out my favourites...just for you. That's right. YOU, lovely reader.<br />
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(That didn't sound stalkerish at all, now did it?)</div>
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ANYWAY...if you're new to the Kindle Romance Covers of the Week, I scroll through the <b><span style="color: purple;">1000+</span></b> book covers in the Amazon UK Romance section for the past 7 days. And I find the pretty. And I find the weird. And sometimes I find the downright inexplicable-<b>what-were-you-thinking-<i>are-you-MAD</i></b> covers. But I like to keep things positive and generally point out more about what I like than what I don't.<br />
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That being said...I can still speak my mind...</div>
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<h4>
FIFTY SHADES OF...*YAWWWN*</h4>
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Am I alone in this? Am I the only one that is getting just a teensy little bit tired of the grey-scale <i>"Aren't I dark and mysterious and wearing silver-plated bespoke nipple-clamps under my clothes,"</i> covers? I picked out all of these covers from the line-up because of their exquisite composition and balance. They are lovely.Yet, I find myself going a little cold for this style. I want real, human warmth from my love story. Not (yet more) complicated power games and highly-choreographed acrobatics. How about some hot, damn-sexy down-home love? Am I crazy? That and I'm just bored. I LOVE COLOURS. Gimme COLOURS. Okay. I'm done now...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlQdGLibyql5QG5F6PH4zfhEItY68HNApHLGVV9UkooK74Fv-dbpNHNM5QZcTFgS1GKg9Hf-0IG3pdIAjXOIipPh2n7pFw56n0X-ZJeQj0jcznNnS_S-4GAZAFuJqLzNivBIYj88-9Qo/s1600/50+Shades+of+Yawwwwn+book+covers.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlQdGLibyql5QG5F6PH4zfhEItY68HNApHLGVV9UkooK74Fv-dbpNHNM5QZcTFgS1GKg9Hf-0IG3pdIAjXOIipPh2n7pFw56n0X-ZJeQj0jcznNnS_S-4GAZAFuJqLzNivBIYj88-9Qo/s1600/50+Shades+of+Yawwwwn+book+covers.png.png" /></a></div>
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<h4>
THE BODICE BUSTER LIVES ON!</h4>
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That's right folks, fear not. The quintessential Bodice Buster can live on in your Kindle. Granted, these days the busty ladies (breaking bodaciously from their brimming bodices) seem to have a little more of the upper hand, if the body-language is anything to go by. You go girls. Kilts up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_NOPobsubQR9Svj73-pnbSAvH8tZwMo06DnvRWszqdyxZsgnoz4ayxOe-A9nOaO1S14APQx3qnLKHMeLuY-nK6x1u6wOfQfM_FIbZVZWOEkHxXO1s12cWVRiT-3_ypMLNCCtLAJbC1w/s1600/Highland+Bodice+Busting+Wonders.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_NOPobsubQR9Svj73-pnbSAvH8tZwMo06DnvRWszqdyxZsgnoz4ayxOe-A9nOaO1S14APQx3qnLKHMeLuY-nK6x1u6wOfQfM_FIbZVZWOEkHxXO1s12cWVRiT-3_ypMLNCCtLAJbC1w/s1600/Highland+Bodice+Busting+Wonders.png.png" /></a></div>
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WELL, THAT'S A LITTLE...DIFFERENT</h4>
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I find myself intrigued, yet a little frightened by these. </div>
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<h4>
A BEVY OF BUTTERFLIES</h4>
These two are actually very pretty and I'd consider them not-far-off runner's up this week. But there does seem to be a lot of butterfly-theme going on lately, along with the desaturated colour style of the Instagram Generation (of which I've just proven I'm not a part. Oops.).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ia6lv2bHZsfhl8wTwSrH3DP4DA4lqPHrfoaVHvvHWN_q2HSxEprCBmQ8GdwZukFSaXo3L5QrsLvPosUGJqYozh-yRSGFkq3Ri9tA3bDkgZRr6XIvp1EYsSgiSr9NuoKlLNi2KtZZb84/s1600/The+Butterfly+Storm+by+Kate+Frost+and+My+Butterfly+by+Laura+Miller.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ia6lv2bHZsfhl8wTwSrH3DP4DA4lqPHrfoaVHvvHWN_q2HSxEprCBmQ8GdwZukFSaXo3L5QrsLvPosUGJqYozh-yRSGFkq3Ri9tA3bDkgZRr6XIvp1EYsSgiSr9NuoKlLNi2KtZZb84/s1600/The+Butterfly+Storm+by+Kate+Frost+and+My+Butterfly+by+Laura+Miller.png.png" /></a></div>
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AND THIS WEEK'S FAVOURITES ARE...</h4>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Following Bliss</i></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://heatherstrang.com/">Heather Strang</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Amazon/Self-published</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://jimkirkthomson.com/">Jim Thomson</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Paranormal Romance</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What's to Love:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Cute image, lovely open feel, and great scripty-font choice! Feet!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Following-Bliss-Quest-ebook/dp/B00D9BR3NY"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBB2Bi1tY1hUGzzbJJhBcHAjI7TRYEz-eFm6vD4VM5S6RbVRvhAkYw7mx-jNyxnKNHH33ECRiJ2O8wIdvZ7zcakxbzaMG7P6ODTH0GP6ieVXl5seaOF9pJJBCupYzixDXs6rByvB7TAM/s1600/Following+Bliss+Heather+Strang+book+cover.png.png" /></a><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Listening to Brahms</i></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2130">Rosemary Allen</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Matador</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unknown (let me know so I can credit!)</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Historical Romance</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">NOTE: I <i>know</i> it looks like I'm breaking my own NO GREY-SCALE rule here (though technically this would be considered 'sepia'), but this cover is NOT of the same ilk as 50 Shades. Seriously folks. This is a forest. Not a red room of pain.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What's to Love:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Atmosphere, buckets of atmosphere. Simple, yet intriguing</i>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Listening-Brahms-Rosemary-Allen/dp/1780885210"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88IgeKAn1-rIwAJ0iNDzNrGrjVFX8sJMBFjxTlhDEhItC9w6nXcrsNPV4ADX8Av6IguJjYrPkMZPo-hlPPqUkNAz6zFm-otw_VzftCdXCsmLMCIuM-c2ZfL5_vIWNzMK7CHGkWQC5Kz0/s1600/Listening+to+Brahms+by+Rosemary+Allen+book+cover.png.png" /></a><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Diamonds in the Rough</i></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Portia Da Costa</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Mills & Boon Spice</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unknown (let me know so I can credit!)</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Contemporary Romance</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What's to Love:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Just such a pretty picture. Elegant, yet vulnerable. Not sure I'd like it as much WITHOUT the big red dot. The red dot sort of adds to it.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diamonds-Ladies-Sewing-Circle-ebook/dp/B00CMOXQTY"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5XLeujhYdaYUdgUFiS4ftTIvTb46ketnZlEZVPWCBrpYA7_mnWU0T5XieYXWjXkgXR_DLzQbkO2AOxZD2wkyqVhdYd4VdyPEgx7VrHZFFHOakBwJYA4I2wadRKYnsy_ZHwMZtoQtbgM/s1600/Diamonds+in+the+Rough+by+Portia+Da+Costa.png.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">(trying not to sing tunes from Disney's <i>Aladdin</i> now. You know the ones I mean.)</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Can't Buy Me Love</i></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://www.lightmessages.com/">Summer Kinard</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Light Messages Publishing</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Unknown (please let me know so I can credit!)</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Contemporary Romance</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What's to Love:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman";"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Clever combination of elements. Inviting, hints at a bigger story hiding behind the cover. That flaky paint is just right.</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Buy-Me-Love-ebook/dp/B00BWZYTTK"><img border="0" buy="" kinard.png.png="" love="" me="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNY7merYG-jDvIos8w36VAFvGw7VnQoDXD6H_YMklYTmf__w2Fx17qFditOPlLfM1fwH4qOjEIlSEcsxDt07EwdbRBu5o7TDeXk05PPhGgp2pP-M8dqWSdD02GTcNhBRhJj8eZVOc46Y/s1600/Can" summer="" t="" /></a><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Sins & Needles</i></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://khalle.wordpress.com/">Karina Halle</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Eternal Romance</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://najlaqamberdesigns.com/">Najla Qambar</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Romance</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What's to Love:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Picked this without knowing it was by Najla (who designed my <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/kindle-romance-covers-of-week-12th-may.html">Pick of the Week a month ago!</a>). Great, moody image, oodles of Girl-With-The-Dragon-Tattoo attitude. Suits the story blurb to a T.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sins-Needles-The-Artists-Trilogy/dp/1479359084"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy18BDkq8RtvvsyMGKfFfqewOyap9IWHNhZSErIV12qog2PQxGAVhSFF7rfW1qGLsYfGd63G7utsyN6ZuWi4vevhbmC9GRnZYdwVZbOjmMbTR62tHyeD8P_2JJsI_dked3LRLWVuNIXCI/s1600/Sins+And+Needles+Karina+Halle+book+cover.png.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">MY PICK OF THE WEEK</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">And finally - the Pick of the Week!</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Title:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <i>Eversea</i></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Author:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://www.natashaboyd.com/">Natasha Boyd</a></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Publisher:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> Amazon/Self-published</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cover Artist:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adrian.repasch">Adrian Rapasch</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman";"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eversea-love-story-Natasha-Boyd/dp/0989492508"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgbsM_d9wE54rnYGLqmD8QARcikkpplpLW-lN3eCOW3jpb6UJ8MecgIfCb5z0HMbZYcFKTKnFeq2eOzM_axjpGmRBjHPDcy5-Wc0pWpMZOcyPlGnJtm6mU1DxltTvKu9t8njdzAv2fH0/s640/Eversea+by+Natasha+Boyd+book+cover.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SCORES OUT OF 5</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thumbnail-ability:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Font & Text: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">4</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Genre-fit:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 3.5</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Composition:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall Concept:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> 4</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">OVERALL SCORE: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>3.9</b></span></div>
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I practically grew up by the ocean, long ago, way 'down-under'. Sea glass was one of my favourite things to find, and when I'm wandering the English beaches, I still can't stop myself picking it up. So I'm with Natasha on the cove/beach theme of her novel here.<br />
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The colours are gorgeous, and for the SECOND time I'm just loving the pop of just-enough red. The turtle motif hasn't got any correlating plot-related clues in the blurb, but it has me curious..<br />
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Natasha and her designer, Adrian Rapasch, actually ran a <b><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmedia%2Fset%2F%3Fset%3Da.189718571180207.1073741825.160844667400931%26type%3D1&ei=z--0UYKNAcrmPLLugYgL&usg=AFQjCNE2Z315nK71eRU2oow-fmmnZJz5og&sig2=EfQWHWv6ba1tF3-b4M7BIA&bvm=bv.47534661,d.ZWU">cover-design-vote</a></b> before settling on this one! Great way to publicise and see what people really like. Check out the other designs <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmedia%2Fset%2F%3Fset%3Da.189718571180207.1073741825.160844667400931%26type%3D1&ei=z--0UYKNAcrmPLLugYgL&usg=AFQjCNE2Z315nK71eRU2oow-fmmnZJz5og&sig2=EfQWHWv6ba1tF3-b4M7BIA&bvm=bv.47534661,d.ZWU"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
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I've been in two minds about this being my POTW ('Sins & Needles' is SUCH a close runner-up, with an awesome title and cover art), but my eye kept being drawn back to this one. It's just beautiful, deceptively simple, and wonderfully balanced in a 'trying not to try too hard' sort of way. That piece of red glass is the glowing heart amongst a sea of cold bluey-green. I love it.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! See you next time...</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">Top background image Copyright (c) </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #d22abc; font-family: Hanuman; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">123RF Stock Photos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman"; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;"> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span></div>
Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-83869384546108520572013-06-03T21:19:00.000+01:002018-12-30T23:58:57.418+00:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 3rd June 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl_W9g4FRtg1IRRvttFhHGdy17KRIM90glgI5jDydpklcfWrxGD-JlMcqbmuIvRsne6wk_JV_6kMUiuVB6Fv0kPPeHMC9ZFoUT7GJ1gxrw5BwDR1t_zTTRKhuGNCEkMU3_oOFSW3OhQU/s1600/romance_covers_of_the_week_02_june_2013.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl_W9g4FRtg1IRRvttFhHGdy17KRIM90glgI5jDydpklcfWrxGD-JlMcqbmuIvRsne6wk_JV_6kMUiuVB6Fv0kPPeHMC9ZFoUT7GJ1gxrw5BwDR1t_zTTRKhuGNCEkMU3_oOFSW3OhQU/s400/romance_covers_of_the_week_02_june_2013.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What a great start to a new blog</b> - I'm still amazed at the positive response to <a href="http://romancecoverreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/romance-covers-of-week-27th-may-2013.html">last week's post</a>! It's all down to the fantastic job the authors and their publishers are doing of promoting their books, so well done. I'm just thrilled to be along for the ride and invited to the party. Reading up on each of the authors in their release week is incredibly exciting, and now I wouldn't miss it.</div>
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Thank you to everyone who retweeted and reblogged and made a fuss - it's a absolute pleasure to promote you all.</div>
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YOU PUBLISHED <span style="color: magenta;">HOW</span><span style="color: purple;"> </span>MANY?</h4>
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That's right, guess how many Kindle eBooks are published on Amazon UK in the 'Romance' category in just 30 days? I was stunned. <b>4,321</b>?! Look!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXcyebxqCFSWfreDZZeDyz2urJwdv0N41u79vqv1aeLI4zOY1Dc5fwpnRasSzKcNHRMZO5BaBO4dwOg9gfweH43fmu9OiUzFLKeIZVrMIVjnoj-EeO-tuPPZvjCH4AyD0sKbGIg_HjNs/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Hot_New_Releases.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXcyebxqCFSWfreDZZeDyz2urJwdv0N41u79vqv1aeLI4zOY1Dc5fwpnRasSzKcNHRMZO5BaBO4dwOg9gfweH43fmu9OiUzFLKeIZVrMIVjnoj-EeO-tuPPZvjCH4AyD0sKbGIg_HjNs/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Hot_New_Releases.JPG" /></a></div>
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Thankfully I only have to dig through the past week's worth (still, that's got to be over 1,000 covers to get through!), but that's a whole lotta love. Out of these I've selected my favourites, as well as my Pick of the Week. As I've mentioned before, I'm now rating my 'POTW' out of a possible score of <b>5</b> (check out the <a href="http://romancecoverreviews.blogspot.co.uk/p/review-criteria.html">Review Criteria page</a> to read more).</div>
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But first...</div>
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AND THE MOST <span style="color: magenta;">INEXPLICABLE BOOK TITLE </span>AWARD GOES TO...</h4>
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I'm rather upset, actually, as this title has since been taken off of Amazon (by the author, I assume), and I couldn't get a nice big version of the cover (apologies for the pixelation), or link to it. You'll have to take my word for it, but the title is, <b><i>5 Toads & Along Came a Viking</i></b>. I love it. I want to read it. Shadowstorm! Put it back up on Amazon!</div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hNMBZ7FdyePXI3VGmEWOyNV-Fnt6jfjsmxe6aqWFVrZKnrs2A9aMa0O7ArqaBxiecG9cT1uC8q_IC_ZPXOBIzM_tkuSf_miH5H6RV7sIMqh8Gyix9dPUHubdZQhUWyd40Rl9mgItDV4/s400/5_toads_and_along_came_a_viking.png.png" width="253" /><br />
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<h4>
THE MOST <span style="color: magenta;">PUZZLING COVER IMAGE</span> AWARD GOES TO...</h4>
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There are no words. Are there?<br />
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Maybe...<br />
"Ow...!"<br />
"Uhhh..."<br />
"Ahhhh...."<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Requited-Love-ebook/dp/B00D48YRL8"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKGXZ7kEm-ojS4d9YRcVc48UwflQ7cAuG2780YFchDdfMomLT6PnldtdTYIYlKbS5Mh_5jsJJam9ejBJUzpXgaqtNE-jqMKCN_vUbRgsyevKBqxO5Rip2-wwrg5F4yR5kJ8WzUodZL3E/s400/Requited_Love.png.png" width="267" /></a><br />
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Okay, here are some of my favourites from the past week of Romance covers...<br />
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<h4>
DARK & DRAMATIC</h4>
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I love a dark, moody romance, and these covers promise mystery and some rather dangerous (and erotic...oh my!) undercurrents...</div>
<b><br /></b><b>Title:</b> <i>The Lady's Tutor</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.robinschone.com/">Robin Schone</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Kensington Books<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b> <i>Simple, but perfectly balanced composition. Dark, sharp detail against brighter softness.Great text placement.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ladys-Tutor-ebook/dp/B00CUIABIQ"><img border="0" robin="" s="" schone.png.png="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7CwvzlSI8Idkql5CHdtCyKY_h5sG_bKhIxw1r2-rQAWZID5IDUuTsR3CcBc-idT7rgTeusIiVO3JJzjeeEA2dHyQd3PItP7W4fsd8FuFfFvluqgRrxC8n_LTpikBWHnTVtKCcge4mmo/s1600/The+Lady" tutor="" /></a></div>
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I have to say I like this version of the cover rather significantly more than ANY of the historical versions of the same book! Talk about cover-art-evolution...</div>
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<img border="0" cover="" older="" robin="" s="" schone="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MHwhPblRUZQljZx0Zxyh3dz_hg-KB8BJhtcD-ZWQf7AIHZ3Y45xKFq1E7eujRtvWI-DDgIUJR-pmnv_erCBU0WxCBcHY0cwiAUqsUmAaC93RnrUkFr49OWGZZ9DEz3D0Ficbtgzm6ys/s1600/The+Lady" tutor="" versions.png="" /><br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Pleasures of Summer</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.eviehunter.com/">Evie Hunter</a> (pseudonym for joint-authors Eileen Gormley & Caroline McCall)<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Penguin<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Erotic Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b> <i>Keeping it simple leaves more room for intriguing 'log lines'. Screams 'dark' and 'erotic'.</i><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxiW-VLnZKG9n8q64vk5q_A44v01uwm1aMJb3rpa8DeKcFtlAp7r8gS2NMZ1wX8UIzb6TfaUZDwgtC-8McgllfvGEgsXuKZb09tCL_FxpKe_cfVPF_5LTCgkbHiGKJdwguM1UmH3PgEA/s1600/The+Pleasures+of+Summer+Evie+Hunter.png.png" /><br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Soul Stripper</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.katanacollins.com/">Katana Collins</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Kensington Books<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown (please let me know so I can credit!)<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Paranormal Erotic Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b> <i>Edgy font, atmospheric background, and a woman that OWNS that cover. Attitude +.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Stripper-ebook/dp/B00B60D9UQ"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R0F5OV4WrBGm-SIoiHQGMRok7vkguHBRNyiPW0BZC0ANtRWWtNIIY39wszPDobCI3i2M54Jz5ZfAbT6N6dk4kr6C9njOLIsQLJ1CMuH5yLzOtCiNpcgqN1rm3LDTvlnoqtrrBUy7Gr0/s1600/Soul+Stripper+Katana+Collins.png.png" /></a><br />
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<h4>
BRIGHT & BOLD</h4>
It's that dreaming-of-the-beach time of year, where summer feels just around the corner. Perfect time to have those juicy-candy-bright colours splashed all over the front of what you're reading...<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>One Pink Line</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.dinasilver.com/">Dina Silver</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon Publishing<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown (please let me know so I can credit!)<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b><i> It's. Just. So. Pink. Strong, feminine and memorable. Reviews always mention THE COVER.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Pink-Line-ebook/dp/B00AKJ2HDO"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfGabqvWKHIxZlSGz4OgP4qgIpT00HZFkhyCEA0RVEiX_QOaZD4i0skng3dPBbFhNI5TlTYROEZZAtfp_q1BdXSS42IiIjmcE6-wtjOtvXKpfXN4r7UWJgM9VSdmWowVzXaAd84Tr2zg/s1600/One+Pink+Line+Dina+Silver.png.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>A Hundred Summers</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.beatrizwilliams.com/">Beatriz Williams</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Putnam (Penguin)<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance<br />
<b><br /></b><b>What's to Love:</b> <i>Gorgeous Art-Deco font, lovely little corner details, and an image that says SUMMER.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Hundred-Summers-ebook/dp/B00AEBERQI"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgfknHBvT9JWAT1RzCq0W5VecWdfaTP_rxb827Z5EMUVderdhRQnm8ibGIbTV414q2biZrin57ou9H8Kqx5l7harNb_QtYO6QIJHGvFu606YOsm96uXK-CYM5mm7stSwqjsakd-ZYJ8k/s1600/A+Hundred+Summers+Beatriz+Williams.png.png" /></a><br />
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<h4>
SOFT & PRETTY</h4>
These covers prove that you don't necessarily need to make big, bold statements to catch a reader's eye. You can capture a moment, an emotion, vulnerability. It's all good.<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Blood's Gem</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/bloodsgem">Gloria Conway</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Gloria Conway<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> <a href="http://aeternum-art.deviantart.com/">Consuelo Parra</a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Paranormal Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b><i> A little window into a different world. A single, poised, intimate moment. </i><br />
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<img border="0" conway.png.png="" gem="" gloria="" s="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW6V7S2hHnxB81cxK4IeqOQOXc8bPi6Rk3g6sEtPiwpHitRxViZ-WqDAXkXT81-BrcWYvsuUC4ceb2THLHjWd9kcXISPfADHA67e132cEC7P7q5Vv9m56i-8Ucu7Kgmrt0W7T5FDuSqg/s1600/Blood" /><br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Edge of Darkness</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://melissaandrea-justlikethat.blogspot.co.uk/">Melissa Andrea</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> India Girl Ink<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Sarah Hansen - <a href="http://www.okaycreations.com/">Okay Creations</a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
<b><br /></b><b>What's to Love:</b> (How is it that I always pick a cover and THEN find out it's a Sarah Hansen special? Yes, I am now officially becoming creepy and stalkerish.) <i>That hair. That text. Simplicity in colour palette, great texture and contrast. Balanced, and all ties together.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Edge-Darkness-Trinity-ebook/dp/B00D4AAU08"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx4HZo2wL_uIjPfqYr9rJlYmgk1JeQLUvA3BQZEG7eU8csUNoBskiWBJWK85ZuG4_60H18x1wenLEbkJ8VPwlT3w2a9ifnH8ESg2773tMkk1d_2PCCxhQBsqVBC-RYoCNyfFAzmxzQzc/s1600/The+Edge+Of+Darkness+Melissa+Andrea.png.png" /></a><br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Language of Spells</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://sarah-painter.com/">Sarah Painter</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Carina UK<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown (let me know so I can credit!)<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Paranormal Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b> <i>Pretty and dream-like. Colours that remind you of lying too long in the sun and the world turning that funny shade of faded bluey-green.</i><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsBXQwzgZWk_iRD5kU959IeH7TeDGfaaynoYIZQSwB7uACHTGSVSDKtKftCW_HNk-G0BdTs2QdiDAgmsi7gYlzBcIG1hVgbXNRwvNYhCMX7HZKSvT84PZdVBLtTgZE5LFPKxQLJvcorQ/s1600/The+Language+of+Spells+Sarah+Painter.png" /><br />
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<h3>
PICK OF THE WEEK</h3>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Rose</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Kirsten.Os">Kirsten Osbourne</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Unlimited Dreams Publishing<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> <a href="http://phatpuppyart.com/">Phatpuppy Art</a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rose-Suitors-of-Seattle-ebook/dp/B00D2KTTHK"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0c4mtN-e3GxHioejvB_6hcc4ezd0iN5429flINt674rKHdN8J86XpDijlKKokwy0lidWlnAIVTvUDGdetPX6DaaoRL7_ieqJ10jAH6BjCQU5TN8IA_4jT46wbPwFLVW04oUYYGRh1aMo/s1600/Rose_Kirsten_Osbourne_book_cover.png.png" /></a><br />
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SCORES OUT OF 5<br />
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<b>Thumbnail-ability:</b> 4<br />
<b>Font & Text: </b>3.5<br />
<b>Genre-fit:</b> 4<br />
<b>Overall Composition:</b> 4.5<br />
<b>Overall Concept:</b> 4<br />
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OVERALL SCORE: <span style="color: purple;"><b>4</b></span></div>
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This is one of those covers where the longer you look, the more you see. You wonder at first why your eye is drawn back to it again and again. I mean, it's just a posh chick in dress...isn't it?<br />
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For me, this cover is a masterclass in the subtleties you can achieve with digital art. I love the mixture of elements - the photographic quality of the model contrasted with the mythical symbolic style of the rose she's holding. She's surrounded by trees, but there, just on the right, we get a glimmer of a stately house and a curving drive. The hazy effect focuses us in on her face and her expression and at the same time, has us feeling the muggy heat of a summer's day. We have depth. We have atmosphere.<br />
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The font choices are simple, yet effective. I had difficulty deciding how to rate the text - there isn't very much of it, which can make it less of a challenge to format. But on the other hand, something done well can just make it LOOK easy. It took some wracking of my brain, but between the image and the flowing centred title text, I finally realised what was tugging at my subconscious. The concentration and style of text is very like that of books that were well-loved on my bookshelf growing up: <b>Anne of Green Gables. </b>GENIUS.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00H0TIOSB5R9Ro3fQ2L1r6n9wq7OMAsNUXOIH0q6ezJ7DWsUfBAWBAKIAXLCg2YlvtyahBjvsFbRxsHozg60QCqkM8bTSh5rSulBR7XglhjsNiuzxjH_C3l5CAy3EPz6e5ketUOTni7I/s1600/anne-of-green-gables-book-series1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00H0TIOSB5R9Ro3fQ2L1r6n9wq7OMAsNUXOIH0q6ezJ7DWsUfBAWBAKIAXLCg2YlvtyahBjvsFbRxsHozg60QCqkM8bTSh5rSulBR7XglhjsNiuzxjH_C3l5CAy3EPz6e5ketUOTni7I/s1600/anne-of-green-gables-book-series1.jpg" /></a></div>
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I could go on for a whole lot longer, but let's just say this: I love the graduation of colour and contrast from bottom to top. I love the subtle light haze behind the title. I also believe this cover is an open door a reader can walk through, right into the first page of the story.<br />
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Okay - I'm done now! <b><i>What do you think?</i></b><br />
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Oh - before I go. My DEEP apologies for neglecting the INCREDIBLY important...<br />
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<h4>
<span style="color: magenta;">♥ </span>ABS OF THE WEEK AWARD! <span style="color: magenta;">♥</span></h4>
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Usually I add this as a bit of a laugh. I'm not really one to be attracted to wall-to-wall photoshopped washboard abs on a book cover (not sure why that is - I should probably get myself checked out). But this cover...? Phwah. Is it hot in here, or is it just me? *fans self*<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Falling for a Bentley</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://adrianalaw28.weebly.com/">Adriana Law</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-Published<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown (Wish I knew...then maybe we could find out who the model is... @_@ )<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<b>What's to Love:</b> <i>You'd have to be blind to not know. Do I have to spell it out for you?</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-for-a-Bentley-ebook/dp/B00D1XL552"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKOJiyCaNwcLMAr9KdPGv2BkwNLWlbX_KqqHDtNe6KSA6md2M6QRsO2qd9ipmwlYvK9Kklo0cuf5I_GSiWDUeTzEF7SJnl-X0T4wDNGuqqatSzLDyGth6fd1AmXtDManXc66HM1ouWu0/s1600/Falling+For+A+Bentley+Adriana+Law.png.png" /></a><br />
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<b><i>Thanks for joining me for this week's romance cover romp - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! <span style="color: magenta;">See you next time.</span></i><span style="color: magenta;">..</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman";">Top background image Copyright (c) </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #d22abc; font-family: Hanuman; text-decoration: none;">123RF Stock Photos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: "hanuman";"> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span></span>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-21541024677222659532013-05-27T13:31:00.000+01:002018-12-31T00:02:30.011+00:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 27th May 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtGq3ISj7dow88eGEhfd2BxuK2FFcSN-hOmVxfizVaf_s1wWrwgzSkxpGHF8tgFV1OcRvvL8Ur0YHg49znwxbJuHlDMCTzY-PSeyNJ4bEphBByK4sBCKJpBHQwu7p5eoBfEq0JEAnrmQ/s1600/rcotw_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtGq3ISj7dow88eGEhfd2BxuK2FFcSN-hOmVxfizVaf_s1wWrwgzSkxpGHF8tgFV1OcRvvL8Ur0YHg49znwxbJuHlDMCTzY-PSeyNJ4bEphBByK4sBCKJpBHQwu7p5eoBfEq0JEAnrmQ/s320/rcotw_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>That's right, the weekly Kindle cover roundup has found a new home!<i> </i></b>Welcome to the NEW Romance Covers of the Week blog, where it's all about romance covers, all the time.<br />
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And just as before, I've taken a leisurely lope through the love-stories released over the past week on Kindle UK in the 'Romance' category and made my personal picks.<br />
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<h4>
NEW REVIEWING CRITERIA</h4>
Up until now I've employed the entirely unscientific approach of seeing something I like, squealing, "...it's SO PRETTY!!", and sticking it in the blog. Yeah. Time to grow up a little. So I'll now be churning out ratings out of 5 for my Pick of the Week , and the best performers will eventually end up in my Top 20 list! Where I have time, I'll also list some of my other favourite covers from that week.<br />
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But first...<br />
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<h4>
A LESSON IN HISTORICAL ROMANCE ILLUSTRATIONS</h4>
Both of these covers caught my eye this week, but for rather opposite reasons. One, because it was a glowing example of how you can bring a historical novel to life with gorgeous illustrated cover. The other, because it honesty did disturb me deeply on a several different levels. I'll let you figure out which one is which...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMFx6g9ojLBr9PKGoM_uWkYGNzAPs52baeFDBTrMWINsJt6qyo1ZWberqyEUcgU6sfXOYnprwS0O44Sz0BPzMw2hIdP5WTETL-Er7xNmqZaAt_-uA5IfCHq1rqZ7imEzl9-jpdydDC0s/s1600/historical_illustrations_gone_wrong.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMFx6g9ojLBr9PKGoM_uWkYGNzAPs52baeFDBTrMWINsJt6qyo1ZWberqyEUcgU6sfXOYnprwS0O44Sz0BPzMw2hIdP5WTETL-Er7xNmqZaAt_-uA5IfCHq1rqZ7imEzl9-jpdydDC0s/s1600/historical_illustrations_gone_wrong.png.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Okay, here are some of my favourites from this week...</b><br />
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<h4>
LADIES IN RED</h4>
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Perhaps it's me being a silly sentimentalist, but there was a time when I'd have given anything to be that girl in a red dress, dancing with that dashing man to the crooning strains of Chris de Burgh's, '<a href="http://vimeo.com/42374677">The Lady in Red</a>'. Okay, maybe that would STILL be rather swoon-worthy! Here are a few ladies in red that I loved...<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Affair</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.gillpaul.com/">Gill Paul</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harper Collins Avon<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> n/a<i> (let me know so I can credit!)</i><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Affair-ebook/dp/B00A627TU6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369517884&sr=8-1&keywords=the+affair+gill+paul" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s7HcRqYFGH5dP_AzyEixcQvfFa4BqHDHCMC85pEawA7Uj5CL4pBjqM1ON2_8qe29epgzjAUvkOYJxkBqw9-hhVAZr3yOuRdiCsLptEL954fZhABzhsV9UFAAXXVx5pyrx9fz7uNYHD0/s1600/the_affair_Gill_Paul_book_cover.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>My Name is Noir</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.themorganjane.com/">Morgan Jane Mitchell</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Morgan Jane Mitchell<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> W. Solomon Mitchell<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Paranormal Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00D04OCVG/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYTggNebWdKVupPJvkw9p98lwUBlgzDvhH-cYdfI_1faufjslqmOi92IIcc74yhdDwOL_it3ac0QB3cg2rMrSjK2Q2sj736nlUUHk7JXkd-D5UmjOd38aw8hjpKC-N2wrZJfZjt9_WC4/s1600/My_Name_Is_Noir_Morgan_Jane_book_cover.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Redeeming Love</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://francinerivers.com/">Francine Rivers</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Lion Fiction; 2nd Revised edition edition<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown <i>(let me know so I can credit!)</i><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Redeeming-Love-ebook/dp/B00CYBNG04" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04dCZNeTUgkR6uce68c_fjDHwc9x-HO2AgKsoEbCaVPJ4beAVk3FYpDvqKQ9HjZpgMUmYX8YXeIUmZBcGSfGBFo2RFleF3ndDFr3c_EhueTaRvUsEhdHwe9PmET0LtBP0WYAtcDQbwm4/s1600/Redeeming_Love_Francine_Rivers_book_cover.png" /></a></div>
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<h4>
LOST YOUR HEAD BLUES</h4>
The musical theme for these covers is brought to you by Bessie Smith and her '<a href="http://youtu.be/R1oKhVaKBRE">Lost Your Head Blues</a>'! Actually, these covers prove it's not such a bad thing to lose your head!<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>All In</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://martabrownbooks.com/">Marta Brown</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> VP Publishing House<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> <a href="http://videreproductions.com/">Videre Productions</a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CXVRJR6/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp8spYK0HpUOs1L0SHKYVR35lAzhhLy9-Y_Txgt5LXUDT5QH0ZHnetBbnnX380fQeNjTOwt_T2YZmggWLzBADMe-VK7h6NcpzUnBh4X22jBDl49OezePjEKGqQC7ak-pyYEfB3z117EI/s1600/All_In_Marta_Brown.png.png" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Title:</b> <i>Her Mother's Shadow</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://dianechamberlain.com/">Diane Chamberlain</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> MIRA<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Unknown (and covers on her site are different than this one!)<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CMOXS2Y/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfa6PQAz1ixJL2Cv166LmLMbgVi9A62YUzLXq9ogbxxm8_2GtwR2Jzxq0dlWDPC2bM9x-TlwFs9tP-h5oMciK4r8reWsmLvD0LjoN2aoXoPEVIt2NTFjF7ulysQCR0jXg9hh33YBG9_zc/s1600/Her_Mothers_Shadow_Diane_Chamberlain.png.png" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b><br /></b> <b>Title:</b> <i>Miss Goldsleigh's Secret</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.amylynnbright.com/">Amylynn Bright</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-published<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Jaycee DeLorenzo of <a href="http://jayceedelorenzo.com/sweetnspicy/new-page.html">Sweet 'n Spicy Designs</a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical/Regency Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CY2OZLW/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhoWm2Rr5NhHCBVjGFmuMcalMa3rXnm5jgA3pEOJ0RKXigS8Dmii57rMM7ZO52d38wuR5DMvmjkgpV7DyDMG39hmXUz620NH6ieZFUIKcAL8irTqlO-NHhelqQJ1TywnEezmYqF7rDp0/s1600/Mrs_Goldsleighs_Secret_Amylynn_Bright.png.png" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Title:</b> <i>Sleeping in Eden</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.nicolebaart.com/">Nicole Baart</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Howard Books<br />
<b>Cover Artist: </b>Unknown<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B008O4X6K0/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx3_TpHn7ZiI_or57M9EE7NnpjmbDTPaSpu89CKid2_qYu32UTySG5KvY_oA40gIGOQj0Ot68TrmosPh68FforytIfoREWlvE7u4GXHrwK2TPd6W1Jqmw4j8adfGGV5QWbx-2s2mgRLE/s1600/Sleeping_in_Eden_Nicole_Baart.png.png" /></a></div>
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<h4>
PICK OF THE WEEK</h4>
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This was actually a tough job this week - as you can see there were so many to choose from, and I couldn't even get around to featuring all my favourites on the blog. But here we go...my pick of the week is:<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Pride's Prejudice</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://mistydawnpulsipher.blogspot.co.uk/">Misty Dawn Pulsipher</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-Published<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Cindy Canizales<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmCuuSvrs3ba1cmQ7qhmuefhM8RTXCWg_sXEtqJkwfra5ikG51etS-LRAtCiFwqxioqsUyKBRgbNhIauAnjp_VQT7VCyyJbiq0ljCxHa0MMHoxF5qLQ0bPsysKvTEVg4dHwFuiCnaX2I/s1600/Pride's_Prejudice_Misty_Dawn_Pulsipher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmCuuSvrs3ba1cmQ7qhmuefhM8RTXCWg_sXEtqJkwfra5ikG51etS-LRAtCiFwqxioqsUyKBRgbNhIauAnjp_VQT7VCyyJbiq0ljCxHa0MMHoxF5qLQ0bPsysKvTEVg4dHwFuiCnaX2I/s1600/Pride's_Prejudice_Misty_Dawn_Pulsipher.jpg" /></a></div>
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SCORES OUT OF 5<br />
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<b>Thumbnail-ability:</b> 4<br />
<b>Font & Text: </b>4<br />
<b>Genre-fit:</b> 3<br />
<b>Overall Composition:</b> 4<br />
<b>Overall Concept:</b> 4<br />
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OVERALL SCORE: <span style="color: purple;"><b>3.8</b></span><br />
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So let's talk about this cover. Is it the most finely balanced of all the covers I picked out this week? The most polished? Not really, but either by accident or design, it was this cover that stuck in my memory as I scrolled through hundreds of covers. With the contrast, deep green mixed against the black & white background, this stands out for me in it's thumbnail strength. In the world of online shopping, your book cover MUST work as a thumbnail just as well as it does full-size.<br />
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I liked the choice of fonts for this, the plain, serifed font contrasting nicely with the script-style of the title and author's name. In terms of composition, the placing of the text was fresh and contemporary, against what looks like a historically-themed cover.<br />
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This brings me around to the lower score on the genre-fit, and the overall concept, which I must admit I was a little torn about. I'd actually typed into the details that this was a Regency Romance, then went back to the blurb on Amazon to double-check. Nope, it's a modern-day retelling of <i>Pride & Prejudice</i>. So why the regency gown? Well, the story appears to begin at a charity ball, so that might account for it as well as the stately rooms beyond? Either way, there was not enough of a clue that this was a modern day romance, and the twist towards the story's Regency roots was a little too strong for me.<br />
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What I do love about this cover is the boldness of colour and contrast, the photograph and cropping choices, and the mood that's been captured. If a cover leaves me wondering what that woman on the cover is thinking just now...that's a good cover.<br />
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<b>What do you think?</b><br />
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Thank you for reading, an be sure to join me soon for more random romance cover rompings!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Top background image Copyright (c) </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/" style="font-size: small;">123RF Stock Photos</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span><br />
<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-12507866914627619552013-05-12T22:29:00.002+01:002013-05-24T15:54:38.908+01:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 12th May 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuumMhgPeE6-iwtauFDE46OSJP35OoKF1oxeAFfLwskEPjRIvdswnMaQ0XHBrtH9JELhjGYgXwPKOOGNHWyBZVcMCJlqxcNcp2tHWirih6RohB-Aypy6gxqIcCItMmfeKzr9rNG-UW8Hd/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_May_12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuumMhgPeE6-iwtauFDE46OSJP35OoKF1oxeAFfLwskEPjRIvdswnMaQ0XHBrtH9JELhjGYgXwPKOOGNHWyBZVcMCJlqxcNcp2tHWirih6RohB-Aypy6gxqIcCItMmfeKzr9rNG-UW8Hd/s400/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_May_12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Okay, here we go! I've done my wander through a week of written Romance, and pulled out what I think is the best and beautiful in Kindle Romance Covers. </b>And yes, I took a week off, partly due to busyness but also due to there being a strange lull in good covers. I found a few reasonable ones, but not enough to write home about. Of course, this week I found more than you can shake a stick at, and I'm up to the brim with loverly-coverly goodness!</div>
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Before I get started, some words for anyone joining the party for the first time. I review covers of Kindle eBooks published in the past week on Amazon UK categorised as 'Romance'. I have <b>no</b> affiliation with Amazon or Kindle, nor do they line my (empty) pockets in any way. It's just an easy way for me to gather a manageable number of covers and pick out my favourites!</div>
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<b>And for my usual, secondary disclaimer:</b> I have no idea if the writing IN these books is any good. I will read the blurbs to see how the cover art ties into the story/genre, but that's IT. Any judgement of writing quality is up to YOU, fair reader. I just look for prettiness!</div>
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Before I get to the runners-up, I have a few things to note:</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
OOPS, YOU DID IT AGAIN</h3>
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That's right. Now that I've started to <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/sextuplets-or-how-to-avoid-embarrasing.html" target="_blank">spot trends in repeated images </a>used in cover art, I am <b>obsessed </b>with spotting Wore-The-Same-Dress-To-The-Ball incidences. Here's your dose of duplication for this week - and YES, they were both releases in the SAME WEEK.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeiaHzkINtTPAQgs4qheCCo-sW9WNbgcHdrHacGVT-DHFX9hcwKhgfZ17Tm2wF5XuJ8owdZCeRLhp-BxXv0DA4z1i1ctRKG2HDKGYLXdmFvRgmLw1MEc0WsY25CVKbzK9Zdo58ZNgXLHD/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_duplicates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeiaHzkINtTPAQgs4qheCCo-sW9WNbgcHdrHacGVT-DHFX9hcwKhgfZ17Tm2wF5XuJ8owdZCeRLhp-BxXv0DA4z1i1ctRKG2HDKGYLXdmFvRgmLw1MEc0WsY25CVKbzK9Zdo58ZNgXLHD/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_duplicates.jpg" /></a></div>
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To be entirely fair to authors, cover designers and publishers alike, how would you know that someone else is going to pick the exact, same image from a database and release those precise books in the same week? You don't. But it's an unfortunate mishap for these two authors. I will say, I much prefer the cover of 'Beyond a Doubt' by Felicia Rogers - the text on 'Lady Catherine Brandon's Leap Day Adventure' is almost entirely unreadable! </div>
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<h3>
TREND SPOTTING: SUN'S OUT, GUNS OUT</h3>
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Sorry. I heard that phrase for the first time this week and can't get it out of my head. The <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sun's%20out%20guns%20out" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary </a>tells me it has something to do with muscly young men wanting to get their kit off and wear short sleeves the moment the temperature goes above 15C to show off their 'guns' (a.k.a. arms/biceps). But I'm talking about LADIES with guns. Real ones. Noticed a number of covers with strong women and their not-so-concealed-carrying.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodFDMcUclDllFQAfA4tTxcWwv_0UsSpFtoZLP3_b08kieE3Loghh23jsoEpqvw7EUs0i7faImJ0pcygm9dq0tueElnVLLUFn3wJiDHdCxHP_DkM2YQJi0mbAXtEBX28ZPCqjq8XROUzmx/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_gun_ladies.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodFDMcUclDllFQAfA4tTxcWwv_0UsSpFtoZLP3_b08kieE3Loghh23jsoEpqvw7EUs0i7faImJ0pcygm9dq0tueElnVLLUFn3wJiDHdCxHP_DkM2YQJi0mbAXtEBX28ZPCqjq8XROUzmx/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Beatrice_Holley_gun_ladies.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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And for the first of this week's runners up...</div>
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<h3>
CUDDLY COUPLES</h3>
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I'm usually really NOT into the clutchy-couples thing on romance covers, but this week showed up a little crop of rather decent ones! For me, if you going to show both protagonists on the cover, it's got to be more than just a way of indicating whether it's a Scottish historical (KILTS! SWORDS! BOSOMS!) or a vampire fantasy (NECKS! FANGS! BLOOD!). I want to see <i>emotion</i> in the interaction between the couple, not just pretty bodies.</div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Forces of Nature</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://www.cherishodges.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cheris Hodges</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Kensington Books<br />
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<b>Cover Artist:</b> n/a<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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This <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/kindle-romance-covers-of-week-13-april.html" target="_blank">upside-down-backwards-Spidey-kiss pose </a>seems incredibly popular these days, don't you think? But this cover does work, and the fact that our couple are canoodling on the grass (something I always found more romantic in one's mind than in reality. Grass itch. Ants. Dog walkers. Say no more.), is a nice change. What pulled me to this cover was the palpable tenderness between the couple. I'm all about a cover <i>expressing something</i>, particularly emotion. The font and title are nicely spaced, contrast well, and don't interfere with the main image. The fact that the story revolves around a farm (nature), and they're rolling around in the grass (nature!), ties right into the title. The pose may seem relaxed, but you could stretch this a little and say that they are still at cross-purposes with each other, just a little, which adds a nice tension.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00AY48QT4/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HvXnKZYWIcKjzyQE8Bt35MAU8_kE_OuAbuy-RuCUTAC2ensU5gIHpu5lD5nBJWR4obrO0XQWkdLnJITSllqroanV8Eq5XdTzdddGd-_JhGH7YHn_vbUhn-dgijX0vpXBsR5N-Of9UFD6/s1600/Forces_of_Nature_Cheris_Hodges.jpg" title="Forces of Nature by Cheris Hodges" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Lost in You</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://heidimclaughlin.com/" target="_blank">Heidi McLaughlin</a><br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Mad Beak Publishing<br />
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<b>Cover Artist: </b><a href="http://www.okaycreations.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Hansen - Okay Creation<b>s</b></a><br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
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Maybe it's thoughts of moving to Texas someday, but I have a fascination with the way a southern girl can put together a dainty dress and a pair of boots and it just looks darn-tootin' good. (I should stop talking like that. Okay. I <i>will </i>stop talking like that). Not sure I have the calves for it, but I might try it someday. [FOCUS, BEATRICE.] Yes, so...the cover!<br />
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I've decided that I often prefer it when the models on covers have their heads cropped out of the image. Sounds brutal, I know ("OFF with their heads!!"), but while I want to get a FEEL for who the characters are from the cover, I want my imagination free to roam when I start reading. I don't want to be trapped into one impression of some actual, real people who are not actually the characters in the story, no matter how well their hair colour or chin-cleft matches their descriptions. So I'm a fan of this one - I can tell something instantly about our gal (well dressed, confident), and our guy is a little more down-to-earth, boy-next-door. That, and he has her a little bit backed into a corner, so to speak. The blurb backs this up, so I'm giving this one a thumbs up. Oh, and the colours are verrry pretty!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CNXR4GK/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-WGSR3FLLS262OmLerad0CRDI94mWNpnvVew5tE1gLR2LBxMB-iJk8mmWoJdt7lSQRP-y6SV459rH_yRLw_ypZnnNGKc2y-Qpuu2lTohUOL2ret9c_rgtS2H0eRP11jIma21wzuWH5pQ/s1600/Lost_In_You_Heidi_McLaughlin.jpg" title="Lost in You by Heidi McLaughlin" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Connected</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://www.authorkimkarr.com/" target="_blank">Kim Karr</a><br />
<b>Publisher: Penguin</b><br />
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<b>Cover Artist: </b>Unknown - re-released with Penguin<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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I actually worry about how fascinated I get by design amendments and alterations. Befores and Afters. Version 1s and Version 2s. Here's a great example of what the most subtle changes can do for a cover. I picked Kim Karr's Connected out of the line-up this week, not knowing that there was a first version from her self-published (assuming - correct me if I'm wrong!) edition of the book (Version #1 below, in black & white). The version I spotted was Version #2, in colour.<br />
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Maybe it's my imagination, but just the colour change alone changes the mood entirely. From dark and brooding in greyscale, the colour version is much warmer, sexier and approachable. The photograph is identical in composition, but just the change in colouring and contrast and the new position of the title mean we can see that her arms are actually wrapped around his waist. This means he goes from looking slightly more overpowering in V#1 to her almost holding his hands behind his back in V#2. Hey presto, you have a complete change in relationship dynamic. We're very attuned to body language, and what you show vs what you reveal is incredibly important.<br />
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The colour version has a much clearer version of the title, but I love that they've kept the pink/grey mirroring of the word. Symbolism in a title and in the text is a big winner for me, and to have mirroring/ying-yang/feminine-masculine all tied into a word like 'Connected' is perfect. I'm voting for Version #2 (fingers crossed it's actually the current one!).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U9hvyYEGETjGRx_mipgZpSq7t3veTZl4RkbyAu_vc4ejwZl6cROj1OSaCtKpYtYUpeB6xBYcMyfFVDEeSosNgBYzrbrsINjqiB2BGCzLuGCWZS3ECo0CkuHmSym9JYG9dfZvz779Tnv7/s1600/Connected_Kim_Karr_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U9hvyYEGETjGRx_mipgZpSq7t3veTZl4RkbyAu_vc4ejwZl6cROj1OSaCtKpYtYUpeB6xBYcMyfFVDEeSosNgBYzrbrsINjqiB2BGCzLuGCWZS3ECo0CkuHmSym9JYG9dfZvz779Tnv7/s1600/Connected_Kim_Karr_02.jpg" title="Connected by Kim Karr" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Version #1</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00COAFVBC/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGoVy8iwmh5RAJauyFPZiEHEuUlXFyohyphenhyphenIz8kHAvy-LsetxiWdgZgoXARV0c4_5wkfGI0OwYEZdi5bmi4zQvmRWi9TotHcjIAkDGAp9A7Zlc4REQRggFUaUuFW7EB4JrkvHkAzH-uWXJN/s1600/Connected_Kim_Karr.jpg" style="text-align: center;" title="Connected by Kim Karr" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00COAFVBC/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank">Version #2</a></td></tr>
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<h3>
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES</h3>
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Okay, so my secret's out. I'm not generally a big fan or follower of pop music, but I've always thought Beyonce was pretty incredible. Though I did get in trouble thanks to her '<a href="http://youtu.be/4m1EFMoRFvY" target="_blank">Single Ladies</a>' song at a party once. Apparently the birthday girl was celebrating her recent split with her ex, and specifically wanted to celebrate with all the OTHER single ladies. I just liked the song, so got up and did my thing (in other words, I swayed to the music and shuffled my feet a bit. A dancer I am NOT). That was until I was firmly chastised by the birthday girl for dancing to a song about 'single ladies' when I was, in fact, a MARRIED WOMAN. Shock. Horror. \Tail between my legs, I scuttled back to my table. Won't be making THAT mistake again. But if I ever need cheering up, there's nothing like that <a href="http://youtu.be/kU9MuM4lP18" target="_blank">video of the baby busting a move to Beyonce</a> to do the trick!</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Breathe</i></div>
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://anipanisan.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ani San</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-published<br />
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<b>Cover Artist:</b> Ani San<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
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What's not to like? Clean, clear design. The font style works beautifully with the wavy lines of her hair. It's all about contrast and leaving room for that all-important (and in this case, <i>literal</i>) 'white space'. Simple, and lovely.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CP5UVNO/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJbvN-nMzysiiBZNAIdbpx4DlQNUia1oHd3sbdl8bKwiYJ3hdKDECAbwZrXN5mE21zUxHhMFCz0lXBlhQPFU4_X3D3llyBh5_IL8Jr5_8oPRmw0qlX6m8cwtTiyKVtaXR0kaTsFq74-ji/s1600/Breathe_Ani_San.jpg" title="Breathe by Ani San" /></a><br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>In My Own Shadow</i></div>
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://susanroyal.moonfruit.com/" target="_blank">Susan A. Royal</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Museit Up Publishing<br />
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<b>Cover Artist:</b> <a href="http://marionsipe.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Marion Sipe</a><br />
<b>Genre:</b> Fantasy/Paranormal ROmance<br />
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In contrast, this cover has a whole lot going on, but then again, so does the plot. There's time-travel, a Book of Secrets, telepaths, and alternate universes. What grabbed me particularly is the girl, her face, and again...the emotion. Lost, but strong, you want to find out what she's about to go through. The actual echo/shadow on the word, Shadow, is very clever, and pulls the title together with the fact our protagonist has an alternate in this alternate dimension. Careful placement of the elements keeps this from being what could be a very busy cover.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CPN41YQ/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jEImDS-zt5FgTAvbqUrp7GonTq9Qd2_bX3ql1tOCHvDSBv90b0hCDXCRnvmXXAoNeKG-vvFDJJKxMPb_DnOeUe7jhy6r6wwaeoFgjTVH3rWEBGnjT82jQFze6raWdeCXWbxjzOVNhZ2n/s1600/In_My_Own_Shadow_Susan_Royal.jpg" title="In My Own Shadow by Susan A Royal" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Cursed</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer L. Armentrout</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Hodder & Stoughton<br />
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<b>Cover Artist:</b> n/a<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young (or New?) Adult/Fantasy/Romance<br />
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More lying down in grass! Okay, so maybe we all do a whole lot more of this since <a href="http://idigitalcitizen.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/bella-swan-edward-cullen-field-1440x960.jpg?w=640" target="_blank">Bella and Edward went daisy-swimming</a> and we met the sparkly people. But I do like this cover, and with the story appearing to be about/for a younger audience, I think it's fitting. I like the fact she's posed upside down, which gives us some idea that things have gotten rather topsy-turvy (do people even SAY that any more?!) in her world. Simple, but evocative.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CLRG8JC/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjba4eWGQFSMeO3sz8TR_u4nzPdJiNFDuzTdV74U0b1Wy6RHwnVQHQpeiHWGqVdp6yZWQFu5_MOVMiEcOhyphenhyphenG-Gj9TUa6hGVX8quODfx81XFBv3nAr6x1aLgK-v7-h5ZypP8IeNRqNL9ujZ4/s1600/Cursed_Jennifer_Armentrout_book_cover.jpg" title="Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Pieces of You</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://cassialeo.com/books/" target="_blank">Cassia Leo</a><br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-published<br />
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<b>Cover Artist: </b><a href="http://www.okaycreations.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Hansen - Okay Creation<b>s</b></a><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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Could it be? Am I a new-found fan of Sarah Hansen's cover designs? Have a lookey up at our cowgirl cover. That's right, Sarah is listed as the designer for <i>Lost In You</i> as well! Someone's been busy. This time we have only one of our characters on the cover but we've also got an expression and emotion that we have ALL felt at some point at some time. More lying-upon-the-ground (sensing a theme here), but it indicates to us a lowness - of mood, of spirit, you name it. Rock bottom emotions. The perception of depth in the image makes us want to get closer to her. The title, and presumably those things about him that are <i>Pieces of You</i>, appear to weigh on her and press her down. Gorgeous, soft colours.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CLXL4HW/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvroWxBnZGGNZwtFJRsNeAfG4-_qEFsrTWgAcBzVF7p2EaYWZL2rVbCfhsLP2BCZgMwuBV5_TpAsnnDLrYNBwLLEFbtOmT50u9Af5pbZjUjs0JPepNspyA8HmIvlpKLOt7PiKbbzvO0G3J/s1600/Pieces_of_You_Cassia_Leo.jpg" /></a><br />
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<h3>
PICK OF THE WEEK</h3>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Reclaim My Heart</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b><a href="http://donnafasano.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Donna Fasano</a><br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Hard Knocks Books<br />
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<b>Cover Artist: </b><a href="http://www.najlaqamberdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Najla Qambar</a> (Updated - thanks for Najla's info, Donna!)<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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I love this cover more every time I look at it. It has contrast, dark and light, green and red. A perfect example of how on a very basic level you can make<a href="http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory" target="_blank"> complementary colour</a> schemes work for you (green in the background, red in the figures and the title). It gives the whole image a 'buzz' and unconventional harmony like nothing else.<br />
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I've actually seen these figures before, photoshopped differently, on another cover. But I much prefer this full-length version of them, and the additions that have been made to personalise the characters. The male character in this story belongs to the Delaware Tribe/Nation, something we may be asked to pick up on immediately from the tattoo on his arm.<br />
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Whatever stock image was used originally, the treatment of it here has imbued the couple with a vulnerability, a delicacy of emotion, a poignancy and a threat of darkness which is both beautiful and intriguing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CQ5YROW/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZW9Xnj2EvayTieBtz3wpy2-_c7g8Q2kyCWhp-9izi5r-LTkTEuXs8dcIWAsOZyz8Dkfwdx0yWQktgbsLwwUIG9BPobtv_lneAipwXRvzqCJRXWD0VVtDS4Wt1gqIxxqZvAZhmbPzqMIpy/s1600/Reclaim_My_Heart_Donna_Fasano_book_cover.png.jpg" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Let me know what your favourites were, or if you thought I missed the GEM of the week!<br />
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But before we go, would I let you get away without...<br />
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ABS OF THE WEEK AWARD!</h3>
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That's right. can't live without a little dose of manly perfection (KILTS! SWORDS! BOSOMS!). Okay, maybe man-bosoms in this case. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgBMsa6k5C6E0g-Fqx9d6gLyJDSYfK16goG2hmz-I8tOuNQy198Hy8K7blqOcSz7XRZPaXatiDlnVFmxyb6Nlld0jpxZ1r0Vj5fut_NkRM-t0wrBQG7_gidSTZHqXjAPAVTbqwIPe1Ljr/s1600/51GWYawAORL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-72,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></div>
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See you next time!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Top background image Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7318277/?claim=zyvuvmeds8k">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-65309662469392454712013-05-07T18:48:00.001+01:002019-02-04T02:55:52.724+00:00Sextuplets! Or, How to Avoid Embarrassing Book Cover Doppelgangers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiOdwG0SMVQDfD39hP7V2rAKSe5kjVgisBWBXB2JgZqCNNpM4QHXR3CrXAmr5cTJQK_E886yC0MH8dz_QC3cJJVp15RucBqQwb8mVEfrPvXUPW9D2JbArErlWjBAF7_kAYQdCZZEXeimd/s1600/fingerprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiOdwG0SMVQDfD39hP7V2rAKSe5kjVgisBWBXB2JgZqCNNpM4QHXR3CrXAmr5cTJQK_E886yC0MH8dz_QC3cJJVp15RucBqQwb8mVEfrPvXUPW9D2JbArErlWjBAF7_kAYQdCZZEXeimd/s400/fingerprint.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<b>Fingerprints. Snowflakes. DNA.</b> That's how unique you want your book's cover image to be, right? Why would you want to copy anyone else? Why would you want your book mistaken for someone else's?</div>
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In the wonderful world of indie-press and self-pub, low-budget and home-made covers abound. Some are shockingly bad, but as I've discovered during my weekly <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/%23KRCOTW" target="_blank">Kindle Romance Cover reviews</a>, I have to admit the quality is rapidly improving.</div>
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But quality aside, the way the indie-press/self-pub world goes about gleaning images from the internet at large appears to be creating a slightly bigger problem. Let me explain.</div>
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A few weeks back I noticed <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/kindle-romance-covers-of-week-28th.html" target="_blank">a particular image used on two separate books published within a week of each other</a>. Identical twins! </div>
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This had me wondering. If the exact same image could crop up on two books within a week, how many other times had the same image been used?</div>
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The answer (from what I could find, just digging through Google Images), <b>was a little startling.</b></div>
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<h3>
SEXTUPLETS!</h3>
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That's right. Here are six separate book covers, all published at some point using the EXACT, same image.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClVW6nn7LAxBmHMxGn59BWYa3BM6DsirEwdeODIXOOEmqWY4vBgCR9RJdFyFstL6A5kAHmgj3Hhyf-F3aauMV_XMTOLhqRIKHxajnpuJOzK2rT3XgD0JHR-fejV1vkjTunrZmXExS4Ty6/s1600/41XyECURWBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></div>
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(Granted, at least one of these titles is now published using a different image - maybe they caught on?)</div>
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<h3>
SO WHAT?</h3>
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Okay, you think, <b>So what? </b>So what if other books have the same cover? <b>But...</b> what if that's not the <b>only</b> place your lovely book cover image has been used on the internet? Again, a simple Google search shows that the above image can be found illustrating:</div>
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<ul>
<li>A blog post entitled, <a href="http://samsulview.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/is-your-sexual-desire-normal.html" target="_blank"><i>"Is Your Sexual Desire Normal?"</i></a></li>
<li>An addiction article, <i>"<a href="http://www.treatment4addiction.com/blog/love-and-relationships/sex-and-sobriety-drinking-the-poison-waiting-for-the-other-person-to-die/">Sex and Sobriety: Drinking the Poison, Waiting for the Other Person to Die.</a></i></li>
<li>A website article on WhyWeSuffer.com,<i> <a href="http://www.whywesuffer.com/when-sexual-desire-covers-up-self-sabotage/" target="_blank">"When Sexual Desire Covers Up Self-Sabotage"</a></i></li>
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And just in case we haven't caught onto the theme here, we have the image with 'Sex Addiction' plastered all over it. Nice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_yXICVxgKWxF-Mpu8mNCIiqsTs0oyNbpuQnv3cii2ZDP1jmxjkSSdNqQg1juFrRIEBBpIB1Fc4ui9bXIVr-ikpfNcCN2YUHWwuOhTfN1i3leTtamrHjSKAB9wVoFDxXsNlsECnuohb3s/s1600/sillouhette_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_yXICVxgKWxF-Mpu8mNCIiqsTs0oyNbpuQnv3cii2ZDP1jmxjkSSdNqQg1juFrRIEBBpIB1Fc4ui9bXIVr-ikpfNcCN2YUHWwuOhTfN1i3leTtamrHjSKAB9wVoFDxXsNlsECnuohb3s/s1600/sillouhette_03.jpg" /></a></div>
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So <i>yeah</i>. Now your 'smexy romance' is associated with sex addiction articles. Not quite so smart, and not so sexy after all?</div>
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<h3>
AVOID</h3>
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So, how to avoid the Wore The Same Dress to the Ball mistake?</div>
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There are no guarantees, mistakes can always creep in. With the proliferation of images on the internet there is no way to ensure that no one uses your cover image ever <i>ever</i>. </div>
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But a few things to try, and will at least ensure your use of the image is unique:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Enlist a reputable cover artist who does original work and uses exclusive images</li>
<li>Ask for exclusive rights on the photograph used for your cover</li>
<li>Design your own, don't use stock images</li>
<li><b>Please</b>, use that little <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-adventure-of-mystery-artist-unknown.html?q=google+image+search" target="_blank">Google image search</a>, lovely people, and check <i>before</i> you use a picture. It might save you a little embarrassment. And perhaps a few copyright lawsuits!</li>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 10th May 2013</i></b></div>
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One week on, and you guessed it. I found ANOTHER ONE...Seven and counting.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrAI_ohhBMoTz0bWeMaPapeNkEsAnwsdZAgSgp76zSzRRWJTYjWoVQ9mlrhax-aNVuQbsabNkXyjQ9k58xPl9pvaU0V2mAXPa77G6ZoTet5RQTCvAuKg6mXdkxTaPvRgYkxZytmHK-S6f/s1600/41xZuhhVQXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></div>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 17th June 2013</i></b></div>
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Just spotted yet <i>another</i> hapless author who's got which picture on their cover? You guessed it...</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl4BU1XuVoo1MRvG8lXpdxQlXdWrhgiVGH4eDx6O0cSEXh83oQLPFGSD2M1Ut_k5eFaTCj7WADPtP5_hYdwH8D7vI0seO7kA8MiXbVbE8YJaJW5axPazdLRu8l8bmBi2l1nQHxVfwST8b/s1600/a-little-too-far-desrochers-web-186x300.jpg" /></div>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 18th June 2013</i></b></div>
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Did another image search just for kicks (when did this turn into my latest hobby?!) and found...a few more. ELEVEN and counting, folks! </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0YwKsAIB22H8sDsveon7YkIq7g02PlYaQFmsjXdjQNkFaDr-PWEnSHCbGeK_WnoD1Gip29am70CHur9aZHfr_2fwcalMoAzVpqEYgH5zgaVkJV5l9aKaEhGZtBQRTybsiNXi1sXuiuBs/s1600/51P59wP2EfL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-65,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO0X0ZXUcI_h_QIgSvgct-To2LfXrhNUuhyHba05ypH9HrYBMvCxnBqJb1Y_lp_ZAFf3A-OjgGiGCpRjZmtf5XWfsba0dVbBjwRs_DyHLCVStajzxXiPd790P3M3997S6YTVFknPRK7GI/s1600/HTBTPR_05-200x300.jpg" /></div>
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<b>As well the image used in a few other places:</b></div>
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An album cover:</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIx7E_ieTDjKYRg9pR9ACkiYhKg9quaCa_Js3y5BrREpdEFvxz6SVpFoR3lgXuM81Wy8VDyq7XfEWV-gsIEtjy9FnH1Lum0638QvHrxBLgy9WA6YzxPIgPoeP960m3EhoMuTRSjouIT6y/s1600/887396107335.170x170-75.jpg" /></div>
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<div>
...and a 'Christian Sexuality' video:</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRzJR4fPSIsreDaY_L9V7QDf03Az_uH0m3BTKxpKhMlE1upi_6DkikmFQWbx3uG71SFjLYS86WnCyJu-VSX6pCiV4i1JwSnJI3C6tsVXL3wTvbdzYtMdO3jcEHTVZT-tB_gwCRtBjXeU8/s320/b&wvideo.JPG" /><br />
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<b><i>Stay tuned...you can bet there will be more!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 24 June 2013</i></b></div>
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That's right folks...it just never ends. SEVENTEEN books, people. -={ <b>17</b> }=-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPcmSVt_r9FTLOJ6_DoOMNQideYSuxxGwi4EY7vrMj-0KXYnS9ww61Bfo6L_0iuimBamdPPHesx4ci96Y3E9WB2xPiNAhyoIz9A5gBr1iAdRX_WZEmQFtNRSVmwgRZVWX19VcK1k_scNd/s1600/41xpYr+gmQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-68,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPcmSVt_r9FTLOJ6_DoOMNQideYSuxxGwi4EY7vrMj-0KXYnS9ww61Bfo6L_0iuimBamdPPHesx4ci96Y3E9WB2xPiNAhyoIz9A5gBr1iAdRX_WZEmQFtNRSVmwgRZVWX19VcK1k_scNd/s1600/41xpYr+gmQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-68,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></a></div>
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(Okay, have listed this book already above, but it <i>is </i>a different design!)</div>
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And in other languages...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuEG0yK0xSFOIeJLK1gq6MSdsxgDPimD6bcGmEc1UWXPsuQmN-rpGZiZu_dMdl21tgUh-NwJrh7egQgLZyXnpKzOM4qg9Q8xaHdCZ7wpfQldGTEvECOfw2aFyIXGzw30mjQ2e8wskihOf/s1600/r,id,d14yMTQ7dV5odHRwOi8vZ2V0LTIud3BhcGkud3AucGwvJTNGYSUzRDY1NDk1NjkzJTI2ZiUzRDAwLzA1LzBDLzAwMDUwQzc3X29yaWdpbmFsXzMxNDE3ODczOUM1QTk3M0QuanBnO3FeMC45O3ReanBnO3Nea3NpYXpraT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuEG0yK0xSFOIeJLK1gq6MSdsxgDPimD6bcGmEc1UWXPsuQmN-rpGZiZu_dMdl21tgUh-NwJrh7egQgLZyXnpKzOM4qg9Q8xaHdCZ7wpfQldGTEvECOfw2aFyIXGzw30mjQ2e8wskihOf/s320/r,id,d14yMTQ7dV5odHRwOi8vZ2V0LTIud3BhcGkud3AucGwvJTNGYSUzRDY1NDk1NjkzJTI2ZiUzRDAwLzA1LzBDLzAwMDUwQzc3X29yaWdpbmFsXzMxNDE3ODczOUM1QTk3M0QuanBnO3FeMC45O3ReanBnO3Nea3NpYXpraT.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr-9jJClspea7Sp6mCRvleqQvCMR3EK68E8M6Y_SXH7nKwaPDdjJRLJa3nrveM_CF2AoiblRaP3eOcjLytGQcMQ_4wvKycIceC9BAG_D2AdnG7xzjamI2xDCs-z_ZarvLZbiyVGi3I7oe/s1600/13616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr-9jJClspea7Sp6mCRvleqQvCMR3EK68E8M6Y_SXH7nKwaPDdjJRLJa3nrveM_CF2AoiblRaP3eOcjLytGQcMQ_4wvKycIceC9BAG_D2AdnG7xzjamI2xDCs-z_ZarvLZbiyVGi3I7oe/s320/13616.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Are there NO more pictures in the ENTIRE WORLD?</div>
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But <a href="http://thebookcoverdesigner.com/premade-book-covers/premade-book-cover-246/" target="_blank">this </a>might explain at least one of these covers. YOURS (and many others')...for only $25:</div>
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<a href="http://thebookcoverdesigner.com/premade-book-covers/premade-book-cover-246/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NCWkkP8MEyDmtfvz3yDp7z5izF_Xg5gpOOuVoDvA6bPpbfF8w-4YA-ZzJzUPaGiCRs-tlKVikQySToxDepf2b6XoUA4JXPe6vVnZvpqS2wlQVMVuP6_NHtWjICcdCUftK9JxgFim476Q/s1600/premade-embrace-225x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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o_O</div>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 24 June 2013</i></b></div>
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Now, this is technically a series, so not sure if it's fair to count these as three separate books, but by golly they ARE and I WILL. That's now TWENTY books, people. -={ <b>20</b> }=-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zm9rIawAvL1FYcNVV0MNotajExMJGNb_wFyqDNZ3qp3SHSJR92g4y7C6xSIiUExbgBJ_rMtgHye6ohPw5u_o3GCxasaKx9FgidsP_52QDWXtcX2l1Zmur_fxYOp6Dpfdhb8IXdaZXxMj/s1600/isbn9781444780192-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zm9rIawAvL1FYcNVV0MNotajExMJGNb_wFyqDNZ3qp3SHSJR92g4y7C6xSIiUExbgBJ_rMtgHye6ohPw5u_o3GCxasaKx9FgidsP_52QDWXtcX2l1Zmur_fxYOp6Dpfdhb8IXdaZXxMj/s1600/isbn9781444780192-detail.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tilting the image a bit to change the body language? Interesting...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9hZcjssudrPFjXLR0twmF57rQDM0GCmHWGqiRV3wKTgIgsNW93vP9xsqFJ9Mb6Q54b5CNYxGBVO7fyCK9yo0WHdpzKBCgeHv7BD_Ry14THpf1A30BTt9EPi4hDeG9w74dkctj4k3CE9F/s1600/isbn9781444780208-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9hZcjssudrPFjXLR0twmF57rQDM0GCmHWGqiRV3wKTgIgsNW93vP9xsqFJ9Mb6Q54b5CNYxGBVO7fyCK9yo0WHdpzKBCgeHv7BD_Ry14THpf1A30BTt9EPi4hDeG9w74dkctj4k3CE9F/s1600/isbn9781444780208-detail.jpg" /></a></div>
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Done a little photoshopping to change the heights, have we? So sneaky...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKrPiFHHc3yjr6LhG_e-05QDgRgwFmlAXbwGuSE3wKojqsDTZBDAma1jgm7xcAu2RdmqqmcX2WtHI_-vX5Y23miwEgKlMW2MsnoljUaDiuGT8ExEJjOxpbGiqjc9_Vydi3OtRgdFYGxoU/s1600/isbn9781444780222-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKrPiFHHc3yjr6LhG_e-05QDgRgwFmlAXbwGuSE3wKojqsDTZBDAma1jgm7xcAu2RdmqqmcX2WtHI_-vX5Y23miwEgKlMW2MsnoljUaDiuGT8ExEJjOxpbGiqjc9_Vydi3OtRgdFYGxoU/s1600/isbn9781444780222-detail.jpg" /></a></div>
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And even here they've changed it just a little to make her more level with him. SAME PICTURE, folks!</div>
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('Everything' except a unique cover photo, it seems...)</div>
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Keep your eyes peeled for more - you just know this won't stop here, don't you?</div>
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<b><i>UPDATE - 22 January 2017 </i></b></div>
Thought it was about time to (gently) scour the interwebs for any recent editions to my hall of shame.</div>
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Ah, here's one...(nice use of barbed wire)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84ExYkciHFH5qnxGkwMhlsZQnRkejp8jmlYWpCOZi46lkQMbSNfHq9OPq8m_RTSAL29fFWOsmyZrDjgm1hgYPeDZDIWlcrMUhPAbjbLpnke8AtV-HAn8W61D5GxIgNURI__Fdzi6ImkzG/s1600/BarbedWireBandages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84ExYkciHFH5qnxGkwMhlsZQnRkejp8jmlYWpCOZi46lkQMbSNfHq9OPq8m_RTSAL29fFWOsmyZrDjgm1hgYPeDZDIWlcrMUhPAbjbLpnke8AtV-HAn8W61D5GxIgNURI__Fdzi6ImkzG/s320/BarbedWireBandages.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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Surely there aren't more...oh, I tell a lie...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu5od4_sYfz__RR1Yr7ogjW6Q16lHnsu3d3D_I_VcTKxbDoJJ5Q-dZSQTPhozEvnztmyMPz6V42muZzV3QVYSFnKBGMJsqaJip9sremedZEOB3Pki46bGGj-XzqhcIUaGHeHNCJI7VRLc/s1600/TheLiesWeTell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu5od4_sYfz__RR1Yr7ogjW6Q16lHnsu3d3D_I_VcTKxbDoJJ5Q-dZSQTPhozEvnztmyMPz6V42muZzV3QVYSFnKBGMJsqaJip9sremedZEOB3Pki46bGGj-XzqhcIUaGHeHNCJI7VRLc/s1600/TheLiesWeTell.jpg" /></a></div>
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Oops, and one more...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM870Zwk6mlD52ygQMZU2W9FdkKLcX45Xp67W9y6M522KEMgAZ54i3EdTjSvfdIZ1ISkmpA68EpC612lJ6UkaPjG1KGxa-VGlUMcOML7jcKNqc7Mg67jQLWImK6viSqtvxnHG9y7jTQGkh/s1600/Bully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM870Zwk6mlD52ygQMZU2W9FdkKLcX45Xp67W9y6M522KEMgAZ54i3EdTjSvfdIZ1ISkmpA68EpC612lJ6UkaPjG1KGxa-VGlUMcOML7jcKNqc7Mg67jQLWImK6viSqtvxnHG9y7jTQGkh/s320/Bully.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And another (oh, the irony..."first sight"..)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIRsh7GuUr_EoUVIFEae4W0jCOfZCz6xwAiqhGGUv_OCmezSQMYJ_n0l4rLFlRHkZNXo91hHmBvAnz9hI-3hN5OSKVGQMY1D1jQvUerwMavfcyPy_mWzXuixqXkWHYAaWE7nBZL5hZTi6/s1600/LoveAtFirstSight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIRsh7GuUr_EoUVIFEae4W0jCOfZCz6xwAiqhGGUv_OCmezSQMYJ_n0l4rLFlRHkZNXo91hHmBvAnz9hI-3hN5OSKVGQMY1D1jQvUerwMavfcyPy_mWzXuixqXkWHYAaWE7nBZL5hZTi6/s320/LoveAtFirstSight.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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This one's making me a little blue...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcrOsKG6Kzjv1akuJHEo7_wEtOyJF3bBLA2Fhsa20p_AKh2jjBLPuvVBe7FO9NIUbuKCgTZTsQ19A_VBWr8VfGW0B7jm8QsoZ2EqVeLn1XRD5bx0rg80FET2j-LvzsX4V_SJasiRKptVo/s1600/LoveNumbersBand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcrOsKG6Kzjv1akuJHEo7_wEtOyJF3bBLA2Fhsa20p_AKh2jjBLPuvVBe7FO9NIUbuKCgTZTsQ19A_VBWr8VfGW0B7jm8QsoZ2EqVeLn1XRD5bx0rg80FET2j-LvzsX4V_SJasiRKptVo/s320/LoveNumbersBand.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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And a foreign book...thank you Harper Collins, for this original image. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQqfd0mst6N5LiQliWB5AcHZjBJnzO5ta4J7slB2RqUgJN0xh-bX9oYf_WPz4jsSS1ECRTezAFBTLNtzaBsHE1eAOpsTf6wnu6S6ETL2mtbjL-i8qD7JgrjD05cNENQ83-HmR-YBQSfb1/s1600/81kgZuAvMKL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQqfd0mst6N5LiQliWB5AcHZjBJnzO5ta4J7slB2RqUgJN0xh-bX9oYf_WPz4jsSS1ECRTezAFBTLNtzaBsHE1eAOpsTf6wnu6S6ETL2mtbjL-i8qD7JgrjD05cNENQ83-HmR-YBQSfb1/s320/81kgZuAvMKL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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By my count that's now -={ <b>26</b> }=- books with this cover. *sigh*</div>
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Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-79825816200377349602013-05-05T22:48:00.002+01:002013-05-05T22:51:03.078+01:00On 'Lady Chatterley's Lover', Spring, and the Need for Good Words - PART 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWIk6j-QSJ5tWT989_FIubHfZKMmtiJSphL67iOAQN8ikrJ6WADP0KeFZDdIySzgaGpcKVOc1cie-jESDq2SeM5nnWpNjfM2sGPMhdBHdXrpAdXKaXAGARrVC-BfYI-IIvzbHi4AdaYAU/s1600/forgetmenots_01.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWIk6j-QSJ5tWT989_FIubHfZKMmtiJSphL67iOAQN8ikrJ6WADP0KeFZDdIySzgaGpcKVOc1cie-jESDq2SeM5nnWpNjfM2sGPMhdBHdXrpAdXKaXAGARrVC-BfYI-IIvzbHi4AdaYAU/s400/forgetmenots_01.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>So I'm taking a little break from my usual <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/%23KRCOTW" target="_blank">Kindle Romance Cover reviewing</a>.</b> It's been a busy week, but a good one, with unseasonably beautiful weather for England. The birds are in and out of the garden looking for bugs, the squirrels are desecrating our garden furniture with their courting exploits, and everywhere I look there's something blooming. Spring figures into my week in more than just the change of seasons, though, but I'll get to that later.</div>
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<b>Several weeks ago I finally despaired.</b> I sent yet another example of 'romantic fiction' back to the Kindle dustbin after reading barely a few pages. I hit the wall whenever I'm presented with that 'laundry list' of physical attributes that are given as a mean substitute for actual characterisation. Flowing auburn hair. Glowing green eyes. Blah blah.</div>
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So I gave up. I put my genre in the drawer. It was failing me.</div>
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<b>Perhaps it was my mistake to think that in order to write love stories, I should be reading romantic fiction </b>(and this<a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/falling-out-of-love.html" target="_blank"> isn't the first time I've struggled with it</a>).<b> </b>Don't get me wrong, there are AMAZING romance writers out there, many of whom inspired me to head in this direction in the first place. But it's a high-consumption, swift-turnover genre, which means there is much (MUCH) chaff with the wheat. And the reality was, I was starving. Starving for real, quality writing. Hungry for good words, well written, competently expressed, intelligently inspired.</div>
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<b>So, out with the processed food. In with the fine cuisine.</b> On a whim, I started reading D.H. Lawrence's<i> Lady Chatterley's Lover</i>. Why not? I hadn't done much in the way of literature studies in university, and I certainly wouldn't have been allowed to work it into my reading list as a teenager. So there it was, unread. The scandal-book of a generation. Scandal or not, I know the guy can write, so I had to check it out. And <i>surely</i> it couldn't just be about sex in a shed, right?</div>
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<b>Well, of course it's not just about sex</b>. To be honest, you could probably choose to read the book on any number of levels; socio-politically, morally, historically. As a statement of a woman's lot in life in aristocratic Britain between two World Wars. Or just as the story of a woman so lonely and in want of being whole that she looks for outside the walls of her prison of privilege for the hope of a small spark of life.</div>
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<b>Again, I have to say here that I am in no way a literature scholar,</b> but I've tried over the years not to let 'the classics' intimidate me. Most often if you just start reading them with a mind to be entertained, they will do so. They're not classics without reason! But if you also read with a mind open to other ideas, and with the knowledge that the best writers write in layer upon layer of meaning and nuance, it becomes a bit of a game to see if you can spot where they might be headed. And maybe with this particular book I will be taking <a href="http://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2013/4/24/read-books-inside-out-and-outside-in.html" target="_blank">Ksenia Anske's advice</a> and read it again just as soon as I'm finished, so that I have the opportunity to gather up even more of the layers and meanings by starting from the beginning just after I've read the end.</div>
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<b>But regardless of vast swaths of meaning and grand visions, it has been the WORDS that have excited me so much.</b> I had no idea how starved I really was for someone who knew how to use words like D.H. Lawrence does. I was told that it wasn't a novel he was particularly proud of. Compared to some of the others he's written, this one strikes me as almost stream-of-consciousness, and I wonder if that is part of the reason why that's the case. There's a looseness about it I didn't feel in <i>Sons and Lovers</i>, but I have to say that I LIKE it. It's much easier to get lost in. And when the writing isn't all buttoned up you can see behind it a little easier and watch the writer play with the words. Just as with the sketch before the painting, a little more of the construction shows through. A little more of the thought process peeks out.</div>
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<b>Why is it that we won't give ourselves permission to do things until we see someone else doing it first?</b> I so often get down on myself for repeated words. Okay, so maybe my repeated words are <i>accidental </i>repeated words, but Lawrence repeats words CONSTANTLY. I feel liberated. If I want to say something twice but just a bit differently, I will. So there. Take <i>that</i> word analysis documents! And what about using words for things that they're really not meant for? Or in places you least expect them? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Little gusts of sunshine blew, strangely bright, and lit up the celandines at the wood's edge, under the hazel-rods, they spangled out bright and yellow."</span></b></blockquote>
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How can sunshine 'gust'? How can something 'spangle out'? It just makes me want to <b>break all the rules</b>. To let whatever falls out of my head be OKAY.</div>
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<b>The events of Lady Chatterley's Lover take place over the slow awakening of spring in England.</b> Some of my very favourite lines are all about the clouds of blooming forget-me-nots and the bluebells, and baby pheasant chicks. That vital upsurge that every creature feels when winter loses its grip and the green starts flowing. That's what the book is all about, I think. It makes you question yourself, and feel for your own pulse and check to see if you, too, have life in you yet.</div>
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<b>I have a lot more to say about it, and this will just have to be 'Part 1'.</b> But soaking in such luscious, verdant words was exactly what I needed. I don't care what anyone says, good words, well-expressed are food for the soul. And I'm not feeling quite so parched and starving as I did.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Forget-me-nots image Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a> (with a few little amendments by moi)</span><br />
<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-70360237309524218852013-04-28T21:58:00.002+01:002013-04-28T22:17:57.547+01:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 28th April 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>I'm back with more cover-loving goodness for another week!</i> </b>I've had a rainy spring ramble through the blossoming category of Romance <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_st?qid=1367073396&rh=n%3A341677031%2Cn%3A!341678031%2Cn%3A341689031%2Cn%3A362723031%2Cp_n_date%3A367745031&sort=daterank" target="_blank">published on Amazon over the past week</a>, and made a few picks of my very favourites.<br />
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But first...<br />
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<h4>
"Why just Kindle covers? Do you have something against my Kobo reader? Are you anti-Nook?!"</h4>
Honestly, there is no conspiracy! I'm not being paid/coerced/bribed by Amazon in any way. The boring answer is that it's just because I own a Kindle and Amazon is the site I tend to go to for books. That's it. They generally have good coverage of all the latest books, though I know <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smashwords.com%2F&ei=dtx7UeLvJsa0PJ-JgdgH&usg=AFQjCNH9XEdrJHuJztVk5bHc1u6NPO0v2A&sig2=WrBhBqjk6HHxpb2tL1smNA&bvm=bv.45645796,d.ZWU" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> and other sites catering to other e-readers have plenty too. Hey, it's <b><i>easy</i></b> and I'm <b><i>lazy</i></b>, okay? Don't judge.<br />
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<b>AND...My Usual Disclaimer: </b>The following reviews are of the cover art ONLY. I have nary a clue if they're good, bad or ugly <i>inside</i>. But outside? Darn, but they're pretty.<br />
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Okay, now on to...<br />
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TREND SPOTLIGHT...THE WOLF PACK</h3>
I know this trend has been around longer than <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html" target="_blank">Twilight</a> and <a href="http://www.hbo.com/true-blood/index.html" target="_blank">True Blood</a>, but we STILL seem to have a ton of were-related fiction pumping into our e-readers! The selection below is from <b>one week</b> of publishing alone, and only includes those that are listed under Romance!<br />
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I loved <a href="http://www.charlaineharris.com/bibliography/bibliog-sookie.html" target="_blank">Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series</a>, but I think I still need to find a writer that really grabs me with their take on the whole shifter/were/wolf-person <i>thing</i>. Suggestions are most welcome!<br />
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ITSY BITSY FAUX PAS...</h3>
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It started with a severe case of <i>deja-vu,</i> but once I did a double-take, I couldn't ignore what I was seeing. You know how big a deal it is when two gals show up at a red-carpet event in the same dress (think <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-gowns-same-gown-faceoff-hilary-swank-sally-field/" target="_blank">Hilary Swank and Sally Fields</a> at the Oscars this year? Ouch.)? Yeah, it's got to feel a bit like that when your book goes out the same week as someone who has used an IDENTICAL cover image. *facepalm* Glad it's not me, just sayin'.</div>
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AND THE RUNNERS UP ARE...</h3>
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THE RED & THE WHITE</h4>
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Here are some covers that caught my eye, all in red and white this week!</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Perfectly Scarred</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> Lucy Covington</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> n/a</div>
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I really do love this cover. Perfect contrast, the image backs up the title with the scarred, cracked ice and the heart-shaped drop of blood. 10 out of 10 from me! The only trouble? I nabbed this one early in the week (I confess. I'm such a NERD I start looking for covers at the beginning of the week!), but when I went back today to grab some more information about the author/publisher, etc, it was...gone. Poof. Vanished. Can't find a thing about this book on the interwebs anywhere. So Lucy, if you're out there - LOVE the cover, and hope you'll be re-releasing it soon?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT_0dCFj5qS0GrgB-vWj9G3pklPSN7yrIETeAmMSKaQ5J4-nTyv-OyyYCiVO0_-TIPcVmw6Xy1DIgCBjkFAeLhL0Gb_sHSZrok5M1W61DMc33OGefMyQOdVg2hbmR1mXlqoKgCxKi9cu2/s1600/Perfectly_Scarred_Lucy_Covington_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT_0dCFj5qS0GrgB-vWj9G3pklPSN7yrIETeAmMSKaQ5J4-nTyv-OyyYCiVO0_-TIPcVmw6Xy1DIgCBjkFAeLhL0Gb_sHSZrok5M1W61DMc33OGefMyQOdVg2hbmR1mXlqoKgCxKi9cu2/s1600/Perfectly_Scarred_Lucy_Covington_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Taste of You</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/chazleydotson" target="_blank">Chazley Dotson</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Paranormal/Fantasy Romance</div>
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Yes, that's right. Those are red blood cells. What a wonderful twist on the vampire theme! I'm ALL about the sexy-neck-poses we usually see for the genre, but I thought this was pretty genius. The text is very minimalist, which I think does work, though if it were me (subjective opinion alert!), I'd have made the title much stronger and made sure both the title and the author's name were either both centred or both left-justified. But that's just a tiny little detail based on my opinion - overall, it's eye-catching.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CJ0RRU0/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvtvdEA591Y1npreuSgx9uGwiIqSBBb4HDLpFAf5YmcUzonQWR_n37iL3_Hb0TNn6eFfLl8606UMHPZZMYdiC9Snns6n_42I4_toiKEJB-IT-fEWsPWfZjYYw-d7eEPjQ-RwERTAjQR12/s1600/The_Taste_of_You_Chazley_Dotson_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Vampire Affair</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.vivianna.net/" target="_blank">Vivi Anna</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Paranormal/Fantasy/Contemporary Romance</div>
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I seem to be on a vampire kick now - two in the row! But there's everything to love about this cover: the dedication to the red and white theme, the text held within a composition which draws you in. You're being offered something, and you know it's dangerous at the same time. Great choice of font, gothic and memorable, and the author's name is prominent, but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the cover. I like the use of (literally) white space at the top right, which is exactly what keeps this cover from being too busy. </div>
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DAY & NIGHT...</h4>
<b>Title:</b> <i>A Jane Austen Daydream</i><br />
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://sdsouthard.com/" target="_blank">Scott D. Southard</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Madison Street Publishing</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance</div>
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Here's some idyllic English countryside, though the blue sky is something we rarely seem to see these days! But we get a sense of quiet, rural life with the chance to possibly wander through the world as the intrepid Jane Austen. The cover is balanced, and I like the fact that just for a second, you think the book is actually written by Jane herself. The author intends the story to be from her perspective and in her style, so there's reason for it. Its the lovely bit of filigree above and below that hooked me. Just a touch of fancy estate gateway come to mind, and the far-off sound of carriage horse hooves on a gravel drive.</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Crossroads</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/monicadpittslack" target="_blank">Monica D. Pitts-Lack</a><br />
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<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance</div>
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Have I mentioned that I'm a SUCKER for contrast? I am. I truly am. This cover has it in bucket-loads, with the title and author's name against the deep black, and the detailed text in the middle nicely framing the brooding ruins. I was surprised to note that this isn't set historically, which belies the oldy-worldy fonts, and sort of intrigues me more.</div>
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<h4>
GOING GREEN</h4>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Stages of Grace</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/CareyHeywood" target="_blank">Carey Heywood</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance</div>
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There's a softness about this cover which is very pretty. According to the blurb the story deals with loss and letting go, and the closed eyes and peacefulness of the image line up with this. The contrast, again, draws me in, and the unusual colouring is intriguing. Maybe it's just me being samey-samey in my tastes, but there are a lot of similarities of composition here with my <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/kindle-romance-covers-of-week.html" target="_blank">pick of the week on 4th April</a>! Not the same cover designer by any chance?</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CGRP70S/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogaoz_i68Z4HC0-qu18D5fXERytgQK5tfVKSSoNfsT35vfvSjrTudgDYkQm5hhKb7sT0kEY9HMkyAUUKa4pYSEziUc33e4UyGA10xmWJzhJ3PHsOU06RhXksLJXIt8nZmaJHAkeQvqWLK/s1600/Stages_of_Grace_Carey_Heywood_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Magic Stone</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.mariesterbenz.com/" target="_blank">Marie Sterbenz</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Marie Sterbenz, 2nd Edition</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Historical Fiction</div>
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Just like the white&red, it seems I'm getting into the white&green this week. Perhaps it's my penchant for fantasy novels, but I instantly loved this cover. The medieval feel is immediate, which is perfect considering this is a historical romance. Nice, simple uncluttered composition. And how can I resist the gorgeous green horse, with my little white pony looking on?</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CJJ9GYG/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HYzngPkTf0p6EeYdHnNvSskOlQ6l7bEfRIzx9JNpld1f9Ma6YWmuYpwEUnchgHMyb3NqVwdyYKXmTSQvE1Xe0p5nwNnYA5E6CvTQphYcc0hAgVJUTSbjyPgfo_QhAfnBvyHwf6W_Wt7O/s1600/The_Magic_Stone_Marie_Sterbenz.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Doctors</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.erichsegal.com/" target="_blank">Erich Segal</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Hodder & Stoughton</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Medical/Romance</div>
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A republished classic by a well-decorated author (why haven't I read any of his books?!), I thought the 'modern' take on the cover design was fitting. Simple, eye-catching colours, and those evocative wedding bands. I know this is a far-cry even for <i>me</i> from the standard man-clutches-swooning-woman of the Romance genre norm, but from what I can tell, there is a passionate love story underneath the clinical layers of medical drama. On my to-read list!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiJBBhTBQI-srKjDWEpkm5zXkEE6j3ghOfKFW3Hqda1N0BEf16kCh5o5Wb6VPtRBH-GK8xlFpneHaBVmQ-2Rhfsfthzo73n8YkiXQ8HKgMsrmPuopZxYcEfdMxTp6fFw6S1CFO3vgWKjF/s1600/Doctors_Eric_Segal_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiJBBhTBQI-srKjDWEpkm5zXkEE6j3ghOfKFW3Hqda1N0BEf16kCh5o5Wb6VPtRBH-GK8xlFpneHaBVmQ-2Rhfsfthzo73n8YkiXQ8HKgMsrmPuopZxYcEfdMxTp6fFw6S1CFO3vgWKjF/s1600/Doctors_Eric_Segal_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Which leads us to my...</i></div>
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<h3>
PICK OF THE WEEK</h3>
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This particular cover is a fantastic example of a title that is released with different cover designed depending on the market and on the published format. I've chosen the version for the UK ebook, and it is my favourite of all the various versions I found while reading up on this title. Here's my pick of the week:</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>The Exiled</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://posiegraemeevans.net/" target="_blank">Posie Graeme-Evans</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Hodder & Stoughton, New edition</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00BMUVULU/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif908rd0k3OYDkuR-TghWXxfBq7CXOOr7ed03UGXySHXuJ-w1P7RqeXpJiJGvtNqbqlTwfcQliggWuBmr7t15cDMwYRJj84ptqXD6VMIfxCUQcfc0bSUot8WKQYwwTwI17MfYHymbfCwOp/s1600/0340836504.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) the 'professionals' get it right, and not only could I not fault this cover, I can't deny that it drew me in. Apparently I'm also a sucker for textures (see my <a href="http://beatriceholley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/kindle-romance-covers-of-week-13-april.html" target="_blank">pick of the week for 13 April</a>), and this one delivers. The white scratchiness around the edges gives a digital product that well-loved look. Like a copy of an adored classic that's been handed around. The pose and the fabric of the fur-edged gown all beg you to learn about this mysterious, waiting, trapped woman.</div>
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If you'd like a master-class on the power of cropping, this is one. Check out another version of this same cover I found. I don't know about you, but when we can see the rest of her face and her eyes, the tension falls away completely from the image. Without being able to see her face, the image is more voyeuristic, more mysterious. That, and I'm not sold on the green text rather than the white/cream of the one I chose.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Rpd1hw1U5ykLgDuo7RZzNQubUIcx3GizzXTOKFUaacgnetjW1c6UGnq6K1-ujgoyYzrMJEMrBnx6EcV_62HwcEzbkz3COiNDZ_b3D5hrOz12UnNlYGNEu4HsVc10H_HPAp8JKdO34ZA/s1600/The-Exiled-au.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Rpd1hw1U5ykLgDuo7RZzNQubUIcx3GizzXTOKFUaacgnetjW1c6UGnq6K1-ujgoyYzrMJEMrBnx6EcV_62HwcEzbkz3COiNDZ_b3D5hrOz12UnNlYGNEu4HsVc10H_HPAp8JKdO34ZA/s400/The-Exiled-au.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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And, as promised here's a view of all the versions the publishers have released: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLsA7U_xw2bctozv8rdumIQwYSFoCPbQfnreVMAgUjfz1KqMrbiZJzNLEa536NV-xdbjbClYFdVkDK-OlHJoJpS_pV58CLf-8g4vLmruBeoJu_PMh5yLvG03BRz0GnSp7ezoVZ_ag_Le5/s1600/the_exiled_all_versions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLsA7U_xw2bctozv8rdumIQwYSFoCPbQfnreVMAgUjfz1KqMrbiZJzNLEa536NV-xdbjbClYFdVkDK-OlHJoJpS_pV58CLf-8g4vLmruBeoJu_PMh5yLvG03BRz0GnSp7ezoVZ_ag_Le5/s1600/the_exiled_all_versions.png" /></a></div>
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I have a feeling the far-left is destined for the hardcover/print version, the middle version is targeted for the UK, and the far right is for US readers. Which one do you fancy best?</div>
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Okay, before we go, we can't forget our...</div>
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<h4>
(BACK-)ABS OF THE WEEK AWARD!</h4>
I actually picked this out as one of my runners-up this week - gotta love the contrast in this gorgeous photograph. Again, I seem unable to resist the 'back-abs' (has anyone found out if there IS such a thing??) In a word: Yummy.<br />
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I leave you with...<br />
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Falling for Heaven</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Conley/e/B00BL2P538/" target="_blank">Anne Conley</a></div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Hodder & Stoughton, New edition</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Paranormal Romance</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Heaven-Four-Winds-ebook/dp/B00CH1PC1W/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367181650&sr=1-1&keywords=falling+for+heaven" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1BKe3V5SnTgcR8qTDP5dgd4vEQteajzgChH32WiNPRD44UUE3lyIsWcJakkp7SRiSJwZV_-N4ulss7HtBogBdqzI5A78HNwhdJscHtCx9z1derobVcV9d-jGNStaS2aSg99ujsd0n5zu/s1600/41Fk7eBQR9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-53,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">NEED MORE COVER LOVE?</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Melissa Walker</b> talks to authors about their cover design process in her <a href="http://www.melissacwalker.com/tag/cover-stories-2/" target="_blank">'Cover Stories' blog series</a></li>
<li><b>Pippa Jay</b> talks to authors about their favourite book covers in her <a href="http://pippajay.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/cover%20love" target="_blank">'Cover Love' blog series</a></li>
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Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-21988384302878032222013-04-21T22:49:00.000+01:002013-04-21T23:13:55.545+01:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 21st April 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFn76gOlixToo1JcEDWgxWq_ekU3mV7KuTWLur0oihG4VRtKgBs_z5ajIObfehSIS-qvaaemoDvEFS1Vv5cDNfCWyPeU8AkGC446jWEcyCfVlYtWekglw2FhG6d81g9Guxt8fUsBN-TCl/s1600/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Spring_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFn76gOlixToo1JcEDWgxWq_ekU3mV7KuTWLur0oihG4VRtKgBs_z5ajIObfehSIS-qvaaemoDvEFS1Vv5cDNfCWyPeU8AkGC446jWEcyCfVlYtWekglw2FhG6d81g9Guxt8fUsBN-TCl/s400/Kindle_Romance_Covers_Spring_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>It's that time again!</b> I've romped through the recently released romances as if they were a field full of spring flowers, and picked out my favourite covers for another week. I can't promise to be able to do this every week, but I got such a great response to the last two that I can't help keeping it going.<br />
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You'll note that I don't use any form of scientific analysis, scoring or other formal evaluation. I just pick out what I LIKE. So, the following is entirely my personal and purely subjective opinion. No critics were injured in the writing of this blog post.<br />
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<b>And as ever, My Disclaimer: </b>I haven't the <i>foggiest</i> if the following books are the next big sensation, or if they'll end up in your e-reader's DNF folder. I leave the reviewing of any contents to the experts (and to you, Dear Reader).<br />
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But first...<br />
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<h4>
VICTORIA DAHL - <i>TOO HOT TO HANDLE</i></h4>
That's right, folks, <a href="http://www.victoriadahl.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Dahl's</a> latest full-length novel is <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Too-Handle-Mills-Boon-ebook/dp/B00BQGH03M" target="_blank">now available in the UK on Kindle</a>! Was chuffed to see this cover pull through into the list this week. If you don't already <a href="https://twitter.com/VictoriaDahl" target="_blank">follow Victoria on Twitter</a>, you are missing out on serious entertainment. As for the cover, I love the bold, fresh 'non-regulation-issue' colours she uses. And who can resist a pillow fight?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Too-Handle-Mills-Boon-ebook/dp/B00BQGH03M" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIeTKyCASdVc4c6ME7iyp1p-ij6qWtWIYIL8a3SSreHUf4K6-vUZLbobAHVnf4gv3mCnjezW5KPjP8vrcXQay_k-wEaKpTOPdY5_bYH_U4XluQ7R6ARisAARiLnfySIN7Hsvuz9vTv6m0/s400/Victorial_Dahl_Too_Hot_To_Handle_book_cover.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<h3>
TREND SPOTTING: <i>IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONOCHROME</i></h3>
I'm only going to pick on one trend this week, as it seems to be a rather BIG one. And I confess, I'm cheating a little, as I was curious about trends in the most POPULAR books from the Hot Release section (ebooks published on Amazon in the past 30 days).<br />
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With all the spring colour bursting up with the first warm weather we've had, I was sort of expecting to see a lot more vibrant Romance covers in the Popular list. But it seems the <i>50 Shades </i>effect is still firmly with us, and all I can see is wall to wall shades of grey/blue/brown...<b>monochrome</b>.<br />
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Okay, there are a few with contrasting colour in the titles, but I was shocked at how many of the top 50 titles went for the two-toned look. It must appeal to readers though, as many buy a book by judging the cover, right (I know you do...you DO)?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqxi4-5fpZ7kkvUc9NEoBlA859N50KJdaj-w_KqqbrRw-Jm02PpaLbsLn1luTKjTF8kkMOqPAv-dI8wwe3-tEVbQkmzG3cTbBWZjE6-1mpQKGZzv5n8X57SGWno-JbFQBD7xqu3kK1Eh5/s1600/Monochrome_covers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqxi4-5fpZ7kkvUc9NEoBlA859N50KJdaj-w_KqqbrRw-Jm02PpaLbsLn1luTKjTF8kkMOqPAv-dI8wwe3-tEVbQkmzG3cTbBWZjE6-1mpQKGZzv5n8X57SGWno-JbFQBD7xqu3kK1Eh5/s1600/Monochrome_covers.png" /></a></div>
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RUNNERS UP!</h3>
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LOVELY COUPLES</h4>
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Here are some of my faves from this week - nice cozy couples (see? I don't just go for weird, abstract, dino-slipper covers!)</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Scarlet Heat</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.evangelineanderson.com/" target="_blank">Evangeline Anderson</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Evangeline Anderson Books<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Fantasy/Paranormal Romance</div>
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This is probably the closest I get to putting a stamp of approval on a 'traditional' Romance cover (i.e. barely-clothed dramatic/passionate couple, wrapped in a torrid embrace)! She's a reluctant vampire, he's a secret werewolf with a cross-species marriage of (in)convenience thrown in. What I liked was the whole balance of colour - the gentleness of the figures, which leans more towards tender than raving-lust-filled, and the combination of title fonts. It's very pleasing on the eye. Though for all that, Evangeline does promise "Lots and lots of steamy sex." o_O</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CE4A8UM/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYj_VMPTJ35FawlMS996v24ryDpFQVgcJXJNOHB3JaRTxKVEkxInOQslU-5fyvS0_HARnKJx2M_olbv-lpNTFtzxY2tRSf9Bqp8vApEIKpnTubS5fw0zJ5YyvjZ9pnHjabepQxGzZ5Zgq/s1600/51yPgsCtuBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Scarlet Heat by Evangeline Anderson" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Falling into Forever</i><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888299.Lauren_Abrams" target="_blank">Lauren Abrams</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre:</b> New Adult Contemporary Romance</div>
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Simple, uncomplicated composition. Another in the 'monochrome' theme, but the simplicity is sexy, I think. At first I thought this might be another vampire romance, based on the neck-nibbling. But it's listed as Contemporary New Adult, set in New York and involves a hunky movie star and a lost love. Verdict: Simple and sensual. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CEPFDTC/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNxMs1e6wheJR_k_KQgx6ZPO1EqL5t3uY-21NqYb_YiZ3IGx4YmD5fLb2gfHsSb16Q4CjKjofzg8DqkgQHJuGyzvOmG7htKjm-XDBoiP5R0fAw0oRoXTz993M_e02qCg9vB0X8TBypG0f/s1600/419xNWZgq8L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-70,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Falling into Forever by Lauren Abrams" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Faster We Burn</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://www.chelseamcameron.com/" target="_blank">Chelsea M Cameron</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-Published<br />
<b>Genre: </b>New Adult Contemporary Romance<br />
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Love the soft colours on this cover, with the flowing text over-top of the cuddling lovers. The way the hands are just touching is tender and intimate - makes me want to know what's going to happen between these two. It also gives a much gentler and vulnerable impression than the story blurb - hoping the inside and outside line up! The only thing that kept this cover from being my favourite of the week was that for me, the title blended into the background picture. Even in this size, its hard to make out the words, and in an Amazon-size thumbnail, the contrast was too low to read it at all. otherwise, it's a lovely combination!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CFNF1CC/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw1Ylwf6jXadOS_6SMetDqQqRlLWjkx84D-A1RE4LmPMnLH7RXX8TTfUmUwZ7l49fvmluaFeqQuuURMowOSTc5r8w8Bq2o6cWl5REhrce7Du0ToJ3ofuldzMfOvMt1YuXW1y1AC7FAtY_/s1600/Faster_We_Burn_Chelsea_M_Cameron_Book_Cover.jpg" title="Faster We Burn by Chelsea M Cameron" /></a></b></div>
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<h4>
LONELY LADIES</h4>
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In which I prove to have a weird thing for women's necks. Apparently. </div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Shades of Truth</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>C.L. Stockton<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance<br />
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It's hard to go wrong when you start with such a pretty photograph. The tendrils of hair are nicely echoed in the swirl of the h in 'Truth'. The fine, dark lines of her hair, the text and the necklace pull the whole piece together. The only thing that lets this cover down (in my opinion), and also out of the running as my pick of the week, is the somewhat claustrophobic thin black border that's been added around the left-hand side. Perhaps without it, it looked too contemporary for a historical romance? Either way, I feel it spoils (just slightly), the tranquillity of the image. But other than that...LOVE.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CCJEX82/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7_YmAqS-NTA-mxv4KhAnrW9o1HnfV-SeuQgVMKvBRNbyhjsRKHy5FfYWo3JXzbWALGkoH17c6KQwUz6rkLYg8qsB0HyZO9KXp9NDWJNSI2i0p0uL60DmiWgTx5lF2Sts3WOO3niJVF_0/s1600/Shades_of_Truth_CL_Stockton.jpg" title="Shades of Truth by C.L. Stockton" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>The Vessel</i><br />
<b>Author: </b><a href="http://about.me/feliciatatum" target="_blank">Felicia Tatum</a><br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Paranormal Romance<br />
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If she touches you, Olivia can see how you'll die. Scott is under a family curse, but can visit Olivia in her dreams. Sound like a rather intriguing set-up? The cover caught my eye - how can you miss all that red hair? Very Pre-Raphaelite. Lovely contrast with the blue, and the pose is very pretty. I believe the rest of her is visible around the back of the printed book, which is clever. Again, slight issue for me with the title text blending into the image (sensing a trend here!).<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CF7RL44/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNo-sRaM8dQN8YDZpChr2MVEcXvMG4z8-1OKEjSc1U9pJo5UrcX902xzX0qk9lWIVlzAEI66WxCY_lZEt8xHnEISFBAWjcYnVu3mSOkS7ZA0Pa_rvlSiaDMviHxIQqfOnuA2cNR0g1QRk/s1600/51PgtMEZfXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-66,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="The Vessel by Felicia Tatum" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Ripper - A Love Story</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>Lance Taubold & Richard Devin<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>13Thirty Books<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance/Thriller<br />
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You have to admit, this is the perfect cover for a historical serial killer romance-thriller where the leading man is also a suspect. There's elegant sensuality, mystery and splashes (literally!) of bloody murder. The font is strong and fits well with the historical timeframe. And for that little addition of something chilling, how's the 'telling ghost stories by the campfire' upwards lighting working for you? I'm hooked.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CEN9O62/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCl835yVBMVsB4jCi732K5BW8eF5Ho9KV0Jif0Rkd_lc-qiULDCPSIrV6DWCOaxl2ndkoGNzO__YjMbPnvYi87Kpsc9v12iK8SI7G1uVdoaVax4te0FmHsVS0f7YFfahNT2YF4OpynMKu/s1600/41QCCQnpkVL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-70,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Ripper by Lance Taubold & Richard Devin" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Barely Breathing</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>Heather Allen<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Heather Allen<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Fantasy/Paranormal Romance<br />
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Not sure if it's just from following the intrepid and incredible <a href="http://www.kseniaanske.com/" target="_blank">Ksenia Anske</a> as she chronicles the writing of her Siren Suicides novel(s), but I see a lot of amazing underwater photography around these days. And where better to utilize it than on a mermaid love story!! Gorgeous muted colours, dramatic pose, and the text against the red is lovely. I can't resist a cover that seems to plunge me into the middle of the story (is she drowning? dead?) before I've even read the first page.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ymshDEG7wyNXKDokb0HA6_6YYKCXPdb9F1a2ASLFcTEMHUAwQSGM8CpManXdqepFBtdeZm_vMoqufK_-moiW4OKH8ZvEuemo7Tjxt97aO4mxrzWGzZ-ajp_Yb-CV9foAFcfXY26IB085/s1600/Barely_Breathing_Heather_Allen_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ymshDEG7wyNXKDokb0HA6_6YYKCXPdb9F1a2ASLFcTEMHUAwQSGM8CpManXdqepFBtdeZm_vMoqufK_-moiW4OKH8ZvEuemo7Tjxt97aO4mxrzWGzZ-ajp_Yb-CV9foAFcfXY26IB085/s1600/Barely_Breathing_Heather_Allen_book_cover.jpg" title="Barely Breathing by Heather Allen" /></a></div>
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LAST BUT BY NO MEANS LEAST...</h4>
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No neat categories for these other than 'I LIKE'. And I'll have to suspense my analysis for now or this post will be out just before Christmas 2014 (if we're lucky).</div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Cross Currents</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b>Beatrice Aird O'Hanlon</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b>SilverWood Books</div>
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<b>Genre:</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b>Contemporary Romance</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cross-Currents-Beatrice-Aird-OHanlon/dp/1781320918" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD71i_zWXTZYrlz7flpMqnwHT3AAwIP3gmg0ButtW8Mp5cRXRSbKi7AJDvtceBo4HhqwWTAQSphrvR5msIvu4I5OYAoikh2ylzHxn1KMrT3yxPlYGL7grceDYHV_Fwbx2W889H3pTkX2ze/s1600/51W9MaXoG+L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Cross Currents by Beatrice Aird O'Hanlon" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Poison</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>Sarah Pinborough<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Gollancz<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy Fairy Tale Romance<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poison-Sarah-Pinborough/dp/0575092971" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHm2M0A9cNAhd7FSrWxJ8lkzy5HnJ_S0GAE4gToBOwP-tON7umJ7Ll3Hy52KlHnvYKIyPe6qHiS57_GqzsBeY49Xx43YGDX5KzFeR4-BEX4NuelS839Oc6khXiKjAYNnhzqVxnTJZvW9D/s1600/51LHVUy-wFL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA278_PIkin4%252CBottomRight%252C-67%252C22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Poison by Sarah Pinborough" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Second Hand Lace</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>Jenna Lehne<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Turquoise Morning Press<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Paranormal Romance<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Hand-Lace-ebook/dp/B00CE0QLCU" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvPRKYkyyqeH0QSXuY3KQZIt3eC-Koijig67ZD6zz4X0XuvyajqkWdTIqtZqqXyGiNTW2TNf1K3Ckax2HSHbuodx1Oz0YnlX-iYuKFVx_lt0UAicZzqWg88exp6oXjHXDh43mhocvaI46/s1600/51-ck9tT-AL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" title="Second Hand Lace by Jenna Lehne" /></a><br />
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Drum roll please...<br />
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PICK OF THE WEEK</h3>
I actually surprised myself with this one. As you can probably tell, I gravitate towards moody, dramatic images with lots of contrast. But each time I went through the covers, this one kept grabbing me. Okay, so on the surface it has a feel of that 'Chic Lit' clip-art feel that we've come to love/loathe. But somehow this one goes further.<br />
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I think what I love about it is the pink calligraphy. I've seen some of those old, original manuscripts where the scribe just went bonkers (or got bored) and did more swirls of the pen than seemed entirely necessary, and that's exactly what we have here. That or a wedding invitation gone horribly and irrevocably wrong. It's the way the calligraphy then tangles with the other little elements which pulls it all together for me. The title is still clear and readable (a miracle, in all those swoops and swishes), and it's just...FUN. (Yes. I occasionally dabble in...fun.)<br />
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<b>Title: </b><i>Brave Hart (One Woman's Search for that Most Elusive of Things, a Happy Ending)</i><br />
<b>Author: </b>Kristofer Spyrou<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Publish<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary/Humour Romance<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaupzKWo19x9Av5l7czDsKSLWPvwiwwGzYuMEDZfbhQxUSojNxywe5duKwb2MjhLmNM5cKL1pX8hCjeqNmDT4wZm498AVYsKgnzj7Afc59qXd0vP9sgoFM9cyxDTyCDl8W2xgpj1kNg4Hw/s1600/Brave_Hart_Spyrou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaupzKWo19x9Av5l7czDsKSLWPvwiwwGzYuMEDZfbhQxUSojNxywe5duKwb2MjhLmNM5cKL1pX8hCjeqNmDT4wZm498AVYsKgnzj7Afc59qXd0vP9sgoFM9cyxDTyCDl8W2xgpj1kNg4Hw/s1600/Brave_Hart_Spyrou.JPG" /></a></div>
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Not to be forgotten....</div>
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<h3>
ABS OF THE WEEK AWARD!!</h3>
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I'm sorry, but this man's arms HAVE THEIR OWN ABS. Is that even possible?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4hQ_YdfKzv76YL9gQoPjxdAwvMdTnCm5DLvg-wmaompOvs8AzWuGOr1lhOIuOfsJOBwBTm0KnjnVuuiG_zutWq0s5DlfJzdW6eK0gtoBaWxYHvIh1GHl7V93zuCzEEBCIEGV6U1IX4yp/s1600/Burning_Ice_Marisa_Chenery_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4hQ_YdfKzv76YL9gQoPjxdAwvMdTnCm5DLvg-wmaompOvs8AzWuGOr1lhOIuOfsJOBwBTm0KnjnVuuiG_zutWq0s5DlfJzdW6eK0gtoBaWxYHvIh1GHl7V93zuCzEEBCIEGV6U1IX4yp/s1600/Burning_Ice_Marisa_Chenery_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT</h3>
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Before I go, a few words of warning.</div>
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Beware of <a href="http://sharetv.org/images/pride_and_prejudice_uk/cast/large/george_wickham.jpg" target="_blank">George Wickham</a>...especially if he has a glowing eye. o_O</div>
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Beware the disembodied hand. With a ring.</div>
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Beware the Grammar Police if this is your title. Eep.</div>
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There are no words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tyQJVHNIwaLQdRnDnmBYOicQRCaOAz7qB49iH-rWoZIZRYAC9bUzAajwe1_Mg25HIHOf0VIRQ8cVwdwReqRstApv3oxGvDYzDk1L_hy7bIVavHdXgil06mAFH8-oDaudRWCKjyI6YfMl/s1600/grammerpolice_truloveshide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tyQJVHNIwaLQdRnDnmBYOicQRCaOAz7qB49iH-rWoZIZRYAC9bUzAajwe1_Mg25HIHOf0VIRQ8cVwdwReqRstApv3oxGvDYzDk1L_hy7bIVavHdXgil06mAFH8-oDaudRWCKjyI6YfMl/s1600/grammerpolice_truloveshide.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did - See you all next week!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">eReader-with-books image Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a> (with some editing from me!)</span></div>
Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-80064138892952554222013-04-13T22:05:00.000+01:002013-05-04T23:57:01.822+01:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week - 13 April 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZo3Oa7CLb0kM1ZVuvZXXqHZemGhbnXS0eKvwWGQcGulVZbs7Zb_UjXcq1-3UWudxbR5Ux2VDBcxX7hpdGjrw96dHVj4Hf5hyt7hFRWcEvnj9BkaN04bvDrfpAV9BMHHI1daOlEeDxTsI/s1600/10485817_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZo3Oa7CLb0kM1ZVuvZXXqHZemGhbnXS0eKvwWGQcGulVZbs7Zb_UjXcq1-3UWudxbR5Ux2VDBcxX7hpdGjrw96dHVj4Hf5hyt7hFRWcEvnj9BkaN04bvDrfpAV9BMHHI1daOlEeDxTsI/s400/10485817_s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Had some fun last week, so here we are again! Trolling through the ridiculously huge number of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=amb_link_158204947_2?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A362723031%2Cp_n_date%3A367745031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-banner&pf_rd_r=18FM0Z519SM042FME5S9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=310562627&pf_rd_i=362723031" target="_blank">freshly published Romance Kindle books from the past week</a>. Seriously, folks - do you even KNOW how many books come out in a week now? And how many of those are going to be any good?<br />
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Well, that's not my concern for now - I'm only interested in which ones are decidedly PRETTY. </div>
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<b>My disclaimer, as before: </b>I have <i>nary a clue</i> whether the following titles are any good, or should instead be re-purposed as virtual loo-roll or so much digital compost for your game of Farmville.</div>
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But first...some TRENDS:</div>
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<h3>
The All-Seeing Eye</h3>
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I find this homage to the Dark Lord a particularly disturbing and icky trend (four, in a week?!), considering these are meant to be ROMANCE, baby! Perhaps opticians find these particularly sexy? I expect, in hindsight (ha!), these authors may regret the use of ONE BIG EYE on their front covers?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvueDPCLGCmPK4ed1QZ0IFKsQp26U6gs9W5d_wkGL6uTTCk3FRvXUK0vn9StA2d5zBubiuuViq9m-7W-_JQ-XeYI_0zeJKRoqniJFyfchuZuyr8Dg5JQlsaPJdGhZbK72M1QURuh9qUi7/s1600/Kindle_Cover_trends_EYES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvueDPCLGCmPK4ed1QZ0IFKsQp26U6gs9W5d_wkGL6uTTCk3FRvXUK0vn9StA2d5zBubiuuViq9m-7W-_JQ-XeYI_0zeJKRoqniJFyfchuZuyr8Dg5JQlsaPJdGhZbK72M1QURuh9qUi7/s1600/Kindle_Cover_trends_EYES.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h3>
The Upside-down Backwards Spidey Smoochers</h3>
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I'm seeing this a lot. Reminiscent of the Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst <a href="http://youtu.be/_iOC5ajR51g" target="_blank">famous upside-down-Spider-Man-kiss</a>, I suppose the pose does lend itself to an interesting composition. But have you ever actually tried kissing anyone like this? Not only does it feel...<i>weird</i>, you end up staring at their chin, which has you instantly imagining that you are now kissing an alien creature which has a very small head, and no other facial features other than some ENORMOUS HUMAN LIPS. That, and you might chip a tooth. Disorientation etc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp-95G-Sds4QpDy3ZCmMnmKITWN8Mwe3ZbGcJayD7EfpSNTQQKbjpU77oasinNffb0Gpo_4ghifTAIe2OV4gxz0lx0Gm3GrXkeEEiqeyZEdvVsKgUMDAEGA8oVdIjyA-AR-FocCkZAEla/s1600/Kindle_covers_trends_SPIDEYKISS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp-95G-Sds4QpDy3ZCmMnmKITWN8Mwe3ZbGcJayD7EfpSNTQQKbjpU77oasinNffb0Gpo_4ghifTAIe2OV4gxz0lx0Gm3GrXkeEEiqeyZEdvVsKgUMDAEGA8oVdIjyA-AR-FocCkZAEla/s1600/Kindle_covers_trends_SPIDEYKISS.jpg" /></a></div>
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Okay, on to some of my favourites from this week...<br />
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Runners Up (so many!!)</h3>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Killer Smile</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> Anita Bell</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Comedy/Romance</div>
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I picked this one out partly because it caught my attention (PINK FUZZY DINO FEET SLIPPERS!!! Need I say more?), but more because I thought it captured the comedy/romance genre mix well. Whether it's actually funny or not - you tell me!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CBTCPGK/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk9sLJX0rD4Fo69cz6jgK0nE5p_lQBQTc8A3Af3msI70egBoW2xd3iVXuhOo3oEpwIL4Fj9WtG28jjFElxGMCvNwVnHFo1YJ7YgQeu17GkuHkoVwD39fRpvAlLGNsJYJEcEM7fZ9eAd4K/s1600/41HCxsWGRzL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA278_PIkin4%252CBottomRight%252C-64%252C22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>The Hot Scot</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b>Kate Eden</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> Kate Eden</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Romance/Fantasy/Vampire</div>
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I just thought this was a great piece of graphic design, really. Bold contrast, cute tartan highlight, and great choice of font for the text. Hot Scottish vampire meets sexy art curator? Might be an interesting read!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00CBW9BRI/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8qEe1PGftu7Pzi77SOB8GqJvnl-bjc1GOIYc5G78xBC5nzcHWJf18E0n1j803F-3Ax8yvt4QeD8U_E8ytavX5jL2-rERzN42jIA1rXvmFkZXqSNSUuIZoLbu_sEb1iTNHk-zh6mbUlWw/s1600/The_Hot_Scot_Kate_Eden_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>All I Want Is You</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b>Elizabeth Anthony</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> Hodder & Stoughton</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Historical Romance</div>
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I know, there are plenty of scantily-clad-ladies-type covers out there, but I thought this one was particularly good. Following the trend to more minimalist colouring (thanks again, Ms James), your eye is more focused on the sense of fragility and insecurity in the woman's pose. There's something going on emotionally, which draws me in. The font-choice is also to be commended - with the story set in the 1920s, the Art-Deco style is fitting.</div>
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<b>Title:</b> <i>Dear Thing</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b>Julie Cohen</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> Transworld Digital</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance</div>
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This is definitely a beautiful cover, photographically and compositionally. I was in two minds about it, though, as it's one of those covers you're <i>supposed</i> to think is beautiful. Almost a little too 'sweet', if you know what I mean. As if someone polled every woman on Pinterest and made a composite image of the most popular pins. But the story itself centers around a woman desperate for a child and how her attempts to have one affect her relationships with those around her. So I have to say, if the little shoes fit...</div>
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<b>Title: </b><i>Exile</i></div>
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<b>Author:</b> Muffi Beyer</div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Amazon/Self-Published</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance</div>
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What with the Captain Jack Sparrow sailing ship on the horizon, I wouldn't have taken this for a Contemporary Romance, but it is! A closer inspection shows the composite nature of this cover, but I felt it was very well put together. The title married with the image creates a certain intrigue. Nice use of a single-word title, and well-balance, nicely contrasting composition.</div>
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<b>And Finally...</b></div>
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My Pick of the Week</h3>
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<b>Title:</b><i> Angel Fall</i></div>
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<b>Author: </b>Susan Ee</div>
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<b>Publisher: </b>Hodder & Stoughton</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Post-Apocalyptic Romance</div>
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Another Hodder & Stoughton title, this was a done-deal the second I clapped eyes on it. It's just...delicious. What can I say? Simple, elegant, mysterious. Textures and colours...yum. It is just so darn PRETTY. I am incapable of dissecting it any further other than I LIKE IT. A lot. If you could just bottle it, you'd be very rich.</div>
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Part of a series, this book is apparently fairly hotly anticipated, and it looks like I might just have to read it sooner or later. Published this week in the UK and already 222 reviews with a 4.5 star average? They can't all be wrong, just sayin'. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00BIIYSCY/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Z5HHT9XssGXweivTeW18kEoaBLwcK-CKHWbBi0B1CsOcczS68NFuTI-jsl62CzlY4eNnWuaHwFqUO-f95K7g_mwydaNfFt90uo6AzRp2CAouQHwwVFfZNTlJncwkzVLkot7_SCPPi8l/s640/ANGELFALL-book-cover-art.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Wait...not quite done! Can't forget...of course, our...</div>
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Abs of the Week Award!</h3>
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Okay, I admit it. I'm cheating this week. This one is pure 'back-abs' (IS there such a thing?!). But I figured y'all wouldn't mind.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twilights-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00CBNQXKK" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9hUJ14VgtkpgLpP2QZGosU8s-cFSeBVMM0KMfJl-jsoiO-ldOIJ_lLbsGWClDNlphs7AFojJdThKsWC1iQR7Yu3SaTvxugU0KiajPurU4GWsfN-ZFVd-zgv_ylzp6LUWkLzzlA4v_rnn/s1600/Twilights_Dawn_Pamela_Yakel_book_cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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Though however pretty the cover is, this is one <i>very </i>poignant reminder of the importance of DOUBLE-CHECKING spelling! Can <b><i>you</i></b> spot it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrgWUo0KfA9NFe8rv4qscmvi8ImyIlrMmn3I_m9aqjL8DzpdIgpA7AVOOzkfy7TUmruk3mkN5_o5ServSzpN_VR62WUpnXRwGmdI8IdJ43Ytr98B27sB2zx1E_iT8HYFPlqvjeX1vkmA0/s1600/misprint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrgWUo0KfA9NFe8rv4qscmvi8ImyIlrMmn3I_m9aqjL8DzpdIgpA7AVOOzkfy7TUmruk3mkN5_o5ServSzpN_VR62WUpnXRwGmdI8IdJ43Ytr98B27sB2zx1E_iT8HYFPlqvjeX1vkmA0/s320/misprint.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Have you had any publishing typo-horror stories happen to you?</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">EReader/Books Image: Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a></span></div>
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Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-15547175089012545622013-04-07T01:07:00.001+01:002013-05-04T23:57:16.327+01:00Kindle Romance Covers of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohX_qDKDi74AgCzdfaw147IK4RzK29NLhj8ggghxxFSlhbmkdO6XObJ6Ft4-Kfausj32GEb6HqXN6ldzfo7zkBjUM3QlZCEkdDqpUlNvtJ_hYbDEcURexLKXBrn_mX2UKgPtWCQ4jVR9p/s1600/12831630_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohX_qDKDi74AgCzdfaw147IK4RzK29NLhj8ggghxxFSlhbmkdO6XObJ6Ft4-Kfausj32GEb6HqXN6ldzfo7zkBjUM3QlZCEkdDqpUlNvtJ_hYbDEcURexLKXBrn_mX2UKgPtWCQ4jVR9p/s320/12831630_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>I can't resist it any longer.</b> I've just got to do some eBook cover art 'reviews' before I bust! I had a wander through the latest Romance releases on Amazon (UK), and thought I'd pick out a few that caught my eye - for good or ill. I didn't manage to get ALL the way through all 300 pages of new eBooks, but decided to concentrate on everything published in the past week starting from the 'Hot New Releases' section on Amazon.co.uk:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_hi_1?rh=n%3A341677031&sort=daterank&ie=UTF8&qid=1365288769" style="background-color: white; color: #004b91; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Kindle Store</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">›</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_hi_2?rh=n%3A341677031%2Cn%3A%21341678031%2Cn%3A341689031&sort=daterank&ie=UTF8&qid=1365288769" style="background-color: white; color: #004b91; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Kindle eBooks</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">›</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_hi_3?rh=n%3A341677031%2Cn%3A%21341678031%2Cn%3A341689031%2Cn%3A362723031&sort=daterank&ie=UTF8&qid=1365288769" style="background-color: white; color: #004b91; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Romance</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">›</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Last 30 days</span></h1>
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The list on Amazon is a mixture of traditionally published and self-published books, so you might think it's not exactly a fair fight. But I was pleasantly surprised how the quality of self-pub covers is going up (in places *ahem*). There are still plenty of clangers out there, but I'll try to be kind!<br />
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DISCLAIMER: Any and all of the below thoughts expressed are based entirely upon my personal opinion and on the cover artwork alone. As these books have just barely been published, I leave the judgement of their contents up to the readers...<br />
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But first..</div>
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Sensing a Trend Here...</h3>
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Ladies...seeing this pose a number of times. Is this like...a thing? Do I need to dust off the old thigh-master workout? And seriously...WHO has legs that long?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xD7-m7UGrIzY0Xf0rZzWk_MT73IXbKkPM6f1I3fXqkPvdurGGlsZSTiR4kzHlO-JjmSRQ6n_ltVzKzjWowOpD-W0rc0EFqayLsXLRvhJ5g-lHaodhaU4qLF_5L_rqwsOb6QTbWOJqOc4/s1600/kindle_cover_trend_06042013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xD7-m7UGrIzY0Xf0rZzWk_MT73IXbKkPM6f1I3fXqkPvdurGGlsZSTiR4kzHlO-JjmSRQ6n_ltVzKzjWowOpD-W0rc0EFqayLsXLRvhJ5g-lHaodhaU4qLF_5L_rqwsOb6QTbWOJqOc4/s1600/kindle_cover_trend_06042013.jpg" /></a></div>
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Prettiest Cover</h3>
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I love the delicacy of the blossoms with the text. It surprised me even more to discover that this is actually a somewhat dark-sounding M/M romance! Intriguing. Not sure if the juxtiposition of the cover with the story blurb is a mismatch or a clever hook...</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00C5WXJ1S/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdEX9YEv8y8rKEVT6VWmvKFNjfOqVQt16G3UTPhXvrabkK32x0kbJ6BoTX7DmfOnBTwCZ-y5ONj0BJp8ki-Wjki76kAAbqZxwp7XxU8BhKDjVJRL6HPL983iUN0mb9lbDUmzy_RbjcI5F/s1600/sakura_kiss_Kove.jpg" /></a></div>
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Best of Black & White</h3>
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I liked both of these for different reasons. <i>Bound to be Punished</i> looks like it follows in the <i>50 Shades</i> 'tradition', but unlike so many 'erotic romances' (read: people get tied up), this cover is tasteful, sensual and beautifully photographed.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00C7FBYAQ/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTUZN2946NQOBOlGG2XcSuvhUoWRavyM_Fxov3mxFv3bFg_gfbd73nyynPhwpS9fb-nYA14ZCyKQGiBzcljgG9r287Djuesz8xGHbN47i87h9o1ab5t5e2Vhs_AGTFng39ec83IRdvIUl/s1600/bound_to_be_punished_S_P_Miller.jpg" /></a></div>
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The cover for <i>Taste of Love</i> by Stephanie Nicole is just too cute. Different, and how many romance covers do you see where the guy is wearing a hat? And if they weren't both half-naked, I get the feeling they'll break out into a rumba any second now.</div>
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Runners-Up</h3>
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<b><i>Scandal in the Recency Ballroom</i> - Louise Allen:</b> I loved the pose and attitude of the model for this one. I am FAR from being any sort of expert, but is she really wearing regency dress? I usually think empire-waistlines, but I might be wrong. Still, it's a strong image and it sits well against the text.</div>
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<b><i>Alpha Girl</i> - Kate Bloomfield:</b> Got to love that amber eye staring out at you! In a world of thumbnails, a cover like this catches your attention, which is exactly what you want. It also sits well for me as it's cross-genre, and I can instantly pick that out the moment I see it.</div>
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<b><i>Fever </i>- Maya Banks:</b> A very pretty, minimalist cover, and gets us away from all the embracing couples!! Nothing wrong with embracing couples, of course, but as you've probably already guessed, I'm a mixed-genre kinda gal, and I like a cover that's unique with a hint of mystery.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B009NY44LK/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwJxi13Fb9enQ51FeZixZUBx8W5HBMdl_4MXFje_JsFuEOZ2s1xFP2_oN34-vE7JrveauhDp-EK3rmXsw-rD7EWNI6YoNT-3If59evATBD7lRBwnhsYtx1w4irrALcdI3jlx2DrUa_lDb/s1600/fever_maya_banks.jpg" /></a></div>
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My Pick of the Week</h3>
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I've selected <i>Unraveling</i> by Micalea Smletzer as my favourite for this week. The composition is strong and emotive. The contrast between her skin and hair great, and then the light detail motifs and the text just set the whole piece off. I loved the little detail of unraveling below the text, which itself follows the theme of its title. Split into three, it's as if the title itself is unraveling. I love it when the concept is taken right through, but not in a hit-you-over-the-head sort of way.</div>
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Aaaand just for fun...The Abs of the Week Award!</h3>
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Because...we can.</div>
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P.S. I've linked all the pics to the 'Look Inside' on Amazon, so you can see all these lovely covers up close and in full detail.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">EReader & Books image Copyright (c) <a href="http://www.123rf.com/">123RF Stock Photos</a></span></div>
Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144799716635710630.post-52238064840072137232013-04-05T12:44:00.000+01:002013-04-05T23:41:49.183+01:00Author Daisy-Chain (Or How to Find Great Writers)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Haven't heard of an <b>Author Daisy-Chain</b> before? Where have you been?! Okay, so maybe I made it up.<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>au·thor dai·sy chain</b></span><br /><i><b>noun</b></i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;">when someone gets you started on an author (who you LOVE), and then you find out which writer inspired <i><b>that </b></i>writer, and then you find out what books <i><b>that next writer </b></i>loved, and so on.</span></li>
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So you see, each book and author links on to another, in my little daisy-chain. Potentially, an author daisy-chain could go back and back through time until we're getting into cave paintings, but really, who has time to do that?<br />
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This is my first.<br />
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<h4>
Daisy-chain Start - Sarah Wendell</h4>
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I'm an immense fan of <a href="https://twitter.com/SmartBitches" target="_blank"><b>Sarah Wendell</b></a> of '<a href="http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/" target="_blank">Smart Bitches, Trashy Books</a>' fame. Hilarious, caustic, down-to-earth, I have spent many enjoyable moments following her on <a href="https://twitter.com/SmartBitches" target="_blank">twitter</a> or reading the website <a href="http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>. That and I have a growing appreciation for Jewish food. No idea why.<br />
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Having just removed yet another hopeless attempt at literature from my Kindle, I turned to the reviewers of Smart Bitches and vowed to ONLY read the 'A' rated reviews. No more poor quality offerings for me! I wanted a real book. And sure enough, I soon turned up<a href="http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/blog/rita-reader-challenge-the-rose-garden-by-susanna-kearsley" target="_blank"> a review</a> of a <b><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CD4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.susannakearsley.com%2F&ei=N7VeUY6eBoWyOfHcgYAP&usg=AFQjCNEkmCSjqmkeIRsGQUPnwGaM8kKrFg&sig2=pSjM2Wjlp3f93Tc_Ps81Aw&bvm=bv.44770516,d.ZWU" target="_blank">Susanna Kearsley</a></b> book, and I was off.<br />
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(I will note here that I'd previously noticed Kearsley's recent covers and sorely coveted them - they are GORGEOUS. I believe the artist responsible for that is <a href="http://susanzuckerdesign.com/" target="_blank">Susan Zucker.</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little daisy-chain...</td></tr>
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<h4>
Daisy-chain, Step 2 - Susanna Kearsley
</h4>
Suffice it to say I consumed <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Firebird-ebook/dp/B00APDWTEM/" target="_blank">Firebird </a></i>by Susanna Kearsley within two days and was soon hunting for more quality fodder for my newly whetted reading appetite Reading up about Kearsley on her website, she mentioned how influenced she was as a young person by <b><a href="http://marystewartnovels.com/" target="_blank">Mary Stewart's</a></b> books. Who on earth is Mary Stewart? Never heard of her before now. Okay, off I went with a new name in my head and a hungry-reader brain.<br />
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<h4>
Daisy-chain, Step 3 - Mary Stewart</h4>
So I'm waiting for the bus on the way home from work, and I wander into one of the nearby charity (second-hand) shops. Browsing through the shelves doesn't turn up any stray Kearsley titles to satisfy the glom I was craving. But there, on the shelf was a Mary Stewart book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airs-Above-Ground-Mary-Stewart/dp/144472052X/" target="_blank">Airs Above the Ground</a></i>. Only £2? Involves dancing white horses?! SOLD.<br />
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<h4>
Daisy-china, Step 4 - Hans Christian Andersen</h4>
Okay, by now I was getting rather intrigued. So who would be on Mary's long-loved list? Which great brain would she attribute her writing success to? I searched everywhere I could, but the interwebs failed to reveal to me her influences. Until, that is, I found <a href="http://youtu.be/CBm_kyaPh4I" target="_blank">an interview</a> with her (beware, 'tis deeply '80s in style) in her later years. Lo and behold, she talks about what inspired her to start telling and writing stories as a child: <b><i>fairy tales</i></b>. Of course. Specifically, <b><a href="http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e.html" target="_blank">Hans Christian Andersen</a></b>.<br />
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So this is as far as my daisy-chain has gotten for now. Maybe I can dig through the formative years of Mr Andersen (no, not Neo from the Matrix, film nerds) and find my next little daisy stepping stone.<br />
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In the meantime, I have three authors' back catalogues to sift through for quality reading fare. Or I might just start a new chain!<br />
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<i><b>What great authors have you found through other authors?</b></i><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-small;"><b>LINKS:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Smart Bitches website: </span></span><a href="http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/">http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Susanna Kearsley website:</span></span><a href="http://www.susannakearsley.com/">http://www.susannakearsley.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mary Stewart fan-site: </span></span><a href="http://marystewartnovels.com/">http://marystewartnovels.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Hans Christian Andersen Centre: </span></span><a href="http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e.html">http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">How to Make a Daisy Chain (a REAL one): <a href="http://youtu.be/EQBaQ8tRpDM">http://youtu.be/EQBaQ8tRpDM</a></span><br />
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<br />Beatrice Holleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186944601536306764noreply@blogger.com0