A Different Direction
One of the first category romance authors I ever read was Cait London. I got free copies of books from London, Eileen Wilks and Susan Mallery. I liked all three, ended up buying their books as they came out and then followed them out of category and into non-category single titles.
Wilks’ covers have taken a distinct turn as she moved out of category:
But, when I saw London’s newest in the store the other day, I really got a shock. Her newest is a big change from the old style covers:
For those who are wondering, London’s newest At The Edge looks interesting. Here’s the blurb:
Claire, Tempest, and Leona: triplets blessed—or cursed—each with a special extra sense that they would deny, given the chance . . .
Claire, the youngest, finds solitude and escape in rural Montana. The descendant of an ancient Celtic seer, she struggles to conceal her unsettling power to sense what others feel—the good and the evil, the pain and the joy.
When her peace is shattered by her new neighbor, Neil Olafson, Claire’s shielded emotions start simmering. He’s the opposite of everything she’s ever wanted, a man who ignites her latent sensuality. And while her eerie powers have frightened others away, Neil isn’t running. And when Claire comes face-to-face with danger, he becomes her protector—as well as her lover.
Now, Claire and Neil must confront the past and save the life of a young innocent. But there is a killer lurking in the background who wants them both dead before they can unravel his dirty secrets. And he’s been very busy . . .
June 18th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I also saw Cait’s latest and was drawn to the cover, though I didn’t pick it up - I had a list and had to be a good girl this time around - but it does sound intriguing. I just have to cut myself off though - not being independently weathly can be really annoying at times like this.
June 18th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I’ve read At The Edge, and loved it. She has 2 more that are connected to this one coming out later.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Is this surprising though, that a cowboy romance would not have the same cover as an urban fantasy?
June 18th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Yeah, covers are moving a long way very fast. Even some of the newer category books have more risque covers now though.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Diana - My only point was that Cait’s cover was so different from anything I’d seen on any of her work in the past that I did a doubletake. It grabbed my attention. Eileen’s non-category single title covers all have been pretty cutting edge and pretty consistent. Whereas this one for Cait was, in my view, a huge departure - much sexier and much more edgy.
June 19th, 2007 at 3:35 am
I guess covers have to move with the times, too.
June 19th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Oooo…I definitely like the non-category covers better - they’re usually so much more exciting.
June 19th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Cait’s new cover is definitely eye catching!
June 19th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I agree that covers have more to do with marketing than story content. This has been an interesting thread-and one heard many sites over. *smile* It was actually being discussed concerning Triskelion Publishing, who sells everything from chick lit to erotica. An author I met was complaining because her chick lit book received an erotic cover. However, since most of Triskelion’s clients tend toward romantica, that is how the art dept. marketed the book. Even if you disagree on principle, there is no question that a brazen cover (whether it’s gruesome or erotic) catches attention. After that, most readers will probably read the summary and decide THEN whether the book fits their taste. Advertising is what it is.
Warm regards,
Michelle Lauren
(For those of you who like steamy romance, check out “The Djinni” by Minx Malone, available from Triskelion Publishing).
June 20th, 2007 at 6:52 am
LOVED that cover… the triplet thing not so much. I think she has been doing RS for a bit now hasn’t she? I lurved her historicals muchly.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I brought Cait London’s “At the Edge” and haven’t read it yet. But her cover are steamy
I love Eileen Wilks cover arts too.
This been an interesting topic today
Julia-Yen
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:46 am
Love your books!
Penney