Cover Magic

One of the hardest things to get right in the book publishing process, at least from an author's point of view, is the cover. (I'd wager many readers would agree.) As an author, it can be hard to articulate on those cover art sheets just what you have in your head. Often, the best you can hope for is that the cover artist assigned to your book is a professional, even if they don't share your vision. Because when it goes wrong, it can go really, really wrong. But when it goes right? It gives you goosebumps to see that perfect cover show up in your email.

My new release, Idol of Bone, has one of those covers:

Idol of Bone is a book that's been with me for a long time. I know just how Ra looks. I actually drew her myself many years ago while working on the first draft. My cover artist at Samhain, Kanaxa, hasn't seen that drawing, but when I saw the final cover she'd designed, I was amazed at how close to my drawing it actually is. I love the little flourishes and ethereal colors, and I couldn't be happier with this representation of my book.

As we started working on Book 2 in the Looking Glass Gods series, Idol of Blood, I figured I couldn't get that lucky a second time, but I knew Kanaxa would give me something good. The first draft of the cover was great—I loved the shot of the model, loved the brooding color and the flourishes—but the model was holding an object that didn't really relate to the book, so I tried to come up with some suggestions for things that could be Photoshopped in, but nothing really worked.

And then Kanaxa said, "Well, she does magic, right? Conjures things? What if I have her conjuring something in her hands?"

"Sounds good," I said. "Go for it."

I just about died of awesome when she sent back this:

And now I can't wait to see the cover for Book 3. :)

One stranger seeks to claim her heart…another is destined to destroy her.

Ra. Just two letters. Barely a breath. When she stumbles into the frozen Haethfalt highlands, her name is all she has—the last remnant of a past she’s managed to keep hidden, even from herself. Her magic, however, isn’t so easy to conceal—magic that’s the province of the Meer, an illicit race to which she can’t possibly belong.

The eccentric carpenter who takes her in provides a welcome distraction from the puzzle of herself. Though Jak refuses to identify as either male or female, the unmistakable spark of desire between them leaves Ra determined to find out what lies beneath the enigmatic exterior.

But more dangerous secrets are brewing underneath the wintry moors. Jak’s closest friend, Ahr, is haunted by his own unspeakable past. Bounty hunters seeking fugitive Meer refuse to leave him in peace.

Harboring feelings for both Ra and Ahr, Jak nonetheless struggles to keep them apart. Because like the sun and the moon coming together, their inevitable reunion has the potential to destroy Jak’s whole world.

Read an excerpt from Idol of Bone

Available now in trade paperback and ebook:

Amazon | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Samhain Publishing

Pre-order Idol of Blood, coming in June:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Cover Reveal: Draven's Crossing 4: Poisonous Desires

I just got this cover. No one but myself and the publisher has seen it yet so you guys are getting a first look. Here is my cover for the upcoming book Draven's Crossing 4: Poisonous Desires.

Unedited Long Blurb:

It's time for the Werewolf Summit and this year it's taking place in Draven's Crossing. It's a huge headache for Vampire Mayor Draven, and Chief of Police Torger. With the issues they're having with the Council and the fallout of the serial killings both men want things to go smoothly so Torger asks his brother, Urban, to make sure the meetings go well. But this is Draven's Crossing; what can go wrong will. Bodies start to show up and a drug epidemic hits in the feline shifter community. Two things Urban doesn't need. When his sometimes lover Nadia is thrown into the mix things go from bad to worse. Not only is he trying to hide his feelings for the fickle feline shifter but she's also trying to put some distance between them, and she's keeping something from him. How can he concentrate on his job when things are getting too personal and Torger the DCPD Chief of Police is breathing down his neck?

Nadia has finally shown up in Draven's Crossing after being held for a "talk" with the head of the Feline Shifter Quorum, Zerik. Zerik wants her to go to Draven's Crossing and figure out who's making and distributing a new drug an addictive drug killing feline shifters and breaking up families. She thought she could get into town, find the culprits and blow out with no problem. Now she's assigned to help her lover Urban with his werewolf problems. Her emotions for him are growing and for a woman who's tried so hard not to form attachments she fears her independent ways may have met their match. How can she keep her distance from the one man who could tear down her walls and stomp on her resistance?

Together they must stop the deaths, keep peace in the werewolf community and figure out where their relationship stands before everything is blown apart. Piece of cake, right? Not in Draven's Crossing.

Release Date TBA

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving everyone!

-Se

Prince of Tricks: Cover Reveal

Although I've revealed this cover already on my blog, pain issues are preventing me from coming up with a more substantive post tonight, so please forgive the shameless promo. ;)

Last month I alluded to my new m/m erotic paranormal series, Demons of Elysium, coming from Samhain Publishing in January, and this month I have my awesome cover for the first book in the series to share with you, featuring Belphagor, my roguish demon:

Prince of Tricks
Demons of Elysium, Book 1

When desire rises, angels will fall. One, by one, by one…

Over the past century, Belphagor has made a name for himself in Heaven’s Demon District as a cardsharp, thief, and charming rogue.

Though the airspirit is content with his own company, he enjoys applying the sweet sting of discipline to a willing backside. Angel, demon, even the occasional human. He’s not particular. Until a hotheaded young firespirit steals his purse—and his heart. Now he’s not sure who owns whom.

A former rent boy and cutpurse from the streets of Raqia, Vasily has never felt safer than in the arms—and at the feet—of the Prince of Tricks. He’s just not sure if Belphagor returns those feelings. There’s only one way to find out, but using a handsome, angelic duke to stir Belphagor’s jealousy backfires on them both.

When the duke frames Vasily for an attempted assassination as part of a revolutionary conspiracy, Belphagor will do whatever it takes to clear his boy’s name and expose the real traitor. Because for the first time in his life, the Prince of Tricks has something to lose.

Warning: Contains erotic sex: m/m, m/m/m, m/m/m/m…oh hell. Let’s just say “mmmmmm!” and be done with it. Also one m/f scene. Smart discipline meted out with a great deal of love and charm. Erotic sex acts requiring copious amounts of elbow grease.

Cover art love!

I know that I've always been attracted to a book primarily by the art on the cover - if it doesn't appeal to me then I'm not likely to pick it up. Yes, that may make me appear shallow but I think it's true of most authors and publishers that the cover art is a Big Deal and for that reason you have to always look for the best way to present your work visually. You might have a helluva great read but if the cover art doesn't match the contents or worse, misrepresents the book as one genre and is actually another, the damage can be irreparable.

So, without further ado, let me put up a round of applause for the Carina Press art department for delivering four fantastic covers for my "Blood of the Pride" series.

 

As you can see the art department knocked it out of the park for all four covers. The same model and the same font, the same background changing just a wee bit for each book. It's pretty easy to see that they're all in the same series.

When I was asked what I wanted for cover art I wasn't sure, not having any background in art other than scribbling with crayons - so I had no idea what really would work for my readership. Carina knew and, I think, they got it right.

And not only in digital form - I'm thrilled to announce that all four books have been picked up by Harlequin to be put into print form for their Direct-To-Consumer program. This means that if you subscribe to certain Harlequin lines you'll be getting a paperback copy of one of these books (or already have, in the case of the first book!) in addition to your regular subscriptions.

But there's more! (as the ad men would say!) After the initial print run for all of these books there will be extras available for purchase from the Harlequin web site, here - so if you've enjoyed the books in ebook form and would like some hard print for your shelves or want to pass them onto a friend or family member who doesn't like ebooks, here's your chance. The last book, "Battle Scars", will be releasing in digital form at the end of October and will be going to press in February 2014.

My thanks again to the faboo art department at Carina Press and I think this is a great example of how cover art does make a big difference! Whether you're self-publishing your own work or working with a publisher the cover art can make or break a sale - and I think I got some excellent cover art here!