Fun times ahead! I love these times of the year when it feels I spend more time stalking Amazon than sleeping 🙂 I’m delighted to share with you Bethany House’s offerings for the months September to December. No one will ever accuse Bethany House of not having striking covers from the beautiful gowns, pops of colour, and author themed cover styling. That said…grizzle alert…I feel like I’ve seen most of these all before. Sigh. I’m desperate for Christian publishers to release covers that don’t scream “Christian Fiction”. I get that it is tough designing covers. There’s a whole group of women out there who obviously want to just glance at a cover and know that it’s a Tracie Peterson book or Mary Connealy book without looking for their name. Sigh. I’m not in that group of women, obviously.
So, which ones take my fancy? A girl in chainmail? Why, yes, with a title like Chivalrous you expect to see a knight in shining armour, not a girl – so love that! I think the expression on Angela’s Bathsheba is excellent and she has the exotic look one expects of a beautiful Middle Eastern woman. While the cover design is not particularly unique on Kristi’s and Tracie’s, the dramatic colours on each are terrific. Call me picky but I do wish the feather was not covering Kristi’s model’s eye!
Those who know my particular preferences will know that Roseanna’s uncluttered and delicate (your word, Dotti!) cover is a favourite, Nancy’s thematic cover fits with the others in her series and there is male facial hair (shout out to my fabulous friend, Deborah!). While Delia’s cover as a whole is been done so many times, I’m thrilled to see a cover model with graying hair as befits her age from the description of the story, and while some of you may shoot me down, the woman on Elizabeth detracts from the cover completely – I love everything else about it! I’m not a fan of lace borders but otherwise, I don’t mind Julie’s and I’ve said more than enough about Mary’s covers in previous posts!
And while I have voiced my likes and dislikes, I want to say how much I admire Bethany’s cover designers – it is clear they put in a tremendous amount of effort to appeal to the target audience of each book.
Over to you, dear friends – do share your thoughts!
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Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty (A Dangerous Beauty Novel) by Angela Hunt
A Vivid and Moving Portrait of a Reluctant Queen
After sending his army to besiege another king’s capital, King David forces himself on Bathsheba, a loyal soldier’s wife. When her resulting pregnancy forces the king to murder her husband and add her to his harem, Bathsheba struggles to protect her son while dealing with the effects of a dark prophecy and deadly curse on the king’s household.
Combining historical facts with detailed fiction, Angela Hunt paints a realistic portrait of the beautiful woman who struggled to survive the dire results of divine judgment on a king with a divided heart.
September, 2015
The Photograph by Beverly Lewis
Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva’s older brother plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Unless they marry within the year, the only apparent option is for two sisters to go to Indiana to live with an elderly great aunt. Eva hopes to be married, but she isn’t sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer’s wife. And she can’t see how her prospects would be any better in Indiana.
When younger sister Lily disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up at Eva’s market stand in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva’s world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger–but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all…
September, 2015
Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts) by Dina Sleiman
Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.
When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles–along with twists and turns aplenty–await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.
September, 2015
A Noble Masquerade (Hawthorne House) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother’s old school friend, a duke–with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she’s heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marcus, her brother’s new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.
When Marcus accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men–one she’s never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marcus is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda’s heart is far from all that’s at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.
September, 2015
The Lost Heiress (Ladies of the Manor) by Roseanna M. White
Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.
The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close–but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.
As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?
And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession–and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.
September, 2015
Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling
Anji Baard Moen, a recent widow, returns from Norway with her children. She quickly settles back into life in Blessing, teaching Norwegian history in the high school and writing articles for the Blessing Gazette. When tragedy strikes, Anji steps in to run the newspaper and soon finds a kindred spirit in the widower who owns the printing press. As they spend time together, Anji wonders if there’s something more than friendship growing between them.
But Anji has also caught the eye of a recent arrival to Blessing. He has put his carpentry skills to good use on the town’s building projects, including Anji’s house. But Anji is torn between her feelings of loyalty to someone who needs her and the chance to build a new life with this intriguing newcomer.
Where will her choice take her?
October, 2015
On This Foundation (The Restoration Chronicles) by Lynn Austin
When news that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire, Nehemiah, Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia, seeks God’s guidance. After fasting and prayer, he’s given leave to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild the city wall, not anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.
The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and halt the work. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.
Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is a powerful exploration of faith in the midst of oppression, and hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.
October, 2015
Brides of Texas by Karen Witemeyer
Get three historical romances in one omnibus edition from bestselling author Karen Witemeyer. This special edition introduces value-minded readers to Karen’s unbeatable blend of Texas history, humor, action, and irresistible romance. Includes three of Karen’s most popular novels–A Tailor-Made Bride, Short-Straw Bride, and Stealing the Preacher.
October, 2015
Love Everlasting (Brides of Seattle) by Tracie Peterson
Abrianna Cunningham has always viewed her longtime friend, Wade Ackerman, as a protective brother. Lately, however, she’s begun to see him differently and finds herself attracted romantically to him. But she’s confused and overwhelmed by these unfamiliar feelings.
Wade, on the other hand, has loved Abrianna for some time and has been waiting for her to realize they are more than just friends. When he asks her to marry him, she asks for time to adjust to their changed relationship.
And then there’s Priam Welby, who has been relentlessly pursuing Abrianna. Will his underhanded tactics succeed in luring Abrianna into marriage with him.
October, 2015
Fire and Ice (Wild at Heart) by Mary Connealy
Bailey Wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the West. She’s been living disguised as a man for a while, but when Gage Coulter comes to drive her off her homestead, he quickly realizes he’s dealing with a woman–a very tough, very intriguing woman at that.
Gage is an honest man, but he didn’t make his fortune being weak. He won’t break the law, but he’ll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of his best range land is lost to him because Bailey’s homestead is located right across the only suitable entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to his land–and he’s got to go through Bailey to do it.
Spending a winter alone has a way of making a person crave some human contact. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan Gage concocts. Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders loosen up enough to earn each other’s respect–and maybe find love in the process?
October, 2015
Lone Star Brides by Tracie Peterson
In the 1890s, three women with secrets hope to find a home for their hearts. With her future uncertain, Marty leaves her Texas ranch to marry a man she’s never met. While Texas seemed like the answer to Alice’s prayers, her peace may be shattered at any moment. And Jessica’s plans take a sharp turn when she finds that her Texas fortune can’t protect her from a broken heart. Lone Star Bridescombines three of Tracie Peterson’s well-loved novels in one heart-stirring package.
November, 2015
Rising Darkness (Finding Sanctuary) by Nancy Mehl
Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. After a rough childhood, her teenage poor choices harmed others, leaving her with no choice but to change her life. Her entry-level writing job at a newspaper puts her in the right place at the right time to overhear office gossip about a prisoner who has information on a decades-old unsolved crime. While the other reporters write off the tip as the ravings of an angry criminal, Sophie can’t ignore it because she knows the name of this prisoner from her old life.
Upon learning from the man that one of the other suspects is hiding out in the Missouri town of Sanctuary, she takes on a false identity to investigate and meets the young pastor of a local church–the very man she’d loved as a troubled teenager. As she gets closer to finding the suspect, will the truth of her own past come out before she discovers the identity of the criminal–or the very person she’s seeking puts a fatal stop to her investigation?
November, 2015
Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden
A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.
The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.
Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There’s a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?
December, 2015
The Midwife’s Choice (At Home in Trinity) by Delia Parr
Martha Cade is a midwife in the town of Trinity in 1830s Pennsylvania. In a time when the traditional ways of medicine are constantly being questioned by new doctors fresh from medical school, Martha tries to balance her life’s calling with the demands of her family. Recently reunited with her estranged seventeen-year-old daughter, Martha finds herself torn between guiding her child and allowing her to be an adult. And the town of Trinity itself is fraught with secrets: as a midwife, Martha knows which families are troubled, which wives are unhappy, and which husbands have crossed the line from discipline to abuse…
As Martha struggles with the conflicts of being a mother, a midwife, and a woman, she learns the greatest lessons of all–that hope can shine even in the darkest hours, and that faith has a way of making the impossible possible.
December, 2015
At Love’s Bidding by Regina Jennings
After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she’s accidentally sold a powerful family’s prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the furious family, her grandfather tracks it to the Missouri Ozarks and makes an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house if they promise not to sell anything until he arrives.
Upon their arrival, however, they discover their new business doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its manager, ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine, is frustrated to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and salvage a bad situation getting worse.
December, 2015
The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
Sophie Dupont, daughter of a portrait painter, assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. She often walks the cliffside path along the north Devon coast, popular with artists and poets. It’s where she met the handsome Wesley Overtree, the first man to tell her she’s beautiful.
Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother’s neglected duties. Home on leave, he’s sent to find Wesley. Knowing his brother rented a cottage from a fellow painter, he travels to Devonshire and meets Miss Dupont, the painter’s daughter. He’s startled to recognize her from a miniature portrait he carries with him–one of Wesley’s discarded works. But his happiness plummets when he realizes Wesley has left her with child and sailed away to Italy in search of a new muse.
Wanting to do something worthwhile with his life, Stephen proposes to Sophie. He does not offer love, or even a future together, but he can save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he believes he will, she’ll be a respectable widow with the protection of his family.
Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie agrees to marry a stranger and travel to his family’s estate. But at Overtree Hall, her problems are just beginning. Will she regret marrying Captain Overtree when a repentant Wesley returns? Or will she find herself torn between the father of her child and her growing affection for the husband she barely knows?
December, 2015
February 26, 2015 at 6:55 pm
Squee! I love these posts Rel! What another stunning bunch of covers from Bethany House! And just like always (for me, anyway) there’s not a dud among them.
VERY difficult to pick a fave from this lot. I dearly love the historical offerings for Roseanna White, Tracie Peterson, Elizabeth Camden, and Julie Klassen the most. But every cover does appeal in its own way to me. Each one says a lot about the story and the author.
For any that come close to mainstream – perhaps Roseanna M. White’s, Beverly Lewis’, and Elizabeth Camden’s.
February 26, 2015 at 6:56 pm
First to comment – that NEVER happens on these posts! LOL
February 26, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Ellie Whyte » Woo hoo!!!! Antipodeans rock 🙂
February 26, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Ellie Whyte » I know, right?! These posts take so long to put together but I just love doing them and adore hearing everyone’s thoughts. Glad you love them all!
February 26, 2015 at 7:28 pm
I LOVE the lantern in Delia’s. My crit partner’s new one has a lantern on her cover and I’ve kept saying I need to write a book with a lantern so I can have one! and seeing Delia’s …yep, still want a lantern! Ha!
February 26, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Oh yes, I just LOVE Naomi’s book cover, the lantern definitely makes it! And Delia’s certainly works a treat as well.
February 26, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Melissa Jagears » It’s funny how a small object can make all the difference to a cover, Melissa 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by.
February 26, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Can’t begin to express how excited I am to finally have a cover in one of your posts, Rel. =) The team at Bethany described mine as “stark simplicity,” which I just adore. My other favorite is probably Dina’s. Which is probably in part because she’s a good friend and one my critique partners, LOL, but even so–that woman in chainmail thing is just awesome.
I really love this batch of covers though–so many colors and themes!
February 26, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Roseanna White » Welcome, Roseanna! Such a sweet thing to say 🙂 Yours is a favourite of mine. Looking forward to reading it, too.
February 26, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Hah thanks for the shout out! YAY SCRUFF.
Wow what’s with all the close ups in this round? Is this a new trend? Because I’m not a fan. Like you said Rel, these books just scream Christian fiction. Which again if you’re a fan of that, this is no problem. But if you are someone like me who wonders if the industry has just resigned to marketing in a bubble and doesn’t seem to want to branch out, then this is very frustrating. I am not sure why Christian fiction (across all publishers) seems to insist on having people on covers in order to sell. Like I don’t understand why the majority of the audience in this market seems to demand it?
I’m glad for Angela’s cover model looking ethnic because she should based on the story (you can’t really see the guy on Lynn’s cover). Otherwise everyone is white white white. No real diversity at all. In fact…almost all the covers have blondes on them! Come on! I realize that the covers reflect the characters in the stories so maybe the stories need to have more diverse characters in them. But if this is what’s popular, and faces on covers are what’s popular, then perhaps it’s saying that white faces sell books and diversity does not?
But as always, just because I’m not a fan of the cover doesn’t mean I don’t want to read the book. There are many here that I can’t wait to read and I’ll almost always read a debut author from Bethany House.
February 26, 2015 at 11:34 pm
Deborah » I think you are right, Deborah, on all your comments. I suppose it is hard to go against the grain of what the majority seems to be clamouring for. The diversity in covers is an interesting one – even when there are leading characters who are not white women, it is rare to see them on the cover. That says something I don’t like 🙁
And yes, Bethany always publish books I want to read 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 1:11 am
Interesting, I was trying to add the Delia Parr book to my “to be read” on Goodreads and couldn’t find it. But with some research this appears to be a rerelease from another publisher.
March 10, 2015 at 12:51 am
Delia’s books, “A Midwife’s Tale” and “A Midwife’s Choice” were released by St Martins in 2002 and 2003 as “A Place Called Trinity” and “Home to Trinity”. She had intended the series as a trilogy, but unfortunately the books didn’t find an audience–St Martin’s didn’t know how to reach the inspirational market–and so the series was dropped. Until now.
We’ve picked up the first two books and are re-releasing them and then will be publishing Delia’s concluding book, “A Midwife’s Dilemma” in spring 2016.
February 27, 2015 at 12:32 am
It seems to be a release of many books with the FACE as the main focus. That being said, my favorite one is Julie Klassen’s. That books on my wish list!
February 27, 2015 at 1:08 am
Casey » Julie is a ‘read regardless of cover’ author, isn’t she?! Glad you liked that one.
February 27, 2015 at 12:55 am
I am looking forward to many of these books. The covers . . . not so much. Not a fan of the full model either. Of all the books, the covers I like best are Bathsheba and The Lost Heiress. On a side note – my daughter is an artist and would love to design book covers. She is currently working on a masters in Art Therapy. She is always critiquing book covers. She doesn’t like people on covers at all. Says it “types” them.
February 27, 2015 at 1:07 am
Beckie B. » Yes, your daughter is spot on, I think, Beckie 🙂 Thanks for sharing her perspective as an artist.
February 27, 2015 at 2:10 am
It’s definitely true that it “types” them–but that’s actually often the point, from the publisher’s perspective. “Type” sells to typical readers of a particular genre, which is the bread and butter for a publishing company. Going beyond it is awesome, but publishers can’t bank on it. (This I say as both a writer, an editor for a publishing company, and a cover designer.) I think most readers like knowing what genre a book is before even picking it up. And when a designer mixes messages (using the “wrong font” on a YA cover or the “wrong image” on a romance), they hear about it, LOL.
February 27, 2015 at 7:54 am
Yes, I don’t envy the publishers, designers, and authors when covers are released and the comments start flying – LOL! I do believe there are also a lot of readers out there who are looking for something fresh and different. Bring it on, I say!
February 27, 2015 at 1:08 am
What a wonderful new collection. the covers are beautiful & I’m looking forward to reading these.. thanks for the review 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 7:54 am
Glad you enjoyed the sneak peek, Deanna.
February 27, 2015 at 1:27 am
I have to say that I actually like most of these. I see your point on the fact that with some books, the cover just screams “Christian fiction.” The Connealy books seemed to fall into that.
However, I read a fair amount of secular fiction(particularly historical) and BH’s covers tend to look at least as high-quality as many of those. I remember reading Christian fiction while growing up in the 80s/90s, and a lot of those books’ covers just didn’t look as polished as what we’re seeing now. Do you remember some of the cover art from back then?
February 27, 2015 at 7:55 am
Oh, I have a heap of old Christian novels from the that era – certainly a different time when it comes to covers – LOL!
You certainly can’t fault the quality of Bethany’s covers, I agree, Amy.
February 27, 2015 at 2:53 am
I really like a lot of these. Elizabeth Camden’s, Angela Hunt’s, and Roseanna White’s especially appeal to me. And I love mine because it really captures the essence of the story.
The point about ethnicity is sad and well-stated, but that is really more of a problem with the audience expectations. I believe that publishers would be happy to do more ethnic stories if they could find the readership. I do a lot of ethnic characters in my American set stories, but this one for me is in medieval England. Book 3 will be traveling to the Holy Land, and that one will include some Middle Easterners for sure, and possibly some black characters, but the heroine will still be English, thus white. For the record, my Dance from Deep Within with WhiteFire Publishing does have both a Muslim and a bi-racial character ON THE COVER 🙂
Of all the books, I most want to read the Bathsheba one, because I’ve always been fascinated by her story. I read my first Bathsheba book back in high school and love to see how different authors tackle that challenge.
Thanks for doing this Rel. Always fun to see the new covers.
February 27, 2015 at 7:57 am
I completely agree with you, Dina, and I should have made my comment a little clearer. The lack of diversity is very much a reader driven force – and I don’t like. Sigh…
Isn’t Angela the best? I have every one of her novels 🙂 #bigfan
February 27, 2015 at 3:01 am
You know me and covers: I’m more about the words on the back of the book. Do they grab me enough to want to read the book? Thankfully, I’m interested in more than a couple of these. Plus, there are some where I’ve read other titles by the author and will always pick up their latest. Elizabeth Camden is one. I’ll also definitely pick up the next in Lynn Austin’s series.
One gripe though: the description for Lauraine Snelling’s gives away a major spoiler for the book she has coming out in a couple of weeks. I’ve read a lot of the Blessing books and, even though names aren’t mentioned, there’s enough in the description for me to know who the printer is.
February 27, 2015 at 8:00 am
You have raised an issue that bothers me when I do cover reveals, Sally – spoilers. Often these days, the cover of a third book in a series is released before book 2 even hits shelves and the synopsis is problematic. Same thing has happened with Lynne Gentry’s third book – I actually haven’t posted it for that reason, although it’s been up on Amazon for a month or so now.
February 27, 2015 at 3:59 am
Oh, what a fun post, Rel. I had a feeling this was coming…! 🙂
I love all the color as you stated – Regina’s, Mary’s, Kristi’s and Tracie’s brim with “pop” and sassiness because of that. But I would agree. I was very so-so when looking through these. It’s like we’ve seen the concept done before. With that being said, it matters not if it’s an author I like. I’m so going to read their books regardless. I like that Nancy’s falls in line with her others and Dina’s IS fantastic. Goes nicely with her first novel. I saw Roseanna’s here and there a couple weeks ago via her cover reveal campaign; it certainly is pretty and the details are gorgeous.
It’s always fun to see what designers put together and I would 100% agree. These designers do put a lot into their work and the results are always polished, which is what any book ready for its debut needs. 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 8:00 am
We are nearly always on the same page with our thoughts, Rissi!
February 27, 2015 at 4:04 am
Oh, WOW!!! Bethany always has incredible covers, and these are no exception! I think one of my favorites is The Midwife’s Choice. They are all amazing!
February 27, 2015 at 8:01 am
Good to hear you love them, Stephanie 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 4:22 am
I actually love them all , Bethany House always has some of the best covers. i always read the back cover but the front is what draws me in and some of the familiar covers from authors make it easy for me to spot the author.
Thank you, love the comments
February 27, 2015 at 8:01 am
Good thoughts, Jackie – thanks for sharing.
February 27, 2015 at 5:03 am
Interesting comments about the book covers. I’m not sure why so many Christian publishers use people on their covers. Sometimes I think the models draw readers in, but I’ve certainly had comments from other readers who object to seeing models that, in their minds, don’t resemble the characters they have already envisioned. And they can be quite vocal about it! LOL!
February 27, 2015 at 8:03 am
Oh, yes, Nancy – I’m sure you get lots of feedback 😉 I’d say Christian fiction has a lot more people/faces than ABA fiction – a generalisation, I know. I think that is why is stands out so much.
I know many reader friends who much prefer the characters to be left to their imagination 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 7:23 am
Hey Rel,
I am with you on many of these covers. My favorite is Delia Parr’s. I love the winter backdrop! My next favorite is Tracie’s. The girl looks very different with that hairstyle. I also love Dina Sleiman’s. It is different to see a woman in chain mail. Sort of reminds me of Joan of Arc. I do love Julie’s cover, too. I have to say the lace doesn’t bother me as it is so subtle I almost missed it. I love Kristi Ann Hunter’s with the hat and the colors. I love Roseanna White’s, but I do think the title font should be a bit smaller and lower as to not be on her face. Again, I love Lauraine’s Red River books, but the covers for this set have not been my favorite, but this one is my favorite of the three. I do like Angela’s cover and agree that the model has just the right look. I like Mary’s cover ok. It calls to mind a woman dressed as a Mountie to me, even though I know that is not what she is supposed to be. I do love Beverly’s Amish as it is different from so many others. Lynn Austin’s fits with the others in the series and fits the title. I have really liked these. Nancy Mehl’s does work well within the series and the genre. I agree with you about Elizabeth Camden’s. I think it would have worked better if the woman was smaller to not take away from the scene and if her face was turned slightly more toward the front. Regina Jennings’ is not my favorite. Oh the decapitations… In my opinion, another of hers caught that humorous look much better, “Caught in the Middle.” Again, the expression on the face could say so much in these types of covers. Thanks again, Rel.
February 27, 2015 at 8:06 am
Thanks, Aaron – pertinent thoughts, as always. Regina’s covers are interesting. I don’t find her books particularly humourous (as compared to Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy’s) so sometimes the whimsical covers don’t sit well with the story. I find that distracting – LOL!
I agree that Beverly’s is a refreshing change to the usual cover – I wish that the fact it is meant to be a photograph was more obvious with a few more wrinkles 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 9:37 am
Hello, Rel! Your cover posts are so much fun! If I were at a bookstore, I’d pick up Elizabeth Camden’s book in a heartbeat. Very intriguing with the old mansion and the slight dip to the heroine’s head. Nancy Mehl’s cover draws me in because of the rugged-looking hero. You just know he has a story to tell. Regina’s cover makes me curious . . . what is she pulling? And the heroine on Delia Parr’s cover just tugs at me. That’s a woman who has lived life and seen a think or two.
Maybe the coolest thing about the covers is how well Bethany House brands its authors. That’s especially true for Mary Connealy and Lynn Austin.
Bottom line: Another stellar assortment!
February 27, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Well, Victoria, you can see what she is pulling here – http://www.reginajennings.com/blog/new-cover-reveal – so much fun!
Yes, the branding is clear. Unfortunately, I’m not such a fan of the branding style but obviously, a lot of people are so that’s good 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts – love it!
February 27, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Hi Rel! I’ve always loved these posts, but don’t think I’ve ever commented before!
Based on covers alone, I love Angela’s, Roseanna’s, and Julia’s. There’s something about the lighting and color of The Hesitant Heiress cover that lends a sense of warmth and richness that I really like. I love the synopsis of Kristi’s which hooks me completely, but don’t really care for the cover. Maybe if her name wasn’t on that flower background? It seems to cut the cover at a strange place. I’ll pick it up regardless though since the story interests me. I love anything from Elizabeth, so I’m excited to read her new book, but her cover isn’t a favorite either.
Thanks for sharing these covers with us, Rel! I always know it’s time to update my TBR when I see these posts. 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 11:33 pm
Well, Cassie, I’m so glad you did! I loved reading your thoughts on these covers and apologies for the growing TBR 😉 Sort of…hehe!
February 28, 2015 at 9:07 am
Many of these are now on my TBR list! Woohoo!
As for the covers…I like Roseanna’s the best. I haven’t read her work before, but the cover pulled me in to research it and it’s now on my TBR list. 🙂
Love Lynn Austin! Not so in love with her cover for the fall. The scale of the man in the picture is off with everything else. Will this cause me not to read the book? No. I’d read it because I like Lynn Austin’s work. Would that cover pull me in for an author I wasn’t familiar with? Definitely not.
March 5, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Exactly, Staci – covers, while important, will never trump an author name I love 🙂
February 28, 2015 at 3:41 pm
The hands-down cover winner for me is “Chivalrous” – Dina Sleiman. But I will admit that stories set in the medieval period is a particular draw for me – however a “woman” in chain mail – wow! what an attention grabber! And I had agreed with you about the “feather” issue on Kristi Hunter’s book – until I read the title – “A Noble Masquerade” – and then I changed my opinion, and I feel the feather issue is more of a “teaser” relating to the book title – – then I found the feather issue to actually being an intriguing draw. And I agree with you about the other covers – the models are all very lovely – but “yawn” – nothing of note. I’ll tell you of some covers that I found very note-worthy – Tamara Leigh’s covers are particularly romantic and sometimes – in the case of Baron of Godsmere she included a single item that made me say “hmmmmm….. why is the woman on the cover holding a ring of keys?” – – and then on the covers of the Age of Faith Series, there was a broadsword at the bottom of the cover that included a ruby in the hilt of the sword – – until the last book of the series and the stone set in the hilt of the sword was a different color – a puzzling curiosity that you had to read the story to find out the significance in the change of the stone, These little “bits of intrigue” or “curiosities” grab my attention to a book cover. In my opinion, I think a cover many not need a model at all – – but perhaps a setting on the cover that may hold a bit of mystery that makes the cover interesting and then the write up on the cover plays off the items of mystery on the cover that will spike an interest to buy this book. Such as: if it’s a romance then there might be a scene of a blanket set under a tree with remnants of picnic items placed here & there, and perhaps ring set off to the side on a corner of the blanket – – this would make me think, “Is someone getting ready to propose? Did someone propose and was rejected and the ring left behind? Is there some other significance to the ring?” There doesn’t have to be models in order to make the cover interesting and put enough questions in your head to make you want to buy and find out. Anyway . . . these are just random thoughts on creating more creative covers. These really are lovely covers – all of them – – I just think designers and publishing houses need to think more “out of the box” for interesting cover designs. Thanks for opening this up for discussion. As always, your blogs are very interesting.
March 5, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Thanks Pam – glad you enjoyed the post. You make a good point about Kristi’s cover and that eye-covering feather. I still want to brush it out of her eye, though!
I love seeing snippets from the story on the cover, too, and agree they don’t all need people on them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
February 28, 2015 at 7:07 pm
love Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts) and the idea of the book. I think I like Delia’s cover best just love the bright colours.
I love the eyes on Tracie Peterson’s really bright and expressive. I also agree about the feather I just want to brush it away.
March 5, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I’m glad I’m not the only one bothered by the feather, Jenny 🙂
February 28, 2015 at 10:03 pm
So many books, so little time …
I think my favourite cover is Bathsheba, because the girl looks so young which suggests (or perhaps reinforces) how her relationship with David wasn’t a relationship of equals.
March 5, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Yes…and her expressions, too, Iola. She looks out of her depth which I imagine she was.
March 6, 2015 at 8:23 am
For those who want to give feedback on cover designs for Bethany House, their fiction publicist Amy Green is talking cover designs at http://straightoffthepage.com/cover-art/ and is welcoming your thoughts and feedback: “What is your favorite cover trend? Would you prefer more abstract designs, or less pretty dresses? Is there something comforting about seeing similar artwork across the covers of your favorite books?” http://straightoffthepage.com/cover-art/
January 5, 2016 at 11:12 am
What a blessing you are Rel! Read most of these beauties but Roseanna`s and Elizabeth Camden are my favorites! fascinated by Chivalrous and THE Midwife’s Choice. Thank you so much!