I’m truly delighted to have Amber Lynn Perry drop by Relz Reviewz and share about the cover creation of her third historical romance, So Rare a Gift! Many of you will have seen the gorgeous covers of Amber’s novels, So Fair a Lady and So True a Love, but what you may not know, is that the cover model is none other than Amber herself! Isn’t that fun? I’m always fascinated by how covers come about, and there have been a daughter or two on a few authors’ covers but the author herself gracing her own covers? That’s a first for me! I’m so thankful Amber was happy to share behind the scenes of her latest cover shoot with my readers – I know you are going to enjoy this!
Over to you, Amber…
Thank you so much, Rel! I am so honored to have the cover for So Rare a Gift on your blog!
As with my other covers, this one was a joy to create. I had a BLAST dressing up and doing my hair. Though, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows…
I had never attempted a huge 18th century hairstyle before. I watched as many Youtube videos as I could. And being the reckless girl that I am, I decided that watching was the same as practicing, so I did my hair the day of the photoshoot, keeping my fingers crossed that it would turn out ok, and I think it did!! Though, don’t look too close, it’s not perfect. * giggle*
The day we chose for the shoot was sunny and windy. But super, duper cold. February isn’t the best time for outdoor pictures (understatement!), but it was really the only day we had, so we went for it. After only a few minutes my fingers were red and really, really cold. But I had a coat on-hand to wear between shots.
The trees were bare and of course there weren’t any flowers, but that was ok. The setting was lovely, and I figured the background wouldn’t be used, even though the architecture was very pretty.
The photographer and my friend were great to work with. It was just the three of us, and we had a blast. I was starting to get so cold my face wouldn’t move right, so we kept laughing and goofing around to keep ourselves warm.
After about an hour and a half we were done! It was nice to finally get in the car and turn on the heat. Once we were in, my friend said, “Wow, Amber, your hair held together pretty good until now. It totally just died.” We had a good laugh. At least it stayed up while we were shooting.
My favorite part of the outfit was the pocket panniers and the shoes. (Pocket panniers give the “wide hip” look that was popular then…) It really made me feel like I was in that era. And surprisingly, the shoes were very comfortable. More comfortable than some of my “modern” shoes, actually!
When we started designing the cover, I knew I didn’t want to show my face—or much of it—because I didn’t want it to be completely obvious to readers that it was me. We almost used a shot from behind that showed my lovely up-do, but in the end we decided not to. And after all that fuss with my hair, and I never even used it!
We were so happy with the way the cover turned out. I think it captures the dreamy-romance of the story very well. I hope readers like it as well.
Escape is Anna Rone’s only option. Never again will she be trapped in a loveless marriage. A new life in America means safety—and discovering the truth behind her beloved brother’s death. But when she is nearly captured and forced to return to England, her vow to never marry for anything but love is forgotten when she must marry for protection. Perhaps the handsome man she accepts is truly as caring as he seems. If he is not, her future in America is darker than ever before.
Captain Henry Donaldson aided the colonists too many times. And now, the British army intends to make him pay with his life. Without his friends in Sandwich, he would be a dead man. He’s already changed his name, and when the kind, courageous woman he rescued offers to become his bride, he accepts despite the risks. His past taught him that women are not to be trusted and that love can cut deeper than the sword. Only time will reveal if this choice will bring the greatest pain he’s ever known.
Releasing Spring, 2016
Much love, Rel. Thank you again SO much!!
Thank you, Amber xo
Amber will respond to any questions you might have about her photo shoot, so do jump in and ask away…or at least, tell us what you think of the cover!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Amber’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: So Fair a Lady and So True a Love
December 3, 2015 at 11:56 pm
OHHHHHH! I love this!!! So pretty and so well done!!!
December 4, 2015 at 2:19 am
Thanks, Jennifer!! It sure was fun.
December 4, 2015 at 1:36 am
All 3 covers are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
December 4, 2015 at 1:38 am
Love the detail and pics of how this gorgeous cover came into being, Amber! Can’t wait to read the tale 🙂
December 4, 2015 at 2:20 am
Good morning, Tam! Thank you so much!! It was a lot of fun, as always. Despite the cold. 😉 Much love to you!!!!
December 4, 2015 at 2:25 am
Rel, this post is so well done, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to do this!! Bless you, dear friend!! <3 <3
December 4, 2015 at 7:20 am
A pleasure, Amber – I love this feature and appreciate you sharing all the behind the scenes shots with my readers xo
December 4, 2015 at 2:32 am
I’m curious where the cover shoot was shot. Also, where’d you get the clothing and shoes? Talk about suffering for your craft!! It doesn’t cold in the pictures, but if your face wasn’t moving that says a lot! All of your freezing work paid off, because the cover turned out beautifully (as did the other two). Looking forward to reading it.
December 5, 2015 at 1:29 am
Hey Amy!! Great questions!! The shoot was done at a winery, actually. Lovely grounds and architecture. I purchased the dress from a seller on Etsy actually and the shoes are from American Duchess. Oh my!! I love her old fashioned shoes. They aren’t cheap but they are worth every penny. Yeah, you can’t really tell it was cold, but a few pictures (that aren’t on the post) show my RED hands. LOL
Thanks again, Amy!! I hope you enjoy Henry and Anna’s story.
December 4, 2015 at 3:35 am
I can get pretty critical of indie books with sub-par cover design- unfortunately it reflects on the quality of the book as a whole, even if the writing is good. That’s why I love Amber’s covers so much- they are a stellar example that just because a book is self-published, the cover doesn’t have to suffer. I believe hers are the best indie covers I’ve seen, and are better than many books put out by traditional publishers! I can’t wait to read So Rare a Gift!
December 5, 2015 at 1:32 am
HEIDI!!! Wow, I don’t know what to say! That means SO much. I really respect your opinion and how you feel about books, so it really means a lot that you think these covers are so lovely. They really are a blast to create with Lynnette Bonner. You’ve given me a smile to last through the weekend.
Thank you again and much love, Heidi!!
December 4, 2015 at 9:37 am
Wow–what fun to be able to dress up and grace the cover of your latest book too, Amber! You’re so lucky, and the cover is just beautiful!
December 5, 2015 at 1:34 am
Hi Joan!!
Oh yes, I just have a blast getting all dressed up. It’s too much fun! I feel very blessed to be able to be a part of the creative process like that. I’m glad you like the cover, thank you so much for commenting!
December 4, 2015 at 9:43 am
Oh, how delicious!!! I loved reading this. And what a fabulous result! Beautiful covers, all of them!
December 5, 2015 at 1:35 am
Hi Dorothy!!!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I’m so happy to know you like the covers–they were all a blast to create.
Much love!!!
December 4, 2015 at 11:31 am
Amber,
Great article! Looks like the shoot was lots of fun! I can’t wait to read this one.
Mary
December 5, 2015 at 2:15 am
Hi Mary!! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment–I always love hearing from you! 🙂 <3 I'm glad you liked the article, isn't Rel wonderful?! I do hope you enjoy book three. Much love!!
December 5, 2015 at 3:37 am
I don’t think I’ve ever known an author on the cover! The shoot looked like fun even if it was super cold 🙂 and the covers are all so gorgeous! !
December 6, 2015 at 9:29 am
Oh I’m so excited to see this cover reveal on your website Rel! I follow Amber’s blogs and I remember when she covered this shoot on her blog site – – it was so much fun to see how she prepared for the shoot and all the different shots. There was one shot in particular that was sooooooo Amber – – it was a candid shot of her pulling her dress up a little and doing a mid-air side click of her heels – it was priceless!!! She had a huge smile on her face – it was the perfect “mischievous” shot! I would still love to see that photo on the book somewhere – maybe inside or back cover – – it was a great shot – it made me smile!!! I’m so happy to hear of the upcoming 3rd release in your Daughters of the Kingdom Series – you’re as talented a writer as you are a natural beauty for your covers!