Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Cover Model Makes All the Difference

Recently we were trying to finalize our fall full-length fiction lineup and realized the cover direction for 2 of them wasn't right. We liked the background well enough, but we requested changes in models and clothing. It costs money to hire new models and rent antique dresses, but I think the results were worth it. Can you pick out the 2 covers that we'll be using?


The Falcon and the Sparrow
Forced into a web of political intrigue, Dominique Dawson takes a position as the governess of a Rear Admiral’s son in order to gather intelligence information for Napoleon. Can she betray her homeland and save her brother’s life? Or will Dominique’s deception spell her own demise?


Beloved Captive

School teacher Emilie Gayarre comes to grips with her newfound mixed race heritage and finds love with Caleb Spencer, the young naval commander and former privateer who could lose more than just his position in the Navy if Emilie’s lineage—and his past—is discovered.

The first to have both right will get a free copy of Kathleen Y'Barbo's first book in the Fairweather Key series, Beloved Castaway.

21 comments:

The Write Life said...

Wow! Those are both beautiful covers! I'll guess MaryLu's is the second cover with the white dress and mint belt, and Kathleen's is the first cover, with the fan?

Paige

The Write Life said...

Beautiful covers for both sets that is.

Hmm, now that I look closer, MaryLu's first cover looks more like a governess.

I'll stick with my first guess, though.

Paige

Janet Spaeth said...

For the THE FALCON AND THE SPARROW, I really like the one on the left so I'm guessing that one. I like the big poofy thing on her head, and her downward smile seems to imply she has a secret.

For BELOVED CAPTIVE, the one on the right is intriguing, although I like the one on the left, too. But I'm guessing the one on the right, the one with the dark ringlets. She looks like one tough lady.

Anonymous said...

My Guess for the Falcon and the Sparrow is the one on the right. Her dress looks more correct for the Napoleon era. For Beloved Captive I like the one on the left best, but I will pick the one on the right because it sounds more like the description.

Anonymous said...

I think both covers are the ones on the right.

Christine Lynxwiler said...

I think Mary Lu's is the one on the right and Kathleen's is the one on the left. I love these covers! ~ Chris

Unknown said...

Hmm. The one on the right for Mary Lou. The one on the left for Kathleen. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm not telling which one is correct...but aren't these covers great?? :D

Kathleen Y'Barbo

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful, Kathleen!

Anonymous said...

I won't guess since I just saw a two page advertising spread in "Christian Retailing" with the covers, although it sounds as if the covers have changed. I did want to say the covers look fantastic and the advertising spread is extremely fantastic!!! Great job to everyone at Barbour.
Aaron

Vickie McDonough said...

Both books have beautiful backgrounds! For The Falcon and Sparrow, the second cover is more appealing. For Kathleen's book, I like the one on the left best. Can't wait to read them both!

Anonymous said...

I'll say both covers on the left. The ones on the right make the characters look more intriguing, but the dresses on the left are more conservative, so since Barbour is conservative, I'll go with the left, conservative ones.

Debby Mayne said...

I like both of the covers on the right because the models' expressions are intriguing.

Becky said...

Paige is our winner! Glad you didn't change your mind.

A governess of the early 1800s often dressed like the rest of the family. This one even attended plays with the family. We thought the version with the cap made the heroine look too old and more like a housekeeper.

On BELOVED CAPTIVE, the privileged young lady of New Orleans has left her home and is living very simply as a teacher on a tropical island, so we felt her clothing and hair really needed to be toned down.

I'm very pleased with the revised versions.

Thanks for commenting.

Crystal Laine said...

It is tough because I do like the covers, but I'm going to say the one on the left for The Falcon and the Sparrow and the one on the right for Beloved Captive.

The Falcon and the Sparrow cover is tougher to choose, because I'm not sure what a governess in Napoleon's time would wear.

But Beloved Captive--the first cover has a tree coming out of her stomach and the right hand model looks more likely to be someone of mixed race heritage, as well as is turned so the tree is more of the background than her outfit.

Covers are tough and I admire the people who make decisions about them. I really like the way they look.

And by the way, I got my first shipment of the cozy mysteries--awesome! I can hardly wait to dig into all 8 and I have stacks of work to do here. Too much temptation.

Mary Connealy said...

I love the covers. For myself I've got a thing about cover models. I feel like it interferes with my own mental image of the characters. Does that make sense? I don't remember saying that to you when you chose the cover for Petticoat Ranch but I just loved that lacy skirt and the boots, and no face. :)
So I requested that for Calico Canyon, too.

And I'm very, very afraid of the cover for Of Mice...and Murder because Susan tells me no way can she NOT put a mouse on the cover.

EEEEKKKK!!!!!!

But I'll be good. I trust you.

Jennifer Johnson said...

The first covers for both books are my pick. :-D

Janet Spaeth said...

Ha. I was wrong on both, but I have to say I'm glad I was wrong on the second one--I like the one you chose much better.

I guess this little mini-test proved that some of us (ahem, pointing at ME!) have zero talent when it comes to covers, and need to leave it in your hands!

Will you be able to re-use the first images? I do like the lady with the poofy thing on her head.

Becky said...

The designer keeps pictures from photo shoots. The mop hat lady may work her way onto a cover some day.

C.J. Darlington said...

Without looking at any of the other responses, I think it's the one on the right for the first book, and the one on the left for the second book.

Ausjenny said...

I am thinking its the second one for the first book the falcon and the sparrow
and i think the first for Beloved Captive
oh i see a winner was found and im glad i got it right.