The first is from Lucy Woodhull's forthcoming comedic RAGNAR AND JULIET (September 2011, Liquid Silver Books):
What I like about this cover (kudos to designer Lyn Taylor):* It looks professional.
* The cover features a high concept idea executed in a streamlined fashion (in other words, the cover doesn't try to do too much). It also feels unique (i.e., lacks the parade of sameness that can happen with ebook covers using stock images).
* The title and author's name are clearly visible, even in a smaller size (an important factor when viewing covers online)
* The color scheme, lighting, and all that jazz looks just about perfect.
*It clearly conveys both the genre and tone (comedic). The face-off also promises conflict and action-adventure.
Overall, this cover has really good chemistry.
Here's the blurb for RAGNAR AND JULIET:
Bounty hunting is usually so easy. Flash a little cleavage, mix a roofie cocktail, and Juliet has her man right where she wants him: out cold, ready to be swapped for cash. Her passions are freedom, trashy clothes, and pie -- not necessarily in that order.The second cover is from Corrina Lawson's forthcoming superhero tale PHOENIX RISING (November 2011, Samhain Publishing).
Hunky alien ship captain Ragnar doesn't deserve torture at the hands of the psychotic king who hired Juliet; he liberated one of William the Nefarious' illegal concubines. Juliet can't ignore such a noble act. She doesn’t trust men, but this one, with the kindest smile she's ever seen, picks away at her resolve to stay aloof and clothed. He's just so... nice! Crazy she can deal with; sincerity is terrifying.
Before she gives in to her irrational urge to get a timeshare with him (and his cute tail), they're caught by the bad guys. Ragnar disappears and abandons her to her disgusting captors -- so much for togetherness. Perhaps he’s not such a saint. Even worse, Nefarious William has nominated her for Concubine of the Evening. This dubious honor does not thrill her, and only a few hours remain before the king’s mind control drugs obliterate her free will.
Sexual slavery might not be fatal, but Juliet would rather die. Of course, the third option (run away to a beach and hump Ragnar silly) is the best, if they can live that long.
What I like about this cover:
* It looks professional.
*According to the blurb, the hero has firestarter abilities. Very cool how the cover shows him in action. I'm thinking that can't always be an easy feat with superhero stories.
* The title and author's name are clearly visible, even in a smaller size (an important factor when viewing covers online)
* I'm digging the geometrical design of the background. It makes me wonder about what kind of dangers the hero will face in the story.
*I like the high contrast element, which also conveys the idea of fire and light.
Overall, I think this cover accomplished a lot--and did it well--with very few images.
Here's the blurb for PHOENIX RISING:
He was born to be a weapon. For her, he must learn to be a hero.
Since birth, Alec Farley has been trained to be a living weapon. His firestarter and telekinetic abilities have been honed to deadly perfection by the Resource, a shadowy anti-terrorist organization—the only family he has ever known. What the Resource didn’t teach him, though, is how to play well with others.
When psychologist Beth Nakamora meets Alec to help him work on his people skills, she’s hit with a double-barreled first impression. He’s hot in more ways than one. And her first instinct is to rescue him from his insular existence.
Her plan to kidnap and deprogram him goes awry when her latent telepathic ability flares, turning Alec’s powers off. Hoping close proximity will reignite his flame, she leads him by the hand through a world he’s never known. And something else flares: Alec’s anger over everything he’s been denied. Especially the passion that melds his mind and body with hers.
The Resource, however, isn’t going to let anything—or anyone—steal its prime investment. Alec needs to be reminded where his loyalties lie…starting with breaking his trust in the woman he’s come to love.
Warning: Contains telekinetic sex, nuclear explosion sex hot enough to melt steel, and various and sundry swear words.
I sure hope the above examples indicate a continued trend of higher quality covers for science fiction romance.We've been seeing some good stuff lately for ebooks, and frankly it'd be nice to believe in the power of cover art again.
Joyfully yours,
Heather