Cover Reveal & Book Sale

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Seeing a cover for the first time is a nerve-wracking mix of excitement and terror. As much as we say we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, we all do. The cover is one of the biggest marketing tools an author has. This single picture needs to speak 1000 words to the prospective reader. It needs to convey time period and setting. It should hint at key story elements as well as project emotion. Most of all, it should please or intrigue the reader enough to prod them to learn more. To pick it up and read the back cover or make that click that takes them inside for a sample.

Covers for novella collections are especially tricky since they must convey details from more than one story. Different characters. Different settings. Even different time periods. Because of that, novella covers usually focus on creating a more general mood than honing in on specific details, thereby creating an image that would apply to any of the stories contained within.

My latest cover is just such a project. Three novellas whose common ground consists of four things: Historical time periods, Texas settings, Christmas themes, and romance. So while the scene depicted does not relate directly to any of the three stories, it conveys those four commonalities to perfection.

The long skirt and beautifully knotted updo on the model combined with the wrap-around porch commonly found in 19th century homes immediately places us in the historical time frame. The serif fonts and swirled design around the subtitle and name also give it a Victorian feel. The rugged landscape combined with the cowboy riding home in the distance hints strongly at Texas. Then there are the beautiful Christmas touches of garlands wrapped around the porch railings and the bold red pop of color in the heroine’s dress combined with the green subtitle bar. Finally, the romance. What says romance more than mistletoe? And having it dangling right above the heroine’s head as she leans forward, eager for the hero’s return makes it clear that love is in the air.

Under the Texas Mistletoe will release this fall.

What element of this cover is most inviting to you?

Book Sale

Grab some Valentine’s chocolate and treat yourself to some classic romance, Archer style. The book that started it all – Short Straw Bride – is on sale for only $1.99 until February 17.

If you already own a copy of Travis and Meredith’s story, consider sharing a little romance with your favorite “gal”entine by surprising her with a gift copy. All you need is an email address to share the love.

Grab a copy from your favorite e-book retailer.

Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

41 thoughts on “Cover Reveal & Book Sale”

  2. I agree so much! I have always tried not to judge a book by its cover, but it is the first thing I look at and I feel as though it puts me so off from owning the book if I don’t like the cover. I’ve always adored your book covers in this genre, they are utterly whimsical and reflect your stories so beautifully. This new cover is simply stunning! Also, this is completely unrelated but I just finished your Patchwork Family series, I finished the last book in class yesterday and I was feeling all kinds of happy and sad that my teacher had to especially inquire why I was in a daze after class ended, I told him it was all your doing of course! Andd I may or may not have convinced him to add the series to his reading list ?

  3. I agree so much! I have always tried not to judge a book by its cover, but it is the first thing I look at and I feel as though it puts me so off from owning the book if I don’t like the cover. I’ve always adored your book covers in this genre, they are utterly whimsical and reflect your stories so beautifully. This new cover is simply stunning! Also, this is completely unrelated but I just finished your Patchwork Family series, I finished the last book in class yesterday and I was feeling all kinds of happy and sad that my teacher had to especially inquire why I was in a daze after class ended, I told him it was all your doing of course! Andd I may or may not have convinced him to add the series to his reading list ?

  6. This cover speaks loudly to me. I love how she’s leaning, looking at the Cowboy approaching. Without knowing what the story is about (I do not read blurbs or excerpts) I love total surprise when I open a book to read.

    I wonder if he’s a friend, foe? Is she waiting for him, is she wondering who he is?
    All the possibilities.
    A beautiful cover. Very intriguing.

  8. Good morning! I used to not think much about book covers until I started reading again in 2016. I have mostly read authors by recommendations so far but I have to admit if I come across books at a resale store, book sale or yard sale the cover has to pull at me for me to take the time to look at it. There are just too many books in this world for the cover to not be important and there are many, many book cover fails out there. I’ve even found it disheartening when I’m reading a book and get to the description of the main characters and they don’t match the characters on the cover. Picky, picky I know!

    The first thing on this cover i noticed was her dress, then the winter look, then the porch which I loved, then the cowboy! Excellent & beautiful cover. I have to admit I didn’t even register the decor until I read but I only did a quick look at it before I started reading the blog!

    Stay safe in these uncertain and difficult times!

    • You are so right about covers having an impact on us, even if it’s only subconsciously. First impressions shape our expectations, and if the cover leaves us uninterested or repelled, we might never give the story a try.

  9. What a beautiful cover…I love old houses and the big wrap around porches they have …and her dress is awesome..love the color …so yes I guess I do judge a book by it’s cover at times ..at least it draws my attention to the book in the first place !

  11. Congratulations on the new book. Ohh but so pretty. I love the whole cover, especially the girl waiting patiently for the cowboy to ride home. Yes you are right, I do judge a book by its cover before I read it. Sigh. I know I shouldn’t, but I have been burned in the past. Beautiful cover, not so beautiful inside. Lesson learned. Cant wait to get this book. Short Straw Bride was such a well written and fun book. Love the cover there also..

    • Thanks, Lori. You’re right that a pretty cover doesn’t guarantee a fabulous story. Just as a mediocre cover doesn’t necessarily mean a mediocre story. There are some wonderful authors who have had the occasional cover dud.

  12. I love the cover! First thing that popped out to me is that she looks interested and excited to see the cowboy. She is keeping her hands behind her back to keep them from showing how excited or anxious she is. Love the porch!

    • Love it, Kimberly! I interpreted her emotions the same way as you. Maybe she was worried that her cowboy hero wouldn’t make it time for Christmas, and here is is, pushing through the icy conditions to get home to the lady he loves. 🙂

  13. Love the cover! I have to say, though, the cover isn’t what draws me in! It might catch my eye, but the author and the blurb on the back are what I go for!

  14. I love how she is leaning into a better look, her beautiful red dress, and the intrigue of a handsome cowboy heading her way! Beautiful book cover Karen. No wonder you are proud. It speaks volumes!

  16. Huge Congrats, Karen! You have a winner for sure. I just love all the elements that combine so beautifully. My eye is drawn to the woman and the fact she’s leaning, anxiously hoping for a kiss from the cowboy. This should do very well. 🙂

  17. The cover is perfect as a whole and reflects all you mentioned. As a military wife for over 20 years which included many separations, the element that says the most to me is her stance on the porch and their gazes locked upon each other. The anticipation of being together again, no matter how long they have been separated, is universal no matter what the time period or the setting.

  18. Love the cover. It speaks so much to what to look forward to in the book. Especially her anticipation and the mistletoe.

    Love you books!

  19. Congratulations your book cover is Stunning! I Love Everything about it ! I Love, Love Christmas! Thank you for sharing your Beautiful book cover with us. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.

  20. I love the choice of colors. The contrast is awesome. It is such a fabulous cover. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

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