First things first, the winners of a free signed paperback of
The Valiant Hearts Romance Collection ARE:
Angie Hammel
Angelica McDonald
Callie
St. James Prayer
Deanne Patterson
Carrie Childress Prudhomme
Debbie Clatterbuck
Lori Martin
Congratulations Ladies! Please send me your mailing addresses. And thanks to ALL who entered.
NEXT: FIRST LOOK at
She Walks in Power Book Cover Comps!!!!!!
I love the first look at what my book cover designer comes up with. It truly makes the story and the heroine come to life for me and gives me much-needed inspiration to now complete the story!
First let me tell you a little bit about the story and the heroine who is pictured on the cover.
Alexia
D'Clere didn't ask to be Protector of the Spear, but after her dying
mother gave her the tiny metal object and made her promise to keep it
safe, she had no choice. Orphaned at age 9, she began to take over the
running of her parent's castle with the help of a trusted steward. Yet,
when a plot to murder her was revealed, a friar whisked her away to live
hidden in the forest. There, she learned to shoot expertly with bow and
arrow and hone her skills to see into the spirit realm.
Now,
at 18, she continues to keep the spear protected, provide meat for the
starving village, while secretly caring for her ill sister who still
lives in the castle. With Alexia's powers of spiritual discernment and
her skill as an archer, she is no match for those who come for the
spear. That is until she meets Ronar LePeine, one of the King's elite
guard.
Ronar
desires nothing more than to do his duty to God and King and pay
penance for his past sins. Yet a forest sprite with red, flaming hair
blocks his every move, all the while enchanting him like no other.
Something evil lurks at Castle Luxley, and both Ronar and Alexia are
soon thrust into the middle of a spiritual battle which will not only
test their very beliefs, but put them both in mortal danger.
As you can tell from the description, Alexia is no one to come against. She's a warrior, an expert archer, resourceful, strong, determined, stubborn and very protective of the Spear and her sister. She is highly spiritual and loves God with all her heart, leaning on the Holy Spirit for discernment and wisdom and the power to do the task for which God has called her. Failure is not an option.
Now, knowing all this, which of these heroines do you like best to represent Alexia? Keep in mind that these are initial comps and do NOT have the exact appropriate clothing or finishing touches yet.
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| Comp One |
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| Conp 2 |
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| Comp 3 |
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| Comp 4 |
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| Comp 5 |
Leave a comment with the comp you like best and why. Or if you like a certain thing from one comp combined with another one, I'd like to know. I appreciate the help!!
Have a GREAT weekend!
.
I like comp 2 the best. It looks more natural and pretty. Have a good weekend MaryLu. :)
ReplyDeleteModel 5. Her hair is down and messy and more realistic, and she looks like she's just walking through a forest, not posing with a bow and arrow in position to shoot. Thanks for the book too!
ReplyDeleteAlso it looks a little funny to have so much of the focus on the bow and arrow on the cover when the title above it says Protectors of the Spear. It'll make sense to those who have read the summary, but for others, I would think you'd need to incorporate a spear in there somewhere.
DeleteI agree with the focus on the bow - doesn't make sense - but I haven't read the book- but I like Com 2 - the face of the girl in 5 and 3 is way too seductive looking for a christian book - and I don't like her wearing pants - comp 1 - I love the white outfit in 2.
DeleteComp 2 has the warrior look.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winners!
I love number 4 and then number 2 :) can't wait to read the book! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm torn but I think I like the woman's stance in 1 but I like the girls hair in 4 (the amount of hair,that is but messier because she's been living in a forest.) I also agree, there should be a spear on the cover somehow...on her person or as an element in the title. Looking forward to reading the book! Happy writing!
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ReplyDeleteI don't like the first one, but all the others are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI like the background to comp 1, even the pose. But I like the models for comp 4 and 5 better.
ReplyDeleteComp 3 is THE BEST!! The background and the model are perfect (i like her cloak outfit better in 5 but still loving #3), but man they are all SOOOO good :) Thanks for asking our opinion and BIG time Congrats to the winners you listed!!
ReplyDeleteA blessed weekend to you, MaryLu!
*your ebook, The Redemption, is now $.99 on amazon and I mentioned it on my facebook page, LOVE that book! blessings*
I like Comp 1 the best! The hood makes the model look like shes been hiding in a forest and protecting something. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the story line!
Blessings,
Lynn
I like the pose in Comp 1, but not the models face (prefer comp 4 model's face and hair). Plus, I think she has on red nail polish? Comp 2 looks too "hippy" and the white outfit would be too noticeable in the forest. I'm in the minority because I do like the arrow pose of Comp 3, but her arm pulling the arrow back looks a little awkward. Really like Comp 4 model, but would prefer if she were looking forward like in Comp #5. Sorry for all the opinions...but to be fair you asked :-).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing pictures of your newest 'baby'. Super excited to read it.
I love comp 5....from what I've read so far. Although, shouldn't she have curls? Congratulations to the winners.
ReplyDeleteI like either 1 or 4.
ReplyDeleteSo excited the read this series!!!
I love everything of 4 and 5 except the faces. I love the face of 2 because she has the look of determination and protection. The side stance with the bow and arrows screams protector, guardian, don't mess with me, confidence and determination. If I only had to pick between 4 and 5 I would go with 5 because of the side turned face is more determination and what I would picture of the girl from the blurb you gave us.
ReplyDeleteNumber 4 looks most natural
ReplyDeleteDefinitely #2. She doesn't look stuck up there. She looks fierce, but pretty and more natural.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely comp 2. Love the determined, strong, confident look on her face!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely comp 2. Love the determined, strong, confident look on her face!
ReplyDeleteComp 5. However, Comp 5 would be improved by the fierce, determined look from comp 2. Comp 5 looks like she's determined to stand fast!
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time deciding, but I like #2 and #4 the best. I wanted to like #3, however, the arm pulling the string of the bow back looked unnatural to me (the pose was my favorite, except for that arm!). So my pick is either 2 or 4. :) Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI really like Comp 3!
ReplyDelete3 or 5 show the right attitude to me.
ReplyDeleteBtw, my husband agrees with 3, and adds that 4 and 5 have the wrong type bow for that historical era.
ReplyDeleteBtw, my husband agrees with 3, and adds that 4 and 5 have the wrong type bow for that historical era.
ReplyDelete3 or 5 show the right attitude to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Brooke! 3 or 5 for sure :)
DeleteNumber 4! In a couple of the other ones she is not holding the bow right. I love how the light plays off her hair. I love the cloak and the position. It looks like she is patroling her forest.
ReplyDeleteEep! So exciting! I love number 4, and then number 2 next. :)
ReplyDelete#4 but with # 2's face. Love them all, though.
ReplyDeleteOoooo!!! I'm love loving 1 or 4, I think mainly 4, but 1 also is different. I know, I'm horrible, because I didn't really give you a definite one! Oops! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, winners!! I didn't know about the book giveaways as I was out-of-town with no internet access the day you posted about it. However, I did order a paperback of 'The Valiant Hearts Romance Collection' and am a bit confused. Amazon shows a June 1st release, however, they don't yet show a scheduled date for my copy to be prime shipped. Is the June 1st release for e-books and if so - what is the release date for the paperback??
ReplyDeleteI love the brilliant colors in each of the 5 cover comps for 'She Walks in Power', however, think comp #2 is the most realistic, although her right hand looks a bit blurred. I think the right arm of the model in comp #3 looks a bit out-of-place, for some reason, and am wondering the era of the book - was nail polish worn then as with the model in comp #1??
Excitedly awaiting the opportunity to read 'She Walks in Power'!!
Love, hugs, and prayers - MaryLu!!!
Shared post!!
I like Comp 1 and Comp 5. For overall #5.
ReplyDeleteI like comp two, but that may be just because I want to crochet a top like hers! LOL!
ReplyDeleteComp four is my favorite though I think! I like her stance and its very eye catching! :)
So I think Comp 4 or Comp 2! :)
I like comp 3 & 5. I don't care for the stance in 3, her arm doesn't look natural. I like the backdrop in 3 better then 5. I like 2 but I'm not to sure of the outfit, love the outfit in 3 and 5. Thanks so much for wanting your readers input, don't know how anyone else feels but it makes me feel like I have apart of the book, which is so very cool ( showing my age using that word!) Congrats to all the winners!! I'm so mad at myself, didn't know anything about the contest. I also want to thank you MaryLu for your wonderful books!! I so get lost in them!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the comments/opinions! You all are such a huge help. I never really know how a cover will affect my readers so it helps to hear various opinions. Thank you and God Bless! And thanks for all your super kind comments!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI like #3 and #5. They are all great though. Hope this helps! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting!! I can't WAIT to read your new book--it sounds AWESOME!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteWithout reading any comments (I still haven't), cover #2 grabbed my attention immediately--I think iit's powerful and perfectly matches the description of the story. I can't even give you a second place cover--#2 is perfect!!
Love comp 4! Model, pose, everything. I like the pose in comp 1 too. Whichever one is final, a green cloak is a must!
ReplyDeleteMaryLu, I really like comp 2 the best except for the crochet top which looks modern day. Maybe an outfit a little more like comp 3? Also, agree with the idea about the spear needing to be in there somewhere maybe.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, ELva Cobb Martin, Pres. ACFW-SC Chapter www.elvamartin.com
Comp 2. I like the look on her face. Very fierce.
ReplyDeleteI choose Comp 2 too.:) The girl has that warrioe look about her.:)
ReplyDeleteI like the posture and the white of Comp 2 (as well as the background), but I think I prefer the model in Comp 4--there's more of a softness about her (maybe because of the hair--soft curls?) that says to me that while she's strong and a warrior, she's not so strong that she shuts everyone out--she knows how to love. I also like the green cloak to make her blend into the forest a little more.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely comp 2 with a different outfit. The intensity in her face communicates that she is strong out of necessity. So excited about the release of your new series!
ReplyDeleteI think comp 4 is my favorite but I like the ones where she is aiming...two thoughts- curly red hair and arrows I think "Brave" so maybe straight red? Plus it would be a little different because a lot of novel characters have "curly red hair" straight would be different. Other than that I don't like the nail polish on #1 but I like the pose.
ReplyDelete