Laura Kaye is in Cover Love
One of the most exciting moments for me so far as an author is seeing my book covers for the first time. I’ve had some fantastic cover luck, and that’s nowhere more true than for the covers in my Hearts of the Anemoi series from Entangled Publishing. The first book in the series, North of Need, tells the story of a lonely, long-exiled snow god, Owen Winters, who is given an unexpected chance at long and belonging with grieving widow Megan Snow.
Heather Howland is the artist behind the creative genius of this cover:
The cover reflects the story in four main ways:
First, the cover shows a really excellent physical resemblance to Owen as he is described in the book. Here’s Megan’s first impression of him:
Even asleep, unconscious, whatever, the guy was ruggedly handsome. Mop of shiny black hair, strong brow, square jaw, fair skin, full red lips. A male Snow White.It’s so awesome when a cover reflects your vision of the characters, and this is one example where that’s really true.
Second, the cover totally nails the mountain Western Maryland setting.
The low peaks of the ancient Appalachian Mountains rose around her, the firs and hardwoods for which these forests were famous veiled by two days of non-stop blizzard conditions. The only sound besides her labored breathing was the occasional whistling of the wind through the snow-burdened forest.Third, if you look closely, you’ll notice there’s a faint compass rose design in the background of the image. I love that detail. That compass rose reflect the world of North of Need and the whole Anemoi, who in mythology were directional wind gods (that is, north, west, south, and east) the Greeks associated with the seasons.
Finally, there’s a detail on the back cover that might be my absolute favorite. When Heather showed me that she’d given me a snow man—and I might be the world’s hugest fan of snowmen ever!!!—AND that the snowman had mismatched eyes—just like the hero—I scared my sleeping dog by squeeing out loud! Here’s a close-up of the back:
And, while we’re talking covers, BOY OH BOY do I have a treat for you!!! What follows is THE EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL of the cover of West of Want: Book 2 in the Hearts of the Anemoi Series. Make sure your shamwow is handy, then scroll down and take a gander:
So, what d’ya think? Which cover do you like better and why? How important are covers to you in making you consider and/or buy a book.
Thanks for reading everyone!
Laura Kaye
WANT TO WIN NORTH OF NEED? The North of Need Book Launch Blog Tour runs through November 20. A giveaway everyday!
About North of Need
North of Need
Hearts of the Anemoi 1Entangled Publishing, November 2011
Trade Paperback, 212 pages
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves...
Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she's recreated the very thing she'll never have.
Called to life by Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.
Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration--before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.
About Laura Kaye
Laura's Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Newsletter
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: There are 2 prizes:
1st prize: An e-book copy of North of Need. (International)
2nd prize: A set of North of Need trading cards. (US and Canadian mailing addresses only)
How: Leave a comment answering either of the following question asked by Laura:
Which cover do you like better and why?
How important are covers to you in making you consider and/or buy a book?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Following Laura Kaye on Twitter, Facebook or by Singing Up for her newsletter.
2) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
4) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 5 entries you may receive:
Comment (1 entry)
Following Laura on Twitter, Facebook or Signing Up for her newsletter (+1 entry)
Follower of the Qwillery (+1 entry)
Facebook and/or Twitter mention (+ 1 entry)
Personal blog/website mention (+1 entry).
This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please let us know if you have followed Laura and how. Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. Let us know if you have a US/Canada mailing address by putting "US/Canada" in your comment so we may include you in the 2nd Prize random drawing. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The "e-book copy of North of Need" contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with an e-mailing address. The "North of Need Trading Card" contest is open to all humans with a US or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. You must be 18 years old or older to enter. No purchase necessary.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
I like both covers but North of Need's cover calls to me the most. Maybe because of the white in the background highlighting Owen. And I like snow. ;)
ReplyDeleteCovers do play a big part with books I think. While I know that you cannot judge the contents of a book from its cover, I am still drawn to find out more about books that appeal to my eye. The cover is usually what I see first before anything when it comes to a book after all.
+1 Comment
+1 GFC: LadyVampire2u
+1 Following Laura: Twitter: @LadyVampire2u FB: Aprille Shadowspeak
+1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/LadyVampire2u/status/136772885174947840
Thanks!
LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com
I love the North of Need Cover the most! There is something about seeing the face behind the great abs..plus I have always been a fan of winter. As for buying by the cover..to tell you the truth I will stand in the store and read the first few pages before i buy any book..if it draws mw in then i buy it, if it doesn't then i dont. I have always thought the saying"Don't judge a book by it's cover" has truth behind it. I have read some Amazing books that have really bad covers, and some really bad books with great covers. I always try to read a few pages before I buy.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC; Kristina
+1 Following laura: Twitter-harley_chick883 FB:Kristina Miller Parmenter and newsletter
+1 Tweet:https://twitter.com/#!/harley_chick883/status/136785338730422272
Thanks for the great Giveaway!
Laura is the best!!!
xoxo
kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com
as I said to Laura on twitter when I saw this link:
ReplyDeleteOMG. Dude, those arms? his waist and that chiseled cut above his hip? *tongue falls out of mouth*
Then:
and and that blurb about betrayal and finding love to be trusted? Sigh . . . .
I LOVED North of Need and the cover rocked . . . but I think for my favorite, I'm going with this one!!! WOOT!
I love the newest cover--it just POPS off the page and draws the eyes. The nicely sculpted abs aren't shabby, either, lol. The model's skin is lickably delish, all nice and tan. And gives the perfect shot of the "V". I am such a sucker for the "V". Covers do play a big part in my purchase of a book. If I think the hero is icky, I may not buy it...I find it distracting. But I will read the blurb, and if it grabs me anyway, I'll purchase it. The cover is the first thing you see of a book, so it's appeal is very important to selling it.
ReplyDelete+1 Comment
+1 Follow Laura on Twitter as csmaxwell2
+1 Tweet and FB http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/dechant2
https://twitter.com/#!/csmaxwell2
+1 Follower of Quillery
+1 Blog
www.csmaxwell.blogspot.com
I have followed Laura on Twitter and FB for awhile since I read her book, Hearts in Darkness and reviewed her book on my blog. She has also been a guest on my blog.
Thanks for the awesome contest.
trish.dechant@gmail.com
Woohoo! 2 votes for NoN and 2 for WoW! I love 'em both! But I'm really freaking excited about the new one! Loving your comments!
ReplyDeleteThanks to The Qwillery for hosting me!
I love both covers and I love the cold so I should love North Of Need most BUT that abdominal vein on West Of Want makes me ......
ReplyDeleteYou get the picture :).
Following Laura on Twitter, Facebook or Signing Up for her newsletter (+1 entry) I do all three.
Follower of the Qwillery (+1 entry)
Twitter mention (+ 1 entry) http://twitter.com/#!/Jovial_1/status/136840080303206402
Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh my! That new cover for West of Want is smokin'! Special spot in my heart for NoN, but I like things HOT, so WoW!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely fell in love with North of Needs cover. Living in Vegas I do not get to see much snow and being from PA I miss it. So, I loved the snow filled cover and who doesn't want or need a hot bodied man in a snow storm! I loved the compass in the background too.... And with all the teasers we got how could you not fall in love with Owen?
ReplyDeleteWest of Want is even more delicious than the first books cover. That is one delicious looking man. I absolutely love Owen but I look forward to finding out more about him... And I can't keep from hoping that belt comes undone somehow! LOL!!!
1. follow Laura on Facebook - Erin Walters Koiso
2. Follow Qwillery - loveeria@gmail.com
3. https://www.facebook.com/ErinKoiso
Thanks again so much to Laura - she definitely knows how to please her fans!
Both covers are nice but I like North of Need's the most. I really can't explain why, I just like it better. The cover of a book influences me sometimes. If I walk past and it grabs my attention, then I'll probably pick it up and read the synopsis. But it really comes down to the story. I don't care how wonderful the cover is, if the synopsis doesn't sound good, the book stays there. +1 comment +1 GFC follower +1 following Laura on FB,Goodreads and Twitter: crazyfourbooks Thanks for the giveaway! Do I get bonus points for being the only one remember to put US in my comments? lol!
ReplyDeleteI like both covers but North of Need's cover it's the best!.. because i like the snow..
ReplyDelete+1 Comment
+1 GFC: Blackwolf
+1 Following Laura: Twitter: @PandoraSWolf
+1 tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/PandoraSWolf/status/136874537223593984
darksiry(at)gmail(dot)com
I like both, but prefer West of Want, it's more colorful (all though since North of Need is set in the winter, the white makes sense).
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 Qwill follower Anne38
+1 Follow Laura on twitter acm05
acm05atjuno.com
I love both covers! This is the first time seeing the one for West of Want and I prefer that one because of the blue in the background. It makes the details pop.
ReplyDeleteGfC follower
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Awesome cover! I like both of them. I can't decide!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful new cover!!! WOW! I did need the shamwow lol :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! I love both covers, but probably still like Norh best because I'm a winter girl at heart (and you bang deny the snowman is awesome)
ReplyDelete@Victoria--yeah, Zeph's hip and abs do bad, bad things to me! ;)
ReplyDelete@Louisa--yes, exactly, WoW!!
@Erin--I think Zeph is rougher around the edges, but ultimately every bit as loveable! Can't wait for you to meet him!
@Brenda & BlackWolf--I'm glad some of you are still liking NoN's cover more...I'm not ready to move on past celebrating Owen yet! :)
@Anne--I love the blue too, and @Na, you're right, it really does pop!
@Aubrie--Thanks!!!
@Eliza--I know, right?? LOL
Thanks for celebrating with me, guys!
@
No need to enter me on contest. I love both covers but North of Need was my first pick.
ReplyDeleteGreat covers Laura!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think I like the West of Want cover because I LOVE his little half-smile... Love it!!!
Congratulations on the new release!
Lisa :)
You've really won the cover lottery. :) These are gorgeous! I can't pick one, and I'm dying to see the rest. *pant pant*
ReplyDeleteCovers are very important in catching my attention, but I only buy if the story and writing appeal to me. (Which yours does! Yay! LOL)
I like North of Need's cover. With all that snow and the cabin, I can just imagine being snowed in with the owner of that body!
ReplyDeleteI do not buy books based on their covers but I will pick up a book and read it's back cover if the cover interests me. I think covers do play a big part in attracting a reader to a new author.
+1 comment
+1 follwer (booklover0226)
+1 follow Laura on Twitter (bl0226)
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Laura... Can't wait to meet him.... I like the rough around the edges ones!!
ReplyDelete@JK--thanks! & LOL
ReplyDelete@Rayka--more love for Owen! Woot! :)
@Lisa--we've had great Entangled cover luck, lady!
@Natalie--Woot! What a wonderful thing to say! And thanks, I really have hit the cover lottery!
@booklover--Seriously! That would be sublime!
@Erin--You're gonna like Zeph!
Thanks for all the great comments everyone!
Ooo la la, baby! I love the story behind North of Need, so that makes me love that cover a LOT. But the whole biceps vs. smile vs. V-dip thing is swaying me toward the West of Want cover. No wait...North of Need. No. On second though, West of Want. Oh, nevermind. It's a tie. Love 'em both the same. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the North of Need's cover. The other one is good but my eye was drawn to other cover. I would want him to keep me warm;) For me, covers do play a big part in my choosing to read a book. It won't be a deal breaker if I don't like the cover but it might take me longer to pick up the book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower
sariahwalters at gmail dot com
I like both covers. The are awesome...congrats! And I'm a snowman fan too! Almost time to break out the collection for the holidays.
ReplyDelete@Joya--so sweet! Thanks for dropping by! Joya was one of my beta readers for NoN everyone!
ReplyDelete@Sariah--more love for Owen! Sweet!
@Linda--I have a snowman collection too! It'll be featured on an upcoming blog! :)
Thanks for all the great cover love, guys!
I have always really liked the cover for North of Need, but now that I have seen the cover for book two that one is my favorite! The body language, and the color of it...great. (still love the North of Need one too, I love snow so it calls to me).
ReplyDeleteI have passed by books because I didn't like the covers. Then have had friends read them and tell me how great they are. I have also bought books because I was taken with the cover and been a little dissapointed with the story. So yes I am swayed by cover love =)
I like the cover for North of need better. I like being able to see a face to go along with the body. I also love the snow swirl and the ice along the edges of the cover. Everything about it just screams winter. I had not heard of Laura Kaye or this series before, but now it's a must read. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 Now following Laura on Twitter
+1 Follower of the Qwillery
ntelhiard(at)gmail(dot)com
@Lexi--loved your cover love! ;)
ReplyDelete@Coley--your comment made me squee! Thanks so much!
Really appreciating your celebrating with me, guys!
Please exclude me from the giveaway...
ReplyDeleteI just had to comment that while I love NON's thematic elements I am loving the WOW cover more and for one reason!
I love that the model has a 'happy trail'. LMAO
Okay and I like the stormy sea too. Living so far inland I get really lonely for the ocean.
I liked the first one. Book covers are important to me because I feel that they are an... inside view of the story. If the cover isnt interesting, then the book probably isnt, either.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
I follow the Qwillery (+1)
+1 Following on Twitter -- @Gothiclove95
I like both, but I really, really LOVE the North of Need cover!! Something about the guy on the cover just makes me want to read this book! LOL I guess that answers the second part of the question! Yes, covers definitely influence me :)
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC follower
+1 Following Laura on Twitter: @jwitt33 and FB: Julie Witt
jwitt33 at live dot com
@Rhianna--yours is the first "happy trail" justification methinks! LOL
ReplyDelete@My.Bloody.Tears--interesting! Thanks for commenting!
@Julie--aw, I have such a soft spot for Owen! :) Glad there's so much love for both!
I have a definite preference for the North of Need cover. It is lovely and mysterious. I want to hold it and look closer at what is not clear and try to figure out what it means. The other cover is lovely, but if I was in a bookstore I would definitely pick up North of Need to see what it was about:) Thank you for taking the time to share with us today and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC Denise Zaky
+1 tweeted = https://twitter.com/#!/ZDz59001/status/137628589989429248
+1 I follow Laura Kaye on twitter, FB, and receive her newsletter and am enjoying the journey :)
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
I like north of need
ReplyDeletefollowing +1
Facebook +1 Tamara Hoffa
Comment +1
Both covers are great but I like the West of Want slightly better. Both models/men are awesome but I'm more of a tropical ocean girl than a winter girl so the cover calls to me more. I'm shallow-I initially judge a book by the cover before reading the back. So something that catches my eye gets a second look.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC: ML
+1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Rogue237/status/138068064381042689
+1 following Laura through newsletter
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
As to the covers, I prefer North of Need as I am a face lover. I like to see expression. I am influenced in my book purchases by a cover.
ReplyDelete+1 FB follower as Sally Michele Shaw
+1 FB share as Sally Michele Shaw
+1 GFC Sophia Rose
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. This series looks good. I love Greek mythology mixed with modern story lines.
sophiarose1816@gmail.com
Yay! I'm thrilled there's so much love for both covers! Thanks for all the great comments everyone! I like it here at The Qwillery!
ReplyDeleteI really think both covers are awesome and Im not sure I can pick one between the two. As for importance in buying a book. The cover might make me pick it up and look at it, but unless it sounds good too I wont buy it based on cover alone.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 gfc follower
+1 follow Laura on twitter (donnas1) FB - Donna S, newsletter
+1 tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/139222806939451392
+1 link - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2011/11/qwillery-guest-blog-by-laura-kaye-laura.html
Im in the US
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I really like both covers but North of Need's cover is my favorite. I love being able to see the face of the hero. I think it is important that the cover art match the story line.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Holiday Season!
Loraine
l_k_hunziker AT hotmail DOT com
I much prefer the cover of North of Need. Both are really nice & I love both backgrounds. Owen is gorgeous but the hero (forget his name!) in West of Want doesn't appeal to me. It's the angle of his face & the mouth. Especially the mouth.
ReplyDeleteWhile a nice cover attracts it's not what makes me decide to buy a book.
+1 Comment
+1 Following Laura on Twitter, Facebook
+1 GFC follower
+1 Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/LindaThum/status/139536605445750784
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
International
I've really enjoyed reading all your comments everyone! Thanks for sharing some love for my covers! :)
ReplyDelete