I should give a very quick warning that my editing schedule isn’t going as smoothly as I was hoping. It’s August now, which means the kids are bouncing off the walls, and I’ve been doing everything I can think of to keep them happy. For the last two summers, that meant taking them to the park where I’d work on my stories. However, it’s been up in the high 90s and low 100s most of the time. That means we’ve been hitting the pool almost every day, and at the pool, all I can do is sit in the shallow area and read a paperback book. (I choose paperbacks because I don’t care if I get a paperback wet, but I’d care if my Kindle or Nook did.) While it’s been fun, it hasn’t been a productive use of my time. When we’re not at the pool, it’s been the zoo (which I do love; the Omaha zoo is an amazing experience), the Strategic Air Command Museum, Fontenelle Forest, or the Wildlife Safari. So even though I’ve been in the area, I feel like I’ve been on vacation every day. This isn’t bad. I’ve been having a lot of fun with the kids, but when I get home, I don’t usually feel like editing. So I’ve made unbelievably little progress compared to what I’m used to.
I state all of this because I might end up pushing back the publishing dates of Her Counterfeit Husband and Bound by Honor, Bound by Love. I still want to make my books they can be, and if it takes longer for me to do it because my kids need stuff to do, then that’s how it ends up. I’ll keep everyone updated as the month progresses. Once August 20th comes, it’ll be back to school for everyone, and I can get into a routine again.
Possible Cover for a Future Regency Book
I have been working on potential covers for my next Regency. The Reluctant Wife is a tentative title. Anyway, I’d like your opinion on which position works best for the heroine (fan facing to the left or right) and which background (red or blue) fits better. I’m not going to write this one yet because the plot isn’t firmly established. Like Lord Clement’s book, I need time to think about it before I start it.
Here are the covers:
Cover 1
Cover 2
Cover 3
Cover 4
I’ve tried her outside, but none of the outdoor pictures worked. I finally found two that were indoor images that fit the time period I’m writing in.
Also For Dave and Mary’s Third Book
In addition to working on the cover for The Reluctant Wife (tentative title), I also want to see what I can do about the cover of Dave and Mary’s third book. This is what I have now:
While it’s not bad, I’m wondering if I can get something more like the kind of stuff I’ve been doing (Mitch’s Win and Wagon Trail Bride since I really like those covers). So I’ll be browsing around http://www.dreamstime.com, http://www.shutterstock.com, http://www.photos.com, and istock.com when I’m unable to focus on edits to see what I can come up with. 😀
What I’m Thinking of Writing Next
I’ve gotten a couple of questions from people who want to know what I’m thinking of writing in addition A Most Unsuitable Husband. At the moment, Wagon Trail Bride and Forever Yours are looking like the two I’ll work on next. No promises though. 😀
Ruth Ann Nordin's Author Blog 
I like cover one the best. I just like the background and for some reason the pose seems better like it is.
Thanks for letting me know. 😀
Kids come first. Period. They grow up too fast the way it is.
I kind of like Cover 1, although either background works. Cover 2 might work better, though because of the contrast between her dress and the background. I do like her position better in the first two covers.
They do, and when they’re in school, it’s not like I do much with the places I take them in the summer. I’ve been having a lot of fun with them. Sometimes I need to remember it’s okay to take breaks and enjoy life. 😀
Thanks for letting me know what you think about the covers.
Hey, Ruth! I rather like cover 1. With the blue in the dress I think the blue backgound works nicely. It also helps to not distract from your character. I also like her fan on the right because it draws you into wanting to open the book and read it. Hope this helps. 😉
It does help. I’m trying to keep the same theme for all of my Regency books to help people know the difference between those and my historical westerns. I wish I had thought of keeping the same theme early on, but at this point, I’m not willing to go back and change them, esp. since the last time I did a cover change, I got emails from people who wondered if that was the same book or a different one. 😀
I think Cover #4 works best. The tan/brown background offers more contrast and makes the dress pop out more. There’s something more inviting about the position she’s in, as well, versus the other one.
Thanks for letting me know what you think. 😀
I have no idea how I missed this post. Anyway, I like all of the cover options. What a help I am. LOL
I think because the lady in the foreground is so large, the background isn’t nearly that important because it’s barely seen–so I think either background will work. I do, however, like the pose in one and two better because a lot of covers I see, the lady’s face is to the left. So I think having her lean to the right (our right), it’s different and stands out more.
By the way, I’ve had the same thing happen in regards to putting off my work to entertain my kids. But you know, kids are only kids once and the book will still be there when you’re done spending time with them–as should your loyal followers. So enjoy your summer with your kids!
I never noticed the way ladies face on Regency covers. I’m going to have to check some covers out and see how they’re facing. LOL I do know quite a few of them don’t show the whole face. I’m guessing the technique is to help the reader picture her the way they want to in her mind or because they use the same models and don’t want the readers to know. 😉
I’ve limited my work down to one chapter for the two books I’m editing. That way I can spend the days with the kids and still get something done so I don’t lose focus on what happened already in the book. I’ve messed up so much on the timeline in the first draft of the Regency that I’ve been fixing those issues. It starts in the fall, suddenly jumps to summer, and then reverts back to spring. It’s a mess. LOL
Hi Ruth. i completely understand about pushing things back to spend time with the children. They grow up so fast, that we have to get as much time as possible with them. My oldest is starting middle on the 23rd. he’s already starting to pull away from mommy’s wing. 😦
But on the covers…. my favorite is number 2. It’s something about her pose that just shows her reluctance; and the background is great! I think the blue background is just too much with the blue dress.
What grade will your oldest be in? Mine hits 4th grade, so he’s on the other side of the school from his brothers. I know I’m going to have a rough time when he hits jr. high. And after that, it’s going to be the “I know everything, Mom” stage. Ugg. LOL I wish they could stay between the ages of 6 and 10 forever. I love this stage of childhood. You can do stuff with them because you’re still “cool” enough.
I think you’re right about the background. Most people prefer the first two covers. Maybe the way she’s facing speaks more for the title. 😀