This entry is in response to the feedback on my last entry. For those of you who don’t know, I changed that entry somewhat, as something I wrote at the end seemed to invite criticism (as opposed to critique) of the work the artist did on the cover for Body of Truth. As a fellow artist of another sort, I know I wouldn’t want my work posted anywhere for someone to make fun of. The artist’s rendering isn’t the issue–aside from knowing the difference between a Manhattan and a Bronx skyline. We all work hard for the money. Besides, cover artist don’t come up with concepts, that comes from elsewhere.
I agree that it would indeed be foolhardy if this blog was the first place I voiced displeasure with my cover. That would be a disservice to all involved. But it is also true that publishers will invariably ask you what you want on the cover, then put on there whatever they think will sell. As I’m in this to make money, too, the publisher’s motives and mine are not at odds. Where we differ is execution. Who’s right–them or me? Who the hell knows, but I’ll tell you this, every single person who has read this book has said “Huh?” when it comes to this cover. Even my twelve-year-old daughter (who I assure you has not read one word) said, “But where’s the dead body on the cover?” Now I admit, she’s a bloodthirsty little thing, but she’s got a point, no?
Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting dead bodies, but rather some hint that suspense plays a large role in the story even though it’s a romance. What I was expecting was one of those dangerous/sexy photographic covers I’d admired on other Dafina romantic/suspense titles. (See titles by Sophia Shaw, Janette McCarthy Louard and Angie Daniels for examples of what I mean.) Instead of wondering “Why me”" I’m wondering “Why not me?” especially considering that there is more of a suspense plot in my story than in some of the others who got the treatment I wanted.
At any rate, I don’t feel I am complaining (or at least hope I don’t come off as some whiny author) but in some ways anticipating what I know I am going to hear from readers. Like LaShaunda said, readers like to know when their romance is tempered with some other element, like suspense or the supernatural. So folks, be advised, this book has more than one mystery to solve, one hell of a sexy couple and an ending that will knock your socks off.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. You can read the book yourself (and for the time being the excerpt on my website) and decide what you think. (Hint, hint.)
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