Committee Chairs: Lisa Baca & Elaine Lee
Over the past few years, cartoon covers have become very popular for contemporary romances. They’ve made inroads into other subgenres as well, and can be spotted on historicals and alternate reality books. Readers continue to identify them with contemporaries more than any other type of romance, and a cartoon cover can often signal the reader that the book is intended to be hip and humorous. Though many contemporary cartoon covers were nominated, few of them fared very well in the comittee’s voting. While some readers continue to love cartoon covers, others see them as overdone, or feel annoyed when a book with a cartoon cover doesn’t deliver the humorous read they are expecting. Nonetheless, at this point cartoon covers continue to be pervasive in romance.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Ivy
Cover artist: John Ennis[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”hide-and-seek” id=””][fusion_text]The winner was Hide and Seek, which makes this a second winning cover in a row for lucky author Cherry Adair (last year’s Kiss and Tell tied for the Best Contemporary cover title).
Readers thought it had a misty, romantic look, not unlike the look of last year’s winning counterpart.
Reader Audrey had this to say: “I guess I’m a sucker for these “I am the hero, protecting the heroine” covers. It’s kind of a misty, sweet depiction, very romantic.”
Rose also made it her choice. For her, the title simply said it all.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”3_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”the-cottage” id=””][fusion_text]second place was The Cottage, which reader Cheryl found “very inviting and soothing.”A pure landscape design with an inviting mix of colored flowers and greenery framing a cottage with a white picket fence, this cover has widespread appeal for both romance and women’s fiction readers. While not a cover that took any chances, it is nonetheless lovely, with title/author text fonting that doesn’t detract from the imagery.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Zebra
Cover artist: Giana Graphx
Jove
Cover Art and design:
The Springer Design Group
Reader Laura made it her choice, and had this to say about it: “This cover is great. I’m compelled to keep looking at the cover over and over just to see if that haze will lift, if that image will become more clear. This is the kind of cover that makes me pick up the book to read the back, then keep it in my hand as I walk through the store.”[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”3_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”her-bodyguard” id=””][fusion_text]
In fourth place was Her Bodyguard.
One reader said, “[I chose] Her Bodyguard, because I liked the lighting, the half-revealed faces, and the resemblance to romantic movie posters. Very classy.”
It also got AAR Editor Marianne’s vote: “I liked most of these, but I chose Her Bodyguard. It was his eyelashes that did it for me. Very sexy.”
It reminded Susan of the cover of The Lady¹s Tutor, which she also loved: “I like the romance of the man behind her, leaning in to kiss her neck, with her head tilted slightly — a very romantic pose.”[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Avon
Cover artist: Avon Art Department
Multnomah
Art Director: Chris Gilbert;
Images: Uttley DouPonce Design Works,
Index Stock Imagery & Tony Stone Images
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Coming in a very close fifth and sixth (they were separated by one vote) were Dee Henderson’s The Protector and The Guardian. Voters chose these two either because they found them touching and patriotic – or because they really liked the eye candy.One anonymous reader said, “The tragic events of 9/11 make this cover extra special to me, hands down winner in my eyes!”
Caseyanna agreed. She had a hard time choosing between the two Henderson covers (and Snowfall as well) but ended up going with The Protector. She had these thoughts about it: “The Protector squeaked to the top based on sentiment. Since 9/11, the national affection shown to firefighters makes this cover a commercial and emotional winner. That said, I also liked The Guardian (by the same author) because of the intense, yet sexy look on the model’s face.”
Our own LLB chose The Guardian for the “less patriotic” reason: “The Guardian wins hands down because this man is simply gorgeous!”[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Multnomah
Art Director: Chris Gilbert;
Images: Tony Stone Images[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Jove
Cover artist: Unknown
Seventh was Season of Storms. Some reasers who voted for it were unimpressed by the contemporary ballot as a whole, and saw SOS as the best in a lukewarm field.
From AAR’s Mary: “Love this composition; hate most of the others. I have a feeling that several of the more monochromatic covers work better in real life than on my screen; however, I don’t really like that trend unless it’s carried over across a whole series a la Anita Blake.” Reader Catherine was also unimpressed: “I’m not very fond of any of these covers; none of them ‘jump out at me’ or look very romantic. I find Season of Storms the most visually attractive with its tall landscape and night sky.”
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Mira
Cover artist: Unknown
Caseyanna said about Snowfall, “If I was in the mood to read a scary mystery, I would definitely pick up this book at the newsstand based solely on the cover.”
Unbreak My Heart‘s cover got my vote; there was something about the pen and the writing that I found romantic, and I found the overall compostion very attractive.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Onyx
Cover artist: Unknown
Like most voters, Marianne preferred another cover in the end, but she mentioned Dangerous Dilemmas as a close second: “Another great cover is Dangerous Dilemmas. Excellent artwork, very contemporary and beautifully done.”[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Pocket Books
Cover artist: Bryan Haynes; Cover design: Anna Dorfman
Historical: Stepback Results
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Historical: Stepback Results
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