January #InkRipples - Book Covers, My Favorite Collaboration

January's #InkRipples topic is book covers. Throughout the month I’m exploring the making of a book cover. So far this month I’ve shared the progression of a couple covers as I worked with digital artists, I shared my experiences working with an illustrator, and the challenges of covering a series. Today I'm sharing my favorite cover collaboration to date.

The cover for Finding Thor was such a challenge in so many ways and my publisher and cover artist were SOOOO patient through the process.

Such a gorgeous cover. I want to write a book
I could use this cover for!

Finding Thor is a romantic suspense, which means there are two important aspects to the overall story that should be portrayed on the cover. 1) The reader needs to know that there is suspense and intrigue in the story. 2) They also need to know that the love story is an integral part of the story line. Though real life often twines suspense and drama throughout your love life, it isn't as easy to combine the two in an image as you might think.

The first image I received for the cover I really, really loved. The field and the lighting is beautiful, alluring even, the girl is taking control of her life. And lightning! I love lightning not the mention the color scheme of the title and my name. But unfortunately, it just didn't portray the story at all. First off, Finding Thor is set in my hometown of Bend, Oregon, and there isn't a field like that within a day's drive. Second it's just too serene. There is constant action and suspense and harrowing circumstances throughout the story. Not this peaceful moment of empowerment.

I took that photo! Elk Lake, Oregon.
I think I was in a canoe

So I sent the cover artist a picture I'd taken at one of Oregon's high lakes where I'd imagined the final scene of the book taking place. I said, "Maybe something more like this as the setting." The second mock up I received included my very own image, shot with my very own camera. Yeah, that was hard to decline. Look at how gorgeous that is! With the added beach, the pretty girl, the cover was beautiful - but again, it was too serene. I didn't want someone picking up the book thinking it was a sweet love story and then reading the torture with kitchen implements scene. Talk about misleading!

So, I was like, "IDK, maybe we can keep it simple. A heart shaped rope or something" - thinking she'd never have that kind of image. OH MY GAWD! She did. Plus she found a mountain lake in the most spectacular colors that were eye catching while also setting a more suspenseful mood. Ah!!! I love this cover. Maybe I love it so much because of all the work we all put into it, but of all my books this cover gets the most compliments. And you should see it IRL! It is so, so stunning in print.

Final cover - SO gorgeous

Get your hands on a copy of Finding Thor by visiting my website.

What drives you craziest on a misleading cover? Wrong character hair color? Unrelated setting? Misleading mood?

Be sure to visit again next week when I wrap up the book cover topic by becoming a reader and talk about my favorite book covers.

#Inkripples is a themed meme hosted by Mary Waibel, Katie L. Carroll, and Kai Strand posting on the first Monday of every month. To participate compose your own post regarding the theme of the month, and link back to the three host blogs. Feel free to post whenever you want during the month, but be sure to include #inkripples when you promote so readers can find you. The idea is that we toss a word or idea into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There is no wrong interpretation. Themes and images and more information can be found here.