Have you wondered why authors suddenly change a book’s cover?
Sometimes a cover doesn’t entice readers to purchase a book. When that happens,
authors play around with covers, hoping a new cover will grab readers’ interest
and set the book selling like crazy.
When I first recovered my backlist and started self-publishing
them on Amazon and other sites, I didn’t understand the importance of a Wow
cover. Instead, I went for cheap. Bad idea, but then I am one of those people
with 20/20 hindsight.
Now that I have more experience and realize my mistake, I am
gradually replacing some of the early covers. Today, I’m revealing the latest
for OUT OF THE BLUE, created by Ramona of Covers By Ramona. I think she did a
great job conveying the couple from the book. What do you think?
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OUT OF THE BLUE is a time travel romantic mystery. I had
such fun writing this book and am puzzled that it hasn’t sold in greater
numbers than it has. The heroine is a
clairvoyant herbal healer from 1845 who comes forward to today. She helps the
hero solve the mystery of who is trying to kill him and frame him for other
murders. Together, they make a great team.
Blurb for OUT OF THE BLUE
Deirdre Dougherty never cursed at anyone, much less
put a curse on the potato crop of her remote Irish village. She’d
rather take her chances with the Atlantic lapping at the bottom of the cliff
than the mob intent on burning her as they have her cottage. Deirdre leaps . .
. and plops down over 160 years later in a Texas lake. She doesn’t understand
how she’s ended up with the man from her recent visions or why he has the same
name as the saint to whom she prayed. She’s in danger of falling for the
handsome policeman who rescued her, in spite of the fact that he thinks she’s
lying to him. How can she convince him her story is true when she’s finding it
difficult to believe the tale herself?
Police
Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his
partner? Why? And why does Deirdre know details of the event? Her story has to
be a colossal fabrication or else she’s a beautiful psycho. Either way, he
wants her gone before he becomes even more fascinated with her. But he can’t
let her out of his sight until she confesses to how she learned details no one
but he and his late partner knew.
Excerpt from OUT OF THE BLUE
A huge black
car apparently had been parked at the back of the lot by the Dumpster and
pulled alongside her. Deirdre saw the dented fender before the door opened.
Then she realized the two scary guys from the bar were inside, partially
obscured from view by the tinted windows. The blond stepped out and reached for
her.
She
understood his intent so she screamed for help and ran away from him. People
came to the store window.
Polly rushed
to the door. “Blossom’s calling the police. Hold on, Deirdre, we’re coming.”
But no one
rushed to her aid. What could a few ladies do against these two frightening
men? She’d have to save herself, so she screamed again.
The blond
caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “No use screaming, lady. You’re coming
with us.” He dragged her toward the car.
She kicked
him and screamed again, clawing at him with her free hand. She drew blood along
his arm and scratched his face.
He jerked
her and grabbed both her hands. “You’re gonna be sorry you made me mad. I have
lots of ways to get even.” He told her what he planned as he yanked her toward
the car’s back seat.
Strong as an
ox, the man held her in an iron grasp so her feet barely touched the ground. He
heaved her toward the open door. Suspended above the ground, she braced a foot
against the car’s body. With her other, she kicked him between the legs, just
as Ma had taught her.
He turned
red and released her as he doubled over and dropped to his knees. Without him
supporting her, she hit the pavement hard. Her back took the force of her fall
and the air whooshed from her. She couldn’t stand but she rolled away.
The driver
pointed a gun at her. “Get in or you die right here, right now.”
What had
Brendan said about this situation when they watched television? Never get in the car with anyone. But
how could she resist without him shooting her?
She recalled the blonde’s threats. If
she had to die, she’d rather it be here quickly than at the hands of these two
later. She made the sign of the cross and prepared herself for death.
A horn
honked and tires squealed. Brendan yelled. “Deirdre, I’m coming.”
Blossom and
Polly hurried toward her, each carrying a broom and wielding it as if they
intended to beat on the blond man. Several associates came with them and lobbed
jars of something at the car. In the heat, the jars exploded like small bombs.
After one loud crack, red oozed along the spider-webbed glass windshield.
“What the
hell?” The scary man in black turned back toward the steering wheel. “Damn it,
Rod, with or without her, get the hell in here.”
She
struggled to her knees then stood, backing away.
Apparently
unable to straighten, the guy she’d kicked hoisted himself back into the car.
He yelled, “I’ll get you for this, bitch. When I do, you’re gonna beg me to
kill you before I’m through.”
The black
car took off with a squeal from smoking tires, dripping red salsa and leaving
glass shards in its wake. The driver had his head stuck halfway out the side
window, his front windshield obviously too damaged and dirty for the wipers to
clear. Aromas from the salsa’s spicy contents filled the air—cilantro,
tomatoes, chili peppers. Deirdre fell in love with those scents.
I hope the excerpt plus the new cover intrigued you to buy the OUT OF THE BLUE. Here are the links:
And while you’re here, let me remind you about two great team
blogs in which I participate.
 |
| Sweethearts of the West |
Sweethearts of the West at http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com
is comprised of contemporary and historical western authors with informative
posts on each even-numbered day of the month. Learn the stories behind these authors' books as well as myths and legends about the Old West.
 |
| Smart Girls Read Romance |
Smart Girls Read Romance at http://www.smartgirlsreadromance.blogspot.com
is a fun new blog comprised of award winning and bestselling multi-genre authors who dish about books, life, love, and romance. A new post goes up each even-numbered calendar day. All through June, we are giving
away prizes, culminating in a KINDLE FIRE HD TABLET on June 30th. To
be entered, all you have to do is comment. A follow counts as two extra
entries. Check us out.
Thanks for stopping by!
2 comments:
Wow, I love this new cover, Caroline! (Love the story, too!)
I love the new cover. It is perfect for the story.
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