Hey Everyone!
Some of you may have seen my post last week regarding the cover design contest for Sweet Hope, the sequel to one of my favorite reads this year, Sweet Evil. In that post, I might have mentioned my undying, slightly obsessive love for one Kaidan Rowe. He's delicious. And if one of my covers is chosen, I'll be immortalized in ink alongside him as the girl who tempts him away from Anna with her wit and charm but, being the extraordinarily selfless person I am, nobly turns down his aggressive advances and convinces him to return to Anna to spare her a broken heart. Okay. Maybe that last part takes place all in my head, but the first part about my name in ink is true enough.
Voting for the cover design contest is now open, and you can see all the gorgeous entries over at Bewitched Bookworms. You can vote for multiple covers, and once the voting is tallied, the top 6 covers will be announced and will advance to the final round before a winner is chosen. I'd love it if you guys would pop over there and cast a vote for the covers you love because this is a truly unbelievable prize! If my entries below happen to be among your favorites, that would be amazing, but there are some truly stunning designs and I can't wait to see the top picks! Vote HERE.
MY ENTRIES:
Now I would like to take a few moments to get a little personal. I have something to share with all of you, and I think it's best to prepare yourselves. You see, in June I attended Book Expo America with my good friend Melissa from I Swim For Oceans and we had quite the experience. One that involved the L. Ron Hubbard booth and an overly friendly, dare I say handsy, tiny pirate. I give you this memento of our time with said pirate:
I think we should all take a moment to let the gloriousness of this picture sink in before I call attention to a few disturbing things.
...
Ready? First, let's all take a closer look at his face. I have no explanation for his expression. He looks dazed, whereas Melissa and I look terrified and uncomfortable (mostly because we were both of those things). He did seem rather fixated on Melissa's hair, telling her that it was the color of the sun (he did not offer any sort of poetic comparison for my hair - WTH pirate?), so perhaps the slack-jawed look is a result of a blond hair fetish. Yikes.
Speaking of a possible fetish, I 'd like draw attention to his, um, sword as I feel it supports my pirate-is-creepily-in-love-with-Melissa theory. Anyone else notice how his sword is quite forcefully jutting out from his groin and pointing directly at her crotch? I think it's trying to tell us something. His junk sword is making an enthusiastic beeline for Melissa, and the smile plastered on her face makes me think she has no idea what his masculine weapon is up to. RUN MELISSA! RUN AWAY FROM THE HORNY PIRATE'S SWORD BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
I feel like it's inappropriate for me to be in this picture at all. I'm just there on the left like a third wheel of douchey-ness in this strange, suddenly frighteningly sexual tableau. And who gave me that book? I don't remember picking that book up at all, but there it is in my hand in all its L. Ron Hubbard glory.
I think I should crop myself out of this picture, blow it up, frame it, and then send it on to Melissa so she can treasure it forever and ever. Get it? Treasure? Because he's a pirate? Yes? No? Fail.
Ok I'm heading off to vote!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh my, that guy does have a look about him....
Yay! Thanks for voting:) And isn't he kind of shifty looking? I just die laughing whenever I see this photo.
DeleteJenny, your commentary on that picture makes me miss your cover critiques!
ReplyDelete(Also, I have VOTED!)
Hahahaha I do miss doing the cover critiques! I couldn't not give a running commentary on this photo though, it was just begging me to snark on it:) And thank you for voting!
DeleteJust voted! So many gorgeous covers, I bet it will be hard to get it down to just 6. I can't decide which of yours is my favourite, so I voted for them all. ;)
ReplyDeleteNow, re: that picture... I'm not even sure what words I have for it. Eep, so skeevy! Oh, and two thumbs up on the printing an exceptionally large copy of the picture idea... I just know Melissa would LOVE that. hee
Thank you so much Ashley! I've got my fingers crossed:)
DeleteAnd there really are no words for that picture, but it is begging to be blown up absurdly large isn't it? Yes, yes it is.
YES you all vote for Jenny! Because we love Jenny.. and .. no, I am not playing favorites here.. ! I have to live literally through Jenny here since I cannot enter!
ReplyDeleteso, Yes vote for her!
And Jenny. This commentary Is AWESOME!!! I was dying - can this guy look any more weird??? I miss your cover critiques... They always made my Friday morning!
I LOVE YOU DANNY! Thanks for promoting me via the comments:):):)
DeleteDid you guys see the pirate? If he's there next year, we're all getting in the picture.
the pirate was very weird and the moms were able to avoid him!!!! :)
DeleteI totally loved your covers when you first shared them with us, so I will definitely be voting for you! *fingers crossed* you make it to the final round! Btw I adore your commentary on your photo with the pirate! I totally wouldn't have noticed where his sword was pointing until you pointed it out! yikes!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jasprit. And how amazing is his sword? It's so....rigid. And pointy ;-) Poor Melissa.
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful, Jenny! If those were real book covers, I'd be instantly ensnared. I really love the second one because it's more elegant in it simplicity but I think the third one would suit the first cover more. But then, I love the font on the first and the girl in the third. GAH. They are just all asdfghjkl;;
ReplyDeleteHarharhar. Never met a stalker pirate before but I bet that was one awesome adventure. Good thing you weren't the target then!
Good luck in the contest, Jenny! Hope you don't meet any more creepy stalker pirates in the future!
Thank you Gellie, you have no idea how much I appreciate your comment!
DeleteAnd yes, I'm going to try and steer clear of overly affectionate pirates and their enthusiastic swords in the future ;-)
Oh. My. Sweet. Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI legit just snorted out my coffee...at my desk. In my office. I'm still dying hahahaha I never noticed the sword!
Please make note of the fact that I'm crying in this picture. Legit crying. I need you to come visit me so we can destroy said tiny handsy pirate.
You kill me. I die.
Hahaha the fact that you're crying makes it all the better. I can't stop laughing. I just remember us dying on the floor of exhaustion only to be continually accosted by this pirate. I love BEA.
DeleteYou crack me up! The sword, the sword, the sword LOL
ReplyDelete:)
It's a rather impressive sword given his stature, don't you think?
DeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo!
"Ethusiastic beeline"!
;)
Your covers are all awesome btw.
I think the 2nd is my favorite.
Psst I just voted for you! :)
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!! I so appreciate it. I would die of excitement if I won:)
DeleteOk Im headed over to vote for you.....and that picture story was hysterical.....what type of stuff is really going on at that BEA.........?????
ReplyDeleteSeriously shady stuff Tina! You should come so you can get in on the pirate action next year ;-)
DeleteAnd thank you for voting!
Hahaha I know! I should have just gracefully removed myself from the situation and let Melissa have some special pirate time ;-) And I'm not sure when I'm going to do the next critique, I'm thinking of doing a post to explain why I haven't done them lately.
ReplyDeleteI went and voted for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny! I just voted for your beautiful covers! There were so many but your covers stand out. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've added you to my blogroll at Booked Up! because I love your blog and want to be able to keep updated on all of your posts.
Jessica :) xxx
Hilarious story Jenny!!!!!! LOL!!!!!! Love the pic! yes crop it and then send it!
ReplyDeleteI love your first design (going to vote for it) the stones are beautifully drawn with nice shadow. And i love the font of Hope and the pure red of Sweet. Its an amazing cover design!!!!!
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much. For so many reasons.
Which is also a little creepy, you guys.
Sorry!
Voting now. <3
(aaand wiping my face of tears as I laugh til I cry at poor Melissa's expense)
Lmao, I knew you were going to say something about the sword! It's positioned in such a weird way you can't help but notice it.
ReplyDeleteI miss your cover critiques, Jenny! When are you restarting them?
*is off to vote*
First, I must complain. You gave me 3 wonderful covers to vote for and only ONE vote! I mean... did you have to make it SO HARD?
ReplyDeleteSecond... about the handsy pirate. ROFL I don't believe it was only Melissa that suffered. The guy had 2 hands and I don't see either. How else would you know he was handsy? Hm? I have to say poor girls! You both should have slapped him to the next shore. ;D
Ugh, Jenny, your artistic talent makes me so jealous! All of those covers are amazing! I especially like the 2nd one, because I'm a huge fan of simple designs. <3
ReplyDeleteThe look on the pirate's face basically says it all...he looks pretty skeevy! Glad you survived. :)
- Lauren
I went and voted...and may have clicked on a few of yours...just couldn't resist!! So beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the one with the feather!!! They are all beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, dear god. You poor girls. I remember said pirate--he was a tad bit creepy. Your commentary is hilarious! (Watch out, Melissa!)
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the design contest. Your designs rock.
your covers are beautiful and I have my friends all voting for you
ReplyDeletelovely covers.
ReplyDeleteBUT JENNY!! you are so wrong for your story behind the picture . you turned a innocent looking picture into creepy, pervert dude with sword / other things. but soooo funny. loool. love your sense of humour :D
Voted, my dear! I think at least one of your covers has a great shot of making the top 6. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the voting to begin! There are many gorgeous covers to select from, but yours are by far superior, Jenny. :) I ADORE the third cover (has a bit of a Southern vibe to it that suits the series) but I'm definitely partial to the first cover. It's so beautiful in its simplicty, while still having depth and a certain eye catching quality to it at the same time. :) The best of luck to you, my dear!
ReplyDeletelol "run way from the pirate's sword* giggles
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHHAHAAA Your commentary of the pic is hilarious<3 I'm voting now :)
ReplyDeleteP.S Some of those covers are GORGEOUS<3 So many talented people in this world!
OMG Love the covers!!!
ReplyDeleteGod the guy looks creepy .... glad you can make a joke of it!
Those covers are gorgeous! I especially like the first one.
ReplyDeleteEek! That picture. It looks like it was a frightening experience. :)
I voted for all three of your covers and really hope you win this thing, Jenny! Your covers are stunning and you deserve to see your name immortalized in ink next to Kaidan's. ;) I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see Monstrous Beauty is up next for you. I hope you like it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, lovely covers! I just voted for you.
ReplyDeleteHmm, why do pirates always seem creepy? Every weird Halloween story I have involves a pirate, so I've learned it's best to avoid them - unless they look like Johnny Depp, of course ;)
Lol. Lol. Lol. *dies laughing.* You are hysterical Jenny - good grief, you really could double up as graphic designer and comedian all rolled up into one. Tsk. I agree - I think the sword is just a leaning a little too closely in Melissa's direction. :D
ReplyDeleteNow, onto your covers - out of all the covers I've seen so far, yours are by far my favourite. Gosh, I wish I had your talent; and of course, I'll be voting for you.
Oh and then, we might have to fight it out between who gets to tempt Kai away from Anna. You totally can't have him to your own Jenny. Tsk tsk for even thinking such a thing. (P.S. Sweet Evil is one of my favourites for this year too. Obviously. :D)
Blahahahaa!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou need to submit that photo to Ellen's most Awkward Photo contest! It's pure win.
And, can I just say that I think your hair is the color of...pennies! :)
I so voted for your awesome self and let it be noted that the next time I come to Ohio, I'm showing up in a pirate costume. I will have a sword and a ridiculously awesome hat. I will make you feel welcome in any and all pictures. I will have great hair comparisons available as well. ;) You are welcome.
ReplyDeleteLooked like you scored some pirate's booty with that LRon Hubbard book, Jenny! Come on, you know I had to work in some cheesy pirate saying! This picture is priceless! I wasn't aware they had costume parties at the BEA. I'm clearly missing out! Lol! Just kidding. Thanks for the laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, love cover number three best out of the whole lot. I remember looking at the others and to me, yours is the clear winner. I'll go and try to vote (on my smart phone this is not always possible). :)
I love all of them, but my vote goes to the first one! I think that picture should be your Christmas/Holiday card!
ReplyDeleteLovely covers! #3 is is gorgeous! I'll be sure to vote.
ReplyDeleteThere is just something inherently creepy about pirates. All that 'shiver me timbers' and eyeliner? Oh, wait... He's not wearing eyeliner. That must just be a Johnny Depp thing. Oh, well. At least you can laugh about the picture (and that horrific costume)now!