Cover Focus: When a Secret Kills

When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

Book blurb from christianbook.com : “Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do-ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago-and Jillian watched it happen. Didn't she?”

Read my review: I haven't read it yet, but I have read the first two books in the Deadly Reunions series...and they were amazing.

Why I like this cover: I'm sure part of what is influencing me to love this over so much is the fact that I can tell from here that I'm going to love the story. But the other big thing I can pinpoint that makes me love it? The colors. I adore that blue background...and the purpley/white waves make it mysterious and yet beautiful. The white light is an immediate eye-catcher...or rather, it would, except that a beautiful young woman is staring at you. Look at the brown of her eye! At least, I think it's brown. Other angles make me think it's gray, or maybe a shade of blue or purple. What do you think? Either way, that is the immediate focus on this cover. Her dark hair blowing back and the blue lapel add the perfect of touch of femininity and yet strength. It's an amazing cover for what I'm sure will be an amazing book.

Cover Focus: Abducted

Abducted by Janice Cantore

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “After solving the mayor s murder and exposing corruption among the top brass in Las Playas, Carly Edwards is happy to be back on patrol with her partner, Joe, putting bad guys behind bars. For once, everything in life seems to be going right. But then everything starts going wrong. Slow to recover from an injury, her ex-husband, Nick, begins pulling away just as they were starting to get close again. Meanwhile, when Joe s wife lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, their baby is kidnapped. As Carly chases down every lead in a desperate search to find the baby, her newfound faith is pushed to its limits.”

Why I like this cover: You look once, then you look again, right? Cause suddenly you realize…she’s holding a gun on you! THAT is pretty much the most striking thing about this cover. Carly, with straight blond hair and piercing eyes (that have just a little makeup), looks just like a woman police officer! She certainly looks stern enough. And also – note the badge on the sleeve for the arm that’s holding the gun. Interestingly enough, she’s not peeking through a door when you look closely. It’s a hallway with the center cut out for her picture. Striking? I think so! Definitely a book I want to read someday.

Cover Focus: Claudia

Claudia by Diana Wallis Taylor

  

Book blurb from Revell’s website : “Claudia's life did not start easily. The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift-until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

Readers will be whisked through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as they follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts. Diana Wallis Taylor combines her impeccable research with her flair for drama and romance to craft a tale worthy of legend.”

Why I like this cover: I love light blue satiny filmy dresses with dark hair, and that is exactly what this cover has. Claudia’s expression is wistful, and she looks as if she’s watching something somewhat intently. The gold leaves in her hair are beautiful too. I love the columns that surround her, and the way her hand rests lightly on one. It’s a great cover! I must admit that previously, I haven’t loved Diana Taylor’s books…but I do judge books by their covers, and I’m definitely excited to give this one a try!
 

Cover Focus: Rebekah

Rebekah by Jill Eileen Smith

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “When her father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Her hope for the future is restored when she falls in love with her cousin Isaac, and their relationship starts strong. But marital bliss cannot last forever, and the birth of their twin sons marks the beginning of years of misunderstanding, disagreement, and betrayal. The rift between them grows wider and wider until it is surely too deep to be mended. And yet, with God all things are possible.
Join bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith as she fills in the blanks around the biblical women behind the men we know well. Her in-depth research and creative storytelling bring Rebekah's unique story alive with romance, heartache, and the power of forgiveness.”

Read my review: Haven't read it yet, but guess what? Within another month or two, I'll be posting a review for the blog tour of this book! I know it'll be wonderful.

Why I like this cover: It’s so lovely! Some covers catch your eye and hold it for a long time – this is one of them. Look at all her jewelry, for example! A gold and lapis (?) headband, a gold necklace, and matching dangly gold earrings. Her dress is such a beautiful shade of periwinkle-blue too! I think her eyes are brown (after inspecting several different pictures of the same cover) with maybe a bit of gold or green in them too. And I’ve always wanted black hair…but I am definitely blond. In every respect. ANYWAY. I like the background of the cover too, with the blue and yellowish sky, the water-pot (which is very apt to anyone who knows Rebekah’s story) and those pretty green palm trees. And the title itself is so neat! That fancy, semi-Persian script…perfect. I can’t wait to read this next book in the “Wives of the Patriarchs” series! Sarai was great.

Cover Focus: Vanished

Vanished by Irene Hannon

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road.
A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.
From the very first page, readers will be hooked into this fast-paced story full of shocking secrets from fan-favorite Irene Hannon. "Vanished" is the exciting first book in the Private Justice series: Three justice seekers who got burned playing by the rules now have a second chance to make things right.

Read my review: Well, actually, I have read it. But since it's just barely been published, and I'm on the blog tour, I'm not allowed to publish my review yet. Rest assured -- I liked it, and the review will be published soon!

Why I like this cover: Wow. This cover caught me from the first time I saw it, and once I actually held it in my own two hands, I was even more impressed. It’s just a little bit metallic, resulting in a super cool book! You can tell that it’ll be great. :) The car lights shining through the rain are an amazing effect, combined with the drenching pavement and the yellow lines marking the center of the road. Also, look closely at the word “Vanished.” It’s a little see-through…very awesome! I highly recommend this book for any suspense lovers. It’s…yeah. Very very good.

Cover Focus: On Distant Shores

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

  

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A comfortable boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie’s cozy life gets decidedly more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson. Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?

With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin pens another exciting tale in her series featuring WWII flight nurses. Fans new and old will find in On Distant Shores the perfect combination of emotion, action, and romance.”

Why I like this cover: It’s lovely, just like all of Sarah Sundin’s covers are. I can’t wait until this book comes out in August 2013! I guess one of the main things I love so much about it is the shade of blue used behind the title. It’s a smooth but elegant blue, and I really like it! I also like that they did the word “Distant” in a curly script. The next most obvious thing is the girl, Georgie or Georgiana. Her hair is exceptionally lovely, with real ringlets! And that smile is sweet too…she looks like someone I’d love to get to know. She looks strong but gentle and understanding. And I think people like that are the best. If you look closely further down, you’ll also see an arch, or maybe a bridge, with a stone wall on each side. Obviously, this story must be set in a beautiful part of Europe. Looks awesome!