Judy Kentrus~ Making Dreams Come True on Last Chance Beach

Please welcome Judy today, who has come to share the story of her beautiful cover for WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE, Last Chance Beach Romance #14. Let's see what she has to say...

When an author thinks about her story, having a cover that reflects the storyline is important. When I thought about “Where Dreams Come True,” I knew I had to have a single person on the cover. Since Chelsea’s profession was dancing and her dream to become a prima ballerina, I started looking for cover images of dancers. It can be a long, frustrating process, but when the right image appears, you can feel it and know it’s right. I actually got goosebumps when I found the dancer on the beach. The dancer on the cover epitomizes Chelsea, but more importantly it depicts the storyline to a “T”.

Blurb ~

Chelsea Townsend runs a local dancing school in Last Chance Beach. Five years ago, her partner dropped her during a performance. The resulting injury killed her chance of becoming a Prima Ballerina. Her dancing career always took precedence, but she regrets giving up a chance to have a life with the only man she’s ever loved.

She’s worked hard to reopen the historic Gershwin Theater. When someone breaks into her dancing school, it sets off a chain of events that reveals the untold secrets surrounding the old theater, including a twenty-five-year-old murder.

It will take a police detective, the father of one of her students, to find out who is working against her.



Zachary MacFarland, a decorated NYC police detective, returned to Last Chance Beach eight months ago. He and his partner were ambushed, and the bullet that killed his partner came from Zach’s gun. He’s determined to find the real killer and clear his name.

Coming home also meant being close to Chelsea Townsend. She chose her career over the happily-ever-after he offered. It will take all of his detective skills to reveal who is determined to destroy her hopes and dreams.

Last Chance Beach meant second chances. Would they find the love and happiness they once lost? This is a page-turning romantic suspense.

YOU CAN PURCHASE WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE HERE:

https://amzn.to/3VGKObq

Bio ~

Judy Kentrus, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Seasoned Romance, Historical Romance

I’ve always been a romantic at heart and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Before I let the dog out, I make sure there aren’t any bears around. I’m a mom with two grown children who have given me six grandchildren.

We love to travel. Many of the places we’ve visited have inspired me to use as a storyline. I never know what will give me an inspiration, but my mind is always working.

When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies. I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends. You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website.

Want to find out more about my books and what’s coming? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, via my website. My stories are fun, sexy, romances that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.


YOU CAN FIND JUDY HERE:

Website: https://www.judykentrus.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judykentrusauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyKentrus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judykentrus/?hl=en

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judy-kentrus

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jkentrus/_saved/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash

Amazon Author Central: https://author.amazon.com/claim/join?query=Judy+Kentrus

Tiktok: lolababy687


Thank you, Judy, for sharing your cover story!

#RomanceGem Author Nancy Fraser Is MAKING CHRISTMAS!

The wonderful Nancy Fraser has joined us this morning to share a bit about the making of her cover for her Dickens Holiday Romance Prequel MAKING CHRISTMAS. So, without further ado...

One of my favorite parts of the process of publishing a new book is the cover. Whether it’s one I’ve created myself, or one created for me by one of my three publishers, it’s always a thrill to see the finished product.

For my new vintage holiday novelette, Making Christmas, the cover was quite an undertaking and it went through many incarnations before I was happy with it. It began as a fairly “normal” cover, with Christmas toys and the title and my name. Simple, and it was very pretty.

However, in the process of writing the story itself, I began formulating ideas for promotion. Because my heroine has returned to the small town where she grew up to write a magazine article on an old friend’s toy factory, I figured I needed a magazine cover. So, I created one.

When I showed the fake magazine cover to a writer friend, she said, “He’s hunky. That should be your cover.” Never one to shy away from a challenge or a good idea, the cover went through another makeover. I didn’t want to lose the magazine cover effect, so I incorporated it into the finished cover.

Never let it be said, authors aren’t a bit crazy and obsessive. Especially over our covers!

Let's hear a little bit more about the book...

Blurb ~

A 1980s Vintage Romance ...

It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.

Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the scoop on their upcoming holiday line.

When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart. Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the secrecy of the new toy lines.

Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?

Excerpt ~

Catherine made her way through the front doors of Wil-Bar Toys and toward the reception desk. “I’m here to see Mr. Barrett. I have a ten o’clock appointment.”

“I’ll buzz Margaret and she’ll come to get you,” the young woman said.

Catherine waited for Margaret, obviously a new edition to the staff since she didn’t recognize the name.

Moments later, a woman who looked to be in her late twenties entered the lobby. “Hello, I’m Margaret Weatherby. If you’ll follow me, please.”

She fell in step behind the woman, going through the heavy oak double doors she remembered from her childhood. They continued down the hallway leading to the main offices, coming to a stop in front of the desk outside the large corner suite.

“How long have you worked at Wil-Bar?” Catherine asked.

“Two years now. I was originally hired to work for Mr. Wilfred Barrett but when the younger Mr. Barrett’s secretary left to get married, I took over for her as well.”

“That must keep you very busy.”

The woman nodded. “It does, especially this time of year. However, it’s such a wonderful place to work, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.” She paused, then added, “I’ll let Mr. Barrett know you’re here.”

“I’d appreciate—”

Her words of appreciation were interrupted by a man’s booming voice. “Margaret, do you have the report I left for photocopying earlier?” The voice was followed by the man’s appearance outside the office door, his footsteps coming to a halt when he saw her standing there.

She lifted her head, meeting Will Barrett’s intense gaze head-on.

“Cat? Cat Gates. I’ll be dam...darned.”

“Hello, Will.”

“You two know each other?” Margaret asked. When they both nodded at the same time, Margaret added, “Well, that certainly saves time on introductions.”

Will motioned for her to follow him into the office. “You’re the journalist they’ve sent to write a story on Wil-Bar?”

“Yes,” she said, taking the seat he offered. “I assume they thought I’d have an inside track on the place since I’m from Dickens.”

His chuckle sent a flurry of butterflies rushing her stomach.

“Inside track. I’d say so. You know every nook and cranny of this place—or at least you did before we remodeled.”

“Some I knew all too well, given I spent more time hiding than you and Tommy did seeking.”

“Sorry about that,” he said with a broad grin. “We were pretty mean to you back then.”

WHERE TO BUY MAKING CHRISTMAS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094GF6R5L

ASIN: B094GF6R5L

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1566764279


B&N (Nook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/making-christmas-nancy-fraser/1139435151


Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/making-christmas-3


Universal: https://books2read.com/u/3ye0ae

Custom: https://books2read.com/MakeXMas

Other:

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/making-christmas-a-dickens-holiday-romance-prequel-by-nancy-fraser

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57984424-making-christmas

Bio ~

 

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

 

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

 

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Fraser/e/B004AOL61Y/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA

Newletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bxkKvD

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter

 

Trailer:

 

 

Direct Link:  https://youtu.be/PzzY7komw-I

Jigsaw Puzzle Link: https://bit.ly/33wkGqI

 

Thank you, Nancy, so much for joining us. It was a delight having you!

Laura Hunsaker, #RomanceGem, Has It All Covered With AMETHYST HEAT!

Good morning! As I again set out to introduce you to all my Romance Gem pals, please welcome Laura Hunsaker! Take it away, Laura!

What makes a good cover?

 

Well, that is the question, isn’t it? For as much as we’d love to say don’t judge a book by its cover, we’re all guilty of doing that. The cover is usually what catches our eye first. I bought a book that had a very Keanu Reeves in John Wick feel. I regret nothing. :)

 

When you aren’t in control of your own covers though, you’re at the mercy of your publisher. I’ve been lucky that my publisher listened to my thoughts and applied them to the cover. Although my publisher put my nickname Laurie on the cover rather than my full name. That was kind of odd, especially as my other books through them all say Laura. Add to that, the cover is about 10 years old, and since the story is mine again, I wanted something new.

 

Amethyst Heat is my free short story (it’s like 7 pages long, so it’s a true short story). The old cover is fine. But it doesn’t capture the story as much as I think my new cover does. I sent my cover designer the story and let her have free reign (she’s pretty amazing). And I love what she came up with! Her cover really encompasses the story, short as it is.

 

And you can feel free to judge this story by its new cover.

 

Blurb ~

A sweet romance set in the Highlands of Scotland.

While out riding, Meg McMurray finds herself on unfamiliar lands. Gone are the long expanses of Oklahoma prairie, and in front of her are the wild Scottish Highlands. How did she come to be there, and did Aunt Gilly's amethyst ring have anything to do with it?

M.J. note ~ (Since this is a short story, it's a short excerpt, but even in this you can see what a great story it is!)

Excerpt ~

Meg nervously licked her lips and ran her fingers through her hair. His gaze followed the movements, settling on her ring.
"Where did you get that?" his voice was rougher, deeper, than before.
Glancing down Meg saw his eyes trained on her finger. "The ring? It's been in my family for generations. I recently inherited it." Meg dropped her eyes, hiding her pain at the thought of her Aunt Gilly. The note that had come with the ring was written by Gilly's own hand. It had said that her "destiny awaited," whatever that meant.

You can download AMETHYST HEAT for free here!:

     Kindle   |   Barnes and Noble   |   Kobo   |   Google Play   |   Smashwords |  Goodreads

I've got mine!

Thank you for joining us, Laura! So what do you think? I liked the first cover but the second cover is even better!

~ Wine Heck of a Book Cover! ~ From Wine Labels to Cover Crafting ~

Please welcome Mary E. Thompson to FOR THE COVER CONSCIOUS! I love her unique and eye-catching covers, but it took some work to get them just the way she wanted. Follow along as Mary tells us all about...

Crafting The Right Cover

Creating a cover is almost as hard as creating a new story. Like the blurb, that cover has to tell the story. It has to give readers a glimpse into what the story is all about without giving it all away.

When I look at covers, so many times I feel like they all look alike. I know there are trends, but I’ve never been a particularly trendy person. I like different. I like something that stands out. I like to make people do a double take.

Since I write contemporary romances, it’s tough to stand out in the sea of bare chested men and half-clothed people in an embrace. I never felt like my books were edgy enough for that look. Mine are very emotional books. They center around family and friends and romance and, my Raise A Glass series, wine. I wanted something that said all that, and I didn’t think a half-naked man would. It just wouldn’t fit my stories, and the cover definitely has to match the book.

My husband, who’s a self-taught artist, suggested the covers looked like a label on a bottle of wine. I love to play and create my own covers so I got started.

Here was the first attempt.

I’m guessing your reaction is the same as my team’s was. What is it? It’s very busy. I don’t love it. 

This was the alternative I came up with at the same time. They liked this a little more, but it was still too busy. 

Next was this one. It was closer. Very close. 

But there was one last suggestion. 

That was it. They loved it. I’ve since changed it a little, but kept the cover mostly the same. This shows all the covers I have out there right now. I kinda love them. What do you think? 

Blurb ~

He could be just what she needs…

Alyssa Wright has one goal before she leaves for college. She refuses to go carrying her v-card. She just has to find someone to give it to in the next six weeks.

When she runs into Jake Monroe, almost literally, she knows he’s different. She thinks about him constantly, and not in the way she’s thought about any other guy.

She might be what he’s looking for…

Between his new job and helping his best friend’s widow, Jake doesn’t have time for romance. But there’s something about Alyssa he can’t resist. He’s torn between the light Alyssa brings to his world and the promise he made to his best friend.

Is it enough to keep them together… forever?

What they want doesn’t matter. There’s a ticking clock, counting down the days until Alyssa leaves. Maybe for good.

Excerpt ~

Clean sheets went on the bed with practiced ease. She pulled the comforter in place and smoothed the wrinkles. Pillows were stuffed into pillowcases and placed precisely on the bed. She went into the attached bathroom and wiped down all the surfaces quickly to make sure the room had that fresh, clean scent.

When she went back into the room, there was a man walking toward her. Alyssa dropped the cleaning bin she was holding and screamed. “Ah! Holy shit! What are you doing in here?”

He held up his hands and immediately backed up. “Whoa! Sorry! They said this was my room, ma’am. I’m sorry. There’s been some kind of a mistake. Just calm down.”

Alyssa’s hands went to her hips as her attitude snuck back in. She raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you just call me ‘ma’am?’ How old do you think I am?”

Her response clearly threw him. His dark eyebrows knitted together. Alyssa took a second to appraise the man in front of her as he tried to form a response. He was big, at least six inches taller than her own 5’7”. His dark t-shirt stretched tight across his wide chest and his shorts let her see the strength in his legs. His dark hair was cut short, giving him a dangerous edge. His face was covered in stubble just long enough that it would scrape her skin if she kissed him.

Which she was suddenly desperate to do.

Download for free now!

Ebook on Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | B&N | Smashwords

Author Bio ~

Mary E. Thompson grew up loving to read, like a good little girl. Many nights she would fall asleep with the flashlight still turned on as she hid under the covers trying to finish the last few pages of a book. As an adult, the light from her ereader means she doesn't need a flashlight, but she still stays up way too late to finish a book.

When Mary's not reading, she's playing with her two kids or living out her own real life romance novel with her hubby. She has a weakness for chocolate, especially when it's paired with peanut butter, and has been known to have a bad day just because there's no chocolate in the house. Unless there’s wine. Then everything is okay.

Mary grew up in Buffalo, New York and swears she's the only local to never ski or snowboard. Soccer was always her sport, with a couple adventures white water rafting and skydiving to keep things interesting. Mary moved to South Carolina for college but missed Buffalo every day. Yeah, she thinks she's crazy, too. She somehow convinced her South Carolina born and bred hubby to return to Buffalo to raise their kids and live out their lives. He’s still not sure what he was thinking.

Links ~

Website - http://maryethompson.com

Facebook - http://facebook.com/authormaryethompson

BookBub - http://bookbub.com/authors/mary-e-thompson

Twitter - http://twitter.com/authormet

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/metdaisy7

Instagram - http://instagram.com/authormaryethompson

Goodreads - http://goodreads.com/mary

Meet My Fantastic Cover Artist ~ Francessca Wingfield!

Welcome back to FOR THE COVER CONSCIOUS. Today I have the pleasure of hosting my outstanding cover artist, Francessca Wingfield! Let's hear from her...

Okay, first of all, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Married? Single? Kids? Pets?

Hi there Mary, well I live in Leicester which is the UK. I have worked in mental health for 10 years but in the recent months have left to follow my dream and I am now my own boss in Cover Design. I also recently got married to my childhood sweetheart of 13 years, you could say I’ve got my happily ever after. I have two children both boys of 8 years and 3 years, hard work but I wouldn’t have them any other way, we also have a puppy called Skye shes a black Labrador and she costs us more than the kids already with the destruction of wires, plasterboard and SHOES!



2) Before you became a full time cover artist, what did you do for a living? Did you enjoy it?

I have worked in forensic mental health for 10 years until recently. I was a senior healthcare support worker and although I initially loved it, it was very demanding and took a strain on my family life, as well as my own mental health. I have decided in recent months to give that up and work solely on my business, which is ultimately where my passion lies.

3) How did you get into making covers?

It actually started with reading and reviewing for authors. I would make teasers to go with my reviews to enhance the experience on my website. It then developed into cover design when Kelsey Burns, author come great friend, spotted my work and encouraged me to design covers. I started by working with Erotic Dreams Publishing and the business just grew from there really.

4) Besides creating covers, I know you also design logos and run promotions for authors. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Design is the main branch of my business, however, we also work on branding for authors, so logo designs, banner designs, roller banners, for authors to work with the continuity across all their work. I have been running promotions for authors for some time. I initially began doing these informally as a way to assist authors in reaching a wider market. We now have well over 600 blogs on our mailing list. The idea with any promotion is to try and get the best possible reach, so we not only send the materials to the blogs, but we also work hard to tag each author in each individual post, as many of you know, the more interaction on a post the better visuals it will get through Facebook. We run different promotions, including different price ranges in order to help ever author. We run a £5 option which is literally a small email and request the blogs post on behalf of the author, we then do a mini reveal or release and this is £15 which would mean we create HTML and FB post and request the blogs post on a set date. There is then the main release which is £25 and this includes all of the above plus review options and dealing with ARC’s on behalf of the author and setting up a sign up form for the bloggers. We also run week long tours, events and parties. 

5) What part of your job do you enjoy most? What is difficult?

What I enjoy most is working hand in hand with the authors to create exactly what they imagine for their book. At the end of the day, this is their “baby” as such, and I want to do their creation justice, so I tend to work side by side every step of the way. That way if they're uncertain of anything, or something isn’t working on the cover, we can work together to make it PERFECT. Hmmmmm … most difficult is knowing my own limitations. I still class myself as a relatively new designer and am always having to research new techniques in order to make sure every cover is unique. Something else which is difficult is hours of trawling through stock images to find what works, but also what hasn’t been used 100’s of times on other covers, although I have to admit I love the challenge of making an image 100% unique even though it has been used before.

6) I know you were recently married and used your design skills in preparing for that. Can you share what you did with us? (If you had pictures to send, that would be great. Someone may want to hire you to do their wedding.)

Of course I made my own seating plan, invitations, save the dates, table cards, confetti cones, menus, etc. Let me show you an example of some of them here, I haven’t got the professional images as yet :

Just lovely!

How do you balance the demands of everyday life and your design 

work?

With great difficulty. It was much, much harder when I worked too, as I would be doing a 12 hour shift then the next day I’d have my three year old running around. Trying to concentrate I would end up working late into the night to get things done and ready. It is now much easier. My son is in childcare (I don’t know where I would be without the best childminder, Mel Mel. She’s more like family) four days a week now, so I get most of it done then. Although my house looks like a bombs site ha ha ha!

Do you have any hobbies you’d like to share?

I love my reading, always have. It's one of my great ways to escape reality! The majority of any time I have left I spend with my boys or hubby, just watching them grow and learn. I’m not sure that’s a hobby, but it should be because I get so much enjoyment out of watching them find themselves. Don’t get me wrong, it’s also majorly challenging at times!

Now, just for fun, choose a couple of these to answer:

If you could be any animal, what animal would you choose, and why? 

Bird – I could fly wherever I wanted.

When trick-or-treating as a kid, was there any kind of candy that you didn’t like to get? 

Those licorice, all sorts. YUK!

What was one of the best Christmas presents you ever received? 

When I was younger it was a KAREOKE machine, although I’m sure my neighbors didn’t think so!

If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be? 

Frantic Frans Fun and Frolics

What CD is in your CD player right now? Or what was the last song you listened to in your digital library? 

I was going to say I actually don’t own a CD player. EEEEK! But digital wise, it would have been my wedding song on repeat, Ed Sheeran "Perfect". 

Love Ed Sheeran!

Name your favorite children's story. 

Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime 

What was your nickname growing up or now? 

Everybody just shortens my name to Fran, although my Husband HATES it! Growing up it used to be Ginge. Then I was a true ginger. The image below is what my hen do did for me so I wouldn’t feel left out!

Who was your hero when you were a child, and what did you do to be like them? 

OMG! I am not proud of this one, but it was the Spice Girls! Me and my friends tried to have a band like them! Very embarrassing!

What is your concept of a fruitful day? 

One laugh, one smile from my family makes every day that more special. Now if I had completed my to do list too, I'M ON TO A WINNER!

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

CRUNCHING CRISPS OUT LOUD! ARGH!!!!!

What one thing (modern convenience) could you not live without? 

My phone, but only if it had wifi or 3g.

What is your favorite smell? 

The smell of pine. It always reminds me of Christmas!

That is a wonderful smell! Thank you for joining us today and for being an awesome cover artist!

Contact Francessca if you're interested in her work. She's easy to work with, inexpensive, and talented.


Website – http://francesscas-romance-reviews.com/

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/FrancesscasRomanceReviews/

Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/FrancesscasPRandDesigns/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/francesscas_rr

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/francesscasr/pins/ 

~ Time to Update Covers, Part 2 ~

Here are a few more new covers. I liked both of my old covers, just felt I needed a fresh look.

OLDER COVER

NEW COVER

OLD VERSION

NEW VERSION

Any thoughts?

~ Time To Update Covers! ~

Recently I realized that some of my covers are over five-years-old now. Some close to ten! While I loved the covers I had, I needed something fresh. Working with cover designer Francessca Weber on a group project (box set) I was really impressed by her talent. Check out what she did to these covers!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

What do you think about the transformations? Do you have a favorite?