The Cover and Beyond
Cover art for a book can be a wonderful thing. Get an amazing cover and it can draw a reader to your book in a split second. It’s that split second that will get someone to read the back cover copy of your book and possibly gain their interest enough to buy the book. That’s what we authors always want—enough of your interest to buy the book.I’ve been very fortunate to have been given three amazing covers for the first three books in my Play-by-Play series. The cover for the first book in the series, THE PERFECT PLAY, practically knocked my socks off when it landed in my email inbox. I had a vision for the covers for this sports series when I first set out to write it, and all I said to my editor when she and I conferenced about the cover was that I wanted a hot and sexy guy. Wow, did the Berkley Art Department ever deliver. And the second book, CHANGING THE GAME, was just as good as the first.
Which means when it came time to do the cover for my third and current release, TAKING A SHOT, I was nervous. I had hit the jackpot for the first two books, and I was sure I wouldn’t be as fortunate three times in a row. I was wrong. The art department exceeded my expectations with TAKING A SHOT. I wanted a hot, sexy, hockey playing dude on the cover, and oh, man, did I ever get it. This cover is phenomenal and I feel like I should play the lottery or something, because I’m feeling really lucky. As an author, you don’t often get magnificent covers. I’ve struck gold three times in a row (four if you count the cover for my upcoming September release, PLAYING TO WIN). The covers are all perfectly representative of the stories within, and that’s the takeaway I hope readers receive when they pick up the books. Because there’s more than just the cover art. There are stories with passion and emotion and romance, couples that find each other and fall in love and fight for their happily ever after.
Fortunately, and beyond the cover art, the books themselves have been very well received by readers—and thank you for that! Because you’ve all moved beyond just drooling over the covers (though I love that you love them!) and have embraced the lovestories within. So maybe I have hit the jackpot. But it all starts with the eye catching covers.
I know when I’m out shopping for books, a bad cover might make me pause before buying, but an awesome cover will definitely make me take a second look, which could end in me buying the book.
I hope you all are taking a second look at my Play-by-Play series, and that you like what you see.
I’ll give away a copy of one of either The Perfect Play or Changing The Game, in print or Kindle/Nook format, winner’s choice. Just leave a comment and a way to contact you.
Jaci
Website: http://www.jaciburton.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jaciburton
Playing to Win
Jaci Burton
Coming September 4, 2012
If you want to score, you have to get in the game…
The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.
Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…
But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…
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Hi Jaci. Your covers are awesome. They definitely make the reader want to pick up your books. Playing to Win sounds good.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Hello Jaci and Mel. It’s another beautiful day and such a day to look at beautiful covers. The cover gods have truely blessed Jaci, of course what is inside is great too.
Z
SeawitchReviews @ yahoo.com
Ok, I will admit that I bought Play by Play for the cover, BUT I also have to say that I LOVED the book! I’ve been wanting to pick up Playing to Win but the budget has been a bit tight. Thanks for sharing with us. LOVE all the covers!!!
cdkros (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for sharing. Love the covers. Can’t wait for the fourht book to release.
Joanne B
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I love the covers…. I was lucky enough to win a postcard signed by the model which has been deemed a must leave at office for when some coworkers and I are having one of those days. Yummy!!! If there are any of the other covers please feel free to send em my way. 😉
sac402 at cox dot net
Oh my goodness! *fans self* You have some hot and drool worthy covers!!! Thanks for sharing!
greenshamrock AT cox DOT net
I love the covers. I have not had an opportunity to read them but they are on my TBR list.
The covers for this series is hot but it also represents what the sport is and I like that. I’m a fan of sport romances and find them a lot of fun. It’s interesting to see a sport star find love. Congratulations on the release of Taking a Shot.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love that the covers are actually related to the story of the book (and the hot guys aren’t bad either *g*).
Can’t wait to read the latest.
claudigc at msn dot com
Two of my favorite authors together… dreams do come true!
Jaci your covers are the best and the stories inside are absolutely terrific to boot!
Mmafsmith at gmail dot com
I have the first two. LOVED them! The covers are definitely a draw, but its the storyline/characters that hooked me and is making me crave the other books in the series!
Congrats on the recent release, Jaci. You absolutely have the hottest covers. I love sports romances.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
These covers just keep getting better and better. Love them. 🙂 I have to read this series so I thank you for the opportunity.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I think us as readers are fortunate for the great visual art that’s on Jaci’s covers:) It’s hard not to notice them in a bookstore.
yadkny@hotmail.com
Great giveaway whoo, congrats on the books and great reviews, and rt nominee whoo,
Hot covers so hot,
I love sports so thevsports theme is just better damn hot
Kimh