Confessions, Covers, and Choices

2/6/2016

Confession time. I'm a book cover snob. You know that saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, I do. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself. If it's a new-to-me author and the cover doesn't grab me right away, then I won't even turn it over to read the blurb. I'm sure I've passed over some really great books that way, but that's my punishment for my snobbery.

With all confessions, I'm sure I'm not the only one suffering from this specific character flaw. That being said, I don't want anyone passing over my books because the cover didn't reel them in right away.

That's where you come in. Instead of doing a cover reveal, we're going to do a cover vote. Below are two options for my upcoming release in early summer.

Here's a little info on the book.

1698, Spain
The same evil that stole her mother’s demise stalks Isabella Castellano. Afraid for her safety and with no one to help her, Isabella disguises herself as a cabin boy and hires on to one of His Majesty’s treasure fleet vessels. But has her flight from a known threat only led her to be ensnared in a sea of dangers?
Present Day, Florida
Summer Arnet will go anywhere to capture the perfect shot that will get her marine photography noticed by the prestigious natural magazine, Our World—even diving in waters haunted by Great White sharks. When a treasure hunter with a ladies’ man reputation approaches her about a sunken ship at one of her past dive locations, it might be the chance she’s been looking for to launch her career…if his charming smile doesn’t derail her first.
A past tragedy has left a hole in Trent Carrington’s life—a hole he’s tried to fill with women, money, and adventure. Could the feisty marine photographer be the missing piece or will Trent finally accept that the treasure he seeks can’t be found where rust and moths destroy?

So to recap:
Setting -- Florida in the summer and on board a treasure fleet vessel
Time period -- both present day and the 17th century
Genre -- dual timeline so both contemporary and historical romance

Option A

Option B

Can't wait to hear your opinions. Oh! And bonus points if you can guess which cover I made myself. =)

90 Comments

Author

Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain's wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

Mikal link

2/7/2016 06:55:00 am

Option B! 💗I love it! The feel, the tone, the romance. All of it. :)

Toni Shiloh

2/7/2016 07:15:30 am

As much as I loved Option A when you first showed it, Option B says romance all the way!

Linda Baio

2/7/2016 08:13:47 am

I would pick option A

Jordan Sims link

2/7/2016 07:24:50 am

This is such a hard decision! My initial choice was B, but after reading the description, I think it's a little too sunny for the story line - which sounds so good, by the way! I think option A is mysterious AND romantic, so it gets my vote!

Stephanie Kyle

2/7/2016 07:28:49 am

Option B! The book sounds great! I can't wait to read it!

Mary Lou Frisbie

2/7/2016 07:31:16 am

I like A, and like you I won't buy book if I don't like cover.

Lucy

2/7/2016 07:33:41 am

A... sorry Sarah... the dude in cover B is just not Trent. And I'm one of those annoying readers that want the cover to have some similarities to the characters. The dude in cover b reminds me of Jonathan. Jonathan take your paws off Summer.

Mandy link

2/7/2016 07:57:36 am

Option B. It embodies the dual historical timeline of the book better.

2/7/2016 08:00:02 am

As book covers I would buy, I like them both! I think Cover B is the better choice, after reading the description of the book!

Sarah Coale

2/7/2016 08:07:05 am

A all the way! It suits the tone of the book.

Cassandra Lithgow

2/7/2016 08:10:14 am

Carrie

2/7/2016 08:15:42 am

B :)

Ashley

2/7/2016 08:24:37 am

Debbie

2/7/2016 08:25:20 am

B caught my attention!

Lucie Ulrich

2/7/2016 08:27:37 am

I prefer option A. Even thought it's a dual time line, I feel there is too much boat in option B. :) I'm going to guess you created A.

Sarah

2/7/2016 11:18:52 am

I actually created option B :)

2/7/2016 08:33:47 am

Monica Clouse

2/7/2016 08:35:53 am

Emily

2/7/2016 08:38:05 am

I was leaning toward option A, but it does have a more "mysterious" feel. If this book isn't a mystery at all, my vote would have to be B, to lean toward the summer romance feel. :)

Annie JC link

2/7/2016 09:00:26 am

I love both of them for different reasons, but after reading the synopsis and thinking about what I want and expect from the novel, I like Option A - very much! =)

Alexis

2/7/2016 09:03:26 am

Option A, all the way, Sarah! It captivates me! Had me "hello"/first glance at the book cover.

Jade Richardi

2/7/2016 09:14:05 am

Definitely B. 100%.

Jessica Johnson link

2/7/2016 09:22:48 am

Option B. Love the colors!

Stephanie link

2/7/2016 09:26:26 am

Option B, definitely :)

Dianne S.

2/7/2016 09:31:52 am

Love them both. Maybe if A had warmer clothes on it would a harder choice....but since it takes place in Fl. my choice is B

2/7/2016 11:19:59 am

What? No sweaters in Florida in July? ;)

Rachel Miller

2/7/2016 09:34:02 am

I'm going to guess that you made option B :-)

2/7/2016 11:20:15 am

You're right!

Brenda Laurudsen

2/7/2016 09:34:24 am

I pick A! As an artist, I love detail and A, with the closeness of their faces..their features..you can see the texture of their clothing...the deep colors applied. Love the ship, covered by mist in the distance.

Karen Lasen

2/7/2016 09:43:54 am

I like A

Kari link

2/7/2016 09:50:27 am

I would pick B, the warmth of the colors and the couple, It says Romance. :) ~ Kari

Michelle

2/7/2016 09:53:03 am

You already know my answer but it's B because of the time of year it takes place. I love A for another book though!!! Lol

charis

2/7/2016 09:56:42 am

A all the way!

Dawn Crandall link

2/7/2016 10:12:57 am

Option A caught my eye first. And I think the boat being hidden in the background is something that readers will see and "get" more after reading the book blurb.

Terilynn

2/7/2016 10:19:57 am

Option B I think it attracts my attention more

Donna

2/7/2016 10:21:19 am

Heather Hart link

2/7/2016 10:31:03 am

Both covers are fantastic. I would choose B because the ship is more prominent (I missed it on the thumbnail of the first one), however, one of my biggest pet peeves as a reader is when the people on the front don't match their descriptions in the book. And the two women on the covers have different hair colors... Which one matches your mc?

2/7/2016 11:22:23 am

The mc, Summer, has red hair. I'm both covers the woman has red hair, but you're right, they're different shades.

Nichole

2/7/2016 11:39:46 am

Andrea Boyd link

2/7/2016 12:11:37 pm

Definitely A

Deborah

2/7/2016 12:12:49 pm

Chalene

2/7/2016 12:36:52 pm

Option A for sure. It's very pretty and it's something that Mae
Key me want to pick it up and read it. And I think that you made option a :)

Stephanie

2/7/2016 12:50:41 pm

Option A. I love the colors!

rebekah

2/7/2016 10:01:18 pm

A- it draws my eye into wanting to see what is involves. Its also bery intimate within the readers view of the position of the protagoist

Linda Shenton Matchett link

2/7/2016 12:56:03 pm

Option A!

Sierra Faith

2/7/2016 01:20:05 pm

Marlane

2/7/2016 01:21:07 pm

I like them both! But I'm going to have to vote for B. Great job designing it!!! I can't wait to read it.

Janet Kerr

2/7/2016 01:45:43 pm

Option B

The sun-drenched cover with the red-haired beauty caught my eye. Since the main story is contemporary, it is fitting that the cover reflect that. Option A reflects the historical, which is the story within the story. It might be misleading to someone who wasn't interested in contemporary novels. They're both lovely though.

Cathe

2/7/2016 01:56:53 pm

B looks more professional. It has clarity.
The title in that curly-Q font on A is hard to read at a glance, and the people look too soft and zen-like for an adventurous couple.

Laurie Lucking link

2/7/2016 02:05:32 pm

These are great options but I'll cast my vote for A. It has more of an air of mystery, which seems appropriate for the dual timeline and sunken ship.

Robin Duncan link

2/7/2016 02:06:16 pm

Love them both but was immediately drawn to B!

Deanna Fugett

2/7/2016 02:18:41 pm

B all the way! It bright and happy.

Debbie Valine Exum

2/7/2016 02:23:54 pm

'B' for me.

2/7/2016 11:19:32 pm

Deanna you traitor!

Cristine Eastin link

2/7/2016 02:34:06 pm

BBBBBB!!!!
Love the color. Love the sexy, but chaste pose. Love the ship.

Jan Collins

2/7/2016 02:41:58 pm

Whitney Robison

2/7/2016 03:08:37 pm

At first I liked option b better, but after the description of the story option a it is for me. :)

Dana Carrier

2/7/2016 04:00:41 pm

Option A.

Even though option B says hot weather, it looks more desert than tropical Florida. Option A says mystery and romance and history all at the same time.

Vicki DiNitto

2/7/2016 04:05:02 pm

Both are good! And I really like the font on A.

However, I would be more apt to pick up and start reading--"B"
Then when you said the setting is FL, summer---B was confirmed. Plus I had to go back and LOOK for the boat on A, whereas it popped right out on B--making me wonder what this was about, before I even read anything.
"A" looks cold and dark and wintry to me.

Kathy Anderson

2/7/2016 04:15:52 pm

I like option A but Option B portrays the dual time line and the romance. I guess you designed option A book cover

2/7/2016 05:22:17 pm

I made option b

Traci

2/7/2016 04:47:18 pm

Option A, I also think you made option A

2/7/2016 05:22:51 pm

I made the second one :)

Cheryl

2/7/2016 05:53:37 pm

I like them both but vote for B. I feel it captures both centuries and the romance. I also guess that B is the one you created.

Lynn W

2/7/2016 06:40:12 pm

Option A!!!

Cindi

2/7/2016 07:48:13 pm

I really like A. A little bit of mystery, the ship in the background, her little smile saying ya in your dreams are up to the challenge? Option B looks too commercial, too staged, too bright. She's a little too willing to be the independent photographer you described.

Donna B

2/7/2016 08:45:25 pm

I like B better. I also judge a lot of books by their cover.

melissa p

2/8/2016 01:14:44 am

Love option N

2/8/2016 01:16:48 am

I meant option B 😀

Nyla Kay

2/8/2016 01:32:40 am

Option B caught my attention

Tracy Wainwright link

2/8/2016 05:40:27 am

I like A best!

Shelbie Mae link

2/8/2016 06:30:12 am

I like B. I'm a sunny girl and the ship is fab. =)

Vanessa

2/8/2016 06:31:38 am

Nicki Bishop link

2/8/2016 07:54:39 am

Option B. Congrats on Finders Keepers! Love the detail you've given this book. Can't wait to read the finished product!

Shelia Hall

2/8/2016 07:56:02 am

I vote for B

Beth Rumbaugh

2/8/2016 08:20:11 am

Jen

2/8/2016 10:34:12 am

I like the colors best in the first one, they drew my attention, but I like the characters best in the 2nd. I like the fact that they are in modern clothes, but with the boat, it ties in both time periods better. I am so excited to hear about your new book. It sounds so good.

2/8/2016 01:07:39 pm

I really like both covers but I have to go with A simply because I don't care to see kissing (I like to imagine it. Ü)

So, A is my choice.

Jeanenne

2/8/2016 01:25:33 pm

I choose option A. I like the darker cover with the characters in the forefront and the ship the back. Also, we know it is a romance and the characters are going to kiss, but I rather imagine that part in my mind than see it on the cover. It adds to the suspense for me.

Shawna

2/8/2016 02:16:14 pm

I like B

Linda

2/8/2016 03:36:50 pm

Janet Ferguson link

2/8/2016 04:24:02 pm

I like A maybe because I don't picture Trent looking like the guy in B.

2/8/2016 06:12:41 pm

Admittedly neither option is perfect. In A they are in heavy sweaters when it's Florida in the summer. Neither male model is perfect but for some reason Chris Hemsworth would pose for me :)

Joanie link

2/8/2016 08:13:16 pm

I love option A. The artist in me likes the rich colors and mysterious characters.....also the subtle ship in the background. The man in A seems more appropriate for what we know of your character. The picture in A is not my favorite because of the pale yellow area in the upper right hand corner.....your eye wants to travel off the page when it lands there. I love the subtle ship on B though.

Resha

2/8/2016 11:44:30 pm

I would go with A

Joy Massenburge

2/9/2016 04:00:32 am

B CAUGHT THE EYE BECAUSE IT WAS SO BRIGHT. AFTER READING SYNOPSIS I WANTED A. So my choice has to be B so I'll pick it up to read the back.

Sara link

2/9/2016 07:25:52 pm

I LOVE option B! It's intriguing and also looks more professional. Also, I don't like the guy's lips in A. :P

Caroline Baisley

2/9/2016 08:54:33 pm

Option A. All the misty hot yellow didn't communicate to me. The cooler colors are relaxing and engaging. But then I read to relax. Someone looking for excitement might like the yellow better.

Carolyn West

2/10/2016 01:28:15 pm

Love the option B. Like the other one as well and B almost threw me with the blue jeans. Went back retread ah there is a present time as well lol. Maybe you created that one?

Cuba Henderson

2/11/2016 10:09:20 am

I think option a is a very beautiful, and I will give you that option a is the one that you need to choose