Do you have a favorite cover?
This edition of Heart of Betrayal by @maryepearson is one of my all-time favorite covers. I love the way it echoes the heart of the story without over-narrating. I love the rich colors that set the mood and draw in the eye. It has a simple focus, but rather than feeling minimalist or abstract, it feels like it’s giving a peek into the story and saying, “Come have this adventure with me!” (Not saying I don’t like minimalist covers, but especially for epic fantasy – which is my genre of choice – this style feels most right to me.) Challenges:
#StoriesWithStephNov19 – Cover Love: a favorite cover | how do you imagine your WIP’s cover? – Oof! I don’t know. The idea of my story being contained in one cover feels impossible. I’ve designed covers in my head for it that I like, but they always feel like they call out only one aspect of the story, which feels like it undercuts the depth of the rest of the story elements. So grateful to one day work with a professional cover designer who will put their genius to work! But I would definitely submit this cover as one of my comp ideas.
#SaraEllaMermaid – Survivor: characters who overcome
#BHPFallFictionChallenge – Autumn-colored Books
#WildAdventuresNov19 – Scadrial: book that surprised you – This whole trilogy was a pleasant surprise to me. I remember being turned off by the books the first time I saw them. I’m not the target audience for titles like “Kiss of Deception” and “Beauty of Darkness” and I wasn’t initially sure how I felt about the sickly green, love-triangle-y cover of book one. Etc. But someone recommended it to me, and I gave it a try, and I enjoyed each book more than the last. I love the epic fantasy with grand-scale and intimate politics, and Lia has great character growth.
#BookQueensNov19 – People or Nature on the Cover
#NarnianNovember – Queen Lucy: valiant character(s) …
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#TheHeartOfBetrayal
#TheRemnantChronicles
#MaryEPearson
“NO MATING.” * * * *
Couldn’t help it. My cat was glaring like he wanted to scold someone, so I let Pattern speak for him.
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Challenges:
#StoriesWithStephNov19 – Pet Support: book + pet | any animals in your story? – Yes! René has two dogs who are intelligent, loyal, and super mildly magical – his “oldest friends.” Pepin is a collector of misfit kitties, and René and Elise both have their special horses.
#SaraEllaMermaid – Part of Your World: books you want to live in – Please, please, can I be a worldhopper and live in the Cosmere? That would be epic.
#BHPFallFictionChallenge – Hibernation Prep …should include some of your favorite books and a cat to snuggle with in the cold season.
#ReadGushNov19 – Orange, Yellow, Brown
#TheSwanPrincessNov19 – Queen Uberta: dramatic character – bahaha, Pattern
#AmpersandNov19 – M is for… Mating. Which is inappropriate. Like dividing by zero.
#BookQueensNov19 – Magic Hidden or Magic Known – Magic known but not always understood.
#AllTheBooksNov19 – Books + Leaves
#NarnianNovember – King Edmund: just character(s) – Dalinar!
#BurntSilverRelease – Release Day! The Boys Are Back in Town (favorite squad) – Bridge Four!! Happy Release Day, @hatitus! …
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#BrandonSanderson
#Oathbringer
#TheStormlightArchive
“This story is dedicated to anyone who has ever encouraged, or listened, or understood. And to anyone who needs encouragement. Or to be heard. Or to be understood. This one is for you.” This beautiful book with depths of heart releases today. I’m so proud of and excited for @saraellawrites and for YOU who get to read this unique Little Mermaid story.
Under the sea, in a society where blending in is key, Coral has always stood out from her mermaid sisters. She fears she’s been afflicted with the dreaded human Disease – emotions. Her sister had the Disease, and Red Tide took her away. Will it come for Coral next?
Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at a new group-therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?
Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right? When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale “The Little Mermaid,” Coral explores mental health and what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.
Challenges:
#StoriesWithStephNov19 – Dedication (20k): beautiful dedication | Who are you dedicating your novel to? – I haven’t decided yet.
#SaraEllaMermaid – CORAL release day! #CoralMermaidBook
#TheSwanPrincessNov19 – King William: loving family – Merrick + Maya!
#BookishConLifeNov19 – Ellie Sattler: #tobesttheboystuesday Strong Female – Brave Sara Ella!
#NarnianNovember – Queen Susan: gentle character – Merrick’s gentleness with the weakness of others
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#SaraElla
#Coral
#TheLittleMermaid
“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan to dress up as a volcra and jump out of a cake." "Well, now you've ruined the surprise.” * * * *
In this post I wanted to address ordinary soldiers and epic heroes, maps, and mood boards. So, obviously I had to pluck from the shelf this beautiful trilogy about a moody, mapmaking soldier of epicness. 😎🖤 And, seriously, though, Alina and Nikolai have some of the best conversations.
Who are some of your favorite fictional soldiers?
Challenges:
#StoriesWithStephNov19 – Setting: #mapmonday | #moodboardmonday (Veteran’s Day) – This stunning wallet with the map of Ravka on it was from @thebookishbox! | Swipe for a glimpse of my WIP world: “René’s Castle” on Pinterest.
#SaraEllaMermaid – Show off your mermaid locks: book + selfie – Yeah… I tried. My camera focused on the shelves behind me for every shot and I didn’t have time to go back and try again. 😏
#BHPFallFictionChallenge – Veteran’s Day
#TheSwanPrincessNov19 – Bromley: childhood friends – Mal and Alina! Love them.
#BookishConLifeNov19 – Roy Chapman Andrews: Map Monday
#BookQueensNov19 – Special Snow-Flake or Chosen One – I love a well-done Chosen One.
#BookRavensNov19 – Map Monday
#NarnianNovember – King Peter: magnificent character(s) – NIKOLAI lol 💖
#BurntSilverRelease – Hooked on a feeling (favorite ship) – Not a favorite, but I do appreciate Alina and Mal. …
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#TheGrishaverse
#LeighBardugo
#ShadowAndBoneTrilogy
Do you have an auto-buy author?
It’s a safe guess who’s No.1 on my list.
Challenges:
#StoriesWithStephNov19 – Author Love: auto-buy author | inspiration – I love Brandon Sanderson’s characters, his writing, his stories, his heart, and his sheer brilliance. He’s also the first author I discovered who had a story universe (Cosmere) like the one I’ve been developing for most of my life. He’s entertaining and inspiring and I love and trust his heart.
#SaraEllaMermaid – Sorceress of the Sea: villain transformations – A certain assassin in the Stormlight Archive is in the midst of a wonderful transformation.
#WildAdventuresNov19 – Terrasen: hopeful books
#AmpersandNov19 – J is for… Jasnah! One epically fabulous woman.
#BookishConLifeNov19 – Bob Bakker: larger than life
#BookQueensNov19 – Indoor Photos or Outdoor Photos – For my set up, indoor! But taking pictures outdoors /is/ very satisfying.
#BookRavensNov19 – Leaves on the Cover – lol how about the page kind? …
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#BrandonSanderson
#TheStormlightArchive
#Cosmere
