Is it just me or does Christmas seem to sneak up on us every year like a stealth bomber? I swear, it feels like yesterday I was stifled by the oppressive heat of Georgia’s August sun, and now Thanksgiving is a week away and in only 38 days 2011 culminates in the biggest holiday of the year: Christmas.

So as we’re staring down the end of the year, I want to hear from you:

1. Favourite book of the year (first release copyright in 2011)

2. Favourite author of the year

3. Favourite cover of the year.

I’ll post the results of the top 10 from each category and have a vote off in December.

Commenting will also enter you to win an advance copy of one of the following December 2011 reissues from Avon. Also, if you haven’t commented on the post below, please take a moment to help The Season raise money for a very worthy cause: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Help protect our children!!

 **Click above covers to read back cover copy

Okay, ask me if I’m over the moon happy the way the covers for my upcoming digital novella and book came out. YYYEEESSS!!!!! Romance author Kimberly Killion of HotDamnDesigns–I’ll say this again–is an artistic DREAM! Just look at what she gave me to launch my books:

Before I launch into my retrospective on Kensington’s covers, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Kate Duffy, who was their Editorial Director. As most of you know Kate Duffy past away September 27, 2009 at the age of 56. Her family, her friends, her authors, and her Kensington family mourn her loss. We all mourn her loss. Kate Duffy will be missed.

I would also like to thank my editor, Peter Senftleben,  for finding me a whole list of authors to research. Thank you Peter!

As of 2009, Kensington has been publishing books for 35 years, which would take us back to 1974. I’m going to start my retrospective in 1980 (it’s very hard to find original covers going back that far, as I found out). Who did I find in 1980? I found Dorothy Garlock’s LOVE AND CHERISH. Look at the font of the title and how large it is. I think it takes up half the cover? By comparision, Ms. Garlock’s name is way at the top and significantly smaller. All in all, it’s a cover fairly appropriate for the time. Very red, wouldn’t you agree?

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In 1981 and 1983 respectively, we have Elaine Barbieri’s CAPTIVE ECSTASY and AMBER TREASURE. I must say, CAPTIVE ECSTASY looks rather primitive to me. I mean I know Native Americans (usually half) were quite popular as heroes back then, but the cover doesn’t make me think of a grand passion, a romance. And I’m sure I know the guy on the cover of AMBER TREASURE. His hair reminds me of a guy I saw on Columbo. Not kidding. Also notice that Ms. Barbieri’s name is barely discernible on either cover. All in all, the covers do look dated don’t they? Wow these books were from almost 30 years ago.

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Two years later Kensington gave us Constance O’Banyon’s SAVAGE SPLENDOUR. As we see the Native American hero continues to be a strong sell in historical romances. This cover has a particular brushstroke that I find…interesting. I stared at this cover for a long time trying to figure out what was nagging at me about it, until I realized the proportions of the hero and heroine appear to be somewhat off. Her shoulders look too narrow and his arms look too short for his body. Suffice it enough to say this won’t make my top ten list.

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On the other hand, Betina Krahn’s HIDDEN FIRES, released in 1988, has a perfectly proportioned hero and heroine. This cover works for me. So what if it appears she’s wearing a negligee and that it doesn’t look all that ‘historical’. It’s a lovely clinch cover, very much the norm. But once again, I can not make out Ms. Krahn’s name. I think not only is it small but the font is not lending itself to easy reading.

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Now around 1990, Kensington added a hologram to their Zebra covers as you can see on Jo Goodman’s PASSION’S SWEET REVENGE. It was finding this cover that I realized I used to get these books, 4 (four) every month. At that point I was hooked on Bobbi Smith, Jo Goodman and Cassie Edwards. I read America West, Native American stories until I couldn’t read them anymore. Seriously.  But I really like this cover. It definitely has a more historical feel than HIDDEN FIRES. And I do remember thinking that the hologram was way cool.

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In the 199os, we see less skin, less embracing, and more flowers (for certain authors). On Elaine Barbieri’s MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD, Kensington has employed a beek-a-boo cover. The font is less ‘scripty’ than in prior years and please look at the position and scale of Ms. Barbieri’s name! I want to do a cheer. I’m so relieved I can now read it. I like this cover. It works for me. And while Jo Goodman’s 1994 book, FOREVER MY HEART and her 1999 release ALL MY HEART in no way indicated they were historical romances, I didn’t mind this more tame look. As we saw last week with some of the other authors as they rose in stature when their careers blossomed, their names became as big as or bigger than their titles and hero/heroine clinch was removed from the front covers of their novels.

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Having survived the turn of the millennium, the world safely moved into the 21^st century. In 2001 Hannah Howell’s CAPTIVE ECSTASY is on the book shelves. The heroine and hero are in a fairly provocative pose. It’s a western but it’s hard to tell. In 2004 we have Joyce Myrus’s LOVING JESSE. This reminds me of a traditional Regency cover, chaste and sweet. I haven’t seen one like this from Kensington up to this point. Four years later in 2008, Adrienne Basso’s HOW TO ENJOY A SCANDAL sees our hero and heroine hitting the sheets. Quite literally. Again, here I wouldn’t  peg this as a’ historical looking’ but all in all, it works if the objective was to show the readers they will be getting a sexy read.

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And now we’re here in 2009 and as a Kensington debut author, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit how many pins and needles I sat on while waiting for the unveiling of my cover. In 2008 there were many covers that looked like Alix Rickloff’s LOST IN YOU. There was nothing wrong with these types of covers, but I hoping for more clothes and a more historical feel to mine. Janice Rossi in Kensington’s art department made sure that not only was I NOT disappointed,  but that I was THRILLED with my cover for SINFUL SURRENDER. As you can see, I couldn’t have asked for a better looking couple. Seriously though, isn’t my hero (James) gorgeous! And my heroine (Missy) is beautiful too.

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So to celebrate the current ‘wow’ Kensington (Zebra) covers, I’m giving away a copy of Lori Brighton’s WILD HEART, Vanessa Kelly’s MASTERING THE MARQUESS and Tina Gabrielle’s LADY OF SCANDAL. Comment to enter to win!

So which is your favourite Kensington cover? Were you reading Kensington books when the half Native American heroes were all the rage?

Also, don’t forget to check out the 20 covers that are moving to the finals of The Season’s Best Historical Cover Contest.

The winners of Avon’s Through the Years Giveaway are…

Evangeline
Amber E.
Shannon

Congrats ladies! Please email me your full name, address and the books in order of preference at historicals at historicalromancereleases.com. First come, first choose.

As I write this post, believe me when I say, I have Kenny Roger’s Through The Years playing the in background. Sigh. I love that song  and it’s partly because it reminds me of the day I first picked up my first Johanna Lindsey book. Yep, she was my first foray into historical romance and thus introduced me to the world of Avon Books.

If Harlequin reigns supreme in the world of romance then Avon Books has to reign supreme over the historical romance genre. Avon and historical romance go together like chocolate chip cookies and milk. Like t-shirts and jeans. Like…well, you get my drift.

This week as I look back on how historical covers have changed, I’m taking us back through the years of covers with none other than Avon Books/Harper Collins. If you’re wondering why this post seems kind of lengthy, well that’s because it is. Most of my favourite historical authors of all time happen to have been with Avon at some time and it was impossible to cut them short.

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Since I started with Johanna Lindsey, I figured a pretty good place to start would be with the cover of her first release in 1977 Captive Bride. Here Avon is giving us a full scene. If the title didn’t tell us she was captive then the scene certainly attempts to depict a heroine being spirited away on horseback by a sheik in the desert. Note how big the title is compared to Johanna Lindsey’s name, which you almost have to squint to see. Hey she’s new. Her name means not so much right now. Of course, as we know, that will change. All in all, very nice for the time.

Next we have one of my all time favourites from Avon in 1980, Fires of Winter. To me, they hit this one out of the park. It’s such a gorgeous sensuous cover, the background color so warm and neutral with the splash of burgundy for the title and Johanna Lindsey‘s name. And the pose, love it! I think one reason it works so well for me is that you never see an overhead angle of a couple embracing. It just works and to this day I find it massively appealing. I think one thing we see right from the start is Avon knows how to do covers!

Now around 1985 Avon started doing something different with Ms. Lindsey’s covers. The hero and heroine’s features are angular, hawkish and sharply pointed. I must say I wasn’t pleased with this new look, this new turn. But do note how Johanna Lindsey’s name has grown in size. Her novels are selling like hotcakes, she’s making a name for herself as a historical romance force to be reckoned with. Hey, soon she’ll be headlining her own books.

At Avon in 1988, there’s a new author in town. I’m not quite sure when I got her on my radar, but get her on it I did.  Look closely at the cover and you can just make out her name. If you can’t read it, her name is Brenda Joyce. LOL. Don’t worry, her name will increase in size, just like Johanna Lindsey’s did. Now Brenda Joyce is writing about the North American West and you can see the difference. Avon gives their authors their own distinct look. Notice, as with most historical covers, even the current ones, how the heroine’s hair is always loose and flowing, very contrary to the way they would have worn their hair back then.  But, I won’t quibble about that as marketing has to contend with readers’ modern sensibilities. Heroines in hairstyles worn precisely the way women did back then would not be as attractive (they had a long love affair with tight curls).

By 1989, Avon has discovered Fabio and you will find him on the cover of every  historical romance novel set in every conceivable historical period. In Johanna Lindsey’s Savage Thunder (one of my FAVES!!!), he’s sporting long dark hair and is  half Native American. On the cover of Brenda Joyce’s 1992 Scandalous Love (one of my absolute FAVES of hers), Fabio is blond, still with the long locks, and is our hero, an English Duke. I don’t recall the hero wearing his hair that long though.  Needless to say, this love affair with Fabio, Avon, and romance covers goes on for awhile. Please note how much Ms. Joyce’s name has increased in size. I believe at this time, she’s a bonafide success.

Okay, now I’m going to have a little fun with the next two. Bear with, me I’m jumping publishing houses and several years (Keep in mind, my love for Harlequin spans decades and is unquestionable). First we have the cover of Brenda Joyce’s Secrets published by Avon in 1993. Her name is prominent and she no longer has the clinch cover. Yes, I believe now she’s that BIG. Readers will buy her books even if it featured a paper bag. *grin* That’s when you know you made it. Beside Secrets is her 2005 cover of Masquerade published by Harlequin/MIRA. Notice any similarities? Boy did I scratch my head about this once her twice imagining the scene with the marketing people and the art department. I think it kind of went like this:

“You want to put a mask on the cover?” art person asked.

“Yep,” says marketing person.

“Hmm, you do realize that Ms. Joyce had a mask on the cover of her book with Avon several years back?”

“Yeah, but our mask is gold with ribbons to tie it in place. And our cover will have the yellow band across the top that states she’s a New York Times Bestselling Author. It doesn’t look the same at all!”

So said, so done. Discussion over.

Okay, back on track and we’re in 1995 with a little known first time author by the name of Julia Quinn and her book Splendid. Notice the high placement of her name and how large it is. Oh yes, Avon has learned over the years that making their authors names too small does little to keep their names in readers’ memory. My doesn’t the hero look swarthy and tanned.

Five years later in 2000, Avon’s Julia Quinn is launching what is to become one of the bestselling historical romance series in romance history with the release of The Duke and I; The Bridgertons. Seven books would follow The Duke and I. We see in those 5 (five) years, Ms. Quinn’s covers have gone from the clinch to this–decorous, sweet, pretty. No one could take umbrage with this. This is the kind of cover that needn’t be hidden under a book cover or lowered when you’re reading in public (hey, that’s not me doing that, but it is our reality). It doesn’t necessarily say it’s historical but then Julia Quinn fans know and historical readers KNOW, which is what’s important. Julia Quinn is now an Avon force–a historical romance force–and her covers reflect that.

If you’re wondering why When He Was Wicked (2004) is featured when it appears I’m not going to necessarily talk about that cover per se? Because I sooooo loved this book!!!! And I could NOT not pimp it just a little. I don’t know what I expected when I read this book but it wasn’t this! It was darkier, sexier, more tension fraught than any of her other books and I LOVED IT! If you’re one of those readers who think Ms. Quinn’s books are just a little to light-hearted and tame for your tastes, do pick this one up. You will be delightfully surprised. Okay, I got that out. We move on.

Now for me, a pattern has developed with these covers. As I noted with Julia Quinn’s covers as an new unknown author to mega-star success, Johanna Lindsey and Lisa Kleypas gives credence to what I’m saying. Take a look at Ms. Kleypas’s cover from her first book with Avon Books, Then Came You and then her last book, Scandal in Spring. And by the time Johanna Lindsey departed Avon Books her covers had been quite sparse for a good while as we see from You Belong to Me. How were they satisfying the readers needful of a tasteful yet lusty hero and heroine clinch? As you may very well know, that picture was moved to the stepback.

What is a stepback? A stepback is essentially the inside cover (second cover). It usually features the hero and heroine clinch with a front cover less prone to draw a response of ‘Oh you read those” from someone not inclined to romance novel reading.  As far as I can see (which means I raided my extensive collection of Avon historicals), Avon started using stepback covers around 1989-1990.

However, I still could be wrong. I start digging, looking for consistent Avon New York Times top selling authors who still have the clinch front cover. What do I find? I find these lovely, elegant covers from Eloisa James, Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd. Not a man to be seen, not a clinch to be had. But all the covers are gorgeous and unique in the way Avon seems to fingerprint each of their authors.

Which brings up to present day Avon covers which are striking, elegant, beautiful and eye catching. Those qualities are the constancy between them as the covers vary from author to author, series to series, book to book. Some of my favourite covers this year and the upcoming year (so far) are Laura Lee Guhrke’s With Seduction In Mind, Lavinia Kent’s A Talent for Sin and her upcoming February 2010 release Bound By Temptation. I love the sensuality of the women’s expression. And on the cover of A Talent for Sin, I love the touch of the heroine holding an apple behind her back. So very classic Adam and Eve.

As you can see from Avon’s past, current and future covers, they continue to be trendsetters and innovators with their style, class, and creativity. They’ve taken us through the years with books by some of the best to write in the genre of historical romance and I imagine they will continue to do so for many, many years to come. Thank you Avon.

To celebrate Avon’s prolific history of gorgeous covers, I’m giving away Lorraine Heath’s Midnight Pleasures With A Scoundrel, Kathryn Caskie’s The Most Wicked Of Sins, and Kathryn Smith’s When Seducing A Duke, just comment to win.

What is your favourite Avon cover?

**And don’t forget to vote in The Season’s Cover Contest.  Sunday, November 15th is the final day to vote.

Today I’m back and talking covers again. And yes, it’s because I’m holding the Best Historical Romance Cover Contest over on the website . (Oh, and don’t forget to vote).  The contest got me thinking about the one thing that hits readers first. The cover.

Now, I initially set out to do a different kind of post. I was going to put up several beautiful eye catching covers and give my reasons why I think they work. But Katiebabs did a wonderful post on that earlier this week (check it out), so I thought I’d approach this from a different angle. I’ll go back, hmmm, oh, about 32 years  to the Mother of romance, Harlequin Books. So how have Harlequin Historical covers evolved, you ask? Take a look.

Starting from the left, we have a 1977 cover from Harlequin Historical. The first thing I noticed about the cover of THE RUNAWAYS was the man. Is it me or does he look…well, dare I say, old? But when I looked back on that time in Harlequin’s history, the hero was always much, much older than the heroine. I remember in the Presents line, no one blinked an eye at a 19 year-old heroine with a man twice her age. You don’t see that May/December kind of thing  in contemporary romances anymore.

Skipping ahead 10 years to 1987, you see that Harlequin has adopted a slightly different look with their covers. A decade didn’t change the way the hero always seems to be assisting the heroine as she goes into a swoon. Harlequin also appeared partial to the bottom image of the embracing couple (Note castle and ship) Our hero of BUCCANEER BRIDE is sporting a full beard and mustache. You don’t see that often. But then he is a buccaneer and probably has little time or desire to shave. And as mediums go, Harlequin seems to have moved away from something that looks more like water color paintings to sharper, more vivid oils.

In 1992, we see from THE BANDIT’S BRIDE, Harlequin’s preference is now a large top picture of the heroine, and below, the embracing couple (embracing means they love each other). And is it just me or does the cover even look historical? Her hair, their clothes? I’m only now realizing the initial reason I thought it looked dated was because I was thinking in terms of a contemporary. Yes 1992 was fifteen years ago but this should look a lot older then that by some, hmmm, 100 years.

In the year 2000, they gave us BY QUEEN’S GRACE and ONCE A HERO. The bird? Well, I have no words as I’m sure there is a logical reason that everyone gave a thumbs up on the bird. (No, not give them the bird!) And have you ever seen a more earnest boyscout–I mean cavalry soldier? I say he’s a true hero indeed.

In 2005, on the cover of Terri Brisbin’s THE KING’S MISTRESS, they moved to chopping off heads. What survived. Yep, that second lower image, and we’ve moved away from the embracing couple back to background scenery (remember the ship and castle from 77 and 87). That same year, Kate Bridges’ THE BACHELOR hit the shelves. I like this one. The hero is handsome, appears properly dark and brooding, and look at the lovely nature scene in the background, yes with the embracing cover (which, apparently they have not abandoned as I first thought). I’ve come to this conclusion, Harlequin loves nature scenes and the clinch. And who can blame them, right? I love ‘em too.

Now in 2009, starting with the November covers, Harlequin Historical has gotten a gorgeous update and upgrade. The covers are, simply put, beautiful, the colors deep and vibrant. Sophia James’ MISTLETOE MAGIC makes me feel all Christmasy (Yes, it’s a word. Look it up.) However shallow this will sound, I’d buy this book simply because the cover shouts, ‘The Holidays are Here!”  And Amanda McCabe’s THE WINTER QUEEN, on top of having a fantastic title, and even with the chopped off head, what an absolutely breathtaking period dress; the color just pops! Even the fonts and the backdrop for her name is perfection. I love, love, LOVE what Harlequin is now doing with their covers. I’m also loving the new gold and burgundy HH ribbon hanging so decorously in the top left-hand corner. *Sigh*  They definitely have come a long way…

So what do you think of the evolution of Harlequin Historical covers? Has anyone been reading them from their inception?

Two lucky commenters will receive either a copy of Amanda McCabe’s A WINTER QUEEN or Sophia James’ MISTLETOE MAGIC.

Next week I’ll be mapping the evolution of  a certain author’s covers, whose publishing homes span from Dell to Simon and Schuster.