The Creation of a Cover & Cover Reveal

The Creation of a Cover & Cover Reveal

I’m excited to reveal to you today the cover of We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Novella Collection. You’ll find the blurb and fun cover process below, but I wanted to let you know that Baker Book House has it (and all my books) for 20% off right now, so it’s a great time to order/preorder books.

Creating a Cover

The process of creating a cover rarely involves me beyond the initial form I fill out to my publisher of critical information about the story that might work its way onto the cover. Generally, other than seeing the final product and saying I like it, that’s about as involved with the process as I get. However, with the We Three Kings Romance Christmas Collection, the experience was very different.

The Draft

Cara Putman and Angela Ruth Strong are my co-authors in this collection, and all three of us were sent the cover asking for input on how it might be tweaked. Really the only element from our story on the cover other than the snow indicating winter/Christmas was the ornament of the three kings. The ornament is one that my characters buy at the end of the story, and it reappears in various forms in the other two stories. You can see the original cover they sent us below:

It wasn’t a bad cover, we just were afraid it wasn’t compelling enough for readers to pick up. Especially when compared with the previous novella collections in the series: Joy to the World and O’ Little Town.

These covers were stunning, in my opinion, and I felt like our cover didn’t match the “feel” of these other two. After tossing some ideas around with Cara and Angela, I decided I wanted to play in Canva, an image creation program. I’m a pretty tactile person, and this was how I process anything that requires a visual image. After talking with a friend who is a cover designer, one of the things I realized that was missing was that “aisle”  or framing feeling. The columns in Joy to the World draw your eyes to the house and up to the title. In O Little Town, you have the lamp posts creating that same sort of effect.

Playing Around

Using Cara and Angela’s suggestions, I brought in more trees to create the framing feeling. But in our conversation, we also brought up the fact that each of our stories has to do with some form of light. My story is “Star of Wonder,” Cara’s is “Beauty Bright,” and Angela’s is “Perfect Light.” And considering our stories connect to the three Weise (wise) men, the cover would probably benefit from having a star. I’m getting pretty savvy at using Canva with layering, and so after lots of playing with removing backgrounds and editing various features, this is the mock-up I came up with:

Making the layers match in coloring is something I’m still learning, and since this was just me playing around, I didn’t bother with even trying. I sent the mock-up to Angela and Cara but did not intend to send it to Kregel. I responded with some verbal tweaking ideas that we’d discussed, but I didn’t mention I’d created a mock-up or anything. Design is not something I have a lot of confidence in, and besides, it was more or less just playing for my own sake so I could communicate some suggestions without overstepping.

However, Angela added my mock-up to her email when she sent in her recommendations. I am so thankful for her boldness in doing that. It gave a much-needed encouragement boost, and Kregel’s response was equally encouraging. And I think you might understand why when you look at the two options they sent to us afterward:

Option 1:

While that was better than the first one, we unanimously agreed that the second option was the favorite. And now, I get to reveal the FINAL cover of We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection.

 

Cover Reveal – the FINAL Cover

 

Didn’t they do a phenomenal job? AND LOOK!!! They took my playing-around mock-up and turned it into something beautiful!!!! I’ve always loved my covers from Kregel, but this one will always have a special place in my heart (and on my Christmas tree). God is so good to bless me with that sort of encouragement, and I am so grateful that He used Angela to place it into Kregel’s hands. Now we just have to wait for it to release in September. Want to know more about each of our stories? Here is the blurb and preorder links!


We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection

In this Christmas collection, Weise men still seek Jesus–and love

Best-selling romance authors Caudill, Putman, and Strong follow three generations of the Weise family in this third collection of Christmas novellas from Kregel that will prove just as popular as the previous award-winning volumes.

“Star of Wonder” by Crystal Caudill
The Christmas-themed maiden voyage of his family’s grand steamer ship was supposed to be Aldrich Weise’s chance both to instill investor confidence and to romance Celestia Isaacs. Instead, he must foil a criminal and leave his lady love behind forever.

“Beauty Bright” by Cara Putman
Lieutenant Charles Weise served as a Monuments Man after World War II and now works to restore stolen art to rightful owners. Captain Lillian Thorsen pairs up with him not only to return treasures but also to fix the war-torn lives around them.

“Perfect Light” by Angela Ruth Strong
Essential oils mogul Brendon Wise is drawn to Lacey Foster, the event planner for his huge Christmas lights festival. But when he inadvertently makes a spectacle of her on television, Lacey wants nothing to do with him. Will a chance to give gifts to those in need at Christmas be the key to discovering common ground–and maybe love?

 

Preorder Links:  Amazon  |  Baker Book House  |  Barnes and Noble  |   Books-A-Million


What do you think of the cover and the process?

Meet Gemma Bennett from Husband Auditions and Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong

Meet Gemma Bennett from Husband Auditions and Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong

I love doing character interviews, especially with characters who I’ve had the pleasure of reading about. Gemma Bennett is a hoot. I had the pleasure of meeting Gemma as a side character in The Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong and again during Angela’s novella “Perfect Light” ( from the We Three Kings Collection coming out in September). She was fun, exciting, and totally deserving of her own story . . . which she FINALLY gets in the upcoming novel Hero Debut, releasing on August 29th. So in preparation for all that, it is my joy to introduce you to Gemma and her story.

The Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong

“Once again, Angela Ruth Strong combines comedic moments with gospel truth, delivering another page-turner.” — Toni Shiloh, Christy Award–winning author of In Search of a Prince

Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen’s Police Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, “The Dangers of Dating a Detective.” And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, that’s a bonus.

Karson already has his fair share of problems before Gemma shows up, and he’s not exactly a fan of the ditzy blonde who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs is a damsel in distress to rescue; there are plenty of people in real need of his help. The fact that she seems to think his job makes him a superhero is just one more strike against her. This isn’t a movie, and he feels like the furthest thing from a leading man.

Gemma can’t seem to stop doing the worst, most embarrassing things at just the wrong time. The harder she works to make things right, the worse things get for her perfect screenplay and her perfect romance. Can she step out of her own way to find the hero her story needs? Or will real life foil a happy ending?

Hero Debut will delight readers looking for hilarity, heart, and happily-ever-afters with a foundation of faith and a reminder that, no matter what our relationship status, Jesus is the real hero of our lives.

Purchase Links: While you can’t preorder Hero Debut YET, you can check out Gemma’s first appearance (including a scene where she practiced trying to escape being tied up) in the Husband Auditions.

Amazon  |  Baker Book House  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  Christianbook

Now for our interview with Gemma.

CC: I’m so glad to have you here, Gemma. Would you introduce yourself to my readers?

GB: I’d describe myself as a screenplay writer even though I haven’t sold a script yet. To pay bills, I teach high school English, which thankfully allows me to focus on my writing in the summers.

Sometimes when I meet directors to pitch my stories, they are more interested in putting me in front of the camera because I’m tall and blonde. Hence, I do a little acting in hopes that it’ll get my foot in the studio door, but usually the real playwrights get annoyed by my suggestions and kill off my character. It’s tragic.

This summer, I’m not acting though. I’m going to attend a citizen’s police academy as research for my next project. Oh, and also because the police officer teaching it is my personal hero.

See, I had my roommates wrap me in duct tape so I could try breaking free in order to improve a scene I was working on when a neighbor called the police. Karson Zellner busted into our townhome to rescue me. He wasn’t thrilled to find out I’d been perfectly safe the whole time, but his grumpiness just made him even cuter.

In the “biz,” I get so many men who want something from me that it was refreshing to meet a man who only wanted to help. Unfortunately, he isn’t a fan of filmmaking and ignores all my attempts at connection, but I’m undeterred. I’ll simply take my roommates to his training class as my wingmen.

We’ll be racing cop cars, watching the K-9 Unit train, and practicing self-defense. I’ll be taking lots of notes, particularly on the cornflower blue shade of Lieutenant Zellner’s eyes. He can’t arrest me for that, can he?

CC: Oh my goodness, Gemma. I’m cracking up. And doing a citizen’s police academy sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to read how your experience goes! You’ve hinted at a little, but given you’re getting ready to be the heroine of your own novel, how do you think others view you? Do you feel this is an accurate representation?

GB: Others seem to think of me as a dumb blonde. Like the directors who don’t want to listen to my ideas and my successful sister who I’m always being compared to. Yeah, I can be a little flighty, but that’s because I’m too busy thinking all kinds of deep thoughts to focus on reality.

CC: Oh, do I feel you on that one! Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself, but half our time is spent working through real, albeit fictional, problems that need our full attention. What is your biggest struggle?

GB: I want to prove myself so my sister doesn’t look down on me anymore. I want to be equals again rather than rivals. If I can sell a screenplay, she’ll have to take me seriously.

CC: Hugs. That is so hard when our family doesn’t value what we do and uses it as an opportunity to look down on us. Who is your least favorite person to deal with in this story? 

GB: My twin sister, Jewel. Did you know she rigged homecoming court to steal the crown from me and become queen in high school? She was also accepted into the good college. Plus she got married and has children. My niece and nephew are the best, and I may be a little jealous.

CC: Oh man! On top of everything, she’s your TWIN sister? My deepest sympathies. I can’t even imagine. Let’s think on a happier note. Who is your favorite person to deal with in Hero Debut?

GB: My roommates share my dreams of movie-making and appreciate my writing skills, so it’s fun to work together on projects like the upcoming 48-hour film competition. They are also joining me at Safety Academy to support my interest in Karson. Charlie is his not-so-subtle self where matchmaking is involved, and Kai still has a grudge against the law enforcement officer for pulling a gun on him when “rescuing” me, but they do their best.

CC: LOL. I’m so glad that we’ll get to see Kai again. It was awesome to watch him grow so much in Husband Auditions. So now lets get to the juicy part of a rom-com. Tell me about Karson, your love interest?

GB: Intense. He crosses his arms and grunts a lot. For some reason he doesn’t want others to know how much he cares, but I can tell that’s why he took this job with the police department. And he’s a good teacher, which I know isn’t easy.

CC: Grumpy heroes are so much fun. I actually think they might be some of my favorites. I cannot WAIT until Hero Debut releases and I get to see all the trouble you cause him. It’s going to be fun!

Readers, don’t miss your chance to see meet Gemma and read the scene where Gemma first met Karson in Husband Auditions. I’ve put the blurbe below Angela’s bio. 🙂 You don’t want to miss it, and you can read my review of Husband Auditions here. 

DSC_1309.JPGAbout Angela Ruth Strong:

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been a finalist for the Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon best-sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky filmed as a movie in Montana and aired on UPtv in 2022. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and blogs regularly for My Book Therapy..

Connect with Angela: Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Tik Tok  |  GoodReads

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.


Readers, how do you feel about grumpy heroes? Yay or nay? 

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

Husband Auditions

by Angela Ruth Strong

So this is one of the super rare times that I’m going to share a contemporary romance review. As many know, this season has been a rough caregiving season, and during the first few very intense days of post-surgery caregiving I found myself needing something different. I’d seen people all over talking about this romantic comedy called Husband Auditions and it just seems like exactly what I needed to get a light-hearted laugh and entertainment.

Husband Auditions delivered. There were scenes I straight up laughed out loud over. Like when Gemma asked Meri to duck tape her to a chair . . . I don’t want to spoil the fun, but it was perfect and hilarious, and something my suspense writer friends and I would totally do. However, the book wasn’t just something you laugh your way through, finish, and then set aside to forget about. This story dealt with Meri who had built marriage up as an idol in her life and Kai who struggled with laziness after so many failures in his life. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a more realistic portrayal of the struggle or a healthier resolution to a love story. It is a story I would really encourage all my unmarried friends especially to read. Not only will you get a laugh, but you’ll also get a really healthy perspective of marriage before you say “I do.”


Genre: Contemporary Romance, Portland, OR

Plot Overview:

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

What I loved: The healthy, Biblical resolution of their relationship and personal growth at the end. I really hope I get to read a novella or something with them again.

Favorite Character and Why:  Gemma was a hoot. I really loved her odd and quirky ways, and the duck tape scene? That was pure hilarity. 

Who would like this? Anyone looking for a fun, quirky read that also has truth to chew on. 

Rating and Why: Five stars. While not my usual read, it was funny, quirky, and I was completely blown away by the end. It has stayed with me and left me chewing on what I took away from it since I read it. I’d share what I took away from it, but I don’t want to ruin the end. 😉

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon     Baker Book House     Barnes and Noble     Books-A-Million     Book Depository     Bookshop.org     Christianbook

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