Graphic designed by Rebecca Lynn (one of my awesome influencers!)
I’m thrilled to announce the release of NEVER FORGET, the 5th and final book in my Beacons of Hope lighthouse series! It’s a standalone novel set at Rose Island Lighthouse in Rhode Island inspired by Ida Lewis, a woman light keeper who worked at a lighthouse near Newport and was known for her bravery and for saving many lives.
There is something very special about the cover of NEVER FORGET. Take a look and see if you can guess what it is?!
If you guessed that my daughter is the cover model, then you are correct!
Almost all of my book covers have cover models hired by my publisher. The cover design team goes out with the model, has a photo shoot, takes dozens of pictures, and then returns to the office and narrows down which pictures they like the best before developing the cover.
With NEVER FORGET, we decided to do the same thing. My twin daughters were scheduled to have their senior pictures taken at a state park on Lake Huron. So I asked their photographer, Sarah Davis Photography, if we could take some time afterward to get pictures for the book cover. After all, my daughters are about the same age as the heroine in the book and are just as pretty (I think!).
Here are just a few of the pictures Sarah took of my daughters. Isn’t she talented!?
After getting lots of beautiful senior pictures, we rigged up a makeshift changing station on the beach, and my daughters donned the costumes that I borrowed from a family friend who thankfully happened to have an array of homemade old-fashioned clothing.
With the perfect evening light, golden sand, and the waves lapping gently in the background, the scene was set. We even happened to find life ring to use as a prop!
Sarah took dozens of pictures of both girls in their costumes. Here are just a few:
By the time darkness fell, we were well satisfied that we would have plenty of choices we could pass along to the cover designer. And we were right! I later met with Sarah, and we narrowed down the best pictures. From among those, this one made the final cut! (It was a tough choice since there were so many good pictures!)
To celebrate the release of NEVER FORGET, I’m giving away a copy of the book here on the blog today! Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter!
NEVER FORGET has been one of the most memorable covers ever, one that I’ll cherish forever! What about you? What makes a cover especially memorable to you?
Jody Hedlund
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I think the character’s expression makes a memorable cover.
I like the cover to give me a picture of the main character’s face, so I can have it in mind when I read the book! I also think the colors and backdrop make the cover memorable. So excited to read this!
I love it! How very special for you all.
The colors of the cover. And the background. It shows me immediately if the book will be bright and cheery or dark and mysterious. I
Hi Jody, that’s so fun to see that your daughter was the cover model for you new book! I have twin daughters too. I’ll be sharing the cover on Pinterest and Twitter. Blessings to you!
What a greatgreat cover, and certainly one you and your daughter will never forget. I always notice the eyes of a person on a cover. Sometimes the eyes say it all!
That iy depicts what the story will be about.
This book will always be so special to both you and your daughters. Truly a lovely cover!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Memorable covers for me are always the ones where the model is either a part of the author’s family or (if it’s a romance), the cover models are married. I always think that’s so cool! Thanks for sharing about your daughters- that is so neat!
What a neat idea.Your daughters are so pretty.This is an extra special book cover.I have read most of your books and really enjoy them.
How fun, Jody! I remember Dee Gist having her daughter on one of her covers. That is so special. A cover to be cherished for sure! Congratulations!
That is so special to have your daughter on your book cover! Congratulations! And I cannot wait to read Never Forget.
I love this!!! How cool to have your daughter on the cover. She is beautiful:)
I think the background location is what makes a cover beautiful and memorable. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.
Beautiful cover, made even more beautiful by having your own daughter’s picture on it!I always admire the cover of a book, and look to see how it ties in with the story. Color and artistic expression are what I appreciate in a cover.
I’m a visual person, so I love cover art. I’m drawn to elegant pictures, ones that aren’t cartoony or fake. I also love water scenes or cozy winter pictures. Any scene that I can imagine myself in is a big draw.
Your daughters are both so lovely! And the cover is beautiful!
I have bought many books based on the cover. Since the majority of my reading is historical fiction, I am attracted by scenes that represent the time period.
Looking forward to the book.
I love covers that are beautiful in some way. Your daughters fit the bill! 🙂
I think a cover is memorable if the person portrayed matches the description in the book.
I like covers to show the heroes/heroines with possibly something in the background that relates to the story. One of my biggest pet peeves is when the models on the cover don’t match the description given of them in the book. I realize the author sometimes has no control over what picture the publishing house uses, but you would think they would try and ensure the cover model(s) would at least resemble the actually character(s).
Venting aside….these are great pictures of your daughters. You’re right…they are beautiful!
I do enjoy a cover with a story behind it, like how Becky Wade’s have tended to have real-life couples. I realize it doesn’t affect the story, but it’s still fun to know!
If the picture has the impression that the title matches the cover it’s a lot easier to remember.
Such a special cover! It’s always fun to hear about the cover making process. Thanks so much for sharing, Jody!
Fantastic! How special to have your daughter as the cover model! Beautiful photos! Congratulations!
I usually look for facial expressions and background color a first.
How special and fun to have your daughters be a part of the process of making the cover!!
They are so lovely!
How exciting for you to have your daughter on the cover. It (and her) is beautiful. What I like in a cover is one that matches the description in the book whether it is a person or scenery. That way I know what the author had in mind when writing it.
Your daughter is beautiful and makes the cover even more special. I know you must be so proud of her. Definitely a keeper book – beautiful cover & beautiful model. I’m a grandmother & I’m sitting here with the biggest smile on my face on what a special moment for both of you.
Jody I am so excited to read this next book! How wonderful that you got to use your daughter as one of the models on the front! It is such a beautiful picture and they are beautiful girls! Will you put it on Audible soon? My sister can’t see well anymore, but she loves to listen.
Thank you, Mary! Yes, it’s scheduled to go up onto Audible in February! Hope your sister will enjoy it! 🙂
The person on the covers.
Love your cover! Colors capture my attention. But the simpler the better, too much activity distracts.
Beautiful daughters and beautiful cover! How special for all of you! Congratulations!
Is it redundant to say the meaning? lol.
The colors and the expressions on faces get me every time! How wonderful to have your daughter on the cover… they are beautiful!
I love this background story! I think a good cover is when it relates to the story and has lots of color and beauty.
I want the cover to match the character description in the text. I have read so many books where it is obvious that the cover designer had no idea of the character description.
A cover stands out to me when the background is striking. Also, when I read the book I like to go back to the cover and look at the picture to get an image in my mind of character.
How Awesome!
Beautiful cover and what a treasure to have your daughter on the book cover they both are beautiful as is their mother I love all your books and loved this series about the lighthouses
That is so special having one of your girls on the cover. I wonder how she feels walking past it in a bookstore and seeing her face.
I like when covers feel inviting to make me want to read the book. Before I knew it was your daughter I saw the cover and said what a great cover. She is very pretty. It makes it even more special to know the story behind it.
I think the way the characters expression loooks make the cover memorable because then you carry that look in your mind throughout the book. It defines how we as readers portray the character.
When I showed my twin sister this..we both thought it was wonderful.
What a special book cover this will be for you and your family. Looking forward to reading your new book.
I read quite a bit of historical fiction. For me, the cover is most memorable if it seems to accurately depict the era the book is set in.
No idea what makes a good book cover…it just has to speak to me.
I don’t really know! But this one certainly grabbed my attention!
I love the background and that she is holding a life perserver (sp) I also like that she looks so innocent.
I love a book cover that makes me wonder… a whistful expression of the character’s face or a building or item that I end up wanting to know more about. Your daughters are lovely- I’m sure they had a blast on the photo shoot!!
That’s awesome!
Beautiful cover. I want a book cover that draws me in.
The book cover is what attracts me to a book ..and I guess the cover somehow ` Speaks’ to me drawing me to that book.
You have beautiful twins.Thanks for having this giveaway.
I love seeing the different lighthouses on the cover. And you have a great memory to go with it.
How fun and amazing for your daughter to be on the cover of your book! I’m currently reading book 2 in the series and loving it (which is nothing new from you 😉).
Your cover is beautiful and so are your daughters! It makes you want to read the book. I love a cover that has a visual of both characters who are attractive in character settings that make you want to go there
I think what makes a cover memorable to me are the expressions of the characters. They say it all. Thank you for the giveaway!
Memorable covers includes an important part of the story including facial expressions and scenery.
That’s SOOOO amazing your daughter is the cover model, beautifully done and makes the cover that much more special!! Thanks for sharing that with us and love the photos you included, how fun 🙂 A cover is special to me because it gives a glimpse into the story I’m about to spend time with and I love the creativity that goes into designing them. I especially love purple covers, but mostly it’s what catches my attention. Thanks for the giveaway and congrats to your daughter for being the cover model 🙂
I would think having your daughters grace the cover of your book would be very special indeed. Beautiful daughters and beautiful book cover. I’m not sure what makes a book cover special to me, but I definitely judge my books by the cover. I like them dreamy and beautiful.
That’s so cool!! I bet your daughters loved it! I think what makes a cover memorable to me, is when the cover goes along with the book. Sometimes the heroine in the book will have black hair, but in the cover she was red, or some such other thing. I just love it when a cover goes along with the story.
I definitely like people on the cover and think the cover needs to give an idea of the setting of the story. Covers that are a solid color with just writing and nothing else don’t attract me at all. The exception is if the book is written by an author whose books I automatically read. Then I will read the book no matter how the cover looks.
Your daughters had fun, I am certain, dressing up and posing for the cover. Was the cover model on Forever Safe someone you know or was the image from a stock photo agency?
Your daughters are beautiful! I love the back ground for the historical photos because I am a Michigan native and love the Great Lakes history. Thanks for writing these books.
I have to admit that a cover photo really gives me the mental image for the heroine in a book. I really hate it when covers don’t accurately represent the heroine’s description. How special to have your daughter on the cover!
That’s so cool! I didn’t know that was your daughter on the cover. I loved the book!
I think covers are memorable when the cover draws you into the story. I love seeing different locations and characters that want you to dive in and keep reading until the end. Also I like bright and bold colors on the cover.
That is so cool! I’ve always thought it would be cool to be on the cover of one of my favorite author’s books. I really like covers that have the characters, I’m always going back to look at the characters on the cover, as I read about them.
A lot of things make a cover memorable for me–colorful, easy to read title and author name, the dress and hairstyles and whole picture fitting with the time period of the book.
That is so amazing!
Beautiful cover, Jody. Your daughters look like sweet girls. The cover makes me want to read the book to find out what mysterious and wonderful things happen to this character. Love your books.
What a special cover! Memories for both of you not to mention it’s heartwarming to think that your daughter will always be connected to your books in more ways than just being an encourager to mom 🙂 <3
The cover that almost tells the story of the book by just looking at it. That is one of the first things that makes me pick up a book. I love a pretty cover and you have one here. It’s unique to have your daughter on this book. She looks like a model to me. A lovely cover.
WOW – what a tough decision: which picture and twin to use for the cover, both daughters are beautiful and all the pictures are wonderful!! I love beautiful covers – the color contrasts and model expressions are what draw me in.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this beautiful book, Jody!! I shared your post on Facebook.
That is so special!
On a cover I look at the authors name first… not the cover model or background.
What a fun story! And such a beautiful cover. I love that your daughters were able to pose for it. I usually am drawn to the colors and the picture, but I also check the author and title.
I love the scenery in the covers of books…that begin with Michael Phillips books of Scotland. 🙂 This particular cover I love as well because I think it’s awesome that your daughter is on the front! My daughter said she looks just like you….have to agree. It’s a lovely cover.
Showing hope!
I have read all of the previous stories in this series; would love to read this one!! Thank you for your stories. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
P.S. Your girls could star in the movie series of your books!!!
Color draws me in, even if the subject matter doesn’t appeal to me.
Oh my word! Your daughters are so beautiful! I can’t get over it! So cool! I just started this series, and am enjoying it so far! Thanks for the opportunity to win! I think being a cover model for Christian fiction books would be the coolest thing! 😊😉
A nice quiet scene draws my attention to the book.
I think that is wonderful that you were able to use your daughter as the cover model, The cover is so Beautiful!!!
I think a beautiful scene with the heroine or hero ( maybe both) on the cover is something that catches my attention. Especially the expression on there face. (for example, if they have a mischievous grin you know the book will be funny)
Oh, I agree! That’s always an attention grabber for me! 😁😁
I love covers that look like a work of art … something I’d love to hang on my wall.
It’s a beautiful cover and yes, I correctly guessed it was your daughter. She looks like you.
Great cover!
I like colorful covers!
This is a great cover. How fun for your daughter! Women are often featured on Christian fiction and I do appreciate a lovely dress. However, the covers that are more memorable for me are ones like your book The Noble Groom, that featured Carl, or Mary Connealy’s Rafe Kincaid on Out of Control.
What a priceless treasure to have your daughter on the cover! Your girls are gorgeous!
I am drawn to striking and sigh worthy covers.
Knowing it’s your daughter makes it very special!
It would be hard to choose a cover because all these pictures look great to me. I like the final choice. Thanks for the giveaway. Would love to win.
It is the expression of the model, their outfit color, and the background setting that makes the cover rememberable.
I like a cover that goes with the title. This one makes me want to read it.
Lovely cover! The heroine looks a bit like the author. Very pretty.
What a great stry and memory
I think the costume and setting as well as the age and expression of the model set the tone for me. I’m a history buff, so just seeing those things draws me into the book.
I thought the cover was eye catching, but when I read that your daughter was the cover model…that is what makes it memorable to me.
I love your new cover. I’m not sure what I would consider a “memorable cover.” I definitely judge a book by its cover, but there aren’t really any covers that come to mind that I say, “I chose this book because of the cover, for this reason….” I do like seeing the heroine on the cover, especially if it is an historical novel. (I just love those old dresses!)
How special for you. The cover is beautiful! I think good covers convey the theme of the book in that one picture.
Thanks for sharing the story behind the cover.
Good covers can convey the story with one look.
What a special opportunity for both you and your daughter! It is a wonderful cover and will make the book even more precious to you and your family. I think one of the things that makes a cover memorable for me is how it ties into the book and gives you a visual either of the characters or setting or both. I usually form my own visuals as I read, but it often helps to have something to start with.