My new book, Stay with Me, released this week, and so I reached out to the novel’s cover models to ask if they’d be willing to answer a few of my questions. They very graciously said yes! (Which made my day because my annual cover model interview post is one of my favorites of the year.)
This post will introduce you to Paul and Sami Weaver, but if you’re on Instagram and would like to keep up with their lives going forward, you’ll find them at: www.instagram.com/paulwheatthins and www.instagram.com/sami.stasia.
How did you meet?
We met at a photo-shoot, where I (Paul) was shooting and Sami was modeling. Following the shoot, Sami invited me to church.
I then started going to the same church, and after many coffee dates, we realized we both were crazy in love with Jesus Christ. We wanted to serve Him with our lives.
We talked about the great love and grace of our Heavenly Father.
No matter what we did together our conversations, actions, our passions, and dreams pointed back to Jesus. We began attending church together, and a few months later started officially dating. The rest is… well about to unfold!
Can you each tell me a little bit about yourself?
Paul:
I grew up in Maple Grove, MN with my two brothers and incredible parents. I am now a professional Photographer running my own local media company. I absolutely love traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Sami:
I grew up in Edina, MN with my two sisters, two brothers, and incredible parents. I am now a Content Producer working at Target.
How did you become the cover models for Stay with Me?
We were lucky enough to connect with the publisher who had an incredible vision for how to bring it to life.
When you think back to the day of the cover shoot, what memories stick out?
The shoot was extremely fun! It was a beautiful day out, so we were able to step outside of the studio and shoot as well.
What do you think of the finished cover?
We absolutely love it! The colors and finished product are so beautiful.
And now (just for fun) a quiz to see how similar you each are to the hero and heroine of Stay with Me….
Paul:
Are you half Australian? “Nope!”
Do you prefer clothes lines or clothes dryers? “Clothes Dryers”
Are you talented at either farming or cooking? “Nope!”
Do you eat super healthy? “Yes.” [Yay! THIS is like Sam.]
Have any women ever house-crashed a property that you owned? “Nope!”
Sami:
Do you love coffee or jellybeans? “Coffee.” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]
Have you ever considered a career as a Bible study author and speaker? “Nope!”
Have you ever experienced an earthquake? “Nope!”
Have you been to Georgia? “Yes.” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]
Are you a fan of hip hop music? “Yes” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]
Jennifer Parker, who designed Stay with Me’s cover, told me that Paul and Sami were fantastic and she views this cover shoot as one of the best they’ve ever had. That’s saying a lot because Bethany House organizes a large number of cover shoots each year. The success of the shoot is evidenced in these runner-up covers….
Congratulations to Rachel Popken, the winner of the below giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered!
Sincere thanks to Paul and Sami for making this post possible and for doing such an amazing job on the cover!
Baker Book House is currently offering print copies of Stay with Me for $11.19 (that’s 30% off the list price) + free shipping. To snag the deal, click here. It’s wonderful to support our brick-and-mortar bookstores during this time!
Readers, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the interview and the runner-up covers!
Becky Wade
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Usually when I look at “runner-up” covers it’s obvious why this or that one was not selected. But these are all gorgeous!As is the final one.
I agree! The final one is my favorite, but I think the first one I’ve shown here (where they’re looking at each other and we’re viewing their profiles) is especially wonderful, too. 🙂
Steamy! LOL That is my thought on that second runner up cover. WOWZA! These are all gorgeous! How did you ever choose?
You can definitely feel that the chemistry between this couple is real! Luckily, I didn’t have to choose. The team at Bethany House made the final selection.
Loved the interview. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the launch party.
I’ll see you there!
This makes me love your cover even more! Great behind the scene glimpse!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
I like the top one best, love his thumb by her ear! Tender!
I really like that one, too!!
What a beautiful couple, I loved hearing about their love story and how your gorgeous cover came to life, Becky!
I’m looking forward to your launch party next Tuesday, May 12th!
Thanks, Stacy!
You’re welcome, Becky!
Good gracious there’s not a bad one in the bunch! Everyone of them is beautiful and would’ve made a great cover. The interview was fun and interesting to hear about not only their relationship, but their relationship with God which makes everything better….right? Thanks for sharing and the opportunity to win some goodies.
I loved hearing about their relationship with God! It’s awesome to know that the couple on my cover are not only a real-life couple, but Christians, too. They were the perfect pair for Stay with Me’s cover!
Gracious me! I’m dying over the runner-up book covers! They’re all amazing!
I’m dying (and swooning) over them, too! 🙂
This is so interesting!Thank you for sharing. What a cute couple! I really don’t know how you chose from amongst these fabulous shots, but the cover turned out perfect!😁
The cover really did turn out perfectly! I feel so fortunate!
The cover of Stay With Me is indeed beautiful! It was fun to see the other photos as well and see the responses of the models. They did a great job! I’ve received my copy of the book and am eager to begin reading it!
Yay! I hope you enjoy Genevieve and Sam’s story, Suzanne. 🙂
I always love this post!!
I’m so glad the cover with the shot of her face was chosen, but the others are also gorgeous!!
The shot of her face is so engaging! She managed to convey so much through her expression.
All the covers look gorgeous! Cannot wait till the launch party.
Becky! Any of those covers would have been a winner, but wow. I do love the one that was selected.
I know! They had a wealth of great options. 🙂
These covers are gorgeous! I love knowing the story behind the cover models…somehow it makes the cover more meaningful for me.
For me, too!
I love the chosen cover. The fact that this is a true couple makes it even more special!
I agree!
Wow. Becky, these are gorgeous. So fun to see these behind the scenes aspects. I kinda love them all! ❤
I know! The runner-up covers are SO pretty!
Love the behind the scenes look at the runner-up covers. They’re all amazing! Congrats on your book launch!
Thank you! 🙂
It’s so cool that they’re a real life couple…so sweet! I love the colors of the final, and the dappled look, but some of those runners up are VERY close seconds!
Yes!I adore the fact that they’re a real life couple.
I love them ALL. They are such a cool couple! Loved their story.
Looking forward to reading this book!
I am looking forward to reading this book!
Becky, these covers are so swoony! I so enjoyed the interview. Their love for Christ and each other oozes from them!
I always love to see what goes into a cover shoot. All the pictures are beautiful, even the ones that were not used. Look forward to this new series!
The runner-up covers are gorgeous, too. I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them though one of them did seem to be a bit steamy. The runner-up covers will be on my mind as I read the book and imagine the characters of Sam and Genevieve. 😉
I totally loved Paul and Sami! They look the perfect couple! You can feel the love vibes! All the covers are beautiful! But I think you made the right choice with Sami looking up front!
Thanks for the interview! It’s so interesting to get to know the cover models! Love your books Becky!! And I know this one is going to be fabulous!
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