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Cover Reveal

July 6, 2023 By Karen Witemeyer

My Texas Ever After series has been officially launched, and I’ve been so pleased by the reception Fairest of Heart has been receiving! Readers are loving the Snow White retelling with Titus and Penelope, but one of the biggest selling points of this book has been it’s fabulous cover.

The art department at Bethany House really outdid themselves by capturing the 19th century western setting while still paying homage to Snow White with the recognizable colors in her clothing and the touch of fairy tale magic with the butterflies. If I had to pick a favorite among all my book covers, this one would rank in the top 2 or 3.

The only problem with an amazing cover is that it raises the bar really high for whatever design follows it. Book 2 in the series will be a Cinder-fella story opening with the cattleman’s ball where a boot is left behind by a mysterious stranger. Woody from Toy Story gets credit for inspiring the title of If the Boot Fits.

Before I reveal the cover, I thought I’d share the inspiration photos that I sent to my publisher.

Asher Ellis is a play on “Cinder-ella” with ashes and cinders being synonymous. Samantha is the daughter of Cattle King Eli Dearing, so Princess Dearing fills the role of Prince Charming in this gender swap.

Here are some of the outfits I imaged her wearing during the course of the story.

Every Disney Cinderella fan knows there has to be a Bruno to help save the day. And, of course, we need an identifiable boot to be left behind at the ball.

So, after handing all of this over to my design team as well as giving them some ideas for possible cover portrayals, I’m excited to reveal the new cover art . . .

I think it’s another great design! It has the Cinderella feel with the blue ball gown, the large ranch house and pond (that play significant roles in the book’s opening), and a perfect replica of Asher’s boot just waiting to be found.

What do you think?

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Filed Under: Books Tagged With: Cover Reveal, If the Boot Fits, Texas Ever After

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Comments

  1. Deborah Raney says

    July 6, 2023 at 4:11 am

    This is SUCH a clever idea for a series, Karen. I love the new cover! And I can’t wait to see your future covers.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 7:57 am

      Thanks, Deb! This has been a really fun series to write, too. I’ve been so pleased with the covers so far. They’ve really done outstanding work!

  2. Caryl Kane says

    July 6, 2023 at 7:57 am

    Gorgeous cover, Karen! I’m looking forward to reading this series.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 8:38 am

      Thanks, Caryl. 🙂

  3. Melissa Joy Romine says

    July 6, 2023 at 7:59 am

    I love this!!
    I love the font and flowers and house in the background that links this story to the first one, but the blue ball gown is a must for Cinderella!! Well done!

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 8:39 am

      Thanks, Melissa. Yes, the blue ball gown was a must. Far too iconic not to use, even if the heroine is playing the role of the prince instead of Cinderella. 🙂

  4. Tina M says

    July 6, 2023 at 8:01 am

    Where do you find the photos that inspire your characters? Do you pick photos for all of your characters or just the main ones?

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 8:41 am

      Hi, Tina. Great question. I usually only look for photos of my main characters. In truth, my characters live in my mind without the photos, but I’ve learned that having photos makes it easier for my publisher to read my mind. 🙂 I usually ask my Posse (my FB reader group) to help me pick photos based on a generic description I provide, then I narrow them down based on the ones that best fit my mental image. It’s fun to get help from readers!

  5. Robin Lee Hatcher says

    July 6, 2023 at 8:03 am

    Love!!! Although you’re so right about how hard it is for the next cover living up to the first when one cover design totally knocks it out of the park. (Is that a bad sentence or what? But you know what I mean.)

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 8:43 am

      Yes. I get the same feeling about the books themselves, too. If one gets great reviews, I always worry that the next book won’t be nearly as good. Sigh. The roller coaster of the writer’s emotional life.

  6. Amy B. says

    July 6, 2023 at 8:29 am

    Both covers are lovely! I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but having a great cover does naturally make you more likely to pick up. This sounds like such a fun series! 😀

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 8:45 am

      They do say that, Amy, but I think it’s impossible not to be influenced by a cover. It’s your introduction to a book and it naturally creates the first impression of what lies within the pages. Besides, all those great designers and marketing folks would be out of a job if everyone stopped judging books by their covers. Ha!

  7. Lori Smanski says

    July 6, 2023 at 9:43 am

    oh but these are both lovely covers. I love the boot in it

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 9:47 am

      Thank you, Lori! Yes, that boot detail makes all the difference. 🙂

  8. Rebecca Trump says

    July 6, 2023 at 11:29 am

    Oh my word, I love this cover!! And I love this series. For all of us girls who grew up loving all the princess movies, let me thank you, Karen, for this very unique, yet wonderful take on those precious stories. And bringing God into all of them makes it even better.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 12:10 pm

      I am one of those girls, too, Rebecca. 🙂 I remember sitting in my room with my plastic Fisher-Price record player, listening to the stories and songs as I followed along in my storybook. Those fairy tales shaped my reading tastes and my romantic/optimistic outlook on life. It’s been a joy to reimagine some of those beloved stories and give them a cowboy twist.

  9. Lori Cole says

    July 6, 2023 at 11:53 am

    Wow, Karen, it’s beautiful!! I LOVE the color of her dress! It’s a perfect cover to follow Fairest of Heart, as they pair together nicely. I like this one even better, I think because I love the color of her dress so much. 😉
    Congrats on the completion of another book! I’ve already preordered & can’t wait to read If the Boot Fits!!!
    If you’re ever doing a book show/signing/conference fairly close to Neosho, Missouri, I’d love to meet you one day. God bless you & thanks for writing!

    PS… Your last two books have come out right on or near my birthday, June 7, so they’ve been “Happy Birthday to me!” This one comes out close to our wedding anniversary, March 16, so I’m counting it as “Happy Anniversary to me!” 😀

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 12:14 pm

      How perfect that we can find another personal occasion to celebrate with my book release, Lori! 🙂 I’m thrilled that you love this cover so much, and I’d love to see you in person someday. I did a group signing in Branson, MO years ago, at their library. It was a lovely time. I fell in love with the Sight & Sound theatre while we were there and would love to go again someday.

      • Lori Cole says

        July 11, 2023 at 12:21 pm

        I hope you do get to go to S&S Theatre again one day. We live only two hours from Branson, but hadn’t been to a live S&S show until our 27th anniversary trip in March of this year. We’d seen several on DVD or when they livestreamed a show around Easter a couple of times, but seeing it in person was spectacular!!! They are showing Queen Esther this year (one of my favs) & it was phenominal!!! You can’t really fathom the size of the stage & the grandness of the production until you see it live. If you’ve not seen Queen Esther, I’d definitely recommend it. You won’t be disappointed!

        And maybe I’ll just happen to run into you while you’re in Branson… 😉

  10. Jennifer G. says

    July 6, 2023 at 1:28 pm

    Gorgelus cover for Fairest.of Heart and loved reading Titus and Penelope’s story. The cover for If The Boot Fits looks just as gorgeous and I can’t wait to read Asher and Sam’s story. All of your books have been about to read and I’m sure this one will be no different.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer! I’m so glad you enjoyed Fairest of Heart so well. I look forward to introducing you to Asher and Samantha as well. 🙂

  11. Çonnie Saunders says

    July 6, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    I adored the Fairest of Heart cover and Bethany has done it again! I want, no, I need to read If the Boot Fits, as soon as I can!!

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 2:49 pm

      Love that enthusiasm, Connie! Book 2 is coming in March, so at least you don’t have to wait a full year like usual with my releases. 🙂

  12. Elisa says

    July 6, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    Wow, lovely cover! I like the reversal of roles for the 2nd installment in the series.
    If it happens that Titus and Penelope have a cameo in the new novel, it’ll be good to see them stopping by. I enjoyed “Fairest of Heart” from the library.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 2:50 pm

      So glad you enjoyed Titus and Penelope, Elisa! And I look forward to sharing Asher and Samantha’s with you as well.

  13. Mark Buzard says

    July 6, 2023 at 1:49 pm

    Awesome cover, and it sounds great. I was hoping you’d do Cinderella next 😎

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks, Mark. I could resist a Cinderella story. It’s just too classic to miss.

  14. Gena Bessire says

    July 6, 2023 at 2:17 pm

    Beautiful! Your book covers are always some of my favorites! A good cover sells me on reading a book.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      July 6, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks, Gena. I’ve been so blessed by the talented design team at Bethany House!

  15. Pam K. says

    July 6, 2023 at 6:16 pm

    It’s a beautiful cover. I can hardly wait for the book. I love all of your books but Fairest of Heart is really special.

  16. Vickie Henry says

    July 6, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    I love all your books Karen but I’m a fellow Texan so why wouldn’t I? I have them all including the novellas. Besides the books being great, the book covers are always wonderful. I think I read Fairest of Heart the day it came out. Loved everything about it. Sorry I have to wait so long for If the Boot Fits! I look forward to Inspired by Life and Fiction every day. Such a great idea and a wonderful way for your readers to get to know y’all!

  17. Kathleen Clark says

    July 6, 2023 at 7:18 pm

    How fantastic are those names! And the cover is truly gorgeous! Can’t wait.

  18. Kelly Goshorn says

    July 7, 2023 at 7:55 am

    Perfect! I love the title, too!

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