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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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.
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!
Gorgeous cover, Karen! I’m looking forward to reading this series.
Thanks, Caryl. 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
Where do you find the photos that inspire your characters? Do you pick photos for all of your characters or just the main ones?
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!
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.)
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.
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! 😀
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!
oh but these are both lovely covers. I love the boot in it
Thank you, Lori! Yes, that boot detail makes all the difference. 🙂
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.
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.
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!” 😀
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.
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… 😉
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.
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. 🙂
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!!
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. 🙂
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.
So glad you enjoyed Titus and Penelope, Elisa! And I look forward to sharing Asher and Samantha’s with you as well.
Awesome cover, and it sounds great. I was hoping you’d do Cinderella next 😎
Thanks, Mark. I could resist a Cinderella story. It’s just too classic to miss.
Beautiful! Your book covers are always some of my favorites! A good cover sells me on reading a book.
Thanks, Gena. I’ve been so blessed by the talented design team at Bethany House!
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.
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!
How fantastic are those names! And the cover is truly gorgeous! Can’t wait.
Perfect! I love the title, too!