My novella, Because of You, released this past fall as part of The Christmas Heirloom collection. This coming fall it will become available as a stand-alone ebook and, thus, has been given its own cover!
Several months ago, I filled out a cover questionnaire for Because of You full of ideas, setting details, character inspiration, photos, and more. I knew that the design team at Bethany House would use that questionnaire as a jumping off point when creating the cover. However, because this story is a previously-published novella, I assumed the designers would use stock photos.
I was surprised to learn that they didn’t! They hired a model and followed very much the same design process they’ve followed for the covers of my full length novels.
Here are a few behind the scenes shots from the day of the cover shoot and — further down — the finished cover….
And here’s the finished cover!
Isn’t it wonderful? How do I love this cover? Let me count the ways:
*I love that it has a bit of a Hallmark Christmas movie quality to it. It’s festive, modern, and warm all at the same time.
*I love her outfit. I want to steal that coat!
*I love that this cover’s style and fonts brand it as part of the Bradford Sisters Romance series. This story is #2.5 of the series. It falls in between Falling for You (Willow’s story) and Sweet on You (Britt’s story).
*I love that the brooch in the top corner lets readers know that this is one of four connected Christmas novellas that all feature a Christmas heirloom, passed down through the generations.
*I love that we’re getting a glimpse of Merryweather Historical Village at night! Readers of the Bradford Sisters series will have spent time at the historical village across all three novels, but this is their first glimpse of it on a cover. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the window to her right says, “Sweet Art”. Britt’s chocolate shop!
*I love that the model is looking straight out from the cover. Her gaze is engaging!
Because of You’s stand-alone ebook will become available for pre-order in early September and available for purchase October 1st. Until then, you can read it as part of the full collection, either as a print book or ebook.
What are your thoughts on Because of You’s cover?
Becky Wade
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I love this cover! If I didn’t know anything about you or your writing, I would want to read this book, just from the cover. I know we are “not supposed to judge a book by its over,” but so often I do. I’m sure that’s something that, as a published author, you have to think about with each new book. What should be on the cover to help get people to read this? And I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at how cover art is done! This one nailed it, because like I said, without anything to go on but the cover, I want to read this book.
Thank you! “If I didn’t know anything about you or your writing, I would want to read this book, just from the cover.” That, right there, tells me this cover is doing its job well. 🙂
I love the cover, as it is clever and smart. Thank you for sharing the behind the scenes. Congratulations
You’re welcome, Lucy! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
I love this cover! So fun! Congratulations!
Thank you!
The jewel tones really set this cover apart. I’m sad that it won’t be released in print… I’d love to have it on the shelf alongside the rest of the series. 😉 Kudos to the Bethany House art department for once again knocking it out of the park!
Yep, kudos to the Bethany House art department!
I love the cover! The cover conveys warmth–warm Christmas-y clothes, warm lighting in the shop inviting one to enter, and a warm smile on the model’s face. Well done!
I agree with you, Suzanne! Even though the setting is snowy, the overall image definitely conveys warmth, which I think it wonderful.
Beautiful cover. Engaging and places you in the setting asap! You want to step right in and walk around the town!
I know! I want to stroll that street!
Love the cover! Fascinating process how they begin with one photo and it ends up like the cover. Yay!
I, too, find the cover creation process fascinating!
I love your behind-the-scenes cover posts, Becky! Always so fun to see. I adore the results! I think you nailed it with your Hallmark movie comparison. It is just so warm and cozy and Christmassy. Love it!
I’d be delighted if this cover attracts Hallmark Christmas movie fans!
You had me at the Hallmark comparison. And as for stealing the coat? I’ll cover for you if I can borrow it. Perfect outfit. Perfect model. Perfect background.
I’ll share the coat with you, Amy! 😉
Love the behind-the-scenes photo shoot! It gives more depth to the final product. How fun! And I agree, I want her outfit!
Her outfit!!
It’s beautiful! I love it!
Yay! Thanks, Sarah!
Wow, they totally nailed it! I love seeing the BTS on how covers are made, and knowing the backstory makes this one so special! I’m so glad that Maddi got her own story!
Me, too! I love Maddie and Leo. Leo was more of a Beta hero than I’m used to writing but, man, he pulled at my heart strings.
Fabulous!!!! Your team at Bethany does such a great job for you! This cover just makes me smile!
I agree! My covers have all been really strong. I feel fortunate!
The cover looks great; you’re absolutely right, has a warm, rather Hallmark-like Christmas feel.
I absolutely LOVE seeing these BTS pictures of cover art coming to life! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Bree!
I love it! Now I want to go back and read it again! 🙂
I like offering a Christmas story in each of my series because each November and December, I can trot them back out. Christmas stories are like Christmas cookies. At that season each year, we’re in the mood for them again. 😉
It’s a beautiful cover. The model and the surrounding area (I love that we can see Britt’s shop) are engaging and on point. This was such a sweet story and I can’t wait for Sweet on You later this month! Congrats on this gorgeous cover.
Thanks, Rochelle! Sweet on You will be here before we know it! Not long now at all.
It’s gorgeous, Becky and team BH!! Love the look, and the cozy winter/Christmas-y feeling it inspires. Plus, it’s love to see, as you say, how well it goes with your Bradford sister books. 🙂
Yes! I’m excited to upload this cover to my web site today to see it side-by-side with the other Bradford Sisters books. I think it will complement the others well!
Love the cover, and as Ronya said it makes me want to read it again.
Yay!
I love the cover! I wish I could get it as a stand alone novella in paperback so it can join the rest of the series on my shelf!😊
You’re not the only reader who’s said that, Kristie! I’m going to inquire to see if that’s a possibility…. 🙂
Oooohhh I hope so!!!
Oooh! I like it!❤️
Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes making of a cover.
You’re welcome!
I have read the Heirloom series and loved the stories! This cover looks absolutely perfect for Because Of You! It’s wonderful!!
I’m so glad that you think this cover suits the story, Kathy! I do, too. 🙂
Congratulations Becky…the cover is inviting. It’s wonderful that they incorporated so many little details from the previous books in your series. Very happy for you.
Thank you, Pamela!
Oh my word! Love it! I think it goes great with your other covers yet has a distinction of its own. The model is beautiful and Bethany House has hit another home run!
Aww! Thank you, Nancy! I’m really encouraged by everyone’s feedback. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous cover, Becky. Love the behind-the-scenes of your cover shoot as well. Congratulations to you!!
Thanks, Stacy!
Love the cover!! So fun to put a “face” with the character. 🙂 I love the coat, too! 😉