With my new Hanger’s Horsemen series, I’ve enjoyed having covers that prominently feature heroes on the covers. The Heart’s Charge is coming this summer, and there are TWO heroes in play. Double the fun!
It’s been nice to switch things up with my covers this time around. One of the reasons I enjoy historicals so much is the fairy-tale feel of the period costumes, especially the dresses worn by the heroines. Therefore, I do love seeing the heroines with big, gorgeous dresses on the covers, and I wouldn’t want to permanently say goodbye to them. This series, though, just clamored for hunky hero cover love.
I’ve had a few heroes make appearances on other covers, but they were always the supporting cast to the heroine. I have three covers where the heroes get an arm and a leg in the picture. (Although you gotta admit that arm on Levi is pretty nice.)
My first hero only got his leg on the cover.
I did get nearly an entire hero on three of my covers, but the heroine remains the focal point.
Having my cowboy heroes front and center for the current series really heightens the rugged, western aspect of these stories centered around four former cavalry officers turned mercenaries for justice.
I love the model they chose to represent Matthew Hanger in At Love’s Command, as well as the addition of the horse as a supporting actor. However, when I asked my publisher if they had any cover mock-ups that failed to make the final cut, I was surprised to find an entirely different cowboy on the cover. One with a shy smile, rugged physique, and a lot more facial hair.
Here are a few of the first version mock-ups. Notice the different poses, the different backgrounds, even different hat colors.
If I had to pick one of these iterations, I think I would take the bottom middle. I like the hat tip, the smile, and the sunset in the background. Although, I strongly prefer the font and series designation of the one at the top left, which is most similar to the final copy.
- Which of the runner-up covers for At Love’s Command is your favorite?
- What do you think of having a hero-centric cover? Is it less romantic without the heroine?
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Your publisher does a great job with your covers, Karen.
I agree, Lynn. Bethany House has a fabulous art department. Your covers are always stellar, too. 🙂
I think having the hero on the cover works for your Hanger’s Horsemen series quite well, but typically I prefer heroine on the cover – especially with a lovely color combination and, like you said, the beauty of the dresses. Your covers have all been great!
Thanks, Ellie. I agree with you. The heroes seemed the right fit for this series, but I do love those historic dresses. And you’re right about the color. I hadn’t thought of that, but men, especially in historic time periods really didn’t wear much beyond brown, blue, white, and black. That could feel pretty monochromatic after a while.
Love the hero on the cover for this series! Must say I much prefer the cover that was selected. IF, I had to choose one of the others, I would pick top center. I really don’t care for the smile on these covers. I don’t think it shows the overall character of Matthew Hanger.
Looking forward to the June release!
That’s an excellent point, Betty. Matt is all business.
Welcome today. It is nice to see a hero on the covers. It is nice to see character and personality. Like the women, hero’s should be shown. I really dislike it when one of their heads is cut off. The face can tell so much.
Thanks, Lori. The whole cut-off head thing is funny to me. Some people really don’t like it, other prefer it since it lets them imagine the character however they like. I guess I fall in the middle. I like them both. 🙂
I like the hat tip, too! Having guys on the cover is different, but good. After all, they are half of the story line! Can’t wait for this next book to come out. I have it pre-ordered!
There’s just something so classically chivalrous about that hat tip, isn’t there? Thanks for the pre-order, Kathy! Hope you enjoy Mark and Jonah’s story, too. 🙂
I love the hero on the cover. My favorite is the one at the top left, because there is just a hint of smile or smirk on his face. 😉
I love those subtle expressions! You can almost read whatever you want to into them. 🙂
I like the top right. He’s in “command.” I like how he’s wearing his coat (that’s what it’s for 🙂 rather than swung over his shoulder like a GQ photo shoot. I imagine it would be tied to the back of his saddle if he wasn’t wearing it. Though I think the hat tip is cute, it seems too flirty, and thus out of character. As for the sunset, I love sunsets, but the predominance of pink seems too feminine for such a masculine Character, perhaps if it was more orange or yellow it would go better with the browns? Back to Mr. Top Right, I think those colors work well. The sky looks more blue (fewer clouds?) than in the others and the green grass in the background is more visible. I think the blues and greens are a better compliment to the brown coat. As for the beard, it makes him look older and thus going back to the title, more in command. Just my thoughts and preferences.😊
All excellent observations, Theresa. And you’re GQ comment made me chuckle. I had similar thoughts when I first saw the cover, but in the final version you could see a little more of the duster, so that helped it look a little more masculine and rugged. 🙂
If I had to choose from the runner-up covers, my choice would be bottom left. But I like the real one best. I’m not as much a beard-lover, so I like the less facial hair, plus the horse adds character & the font is much better. 🙂
Personally, I love books with the hero on the cover. I read “At Love’s Command” & loved it! I’ve already pre-ordered “The Heart’s Charge” & am impatiently awaiting it. 😉 Now I’ll have a year to impatiently await book #3! 🙂
God bless!
Thanks, Lori. 🙂 I’ve really enjoyed writing this series. Tough, rugged heroes are my favorite.
Mine, too. To me, the hero is what makes the book great more often than the heroine. Maybe that’s why I love your books so much!!! 🙂
I like them all but, like you, I think I prefer the bottom middle!
I am partial to the top center cover myself, but all are nice. For me, I do like having the hero on the cover, but ONLY if they look like they’re described in the book. It makes me crazy when the people on the front don’t look anywhere near how they’re described. 🤷🏻♀️😉