Cover art is my favorite part of publishing so it’s fun to share a peek behind the scenes of covers that didn’t make the final cut. Revell has a top-tier art team and designers dedicated to bringing readers the very best wrapping for books. It’s quite a process that actually begins a year or more before the book releases.

I’m always delighted when I’m given cover options or mockups like the 2 you see here. While there are design elements in both these mockups that I love, other elements aren’t true to the story. The win in #1 is the indigo plant which dovetails with the title. But the scenery is Scottish Highlands and The Indigo Heiress is a Lowland tale. Also, the heroine’s gown needs to be more elaborate as she’s an heiress, after all, not a middling colonial woman. Love the detail of the ring on her finger and the box with author name.

Cover #2 gives me all the feels here with that beautiful window and our heroine looking out. Our heroine spends a lot of time looking out windows in the novel:) I love the way the indigo is framing the title, too. Such a lovely embellishment. Her gown is blue but still not quite right. 18th-century dress details are a challenge. There are many more dress options for 19th-20th-centuries. Here the box moves from the author name to the title.

After considering both these designs with my agent, I gave feedback as to what works & what could be truer to the story. Then came the delight of 2 more options.

The choice now became much harder! I loved both & so the clock was ticking toward a decision. You can see which I chose though I hated to say farewell to the other! I then received the final cover which I find a stunning design. The remaining tweaks were minor & it was time to be shared. I’m thrilled & thankful it echoes the novel so well!

The post The Indigo Heiress cover that wasn’t… appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Please watch for some special indigo blue💙giveaways here soon!

Bonus entries for friends who’ve preordered – you make such a difference! Thank you…📖

PREORDER HERE

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July is extra sweet when I get to share a release month with the very gracious, gifted Mimi Matthews ! One lucky winner will receive signed copies of each of the novels pictured, along with a $50.00 Amazon gift card!! 😍📚

🥀Enter via Rafflecopter at https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92989f07673/
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Celebrate with Us Giveaway Terms & Conditions

Giveaway hosted by Mimi Matthews & Laura Frantz. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. All information will remain confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of the book to the winner. Void where prohibited.

One winner (US only) will receive the Celebrate with Us Giveaway package which includes the following:

A signed paperback copy of A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz
A signed paperback copy of A Lady of Conscience by Mimi Matthews
A $50 Amazon Gift Card

If there is an international winner, they will receive ebook (digital) copies of the books and a $50 Gift Card suitable to their location.

Giveaway is open from 12.01 am Pacific time 7/24/24 until 11.59pm Pacific time on 8/07/24.

The winner will be announced on Mimi Matthews’ blog on 8/08/24.

#giveaway #BookGiveaway #historicalromance

The post Celebrate With Us Giveaway appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Every once in a while a story steals your heart completely. This is one of them. I’ve often asked which of my books is my favorite & I honestly can’t choose. I love them all for different reasons. But this one – A Matter of Honor – was such a joy to write that I’m hoping it’s a joy to read, too. It has all the hallmarks of my novels only in short form. A leisurely start, a slow burn romance, a happy ending, though many obstacles to get there. And always hope, period.

Amazon has the novella in both paperback and Kindle. I recently received a proof copy & it’s far lovelier in person! The evocative cover & the feel of it in hand with the matte texture are a delight.

Hurry up, July, & happy reading!

PREORDER HERE

The post JULY NOVELLA! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Time for a writing update! Good news should be shared!

✍️ I signed a new contract yesterday! The plan is to bring you a winter novel & a summer novella in future. Two books a year for several years to come!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Cover art & titling are underway for this finished January 2025 novel about a 1774 colonial American heiress & a Scots merchant. Can’t wait to share!

🧳 Traveling this week so your prayers are appreciated. One-handed travel is interesting! A few weeks ago our dogs took me on a walk & my wrist broke/emergency surgery. Healing is slower than I like but I’m learning all kinds of spiritual lessons. God is patient w/ this traveler!

📬 I usually save updates for my seasonal newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, please sign up on my homepage.  Thank you!

The post Novel news! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Such a fun time talking history, ancestry, books & more! There’s even a giveaway if you follow the link below to the hosts, KyLee & Darcy. Have a wee listen, too. There’s a treasure trove of other authors for you to enjoy on their wonderful site!

HISTORICAL BOOKWORM

The post Giveaway Historical Bookworm! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

The Because Fiction podcast with Chautona Havig is now live! Chautona is a prolific author who has a delightful podcast with many guests. I was her 202nd episode. That’s a lot of book talk!

Have a wee listen here…

Because Fiction

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I’m currently in the release whirlwind of The Rose & the Thistle & don’t talk much about future publishing projects. I will say novel 15, set in Acadia or present-day Nova Scotia & colonial America, releases next January 2024. It’s currently on my editor’s desk which means an official title is coming soon & cover art will start. For a few weeks I get to focus on novel 16 so it’s back to Scotland I go, specifically Glasgow!

I’ve been to Glasgow & it has a very different feel than Edinburgh. Museums & art galleries like Kelvingrove are a treasure trove & are FREE! Glasgow is fun & culinary & musical & historic in its own way. One of my favorite memories was watching the street band Clanadonia play & capture the spirit of Scotland so well!

Setting is truly a character in my novels & while I don’t usually have a person or template in mind for characters I almost always do for the homes they live in. In this case, Dumfries House is a Georgian wonder saved & reopened to the public in recent years. It’s the perfect setting for novel 16. I have a great deal more research to do but somehow those characters started talking & needed to be on the page as so often happens. I’m five chapters in & don’t mind a bit:)

So here’s to novels 15 & 16!

The post From Scotland to Acadia & back to Scotland again! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Nay, it never gets old! Releasing a novel remains a unique experience even for someone who’s been writing stories since age 7. I’m always felt so at home with my writing & it’s always been a joy, a bit like the best friend I never had. Releasing it for public consumption has been a learning curve as it does feel a little like having your diary read! I’m still a bit amazed but very grateful for readers who enjoy my imaginings. Truly a wondrous thought that a book is just the alphabet rearranged over & over again in endless ways!

The Rose & the Thistle is one of my favorite novels that I’ve written. It may have required the most research. I truly hated writing THE END. But now it’s out there, filling reading minds &, I hope, hearts.

Thank you!

The post The Rose & the Thistle releases! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

I’m happy to introduce Amy Scanlon as the voice for The Rose & the Thistle! Amy is a master of various accents which are certainly called for in this new Scottish novel. All 13 hours & 53 minutes via Recorded Books on various audio platforms like Amazon. I can’t wait to have a wee listen & invite you to do the same!

The post Audio of The Rose & the Thistle! appeared first on Laura Frantz.