We’re already gearing up for that next novel!
Recently my publisher sent me a portfolio of gowns to choose from for my next book cover. The dresses above aren’t the ones I was sent (no spoilers for you!) but are from Pinterest. It’s not difficult to bid farewell to those big hoop skirts Wren was wearing in 1850 and leap back in time to 1783 and these lovely round gowns, quilted petticoats, lace and embroidery and whatnot. I especially like those 18th-century sleeves and fichus. Quite feminine and alluring.
I was delighted to find that Revell likes the working title of this next novel so much they are keeping it. They said it had a sense of intrigue and suited the storyline so well. After all the romancey titles from The Ballantyne Legacy, this one is quite different!
I’ve made a big splash about cover art and titles in the past but this year I’m not going to say a word. When the new cover appears I’ll just let you tell me:)
Here’s to great titles, lovely gowns, and upcoming book covers!
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Is it just me, or does the word “fichu” immediately make you think to say “Bless you!”
Those gowns are gorgeous! Much like what I wear on a daily basis around my estate. Except that my gown is a pair of Levi’s, and my fichu (excuse me, I have a cold) is a fleece pullover.
And seriously, HOW did those Monroe girls escape Magua dressed like that?
Oh wait, they didn’t!!
OOPS!!
That’ll teach a girl to ride through the countryside dressed for success.
I love the new book title “In Which The Hawt Dude Rips His Muslin Shirt Because He’s Sweating In The Blacksmith Shoppe”.
Uh oh, was I NOT supposed to tell? Sorry. 😉
Oh, you give me the best chuckles!! LOVE that title ~ especially the ‘rips muslin shirt’ part. You got that detail just right! And yes, fichu DOES sound like a big sneeze! I prefer ‘kerchief’ but it’s not nearly so entertaining, lol…
How DID Alice and Cora escape that madman?! I was just watching Alice jump off that cliff the other day (for the millionth time). It still chills me. And I still get mixed up because the heroines names are switched in the movie vs. the book. Just sayin’!
I hope your own writing is going wonderfully well – and you have a dude or two in the desert instead of the blacksmith shoppe. It suddenly dawned on me why you write in that climate (because you don’t live in it)!
BTW, we take Wyatt to begin his firefighter training tomorrow. Sniff. I know you understand :).
Laura……
You certainly do know how to entice us, don’t you!!
I am so glad to hear this about the working title of the new book because there is so much more to your stories than just romance (as beautiful as that is). But the sweet romance does help to soften the tough issues you tackle in your stories.
At first I thought maybe you were going to ask US to help pick the gown but I am glad you didn’t. I think you authors should select your own gowns, book titles and character names since you are the ones birthing these babies! But now you have me super excited anticipating the debut of the next book cover and title. Ah….they just can’t come fast enough; however, having to wait a year between books just makes them that much sweeter. 🙂
Have a blessed day, Laura
Georgianne
Love that ‘sweetening wait’ between books, Georgianne. Bless you for that. It feels so strange to be a couple of books ahead. I’ve reached page 70 of this new KY novel and it’s not out for a couple of years yet. And here we are talking about the cover of the book preceeding that – it’s a wonder I’m not dazed and confused. Sometimes I do find myself scrambling heroines names, lol. Or pausing and asking myself, “Um, what’s his name?” in regards to a hero. But that’s usually early on in the first draft, thank heavens… My goal is to make those heroes so unforgettable that doesn’t happen to me – or you!
Interesting thoughts about authors selecting gowns and such. It does make sense as we birthed those book babies :). I’m always amazed when cover designers who don’t read the books nail the covers anyway. Most of the artists/designers who create my covers are believers so I do think there’s some heavenly inspiration at work:)
Hmm…no spoilers, but a lot of teasing… We know we will love it, Laura. Blessings!
Dear Judy, Thanks for putting up with my elusiveness! My agent has spanked me in the past (well, verbally), for putting up the cover way too soon! So this time I’ll play it cool, lol. Thanks for your patience – and your enthusiasm! You’re such a blessing!
What fun, Laura. These gowns are gorgeous, and I can only imagine the ones in the portfolio sent to you were just breathtaking! This upcoming book is just wrapped in intrigue, from title to cover art and all the words that await us eager readers! I’m so looking forward to reading it. 🙂
Such lovely words, Amanda! I never get tired of looking at these dresses. Pinterest is a heart’s feast for me history-wise. And whenever I see you, I’m usually pinning your pins, too! The Christmas ones of late have been amazing… Thanks for being a willing reader:) I so admire you for all you do. And I’m going to be right there pinning your BESPOKE pins when you do a giveaway! YAY!
i am not so patiently waiting for your next amazing read! Looking forward to seeing the cover. Love the Pinterest pics! 🙂
Rachael, THRILLED you’re ready for this one ~ so wish there wasn’t a wait! I hope you’re among the first to spot this new ‘baby.’ Hopefully it won’t have colic! Some book covers do, sadly. And I must confess, I’m not fond of all mine though I’m very thankful for the hard work and thought that goes into each of them! Will be fun to hear your thoughts when it appears :).
Congrats on your upcoming novel!
The gowns are beautiful and such detail. Lovely but I’m not sure how they survived the summer months with no air conditioning wearing those gowns.
Blessings
Janella, You bring up such a good point – no air conditioning! On some of the extant gowns I’ve seen from this period, there are very visible sweat stains beneath the arms! It’s a wonder those ladies were able to dance in heavy fabric on hot occasions. In this upcoming book, I have my hero throw a winter’s ball:) I made sure it was snowy that day, lol. Imagining my heroine in a lovely gown and sweating up a storm makes a very unattractive (if realistic) picture! Bless you for being here and enjoying a bit more book buzz with me:)
Can’t wait to read this new book and see the new cover. Looking forward to returning to the 1700s
Carissa, So glad to celebrate yet another cover with you – I hope this one really pops:) You’ve been pinning some great ones on Pinterest BTW. I’m always amazed at how much gets by me that way ~ but not you!
Such a tease you are, dear Laura!! However, since I love you and your books so much – I’ll forgive you!!
Such beautiful gowns in your pics – I’m sure the cover will be another one “to die for” and the title compelling, but the beauty between the covers will be even more sublime and more than worth the wait!!
Congrats on what I know will be another masterpiece from your pen and a gift to inspire and bless all who read it!!
Love, hugs and prayers!!
Dear Bonnie, So glad you’re indulging in a little pre-book buzz with me :). This is just about my favorite time of the year as it’s when my covers are created which are really like a big Christmas present! Speaking of which, I know someone with a birthday coming up…!
Bless you for your gracious words. I do hope this coming story makes your heart sing. It sure was a joy to write. Love and hugs to you, too! And prayers, yes!
Love that red/burgundy dress in the bottom right picture! Stunning! And I’m so excited to find out what this next novel is about and see the cover which I know will be beautiful! and will make the wait until the book is out even harder lol.
Dear Eva! Another vote for that red dress:) It IS stunning, yes. If we could only know the details behind it – seamstress, occasion, wearer, etc. If these old gowns could talk! I hope you enjoy this novel very much. Since it’s a standalone, it’s a whole new ballgame, both cover and content. And 3 more after that as I return to the frontier. Since you’re a Morrow fan, I think that might make you smile:) Hugs to you and your littles this holiday season!
Hi Laura,
Tantalizing us already for next year? Can’t wait, as always! I do adore the clothing. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making a historical gown, but not sure where I would wear it.
Mary
Mary, Oh, love that you’re a seamstress! That’s something I wish I was. My granny made all my clothes growing up and I still have two of the colonial/pioneer/1850 gown she made for me only as I said above, they no longer fit! I have a colonial gown I ordered a couple of years ago hanging in my office closet. I haven’t worn it yet so understand your point. I would be so nervous about getting it dirty I think it would take all the joy out of it, sadly. But I’m so tempted to take it out for an airing :)! I do hope you make one. That sounds wonderful!
Even though these aren’t the real ones, I love any gown posts. I’m particularly fond of the details of the rosettes. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Was this a recent post? I think so, but the dates on the comments say February 23…Sorry if I’m somehow bringing up an old one but it came up in my fb feed today…
Julia, I’m with you about any and all gown posts. I never get tired of them which is probably why I love Pinterest as new ones float over there nonstop. 🙂 Isn’t it just crazy that your comments are in the new year and I’m still stuck back in December, lol. I wish we could fix it but it requires me going into every comment and making the change. I can control mine on my end by changing it to the right date before I post. Sometimes I miss Blogger, grrrrr! Thinking of you all as you celebrate Christmas in such a special historic spot!
Laura, you big tease! Is this the title and the cover for a novel featuring a certain Miss Menzies? I am going to be ordering Love’s Fortune for myself for Christmas. I will finally have my hands on a copy. Yay! 🙂
Emma! YES, Miss Menzies it is! Thanks to you:) Such a good Scottish name! I am thrilled you are going to meet Wren. I had sent cards out to libraries but not all took the book bait. Stay tuned for some sales! I need to order a couple of copies myself. Authors even run out of their own books, sadly! Hope your Thanksgiving was sweet, especially with those littles :).
I really like the red gown!
Dear Sharon, I do, too! That red looks quite festive, especially this season and leaves me wondering if it wasn’t a holiday dress. I’d take any of these, actually, though I must say I would not fit! 😉
Ah, such a tease! But you’re forgiven! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. We spent a few days in Sevier Co. Such a great time with family. My sister was kind enough to give birth while we were there. Wasn’t that nice?
We are gearing up for someone’s 10th birthday tomorrow. Yay! 🙂
Cindy! A new niece – I can’t imagine how wonderful that was! Babies trump books any old day 🙂 I always try to sneak babies into those pages. I can’t believe it’s #10 already for that incredible little someone! I imagine she loves her newborn cousin. Enjoy every minute of that party and eat some cake for me, please!
Laura, love the gowns! So beautiful. I can’t believe we’re already talking about the cover and title of your next book. Seems like only yesterday you were talking about the surprise you had for us from the photo shoot for “Love’s Fortune”. I must say, my curiosity is totally piqued after reading your secretive comments and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for that new cover. Can’t wait, my friend! 🙂
Finally back with you all today :)! Angi, glad you’re curiosity is piqued and you’re not mad at me, lol. I have a feeling you will be among the first to spot this new one. I think it usually goes live the end of January or sometime in February. It’s being shot as we speak. Wish I could sneak into the studio and watch. That was sure an amazing experience. I do miss Brandon Hill but am anxious to see what Dan Thornberg does with this one. Bless u for being here!