Favorite Covers 2022

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews of their content, which is separate from my personal assessment of their covers here.

I’m not strictly a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader. Still, I have an appreciation for cover art as a part of the overall reading experience. Here are covers that particularly stood out to me from books I read this calendar year. The books are listed in the order I read them, except for some series books that I grouped together. 🙂

To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal (one for you and/or for your cover artist) for being on this list, see the bottom of this post.

Rose of the Night: A Beauty and the Beast Prequel
Hope Ann
•
Christian Fantasy

Even in the midst of a curse, he has the hope of a promise…
I actually read this book years ago, but I just had to feature its latest cover. The white rose petals are a great contrast to the depths of dark blue, and the style of the gilded title (including the extra glint of light flashing from “Rose”) adds a mix of elegance and fantasy with a hint of intrigue. Just seeing this updated book cover renewed my interest in the Legends of Light series.

Night at the Opera
Stacy Henrie
•
Christian Historical Romance

An American heiress. A Secret Service spy. And a kiss in an opera box.
I love the atmosphere of understated drama set by the haze and minimal, muted tones on this gorgeous book cover. The woman’s hairstyle, earring, and collar set the historical scene, while the clouds behind the iconic clock tower that houses Big Ben adds to the suspense of it all.

The Swag Is in the Socks
Kelly J. Baptist
•
Middle Grade Fiction

Maybe upping his “sock game” can help Xavier Moon get into an elite club!
I so appreciate how on point this illustrated cover is, with the novel’s young, tin-grinned hero leaning on the novel’s title and showcasing his lightning-bolted sock game. Swagged out, Mr. Moon.

The Seattle Series
Colleen L. Reece
•
Christian Romance

Bodies are mended and hearts healed at the Shepherd of Love Hospital in the Emerald City.
Okay, so I actually first read this series twenty years ago. When I revisited the series this year, I was captured by the cityscape on the large print editions of the covers. Sometimes changing the color scheme on otherwise identical cover images works great for a series. I still have a copy of the series omnibus from 2002, and I love the soft blue, hazy evening atmosphere and prominence of the Space Needle on the cover. I feel so nostalgic every time I see it.

Daughters of Fortune Series
Susan May Warren
•
Christian Historical Fiction

Two generations of women strive to find their way to destiny, from the Gilded Age to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Years ago, I’d heard something about this series a time or two, but my attention was officially hooked once I saw these latest editions of the covers. When I dove into this series, I was in the mood for lush historical entertainment dripping with diamonds, and the out-and-out (but not gaudy) glam of these covers set my expectations perfectly. Plus, I’ll never not be a believer in the classic power of the vividly RED LIP in the world of cosmetics.

The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth
Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson (editors)
•
Young Adult/Middle Grade Nonfiction

Young people. Racism. Identity. And self-esteem.
Words. The artwork of words. With bold shades of color set against a black background, and brushes of texture adding further character to the title. Sometimes well-done words, just words, get the job done with no need for additional images.

In Search of a Prince
Toni Shiloh
•
Christian Contemporary Romance

If she’s to be crowned as queen in Ọlọrọ Ilé, she’ll have to marry.
I’ll gladly excuse the sound of your jaw dropping straight onto the floor as you take all of this in. The light blue of the sky, the fresh green of the trees, the creamy yet stately sight of the palace and the stairway leading up to it, the embellishments framing the central feature of the regal heroine in her long and lavish gown adorned with iridescent embroidery… There isn’t anything about this book cover that isn’t positively exquisite.

A Second Chance
Walt Mussell
•
Time Slip Fantasy Fiction

A career-driven woman wakes up in 16th-century Japan—as mother to the young son of a samurai.
What a controlled splash of a book cover this is: moving as liquid and sharp and clear as glass. The glimpse of clouds in the dark sky above adds depth, and the small bubbles dotting most of the image add to the sense of motion. But it’s the direct, dark-eyed stare of the heroine right above the water’s wavy surface that most gives this cover its excellent haunting quality.

Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us
Jasmine L. Holmes
•
Christian Biography/Memoir

Their names are often left out of American and church history.
This cover does just enough, bringing a blend of loveliness and dignity as it combines the past and present through illustrations of two Black women who may be praying, may be dreaming, or both. The artwork is a wonderful match for what this book represents: the realization of legacy. The cover of the children’s edition of the book does the same, depicting a woman of yesterday and a girl of today.

They Can’t Take Your Name
Robert Justice
•
Legal Fiction

She’s determined to get her innocent father off death row.
This cover sets the tone for the novel’s haunting rhythm and imagery, with its red and teal tones and half a serious woman’s face on one side paired with the bold title running down the other side, cutting through a gritty cityscape. It puts my psyche somewhat off-kilter while making it stand at attention at the same time.

Take My Hand
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
•
Historical Literary Fiction

1973 Alabama. A new nurse. And poor Black girls put on birth control.
If you know the song the bold title represents, you know. And even if you don’t, you can feel its essence through the profile of the heroine with her closed eyes in the foreground, and the two girls holding hands in the background facing a sunset, all surrounded by those warm and golden leaves on branches. Seeing this cover stirred an aching kind of hope in me.

Entries for 2022’s Favorite Covers giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. One randomly determined winner will be notified by email on Saturday, December 10, 2022. If the winner does not respond by Sunday, December 11, 2022, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

Given that Christmas is, hands down, my favorite holiday, I’m delighted that the cover of my new release gets to represent the holiday! Take a look at this sweet Christmas romance,
World of Joy.
’Tis her season to reclaim her name.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If yours has one of my favorite covers this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. If you know the artist who designed your cover, feel free to pass on the word about the award. The artists are welcome to display the medal as well. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!

Favorite Covers 2021

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews of their content, which is separate from my personal assessment of their covers here.

I’m not strictly a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader. Still, I have an appreciation for cover art as a part of the overall reading experience. Here are covers that particularly stood out to me from books I read this calendar year. The books are listed in the order I read them.

To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal (one for you and/or for your cover artist) for being on this list, see the bottom of this post.

Eden Hill by Bill Higgs

Christian Historical Fiction

Two competing service stations may upset the easy order of this 1960s town.
Okay, so it’s actually been a few years since I read this novel, but the cover has grown on me more and more. The classic car, the cover’s overall tone and texture, the retro feel to the typography, and the little illustration of the throwback gas pump above the title—it’s all spot-on for nostalgic small-town fiction. And what a “novel” license plate!

Arcade and the Dazzling Truth Detector by Rashad Jennings

Christian Children’s Fantasy

Answers about the Triple T Token are finally revealed!
And this cover of the fourth and last book in The Coin Slot Chronicles is indeed dazzling, what with the shining Token around Arcade’s neck and the cover’s golden rays of light bursting down and around from the top. Arcade’s and his sister Zoe’s poses rightly promise action and mysterious adventure as this series closes with a bang.

Nicole by Sarah Monzon

Christian Romantic Comedy

She’s raising a child and saving the planet. No time for dating!
The expressive and vibrant illustrated cover on this rom-com, with a bespectacled and stylish heroine I heard is a plus-size gal, convinced me right away to pick up this third book in the Sewing in SoCal series. I especially love the bursts of red on Nicole’s diamond-printed top and the second tier of her earrings, plus her nail polish and glossy lip color to match. Such thoroughly fun and girly artwork!

The Samurai’s Honor by Walt Mussell

Christian Historical Fiction

Sen’s curiosity could lead to her death.
Even if I hadn’t already been into The Heart of the Samurai series, my “fascinated with samurai-related Japanese history” self would have had trouble resisting this novella’s book cover. The suggestion of artistry, honor, and danger presented by the sword, juxtaposed with delicate cherry blossoms, set against the faint background of Japanese architecture. Gorgeous.

The Butterscotch Bride by Parker J. Cole

Christian Historical Fiction

What if escaping to freedom means leaving love behind?
Oh, how this soft, bright, buttery book cover immediately drew my eye. Granted, there are serious reasons why I don’t often gravitate toward historical fiction with lovely plantation land pictured on the front, but a main character in this story sees what many others like him would see when looking up at that big house: “the beautiful façade of [a] two-storied prison.” There’s much behind an eye-catching image like this, and it matters.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

Christian Historical Romantic Mystery

He’s a constable under fire. She’s a savvy swindler. And they need to find a cabby gone missing.
Besides the great blend of cloudy and grainy texture and dashes of soft light in the pelting rain here, this cover is all about showcasing the hands-on-hips interplay of the couple. The confident stance (and scheming look?) of the heroine especially says so much. And, of course, the iconic clock tower that houses the iconic Big Ben stands tall in the background of this glimpse of Victorian London. It all works!

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

Christian Historical Romance

Two Americans strike up a scheme against the Nazi regime in 1938 Germany.
This novel’s cover has a relative stillness to it, with a single airplane and a woman’s slow walk on an empty street—creating a sense of foreboding without needing to make the cover too dark. Stars are spread through the twilit sky, blending seamlessly into the faint, handwritten script running through the background. Vintage, suspenseful, beautiful.

The Comeback by E. L. Shen

Middle Grade Fiction

Being a figure skater and a middle schooler is hard—especially when you’re bullied because of your heritage.
Now, if this sparkling cover doesn’t reflect the quintessential, graceful artistry and magic that is figure skating, I don’t know what does. Color, warmth, and the essence of ice and light are captured in this image that all but twirls on its own. Oh! And the illustrations of the young heroine continue on the inside of the novel too, in black and white.

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

Africanfuturistic Science Fiction

Sankofa never asked for this fearsome, deadly power.
Such bold and fitting imagery here. (I won’t give away all the reasons why, plot-wise, but still.) Because this headshot of the heroine with a shaved head and hoop earrings and a doleful expression depicts a tree glowing green in her neck and flourishing in her face, the image coupled with the style of the title’s text positively screams, “SCI-FI.”

Rain by Dana McNeely

Biblical Fiction

The son of a high priestess. A prophetic curse. And a notorious queen bent on revenge.
Just look at this. The emotive image of pouring rain, the sun breaking over the horizon of the landscape of hills and valleys, and the soaring raven effectively set a mystical tone for this story inspired by legendary events in Scripture. Can a cover get any closer to palpable drama?

Seal of the Sand Dweller by R. Rushing

Biblical Fiction

The Egyptian courtiers around him are waiting for his downfall.
The deep teal of the background above and below this cover’s panoramic image has a jewel-toned effect, and the Egyptian hieroglyphs are a striking complement to the theme. The image itself has a bold, dramatic feel, and what most gripped my attention here: the image’s unambiguous conveyance that the people here are people of color. A fitting, refreshing way to represent the period and place where this biblical story unfolds.

Simulated by Nova McBee

Young Adult Suspense

A (former?) mathematics genius goes after a sims hacker who may be an ally—or an enemy.
I’m quite a fan of blue when it comes to suspense, and the dark blue tones on this suspenseful cover are effective. The yellow accents cracking through the top and bottom add gritty texture and intrigue, and what I like most about this cover is the vertical cityscape with cultural architecture running down the side and the dark sky holding numerous stars.

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

Christian Romantic Suspense

They’re on a race to prevent a worldwide bioattack.
This novel pulled me in with its multicolored but ominous cover with typography both atmospheric and sharp. The atmosphere compounds with escaping smoke near the bottom and the wind breathing through the bronzy heroine’s hair as she stares intrigue straight into her audience’s eyes.

A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams

Sweet Contemporary Romance

Returning to Charleston presents her with business—and romantic—prospects she may not be ready for.
Well, this lovely cover with its minimal collection of soft colors falls right in line with the story’s message of authenticity, from the palmettos in the background and the cobblestones under the Blasian heroine’s feet, to the heroine’s natural curls and the touch of pattern and color around the waist of her flowing white dress. A fitting representation of grace and culture.

Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar

Biblical Fiction

The journey to find her Cushite father becomes a dangerous one.
The power of the image on this biblical fiction cover is in the angle of the shot and the poetic pose of the woman representing the novel’s biracial heroine. We see that curly hair of hers, and the red and brown of the cover’s earth-toned theme fits wonderfully with the story’s connection to roses and cinnamon. Ahhhh, yes.

The Christmas Miracle of Maria Potter by Charles Adkins, illustrated by Alina Besanidou

Christian Children’s Historical Fiction

A sad loss after war. New neighbors in town. And a special Christmastime request.
This book is a special pick, not only because of the book cover…

…but because I adore the illustrations inside the book, from the soft and cold feel of the snow outdoors to the warm firelight indoors. What’s more, the thoughtful detail the artist uses to convey emotion in closer images of the characters’ faces—especially Maria Potter’s—adds such dimension to this heartwarming tale of friendship.

Lost and Found by Jessica Marie Holt

Contemporary Fiction

Grief. Compassion. Changes of heart. And hope.
This cover matches its short story in a contemplative and understated way, with the lonely but peaceful image of a single boat near the shore and the soft sweep of blending colors in the sky. The title adds gentle texture and emotion, enhanced with a hint of shadow and the word “lost” slightly off center, as it isn’t too lost to be found.

Entries for 2021’s Favorite Covers giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Two randomly determined winners, one for each book, will be notified by email on Saturday, December 11, 2021. If a winner does not respond by Sunday, December 12, 2021, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

A fictional world. An era for historic change. And the people who bring it.
More of my favorite book covers are from my Eubeltic Realm series. I’ve been envisioning the main characters for years! You can pick up copies of the books at Amazon, or read them with Kindle Unlimited.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If yours has one of my favorite covers this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. If you know the artist who designed your cover, feel free to pass on the word about the award. The artists are welcome to display the medal as well. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!

Favorite Covers 2020

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews of their content, which is separate from my personal assessment of their covers here.

I’m not strictly a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader. Still, I have an appreciation for cover art as a part of the overall reading experience. Here are covers that particularly stood out to me from books I read this calendar year. The books are listed in the order I read them, except for some series books that I grouped together. 🙂

To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal (one for you and/or for your cover artist) for being on this list, see the bottom of this post.

War of Hearts by Annette Lyon

Sweet Historical Romance

Two distraught hearts find each other in the midst of the Winter War in Finland. The cover of this novella drew me right to it, what with its soft but striking, creamy glow of frosty winter light in the snowy woods, and the appearance of the woman giving it its historical feel. The typography and gently faded flourishes around the title are lovely, too.

All is Calm and All is Bright by Colleen Coble

Christian Romantic Suspense

A woman runs to a ranch for safety, and a dangerous accident near a seaside hotel is no accident. There’s nothing like that holiday twinkle, and I couldn’t resist the twinkling nighttime stars and Christmas lights on this first novella followed by the Christmas lights and the homey feel captured on a softly bright evening on the second novella. While these two romantic suspense reads are also available in a single volume, I reviewed them separately just so I could enjoy both covers.

In the Shadow of Lions and In the Arms of Immortals by Ginger Garrett

Christian Historical Fiction/Supernatural Fiction

The rumblings of a 16th-century Reformation, a Sicilian village blindsided by the Black Death in 1347, and fierce angels behind the scenes in different women’s lives. Yes, these Chronicles of the Scribe novels are dark/grave reads, and the book covers are in accordance with that while they each also make dynamic uses of light and a dominant color. Not to mention the gold typography for the titles—gah! Strong but with a flourish, a great match for stories with both epic and supernatural elements.

Dear Author: Letters from a Bookish Fangirl by Laura A. Grace

Inspirational Nonfiction

A simple book with a simple task: to encourage authors. The book cover matches that simplicity with a clean and clear design that makes great use of angles—then its duo of complementing, vibrant colors makes the cleanness and clarity stand out with remarkable effect.

True: A Contemporary Retelling of Rahab by S.E. Clancy

Christian Contemporary Fiction

She may be able to save herself and her family during an enemy army’s attack. When I first came across this book, I skipped the book blurb beforehand but was pulled right in by the grayscale cover, stunning in its clear and simple understatement of emotion. A calm, a peace, before a coming storm.

The Starlight Inn by Lucie Ulrich

Christian Contemporary Romance

A mysterious matchmaker has set her sights on a seamstress and an innkeeper… This lovely book cover drew in my Christmas-loving self immediately. It’s got homey and Christmassy cold with bright, white lights woven in and shining through, and festive holly around the border for good measure. The cover rightly sets one’s expectations for this holiday romance.

Arcade and the Fiery Metal Tester by Rashad Jennings

Christian Children’s Fantasy

Arcade’s magical journey heats up to test his mettle! The cover of this third book in The Coin Slot Chronicles has a lot of action even though the hero is standing in one spot. The golden Triple T Token is shining/sparkling around his neck, he appears to be slapping his jacket on in preparation for his next adventure, and it’s all bursting with FIRE while keeping the actual flames pretty minimal so as not to compete with the clear focal point—Arcade. Let’s go!

Not in the Plans by Jessica Marie Holt

Sweet Contemporary Romance

A bachelor with an empty house, a divorced mother in trouble, and an unplanned Christmas. I couldn’t pass up this novella when I got a look at that bright red door decorated for the holidays: an uncomplicated yet striking and festive image with clear, white typography that takes a prominent place without getting too fancy.

Once Upon a Short Story Series by A.G. Marshall

Fairy Tale Retellings

 

“Grandmother, what big eyes you have!”—and so on. 😀 A great deal of the power here is in how the covers of the multiple stories in this series look together. Even so, the deep background colors, the elegant embellishments, and the gold images depicting the stories really accomplish the “old-fashioned fairy tale” look for each cover.

Dancing and Doughnuts by Rachel Kovaciny

Christian Historical Western

He’s out to find out who spiked the dance hall girls’ cider! Well, now! Super-illustrated images can sometimes have a scribbly or stringy look. But the texture of this cover’s artwork is full-bodied with its hearty browns and blues while the overall style adds a delightfully homey feel to the Western theme. A perfect match for this wholesome retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Song in the Dark by Jessica White

Christian Romantic Suspense

A gifted harpist. A stoic homicide detective. And a chance to break through to new freedom. The cover of this novel with ties to Greek mythology intrigued me to no end. Without spoiling the art’s dark theme, the dynamic sunset casts its heat and last burst of intensity between the silhouettes of the Dobermans and the harp, and the strong typography plays on darkness and light. The whole scene radiates with atmosphere. Just awesome!

Petrified Flowers by Joiya Morrison-Efemini

Christian Young Adult Fiction

Six young sisters. A devastating tragedy. And what it takes for them to bloom—written as a novel-in-verse. Clearly, this book cover is all about the multicolored bouquet, representing six sisters named after flowers. A vibrant centerpiece with the softness of watercolor, set against a light background of weathered wood. Bright, simple, and telling.

Cindi/Ella: When Shoes Speak by Bokerah Brumley

Fantasy Fiction

Stunning (but deadly?) crystal shoes grab her attention—and won’t let go. Yeah, it was the (Victorian steampunk-inspired?) book cover that drew me to this contemporary retelling of a classic fairy tale. The white, light blue, and different pinks against fade-to-black. The striking fingernails, the lace gloves, the hat and feathers… And Cindi/Ella’s pretty intense look which I find pretty creepy, but in a way that works. It’s all rather fascinating.

Mixed Messages by Steve Rzasa

Christian Sci-Fi

What’s coming next may turn Captain Vincent Chen’s world on its head… Gee, the covers for this science fiction series are just fantastic. Here we’ve got the hero surrounded by planets (or a planet and its moon?) and open space with stars, a smoky haze that adds atmosphere without taking over, the interior of a ship behind Vincent—all brought with the hue of electric green and the title’s great typography. There’s so much going on without at all looking too busy or cut-and-pasted together. Love it!

My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love by Amanda Barratt

Christian Biographical Fiction

He’s a German pastor, plotting against the Nazi regime. And falling in love. The title and this misty, somber, but romantic cover let me know what kind of historical love story I was in for, striking a serious tone that captures the emotional depth of the story. Once I unwrapped a hard copy, I discovered a bonus: deeper red to the lettering with a satiny shine, subtly enhancing the sense of romance. A bittersweet kind of beautiful.

Entries for 2020’s Favorite Covers giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Speaking of book covers, one of my novels got a new look this year! Yella’s Prayers is available for purchase at Amazon.

Yella’s Prayers: Deleted Scenes
(free download, *contains spoilers*)

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If yours has one of my favorite covers this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. If you know the artist who designed your cover, feel free to pass on the word about the award. The artists are welcome to display the medal as well. Thanks again!

Favorite Covers 2019

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews of their content, which is separate from my personal assessment of their covers here.

I’m not strictly a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader. Still, I have an appreciation for cover art as a part of the reading experience. Here are covers I particularly liked from books I’ve read since this time last year—and it’s quite a list again, this time around! The books are listed in the order I read them (with the exception of two books in one series I paired together.)

Jacob’s Bell: A Christmas Story by John Snyder

Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

This Christmas, forgiveness may be Jacob’s greatest gift. What fan of hopeful holiday tales could resist this novel’s nostalgic cover? The streetlights with a lemony glow as soft as the falling snow. The Christmas wreath over that telling red kettle. The old man with a golden bell, regarding a little girl bundled in red for the winter. A new friendship, perhaps? Just charming!

Severed Signals and Cryptic Commands by Steve Rzasa

Christian Fiction, Science Fiction

 

When former oppressors are enslaved, Captain Vincent Chen’s mission takes a critical turn. I didn’t read the book blurb before grabbing up a copy of Severed Signals. Couldn’t resist the vivid, electric blue cover design, with slanted rain pelting down on Vincent, who’s obviously poised for action. The “severed” font of the title doesn’t hurt either. The electric red cover of Cryptic is a perfect complement, where I spy a girl with a gun behind the hero. Hmm, the plot thickens…

Long Road Home by Jessica Marie Holt

Literary Fiction, Short Story

Even with Nate’s flaws, there’s hope for him… Here’s another story I practically knew nothing about before I read it, but I found its cover to be a strong one. It’s a lesson in focus, simplicity, and nuance, the dark fade at the bottom hinting at the depth of emotion, the sunlight at the top giving hope, and the porch swing in the middle—a single symbol. A fitting setup for a serious but ultimately uplifting story.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock

Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Mystery

1893 Chicago. The World’s Fair. And mysterious disappearances. With just one hint of gold in the middle of this cover, the rest of it depicts how a bold black and white shot can be just as “in your face” as a brilliant rainbow. The deft imagery begins the mystery before you even open the book.

Convergence by Ginny L. Yttrup

Christian Fiction, Suspense

A psychologist. Her stalker. And the phantom of fear. The heroine’s wary but determined expression at the top tells of danger she must face, while at the bottom, your eyes can hear the roar and crash of the rapids against the rocks. The title is bold and the colors are kept to a minimum but with splashes of hot pink that stand out. Bring on the suspense.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction

Exile from Jerusalem. Slavery in Babylon. And a woman’s choice between secrets and truth. I mean, come on—the heroine in vibrant red, sweeping her lengthy, soaring garment over the head of a lion with smoldering eyes and a mane ablaze with flames? How much more vivid artistry and dramatic allusion can you harmoniously fit into a book cover image depicting the wife of Daniel?

Breach of Trust by Rachel Dylan

Christian Fiction, Legal Suspense

When Mia uncovers corporate espionage, the stakes may prove deadly. This cover is so on point for legal suspense, with the unfocused, off-center, off-kilter courthouse lit up against the night sky in the background, and the alert heroine in the foreground, looking cautiously over her shoulder. Watching out.

Outbreak by Davis Bunn

Christian Fiction, Suspense

They’re out to prevent a global pandemic—if they can stay alive. Man. What’s going on beneath the surface of those stirring, deep red waters? The imagery is so effective, it makes me cringe. And that dusty red cloud breathing over the one-word title has a chilling factor indeed. I don’t usually get a kick out of feeling the skin on my scalp crawl, but, man.

Santa’s Secret by Linda Leigh Hargrove

Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

The handsome “Santa” Chelsea meets may have something to hide… Gotta love this Christmas romance book cover. The tone, the sparkling lights, and the “holiday surprise” vibe that’s inviting without being corny are all major pluses. You’ve just gotta find out what Santa’s secret is now!

A Christmas of Hope by Danyelle Ferguson

Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Short Story

A divorced mother needs her friends’ encouragement this Christmas. I just love the soft and frosty holiday glow and sparkle of this cover. Doesn’t it put you in the mood for a warm mug of Christmassy cocoa or another such treat?

The String by Caleb Breakey

Christian Fiction, Psychological Suspense

Markus is determined to stop the deadly social experiment of a sociopath: The Conductor. Yeah, the typography is so minimal and striking, with the “i” in “String” tripling as a letter, a string, and a music conductor’s baton. But have the hands of a conductor—just hands, teal-toned hands, set against a nuanced black background—ever been creepier? Ever?

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett

Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction

A young Jewish woman, stolen from the life she loved. Stolen by a king. Yes, this novel’s cover has been updated since its first publication, but it was this earlier, textured cover that caught me, with the reflective, watchful, mysterious eyes of Esther as she’s partially concealed behind a veil, ready to present a notorious man of excess with something he isn’t ready for. No damsels in distress here.

Blessing on the Run by Alana Terry

Christian Fiction, Suspense

Blessing’s ex-boyfriend’s threat could destroy her for good. The colorful but serious tone of the controlled but bold book cover design drew me to this novella. It’s intensity contrasted against darkness, light contrasted against night, with bold topography bringing it all together in the center. Suspenseful and brilliant at once.

The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley

Regency Historical Romance

The husband Ruth once lost is still alive—and so is the danger that tore him away. The call of a Regency romance couldn’t be any clearer than the call from this radiant dessert of a cover, which gives us every slanting ray and delicious drop of violet-ness that it so pleases. It’s divinely grape, as I like to put it. Simply stunning.

Unscripted by Davis Bunn

Contemporary Fiction

An unlikely film project could help a ruined line producer redeem his career. This cover strikes the right serious tone in clear but unassuming, deftly blended green and gold, with a contemplative hero looking out over Hollywood from behind Hollywood, where the lights make a statement without a bright and glamorous feel. Excellent imagery!

Blood in the Snow by Sarah Pennington

Christian Fiction, Fantasy

An ancient prophecy. Two kingdoms at stake. And a princess with a Bloodgift. The cover for this fairy tale retelling snagged my attention in less than a second: the serious gaze of a young woman in red with her black tresses flowing in the wind, the heroine standing before a giant moon glowing white against a wintry, deep blue backdrop with trees and peaks, Asian architecture, and geese in the snow, overlaid with the thin, red, beveled glass of the title and its flash of white light. Atmospheric excellence, this cover is.

Entries for 2019’s Favorite Covers giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

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You can get your reading started by picking up free Kindle copies of Severed Signals, A Christmas of Hope, and The Movement of Crowns (one of my books.) Be sure to check the prices before downloading!