Surprises
This is the cover for my January book, Montana Match, which is on the shelves now. Even though I supply the art department with photos and descriptions of my characters and setting for the novel, I wait eagerly to see what the cover will look like. It is always a nice surprise to see the cover for the first time.
The photo above shows my hero, Parker and the dog that made it's way into the story just because of this picture. The photo below is Brittany, my heroine, who is a secondary character in one of my earlier novels, Love Walked In. When I saw this picture in a catalog, I immediately knew it was the perfect image of the character I had created in my mind.
I think they did an excellent job in capturing the characters and setting in my story on my book cover. Don't you?
Do you like surprises, or are you one of those people who doesn't like to be surprised for any reason? I like surprises. My husband gave me one of the best surprises of my life a few years ago when he took me to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Here I am at Centre Court.
I have been an avid tennis player and fan for years, so this was an especially wonderful surprise.
What kind of surprises do you like or not like?
Labels: book cover, characters, Montana, snowstorms, Wimbledon
20 Comments:
At January 5, 2012 4:38 AM,
Ausjenny said…
wow cool cover and I have to say cool surprise about Wimbledon. While I am not a big tennis fan (says me as I am watching tennis on tv) I appreciate Wimbledon it would be like me going to Lords the home of cricket (or the Boxing day test in Melbourne which I just did). If someone surprised me with tickets to Hawaii I would love that. Also when friends decided to come visit me from interstate that was a good surprise (thankfully I had enough time to tidy up abit). Not big on surprise parties or where I become center of attention. Right now a surprise job offer would be wonderful.
At January 5, 2012 10:07 AM,
Merrillee said…
Jenny, another big tennis tournament is coming up in Australia--the Australian Open. Thankfully, we have the ability to record the tournament, so we don't have to be up in the middle of the night to watch it. :) Someday I would love to go to the Australian Open, too.
At January 5, 2012 10:52 AM,
Valri said…
Ausjenny, I haven't connected with you in awhile! How are you? Any luck in the job hunt? Good luck!
Not really a big surprise fan - my husband has done a couple of big surprise parties for my birthdays and I always feel "out of my element" but I still love him & appreciate the thought & planning behind them! The biggest "good" surprise happened last year when my son & daughter-in-law announced that they are having a baby! We were totally shocked because they had recently been told they couldn't have children! It's only 5 more weeks until the exciting event. We can hardly wait :)
At January 5, 2012 1:51 PM,
Jackie S. said…
What a nice surprise for you Merrillee! Love the cover on your newest book!
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net
At January 5, 2012 2:18 PM,
amber said…
I love the cover!! I love surprises except for the kind where I become the center of attention like surprise parties.
animalover39355@yahoo.com
At January 5, 2012 2:23 PM,
Merrillee said…
Valri,
Is this your first grandchild? If so, you have a fabulous treat in store for you. Grandchildren are the best. We are going to be grandparents for the second time in May. We had a little surprise this week concerning the anticipated grandchild. Several weeks ago our daughter was in a fender-bender car accident and went to the doctor to make sure all was well with the baby. The person who did the ultrasound told her she was going to have a boy. This week when she went to her regular doctor, they did an ultrasound. Surprise! No boy, but a girl. Now we have to switch gears and think girl.
At January 5, 2012 2:24 PM,
Merrillee said…
Thanks, Jackie. I love this cover, too.
At January 5, 2012 2:27 PM,
Merrillee said…
Thanks, Amber. I don't mind surprise parties. There is one surprise party that I will never forget. Just before my husband and I were going to get married, I was teaching school--sixth grade. About a week before the wedding, my class was at music class and my principal came in to see me. He had this really serious look on his face and asked me to come with him because my class had done something. I am thinking the worst. When I walked into the room, they all yelled surprise. I was so overwhelmed that I cried. They had a party for me and some gifts. It was so touching.
At January 5, 2012 2:46 PM,
Valri said…
Yes, it will be our first! We went from thinking we might never be grandparents to having a grandchild soon! so exciting! She will be born in 5 weeks and we are counting the days. I get to go help for a month (out of state) and I am thrilled. The other grandma is unable so I am thrilled that they asked me! I have two daughters but they have no desire to marry and I can only hope that over time they will change their minds but for now we'll dote on THIS grandbaby! So excited for you and your upcoming grandchild too!
At January 5, 2012 4:05 PM,
Teresa said…
I Love the cover and the pics that inspired you to it. How nice of the designers to follow through your suggestion Merrillee.
I don't think I like surprises. No, I'm pretty sure I don't like suprises, specially the ones that put me in the center of all eyes wanting a reaction and I would have to think what they expect and follow through not to hurt their feelings who are doing their best.
But I Love to learn about surprises made to others - yours is too lovely - and I can help prepare if I'm SURE the person will appreciate.
At January 5, 2012 5:54 PM,
Ausjenny said…
Merrillee, I walked right past Rod Laver areana home of the aussie open on the way to the MCG last week. It is impressive.
Valri still looking as of next week I will be upping my effort.
At January 5, 2012 7:05 PM,
Merrillee said…
Teresa,
It surprises me that you don't like surprises! :)
At January 5, 2012 7:06 PM,
Merrillee said…
Jenny, I hope you find a wonderful job.
At January 5, 2012 8:48 PM,
Jennifer said…
My husband offering to take me to a book store is a huge one.
jennydtipton[at]gmail[com]
At January 5, 2012 9:30 PM,
Merrillee said…
Jennifer, that would be the same as my hubby wanting to take me shopping for clothes. :)
At January 5, 2012 10:37 PM,
Jennifer said…
Right on Merrillee!
At January 5, 2012 11:07 PM,
Ausjenny said…
Jennifer and Merrillee, I am not married but a bigger surprise would be actually offering to go clothes shopping with you both. Bookshops are good, grocery shopping good, Shopping for shoppings sake bad. Unless I need something I dont like shopping. I could have gone to the boxing day sales here, like your black friday, but I chose to go to the cricket.
At January 6, 2012 7:33 AM,
Wendy said…
I too hate surprise parties. Now being surprised with tickets to Wimbledon I would love! Haven't yet been to it even though I live in UK, but it's somewhere I'd love to go one day. The Wimbledon fortnight is VERY big over here & I follow it closely.
Ausjenny, I'm with you on the shopping...book shopping yes. Other, no! Hope you get that job offer soon.
Valri, the news of a new arrival is the surprise I like too. My sister has just had her 2nd & the excitement leading up, & then the arrival & the fun with them afterwards is great. I love being an auntie! Enjoy!
Glad your daughter's baby is ok, Merrilee. Oh, & the art department did a good job on the cover. Loved the photo of your hero with the dog too!
At January 6, 2012 8:52 AM,
Kim Watters said…
Beautiful cover Merrillee. The art department got your characters down. As for surprises? Yes and no. As a Virgo, I like to know what's in store so I can plan. Guess that kind of ruins the spontaneity, but...it made a difference in what color I painted the baby's room! :)
At January 9, 2012 11:26 AM,
beemama said…
First off, I love the new cover. I just got the book Sat. and am planning to read it this week.
As for surprises, I love surprises. I like the small ones, the unexpected Dr. Pepper my son brings me from the store, to the big ones, "guess what, Mom, I'm getting married in Aug." this news delivered in May.
Jenny, hope the job situation gets resolved quickly for you. Job hunting is the pits.
Glad to hear your d-i-l is OK and so is the baby.
Grandbabies are wonderful. I love the bumpersticker that says "Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your kids".
Shirley
beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net
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