Decisions, Decisions-Help Me Choose a Book Cover-Please?

Just before Christmas, I am going to finally upload another project I’ve beeen working on AND OFF most of this year. In 2001-2002, Tyndale House published my “Northern Intrigue” series. These three stories are set in northern Wisconsin and are romances and mysteries combined=romantic suspense. While my first love is writing historicals, I do enjoy writing a contemporary occasionally and all the better spiced with an exciting mystery.

Here is what one reviewer on Amazon.com said about the first book Winter’s Secret:

5 Stars “Unraveling the mystery of the snowmobile bandit kept me up half of the night. The situations were very realistic and the author did a great job of adding suspense in the mytery and in the romance between Sheriff Rodd and Nurse Wendy. I just had to keep reading until the end.”

So that gives you some idea of what the book is about.

But since I’m re-publishing this myself, I must find a new cover. The one above is what I first chose with my daughter’s help. (She’s learned how to format books for ereaders and is also doing cover art. Go, Mimi!)

But upon consideration, I think that while it’s a good strong image, it lacks MYSTERY! So here are two more choices. Which do you like and why? I’d love to have your input!

1-SUV on a Dark Winter Road OR

2-A Misty Winter Forest.

So which fits best-number 1 or 2 and WHY???–Lyn

Comments

Decisions, Decisions–Help Me Choose a Book Cover-Please? — 45 Comments

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Lane Hill House on December 12, 2011 at 05:28 said:

I prefer the original one at the top.

“#1” doesn’t seem to stand out to me, other than if they are going to have a close call going around that curve meeting another car since they are in the middle of the road. Snowmobile tracks along the side of the road could show up if there was packed down snow instead of bare on the left.
“#2” seems believable. Again, I would put a snowmobile track amid the trees. More traffic, less suspicion, unless the tracks can be followed to one set being set off by a crooked link that would make a different mark.
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Mary Ann Young Robinson on December 10, 2011 at 17:46 said:

If there is any death or murder in the story, definitely #2. It is the photo of lurking and hiding and burying. If it is more suspense and feeling lost at night, #1. Both are nice.
Amanda Stephan on December 10, 2011 at 15:25 said:

I like #2 as well. It seems creepy and mysterious.
Carol Ann Kunkel on December 9, 2011 at 19:20 said:

I like #2, the forrest. It communicates “mystery” to me.
Rachel on December 9, 2011 at 17:12 said:

Hi there- I think the image w/the car shows mystery. I like the forest image as well, but it seems to connote (is that a word?) supernatural to me. Good luck choosing a cover!
Kimbery Johnson on December 9, 2011 at 16:51 said:

I like the second choice best. The trees are scary and lend toward a sense of mystery, however there’s no indication that it’s a romance by this cover.
I didn’t care for the car on the road because it looked fake–like a toy car in a made up scene. The tree scene is more realistic and grabbed my attention.
It’d be nice if you could use the trees but maybe add a picture of the heroine and or hero into it. Just my two cents:)
Ann H. Gabhart on December 9, 2011 at 15:54 said:

What fun, Lyn. You’re getting some great comments and it was neat reading the reasons everyone voted for this or that one. Made me go back and forth with my pick. The trees jumped out at me first, but both seem to be appealing and as some of the readers said, the first one’s not bad either.

Thanks for letting us have some fun with this and good luck choosing the best cover for your e-book.
AprilR on December 9, 2011 at 15:33 said:

I like them all,but think #1 is my favorite. Is someone/something following them? Where are they going and why? What will happen on this long,lonesome road,wintryI wonder?Good luck..
Paula Osborne on December 9, 2011 at 13:32 said:

Hi Lyn, looks like another winner on this book, as for the cover, I like #2 with all the trees. It makes me wonder is someone lost? It just looks like a mystery all surrounded in a mist.
Paula O
Margaret Metz on December 9, 2011 at 12:47 said:

I like number two best. I don’t think it will be a problem with your title not showing up because you can use a light color instead of a dark one to make it contrast. Play with what makes it work best. You can even use an unexpected color like teal blue (which is kind of wintry but would still leap off the page) or go with caution tape yellow … or red… or mix them and do an orange … I mean I just read a book that had a very light beige top and a red bottom half (the lady was wearing a ball gown that color). The title and author’s name were done in light colors against her skirt so they would stand out. It worked beautifully.

I think you could use the same thing and still get your air of mystery. The top one looks like any snowy, Christmas scene. The last one makes it look almost like something … paranormal is happening in the woods. I’d stick with number two. I wish you all the best though – I know whatever you choose will turn out great.
Kate on December 9, 2011 at 12:10 said:

Although they are both excellent I would choose #1 because you wonder where the suv is going and why.
Melody on December 9, 2011 at 06:26 said:

Number two has me instantly intrigued and wanting to know what this winter secret is! Captures my attention immediately! I am all for a good book cover- I truly judge a book by the cover! Good luck! 🙂
Kimberly & guide dog Abby on December 9, 2011 at 05:20 said:

#1 because it’ll show up better as an ebook cover. The woods in #2 might just interfere with the wording once the words are added.
Marianne Barkman on December 9, 2011 at 04:44 said:

i would have been surprised that cover #2 hid a suspense story – unless i just can’t see that snowmobile (skidoo) hiding in the trees? i would pick #1 for that reason, but still think adding a skidoo into the pic would add to it. Thanks Lynn for trusting us to answer
Michele on December 9, 2011 at 03:14 said:

If I had to pick just one I would pick #2 because the woods and mist just make me think “mystery”. But, would it be possible to have both combined. Try dark woods with a narrow winding road, dark SUV on the road and lots of mist. Now that sounds great.
Sherri Wilson Johnson on December 9, 2011 at 02:54 said:

I agree with Lena. The one with the SUV shows suspense, but the one with the woods would promote better. And it is mysterious.
Jim on December 9, 2011 at 02:33 said:

I choose the winter woods number 2. The trees exude a sense of mystery and the clouds/mist seems to have faces in them. In other words my imagination sees things in the woods, and it’s very mysterious.
Jennifer on December 9, 2011 at 01:19 said:

I like the #2. The misty drifting out of the trees gives an air of mystery. “What is could be sneaking up on me out from the trees?”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years
Glenda Fowlow on December 8, 2011 at 23:17 said:

I’d go with the one you chose with your daughter! Don’t second guess yourself, it’s lovely.
Barb Shelton on December 8, 2011 at 22:10 said:

Thanks for asking our opinions. While I think both covers have a mysterious appeal, I don’t think I would pick #2 up to read the back of the cover. #1 is my preference – first of all, it causes me to feel the cold down to my bones….and I wonder who is in the car and why they are on that dangerous dark slick road at that time of the night. They seem lost and don’t know where they are.

Merry Christmas Blessings to All!
Adina Senft on December 8, 2011 at 21:58 said:

I like the SUV one, because it implies people with some kind of goal, good or bad. It’s also easier for design purposes. Trees are really hard to put lettering over because of all the verticals.
Judy K on December 8, 2011 at 21:47 said:

#1 just doesn’t look like it fits on the cover of a book as suspenseful or mysterious. To be honest I wouldn’t even pick it up if it sat on a book shelf. It would never perk my interest!
Judy K on December 8, 2011 at 21:45 said:

I personally like #2. With the woodsy scenery it just reminds me more of a perfect cover! It looks quite suspenseful!
ausjenny on December 8, 2011 at 21:14 said:

To be honest I like the cover you have right at the top. the other two picks makes me think it will be suspense (not a light suspense like LIS). but thats me I am not into heavy suspense. if I have to pick I would go for two.
Juanita Wickey on December 8, 2011 at 20:09 said:

I like both pictures, but for the book cover the SUV speaks more to me of mystery. I actually like the bookcover you had in the first place. Between the two choices though, the SUV photo makes me wonder if someone is going to jump out and make the SUV stop, will they be robbed, what is going to happen on this dark dark road late at night.
StrongWomen on December 8, 2011 at 20:04 said:

Great comments! Helpful too!
Rita Wray on December 8, 2011 at 20:00 said:

I like the SUV on a Dark Winter Road.
Wendy Newcomb on December 8, 2011 at 19:41 said:

I like, 1-SUV on a Dark Winter Road, seems to be more mysterious.
Lena Nelson Dooley on December 8, 2011 at 19:31 said:

My idea is more about promoting your book. When the cover is too dark, it doesn’t show up as well on blogs and other web sites, so I would go with the tree one, just because it would show up better.

I have sidebar cover ads from other authors on my blog. The ones with the really dark covers don’t catch my readers’ eyes as well as the ones with more contrast on them.
Phyllis Bourne on December 8, 2011 at 19:23 said:

#2 Winter Forest.
Victoria Bylin on December 8, 2011 at 19:01 said:

I vote for No.2, but it’s win-win. The picture with the car is definitely intriguing. It makes me asks who’s driving and where are they going? No. 2 is both subtle and evocative. It drew me in immediately.
Roxanne Rustand on December 8, 2011 at 18:29 said:

I think the one with the trees is too murky and indistinct, and that it won’t show up well on Amazon. I also don’t think it would have a high quality, professional look. The winding road is much better. I do like the first one, at the top of the blog. I wonder if it could be darkened, and then a different, suspense-laden, ragged font could be used….perhaps even in blood red if the photo exposure was deepened for a more mysterious air.

Roxanne,
(with all sorts of opinions today!
Teri Metts on December 8, 2011 at 17:18 said:

I prefer the one with the SUV on the dark, winding road. I know Liz said it spoke to her of heading home. I’m thinking she may be right – however, since I know this is a suspense novel, this cover leads me to suspect something is going to happen along the way.
Jane Squires on December 8, 2011 at 15:46 said:

I like the SUV on the dark road. It spells of mystery. Merry Christmas.
Liz on December 8, 2011 at 15:21 said:

Number 2, combined with the title, spells mystery to me, while number 1 evokes “heading home” more than suspense.
Emma Bedford on December 8, 2011 at 15:07 said:

Definitely the one with the SUV. It would cause me to pick the book up to see what is going on. It really exudes mystery.
Jessica Nelson on December 8, 2011 at 14:58 said:

This is tough! Not sure. Is there romance involved? I always like the half-profile pic of a woman at night too, or something. But all of those are interesting and pretty. I do like the two darker ones better for a mystery. Have fun!
StrongWomen on December 8, 2011 at 14:52 said:

Keep them coming!
EllenToo on December 8, 2011 at 04:47 said:

I like #2 because is screams mystery and hiding to me.
Jodi Grindstaff on December 8, 2011 at 03:12 said:

I choose #2. The story says snowmobile. SUV doesn’t seem to fit and it’s so dark, I don’t see me picking from a shelf. You have to admit, sometimes a good cover is what gets you, when choosing between two books. I pick the woods!
Jennifer Tipton on December 8, 2011 at 00:56 said:

Number 2. Because woods just adds to the mystery. Just imagining what’s lurking beyond the trees already has me spooked and it being dark, the moon is shinning and some mist to lure the reader in.
jennydtipton@gmail.com
Caron Tweet on December 8, 2011 at 00:15 said:

The moment I saw the cover with the car on the winding road I was intrigued! It makes me think of a dark, cold winter evening in MN. Someone is on the run, escaping or hiding from someone. I immediately wanted to know who was in the SUV & where they were going!

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Decisions, Decisions–Help Me Choose a Book Cover-Please?

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Decisions, Decisions–Help Me Choose a Book Cover-Please? — 45 Comments

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