posted on January 7, 2015 by Lucy Monroe

Behind the Scenes with a Cover Artist

The Real DealChantilly White is a fantastic author who writes some of my favorite short romances, but what many don’t realize is that for some very lucky friends, she is also a world class cover designer.  I thought you all might be interested in what went on behind the scenes in the creation of this amazing cover that so beautifully conveys the sexy romance found in The Real Deal.  So, I’m interviewing Chantilly and am as eager as you all to see what she has to say.

Chantilly White: Hi, Lucy! Thanks so much for having me here today! I was beyond thrilled to work on this cover with you and love how it all came together. Thank you for that awesome opportunity!

Lucy Monroe:  What is the first thing you do when you start designing a book cover?

Chantilly White: Usually, the first thing is to talk with the author about their vision for the cover and to learn a little about the book and the main characters. It’s more than just the genre and the character’s hair color, though. The setting and the mood is important, too. For The Real Deal, the setting was extra important. As we discussed the book, it became clear that the hero’s house was something your readers identified with strongly, and it needed to be visually represented on the cover. Sometimes it can be challenging to find the right image when there’s something super specific that needs to be included, but the background image for The Real Deal just leapt off the screen and shouted, “Here I am!”

Lucy Monroe:  What do you want to convey with your book covers?

Chantilly White: Class and emotion. I hope that when people view my covers, they first see a classy, professional product, one that’s strong, clean, elegant, and that clearly identifies the book’s genre. I shy away from covers and images that are too fussy or cluttered. I’d rather have one powerful image than a whole bunch of mashed together photos trying to squeeze in every little detail of the book. The book itself should tell the story. The cover should entice readers to click on it or open the pages to find out more, and it should deliver on the promise of the story within.

As for the emotion… that’s a little tougher. There are so many fantastic images out there, but they aren’t all suitable for book covers. I spend a lot of time trying to find just the right images and the right models, ones who not only resemble the characters as they’re described in the book, but who have the right facial expressions and body language in the individual photos, not to mention their wardrobe. There are a lot of companies and professional models out there now who specialize in book cover images, so that’s made it easier, but even then, when clicking on a particular pose that may have seventy-five variations, it can be hard to find the one that hits all the right notes when there are only minute differences in each shot. But I’m not complaining! Having so many options means I’m much more likely to find that perfect shot.

Lucy Monroe:  What was it like working with cover model Jason Aaron Bacca for the cover of The Real Deal?

Chantilly White: Jason is a dream! He’s so professional and very friendly. He was very helpful when I contacted him about his images.

One of the things that can be tough for an amateur to really nail for a romance cover is the actual romance of the pose–the way a man (or woman) holds his head and mouth when he’s about to kiss a woman, or the way his eyelids slide halfway closed, the way his hand strokes down the length of her hair or clutches the fabric of her clothing, how closely he holds her. All those things have to come into play for a romance cover, in particular, and Jason is no amateur! He’s a total pro, which made it hard to choose from all his great images, but I think the one we ended up with is perfect. I highly recommend him.

Lucy Monroe:  I’m a big fan of your covers, as you know, but I’m an even bigger fan of your writing.  If a reader wanted to start reading your books (and I highly recommend doing so), what one would you suggest to start with?

Chantilly White: Thanks, Lucy! My favorite is always whichever one is the newest release, so I’d have to go with Snow Angel. It’s the first in a new series for me, one I’m very excited about. It’s a contemporary New Adult romance, a friends-to-lovers story (my personal favorite), and introduces many of the characters who will either get their own books or who will weave in and out of the series.Book two, Desert Damsel, is scheduled to release in spring, 2015.

Lucy, thank you again for the opportunity to visit your blog today, and to work on your covers for your fabulous books! {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}

THE REAL DEAL
by Lucy Monroe

The Real DealAvailable now in eBook!
September 2004 (tradesize) ISBN 0-7582-0860-X
June 2005 (mass market) ISBN 0-7582-0861-8
January 2015 (eBook re-issue) ASIN B00RAX5E8S

Like a classic Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn/Doris Day-Rock Hudson movie-but with plenty of steamy heat-Lucy Monroe’s debut novel introduces a pair of delightfully sparring opposites whose undeniable attraction is about to take them beyond the edge of reason…and right into the throes of delicious passion…

SHUT UP AND KISS ME

The most important thing in Amanda’s life is negotiating a successful merger between her company and Brant Computers, a family-held competitor. It should be a done deal: Company president Eric Brant is on board with the idea. But when Amanda arrives in Eric’s office, it is his cousin Simon Brant who greets her-and Simon is anything but agreeable. He’s not about to give up control of the family company or lay off loyal workers. Squaring off against the sexy, brilliant, sexy, obstinate, sexy, eccentric, not to mention sexy Simon is completely frustrating-and a total turn-on. And when he walks out on her presentation, sidetracked by another one of his brilliant ideas, Amanda is shocked…and intrigued…no, furious!…and…and…and so attracted she can barely enter data into her tablet…

Simon has never met a woman as passionate and driven as Amanda, or as devastatingly attractive. He can’t decide if he wants to put her on the next plane home-in the cargo hold-or kidnap her and spend a long weekend showing her exactly the kind of negotiating he likes best. Come to think of it, if the lady wants war, maybe they should engage in full-on battle…in the bedroom…and see who will be the victor. But when intimacy leads to an explosive passion, it might be time to think of a different, more permanent kind of merger…one that’s less about business and all about pleasure…

Lucy Monroe knows her romance and The Real Deal is it. – Nicole Hulst, Cataromance Reviews

Start reading now:

The Real Deal can be purchased in eBook format for/from:

Awards:

Reviewer’s Choice Award 2004 Contemporary Romance – The Road to Romance

Reviewer’s Choice Award 2004 Contemporary Romance – CataRomance

One of Lori Foster’s Top 10 Favorite Books of ’04

Awarded DIK status on All About Romance by Laurie Gold

Nominated for the Golden Rose Award

Recommended Read FAR

Cover Artist: Chantilly White

Cover Model: Jason Aaron Bacca

Lucy Monroe

Lucy Monroe

Award winning and prolific USA Today Best Selling author Lucy Monroe's books have hit national bestsellers lists in both the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Grand Central or a steamy historical or paranormal, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all. Visit her website at www.lucymonroe.com and read about all her upcoming books. Or email her at http://www.lucymonroe.com/contact/. "Lucy Monroe captures the very heart of the genre." --- New York Times Best Selling Author Debbie Macomber "Lucy Monroe writes smart, sensual, emotional books for intelligent women." --- New York Times Best Selling Author JoAnn Ross "Thank you for writing those alpha heroes I love." --- New York Times Best Selling Author Lori Foster "A Lucy Monroe book is a treat not to be missed." --- New York Times Best Selling Author Lora Leigh "Lucy Monroe is one of my favorite indulgences." --- New York Times Best Selling Author Christine Feehan

https://www.lucymonroe.com

One thought on “Behind the Scenes with a Cover Artist”

  1. Hi, Lucy! Thanks so much for featuring me today, and I’m so glad you love your covers! I had a wonderful time working on them, and especially working with you, and can’t wait to get started on the print versions! {{{{Big hugs}}}}

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