The large-print hardcover (Thorndike Press) edition of my RITA-nominated A Family Forever goes on sale tomorrow. I had nothing to do with the cover design, and I must say I'm a little puzzled by it. Why's Shelby lifting her dress that way? And exactly whose hand is that on her bare belly? I know it can't be Tucker's, because he wears a wedding ring that matches hers.Kidding aside, while I can't say I'm offended by this cover, it does seem unusually sensual for an inspirational romance. Unless Shelby is wearing a very, very long top instead of a dress, that's her underwear we're seeing at the bottom of the picture. And have any of you inspy readers ever seen a man's hand caressing a bare belly (pregnant or not) on the cover of an inspirational romance novel? Just curious.
For those of you who are interested in how these things work, I'll explain: I have assigned rights to my copyrighted work to Steeple Hill Books. They, in turn, have granted reprint rights to Thorndike Press (yes, I will get a piece of that action). But Thorndike didn't (and doesn't usually) buy rights to use the cover image that Steeple Hill created, so they had to design their own cover.
Thorndike Press is the world's largest publisher of large-print hardcover books. They sell mainly to libraries because their big, honkin' books last practically forever. The books are popular not just with readers who need larger print, but also with adult literacy students and ESL classes.
You might have seen Thorndike books for sale in WalMart or Sam's club, but if you really want a copy of A Family Forever in large-print hardcover, your best bet is to order one from your favorite bookstore (just tell 'em it's ISBN 0786297069) or from this page at Amazon.
9 comments:
I agree, it is a bit odd...
Wow!! Makes me wonder if Thorndike even realizes it's an inspirational title? I'd assume they'd know and had read it, but it just seems a major faux pas to me on Thorndike's part. I'm not offended by the cover, either, but I could imagine that a lot of Christian fiction readers could be offended?
Brenda, book buyers of the large-print hard-back Thorndike books will pay only $23.16 per book at Barnes and Nobel site if they join their members' club. I joined when I had my first hardback Thorndike and bought several books to give to friends who need the larger print. This address should get them to your book. barneshttp://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Brenda+Coulter&z=y
It is a bit unusual, but I like it actually. I wouldn't mind having one with that cover in my collection.
Makes me wonder if Thorndike even realizes it's an inspirational title? I'd assume they'd know and had read it, but it just seems a major faux pas to me on Thorndike's part.
I'm not calling it that, Cecelia. They do know it's an inspirational title, but they're not a Christian publishing house. If anyone is going to be offended, it will be the library patrons and others who pick up the book expecting a sensual read and find out that it isn't one.
;-)
Patt, thanks for the link.
I don't think it's in good taste. (Not to hurt your feelings, Brenda.) I don't mind pictures like this in the privacy of a family. I think they're kind of wonderful, in that context. But I don't think they belong to the world.
And once the baby's on the way, isn't the sexual tension that drives the romance over? Unless the baby's father passed away, and now another man is in the picture, or some other type of plot twist. (I think I read your synopsis once, but forget what it was. Maybe it's that kind of thing.)
My humble opinion. I could probably be persuaded to accept it, but feel it leaves too little to the imagination.
And once the baby's on the way, isn't the sexual tension that drives the romance over? Unless the baby's father passed away, and now another man is in the picture, or some other type of plot twist. (I think I read your synopsis once, but forget what it was. Maybe it's that kind of thing.)
Yep, it's that kind of thing. ;-) When we meet the heroine in Chapter One, she's pregnant by her fiance, who has just been killed. His brother by adoption is the hero of the story.
Hi Brenda,
'At His Command' is in large print too I see - fantastic! (I found it through Evjoy large print books search).
As for the cover, I'm so surprised that you don't have control over the picture they chose... I think it's a bit odd & would likely mislead people. What were they thinking?
-simone
Hi, Simone. Thanks for your interest in At His Command.
Yes, Steeple Hill has begun issuing all of its books in regular and large-print paperback and e-book format simultaneously. Something for everybody!
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