Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Lover's Knot Blog Tour ~ Guest Post with Jenetta James & Giveaway!

Hello, Friends! It's my pleasure to be part of the Lover's Knot Blog Tour! Today, Jenetta James is here to talk about a subject that I think is very important. Cover art. I know I shouldn't, but I do judge a book by its cover. It's the first thing that catches my eye, making me pick it up, and then read the book description. So, it's important! :)





Lover’s Knot: a quick tour around the book cover.

Firstly, thank you Candy for having me visit “So little time…” as part of the “Lover’s Knot” blog tour. It is a pleasure to be here for a guest post. 

Today, I’m talking about the cover of “Lover’s Knot”. That is not because I designed it, or because I have any aptitude in that department! The cover is the work of Susan Adriani of CloudCat Design, but I’m so taken with it that I hope readers will enjoy a little saunter through its finer details. 

As a reader, I take quite an interest in covers. I love the “cover reveals” in the world of JAFF and always enjoy looking at the different designs that pop up - both for my trusty favourite authors and those who are new to me. My gut instinct is that a cover should give you a sneak peek at the story but not try to tell it. It is like wafting a just-cooked meal under the nose of a hungry soul, and a lot of what makes an effective cover comes down to feeling and atmosphere.

Because “Lover’s Knot” is both a romance and a mystery - its cover needed to hint at both as well as be slightly dark. It is after all, not every day that everyone’s favourite Hertfordshire estate is beset by a grisly murder, and I feel that should be reflected in the cover of the book. 



The full cover contains three images from historical works of art. In each case, by focussing on details, Susan cleverly transforms how those images appear. So let’s have a look at each one.  

The brooding gentleman starring out from the top of the front cover is intended to call to mind Mr. Darcy. In “Lover’s Knot”, he is not simply the male lead - he is also the narrator. It is his story, so it seemed fitting that he should take pride of place on the cover. In fact, that face is a detail from a portrait of French sculptor Paul Lemoyne by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. It was painted in Rome in 1811. The whole portrait is here and as readers will see, in the full version, he looks a bit like Elvis and not at all like Mr. Darcy. But, to my mind (I know others will disagree, of course), the close up version could well be the man himself. 




So what of the party-going lady at the bottom of the front cover? This is a detail from a painting called “After the ball” by German artist, Conrad Kiesel. It will be clear from the fashions and the style of painting that this does not date from the Regency, but considerably later. Despite not being the right period - I found it such an appealing image. It worked in the landscape format that was needed for the front cover. And something about the opulence and hopefulness of the lady brought to my mind a particular scene in “Lover’s Knot”. For these reasons, and because I just *love* that fan, I was anxious to use it. Again, Susan focussed in, cleverly changing the way it appears. Readers can look at the whole painting here… 




The back cover features a detail from Vittorio Reggianini’s painting “A Shocking Announcement”. Reggianini was an Italian artist of the late 19th century, although he frequently painted Georgian “saloon scenes”, of which this is one. The whole painting does not really relate to the story of “Lover’s Knot” at all. It is the wrong period and shows a swooning lady in a gilded room being fanned by a maid, seemingly after hearing some unexpected news. As with the other pictures, a detail was used to suggest something quite different. The fallen chair hung with a lady’s shawl on the polished floor and the sight of retreating feet is intended to hint at the chaos and disorder of Netherfield following the discovery of a murder. 





So there you have it. I’d love to hear reader’s reflections on this cover. What do you think of it? What type of covers appeal to you? Do you like to see historical art or contemporary photography? Are you for faces or landscapes? Have your share of the conversation!





Lover’s Knot: A Mysterious Pride & Prejudice Variation 

by Jenetta James 

Book Description:

A great love. A perplexing murder. Netherfield Park — a house of secrets. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a tangle. Captivated by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a girl of no fortune and few connections. Embroiled in an infamous murder in the home of his friend, Charles Bingley. He is being tested in every way. Fearing for Elizabeth’s safety, Darcy moves to protect her in the only way he knows but is thwarted. Thus, he is forced to turn detective. Can he overcome his pride for the sake of Elizabeth? Can he, with a broken heart, fathom the villainy that has invaded their lives? Is there even a chance for love born of such strife? 

Lover’s Knot is a romantic Pride & Prejudice variation, with a bit of mystery thrown in.

Buy: Amazon / This book is free through KindleUnlimited
Add to Goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!



About the Author


Jenetta James is a mother, writer, lawyer and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and now practices full-time as a barrister. Over the years, she has lived in France, Hungary, and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing, and playing with Lego. She has written, Suddenly Mrs. Darcy and The Elizabeth Papers as well as contributed short stories to both The Darcy Monologues and Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen’s Rakes and Gentlemen Rogues






Connect with Jenetta James



Lover’s Knot Tour Schedule

March 29 My Jane Austen Book Club/ Guest Post & Giveaway
March 30 Savvy Verse & Wit / Guest Post & Giveaway
March 31 Liz's Reading Life / Book Review & Giveaway
April 1 My Vices and Weaknesses/  Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 2 Of Pens and Pages / Book Review & Giveaway
April 3 So Little Time... /  Guest Post & Giveaway
April 4  Austenesque Reviews / Author Interview & Giveaway
April 5 From Pemberley to Milton /  Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 6 Babblings of a Bookworm /  Book Review & Giveaway
April 7 More Agreeably Engaged / Book Review & Giveaway
April 8 My Love for Jane Austen / Guest Post & Giveaway
April 9 Diary of an Eccentric /  Guest Post & Giveaway
April 10 Laughing with Lizzie /  Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 11 Margie’s Must Reads / Book Review & Giveaway
April 12 Just Jane 1813/ Author Interview & Giveaway


* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! Jenetta has selected a lovely giveaway package where one lucky winner will receive a Pride & Prejudice scarf, a Kindle cover, and paperback copies of all five of her JAFF books.



Terms and Conditions

  • Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once each day and by commenting daily on a blog post or review that has a giveaway attached to this tour. 
  • Entrants must provide the name of the blog where they commented.
  • Winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter.
  • The giveaway is international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wow! Awesome prize! Thank you, Jenetta, for your generosity! Also, great post! I love to hear about the thought put into a cover. 

Many thanks to Claudine @ JustJane 1813 for organizing this tour and including me! 

So, readers, what do you think? Like Jenetta asked above, what kind of covers appeal to you? 

19 comments:

  1. I like to see historical art on historical books, and a good cover can catch the eye. Since starting reading ebooks, it is less important, it is the genre that interests me.

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    1. Hello, Vesper! You're right about the genre. I will usually read the book descriptions for any book in the genre I like. But while wandering through a bookstore, or even seeing a cover on screen, if a cover grabs me I'll look at the book closer, and have found new authors and have read books from genres I don't usually read that way! :) But I've read many a good book regardless of the cover!

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    2. Yes of course that is right. I only started reading ebooks in about 2013 ish and before that only paperbacks - so I was much more aware of covers before:-)

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  2. I agree. I think cover art is part of the package and should definitely reflect the story in style and concept. I love learning how a finished cover came about.
    That last piece with the kicked over chair just cracks me up.

    Fun post!

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    1. Hey, Sophia Rose! Lol! The kicked over chair it great! I love it on the back of the cover, and Jenetta's right, it shows disorder and chaos!

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    2. It's great isn't it it caught my eye straight away. I love pinterest, and can spend hours just scrolling:-)

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  3. I am really anxious to read Lover's Knot! Thank you for the giveaways and congratulations on your new book!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Daniela and good luck in the giveaway!

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  4. I think you made a great choice as this cover is fantastic. I prefer covers with a person or persons on them even if it's just a silhouette or profile shot.

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    1. I like people on covers too - but understand why some don't especially in a genre where people have a very established idea of what certain characters look like:-) I still think that it is a rare "landscape" that has the same emotional impact as a person and I think that is why I like those sort of covers. Thanks for your comment & good luck in the giveaway:-)

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  5. Been following this book tour, excited to read it! Thanks for your generous giveaway

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    1. What lovely words - thank you! Good luck in the competition:-)

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  6. Historical art certainly makes sense for a book taking place in the past. I can definitely see the Elvis-ness, once the whole portrait is revealed. He looks like he has just said "Uh Ah Hunh" (with maybe a hip swivel) and has surprised himself, and is wondering what *our* reaction will be! ;-)
    I actually really like the last picture. I've always been impressed by and admired artists who are able to so accurately and realistically capture the essence of fabrics. And this picture has so many from which to choose. Did you notice the reflection in the floor of the main character's dress? So well done!

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    1. I know! I couldn't believe it when I first saw the full picture but I don't see Elvis when I look at the trimmed down version (fortunately). The reflection in that picture is amazing - that artist was very fond of such detail - I have loved looking at his paintings on pinterest:-)

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  7. Thanks for this lovely feature and giveaway. The cover is the first thing that is important and reflects the book. The artwork is meaningful and special.

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    1. Thanks for stopping and commenting - good luck in the giveaway!

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  8. Thank you for offering an insight into the cover art selection of your novel, Jenetta. Like Candy, I admit that I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover. My eye sharp notice that you didn't show us the original painting that is used for the lower right hand corner in your front cover. What can you tell us about it, Jenetta?

    I prefer a cover that makes use of historical painting like yours. It doesn't matter if it's a portrait or a landscape picture, as long as it is from the time period or thereabouts. On the other hand I do like contemporary photos with the models dressing up that fits the time period where the novel takes place. But not when the same models are reuse over again in historical fiction books. Then I find it confusing and wondering if I have seen and read the book before. I know it takes a lot of resources and time but the book cover will be unique and memorable if the model is someone known to the author or cover designer.

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