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Ask any blogger and they will say that writing is a solitary activity. For me, it's like hatching a 300 pound egg. I sit in my nest, facing a laptop or yellow legal pad, and I'm afraid to leave my egg for too long. If you're like me, hatching can cause the hatcher to crave chocolate, Cheeze-Its, and cupcakes.
Months, even years, can pass and I have nothing to show except typed pages. Eventually, the book goes into production and an artist creates a cover. I was in NYC yesterday, and I'm thrilled to share two book covers for Gone With a Handsomer Man. Which one do you like?
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"All I ever wanted in life was true love, a set of copper cookware, and the perfect recipe for Red Velvet cake. The last thing I wanted was to end up on Charleston's six o'clock news, accused of murder and a slew of other crimes."
So begins the story of Teeny Templeton, out-of-work Charleston pastry chef. The first bit of trouble in which Teeny finds herself is when she catches her fiance playing naked badminton with two other women, which compels her to climb a peach tree and hurl unripe peaches at him. Needless to say, the engagement is over, and her fiance slaps her with a restraining order. When her fiance is found dead a few days later, all fingers point to Teeny. Her only hope is through an old boyfriend-turned-lawyer, the guy who broke her heart a decade ago. But dredging up the past brings more than skeletons out of the closet, and Teeny doesn't know who she can trust. With evidence mounting and the heat turning up, Teeny must also figure out where to live, how to support herself, how to clear her name, and how to protect her heart.
All of my blogging friends have been supportive and loving during this long, long process. I'm pleased to tell you all that GONE WITH A HANDSOMER MAN will be coming to a bookstore near you in May 2011 by St.Martin's Press/Minotaur Books! Teeny's next adventure, A TEENY BIT OF TROUBLE, will be published in 2012 (I finished it this month--yay!), and I'm busily working on Teeny's third caper.
In the coming months, I'll be having some foodie contests and fun give-aways.
A little book jacket trivia: can you guess the house in the background? I'll give the answer tomorrow.(Hint: a famous wedding took place at this house.)
XXOO
The first one, definitely! Congrats on the hatching of your 300 pound egg. I admire anyone who can write a book.
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ButterYum
Congrats!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe first one! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI'd go with the first one too. It made me laugh. How exciting! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteHi! I love the cover design. Playful, yet hiding a deadly serious message. Definitely number one. Teeny doesn't belong in the background!
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Darnell
Hi Michael Lee! Oh, you've been one busy gal! I know I'm going to love this new book of yours. Love the covers too! Now, I guess I'm a tad different, but I'm liking the second cover. Looks like the little gal is already on her way off with that handsomer man! :) Too cute.
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well and how wonderful to have two books done. Can you rest a bit and play now? :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Michael Lee, I like them both, but the first one puts the emphasis on Teeny, and the second one puts the emphasis on the dead lover. So I think probably the first!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm guessing, but would that be the house where Andrew Jackson married his wife, Rachael??? It has an antebellum look, and while I've seen the house where they married, I've never seen the side of it. That's just sort of a wild guess, but if I'm correct, the house is in Mississippi.
If it's not that, is it the house where you and Dr. Gollum were married???
Can't wait to read ALL three books. So glad you came up for air.
XO,
Sheila :-)
P.S. I just saw Shelia's comment before mine, and I see her logic. AND I really think that shot is funny because the emphasis is on the fact that he is history!
ReplyDeleteI really like the first cover. I can't wait to read the book. Congratulations. It will be fun to hear what house is in the background.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! The first cover has my vote too.
ReplyDeletexo, Sherry
As someone that does pick books by the cover I am loving the first image!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This book sounds like it will be a wonderful read. As for the cover...I am truly drawn to the first one. it catches my eye...
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading it...can't wait for May!
Jane (artfully graced)
Hey Michael Lee! What fabulous news and a gorgeous cover! I, too, definitely prefer the first one. (the second one didn't do a thing for me) I just can't get over how much you get accomplished in your life! You obviously ARE attached to your writing chair when you are hatching your books!! You are my inspiration!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI like the first one too.
ReplyDeleteI like the first one best. Not sure about the house.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your new book.
Fabulous...can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the first cover best. :)
I like both covers but the first one is my pick, too. I thought the house was from a stock photo, or that it had been Photoshopped, but the photographer went to the property with real peaches. Love it! A hint about the house: a high profile wedding took place there in 2010.
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ReplyDeleteThe FIRST COVER is my choice. It emphasizes 'Teeny' as the main charachter while subtly pointing out the insignificance of the man by simply placing him in the background.
ReplyDeleteNothng personally against men but I love it!
I'll be looking for it. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteAt first I kinda liked the first one best. But then after reading your little excerpt about the book I liked the 2nd one better cause she looks more aloof and has that "I've moved on attitude". But they are both great!
ReplyDeleteI like them both both the second one is "juicier"!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your book.
Carol
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ReplyDeleteLike many of the other commenters, I like the first cover best. A leading lady should have a leading cover, right?!
ReplyDeleteI once hurled two hard-boiled eggs at my husband. Though, those wouldn't look as nice on a book cover. ; )
I can't wait to read your new novels. Thanks for writing.
LOL Love the hard boiled egg story!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Sounds like a very exciting book.... hopefully I can get my hands on one over here too (Norway)..
ReplyDeleteAND I love the first cover!!and that has my vote!.. the other one was good too.. but the first one had the right balance... of light and color, as well as message! :-)
Congrats!
I'll be waiting patiently (or not so much) for this book! First cover. Sounds like a great series. If Janet likes it, I know many of us will, too. ♥♫
ReplyDeleteThe first jacket, definitely. Congratulations on this achievement and I look forward to reading it next summer. La
ReplyDeleteHave missed you Michael, Love both covers but number one has the edge I think and the titles are perfect, can't wait to read all about Teeny. Many Congrats xxxx Kathy
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! I think my vote is for the first cover!! Can't wait to read your book :)
ReplyDeleteYou know I loooove your books and I can not wait to get this one! I vote for the first cover jacket, (it says, "girl power, I'm not taking that!") Congrats on this golden egg and also finishing your next!
ReplyDeleteYes, the first one is my favorite too. Can't wait to read the new book. I've enjoyed all your others... even read the old ones again recently!
ReplyDeleteI like the second one best. I think the house may be the one where Chelsea Clinton got married. I can't believe how you knock out these books!!!!!!!!! I am in awe!!! Can't wait to "meet" Teeny!!!! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the first one. Can't wait to read your latest creation. If I didn't already like your books I'd take Janet Evanovich's endorsement very seriously. She has got to be one of the funniest authors around. Love the Stephanie Plum books
ReplyDeleteOMG, now we finally get to have you back tablescaping and giving us lighthearted commentary on all of the fun things you and your wonderful "menagerie" are up to. So good to have you back! First cover, definitely, since she is the heroine and is that the house that Chelsea Clinton got married in? A HUGE Fan! Jackie
ReplyDeleteHmm, hard choice. Graphically, the man first grabs you (it's the diagonal slash--has a lot of energy). But it's her story so she should take center stage! Kudos for finishing the book... can't wait to read it.. will you release little tantalizing bits on your blog before we can buy it??? Hope so!
ReplyDeleteThe first cover for sure.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the 2nd cover and I'm guessing "Father of the Bride". Congrats on finishing BOTH books and looking forward to seeing it on the shelves ;)
ReplyDeleteFondly, Roberta
Congratulations on your new books!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Beth
I too like 'the first choice' for the cover of the book.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS Michael on the completion of both your books. Hope now you can squeeze some well earned R&R in for yourself.
-Brenda-
can't wait.....Pat H
ReplyDeleteI vote for the first one. No idea whose wedding was in that house-when are you going to tell us?
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