Styles change over time. I remember when I was a little girl I had a white brocade cotton dress trimmed in yellow. I loved it. I wore it to church almost every Sunday. But soon I wanted to wear it on other days too. I imagine I pulled it out of my closet every school day as well, holding it out with expectant eyebrows raised to my mom, who I can picture shaking her head with a pained look.
Now, I wouldn’t dream of wearing a white textured form-fitting mini-dress. Styles change.
Speaking of changing fashions, I’ve read some headlines saying that “skinny jeans” are no longer in style but the dreaded “mom jeans” are back in. The funny thing is I never owned a single pair of skinny jeans. When I buy a pair of denim jeans, they’re in my wardrobe rotation for close to ten years. My mom jeans never left, and now they’re in style again!
Just as styles change in clothes, the same can be said for book covers. See for yourself: go to your bookshelf and search for a book that you read twenty years ago but couldn’t part with because you loved it so much. Pull it out and blow the dust off it. What is the cover art like? Does it look anything like modern books released this year in the same genre? I’m going to guess not.
In my own inspirational romance backlist containing twenty-four books, twenty-three of them take place (entirely or partially) at the beach. It’s sort of my thing. Since the beach is my Happy Place, I set my books there. My first series of beachy inspirational romance is Pawleys Island Paradise. There are six novels and one nonfiction companion book, published between 2014 and 2016. I worked with my cover artist to come up with a look so all the books in the series were branded together, but reflected the unique content of each individual book. I loved those covers, and still do today!
But they’re seven years old, some of them! Cover styles have come and gone and now we, as readers, look for something else. I started noticing a trend last year. Beachy books sported beautiful beachy covers. No couples. No heroes or heroines. Just scenic photographs of the ocean. I’m so drawn to those types of pictures. They fill the walls of my house. I belong to several Facebook groups where we simply share beach photos. I decided to work with my artist to cover my Pawleys Island books with beautiful, new beachy covers.
Since I was giving this series a fresh new look, I decided to also spiffy up the content! I’ve learned a lot about writing inspirational romance novels since these books came out. So I embarked on a journey to reread and polish up these books written by my “seven-years-ago-self.” I didn’t want to change them drastically because readers have always loved these stories. But I did clean up a few errors. I changed a few verbs to be more active. I cut out redundant wording. And I took the opportunity to remove some elements of the stories that readers had told me in their reviews that they didn’t like. Nothing drastic. Just cleaning them up.
Now, just in time for spring break trips to the beach (real or virtual!) the books are ready for a whole new generation of readers to find them and enjoy them! I present to you: a look at the old and the new, along with a short description of each and a place you can buy them if you’re interested.
Here are my questions for you (and I encourage you to be honest): Do you like the old or the new better? Which cover would entice you more to read them? What do you think about the trend of authors putting new covers on older books? Do you like mom jeans or skinny jeans? What are your favorite style trends from the past (either book covers or clothes)? I will pick one random winner to receive an ebook copy of the Pawleys Island Paradise book of your choice, any format. I’ll select a winner on Monday March 29!
Book 1: Roadtrip to Redemption: Get acquainted with Leslie Malone as she makes a life-changing journey after her well-established life gets derailed like never before. Gather on Pawleys Island, South Carolina as she meets Hank, a man of few words but a huge heart who helps her see just how good her life can be. Purchase it here.
Book 2: Tide to Atonement: Join Hank’s son, Jeremy as he is released from prison, determined to redeem himself and live a good life. A relationship with reporter Emma Slotky will not be easy because of his history with her family, but can it possibly be the love God has in store for him in His abundance of grace? Purchase it here.
Book 3: Journey to Fulfillment: Jeremy’s sister Marianne and her husband Tom face a devastating family event. However, instead of this near tragedy pulling the two of them together, it tears them apart. How can this married couple come to resolution beyond the ultimatums and hurt feelings? God has a plan, but what is it? Purchase it here.
Book 4: Bridge to Fruition: Leslie’s daughter Jasmine is about to jump headfirst into the real world. With college graduation nearing and searching for a job, she doesn’t expect the real world to knock her out–literally. After an incident lands her in the hospital, she uncovers a truth about her past, a past she wasn’t prepared to discover. Vowing to find the answers, she sets out on a journey of self-discovery and faith. Purchase it here.
Book 5: Path to Discovery: Brokenhearted, New York actress Roxanne Frazier welcomes the escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city to take the lead in a Pawleys Island dinner theater show. It’s the solace and sanctuary that she’s needed ever since her world came crumbling down. But then he walks in… Back into her life. And her memories of her worst nightmare. Purchase it here.
Book 6: Return to Devotion: Leslie’s friend Rita is an Army wife and she’s committed to living her life that way. Bo’s second deployment was tough on her and now he’s being called for his third. Loneliness is setting in and Rita doesn’t know if she’s got it in her this time. Becoming friends with Glenn fills the emptiness. But can men and women truly be friends? Will an innocent kiss lead to destroying everything she and Bo have built together? Purchase it here.
If you love heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction, this is the series for you. Each book filled with compelling characters, a beautiful real-life beach setting and faith-based truths, I hope you fall in love.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
Your new covers are beautiful and make me want to read the books! I like the new covers because they draw me in. I can picture myself being there and I love the beach. I never wore skinny jeans either and I have mom jeans that will be in fashion. I liked when jumpers were in fashion. They were so comfortable to wear.
Hi Laurie! Your new book covers are gorgeous. Brighter and with a more unified design. As an avid reader who reads over 100 books a year, I am not pleased when the author doesn’t let the reader know about a cover redesign or title revision and then I purchase the book again. Over my 7 decades of life, fashion has come, gone, and reappeared many times. Fashion is always a year behind Europe and in the Midwest a season behind the East or West Coast. I learned long ago, to dress in what looks good on me. This is especially true in color choice. Never did buy a top in mustard yellow. Also no skinny jeans. After having an eye doctor appointment, I investigated what the new frame styles are. To my horror the new frames are similar to those I wore in high school over 50 years ago. Life is full of surprises. Happy Spring.
Lovely! What a great update!
Thanks Lori! I’m so glad the new covers appeal to you!! And I loved jumpers too! I forgot about that style!
Thanks for the input and for the sage fashion advice!
Thank you Sally!
I like the new covers a bit better, but to be honest, it’s not the cover that makes me want to read a book. It “might” catch my eye, but it’s the title and author and blurb on the back that are going to make me want to read. The only book that intrigued me with the cover with Frank Perretti’s This Present Darkness, and I talked myself out of buying it for about a month before I broke down and bought it, and then it was because there was a nice little sticker on the cover that said if I didn’t like it, I could take it back and get a full refund, no questions asked! Now, it’s one of my favorite books!
I love the new covers, especially the first one with the two chairs. As for clothes, it usually takes me a while to embrace a trend and even then I tend to stay more on the edges of it.
I love the bright, fresh, colourfulness of the new covers, so eye-catching. Seen many trends over the years, some return (pale yellow) and hopefully others won’t (bell bottoms). I dress for comfort in what makes me feel great. Saw someone today in 5inch stilettos wobbling along the street and all I thought was, poor woman, what back pain is coming. Looking forward to reading the series. The beach is wonderful in books for an ultra sensitive skinned me unless I am to look like a lobster, lol.
Very interesting! I bet that says that you are more of a word person than visual. I relate to that because I am too. I think it’s the cover that catches my eye, then the blurb that draws me in.
Thank you Jessica!
Thank you so much Dianne! And yes, stillettos were a fashion trend I could never make work! I’m too tall, for one thing, and I would never be able to balance!
I really like your updated covers!
As for skinny jeans I own several, but only because I had lost a lot of weight and nothing in my closet fit. During this time, the only jeans available to purchase were skinny jeans. I hate them lol. I would go into stores and ask do you have any jeans that aren’t skinny jeans and was told no.
Even though I like couples on the cover, I do love these new covers! Mostly because of the pop of the bright colors.
I like the new covers, they are so much brighter, but I also like to see couples on some covers, as long as the story hasn’t changed, I do not mind new covers on older books. (not entering this ebook giveaway, but thank you) Your new book covers are beautiful! Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
Thank you Kimberly!
Yeah, I don’t have the figure for skinny jeans. I’m so glad we have options, but I honestly haven’t shopped for jeans in so long I couldn’t tell you what’s out there!
Oh thank you Lila! Yes I agree. What they lose in uniqueness to each story, they gain in overall beauty and consistency. And they definitely make me want to go on vacation!
Thank you so much Alicia, for your input and your compliment! Have a great week.
I actually think both the older covers and the new covers are beautiful, but if I had to choose I think the newer covers are a little more eye-catching because of the brighter colors and scenic pictures. I enjoy looking at book covers as they can be so pretty!
Oh thank you so much Megan! I truly loved the old covers but I have fallen in love with the new ones as well.
For the most part, I like the new covers in your series better. I’m usually disappointed for some reason when I see a book I’ve already read with a new cover. However, I might be more drawn to an older book that I haven’t read if it has a new cover.
Thanks for your input Ellie! Which reminds me that I probably need to update the Book Description pages on the retailers to let readers know that although the covers are new, the books are original.
Do you like the old or the new better? BOTH!
Which cover would entice you more to read them? I really like both – the old and the new covers!
What do you think about the trend of authors putting new covers on older books? I haven’t thought about it…I hope I’ll remember that I’ve read it already LOL
Do you like mom jeans or skinny jeans? Soft leggings :)
What are your favorite style trends from the past (either book covers or clothes)? I prefer easy and comfortable.
Natalya, thank you so much. It makes me happy that you like the old and the new equally!
And boy, I’m with you on favorite fashion … comfort comes first!!
For your book covers….I like both honestly! I think each one appeals to me in different ways.
As for authors putting new covers on older books….it depends on the cover. Sometimes I like the old over the new and sometimes it’s the opposite. I understand wanting to refresh and make them look new & more appealing to readers though :-)
Mom jeans or skinny jeans….I don’t know what mom jeans are (lol), but I like curvy bootcut jeans.
Favorite style trends….I wish dresses and/or skirts & blouses were more in style for women nowadays. Like in the ’50’s when women wore those cute & feminine dresses. I just think it’s so classy!
The new covers look fresh and hopefully attract new readers.
I like the new covers they are calming and thats what reading is.
I don’t mind new covers if its clear they are new covers and not new books. I have bought the same books a couple times due to new covers and it being presented as a new release.
Ok what are mum jeans. I have never worn skinny legs. I also like high waisted jeans not flares but comfortable not tight but I find it very hard to find jeans that fit well.
Trixi thanks for your input on the covers! I’m so glad you like them both.
Yeah I think “Mom jeans” get a bad rap. To me, they’re just comfortable jean, not tight, not form fitting or require being tucked into a knee high boot.
I’m with you, I love dresses. I don’t wear them year round but my summer closet has 4 or 5 cute dresses I’ll throw on to go out to dinner instead of putting on slacks.
Thank you Denise! I hope the new look will draw a whole new set of readers to these faith-filled books!
Hi Jenny! Thanks for your thoughts on the covers! And yes I would be annoyed if I bought a new book and started reading and have that sense of familiarity!
I believe Mom jeans (or Mum jeans in Australia :) ) are just jeans for comfort, not intended to be for fashion.
I definitely like the brighter colors in the new covers. The lack of people makes me feel a bit sad. They are relationship stories, after all.
The change in covers makes me think about how sites like Amazon or Vudu handle their images for movies. It has become much more popular to change up the movie thumbnails of late. But there is something less jarring about movie images, perhaps because they don’t change the focus or image elements so much. I know that Ironman 2 will have a picture of Robert Downey Jr. whether it is a full-length or a close-up.
When my wife and I got married (perhaps even before) we had an agreement about personal fashion. Do what you enjoy. You’re the one who has to live with the hairstyle or the clothes. For her, that has worked itself out in things like hairstyle, makeup and clothing. For me, that has had the biggest impact on my beard and mustache (I’ve always had both since before we met). My choice has ranged from short-cropped to full-on Santa.
You’re the one who has to wear it. You should enjoy it. If I like it, bonus! Style and fashion are there to serve you, not the other way around. :)
Lincoln, I am in total agreement with your style/fashion philosophy!
ok that was me all the time! I use to have a waist. I always lost my weight there first. So hipsters are not a good for me as they fall of my hips. I tended to need that little bit of elastic in the waist to make they stay up without a belt.
I like the stretch jeans too as they tend to be more comfortable.
On a whole, I would say that the newer covers are more stunning and eye appealing. I have not been able to wear jeans in years do to leg injuries. I always wore wide legged jeans, never skinny. If I could wear them, I would not have changed. I can understand why authors are changing their covers and older books. It can be more eye appealing to the reader. I am not one to follow trends or styles. I find it interesting that there are times that I am in style without even knowing it. I wear the clothes that are comfortable and look good on me. If I am picking up something for the house, I pick up what I like.
I think I like the old covers better, but the new covers are beautiful
I definitely like the beachy feel of both the old and new covers. I think I like half the new ones, and half the old (though overall, I think I’m more into “people” covers than “scenic” ones. The latter just take me a while to get used to them).
About this new trend, if it was a cover I liked, I “mourn” it a little when the author’s change it, but otherwise I get why they’re doing it, and eventually I get used to them (though with most it’s been fairly quickly, especially if I end up loving the new one better).
Finally, I never owned a pair of skinny jeans, thus, I’m really glad that trend has changed, lol.
Thanks for your input!
Thanks so much.
Thanks so much for your input Priscila!