Earlier this month, K. Leah shared about the evolving covers of her Finding Home Series in this post. I’ve always loved her beautiful, soft, romantic covers! It got me thinking about other series whose covers have made an impression.
Like K. Leah, I have a professional background in graphic design and have designed all of my books’ covers as well as the covers of several collections. Maybe that’s part of the reason I feel a real sense of satisfaction when looking at a series whose covers are perfectly complimentary—a truly perfect “set.”
While each individual cover should certainly be able to stand on its own, let’s look at some Contemporary Christian Romance series whose covers band together for a great “read me!” impression.
Much like K. Leah’s series mentioned above, Emily Conrad’s Rhythms of Redemption series just oozes with romance. I’m not typically a huge fan of covers with faces on them (I like to imagine for myself what characters look like), but these are done subtly with just the right hint of personality. The colors used on each cover are “soft,” if that makes sense, and compliment each other so well.
One thing a series should be is recognizable at a glance. I can’t think of another set more instantly recognizable to me than Elizabeth Maddrey’s Peacock Hill Romance series! Whenever I’ve come across one of these covers, I think “Oh, that’s a Peacock Hill book!” The bright, happy colors and little details invite me in to explore the artwork and make me want to read.
If we’re talking about series with a visual punch, we’ve got to mention Sarah Monzon’s Sewing in SoCal series! Punchy colors, punchy expressions, and punchy one-word/name titles. So fresh and fun! There’s no mistaking these books belong together.
Denise Hunter’s Riverbend Romance series might be my favorite covers. Gorgeous landscapes? Check. Beautiful depth and light? Check. Great font choices (remember, I’m a graphic design nerd)? Check. Elements that suggest unique activities for couples without showing the people? Check. They get bonus points for being set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is one of my favorite places on earth. Simply wonderful!
I suppose it’s allowed to also mention my own series whose covers I love. (Thanks for indulging me!) The covers of my Laurel Cove Romance series were so fun to design. I wanted each to accomplish a few things: reflect the distinct seasons during which each story takes place, subtly weave in nature, and include couples (no faces, of course) who are close but whose actions suggest an active journey or emotion. I hope that’s conveyed when you look at these covers.
Tell me, what series has covers that stand out to you? What about them strike a chord and make them memorable?
Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern contemporary romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications professional. Teresa is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She’s an introverted Enneagram 4 (if you know, you know) and loves coffee, traveling, and almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Thanks for including Peacock Hill! I so love those covers 😍
These are all great choices!
Valerie Comer’s original Farm Fresh covers always leap to my mind. They’re unique and I know what books they are at a glance with the illustrations and color schemes.
Hey, I recognize those covers! Thanks for including The Rhythms of Redemption covers. I’ve long admired your covers, so it’s fun to see mine here too.
A background in graphic design would be so helpful. I hired a designer and am just thrilled with the work she did. I did ask for faces because I really love the Misty River Romances by Becky Wade’s covers, but you’re so right that it’s tough. As much as I love the covers, I pictured some of the characters differently. Even so, I’m so pleased with how they turned out!
I really like Jo Grafford’s Heart Lake series covers. They all have different barn scenes. I also really like Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series covers, too.
Yes, those are great too!!
Oh, Becky’s are AWESOME!
I’ll have to go give those a look. Thanks!
can’t think of any
It is not a romance as much as a cozy mystery, but Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson mysteries are all tied in with some kind of dessert on the front of them with bright colored backgrounds. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
The OUTLANDER series has great covers. Simple, clean and a different color for each book.
I love Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series covers. Coastal and fresh – just like the stories contained in them.
Those sound fun! Thanks!
Yes! Great series.
Those are pretty!!
So many!
Denise Hunters “Bluebell Inn Romance” series (the gorgeous scenery)
Suzanne Woods Fisher “Three Sisters Island” series (the coastal scenery)
Irene Hannon, both her contemporary “Hope Harbor” series (coastal scenery again) and her suspense “Triple Threat” series (the bright, bold, in-your-face colors)
Julie Klassen Tales From Ivy Hill series (again the scenery & beautiful gardens/flowers)
I also love a lot of the cozy type mystery book covers because they are whimsical in nature & usually feature some kind of animal (dog or cat).
I’m sure I could name a few more, but I think my favorite type of covers are beautiful scenery (did you get that from comments? LOL). I don’t mind people as long as they aren’t prominent but more subtle or muted. A good cover always draws my eye & makes me want to know what the book is about. I especially like when they have embossed (or raised) lettering :-)
The Riverbend Series because it reminds of my camping & love.
Those are all wonderful covers! I do really like beautiful scenery too. Thanks!
Oh yes, that’s a GREAT one!
Just yesterday I saw covers for a new series by Susan May Warren. So cool 😎
When you put them together, you get a feel of the breadth of the series, they create one picture!
I can’t believe I failed to mention Liwen Ho’s “Fab-Fourties” series! Their cutesy, whimsical, and almost cartoonish in a way but SO fun!! You can tell by the covers they will be a whole lot of fun (and they are) :-)
Love this post! And the series covers you shared! I’d add The Prodigal Ones by Joanna Alonzo, and maybe The Fab Forties by Liwen Ho.