Kinky Vanilla Romance is pleased to share Stains on the Soul by Jamie White. This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Virtual Book Tour Cafe'. I hope that you enjoy Jamie's guest post. I am always curious about how cover designs are chosen.
The Story Behind the Cover: Stains on the Soul
First off, thanks so much for having me here today as part of my Stains tour. The awesome BK Walker of the VBT Café organized it for me because I won my category in a book cover contest. I have to give a huge shout out to all the friends and fans who voted and the members of White’s Wyrd World, who helped to spread the word for me.
I was asked to tell you guys about the story behind the cover to Stains. As you can see from the summary, the main character has dreams of burning at the stake. These dreams feel so real, she can’t shake them and begins to think there may be something more going on. That naturally led me to want fire on the cover with the character. It just felt right.
I gave my idea to the publisher, Angelique Mroczka of Pagan Writer’s Press. What I got back blew my mind. It had the exact feel I was looking for, right down to the shadowy figure in the corner that lends a sense of danger and mystery. I couldn’t be happier with it and from the feedback I’ve gotten, others love it too.
About the Author
Short Bio: Jamie White is a music
addict, book lover, pet servant & NaNoWriMo survivor. When she's
not busy writing posts for CultureShock, she's taking pictures for
her photo blog and spending time with her husband and pets. She
released Stains on the Soul and Clutter via Pagan Writers Press in
2013.
Long Bio: Jamie White is an author,
blogger, photo geek, music addict, editor, pop culture geek,
paranormal junkie, and a pet servant.
She spent more than a decade as a
Journalism student, geeking out over Pagemaker, layout design, and
other stuff.
In college, she took it a step further
and became the only student to be on all three of her college's
publications, serving as Editor-In-Chief for two of them. Later, she
went on to freelance writing and blogging.
Jamie began her journey into fiction
writing in 2010 after joining a writing group. Since that first
meeting, she has completed a bunch of short stories, five
manuscripts, and several in progress. Her first novel, The Life and
Times of No One In Particular, was released in 2012. She followed it
up with a story in the Lyrical Muse Anthology in 2013. The end of
2013 will see two releases with Pagan Writers Press.
When Jamie's not writing or blogging,
she takes pictures, meditates, practices Reiki and chanting, watches
favorite shows/movies, takes walks, and serves as a volunteer for the
Florida Writers Association by running their social media and a
writing group (Gulfstream Writers).
Social Links:
Book Genre:
Paranormal/New Age
Publisher: Pagan
Writers Press
Release Date: November
27, 2013
Book Description
It’s
her last summer before going away to college and Fiona finds herself
facing more than she bargained for: A boyfriend she doesn’t want
who has a strange hold over her, a friend pushing her to expand her
boundaries, and a new guy named Ted whose presence is more than a
distraction.
If that isn’t enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake—nightmares so real, she feels as though she’s losing her mid.
Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can’t help but want?
If that isn’t enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake—nightmares so real, she feels as though she’s losing her mid.
Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can’t help but want?
Audio Excerpt
Excerpt
The flames from the torches danced around her, creating a terrifying
glow on the gathered crowd. The young girl struggled against her
restraints in an attempt to escape the fate that awaited her. The
jeers of the spectators echoed through her mind like a demonic
chorus, sending chills down her spine.
The more she struggled, the tighter the ropes that bound her felt.
She knew it was a futile endeavor—even if she did get free, she was
in no condition to attempt an escape. Plus, contrary to their insane
notions, she had no special powers. Her only power was her knowledge
of the earth and how its resources could be used to cure ills. What
good would that do against a mob such as this?
Her heart pounded and her breathing came quick and ragged as the men
kneeled down to light the kindle piled beneath her. She closed her
eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to keep calm. Her fate
was sealed, but she could at least deny them the pleasure of seeing
her fear. She opened her eyes, and her gaze settled on one of the
spectators.
***
Fiona Stevens gasped as she sat up in bed. She took a deep breath and
shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of the horrifying images
that had begun to haunt her sleep. For the past week, she'd been
having nightmares so real it took her a minute to realize who and
where she was.
“Another nightmare?”
Her sister’s voice brought her back to reality. She was safe and
sound in the bedroom she shared with her sister, centuries removed
from the days when events like the one in her dream happened. Get
a grip already. “Yeah, it’s no big deal.” She reached for
the book on her nightstand and tossed it into a drawer. “I think I
need to stop reading this stuff before bed. It’s just fueling my
muse.”
Rebecca smiled. “Writers—you’re all insane.” The younger girl
grew serious as she studied Fiona’s face. “Are you sure
you’re okay? You’re white as a sheet right now.”
“I’m fine. Seriously; it's no big deal.” Fiona pushed the
comforter aside and stuffed her feet into a pair of slippers by the
bed. She stood, gra.bbed the robe lying on the end of her bed, and
then wrapped herself in the soft, warm material. “I think I’m
gonna go downstairs and get something to drink. Sorry I woke you; go
back to sleep.”
Her sister frowned but shrugged her shoulders. “All right. See you
in the morning.” Rebecca rolled over and pulled the comforter
tighter to her body.
How do you select your books? Do you judge a book more by its cover or its book description?
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