Hi Friends,

Did you know it takes a team of people several months to create a book cover? I’m grateful for the team at WaterBrook Multnomah who have given me such great covers for my Highland Hall novels and now Shine Like the Dawn. Each cover is unique, yet there are are some design elements that tie them together and let readers know this is a Carrie Turansky novel.

Early in the cover design process I fill out an author questionnaire and share my ideas. I use Pinterest to save images of my characters, settings, clothing, and anything relevant to the time period and story. These are a great help when it comes time to give the artists, editors, marketing team, and photographer my ideas.

I was an fine art major in college, and I enjoy being invited into the cover process. I’ve help choose the models that represent the heroines and give input about their clothing, hairstyles, jewelry, and hats. Those are fun assignments, and I enjoy exchanging email with WaterBrook designer, Kristopher Orr. He connects with freelance photographer Mike Heath, and together they orchestrate a cover shoot and put together several cover mockups to show the team at WaterBrook.

Shine Like the Dawn is set in Northumberland, England, and many of the scenes take place in the beautiful garden at Morningside Manor Estate. Kristopher decided on a garden setting, and I chose a royal blue edwardian dress and hat for our cover model to wear. These are some of the images Mike Heath captured during the cover shoot. Aren’t they great? The team at WaterBrook chose the image below because of the lovely color combination, garden background, and the heroine’s expression, which shows a sense of mystery, and that’s an important element of this story.

Shine Like the Dawn releases February 21! I hope you’ll preorder a copy and take advantage of the special BOGO offer to receive a free copy of one of my Highland Hall novels. If you’ve already read all three, consider ordering one for a friend as a gift!

Blessings and Happy Reading, Carrie