Here it is at last, the cover of my debut historical novel. It was designed by Kristopher Orr. It was great working with him on the design (not that I contributed much, but we had some good conversations about various story and design elements, going back to August of 2012, when I visited the WaterBrook offices).
I have yet to see the back cover design, or read the official cover copy. For now, here’s my own blurb to tell you a little about the story:
The
18th century New York frontier bred courage in those who survived its perils.Willa
Obenchain has survived. Returning to her white parents’ abandoned
homestead after twelve years of Indian captivity, Willa believes a solitary
life is the only way she’ll never lose again what’s twice been torn from her:
her family, and her heart.Even
as she begins the backbreaking work of subsistence farming, Willa’s
land is threatened with confiscation by the new American government, and
her determination to isolate herself is threatened from all directions.There’s botanist Neil MacGregor, wounded and in need of aid….
Joseph Tames-His-Horse, the Mohawk clan brother who cannot let her go….
Two orphans in need of shelter and love….
And the residents of Shiloh, a frontier village
still reeling from a bloody revolutionary war, some who welcome her return, others
who’ll go to any lengths to see her disappear again.With
each
like an arrow poised to pierce her shielded heart, Willa must find a
different sort of courage–the courage to lay the past to rest and once
more risk embracing the blessings the Almighty
wants to bestow.
Is she brave enough to love again?
Burning Sky will release August 6, 2013, from WaterBrook Multnomah. It’s available for pre-order now.
Thrilled for you, Lori. Well done and well deserved. The cover is wistfully bucolic, inviting. Cheers to you!
Thank you, Bonnie. And for opening that door, way back when.
Oh my goodness, Lori! It's GORGEOUS! I love it.
I can't wait for the book – so glad to be following you on this process.
Blessings,
Becky
Thank you Becky!I can't wait to hold the book in my hands. I guess this is a bit like getting to see the ultrasound, or the close I'll ever come to THAT experience. 🙂
Beautiful! So happy for you!
Thanks, Bonnie!
Gorgeous! The blurb is intriguing…I can't wait. ; )
Thanks, Zan Marie. I'm looking forward to the official blurb, which should be finished soon.
Lori!!!!!! It is beautiful and I cannot wait to read this story I've been longing to hold in my hands! Blessings!!!
Oh, thank you Carla. And I'll be reading your new story soon in the Colonial Courtship anthology. It's next up on my e-reading.
Awesome!
Congratulations, Lori! I am so excited for you!
Thank you Ruth, so glad you spotted it today. You were the first!
LOVE it, Lori, and I can't wait to read it!
Thanks, Amanda! It's fun to look forward to that August release day, though I'm still in the middle of the editing phase. It's been such an interesting year, learning to mentally juggle multiple projects in various stages. For a quick snapshot of how things stand today:
#1 Burning Sky is between line edits (done) and copy edits, coming soon.
#2 The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn (working title) has been turned in (the deadline was Jan 15) to my editor.
#3 A novel I've written but that isn't contracted is much on my mind, and I spent a week and a bit in January polishing it up before I sent the first six chapters and synopsis to my agent. It could still use some trimming.
#4 I've spent January also plotting a new story set in 1740s North Carolina, which has required a lot of new research (still ongoing). I began writing that story today.
Once upon a time I was single-focused on one novel until it was as polished as I could get it, before I moved on. This past year has had its learning curve, and been the busiest I've ever known. But stretching is good. 🙂
Lori, how wonderful to finally see your book cover! I'm just bursting with pride, planning to share the news with family and friends, and looking forward to reading it so much.
Thanks Mom. ♥ I can't wait for you to read it too.
Thank you everyone. Needless to say I'm getting very little work done today. I'm so thrilled with the cover and all Kris's hard work, and his thoroughness in getting to know the story and the characters. I gave him all sorts of information on various aspects and characters, including a morph I made of my main character, Willa. I couldn't find a model or actress or anyone who really captured how I've always seen Willa, so that morph of several faces was the best that I could do. Then Kris and the design team, and photographer Mike Heath, found this model for the cover. When I first saw her I nearly cried. I DID dance around the room. She's closer to the Willa in my head than any woman I ever found. They captured her look and her emotional journey through the story as if they somehow read my thoughts. She's perfect.
Lori, this is so beautiful. I love the edgy, earthiness to it. Gorgeous!!
Joanne, thank you so much, and for all your encouragement and answers to questions during the last few months. You are a blessing.
And Kris Orr rocks, huh?
Gorgeous! I especially love the beaded medallion. What a nice touch!
Karen, thank you! I was so happy to see the beaded wampun medallion as part of the design.
Ack! Ordering RIGHT THIS SECOND!
This blog seriously needs a LIKE button. Thank you!
Wonderful, Lori! But you already knew I loved it:)
Laura, I had no idea it would appear on line this early in the month. Ruth spotted it for me. But I'm glad I got to give you a sneak peek. 🙂
Beautiful! Congrats, Lori! Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you, Sally. I SO appreciate that. Bless you!
This is getting exciting!
Going to pre-order now.
It's been amazing to watch how the whole process works, beginning to finish.
Congratulations
Thank you so much, Becky. To say I'm excited by this cover doesn't even touch it. It feels a lot more real now. And I'm glad to know my blogging about the process has been interesting to more than just me. 😉
Beautiful cover! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Lara!
Congratulations Lori! Love the ethereal imagery, and the promise of more books in that little logo that makes it sound like a series!
Denize, Thank you! I would like to write a sequel for this story, but that remains to be scene. I do wonder if my second book, which is set around the same time but in a different part of the frontier, will have the same subtitle? I don't know yet, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Lori, this is a beautiful cover. It has been a long road, but you've managed to do it! I am _so very_ happy for you. (I'm thinking of another writing lady with a big heart and lots of courage who is looking from somewhere beyond and saying the same thing.) Here's to you, kiddo!!!
Kathy Eschenburg
Me too, Kathy. I sure wish she was here. And thank you!
What a beautiful cover, Lori. Congratulations!
Janet, thank you! I'm very pleased with it. 🙂
I'm absolutely amazed. It has to be the most beautiful cover I've ever seen. Please tell Mr. Orr he's captured home, (to me) and the story I'm sure will capture my heart. Congratualtions, Lori!
Pat, I'm so happy it captures the setting so well to someone who grew up there. That was a dream I had for the cover. My favorite covers capture setting and story mood first, character second. And I did pass along your praise to Kris, thank you!
wow wow wow–smashingly sstunning cover! Downright exciting with that title with the contrast of the gauzy sky 'n peaceful river together, and the pensive 'n pretty woman. Just Wow. I love you and am amazed that finally–finally this is all so real for you. I'll bet Brian is so quietly proud it's a joy for him, too! Well, wherever you have your book signing you know I'll be there–please don't let it be in Maryland, or some other state! 🙂
Thank you, Patti. I hope we get to see each other before that, though. Let us all know if you are coming back for a visit this spring or summer. We miss you!
Lori, I don't know if you remember us, we knew your family at Clinton Baptist. I'm so excited to learn about your novel coming out this summer ~ your proud mom let me know! I am a volunteer at our church library and will make sure we add it to our collection. Looking forward to reading Burning Sky this summer! Can hardly wait to see what God has in store for you and your readers in the future!
Trisha Leonard
Hi Trisha! I remember you and your family well, and thank you so much for stopping by here and commenting. It's great to hear from our old church family. We are coming up in a few weeks on our 20th anniversary of moving to Oregon. Hard to believe we've been here that long. I started writing even before we made that move. 🙂
Thank you for thinking of adding Burning Sky to your church library. That means so much to me. I remember checking out books from Clinton Baptist's library all the time. Blessings to you!
I have a second historical novel (roughly same time period, different setting) contracted with WaterBrook, due out in spring of 2014. After that, we'll have to wait and see.
Lori, it is lovely and I am so excited to read your debut novel!! Congrats! It sounds awesome. 🙂
Thank you, Elaine. Does it ever really (really) sink in that your book is being published?
Lori, how exciting! And what a beautiful cover. I can't wait to read this. 🙂
Hi Rachel! Thank you. I can't wait to share this story. 🙂
I'm really looking forward to this book. Pat Iacuzzi couldn't stop talking about it this past summer and she knows this region and setting well! And I know her taste in fiction!
That's so good to hear, Debra. Pat is a dear and has been very supportive of Burning Sky. She's also a talented writer. I still want to know more about the characters she introduced during the Colonial Quills Christmas Anthology.
Looks great! I wish you every success with the book.
Thank you, Barbara!
Lori, it's an incredibly beautiful cover and the story sounds wonderful! I look forward to reading it! Congratulations! I know you must be so excited and I'm thrilled for you. Blessings!
Very excited, Lisa. But you know the feeling well! 🙂 Thank you! Now I'm wondering when your next book will be out… are you working on another historical?
Beautiful cover Lori. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you Michelle!
Having read Burning Sky–or rather, devoured it–I can testify that the story is as stunning as this cover. It's a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction, and I'm thrilled that your work is finally getting out to readers, Lori! You're going to get a very warm reception, I know. I totally agree with you that your design team hit this one out of the park–the cover fits the story perfectly, and I can't wait to get my copy so I can see it "in the flesh." Congratulations on this dream coming true!
Joan, your support and encouragement over the years has been such a huge blessing. Thank you for your kind words here, for reading Burning Sky… but really for so much more.
I'm looking forward to the next book in The American Patriot series. I know you are busily writing it! 🙂