MONDAY COVERS IT. AJ Nuest's, Jezebel's Wish. Absolutely Stunning. Chance to Win!!!

Happy Memorial Day! Thanks so much for joining me at A Writer’s Mind. Today it’s all about MONDAY COVERS IT. What does that mean? Well, we’re checking out some of the best book covers out there.

Today I’d like to welcome author AJ Nuest. Though I only recently ‘met’ AJ, I can tell already her stories are winners. Pure talent. New York Times Best Selling author someday soon. Mark my words. In fact, she’s already on the roster for my end of the year, “What Every Woman Wants beneath Her Christmas Tree” blog event. But chatting about that is for another day.

AJ would like to host a contest. One lucky commenter wins an Ecopy of JEZEBEL’S WISH!

I’m SO loving the cover for Jezebel’s Wish. How beautiful! Okay, I’ve rattled on enough. Time to hand things over to AJ.

From her lips to my blog…

“At this point in my career, I think I’m safe in assuming I have a pretty good handle on visualizing stories and getting them down on paper. So, imagine my surprise when I recently discovered I am NOT good at visualizing covers – a fascinating lesson which became blatantly apparent during the cover design of Jezebel’s Wish. When The Wild Rose Press first asked I share the details of what I envisioned for my cover, I spent several hours filling out the paperwork, describing in detail the exact picture in my head. True to their word, the cover artist took my description and designed a cover based on my specifications. It was…for lack of a better word, ugly. Really ugly. And very boring. But I couldn’t blame the artist. She had done exactly as I instructed. A bit disappointed and shocked by my overall lack of design prowess, I contacted my editor and pleaded, whined and cajoled until she agreed to approach the art department and ask if they would take another stab at it. Thankfully, The Wild Rose Press has an outstanding cover reputation, because once my cover was reviewed by other members of the staff, we all agreed. AJ’s idea wasn’t so hot. Much to my delight a redesign was granted, and brilliantly (on their part) AJ and her ineptitude were left far outside the mix. I wish I could say I envisioned that breathtaking winter sky and the beautiful black stallion running through a bank of fluffy white snow. But alas, I did not. That was all the outstanding artists at The Wild Rose Press. The first time I saw the cover for Jezebel’s Wish I wept buckets. They had somehow reached inside my heart and whisked out The Reverend, bringing him to life for my cover. Now I know. Leave the covers to the design experts. I’m happily content with words.

The cover of Jezebel’s Wish placed as one of the top five finalists in the Dunes and Dreams Picture Perfect Cover Contest, 2011.”

Sky here. Congratulations, AJ! Seriously, this is one stunning cover. Breathtaking! Ooooh, I’d cry too! In fact I did for one of my covers so you’re not alone. Those WRP cover artists are a cut above the rest. If it makes you feel any better, I went through a similar experience many years ago with Fate’s Monolith. I clearly envisioned a four foot tall rock in the forest. Um…huh? Monolith! Thank God, Tamra Westberry got a hold of mine and created a cover that more clearly depicted what I envisioned… whether I knew it or not. Been with her since! She knows my mind. You find a great cover artist that 'gets' you, grab on with both hands and hold tight.

Let’s learn a bit more about JEZEBEL'S WISH…

Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past—except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he’s completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.

Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet—even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?

What they’re saying about JEZEBEL'S WISH…

"Get the Tissue Box out for This Story!

Boy, did I bawl my eyes out on this one! A very heart-wrenching story about a woman who is emotionally recovering from the death of her fiancée. To try and sort out her feelings and give herself some space, Jezebel (or Jezzy) stays with her mother and sister on their ranch in the country - quite a break and change of scenery from her city life in Chicago. Because of the dark secrets she holds about the accident that killed her fiancée, she puts up a wall of negativity and anger. However, the local vet Matthias (or Matty) is used to caring and healing those who hurt but can't talk about their pain. Enlisting the gentle nature of a stallion named The Reverend, Matty helps Jezzy recover from her ordeal and their relationship blossoms.

Matty is a strong and loving hero any woman would dream of having in her life, with a gentle nature who gives as good as he gets and deals with the heroine's caustic nature with good humor...just what she needs to bring those walls down.

Jezzy is a very much like a wounded animal that lashes out at anyone trying to help, but she's doing it to protect those she loves and it's less about protecting herself. The guilt she has weighing her spirit down is understandable and her transition toward healing is a joyful experience."

Highly recommended read!"

Read an Excerpt for Jezebel’s Wish.

Eager to purchase? Buy Jezebel’s Wish through The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

AJ on the Web…

AJ’s Blog ~ Tattered Pages

Join AJ on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter.

Don't forget!  One lucky commenter wins an Ecopy of Jezebel’s Wish!

Have a spare sec? Pop over to The Write Life now to meet another author, perhaps win a prize!

~Sky