The warm weather is finally here, and there is no better way to celebrate than with our Member’s New Releases.
In 2018, I spoke of the success of the new Dare Series for Harlequin’s Mills & Boon, and the triumph of integrating themselves into a market that was saturated with suggestive images, while still creating a recognisable brand true to their readership.
But I didn’t have the opportunity to discuss the rebrand as a whole. The updates to their category lines and the overall accomplishment of Mills & Boon capturing the modern woman’s imagination. We’ve now seen their videos, their marketing and, over one year on, the transformation is still looking fresh and contemporary.
Last month I also discussed the new trends we’re seeing in covers. The focus on highlighting the cover-model’s backs, as well as seeing a shift towards darker colors and shadowing.
So this month, I want to celebrate the traditional — the famous romantic clinch.
Welcome to the Cover Crush family Annie West with Demanding His Desert Queen published by Harlequin Mills & Boon. The chemistry between the two cover models is sizzling, and the overall aesthetics offer up a wonder to the senses. We have glittering gold, highlights, the temptation of skin (artfully hidden by branding) and simply two people obviously in love. It’s why we read, it’s why we write. It’s this perfect moment where the hero holds the heroine in an embrace she’ll never want to escape from (sigh). A perfect snapshot of traditional romanticism delivered with modern aesthetics.
Well done Annie and Harlequin and welcome to the Cover Crush Family.
If RWA members would like to get their covers into Heart’s Talk, just log into your account on the RWA website and upload your image before the 8th of each month.
If you’re interested in reading my previous Cover Crush nominations, you can find them on the Romance Writers Australia website.
Until next month…
Annabelle