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.
![](https://romanceaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Demanding-his-Desert-Queen.jpg)
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
Annabelle McInnes
![This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Annabelle-McInnes-Profile-Picture-200x300.jpg](http://romanceaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Annabelle-McInnes-Profile-Picture-200x300.jpg)
From the age of sixteen, Annabelle lived in a youth refuge while she remained committed to her education. She spent two years within a section of humanity that society overlooks.
Her experiences are the foundations that drive her stories and her characters. They fight for their freedoms, have courage in the face of adversity and will ultimately, always aspire for greatness.
Annabelle is privileged to spend her time writing with a backdrop of Canberra’s iconic landmarks and admiring its distinct and captivating change of seasons. Outside of her love for reading, she spends every free moment with her husband, son and her poodle named Serendipity. She drinks her whisky neat and is known to scour the local markets in an attempt to find the best blue cheese available.
Website: Annabelle McInnes
Comments
Annabelle, I’m thrilled that my book ‘Demanding His Desert Queen’ has made it into the Cover Crush Family. This has made my week! It’s one of those covers that made me smile from ear to ear when I saw it, and it still has that effect. Lots of readers have contacted me about it too, especially as it captures a specific scene and mood in the book.
It’s a great cover
Very luck with this one, Cathleen!
I’m so glad Annie, it was such a standout for me. Congratulations 🎉
🙂 I thought so too, Annabelle, but I’m biased. 🙂