Donning My Tiara

Today, I'm taking off my author hat and putting on my designer tiara -- book cover designer, that is :-) Karen S. Elliott asked me to write a guest post for her The Word Shark blog's Halloween Fright Week. Karen's blog is filled with great information for writers that I hope I have added to by discussing how I go about creating great book covers -- information that's useful whether you plan to design your own cover or enlist the help of a professional.

I hope you'll join me as I share the steps I use to put together a great cover: http://karenselliott.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/creep-into-the-mind-of-a-book-cover-designer-by-linda-boulanger/

My Reading List...

Since I received my Kindle Fire for Christmas last year, I've read so many books I'm starting to lose track. So, I've decided to list some of my recent favorites here. It's an eclectic list, so there's bound to be something of interest to just about everyone.

I'm please to say I helped format some of these books, others I designed their covers. A few I won and a few the authors simply gave to me to read. Others I grabbed because I liked their covers or their blurbs or found I truly enjoy reading that particular author. :-)

Chalk Valley by D.L. Johnstone
Old Acquaintances by Ursula Gorman
Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
A Summer Down Under by Adrianna Blakeley
Million Dollar Bra by Jennifer Loy
Heartless by Jaimey Grant
The Grey Tier by Michele Scott
Tudor Rose by Jamie Salisbury
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig
False Pretense ~ Short Story by Jenny Hilborne
The Wedding Wager by Rachel Astor
Gamble on Engagement by Rachel Astor
Bridesmaid Lotto by Rachel Astor
Out of Left Field by Morgan Kearns
Faking Mr. Right by Kerry Connor
Love Me by Bella Andre
Daddy's Home by A.K. Alexander
In It to Win It by Morgan Kearns
Fade to Black by Morgan Kearns
Dead in the Water ~ Short Story by Judity Yates Borger
Almost a Family by Donna Alward
Off the Clock by Donna Alward
Desolation Road ~ Short Story by Andrew E. Kaufman
Proud Rancher~Precious Bundle by Donna Alward
Breathe by Donna Alward
The Lion, The Lamb, The Hunted by Andrew E. Kaufman
Hired by the Cowboy by Donna Alward
Sold to the Highest Bidder by Donna Alward
Home for Christmas by Kate Davies
Undying Love ~ Short Story by Michael J. Evans
While The Savage Sleeps by Andrew E. Kaufman

Please note if I should decide to actually review these books, the majority would receive a 5 star rating. I don't automatically give 5 stars, it's just that most of what I read I really enjoy. From time to time I will add a technical rating if I've seen things that need work (sorry, it's the formatter in me), and a few of the books on this list will receive a 5+ rating from me because I believe those books are not just good but beyond exceptional.