Torn Canvas Launch Date and a Nomination

Two big events for me today!

First, now that I've set the release date for Torn Canvas, it's time to show my purty cover.

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.

Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared.

The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and heal the beast.

Funny story about the cover. 

As my cover designer (Melissa Williams aka author Michelle Argyle) and I worked out the details, I struggled a little with that dang open shirt.

Yes. Torn Canvas is an adventure romance (like A Change of Plans).

Yes, I chose this picture because of a scene in Torn Canvas.

But I also write clean romance. I didn't want to lead any potential readers astray. Don't ever mess with a reader's expectations by giving them a cover that makes them think a clean romance is going to be steamy.

I looked at the first design (very similar to the above but the title banner was opaque). I saw that navel and thought, "Um ...."

So, Michelle moved the banner lower on the cover to hide the navel. Oh, great. Now the guy's nipple was prominent. Ugh! That was worse.

So, navel or nipple?

Uh, clean romance here. The navel won.

The official launch date for Torn Canvas is June 16th.

If you'd be willing to help with the blog tour, the signup is here.

And thank you!

Second--as if this post isn't long enough--I have one more favor to ask.

A Change of Plans has been nominated for a RONE Award, and the voting for my category is THIS week. You need to sign up with InD'Tale magazine to vote, but it's free and painless.

My category is New Adult, and you can find it here. I would love your vote!

To the right is the review that won me the nomination.