a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Thursday, January 26, 2012
When Hearts Collide by Kendra James
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover?
Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want
to BUY the book? Discuss.
it is becoming more common since i started to read. Every romance novel has this type of cover(man and a woman). this cover looks more of a trite. Though good, it is a commonplace. Some different could have helped.
In addition to getting overdone, there are several other issues I have with this cover. The road and trees are very sharp and clear, while the couple are soft focus and faded into the background (with some rather bad masking). So by far the most prominent thing on the entire cover, what focuses your eye, is the road.
I don't mind the typefaces and the title composition is good. Except for one big problem. I can't read it. "When" and "Collide" fade far too much into the background. Likewise, the author name could benefit from moving down onto that glaring road. There's room, so I'm not sure why the K and the ES fade into the verges and start to get lost.
A decent start, and it DOES shout "romance," so it's genre accurate. But could be improved I think.
There is too much focus on the couple. The title When Hearts Collide already tells us it is involving romantic relationships. Also some of the title appears very blurred. Why not take the couple off the cover and focus on the road or even two smaller roads with cars coming from different directions. People will get the idea and the information on the flyleaf will mention the couple.
I actually really like this cover. My eye was drawn, not to the road, but to the woman's hair, which is a lovely shade of red. I also had no problem reading the title, but I guess every eye sees differently. To me, it looks like a standard romance cover, and it wouldn't keep me from buying the book at all.
I like the cover. I do agree that the contrast between the soft focused couple and sharp trees+road. With 'collide' in the title, my guess is that the road is significant somehow. Winding road means danger - romantic suspense?? Perhaps a romantic suspense with a little more focus on the suspense than the romance...
The cover is like just about every other romance novel that is out there and I'm not sure if that is good or bad. People know that it's a romance but it does not stand out from the crowd.
I also agree with others that there is a problem with the text. The fading of the top and bottom words are very hard to read and you never want the title to be hard to read.
On the whole, it is a good cover. The only fault I find is with the lettering. 'Collide' fades into the trees as does the word 'when'. The author's name does not stand out either. The cover artist needs to make them all as bold as the word 'Hearts'. The book says sexy, romance and my guess from the title and the picture, they meet on that stretch of road.The cover would make me want to read the blurb and decide from there if I wanted to buy the book.
I like redheads! But speaking more professionally, the couple says "romance," which is the main thing, while the highway curving off into the greenery invites the reader to come along. All in all, an excellent cover.
it is becoming more common since i started to read. Every romance novel has this type of cover(man and a woman). this cover looks more of a trite. Though good, it is a commonplace. Some different could have helped.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to getting overdone, there are several other issues I have with this cover. The road and trees are very sharp and clear, while the couple are soft focus and faded into the background (with some rather bad masking). So by far the most prominent thing on the entire cover, what focuses your eye, is the road.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the typefaces and the title composition is good. Except for one big problem. I can't read it. "When" and "Collide" fade far too much into the background. Likewise, the author name could benefit from moving down onto that glaring road. There's room, so I'm not sure why the K and the ES fade into the verges and start to get lost.
A decent start, and it DOES shout "romance," so it's genre accurate. But could be improved I think.
There is too much focus on the couple. The title When Hearts Collide already tells us it is involving romantic relationships. Also some of the title appears very blurred. Why not take the couple off the cover and focus on the road or even two smaller roads with cars coming from different directions. People will get the idea and the information on the flyleaf will mention the couple.
ReplyDeleteI actually really like this cover. My eye was drawn, not to the road, but to the woman's hair, which is a lovely shade of red. I also had no problem reading the title, but I guess every eye sees differently. To me, it looks like a standard romance cover, and it wouldn't keep me from buying the book at all.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover. It would make me pick it up. I'd figure I'm getting a het romance and if I'm in a bookstore looking for one, I'd pick this up.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover. I do agree that the contrast between the soft focused couple and sharp trees+road. With 'collide' in the title, my guess is that the road is significant somehow. Winding road means danger - romantic suspense?? Perhaps a romantic suspense with a little more focus on the suspense than the romance...
ReplyDeleteThe cover is like just about every other romance novel that is out there and I'm not sure if that is good or bad. People know that it's a romance but it does not stand out from the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with others that there is a problem with the text. The fading of the top and bottom words are very hard to read and you never want the title to be hard to read.
I think it's sexy and provocative. I'd pick it up for sure.
DeleteOn the whole, it is a good cover. The only fault I find is with the lettering. 'Collide' fades into the trees as does the word 'when'. The author's name does not stand out either. The cover artist needs to make them all as bold as the word 'Hearts'. The book says sexy, romance and my guess from the title and the picture, they meet on that stretch of road.The cover would make me want to read the blurb and decide from there if I wanted to buy the book.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great cover. Sexy guy, beautiful woman. I actually like the fading, soft surroundings. It 'says' romance.
ReplyDeleteI would pick up the book based on the cover. It looks intriguing and hot.
ReplyDeleteI like redheads!
ReplyDeleteBut speaking more professionally, the couple says "romance,"
which is the main thing, while the highway curving off into the greenery invites the reader to come along. All in all, an excellent cover.