Tuesday, February 19, 2013

How a Cover Can Create a Story By Sky Purington


How a Cover Can Create a Story
By Sky Purington

In most circumstances if not all, the story is typically written before the book cover is created. My first eleven publications certainly were. But some patterns are meant to be broken. As it turns out Highland Defiance is the first story in which I received the cover closer to the beginning of writing my tale.

I already knew Adlin, the hero of Highland Defiance, extremely well as he’d appeared in six previous novels. So picking out his image took little time. As an immortal, he’d overseen the MacLomain Clan for several centuries during a tumultuous time when Christianity and the old Pagan ways both existed. This accounted for the use of the statue in the background. Even the title came to me quickly. No matter what happened in medieval Scotland you could always count on one thing… battles and war.

Though I’d had my reasons for picking the pictures and title, once the cover was in front of me the story slowly changed from the direction in which it was originally heading.

The title became not an action but a thing. 

That’s right, the Defiance is a portal in which those possessing magic can travel through time. Found in various areas of the world it becomes an unexpected supernatural doorway in The MacLomain Series- Early Years. Even the castle in the background found a special unplanned place in the story.  

So thanks to my fabulously talented cover artist, Tamra Westberry, I’ve become a writer who uses a book cover to create a story. A method that I also ended up using in next month’s release, Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years).
Best,
Sky






Highland Defiance
The MacLomain Series- Early Years
Sky Purington

Genre: Time-Travel Romance

ASIN: B00AVKFQ8K

Number of pages:  125 pages
Word Count: 47,000

Cover Artist: Tamra Westberry


Book Description:         

Mildred, a young woman living in New England during the onset of World War II, worries about her family. What is to come? How will life change? Little does she anticipate change is to come not from war, but from an unexpected trip back in time to medieval Scotland.

Adlin, Chieftain of the MacLomain clan, will never forget the moment he lays eyes on her. Though he rules one of the most powerful clans in Scotland, Mildred redefines the man he thought he was. Her quick wit and perseverance humble his natural arrogance. Her sensuality cripples his defenses.

The maddened determination of a rival chieftain threatens their very existence. Caught together in time, they must find a way to evade the mighty MacLeods and keep peace in the Highlands. But lust, rage, and potential war simmer on the edge of their every move.

Will Mildred and Adlin find true love despite the odds? Find out in HIGHLAND DEFIANCE.

Stories from the original, MacLomain Series, include The King's Druidess (Prelude), Fate's Monolith (Book I), Destiny's Denial (Book II) and Sylvan Mist (Book III). Also available in The MacLomain Series Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

About the Author:        

Sky is the best-selling author of seven novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books. Readers have described her work as "Refreshing" and "Unforgettable."

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases?

Visit Sky's Website, www.skypurington.com, to download her free App on iTunes and Android.

Website:   www.skypurington.com







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3 comments:

Tara said...

Awesome! I'm so glad it worked for you. I'm seven chapters into my newest WIP and already have a beautiful cover. It's motivation enough for me to finish.

Sky Purington said...

Nice, Tara! The cover for Highland Persuasion has certainly kept me motivated as well. :-)

Sky Purington said...

Thanks for featuring me Roxanne!