Anatomy of an Erotic Romance Cover: Malice of Wasteland

Oh boy, this one was tough.

The cover and the story itself went through many, many changes.

As you might know, when I'm not writing porn, I'm watching and reviewing it. On one such occasion, I was watching something, which I cannot recall, I do recall making the comment that whatever I was watching wasn't as good as Malice in Lala Land, or Wasteland. Only, I had typed "Malice of Wasteland"

And then a book was born.

Malice Of Wasteland (Working title, simply Malice), started out as a story about a girl who fucks an entire band to get a spot in the band. But, then, I thought about it more and fleshed out the band itself, particularly the lead vocalist, Nick Scratch. 

And I fell in adoration with their lust for one another.

But if the vocalist was still around, how would Malice get the gig? So I had to make Nick vanish.

At first, he suffered a coma from a car accident, but I didn't want to deal with the pesky recover, the physiotherapy, the stress of healing. I have enough stress in real life, and I write smut as an escape.

So, in the second version, he simply ghosts everybody.

To make the cover, I had to capture the essence of Malice. She's a tough, standoffish woman who has secret insecurities and a soft side. I struggled to capture that while I looked for a suitable image. 

 

I fiddled with placement, as you can see, but decided on the cover on the right. I liked the clothes, the bustier in particular gave her an edge, but I wasn't in love with the hair or the peircings. Still, it communicated the basic idea and I liked the hand up, because it gave a certain kind of grace and was more interesting than Malice just standing there. The image on the left had too much empty space.

But then, I wrote a passage in the book, describing the cover of Malice's album. She mimes opening her own chest.

Then my editor made a joke about making band t-shirts and other merch and DAMNIT KAGE!

So...

I asked some of my model friends if they knew anyone who'd be interested in modeling but it was a time-sensitive matter, and I was already shoulder-deep in Depositphotos.

So I found this.

Original image by Elisanth

Okay, it's more in line of the pose I wanted. Not quite as edgy, but interesting. Then I started to play with the layers, and filters, and colours

It's intriguing, but a little too intense.

And then this happened.

It had a good balance of the reds and blacks and pale colours. It sort of bridged the gap between the super dark cover of Crossfade and the calm pastel cover of Crescendo. I still worry that the gloves make it look too sweet and gentle, but hey, over-all, this story is about letting go, and allowing people to see your vulnerabilities. So in that respect I feel it works.

Welcome to her Wasteland. She really, really likes it...

When exotic dancer Alice Masterson is purchased for a private dance by Nick Scratch, the intimidating but charismatic frontman of the death metal band Wasteland, their mutual attraction causes them to break all the rules. After two nights of searing, kinky passion, Nick ghosts her.

And the band.

And everything else.

With Nick gone without a trace, Wasteland sends out an open audition for a new lead vocalist. Adopting the stage name Malice, Alice answers the call.


Touring with the band revives Alice’s lust for life and her alter-ego can’t get enough of the endless stream of groupies that throw themselves at the band, the top-shelf booze and the parties that rage all night long.


But death metal is a hard road to walk for a woman. Is Malice strong enough to endure the slag and vitriol? Will she be able to keep her two identities separate? And what will become of the band and Malice when Nick Scratch returns?


If he ever does…

MALICE OF WASTELAND is part of SILVER CITY STORIES and is a hard core, kinky BDSM erotic celebrity rockstar romance intended for adults only. It deals with dark subject matter, and celebrates sexual expression between consenting adults.

MALICE OF WASTELAND (Silver City Stories #3) is available for pre-order as soon as Amazon approves it.

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A Tease for #WorldDraculaDay 2019

On this day in 1897, Bram Stoker published Dracula. In celebration of this infamous book, which inspired thousands of movies, stories, games, and works of art, I'm going to share with you sample of an upcoming vampire erotica book set for release later this year.

Please enjoy.

“Welcome to Čachtice Castle, I am Countess Elizabeth Bathory. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Vlad Dracula.” He removed his cavalier hat and gave a bow. Pleased with the courtesy, Elizabeth returned the gesture by lifting her voluminous skirt and answering with a coy curtsy.

“My, my,” the countess smiled. “You look exceptionally healthy for a man of over one hundred and seventy years old.”

Vlad chuckled. “You’re speaking of my great-grandfather, Vlad The Impaler.” Under his full, black mustache, he gave the slightest, enigmatic smile.

“The likeness is remarkable,” Elizabeth said.

“You know of my blood?”

“A Bathory fought alongside Vlad Tepes himself and they were close allies. Since then, there have been no less than six Bathory men who’ve held the title of prince of Transylvania. The country runs thick with Bathory blood. Currently it is Bathory blood that is prince of Transylvania once again. I myself hold deed over a generous section of Transylvanian land. It would be ignorant to have hold of a land and not know its history, would it not? We are not, after all, The Turks.”

That observation caused Vlad to laugh. “Quite true. You are a clever woman, Countess.”

Elizabeth gave him a cordial smile. “You must be starved after your travels. It is nearly time for supper.” She turned and addressed the nearest servant. “Have the kitchen prepare another helping for…I don’t believe you’ve given me your title.”

“Doctor will suffice,” Vlad said.

“Doctor. Have the kitchen prepare another helping for our Doctor Dracula. When it is ready, bring it to my solar. For now, please ensure there’s fresh wine to enjoy. And, I feel like using the ivory utensils today, and the porcelain instead of the silver. See that it’s done.”

The servant nodded and hurried off. The wine had to arrive in the room before the countess did.

“Come, we will talk in private.” Elizabeth gathered her skirts again and lead Vlad to the comfortable isolation of her solar.

* * *
“Was it you playing the harpsichord upon my arrival?” Vlad asked, gazing at the instrument standing by the window.

“It was.”

“You play beautifully.”

“Thank you.” Elizabeth poured two goblets of the finest red wine the castle had in her cellars.

“You don’t have a servant for such a menial task?” Vlad was sitting at an ornately carved oak table. They were in the corner of the room, near a fireplace.

Goblet in each hand, Elizabeth joined him at the table. “I said I wanted you alone and I meant what I said.” She placed one of the goblets in front of him and sat down. “What is it that brings you here, dear doctor?” She watched the firelight turn his green eyes gold.

“First, allow me to extend a courtesy. I know I am very late, but I recently heard of the death of your husband. I am here to thank his wife for his services in the war. The Ottomans have been a thorn in the side of the Dracula line for centuries. Your husband was a dutiful soldier.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Kind words, doctor. My husband rather admired your ancestor. Francis, too, impaled his enemies on spikes. He was known as The Black Knight of Hungary.” She swirled her wine around in her goblet. “I’ve known him since I was a small girl. For a time I felt lost without him. I suppose that is what love is. But, I found ways to occupy my mind.” Her smile returning, she turned her eyes back to Vlad’s face. “Have you ever known love like that?”

Vlad did not shy away from her interrogation. “No. Not in this lifetime. Not yet, anyway. I appreciate your curiosity, Countess Bathory,”

“And I appreciate your candor.” She leaned forward. “Now, why not tell me why you’re really here?”

The door opened and some servants entered, each carrying platters of food, or a carafe full of wine. The meal was placed on the table, and fresh drinks poured. One servant girl picked up the trey, but it slipped from her hands. It was an intricate porcelain tray with delicate gold painted handles and an almost lace-like border. The Countess watched in horror as it fell toward the unforgiving floor.

In a move as fluid as water, Vlad’s arm carved through the air and scooped the platter from gravity’s control. He held it up on his fingertips, revealing it to be unharmed.

“Be more mindful next time,” Vlad told the girl. She reached out and took the platter by the small handles. Her left hand was missing all fingers except for her pointer and thumb, and the right was missing her ring and pinky. She had to concentrate to take secure hold of the trey.

The cuts were clean, precise. Elizabeth had done it herself with fabric sheers after the girl had spilled tea all over the keys of her harpsichord. Elizabeth could feel how red her face was, from fury at the girl’s incompetence, and humiliation that it was in front of her esteemed guest.

When the girl finally left, Vlad sighed. “Lepers. They never seem able to keep their fingers to themselves.”

Elizabeth laughed. It wasn’t a lady-like laugh quietly giggled behind a hand or into her kerchief made of lace and silk. It was a laugh erupting from her soul. It was the sort of laugh that caused her to cradle her stomach. It went on and on, musical and manic. It left her absolutely breathless.

“Oh,” she gasped. “Oh, my. You are too clever, doctor. I haven’t laughed like that in...years.” She released a cleansing breath. “I’ve not had much mirth since Francis’ death, if any.” She brightened. “Perhaps that’s what Čachtice needs. Merriment. Not just the castle but the village as well. A masquerade! We should hold a masquerade. We will. They’re all the rage in Italy and France but so rare here in Hungary. It will be an event!” Elizabeth was so positively taken by this idea that she was dizzy.

“Dear Dracula, I look forward to seeing you in your best suit. I do hope you brought it with you. Do you plan on staying in Čachtice long?”

“I haven’t decided. The true reason my travels brought me here were the rumours. The strange illness that has made victims of the maidens of the village. And their disappearances. I’m curious, so I came to satiate that curiosity. I came to meet you as a courtesy. But it is sincere. I have a room at the inn.”

The Countess’ heart thumped in her chest. Perhaps this doctor was some sort of spy sent by the conniving Thurzo. After Francis’ death, Thurzo had tried to lay claim to his property, though Francis had never made this intention known to Elizabeth, their children, or stated so in his will. Elizabeth was well aware that Thurzo was scheming his way into her power. The fact that most of the rumours concerning her murderous ways were true was just a detail.

“The inn? Oh, no doctor. You must stay here in the castle. I insist.”

“That’s quite generous of you, Countess Bathory.”

“Elizabeth.”

“Elizabeth,” he repeated. She loved the way her name sounded on his tongue, the way it waved and rolled. Elizabeta. “Then, you may call me Vlad.”

“Vlad.” His name on her lips made her smile. Their meal finished, she picked up her table knife. “Come, Vlad, I will personally show you to your room.”

I hope you enjoyed this exclusive excerpt from an upcoming story of desire, passion, and violence. Sanguinerotica is scheduled for release in August 2019. Please follow us on Twitter or join our mailing list for updates and announcements.

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Anatomy of an Erotic Romance Cover - The Unicorn Knight

Well, looks like this is a series now!

Writing and publishing your own book is a very involved process. I'm lucky enough that I have some artistic ability so I am able to do all my own covers as well.

I started writing UNCHAINING THE UNICORN KNIGHT before I even knew what the final title would be. I had a premise, and certain scenes visualized in my mind, but the title and the cover were mysteries to me. It went under the working title KNIGHT or UNICORN KNIGHT.

Due to things outside of my control, writing UNCHAINING THE UNICORN KNIGHT stalled for a bit, but I hate stagnation, so I did what I could to keep the project going.

I made a cover.

The original Unicorn Knight cover.

Fun fact: it's surprisingly difficult to find good royalty free, Creative Commons images of unicorns. They're all so cartoony.

The original concept was a sort of knight's flag drawn on parchment or maybe scratched onto leather, but there was an obvious Photoshopped quality to it that always vexed me. Also, it was very brown for being all about a knight who's main colours were white and silver. Still, this had been the cover for months, and I figured I could tweak it when the time came to published.

But then, I was struck by inspiration, so I looked up "chains" and "Lock" and "Key" on Unsplash and Pixabay.

The second cover.

The second cover is once again going for that Sylvia Day/50 Shades/Twilight type style, but with a unique feel. Personally, I loved the cover, for a time, but when I showed it to others, the love wasn't shared. For one thing, it had nothing really to do with the content of the book. Still, I preferred it to the first version, and while I was formatting UNCHAINING THE UNICORN KNIGHT, I was set to use this one, damn the nay-sayers.

And yet...Even I wondered if there was something else out there...something even better.

Perfect. Just perfect.

I found the image of the woman hidden under the fabric on Pixabay, and a chain from a necklace on the stock image section of DeviantArt. Did some creative colouring, and came out with the perfect cover image. Pink is not a motif colour in the story, but I find the pop of colour alluring. All in all I feel that this cover is mysterious, hints at the content of the book, and is sexy.

The first version is not always the best. Be flexible with cover ideas. Sometimes the right image is just a few clicks away.

UNCHAINING THE UNICORN KNIGHT is available for pre-order from Smashwords and Amazon and can be added to Goodreads. It is available on April 12th.

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Read Sexy Samples Now on Goodreads!

We've put up samples of both MY BROTHER'S BEAST IN ME and  GIRLS OF GLASS on Goodreads.
Click below to read them.

MY BROTHER'S BEAST IN ME
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Read Free Sample - Add to Goodreads - Pre-Order on Amazon

GIRLS OF GLASS
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Read Free Sample - Add to Goodreads - Pre-Order on Amazon

Both short stories will be released on July 31st. $0.99USD or free on Kindle Unlimited.

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