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Cover art quandaries

Yesterday was the cover reveal for Resistance. Book 1 in the Village Love series. So today I thought I'd talk about cover art and the problems you face when choosing a design for a book in a series.

Resonance was only ever meant to be a one off story. A way of processing my own fear that I discovered in that magnetic monster of an MRI scanner. And seeing if I could write a story in 1st person POV (Barefoot may have been the first story I had published in that POV but it wasn't the first I had written. That honour falls to t he very first version of Resonance.)

Of course when Garrett and I discussed the cover for Resonance there was no thought of a sequel and the gorgeous dandelion cover only had to stand alone. A year on and a sequel is written and all of a sudden I have a problem. Did I scrap a perfectly good (and in my opinion beautiful) cover and bring in something new for the series or did I try to find a common theme that could be used to tie everything together.

I already knew that I had no intention of getting rid of the existing cover for Resonance. It’s striking and different in a genre of headshots and naked torsos. The cover for Resistance would have to tie in to it somehow. Not only that but going forward the idea chosen for Resistance would have to work for the remainder of the series.

“Rick’s a gardener,” Garrett said. “Let’s use another flower.”

“But how would that work for the rest of the series?” I cried. (I tend to get over-emotional about my covers. Ask Meredith Russell.) “The next book is about the guy that owns the print shop! How would a flower work?”

Garrett, as excellent as she is at reading minds, had no response. Authors and their covers can be a very delicate issue. Best handled with kid gloves, eh?

The ball, as they say, was firmly in my court. I pulled out all the flowers Rick talked about in the book and started googling images. One link took me to a website on Victorian flower meanings. There were hundreds of them.

Surely they wouldn’t have a flower that meant Resistance.

They didn’t.

They had two!

One was a fungi (I know! Imagine getting a gift of fungi) and the other was a Tansy.

I sent both images to Garrett and another gorgeous cover was born*.


*(and yes we went with the tansy.)

Available now for pre-order at Amazon, Resistance will be on sale at Amazon and to borrow on Kindle Unlimited from 5th July. Universal Amazon link: myBook.to/Resistance_LF

Resonance is currently available at ARe and Amazon.

At Are it has been free on a semi regular basis since release. It is currently free until 31st July.

At Amazon it is 99p or the equivalent. Here's a universal link to take you to your local Amazon store. myBook.to/ResonanceL_F

Cover Reveal - Resistance

Cover Reveal - Lillian Francis - Resistance

Author: Lillian Francis

Release Date: July 5

Goodreads

Cover: Garrett Leigh at Black Jazz Design

Length: 53,600 words


Available now for pre-order at Amazon, Resistance will be on sale at Amazon and to borrow on Kindle Unlimited from 5th July. Universal Amazon link: myBook.to/Resistance_LF

Blurb: 

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the 

sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he 

called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the 

close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at 

Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the 

village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life 

in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his 

family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join 

Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is...

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change 

the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he 

can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. 

When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his 

life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what 

has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.

About the Series

Resistance is book 1 in my new series, Village Love. Village Love is set in the fictional Sussex village of Slopy Bottom. I'll let Rick tell you how Slopy Bottom got its name.

“It’s one p, Slopy Bottom. The village has been there centuries. Local historians think it started life as Slope Bottom since the oldest houses are on the low slope at the bottom of a hill. The rest of the village spread out into the valley as the years went by but the name stuck. At one point the village was all but owned by a French lord, which could account for the mispronunciation, and it appears to have been Slopy Bottom ever since.”

Rick and Mal? Haven't you written about those characters before?

The simple answer is yes. Rick and Mal appeared in a one-off short story, Resonance. Resonance spawned this story which in turn spawned a whole host of storylines. As Resonance doesn't take place in the village it has been assigned as Village Love 0.5.

Do I need to read Resonance to read Resistance?

No. Several of my beta readers didn't read Resonance before working on Resistance and found it had no impact. However, Resonance is the story of how Rick and Mal meet and will obviously shed further light on their relationship.

Where can I buy Resonance?

Resonance is currently available at ARe and Amazon.

At Are it has been free on a semi regular basis since release. It is currently free until 31st July.

At Amazon it is 99p or the equivalent. Here's a universal link to take you to your local Amazon store. myBook.to/ResonanceL_F

Will there be more books in the series?

Definitely. I'm already working on Book 2, and Book 3 has been urging me to write it's opening scene in the last couple of days (I resisted, but I did make

some scrappy notes). I have very brief story lines, if they work out, for at least

a Book 4, and maybe a Book 5. If you read a particular character that you like drop me a line and let me know, I've undoubtedly got a plan to pair him with someone!

Where to find me

http://lillianfrancis.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter @LillianFrancis_

Facebook

Facebook Author Page

Goodreads

Email: lillianfrancis@rocketmail.com

Cover Reveal tour arranged by Signal Boost Promotions.

Village Love -- The Series

About the Series
Resistance is book 1 in my new series, Village Love. Village Love is set in the fictional Sussex village of Slopy Bottom. I'll let Rick tell you how Slopy Bottom got its name.

“It’s one p, Slopy Bottom. The village has been there centuries. Local historians think it started life as Slope Bottom since the oldest houses are on the low slope at the bottom of a hill. The rest of the village spread out into the valley as the years went by but the name stuck. At one point the village was all but owned by a French lord, which could account for the mispronunciation, and it appears to have been Slopy Bottom ever since.”

Rick and Mal? Haven't you written about those characters before?
The simple answer is yes. Rick and Mal appeared in a one-off short story, Resonance. Resonance spawned this story which in turn spawned a whole host of storylines. As Resonance doesn't take place in the village it has been assigned as Village Love 0.5.

Do I need to read Resonance to read Resistance?
No. Several of my beta readers didn't read Resonance before working on Resistance and found it had no impact. However, Resonance is the story of how Rick and Mal meet and will obviously shed further light on their relationship.

Where can I buy Resonance?
Resonance is currently available at ARe and Amazon.
At Are it has been free on a semi regular basis since release. It is currently free until 31st July.
At Amazon it is 99p or the equivalent. Here's a universal link to take you to your local Amazon store.

Will there be more books in the series?
Definitely. I'm already working on Book 2, and Book 3 has been urging me to write it's opening scene in the last couple of days (I resisted, but I did make some scrappy notes). I have very brief story lines, if they work out, for at least a Book 4, and maybe a Book 5. If you read a particular character that you like drop me a line and let me know, I've undoubtedly got a plan to pair him with someone!

Resistance - What is it about?

You've probably heard me talking about Resistance quite a lot over the last few weeks. Release day will soon be upon us -- 5th July -- and I'm getting everything prepared.

I can't show you the cover yet -- I'm saving that for next week -- but I can share the blurb.

Resistance

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is...

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.


Resistance is the follow up novel to my short story Resonance, which is currently free at ARe or 99p, or the equivalent, at your local Amazon store.

Add Resistance to your Goodreads shelf.

$1 dollar book

From JMS Books. 

"To celebrate Pride month, we’re holding a HUGE sale all week long!

From June 12 through June 19, save 35% off ALL e-books purchased through our website!

And, to honor those we lost Sunday at the Pulse night club shooting, half of all publisher royalties earned during the sale will be donated to Equality Florida in support of the victims and their families.

So stop by JMS Books today and start shopping."

So for this week only Waiting for a Spark will be just $1.

What a bargain. 

For those of you on Facebook

I have just opened an author page over there. This is for promo and book news only. Release dates, cover reveals, blurbs, discounts, and such like.

Lillian Francis Author

If you'd like to pop over and like me there I'd be eternally grateful.

If you're not on Facebook, not to worry, everything on that page will also appear here at the blog.

Resonance -- Village Love 0.5

Cover designed by Garrett Leigh
at blackjazzdesign.com

The Book

Resonance: The quality in a sound. The power to evoke enduring emotions. Sometimes one can result in the other.
 
Rick Brandt would never have said he was claustrophobic; after all he’s been in plenty of enclosed spaces in his job as the village’s only handyman cum gardener.  He even squeezed into a disused coal chute to rescue a trapped dog for an elderly resident. So why did opening his eyes in the MRI scanner induce a breath stealing freak-out that has him jabbing at the panic button.

Luckily, Mal, the radiographer running his scan has a pleasant voice and an excellent bedside manner that soothes Rick’s frayed nerves and rabbity heartbeat. Soon the resonance of his tone has gone beyond calming and Rick is lost in a fantasy of the man behind the voice. But things aren’t always what they seem and when Rick’s shocked surprise at the reality causes offence, the likelihood of him getting to experience Mal’s true bedside manner appears to be slipping away.

Resonance is currently available at ARe and Amazon.

At Are it has been free on a semi regular basis since release. It is currently free until 31st July.

At Amazon it is 99p or the equivalent. Here's a universal link to take you to your local Amazon store.

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf

Reviews

From amazon uk

 sexy and sweet, 9 Nov. 2015

By 

Clare London

This review is from: Resonance (Kindle Edition)

This was sexy and sweet, a lovely example of how Ms Francis draws her characters so vividly, in shorter as well as longer books. Written from Rick’s point of view, it showcases his believably masculine character, often lusty but immediately sympathetic.
Mal the radiographer is nervous in front of a new lover but confident enough to make the first move. How refreshing to have the town/country divide in their background and nationalities, not just in the scenery LOL.
There was much more to enjoy than just a very sexy love scene. And one of the best and boldest opening scenes I’ve read for a long time.

 Wonderful, 28 Oct. 2015

By 

En Em

This review is from: Resonance (Kindle Edition)

I loved this story. It actually took me a little by surprise that I became so invested in the characters so quickly, but as always, Lillian's writing style drew me in and hooked me. Combining the sensual scenes and the 'two worlds colliding' it made for a wonderful story. I really hope this is just the beginning for Rick and Mal.

From ARe

Submitted By: arieslady52 on Feb 25, 2016

A little jewel of a book. A tale of falling in love told with sweetness, compassion, and hope. More sensual than sexual, laced through with exquisite descriptive detail and gentle good humor. That the characters involved are gay and male diminishes none of the appeal; this story will resonate with anyone who has taken the risk of falling in love. This is now on my "Re-read" list.

Excerpt

“I cancelled an appointment with the vicar’s wife for this.” I gasped out as a tongue traced the outstretched dragon’s wing that crested my shoulder and wrapped around my bicep. “I’m officially going to hell…” That wicked tongue caught the edge of my armpit on the way back and in my surprise I inhaled a mouthful of quilt cover. “In a hand basket.”

Warm breath ghosted over my flesh and my skin broke out in a rash of goosebumps.

“If my Ammi knew I was picking men up at work she’d be mortified.” Pausing in his ministrations, he rested his forehead at the base of my neck and sighed. “Or vindicated. Always a disappointment.”

I thought of his body. Of him. Long legs with muscled thighs. Dark hair that flopped endearingly over his forehead. His laugh, sudden and surprising from his studious demeanour. The encouraging comfort of his voice. The gentle focused way he was taking me apart with just his mouth and the lightest touch of his fingertips.

“Not to me, Mal. Not to me.”

Exhaled into my skin on a damp breath I could barely make out his response but I think he mumbled “So glad you freaked out today”, before returning his attention to my artwork and his lips to the body of my dragon.

Something thick and heavy still lingered in the air along with the smell of sweat and spices and sex.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, I said, “You know, when I said I fancied an Indian it was only innocent flirting. I thought you’d take me out to dinner.”

“Hmm.”

His lips caught a ticklish spot on my side and I squirmed.

“Homemade is better. And, I don’t know about the quaint old village where you come from, but around here it’s frowned upon to do this in a restaurant while our dinner’s cooking.” Amusement was back in his voice, which had been my intention. “Now shh while I find out where that tail goes.”
His mouth ghosted over the small of my back, pausing to tongue at my dimples. I wriggled, rubbing my rock hard cock against the welcome friction of the mattress. It felt as though he’d been teasing me for hours but in reality we’d only met for the first time…

Rainbow Snippets 11/12 June

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

Things are moving along nicely with the production of Resistance. A Cover Reveal is planned for later in the month with a release date set for the 5th July. In the meantime you can add Resistance to your Goodreads page.

Let's catch up with the boys at the beginning of Chapter Five.

“There’s flour everywhere.” Rick laughed as he glanced around his kitchen.
Mal nodded towards a pile of fabric just beyond the doorway. “At least our clothes are clean.”
“That was an inspired move, getting me naked to make chapattis.”
“Well, look how messy you are.” Mal rubbed his hand through Rick’s chest hair and a fine white cloud puffed into the space between them.

We all love a sale

To celebrate Pride month Dreamspinner are have a 30% sale across the store. That includes paperbacks. Did you know that if you buy the paperback you get a copy of the ebook absolutely free?

You not take advantage of the sale to pick up New Lease of Life for less than $5.


See what people are saying about New Lease of Life.

"Once again, Lillian Francis has written a story and characters guaranteed to capture your heart."

"This is a story to treasure and Lillian Francis an author to put on autobuy.  This is just so well written, its entertaining and just such a lovely romance. I so highly recommend them both.   Make it your New Year’s resolution to seek them both out and find out why!" - MelanieM, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

Rainbow Snippets 4th/5th June

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

No Rainbow Snippet last week because I was at ComicCon.

Edits are finally finished on Resistance and I'm in the process of formatting the manuscript so I have some ARCs available for reviewers when the cover reveal takes place.
I thought we'd have another clip of Rick and Mal. Since we've already had a clip from Chapter Three in an earlier snippet, here's a few lines from the beginning of Chapter Four.


It was amazing how quickly he’d become used to Mal’s presence in his life, in his home, even if it was only at the weekends. Seven weeks since Mal’s first ever visit and Rick found it hard to imagine his cottage without Mal in it: the scents and sounds of somebody cooking for him, Mal’s clothes in the laundry basket, waking up on a Sunday morning with long legs twined in his own and safe arms wrapped around him. Last weekend, he’d given Mal his own key. No fanfare or grand gesture. He’d simply pressed the spare key to the cottage into Mal’s hand and told him to let himself in, any time. He might have laid too much stress on those last two words.

Green fingers

I really don't have green fingers. I can kill a plant with a single glance.

But today I thought I should give it a go. So I'm channelling my inner Rick. Hopefully I can keep them alive more than a few days.

Don't know who Rick is? He's one of the MCs of my short story Resonance, and he's a gardener cum handyman.

His story will be continued in Resistance where you can find out how his relationship with Mal develops.

Resonance is regularly free at ARe or 99p at Amazon.

Resistance will be released in early July. Watch out for a cover reveal coming up in the next few weeks. I've added it to Goodreads for those of you who like to log prospective reads there.

And I'll keep you updated on the state of the flowers :)