I'm dropping by on the run as life continues at a hectic pace, but I just wanted to post the fabulous cover for The Scarlet Lion, due out in hardcover in December. It hasn't been without its traumas. An earlier cover draft was scrapped due to a hissy fit by me the author who felt that putting a sulky teenage heroine on the front, admiring her party dress was not a good representation of the powerful, mature Isabelle de Clare, wife, helpmeet and consort of the great William Marshal.This one's a strong improvement. It's not entirely historically accurate, but the fabric's a good match and the general feel is much better and will appeal to booksellers. One gets the impression of a strong woman from the composition plus there's a nod to William in the embroidery behind her.
9 comments:
I really like the covers on your most recent novels. Sorry to say that I didn't much care for the early covers. I didn't think they did justice to the great stuff between the covers!
This one is beautiful!
It's gorgeous! Definitely says 'strong'.
Roll on December...
I like that cover. Would surely make me take it up and have a closer look if I found it in a store.
Sounds like a good reason to have a 'hissy fit'! Does The Scarlet Lion focus more on Isabelle and less on William Marshal than The Greatest Knight and is that connected with the decision to put a woman on the cover instead of another guy in chain mail?
KC, I do think the new covers are much better than the former ones and booksellers seem to think so too!
Carla, there was only a short focus on Isabelle in The Greatest Knight because William didn't marry her until late on in the novel. In The Scarlet Lion she is with him every step of the way. The viewpoint is probably close to 50-50, perhaps coming down just slightly more on William's side, but I am happy to go with this cover from a commercial viewpoint. As always it's give and take. I felt this one was strong and I suggested the elements that went into its developments. The reason the first abomination appeared at all was, I think, a lack of communication between departments, which has now been rectified!
Wow, really love the Scarlet Lion cover and good on you for sticking to your guns! Really looking forward to getting my hands on it. Nothing like immersing yourself in a Chadwick novel over the festive season. With a newborn baby I'm looking at an especially quiet, party free one this year, not that I mind but this book will really make my Christmas!
I think it's a gorgeous cover and it would certainly make me want to pick it up off the shelves.
I love this cover, but then again, I've loved most of your covers. I didn't realize you were writing this story. Reading your reply to KC and Carla is sounds like part two of The Greatest Knight? And the one you're working on now is about John Marshall? Making it a 3rd book in the series? Color me confused, but also color me highly motivated to buy The Scarlet Lion when it comes out at Xmas. I'm reading TGK now and staying up WAY too late at night reading it. Can't put it down!! Another awesome read.
Hi Kemberlee,
Glad that you like the cover. It's one of the best ones I personally think.
The Scarlet Lion is indeed the next part of William Marshal's story, although it is a stand alone novel. My publishers insisted that the books should stand alone as well as being linked. The work in progress, provisionally titled Hammers and Anvils is indeed about John Marshal. I have this terrible habit of writing about people and then suddenly getting interested in their parents - hence Shadows and Strongholds came AFTER Lords of the White Castle! So yes, Hammers and Anvils is about John Marshal, William's father and will feature William as a small boy :-) Just heading towards the finish line on the rough draft now. Hope to be able to start the second draft around the middle of October.
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