Back in August I shared the announcement about Shadowed Loyalty, my 1920s Chicago story, that will be coming from Chrism Press in May of 2022. Well, not long after that, I had the joy of working on the cover for it!
It isn’t often that I get to design my own book covers, and while Chrism Press is a branch of WhiteFire Publishing (the company my husband and I own), the designs are all done by the amazing Rhonda Ortiz, so I was fully prepared to come, hat in hands and eyes wide, to beg her to let me do this one, LOL. But she beat me to the punch by saying, “You’re going to do yours, right? You do ‘Roseanna covers’ better than I could.” To which, of course, I said, “YES, PLEASE!!!”
Honestly, I’d already been searching for images. I thought I’d do a “pretty dress” cover with that iconic 1920s style…an authentic era gown, even. So I went to my usual sources for genuine era gowns with public domain photos…and I found nothing. Nada. So by the point that the task was officially handed to me, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Until Rhonda said, “We totally need something with the same vibe as Stephanie Landsem’s In a Far Off Land.”
To which again I said, “YES!!!!”
I absolutely adore this cover of Stephanie’s (and the book is amazing too!), and while it’s set a decade after mine, in Hollywood rather than Chicago, the vibe is allll kinds of right.
So off I went, searching for 1920s styled models. And hilariously, I found the exact one they used on In a Far Off Land. At first I thought I’d better avoid her for that very reason–I don’t want it to look too much like hers, after all. But then I thought, “Well, let’s see what I can do to make it unique.” So I chose a different position…I darkened her hair…I changed her lip color…I added a hat. And of course, I put a historical Chicago background behind her.
When I announced the book, I had quite a few comments that mentioned how much they liked the feel of the image we used in the blog–dark and mysterious, with a gangster flair (this is about the Mafia, after all). So I wanted to make sure I captured that air of mystery, of the underworld. And when I showed it to a few people, I got some great reactions.
Are you ready to see? I hope so! Here it is, and be sure to scroll down to the text afterward to get more info or pre-order a signed copy!
Ready…
Set…
Voila!
So as you can see, I went with some deep shades, toned in blue. I focused on the headshot, but we still get a glimpse of her fabulous beaded dress and her era-signature cloche hat. I use an Art Deco accent and font, but not a full frame, the better to leave room for her lovely face.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
When I showed it to the Chrism editors for approval, one of the first questions was, “Are you going to be selling those earrings in your shop? They’re fabulous!”
I do totally agree. I also love the matching bobby pins…and I found a necklace from the same jeweler that matches the description of one that plays a key role in the story too! So I’m excited to offer all three items in my store. (As of this posting, I have the items ordered from the jeweler, though they’re not in hand yet. I will fulfill any orders that come in as soon as I get them from the acclaimed Sweet Romance Jewelry shop!)
And of course, if you’d like to pre-order, you can do that EXCLUSIVELY from my store right now! It will begin appearing elsewhere in the new year, but why wait to reserve your signed copy? 😉 Pre-order pricing will only last until release!
As a reminder, though, placing the order now will charge your card now but the item will not ship until May, when I have them in hand.
Pre-Order Now
About the Book
Sabina Mancari never questioned her life as the daughter of Chicago’s leading mob boss until bullets tear apart her world and the man she thought she loved turned out to be an undercover Prohibition agent. Now she sees how ugly the underworld can be. Ambushes, bribes, murder, prostitution—maybe Lorenzo, her straitlaced fiancé, had it right when he said it is better to stay far removed. And maybe, if she can understand him and his baffling faith, he will give her another chance.
But Lorenzo isn’t sure he’s ready for that. All his life he has loved Sabina, only to realize she had never felt the same about him. While he’s relieved to see her pursuing God, the Prohibition agent is pursuing her father just as intently, and it falls to Enzo—and his legal skills—to keep trouble at bay. He wants to believe that Sabina can change…assuming they can stay alive until their wedding day.
Shadowed Loyalty, set amid the glitz and scandal of the Roaring Twenties, examines what love really means and how we draw lines between family and our own convictions, especially when following the one could mean losing the other.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Oh my goodness! That is such a beautiful book cover! I love it! I want this book!!!!! You are an amazing cover designer, Ms. Roseanna! I will be getting this book ASAP!
Love the Cover, but then I’m a sucker for art deco and the 1920s.
This cover is stunning. I love those earrings. It was really fun to read about the whole process.
Striking, with so many lovely 1920’s details: the cloche, those earrings, the Art Deco accent and font. This cover really sets the tone of your intriguing title! I’m excited to read it!
Amazing cover! And the story sounds exciting! Beautiful jewelry.
I love the cover! It’s gorgeous! And I’m looking forward to reading it–just my type of story!
This cover is gorgeous! Well done!
Thank you so much, Melissa! Glad you like it!
That cover is just stunning!! I can’t wait to see it in my hands! Gorgeous!!
With you there! Thanks, Karen!
I’m so thrilled you used the same model as In A Far-Off Land. And yes, that is an absolutely gorgeous cover! Love that hat and the earrings! and the sparkle! Can’t WAIT to get may hands on Shadowed Loyalty and as ever, I’m so grateful to you for your gracious words about both the story AND the cover of In A Far-Off Land 🙂
Well there’s no denying the beauty of either your cover or your story, Stephanie! 😉 Thanks for providing some inspiration! LOL
We are big fans of your book, Stephanie, in EVERY way! 😀
Beautiful cover! Just pre-ordered and can’t wait!
Thank you so much, Vickie! Got the order filed and waiting. 😉
Gorgeous! I love it❤️
Thank you, Susan!
THIS COVER IS EVERYTHING! IT’s so stunning I can’t stop looking at it! *swoons*
Now that’s the reaction I like to see! LOL 😉
Beautiful!
Thanks!
GORGEOUS cover, Ro!
Thanks, Caryl!
Gorgeous! I’m so excited for this!
Thanks, Rachel! I’m excited too!
I love this cover! The use of the darker colors with the white lettering is a beautiful contrast. The earrings are beautiful as well as her expression!
Thank you, Jan! I have to admit, her expression in this photo actually helped inform some of rewrites of the heroine’s character, LOL!
Beautiful cover! I can’t wait to delve into the story!
Thanks, Rebecca! I’m excited for it to get out into the world!
Stunning! It looks amazing! I love that we can buy the jewelry too! So fun! I can’t wait to read it!
Isn’t that fun?? Totally owe the editorial team for that suggestion, LOL, I hadn’t even thought about it until they mentioned it! But I can’t wait for it all to arrive so I can model those earrings! 😉
The cover is breathtaking! I love your books! Looking forward to reading it
It’s so perfect! I love it! I think this may be my favorite of the covers you’ve designed.
Aw, thanks! I’m so happy with how it turned out!
Enthralled by the cover! It was truly inspired from top to bottom! God is good!
He is indeed! Thank you!
My first thought was, “I can’t believe this was the same model!” My second was, “Cool font”, followed quickly by “Love those earrings !”
Isn’t that font amazing?? I’ve had it sitting around for years but have rarely gotten to use it, LOL. And YES, the earrings are gorgeous! I can’t wait for them to arrive!
Stunning, stunning cover!
Thanks so much, Sarita! I love how it turned out!
Oh my goodness that cover is amazing!!!
Thank you, Toni!! I’m so pleased with how it turned out.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Rosemary!