Cover Stories: Everlasting by Alyson Noel

The super-amazing Alyson Noel is here to share her thoughts on the final cover in the Immortals series (can't believe it's ending!). Remember that you can win two of her re-issued books this week on the blog, so enter here by Wednesday 3/2.Now, here's Alyson: "After writing 16 books (14 published - 2 in production), I still don't give much thought to cover concepts until I'm asked by my publisher to share my thoughts on cover concepts--despite the fact that I imagine the characters so vividly I often feel like I'm transcribing the movie that plays in my head. But when it comes to envisioning a single image meant to both convey the story within and entice potential readers to grab it off the shelf . . .well, I'm more than happy to leave that to the professionals. So it's a good thing I have the wildly talented, Angela Goddard, the St. Martin's cover designer, to rely on. "As the sixth and final installment in The Immortals series, I'd been thinking about the EVERLASTING cover pretty much since the start. And when asked for my input, I mentioned something about the lotus flower serving as an important symbol, and . . . well . . . that's about it. I was eager to see it, had really high hopes for it, but I just didn't have a defined idea for how it should look. "When they sent me the final image, I had the same response I did when I first saw the EVERMORE cover--I squealed with delight! I'm thrilled with the result: I love the way the lotus blossom appears lit from within, I love the way Ever and Damen's lips don't quite touch, I love the fact that Damen finally made his cover debut... I just love it overall. I think it's a really great bookend to EVERMORE, and a perfect way to end the series, and I really hope the readers love it too!" Thanks, Alyson! This epic series has been a huge fan favorite, and the covers just glow. What do you guys think?

Win-It Wednesday: Two Alyson Noel Books!

Before Alyson Noel wrote the bestselling Immortals series, she had a few other fantastic titles under her belt, and today I'm giving away two of them (sorry Win-It Wednesday has been on hiatus for a couple of weeks!).Two of Alyson's books have been given new covers and re-released, so here are the original and new covers of Faking 19 for your enjoyment: And here are the two versions of Saving Zoe, original and new: For the record, the winner will receive these lovely paperbacks with the new covers. I like how there's a move away from the broken up photos with background/banner stuff. A full bleed photo feels more now, right? Thoughts? One commenter who weighs in on the covers or just names their favorite Alyson Noel book (if you've read one) will win both of these novels. I'll choose a winner next week, when Alyson will share the Cover Story for her last Immortals novel, Everlasting. Good luck! PS-Read the stories behind the covers of Alyson's Cruel Summer, Evermore, Blue Moon and Dark Flame.

Win-It Wednesday: Radiance by Alyson Noel

Last week's winner of Ally Carter's Heist Society is... Bee! She said, "Beautiful people are such a visual treat!" and I agree. Send me your address, B. And, okay, judging by everyone's enthusiasm I think I need to see Toy Story 3!This week, I'm giving away an ARC of Alyson Noel's hotly anticipated Radiance, the story of Riley, Ever's little sister in the Immortals series! I'm going to read it this week, then mail it to a winner. The release date is in late August. So, to enter to win this book, tell me what song is in heavy rotation on your playlist this summer. I need a new mix. Happy Wednesday!

Cover Stories: Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

Alyson Noel's latest Immortals book, Dark Flame, is finally here! She's back to tell the Cover Story (read Cover Stories for Evermore and Blue Moon.)Here's Alyson: "Once again, I didn't have a cover concept in mind while writing Dark Flame, but since it's the fourth book in the series, I knew I'd be expected to provide some. So while I was writing, I was definitely on the lookout for various symbols they might be able to use, then my editor and I brainstormed a few additional ideas, which pretty much resulted in a long list of themes and symbols the art department miraculously translated into an actual cover. I feel really lucky to work with such an amazing art department--The Immortals series won first place in the "Best Children's Trade Paperback" category at the New York Book show--so I know I'm in some truly gifted hands! "The first version I saw was a photo-shopped mock up that used a different girl for Haven (right)--a sort of stock photo stand in if you will! And even though I had no idea what to expect, I loved the fact that it was different from the other covers in that it featured two characters rather than just Ever. I also loved the way the determined look in Haven's eyes, and the calculating look in Ever's gaze really hints at the story within, since Dark Flame is definitely the darkest Immortals book to date. And yet, even with its differences, it still manages to retain the mood of the series and the previous covers, which is no easy feat. "The final cover was the result of a photo shoot, which made for much better quality, and a much better Haven! Overall, I'm really pleased with all of these covers and love, love, love, the St. Martin's art department!" Thanks, Alyson! I like the "real" Haven's intense stare -- it totally changes the cover in a great way. I continue to love these really strong covers. The whole series has a great look now (see the four Immortals titles below). What do you guys think?