Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Contest Now Closed - Thanks to All Who Played For the Chance to Win a Copy of When a Stranger Loves Me















Welcome to my second contest. I know - isn't it exciting?!?


On Jan. 27th, 2009, my cousin's latest book When a Stranger Loves Me hits store shelves.

You could be the lucky winner of an autographed copy of this final instalment of her Pembroke Palace series.








Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Question 1 - Check out Julianne's book covers and let me know which is your favorite.

Question 2 - What is your favorite type of cover illustration?

A - The clinch

B - The non-clinch couple

C - The stepback (the clinch is on the inside cover)

D - Flowers, jewelry, swords, etc. (a few objects involved in the story)

E - The setting of the story

F - Contemporary drawings with a quirky feel

G - Collage of various aspects of the story

H - One of the main characters gazing out at the reader

I - Heroine only

J - Hero only














Also included in the prize package is a Group of Seven daytimer and a mini calendar featuring the work of Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis. This contest will run until Tuesday, Jan. 27th, 2009.

To enter, leave me a comment answering both questions. Good luck, everyone!

83 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the one you have posted here the best. First, I like the colors. I think the woman looks interesting... not just open mouthed, you know?

Unknown said...

I like the cover of Surrender to a Scoundrel. Bare back and heroine in profile.

I have a tendency to like quirky book covers, but that's just my taste!

Sue A. said...

Answer 1: Surrender to a Scoundrel — Love the colors and the positioning of the figures, leaving a clear/clean space for the title and author. Heroine’s bare back is sexy without being blatant or overtly sexual. And the hero is perfect with his arms around her as she tips her head back for his kiss.

Answer 2: A or J
(But sometimes a beautiful and colorful nature photograph will catch my eye.)

Anonymous said...

My favorite cover so far is the one for "The Mistress Diaries". I just love the rich sensuosness of the deep red and while the main focus appears to be on the book, the figure next to it still demands attention.

I typically like the "stepback" covers (thanks for that hitherto unknown term), with a discreet outer cover and the more provocative "scenery" on the inside.

Abit said...

Hi Julia!

Surprise! I'm entering the contest! or are there rules prohibiting relatives? Well, I'll try anyway...Question 1: My favourite cover is for "Love according to Lilly" and for Question 2: the Clinch. Hope all is well with you. Happy New Year, and lots of love from all of us in Ottawa.

Anna, Ken, Peter and Francis

soche said...

I favorite cover is The Mistress Diaries.

I like the stepback covers the best.

CrystalGB said...

1.My favorite cover is Love According To Lily. Love the colors and the couple depicted.
2. I like A ,C and J the most.

ohyeahiwon said...

Love According to Lily by a nose. A step what? Whatever it's call I always grab the one with the pic inside and take a look. Some of the old Amanda Quicks and Johanna Lindseys I saved just for the artwork.

CherylS22 said...

Question 1 - "When A Stranger Loves Me". I love the colors, the beautiful heroine & the beautiful gown.

Question 2 - I like choice B or choice I

Lisa said...

My all-time favorite cover of Julianne's has always been "Love According to Lily. It's gorgeous! Lily & Whitby are wonderful together.

My favorite cover illustration has got to be "the clinch." (As in Lily & Whitby in "Love According to Lily."

Theresa N. said...

She has some wonderful covers My Own Private Hero is my favorite and A. the clinch is my favorite style.
Thanks,
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

HistoricalGoddess said...

The answer to the first question is Love According To Lily and Surrender to A Scoundrel, theres something very sensual about the back and the back of the neck that I find appealing..

The Second is A, B, E, and H

HistoricalGoddess said...

Hi Juliannne, I love your writing...Im so glad to see another book is coming out. I cant wait to get it.

Meljprincess said...

In all honesty, I think the cover for WHEN A STRANGER LOVES ME is the most beautiful cover Julianne's received and if I didn't know her I'd buy the book for the cover alone. I love the colors!
The answers to your second question is: I like all those types of covers!

LisaR said...

I love the cover of To Marry the Duke! It just looks so rich. I tend to like the clinch covers. I like to see the hero's face when in the clinch. I also like seeing the beautiful dress the heroine might wear in the story.

pagonzal said...

Love According Lily

Joan said...

The cover I like best is Surrender To A Scoundrel. Answer to question 2 is E - The setting of the story.

Wylie Kinson said...

I love the Surrender to a Scoundrel cover. Soooo sex-ay ;)
But the colors of To Marry the Duke are so rich and luxurious, that it really stood out.

My fave covers? B, D & H are nice, but honestly, it depends on the colors and how it's put together. I've picked up books just for the quirky covers. Like Stephanie Meyers covers are -- so striking!

Kelly Boyce said...

The Mistress Diaries is my fave cover, although Stranger is a close second! Love the colors.

My fave type of cover is (E), the setting of the story.

Cynthya said...

She has lucked out when it comes to covers since they are all good. I think my favorite is the new one for When a Stranger Loves Me, with Surrender to a Scoundrel coming in second.

My favorite cover is H - One of the main characters gazing out at the reader, although I'm okay with any of them except the cartoonish ones.

Unknown said...

What cover do I like best? That's a tough choice. Hmm - Surrender to a Scoundrel.

I like the stepback cover.

Unknown said...

I like D the best, and although I like several of her covers, my favorite is Adam's Promise.

M. said...

What fun!

Of the covers listed at Ms. MacLean's website, I liked 'My own Private Hero' best. A pretty shade of red, and the couple having fun dancing together.

Really, really dislike clinch covers, and hero's staring at me close-up like deranged stalkers (as opposed to, you know, the well-balanced kind *g*).

The covers I love, and am tempted to buy regardless of content, are glimpse of a classical painting kind. They make me sigh and swoon.
The entire painting doesn't seem to have the same effect. Candice Hern and Pam Rosenthal seem to have this kind of cover a lot.

BTW - Julia - the pictures of you in various beds made me laugh!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

From Cali Muir:

My favorite top 3 covers: "The Mistress Diaries, When A Stranger Loves Me, and Surrender To A Scoundrel" in that order. (Beautiful color schemes!! He, she, they, setting, story objects, that's all good...or not! That doesn't matter much to me. =)


My least favorite 3 covers: "In My Wildest Fantasies, Portrait of a Lover, and An Affair Most Wicked" in that order.


I'm not sure about the terms; "clinch?" or "setback?" But I love an inside insert picture plus the cover. I feel rather cheated given the prices these days $6 - $8 a book if there isn't one. I understand artwork is expensive, but I almost never walk out of Borders with less than 3 books. Usually I buy 4-8 books, twice a month.


The only little quirk I have is I hate when (and I can't think of any in Ms. MacLean's books) an author uses say a brunette on the cover and then describes a blonde in the story! *And* I wish it would become standard in paperbacks to use the larger print like Ms. MacLean and certain authors use!

Lori Ann said...

My favorite cover is Surrender to a Scoundrel. I love the color of it.

I like stepbacks with a clinch on the inside.

Shelley Munro said...

I love the cover for this book. I like the color. It's very pretty. I'm very flexible with covers and like a variety, but I don't think you can go wrong with the hero on the cover.

bison61 said...

I like Surrender to a Scoundrel-it's very beautiful and I like A, the clinch and also the setting of the story

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like the cover of Love According to Lily. The clinch is what captures me to pick up a book and check it out. I also enjoy a little of the scenery of where the story takes place, if it works with characters embrace. Thanks for the contest.

Mariee said...

1. My favorite cover is Surrender to a Scoundrel. Great colors!

2. I prefer C and E.

cheryl c said...

I love the cover of When a Stranger Loves Me. It is absolutely beautiful!

I like a lot of different kinds of covers. I guess the stepback is my favorite. 2 covers for the price of 1!

Anonymous said...

Hello All! Well, I adore Love according to Lily, as it is sensual while still allowing me to use my own imagination and thought process to put what I need to where I need to for the characters.
I also have to say that I adore the stepback. I am always drawn to an author, ot title, first before a cover, and can sometime be put off by some covers that are not to my liking just to later find that I would have indeed liked the story.
Hopr that helps...THNAKS
Amy L.

Anonymous said...

1. I like "Love According to Lily" best. Not too ...ummm blatant yet titillating. 2. The clinch: I tend to like both the heroine & the hero on the cover.

Anonymous said...

I like the Marshall and Mrs. O'Malley best. I like couples best.

Ann Marie Lahey

Anonymous said...

I like the cover of your newest book, as well as a clinch cover. Karen S.

Dorothy said...

Julia, I posted the tag you gave me, today.

You're contest sounds great.

And I love your WW pictures, cold, Dark north...ooooooooooo

eastcoastlife said...

Q1. When a Stranger Loves me
Q2. I like J.

Please! Please! Don't tell me it's only limited to residents of USA and Canada.

I'm from sunny Singapore.

Annette Gallant said...

1. It's tough to pick just one cover as Julianne's had so many beautiful ones. But my overall favourite is the one for In My Wildest Fantasies. I remember staring at it when I first saw it and thinking 'wow!'

2. I like covers for a variety of reasons, but I guess H is probably the reason that fits best. I like close-ups of one of the main characters because I want to be able to read the expression in their eyes.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

ECL Tan - No worries! The contest is even open to people in a distant galaxy, if they find their way to my blog.

catslady said...

If I just have to pick one cover I'm going to say Surrender to a Scoundrel but Love According to Lily would be my second. I love the clinch. I also like it when you are seeing partials of their face - that way I get to imagine them the way I want to. But two great bodies and of course especially a muscular male is always welcome :)

flip said...

I would say When A Stranger Loves Me....favorite cover is one featuring the hero without a shirt.

GladysMP said...

I will answer your questions:

I like the cover of Surrender to a Scoundrel.

I like books with items or scenery regarding the story or non-clinch pictures.

But I will kill any chance of winning by saying that I greatly admire George W. Bush and hate to see him leave office. He is being blamed unjustly for so many things and not being given credit for things he has achieved. George W. Bush is a Christian and, as such, he can't use the deceitful tactics that presidents like Clinton has done. Like Reagan, Bush has shown nothing but respect for the Oval Office, whereas Clinton used it as a brothel, showing no respect for the Oval Office, his wife or for the honor he was given by being elected to the highest office in the land. The soon-to-be President is already backtracking daily on the promises he made while campaigning to be elected. Making promises and having to actually fulfill the duties of the office are two totally different things. Bush has kept our country safe from terrorists. I can't really think of anything he could have achieved that is more important. God bless George W. Bush!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

This list speaks for itself, GladysMP, on my opinion of the outgoing president.

But don't worry - you're still in the contest! Free speech is dear to my heart, and I welcome all expressions of opinion here at A Piece of My Mind. After all, if I share a piece of mine with you, I'd love to hear what you're thinking.

elainec said...

My post disappeared. I'll try again.
My favorite cover was on "To Marry the Duke". Most of Julianne's covers have been exquisite.
I guess I like covers of lovely ladies in lovely dresses. I also like parts of paintings of women (several of Candice Hern's come to mind).
Although I wouldn't ordinarily pick the hero on the cover, "Portrait of a Lover" was wonderful. He's on my frig on a magnet and I see him many times a day and he's sensitive and gorgeous and I feel he represents an ideal lover.
I can't pick just one!
I know what I don't like : a half-naked man in winter or the highlands of Scotland with a heroine pulling up her dress to expose her leg. He's not looking at her leg, Shouldn't she have her arms around his neck , keeping the idiot warm?

Ann said...

I like the one you have posted the best also. As for the second question, I'd have to say- it depends. I think Paperback Writer has had some amazingly awesome covers (the pink one being the painful exception). Not so into the clinch though. :)

Lori said...

I love the cover for Love According to Lily, which is unusual for me, as I'm not usually a clinch-lover!

I do love the stepback, though. Show me a clinch on the inside, and I'm all for it, LOL!!!

And I can't wait to read When a Stranger Loves Me. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Julia,

I am not actually entering, as I already have all of Julianne's books, but I have to tell you I loved Surrender to a Scoundrel best. Just so sexy! So styled! :)

Lilly

Anonymous said...

I like the cover on An Affair Most Wicked. I like the cover to give hints about the story or the era.
JOYE
JWIsley@aol.com

Unknown said...

The cover for When A Stranger Loves Me just reaches out and grabs the eye. It is beautiful.

Usually I like a cover that has the setting of the story or a combination of setting and hero and/or heroine pictured in the forefront.

efaqffqaewfm said...

I love your blog! I just wanted to let you know, you have an award waiting for you at:

http://bookworm-confessions.blogspot.com/

buddyt said...

1. The cover for Love According To Lily cathes my eye the most and really seems to be true to the actual book.

2. Probably A. The Clinch.
After all what could reflect roamce better than that without getting tacky !

Dorte H said...

Hi Julia!
Thanks for visiting my blog.
You mentioned that you collect tins. I collect many things, but not tins. So actually I wondered whether you might like to help me? If you posted photos of some of your tins, I could copy them and use them for my future Bait-in-the-Box posts (acknowledging my source, of course).
Just a spontaneous idea so of course you should only do it if you approve of it.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Sure, Dorte H!

Unknown said...

I'm still waiting with bated breath!

Anonymous said...

I love the cover for 'Surrender to a Scoundrel' because you can't see the whole face of the hero and heroine. I have such a hard time with full-face views as they often times differ from what I picture (in my mind) as I read the story. The more mysterious/half faces and slightly out of focus and/or distance is better. It leaves more to our imagination.

I would say A & B...but if I can only choose 1, I would say A. The cover is always the first thing to grab my attention and I usually go for something that is elegant, but not too fussy or gilded.
A cover has to invite and pull the potential reader into the fantasy, before they have even touched the book. If the cover succeeds, it sells; I don't care about the price of the book, I will buy it!! :-)
I would LOVE to win a copy of 'When a Stranger Loves Me'.

Thanks for hosting this contest!

bookreviewsbybobbie(AT)gmail(DOT)com


-Bobbie Crawford-McCoy

Book Reviews By Bobbie
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi! Nice contest! My favorite cover is


Love According to Lily; I allways like a nice couple on the front, but now is romantic and also sexy, but not too sexy if you know what I mean, my favoritve cover are the ones with the stepbacks, allways nice to have a suprise waiting for you on the next page ;-)

good luck in the future with your blog, have fun with writing down your piece of your mind ;)

HeatherK said...

Q1 I really like The Mistress Diaries cover, With The Heroine and the Diary. The clinch on the back cover saying 'A proper lady would never let herself become a mistress...

Q2 I thought initially the clinch. But I like the D mixed with J like on Mistress Diaries.

Anonymous said...

If I waver on the answers does that mean that I can't make up my mind or that I'm just a romantic at heart?
*G*
Amy L.

Archer said...

My favorite is Love According to Lily. I like covers with cute guys in them. This was also my favorite in the series. Although I did want to shake Edward at times.


I like the stepback (the clinch is on the inside cover) because I can have the hot picture w/o weird people looking over my shoulder when I'm reading outside.
It's also nice when you can't fully see the heros face because you can imagine him the way you want, but still have a nice body to go with it :)

One thing I really hate is when the guy on the cover has different coloring than the hero.

Anonymous said...

I need you, Julia to be my expert blogger. I love all of Julianne's bks and covers, but especially love it when the hero is on the cover...cause I'm all about the guy! I'd have to say though my fav bk so far and cover is , Love According to Lily - so provocative with the man undressing her and nibbling on her neck..... -Renee Field (www.reneefield.com(

Anonymous said...

Hi Julianne!
I love your new cover. It's gorgeous. Lovely colors, beautiful heroine combined with a hint of mystery. It's all good! I also really liked Surrender to a Scoundrel. The book and the cover! Your stories are so rich and I love the added threads of mystery that are woven so well into your stories.
I like the clinch and the solitary hero or heroine, but I think the colours and the air of mystery is what makes it all work so well.

Lisa said...

My favorite cover is Surrender to a Scoundrel

I love both hero and heroine to be on cover in a simple clinch.

melody said...

My favorite cover is Love According to Lily.
I like the stepback the best but I also like to see some aspects of the story.

SuzyQ said...

1. My favorite cover is "Surrender to a Scoundrel"

2. I prefer C - stepback

Anonymous said...

Wow! There have been so many interesting comments about covers! Julia has started to compile the results, and I'm tempted to send them to my editor, because I'm sure the art departments like to get feedback occasionally about what's working or not working.

I'm still not sure I could pick a favorite cover, but if I'm forced to... I think I like When a Stranger Loves Me. I have a soft spot for the waves breaking up onto the rocks at the bottom. My other favorite is To Marry the Duke.

CrazySoccerMom said...

My fave is your second book.

My fave type of cover is what Lisa Kleypas is doing - her covers are always stunning, and nothing I feel uncomfortable leaving lying around the house.

Natasja said...

Question 1:
My favorite cover is The Mistress Diaries.

Question 2:
The stepback covers

Anonymous said...

1. i like An Affair Most Wicked
book cover.
2. i like the clinch on the cover

sonya

Meljprincess said...

The waves are fantastic and the colors are awesome, Julianne. AVON does such a great job with covers!
I got "Portrait of a Lover" when it came out as I love the cover of that one too.

darbyscloset said...

My favorite cover is the cover for "Adam's Promise". Abd then my favorite type of book cover is "c", "the stepback" or was it "the setback"...I love those covers when you open them you see something entirely different!
Thanks for the giveaway, you are a great family friend of hers!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo cot com

Deanna said...

I like the cover to "Love According to Lily" the best.

As to what covers I like, I choose (A) The Clinch.

D.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, darling. I needed to drop in and tell you that I'm reading the newest Netflix releases on my reader ... and there are a bunch of ballets that are now available.

I thought of you.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Woo! Good news, Susan! Thanks for letting me know.

Anonymous said...

My favorite cover is, I think, Love According to Lily, and I have to say that I like the stepback covers the best.

Kammie said...

My favorite cover is Love According to Lily. I love the covers with the heroine in a beautiful gown.

robynl said...

I like the cover of In My Wildest Fantasies.

For covers I like G - Collage of various aspects of the story and D - a few objects of the story such as jewellery.

Anonymous said...

I like An Affair Most Wicked and Love According to Lily the best, and I'm a clinch person. But do like surprises on the inside. When I go into a store, the book finds me, as opposed to me finding the book.

Judy G.

Unknown said...

I like the cover of When a Stranger Loves Me. I am big into blue and that dress is beautiful. This cover really draws my eye.

Answer 2 would have to be H.

Gram said...

My Own Private Hero is my Favorite Cover!
The setting of the story is my favorite cover usually.

Unknown said...

I like the "Love According to Lily" cover. I also like the "Clinch" covers.
Thanks for the contest.

Anonymous said...

The cover I like the best is for The Mistress Diaries (loved the book too).

I think I tend to like the (c) stepbacks. They look innocent at first, until you open to the second page!

Anonymous said...

OK I'm a little late on commenting I'm sorry so the answer would be

1) I love the cover that you have on this contest it is so pretty and and it has that catch me if you can quality to it.

2) there are several that I like actually I like C, H, I, and J (yes I am undecided lol) It just depends on the book.

and I really think that any of Julianne MacLean books, no matter how the cover looks, would be one that I have pick up lol

Unknown said...

Congratulations Julianne!

All of your covers are great...but my favorite cover is Love According to Lily...the colours and imagery are rich and simply perfect for the storyline...and either the clinch or stepback for question #2!...although a dramatic setting cover can definitely catch my attention as well.

Looking forward to reading your new book!

Anonymous said...

My favorite cover is Love According To Lily. It's mysterious and romantic. Beautiful colors too. For question 2 - I'd say the clinch or the stepback are my favorites.