I don't read romance but I want to defend these covers on labor grounds: a real artist, maybe even real models. Money going to workers instead of accumulating at the top with scraps going to some company's Fiver slush fund.
things I love about this cover specifically:
The obvious horse as wild fucking metaphor
Shouldn't she be like, dead?
How does that dress work
looks pretty cold for them both to be that sluttily dressed
I KNOW THIS IS A BOOK WHERE THEY FUCK
Maybe perverts like that filth but my engine doesn't even start running unless I'm reminded of my four-year-old nephew's picture books. Nothing gets me hot and wet like bright colors and simple shapes for children. That's what I associate with sex. I'm just that pure.
I don't even read romance, but this cover makes the book look exciting. It grabs your attention. It clearly conveys what sort of experience it's offering. It works!
Which is more than can be said for *most* modern book covers--and certainly whatever twee cartoon bullshit they put on romance now.
Comments
Did you know Michael Whelan, painter of mutliple 70's and 80s SFF paperbacks is on bluseky?
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/sandra-dubay/. 33 books under 3 names!
The obvious horse as wild fucking metaphor
Shouldn't she be like, dead?
How does that dress work
looks pretty cold for them both to be that sluttily dressed
I KNOW THIS IS A BOOK WHERE THEY FUCK
Which is more than can be said for *most* modern book covers--and certainly whatever twee cartoon bullshit they put on romance now.
My swash? Buckled.