As I write this post, believe me when I say, I have Kenny Roger’s Through The Years playing the in background. Sigh. I love that song and it’s partly because it reminds me of the day I first picked up my first Johanna Lindsey book. Yep, she was my first foray into historical romance and thus introduced me to the world of Avon Books.
If Harlequin reigns supreme in the world of romance then Avon Books has to reign supreme over the historical romance genre. Avon and historical romance go together like chocolate chip cookies and milk. Like t-shirts and jeans. Like…well, you get my drift.
This week as I look back on how historical covers have changed, I’m taking us back through the years of covers with none other than Avon Books/Harper Collins. If you’re wondering why this post seems kind of lengthy, well that’s because it is. Most of my favourite historical authors of all time happen to have been with Avon at some time and it was impossible to cut them short.
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Since I started with Johanna Lindsey, I figured a pretty good place to start would be with the cover of her first release in 1977 Captive Bride. Here Avon is giving us a full scene. If the title didn’t tell us she was captive then the scene certainly attempts to depict a heroine being spirited away on horseback by a sheik in the desert. Note how big the title is compared to Johanna Lindsey’s name, which you almost have to squint to see. Hey she’s new. Her name means not so much right now. Of course, as we know, that will change. All in all, very nice for the time.
Next we have one of my all time favourites from Avon in 1980, Fires of Winter. To me, they hit this one out of the park. It’s such a gorgeous sensuous cover, the background color so warm and neutral with the splash of burgundy for the title and Johanna Lindsey’s name. And the pose, love it! I think one reason it works so well for me is that you never see an overhead angle of a couple embracing. It just works and to this day I find it massively appealing. I think one thing we see right from the start is Avon knows how to do covers!
Now around 1985 Avon started doing something different with Ms. Lindsey’s covers. The hero and heroine’s features are angular, hawkish and sharply pointed. I must say I wasn’t pleased with this new look, this new turn. But do note how Johanna Lindsey’s name has grown in size. Her novels are selling like hotcakes, she’s making a name for herself as a historical romance force to be reckoned with. Hey, soon she’ll be headlining her own books.
At Avon in 1988, there’s a new author in town. I’m not quite sure when I got her on my radar, but get her on it I did. Look closely at the cover and you can just make out her name. If you can’t read it, her name is Brenda Joyce. LOL. Don’t worry, her name will increase in size, just like Johanna Lindsey’s did. Now Brenda Joyce is writing about the North American West and you can see the difference. Avon gives their authors their own distinct look. Notice, as with most historical covers, even the current ones, how the heroine’s hair is always loose and flowing, very contrary to the way they would have worn their hair back then. But, I won’t quibble about that as marketing has to contend with readers’ modern sensibilities. Heroines in hairstyles worn precisely the way women did back then would not be as attractive (they had a long love affair with tight curls).
By 1989, Avon has discovered Fabio and you will find him on the cover of every historical romance novel set in every conceivable historical period. In Johanna Lindsey’s Savage Thunder (one of my FAVES!!!), he’s sporting long dark hair and is half Native American. On the cover of Brenda Joyce’s 1992 Scandalous Love (one of my absolute FAVES of hers), Fabio is blond, still with the long locks, and is our hero, an English Duke. I don’t recall the hero wearing his hair that long though. Needless to say, this love affair with Fabio, Avon, and romance covers goes on for awhile. Please note how much Ms. Joyce’s name has increased in size. I believe at this time, she’s a bonafide success.
Okay, now I’m going to have a little fun with the next two. Bear with, me I’m jumping publishing houses and several years (Keep in mind, my love for Harlequin spans decades and is unquestionable). First we have the cover of Brenda Joyce’s Secrets published by Avon in 1993. Her name is prominent and she no longer has the clinch cover. Yes, I believe now she’s that BIG. Readers will buy her books even if it featured a paper bag. *grin* That’s when you know you made it. Beside Secrets is her 2005 cover of Masquerade published by Harlequin/MIRA. Notice any similarities? Boy did I scratch my head about this once her twice imagining the scene with the marketing people and the art department. I think it kind of went like this:
“You want to put a mask on the cover?” art person asked.
“Yep,” says marketing person.
“Hmm, you do realize that Ms. Joyce had a mask on the cover of her book with Avon several years back?”
“Yeah, but our mask is gold with ribbons to tie it in place. And our cover will have the yellow band across the top that states she’s a New York Times Bestselling Author. It doesn’t look the same at all!”
So said, so done. Discussion over.
Okay, back on track and we’re in 1995 with a little known first time author by the name of Julia Quinn and her book Splendid. Notice the high placement of her name and how large it is. Oh yes, Avon has learned over the years that making their authors names too small does little to keep their names in readers’ memory. My doesn’t the hero look swarthy and tanned.
Five years later in 2000, Avon’s Julia Quinn is launching what is to become one of the bestselling historical romance series in romance history with the release of The Duke and I; The Bridgertons. Seven books would follow The Duke and I. We see in those 5 (five) years, Ms. Quinn’s covers have gone from the clinch to this–decorous, sweet, pretty. No one could take umbrage with this. This is the kind of cover that needn’t be hidden under a book cover or lowered when you’re reading in public (hey, that’s not me doing that, but it is our reality). It doesn’t necessarily say it’s historical but then Julia Quinn fans know and historical readers KNOW, which is what’s important. Julia Quinn is now an Avon force–a historical romance force–and her covers reflect that.
If you’re wondering why When He Was Wicked (2004) is featured when it appears I’m not going to necessarily talk about that cover per se? Because I sooooo loved this book!!!! And I could NOT not pimp it just a little.
I don’t know what I expected when I read this book but it wasn’t this! It was darkier, sexier, more tension fraught than any of her other books and I LOVED IT! If you’re one of those readers who think Ms. Quinn’s books are just a little to light-hearted and tame for your tastes, do pick this one up. You will be delightfully surprised. Okay, I got that out. We move on.
Now for me, a pattern has developed with these covers. As I noted with Julia Quinn’s covers as an new unknown author to mega-star success, Johanna Lindsey and Lisa Kleypas gives credence to what I’m saying. Take a look at Ms. Kleypas’s cover from her first book with Avon Books, Then Came You and then her last book, Scandal in Spring. And by the time Johanna Lindsey departed Avon Books her covers had been quite sparse for a good while as we see from You Belong to Me. How were they satisfying the readers needful of a tasteful yet lusty hero and heroine clinch? As you may very well know, that picture was moved to the stepback.
What is a stepback? A stepback is essentially the inside cover (second cover). It usually features the hero and heroine clinch with a front cover less prone to draw a response of ‘Oh you read those” from someone not inclined to romance novel reading. As far as I can see (which means I raided my extensive collection of Avon historicals), Avon started using stepback covers around 1989-1990.
However, I still could be wrong. I start digging, looking for consistent Avon New York Times top selling authors who still have the clinch front cover. What do I find? I find these lovely, elegant covers from Eloisa James, Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd. Not a man to be seen, not a clinch to be had. But all the covers are gorgeous and unique in the way Avon seems to fingerprint each of their authors.
Which brings up to present day Avon covers which are striking, elegant, beautiful and eye catching. Those qualities are the constancy between them as the covers vary from author to author, series to series, book to book. Some of my favourite covers this year and the upcoming year (so far) are Laura Lee Guhrke’s With Seduction In Mind, Lavinia Kent’s A Talent for Sin and her upcoming February 2010 release Bound By Temptation. I love the sensuality of the women’s expression. And on the cover of A Talent for Sin, I love the touch of the heroine holding an apple behind her back. So very classic Adam and Eve.
As you can see from Avon’s past, current and future covers, they continue to be trendsetters and innovators with their style, class, and creativity. They’ve taken us through the years with books by some of the best to write in the genre of historical romance and I imagine they will continue to do so for many, many years to come. Thank you Avon.
To celebrate Avon’s prolific history of gorgeous covers, I’m giving away Lorraine Heath’s Midnight Pleasures With A Scoundrel, Kathryn Caskie’s The Most Wicked Of Sins, and Kathryn Smith’s When Seducing A Duke, just comment to win.
What is your favourite Avon cover?
**And don’t forget to vote in The Season’s Cover Contest. Sunday, November 15th is the final day to vote.
Tags: Avon, covers, historicals
Johanna Lindsey is also an author I started reading early on and one of my favorites. As to covers, these are all gorgeous and I couldn’t possibly pick just one
Bev, what a fun post! And those books brought back such memories. I had the original Captive Bride. Think I lent it to somebody – I definitely don’t have it still. I still love a clinch cover – to me it screams romance. That new Laura Lee Guhrke one is gorgeous as is any Stephanie Laurens cover. Yum! And I love the last few Eloisa James covers – I think they’re just beautiful. Kelly, thanks for mentioning those first two covers of mine – I loved the way they picked up on the gothic elements of the stories. And the colors were just gorgeous!
I really enjoyed this post, Margaret, and must admit I own many, if not most, of these books. As to a favorite? Not going to happen. Different covers speak to me in different ways.
What a romantic journey down a literary memory lane! This was a wonderful post – I sighed over eery single book, remembering how fabulous they were (for years I think I read nothing but Johanna Lindsey! From Pirates to the Wild West). Avon has consistently been my “go to” publisher for historical romance. The depth and breadth of their authors’ stories are simply amazing – from rich, dark, intense tales to whimsical, wicked and funny – they never fail to satisfy.
While I do love many of the Avon authors including several you’ve mentioned above, I particularly enjoy Eloisa James’ books. And they have some nicely unique covers as well as lovely ones.
My favorite? Hands down, This Duchess of Mine – what a luxurious cover – the dress was stunning, the colors divine.
Thanks for a great post.
Thanks Christie, Jen, Gayle, Emmanuelle, Julie, Andrea, Ali, Ginger, Kit, I really had fun doing this post. Avon is notorious for their lovely covers and the talent that began there.
Carrie, so happy everyone at the Avon offices are enjoying. It’s always nice to look back.
Anna, I would have posted the cover for TEMPT THE DEVIL but it’s in the contest. But I LOVE IT!
Bev
I am enjoying these walks down memory lane. I still have quite a few of Johanna Lindsey’s early books and I agree that Fire of Winter is one of my favorite covers. I’m not real fond of the Fabio covers – never have been a fan of his – and it did get annoying seeing him on every cover.
I think so many of the new covers are beautiful and I love the clinch in the stepback! But for the clinch on the cover, Anna Campbell’s Claiming the Courtesan is beautiful. It says “Regency noir” on the cover and the colors and mood compliment these words. The couple is in shadow and embracing under the moon. It’s lovely and leaves something to the reader’s imagination. I would just prefer the full color picture to be on the stepback instead of the back of the cover, but it’s beautiful just the same.
Wonderful post, Bev!
I love this topic Beverley. I prefer the old ‘bodice ripper’ covers. A paticular favorite cover of mine is 1984’s ‘Stormfire’ by Christine Monson, http://www.fictiondb.com/author/christine-monson~stormfire~27080~b.htm
Chloe,
I don’t think that is Fabio. Defy Not the Heart is but not that. Wow, I know, a hero who is NOT Fabio at that time is a rarity. LOL.
Laurie,
I must have been pretty dense back then, but there were a bunch of covers that I didn’t realize it was Fabio (when they made his hair dark, like Savage Thunder). I can’t say I was a big fan either but I’m not sure I took that much note of him until America ‘discovered’ Fabio.
Not a big fan of the Fabio covers myself. Some of my favorite covers belong to Julia Quinn and Lorraine Heath. I love the colors and the dream-like quality of them.
I love Avon’s covers for Gayle Callen’s books. Very beautiful and eye catching! This was a great post – it was very fascinating to see all the changes in the book covers. Thanks for sharing!
Shannon Robinson
I read so many of those books by Johanna Lindsey and I really sometimes look at the old covers and just laugh at how funny they are…LOL
It’s hard to pick one but I love the Eloisa James covers, the one for This Duchess of Mine is gorgeous!
I don’t have a favorite Avon cover. Most of the covers are gorgeous.
Avon’s produced so many stunning, wonderful covers that I wouldn’t know where to start if I had to choose a favourite. So instead I’ll choose my favourite of the ones you mentioned in this post! (Yes, I am lazy. Very, very lazy. :p) I love the cover for Some Like It Wild – the colour is so vivid, and not seeing the heroine’s face makes me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I love many covers which show the heroine’s face, but given a choice between the two, I prefer to imagine what she looks like myself, without being influenced by the cover.
I love the newer covers with the heroines. Not embarrassing to purchase – which is a big deal for me. I love Eloisa James’s covers.
I would pick Your Scandalous Ways by one of my favorite authors, Loretta Chase.
I liked Eloisa James cover for A Duke Of Her Own. I also liked the covers with Fabio on them. That’s when I first started reading romances.
I don’t have a favorite since there’s too many to choose from but I do like the original covers for Woodiwiss’s novels and Johanna Lindey’s.
What a great trip down memory lane. And I actually have several of those editions you posted! Covers have come a long way and I think they have changed for the better. I LOVE a good stepback cover! Have to say the one for This Duchess of Mine is a real favorite. (Not pictured but I have it on my keeper shelf.)
And I have to admit that the covers for Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched are gorgeous and somewhat unique. Love ‘em, La Campbell. Than again the cover for Captive of Sin is well worth the price of admission. YUM!
The stepback for Lisa Kleypas’s Devil in Winter is another gorgeous cover.
And my fellow Pixie Chick, Lavinia Kent has certainly been blessed by the Cover Fairy. Both of her titles have sensuous, sexy covers. Makes you want to open that book and read about the guy who put that look on her face!
What a lovely trip down memory lane (and extra points to the shoutout to “When He Was Wicked” which is my favorite Julia Quinn book). While there are lots of non-Avon covers that I have liked, I think that Avon has the most consistently attractive covers as a group. Covers I have particularly liked of late are Elizabeth Boyle’s Confessions of a Little Black Gown, Jenna Petersen’s Lessons from a Courtesan and Kathryn Smith’s Be Mine Tonight. I thought the cover of Kathryn Caskie’s How to Engage an Earl (with the cover bleeding across the spine to the back) was an interesting concept, although I disliked the appearance of the heroine so I think it was the format rather than the actual cover that I liked.
Eloise James always has the best covers.
I loved your blog, Bev! I enjoy looking at romance covers throughout the years, so it was great to take a look back at Avon books. I always thought they had some really beautiful covers.
It’s hard to pick only one cover I like best since there are so many I like, but a couple I really liked here are Midnight Pleasures With A Scoundrel and A Duke Of Her Own.
Joanna lindsey is one of my first romance authors. Ireally liked the Captive Bride cover.
What a lovely little cover history lesson. I’m not a fan of clutch covers. Julia Quinn has some really nice covers on the Avon website – DANCING AT MIDNIGHT, ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON, AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN. I like the cover for the SCOTTISH BRIDES anthology. Of the ones you have shown above, SOME LIKE IT WILD by Teresa Medeiros and the other two in that line are the ones I like best.
What a great post and I am going to show my age here but I have those Johanna Lindsey books from the very early days . Although Rosemary Rogers was the first historical I read way back when called Sweet Savage Love but I followed that book with Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey and Shirley Busbee.
The covers have changed so much over the years I have never hidden a book I was reading although I do know people who do. As for choosing a favourite cover I don’t know I do love the books with stepbacks in them.
Have Fun
Helen
I can’t pick just one cover. I love them all!
Just like most everyone else, I can’t pick just one. Though I still like the clinch covers a lot, some of the new covers featuring just the herione are really sexy and fun. I especially like A Talent For Sin, she looks a bit naughty, but sexy and fun.
It’s like looking at my keeper shelf from a different point of view. Actually, the FIRES OF WINTER cover was awesome! But I can’t believe you didn’t include any from Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, or Laura Kinsale (speaking of Fabio!). SWEET SAVAGE LOVE had a large title and a tiny illustration. That changed quickly.
Yet as one who longs, someday, for my name alone to sell the books, I do prefer an evocative illustration to the straight (boring?) name and title.
I’m also a big fan of Johanna Lindsay’s books and bookcovers. I also love Stephanie Laurens bookcovers. I think AVON books are the best as always.
Blythe,
I know I missed alot of gems, the problem is I never read them so I had no idea they were with Avon. I know, I must be a bad historial romance reader and author. LOL. I basically only read Johanna Lindsey, Brenda Joyce and Catherine Coulter when I was reading years ago. It was only in 2006 that I discovered Lisa Kleypas and some of the other Avon favourites (I stopped reading for a good decade until 2006).
One of my favorite covers is for the book NEVER A LADY by Jacquie D’Alessandro.
I think AVON does an excellent job with covers!
I voted, but it wasn’t easy!
Johanna Lindsey is one of my favorite authors. As far as the covers they are all absolutely beautiful.
Does anyone remember back during the beginning of Avon’s huge bodice ripper days when they published a large calendar with the covers on them? I had one (wish I still had it) and I absolutely loved it! It had Rosemary Rogers’ books (Sweet Savage Love, Wildest Heart) Kathleen Woodiwiss’ books (Flame & Flower, The Wolf & the Dove) and also Laurie McBain. I can’t remember who else, or exactly which other books, was featured on it, but it was fabulous!
[...] should take a trip over to The Season Blog today. They have up an INCREDIBLE retrospective of Avon Romance [...]
Wow, wow, wow. Thank you, Bev — and everyone who commented in here! This was the most amazing pictorial essay (and I think we can safely say that you made our art director a very happy man).
Hi Pam,
You’re welcome.
This was tons of fun. I absolutely LOVE reminiscing about books. And your art director should be proud as they do a FABULOUS job! The Cover Contest is a nod to them and all they do.