My New Cover!

My upcoming release has a face! I am so delighted with this cover. The lighthouse is none other than St. George Reef Lighthouse, the inspiration for CAPE SEDUCTION. This photo, taken by the delightful Lighthouse People, perfectly captures the dark, broody mood of the setting in this novel. The young woman represents Darla Foster, a young starlet whose terrible plight is central to the plot, which takes place in both 1948 and in present day.

Cover artist Nathalie Moore did a wonderful job in matching the artwork on my previous book, POINT SURRENDER, also created by Nat. I can’t wait to hear what people think of this cover.  Oh no! Here comes the commercial…

“In 1949, up-and-coming starlet Darla Foster goes missing after the release of Cape Seduction, a tragic romance filmed in a California lighthouse. Now, sixty years later, the long abandoned lighthouse is causing trouble for its present-day owners. Has the sexy, eccentric actress returned to avenge her stolen life? CAPE SEDUCTION by ANNE CARTER, November, 2009, from Echelon Press!”

Whew. End of commercial. For now.

Testing my repaired camera today-A pre-bloom rose

Some thoughts.

I’m thinking about how to reach more readers. The blog tour is great. The book industry is evolving, and bookstores are no longer the primary place to sell books. I keep hearing, again and about, that readers are out there, you just have to find them. I see stats on book sales that sometimes stagger me. Book blogs are something new and exciting, places where readers actually congregate in cyberspace. Lots of readers.

I’m reminded of Dorothy, when she first lands in Oz, and she keeps hearing little giggles here and there. The Munchkins are all around her, but not visible. These are the readers. Glenda arrives, and they begin to peek out. Book Blog hosts are all Glendas, coaxing the readers out to meet me, Dorothy, the author. “See? She is not scary at all. She’s just a friendly good witch/author.”

Okay, so I get a bit tilted sometimes.

Today I am blogging at Twiga Tales, jabbering about lighthouses again. This time about seeking them out and making them part of my life. One day I’ll do a blog about my miniature lighthouse collection. Isn’t it fun, how, when you have a hobby or a collection, people always jump on that for gifts? I have lighthouses that are: salt shaker, wall plaque, music box, framed photos and artwork, what-not holders, ceiling fan pull, paper weight, jewelry, soap dispenser, scarf, monogrammed shirt, books, stationary… whew! Other stuff that I’ve surely forgotten.

I’m meeting some really nice people. I hope they like my books. I won’t say I’m any kind of Nora Roberts, maybe not yet, but I love what I do and I think it shows.

Am thinking that Tuesdays might start being book reviews. I so enjoyed reviewing Sam Morton’s book last week. I also have my radio program on alternating Tuesdays. Busy me!

This week’s spotlight lighthouse is Admiralty Head on Whidbey Island, Washington. This is a beautiful, well-kept lighthouse that is undergoing maintenance even as I type. Access is excellent, although you do have to drive onto the grounds of Fort Casey to get there. There are historical exhibits, a gift shop, and the tower is open for visitors, too! Cannons and bunkers are still present from the days when this fort guarded the entry to Puget Sound. Environmental programs and volunteers keep this wonderful lighthouse among the best to visit!

Although I didn’t see them, it’s said you can periodically spot Orca whales from the tower. The docents are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Nearby Coupeville is one of the oldest towns in Washington. Visit Washington State Parks here.