Killer Shoes? (Part Two)

More pics of odd shoes from around the web.

These seem like they ought to be in a James Bond movie.

Okay, if those are brass knuckles in the heel, they may not be accessible enough to be useful...
I'm just sayin'...

Wow!   And I thought the last pair on the previous post were indescribable...

Finally, a pair for the good side.

You dirty rat!

Yet another pair of shoes that can double as a weapon.

OOOH!  I'd actually like to get a pair of these!

New Cover for Blood and Groom?

I was never a fan of the original cover for Blood and Groom.  It was my first book, and the publisher chose the cover.  Since I'd never published a book before, I went along with their choice (what did I know?  In fact, what do I know even now?)   I understand why the publisher chose the image they did, but I've had some negative feedback about it since day one.  

So, I'd love to know what you folks think of these samples, each created by a different designer.  I asked the designers to come up with something  similar in style and tone to the covers for Dead Light District and The Lies Have It.  

Which of these  do you prefer?  Should I go with one of the covers below, or ask for more sample from other designers?  (I've looked at so many cover samples for this book, as well as for Frisky Business, that I can no longer see straight!)   In all designs below, I think the page background is a bit to yellowy. However, in all cases, the font size. style, and colour is okay (and it would be easy to change that anyway...)

#1 - Dance 

#2 - Dripping

#3 - Fingerprint

#4 Red Background

Some More (New) Potential Covers for FRISKY BUSINESS

Oh!!!  Decisions, decisions... 

Not sure yet what the cover for Frisky Business will look like.  

I posted a few samples last week (see them here).
Here are a few more samples.  What do you think?

Option Eight

And here's one more in the same style as numbers 5-6-7 (shown in my previous post - see it HERE). but with a different image.  I think (at first glance) it looks like the woman is taking a shower...  Perhaps it's too dull.  I think the blue background needs a jolt of je ne sais quoi..   On the other hand, I kind of like the simplicity of it. Also: Not sure I like the change in font size of the title... (And, yeah, I know my name is missing from it.)

Option Nine

Option Ten

 And then there are these two (the only difference between them is in the kiss in the upper corner).  I'm not in love with the font size, type, etc. but those things are easy to change.  I think the woman's silhouette is sexy, but I wonder if it's too provocative and send the wrong message/gives readers the wrong impression.  Perhaps the background colour within the box Should be darker or something contrasting because it seems overall that it's just a bit too pale. 

Option Eleven

Option Twelve

These two are obviously quite similar to number 8 above, and my kneejerk reaction is that I like them both.  In #11, the colour/image are full/flush to the edge of the page, rather than boxed in or framed as in #12.  I'm not sure that even matters... In a way, the right to the edge style is kind of eye catching...  One criticism is that the cover background might be a tad too yellowy.

Option Thirteen

Option Fourteen

And next...  Options #13 and #14.  I really like these ones!  I'm partial to blue anyway, plus I like the double klieg lights, and I like the bit of lingerie she's holding. The onlyreal differences between 13 and 14 are in the colouring.  The font size and style are fine in each, the kiss looks good.  Hmmm....    

Option Fifteen

And finally, how about this?  I kind of like Option #15 - it "POPS", but I don't think it matches the story that's between the covers, maybe it even looks a little like it could be a YA book or perhaps ChickLit.  As well, I'm not so sure that men would be inclined to pick it up...

Ugly Book Covers

If you search around online, you can find countless samples of ugly book covers.  Here are a few of my (least) favourites.

Looks like someone was playing on their home computer...  Even the font/font colour are unappealing. 

Even books that become classics can have an ugly cover.

I don't know where to begin...  It's the images in particular that I dislike, not the title text.

It's all just so wrong!

Don't like the title itself, don't like the design/image/fonts.

This is so bad, so cheesy, I almost kind of like it!

Even BIG NAME authors like Atwood can end up with a dud of a cover.

Another one that's so bad, it's almost good.  I especially like the bunny's teeth!

Disclaimer: Yes, I know: Tastes and preferences vary among individuals!  And, yes, I bet there are lots of people out there who think the covers of my books suck.  Just humour me with this post, okay?