Cover Reveal for “Colonel Brandon in His Own Words”!

Next to the actual book debut, I think the cover reveal is the most exciting! I’m very involved in the design of my book covers, so for me, it’s another enjoyable aspect of the creative process. Even though this is my 12th book, it  never gets old.

Anyway, I hope you like what we came up with for the cover of Colonel Brandon in His Own Words!

Cover design always starts with inspiration. In this case, that meant referring to the cover of my previous book, Fitzwilliam Darcy in His Own Words. Although not really a series per se, the two  will be linked by similarity of title and the style (the story being told entirely by the book’s namesake). So I thought it would make sense if the covers were similar as well.

As you see, that cover features a large artist’s rendition of the man himself, looking rather like a youngish Colin Firth. Okay, then, perhaps an image based on Alan Rickman’s Colonel Brandon would be in order. That was do-able.

However, then following the Fitzwilliam Darcy cover pattern presented a problem. It shows a small picture of Pemberley (Lyme House from P&P ’95). But there’s nothing comparable available for Colonel Brandon’s cover, since we have no movie adaptation image in our heads for what Delaford looked like. No description from Jane Austen in the original book, either. And none of the action of Sense and Sensibility actually takes place there. Hmm. We’d have to come up with some substitute if we were going to carry on with the same basic design.

Next, I had a lot of fun playing around on Canva, creating various arrangements and possibilities – rough cover prototypes, which I shared on my own blog, gathering feedback from readers. (If you’re interested, see that post here, as another step in the process).  Finally, though, the decision had to be made, and you’ll see the results in a minute. First, here’s the book blurb:

Colonel Brandon is the consummate gentleman: honorable, kind almost to a fault, ever loyal and chivalrous. He’s also silent and grave, though. So what events in his troubled past left him downcast, and how does he finally find the path to a brighter future? In Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen gives us glimpses, but not the complete picture.

Now Colonel Brandon tells us his full story in His Own Words. He relates the truth about his early family life and his dear Eliza – his devotion to her and the devastating way she was lost to him forever. He shares with us a poignant tale from his military days in India – about a woman named Rashmi and how she likewise left a permanent mark on his soul. And of course Marianne. What did Brandon think and feel when he first saw her? How did his hopes for her subsequently rise, plummet, and then eventually climb upwards again? After Willoughby’s desertion, what finally caused Marianne to see Colonel Brandon in a different light?

This is not a variation but a supplement to the original story, chronicled in Brandon’s point of view. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the things Jane Austen didn’t tell us about a true hero – the very best of men.

Now, without further ado, I give you the finished front cover for Colonel Brandon in His Own Words!

Colonel Brandon himself is there, large as life. And, as you see, I decided to feature Barton Cottage instead of some grand but unfamiliar manor house representing Delaford. I realized that was actually most appropriate, since so much happens at Barton Cottage and the place becomes so dear to Colonel Brandon, as shown by this brief excerpt:

At first, my admiration had fixed only on Marianne. That had quickly changed, however, expanding to encompass her entire family as well. The love evident between them all, along with the generous hand of friendship they had extended to me, had given a glimpse into what comforts a true home – be it mansion or cottage – might contain… After every sampling of the domestic pleasures at Barton Cottage, I came home less able than before to abide the solitude of Delaford cheerfully.

What do you think? I hope you like the cover and, more importantly, that the book itself intrigues you! Brandon truly is a worthy hero.  I invite you to take the time to get to know him and his story better.  Colonel Brandon in His Own Words is scheduled to debut June 28th with a launch post right here on Austen Variations! But you can pre-order your Kindle copy now, here on Amazon.