Dec
Revealing image revealed!
Lady B, brace yourself. Fill a cup with ratafia. What I’ve brought to the ballroom today is rather shocking.
Shocking, Miss Dare?
You might even say salacious.
Salacious?
Or scintillating.
All I will say is that you are entirely too fond of alliteration.
‘Struth, I confess. But I have one more S-word to throw at you, and it is this:
STEPBACK.
I am nonplussed.
Albert: <squawk>What the feathers?<squawk>
Let me explain. Sometimes romance novels have a tw0-part cover. The reader flips open the outer cover, and there is a deliciously glossy, often mildly naughty image inside, and that is known as a “stepback.” And I have one–a real one–for the very first time.
But I thought A Night to Surrender had a stepback.
It did, yes. But the picture inside was a closeup of the picture on the front, so it didn’t have quite that naughty factor. Colin and Minerva in A Week to be Wicked have the real deal.
You are such a tease, gel. Post the image on the InnerNetting already, so all the Ballroom guests can see.
Gladly!
Rrrrrrowr. It gets larger if you click!
I’m inordinately thrilled about it. In fact, I have gorgeous coverflats with said stepback, and I’m giving away a whole slew of them to people who enter my website contest. Isn’t it exciting, Lady B?
Why. Yes. It is, rather. My goodness. I’m…
Shocked? Scintillated?
Speechless.
Well, that’s new. :) What do the rest of you say? Do you find stepbacks scintillating, shocking, scandalous, or something else that starts with S? Have any particular favorites you’d like to mention or post in comments? Or perhaps they are too much for you, and you prefer to leave such things to the imagination?
Dec 19, 2011
1:30 am
I have to say, Jennifer Haymore gets some of the most amazing stepbacks. It’s worth looking around her site for all of them!
Dec 19, 2011
5:20 pm
With a blond Paul Marron!
Dec 19, 2011
1:49 am
Tessa,
I love the stepbacks and your new one is gorgeous and yes, that other ‘s’ word – SEXY!! Congrats!
I’ve lots of favorites but one of my most favorite ones is the stepback on Gaelen Foley’s MY IRRESISTIBLE EARL. I wish I knew how to get a picture into my comment, it never seems to want to let me. Anyway, Gaelen’s stepback is every ‘s’ word and verrrrry sexy! : )
Jennifer’s is sizzling hot, too, even with all those cooling colors. Thanks for sharing that one.
Dec 19, 2011
2:39 pm
I haven’t seen Gaelen’s stepback! Darn, e-books really do have a drawback in that respect. I’ll have to go searching her website.
SEXY – thank you, that is the S-word I was stretching and searching for!
Dec 19, 2011
5:22 pm
With Ewa da Cruz!
Dec 19, 2011
2:03 am
I LOVE it, Tessa! So sexy and gorgeous.
Dec 19, 2011
2:36 pm
Thanks, Ely!
I say the same about your new gravatar photo! rrwawr!
Dec 19, 2011
3:04 pm
Yes, Elyssa looks seriously fab in that pic.
Dec 19, 2011
2:06 am
Dissssssssssstracted.
Truly though, I think I just spent ten minutes trying to account for the location of everybody’s legs in that picture. And then imagining the feel of that silk against bare skin. And then wondering how much stubble Colin has on his cheek at this moment, and also what that intriguing deltoid muscle feels like under one’s hand.
So I think it’s safe to say that I like this stepback.
I like it very well indeed.
Dec 19, 2011
2:38 pm
LOL about the legs. I know, they’re so enmeshed with each other, it’s like they’re one creature.
I think wondering is a good sign.
Dec 19, 2011
2:14 am
Super. I think stepbacks are super. Congrats on a super stepback Tessa!
Here is a link to another one I happen to like. Preow.
http://www.seducedbyabook.com/2011/10/another-behind-scenes-glimpse-at-making.html
Dec 19, 2011
2:35 pm
What a great link, Solange! I always wish I could be in the present when they were doing these shoots. It just amazes me that they get all these beautiful people in one room to make an image for MY book. Too cool.
and I love EH’s covers – both front and stepback images. Always so lush and sexy.
Dec 19, 2011
5:23 pm
Ewa da Cruz again!
Dec 19, 2011
3:37 am
Hi Ladies
SENSUAL! SULTRY! Love the stepback, Tessa.
I was thinking of Elizabeth Hoyt’s stepbacks as well Solange and Amy I agree, Gaelen’s Irresistible Earl is gorgeous, but so are all the stepbacks for the Inferno Club. The stepback on Sarah’s Rogue is haaawwtt too, this could be a long list, I’ll go and have some coffee and think about it some more. *g*
Dec 19, 2011
2:33 pm
I love Elizabeth Hoyt’s stepbacks, too. Really hot, just like her books!
I haven’t seen Sarah’s Rogue stepback! Is it on her website?
( Goes looking…)
Dec 19, 2011
7:00 pm
Hi Beebs! It’s probably bad ton to brag about one’s own stepback, but since I have nothing at all to do with the lovely artwork anyway, i agree with you…I thought the stepback on My Irresistible Earl was lovely. The ones that are too naked or graphic embarrass me, lol. The one with My Wicked Marquess you could see the girl’s arse.
The real Daphne (heroine of that book) would’ve been appalled. Such a lady! LOL. I personally like when they’re more romantic than graphic, I guess. shrug.
Gaelen
Dec 19, 2011
4:12 am
LOVE it Tessa!:D ..my, oh my! Who would’ve thought Colin is so HOT?!
LOL
I love stepback’s Sarah MacLean’s are beautiful! Also Anna Campbell’s!; )
Thanks for this.. I can’t wait to read it!=)
Dec 19, 2011
2:31 pm
Thanks Monikarw! I think Colin would argue that he is even hotter than depicted.
No false modesty, that one.
Some day, I need to bring him around the ballroom. There’s nothing he likes more than a ballroom full of ladies who are ready to be amused.
Dec 19, 2011
5:58 am
How about stunning?!? I love love love this stepback (and the cover!)…the gold is just gorgeous!
Dec 19, 2011
2:30 pm
I love the gold, too. And it’s quite appropriate that white sheets are the background for both front and stepback images. Sheets are important to the story.
Dec 19, 2011
5:58 am
ps…I am also endlessly amused by the InnerNetting.
Dec 19, 2011
2:29 pm
The InnerNetting is a source of endless amusement!
Dec 19, 2011
10:01 am
Oooh, Tessa, that’s gor-gee-ous! Beautiful use of fabric both in the background drape and her dress. Avon does do fabulous stepbacks. I’ve been trying to find an image on the InnerNetting of that from Loretta Chase’s Last Night’s Scandal. I can’t locate one but when I opened that book I went “holy crap he’s nekkid and they’re doing it.”
To wander off topic slightly: I wouldn’t have had that moment if I’d bought it as an ebook. Do stepbacks show up in ebooks? If so, I may have to buy a color reader.
Dec 19, 2011
1:57 pm
Miranda,
I found the stepback for LAST NIGHT’S SCANDAL some time ago and had it bookmarked for future use on my blog. I don’t know it this will work but if it doesn’t, you can copy and paste to see. I hope. Gonna try pasting and the image insert .. maybe one of them will work. : )
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/0061632678/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0
Dec 19, 2011
2:23 pm
Oh the link definitely worked Amy!
Pass the hartshorn. *g*
Dec 19, 2011
2:25 pm
Oh, wow. That is one I bought in e-book, and look what I missed! Nekkid and doing it, indeed. Thank you very much for the link, Amy. ahem.
Dec 19, 2011
3:06 pm
Yup, that’s the one. Thanks for the link, Amy.
Dec 19, 2011
11:30 am
I love the stepback, Tessa!
Thank you for sharing that with us! I love the white satin and gold fabric-so lush sensual and luxurious.
I love this stepback from JQ’s How to Marry a Marquis
I can picture the exact scene in the book it’s depicting.
And from her The Viscount Who Loved Me-I can just imagine Kate and Anthony having a private moment after battling it out in Pall Mall and fighting over The Mallet of Death.
Dec 19, 2011
2:26 pm
Those are both lovely, Lisa! So much emotion. That’s what gets me – the passion in the embrace, not just the skin.
Dec 19, 2011
11:54 am
I love your stepback, Tessa. I love stepbacks. They are romance novels after all. They get me in the mood for what’s to come.
Dec 19, 2011
2:28 pm
I love stepbacks too, and I’m glad I’m not alone! I love to look at them after I’ve read the book, especially if they call to mind a specific scene.
Dec 19, 2011
12:17 pm
you should be thrilled Tessa, it’s a lovely set back with just the right amount of scintillating sexiness w/o being too shocking or too shy
congrats on it & looking forward to getting to read what comes after the set back 
Dec 19, 2011
2:27 pm
LOL. I’m all out of S’s to express my gratitude, donna ann! I think you covered them all.
Believe me, I am excited for everyone to read the story, too! I had so much fun writing it.
Dec 19, 2011
2:30 pm
LOVE IT!!! It’s gorgeous and sexy and very *them* and oh, Tessa, I simply *cannot* wait for Colin and Minerva’s story. If I beg a really lot, I mean lots and lots, and send you homemade cookies and roses and possibly some geologically themed antique jewelry, will you let me read it now. Pleeeease??? :} Okay, I know the answer. Sigh! I shall have to wait until March. But oh the waiting will be a sweet sort of torture!
I love many stepbacks. One of my recent faves is from Loretta Chase’s Silk Is For Seduction. So sexy, like yours! Here’s that stepback (posted online by infinitieh):
http://twicsy.com/i/KfsvJ
Dec 19, 2011
2:42 pm
I have a feeling an early copy can be arranged! You are sweet to ask. No cookies or other bribes required.
Hopefully infinitieh will come around later – I know she is the queen of cover and stepback art. She always knows which models are which!
And isn’t it interesting, how there are always just one or two who are the “it guys” of the moment. Fabio, John …?? (I’m blanking on his name), Nathan Kamp, now Paul Marron. And Jimmy Thomas, too – he’s all over the place! It must be a pretty hard thing to pull off. Not everyone has Flynn’s smolder.
Dec 19, 2011
5:31 pm
John deSalvo?
The newest guy is Steve Kuchinsky (IMMORTAL RIDER, A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE, Miranda’s CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE) but David Kimmerle’s abs are always appreciated (HOT FINISH, DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE, DEMON FROM THE DARK).
Paul Marron is still my favorite.
Dec 19, 2011
6:57 pm
I want to see Paul Marron. Got a link??? I am most curious!
Gaelen
Dec 19, 2011
7:06 pm
His site doesn’t have book covers (except for LOVER AVENGED): http://paulmarron.com/
Dec 19, 2011
9:17 pm
Oh, thanks Infinitieh. I didn’t know that was Mr. Kuchinsky portraying my Blake. Thank goodness you’re around to set us all straight!
Dec 20, 2011
11:23 am
Yes, John diSalvo was who I meant! I’m so glad you stopped by, because you are such an expert on these matters. Thank you for providing the identifications!
The next time I’m looking to add a new hobby, I have to consider joining you…
Dec 19, 2011
4:33 pm
How about sexy as hell?! Whew, can’t wait for this one. I have a feeling Minerva is going to my very favorite heroine =)
Dec 20, 2011
11:41 am
Yay! I hope you do love Minerva. I do, but I’m biased.
Dec 19, 2011
5:50 pm
Nice stepback! Very lush! I didn’t know sideburns are coming back.
Dec 19, 2011
6:45 pm
I also don’t know who these models are but they do look hot and sultry together.
Dec 20, 2011
11:40 am
And I don’t know the models’ names, either. I should ask. I’ve seen the preliminary art for A LADY BY MIDNIGHT (omg, gorgeous) — not sure who the guy is on that one either, but…wow.
sometimes names are unnecessary.
Dec 20, 2011
11:38 am
I don’t know about modern trends, but the sideburns are pretty historically accurate!
Dec 19, 2011
6:14 pm
Rrrrrrowr, indeed!! It’s sensational!
See, this is a major thing I am missing with the e-books. How come e-books can’t have the stepbacks also?? Seriously, I feel cheated! *whimpers* I end up buying both e-book AND print instead! Hahahaha.
I have a special affinity for Sarah’s Nine Rules stepback. Can’t/won’t ever forget my first love, Callie/Ralston. Hee. I can still picture it perfectly in my head. Which reminds me of this one, actually, with both gorgeous ladies in white, both stunning males in their shirtless glory, and the position too (Minerva just got a tad bit closer though, lol). The hands. The legs. Oh, my. What Beth Dunn said up there. *blushes* Ugh, Colin and Minerva, man. Aaand. They have a week? To be wicked? Hot, hot, hot!
Dec 20, 2011
11:14 am
Thanks so much, Diana! That Callie and Ralston step back is pretty gorgeous, isn’t it! All the Ballroom Blog ladies are particularly lucky to have the team at Avon Books working for us (and our characters!)
xoxo
Dec 20, 2011
11:37 am
I agree, it’s sad that the e-book doesn’t include the stepback! I think it should include not only the stepback, but outtakes from the photo shoot.
Dec 19, 2011
6:56 pm
Tessa, your new stepback is Gorgeous! Poor Lady B. did not know what to do with herself. lol.
I just realized that I’ve neglected to get my upcoming cover onto the sidebar for our dear Ballroom, but it’ll be there soon. Albert grabbed it and flew away with it.
If I knew how to put a photo in a Reply Comment, I’d stick in there but…hmmm…..very mysterious, this tech stuff… I will upload it when it’s my blog day next week… oy this close to another book deadline and on-sale date, I have no idea which end is up, lol…to say nothing of Christmas!! Huh, what, where am I???
Gaelen
Dec 20, 2011
11:33 am
That new cover is so beautiful! I love the blue.
Dec 19, 2011
7:03 pm
Can I make a request that stepbacks of books be shown on authors’ websites? Amazon can’t be relied upon to shown them. I can’t be the ONLY person who buys books for the artwork as well as the story. Hint, hint.
Dec 20, 2011
11:23 am
Good point!
I will definitely add mine – I have a bunch of website updates to catch up with!
Dec 20, 2011
11:39 am
Yay! Let’s see them gorgeous stepbacks, w00t!
Dec 19, 2011
7:06 pm
Gorgeous cover, Tessa. I have Stepback envy.
Dec 20, 2011
11:25 am
Thank you, Anne! You have had some truly beautiful covers – I’m excited to have you joining us in the Ballroom!
Dec 19, 2011
9:51 pm
I don’t mind pics likes this. Everything is covered and it seems very intimate.
Dec 20, 2011
11:28 am
Yes, it’s all about the suggestion, isn’t it?
Dec 19, 2011
10:23 pm
I LOVE stepbacks! I do wish they had them in e-books. I love looking at them and during the reading of the book, I sometimes just stop reading to look and admire. At that point it isn’t really because it is a nice picture, it is because the people on the cover to me do represent the hero & heroine. Though have to say it is a bit odd when the hero has blond hair and the model has brown – don’t you think they could digitally change that?
Dec 20, 2011
11:32 am
Jamie, I’m the same way – I turn back to the stepback at some point during reading and just sigh.
I do think they can do a lot to digitally alter hair and eye color (even skin tone and more) now. I do think they pay a lot of attention to getting those things right — at least, at all the publishers I’ve been fortunate to write for!
Dec 20, 2011
4:31 am
Lovely stepback (I never knew what they were called, lol)! Can’t wait for your new book to come out.
I started reading romance when I was 12 (23 now) and back then I thought a lot of them were shocking, lol. But now the older me finds them beautiful and I love seeing the sexy men on them, haha.
As for my favorite one I would have to go with Victoria’s Alexander’s The Prince’s Bride.
This is the only decent picture of it I could fine. When I did the search I got a lot Will and Kate wedding pictures, lol! But yes, there is just something about this stepback that just strikes me as very pretty and classical looking.
I have a question I was wondering about, how are most Avon book covers and stepbacks made? Are they digital art paintings of references or does the author tell the artist how they want two people to look etc? I’ve always loved Avon covers because of the artsy look of them.
Dec 20, 2011
11:27 am
Ooh, I love her dress. So romantic.
You ask great questions about the cover process. I think we should see if we can invite our Avon art director to the Ballroom someday to answer questions! They do do such a lovely job, and it’s so fun to get the inside scoop.
Dec 20, 2011
11:41 am
That is a lovely idea. One of the most important things of a book is having an eye catching cover. I personally would enjoy reading about the process of making a cover.
Dec 20, 2011
10:15 pm
I prefer the ones that do NOT include Fabio. Maybe he’s just too much of a man for me
For those of you who do love him though, he’s got an international fan club that proudly displays all his romance covers.
http://www.fabioifc.com/page4.html
P.S. Ms. Foley, I’ve now read ALL the Knight Family books after putting my children to bed at night. While I have to say that Lucien holds a special place in my heart, I did enjoy the fact that Alec ended up with someone named…Becky. Ahhhh. Happily ever after indeed. Next up, the Inferno Club. Thank God for the Kindle and instant downloads.