What draws you to a historical fiction book cover?
Each month I will be choosing my ‘Pam’s Pick’. Hopefully, you will be intrigued enough to look beyond the covers I feature and find your next favourite author. If a cover interests you just click on the link to learn more about the book.
My January winner is:
A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley
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I fell in love with this cover as soon as I set eyes on it. Not only do I like the image itself but even the font used is perfect – a very professional cover design. Delighted to see this book was awarded the BRAG Medallion. Looks like an intriguing read. Congratulations Stella, my first winner for 2018!
For two years, England has been in the grip of Civil War. In Banbury, Oxfordshire, the Cavaliers hold the Castle, the Roundheads want it back and the town is full of zealous Puritans. Consequently, the gulf between Captain Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford, the sister of a fanatically religious shopkeeper, ought to be unbridgeable. The key to both the fate of the Castle and that of Justin and Abigail lies in defiance … but will it be enough? A Splendid Defiance is a dramatic and enchanting story of forbidden love, set against the turmoil and anguish of the first English Civil War.
To find out more, please click here.
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As ever, there was stiff competition for the top spot. Take a look at these wonderful covers.

Each had their own reason to leave everything they knew. The land was free – the true price – was often high, where opportunities and tragedies were in equal abundance. Those who were strong didn’t waste their tears, but used them wisely to help wash away their grief. Joined together through friendship and family relations, Rebecca, Nathan, Hannah, Carl and Sarah tell one story; each in their own voice. Never Waste Tears travels with them on their trek to homestead on the lonely Kansas prairie, where they pave the way for generations to come. They share their own dreams, challenges, heartaches and guilt.
To find out more, please click here.

John d’Ibelin, son of the legendary Balian, will one day defy the most powerful monarch on earth. But first he must survive his apprenticeship as squire to a man determined to build a kingdom on an island ravaged by rebellion. The Greek insurgents have already driven the Knights Templar from the island, and now stand poised to destroy Richard the Lionheart’s legacy to the Holy Land: a crusader foothold on the island of Cyprus.
To find out more, please click here.
And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.
Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!
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The cover for a Splendid Defiance is stunning! I’m in love!
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Me too!
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Great cover indeed, and the description is intriguing. With competition like this I don’t mind being only a runner up!
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Such a good idea, Pam. I’m looking forward to seeing (and sharing) lots more covers this year. Thank you for organising it.
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I agree with your choice, Pam. So much going on in “A Splendid Defiance” and yet it is not a cluttered image. I love the lettering that looks like cast iron.
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It’s pretty fab!
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The cover for A Splendid Defiance is just that – absolutely splendid.
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Fabulous. Btw shared to The Darcy Monologues et al in Facebook! Gorgeous covers! Congrats.
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Reblogged this on lorettalivingstone.
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Super thanks so much
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Thanks to everyone for their extremely kind comments – which I’ve passed on to Ana Grigoriu-Voicu who designed the Defiance cover. And my congratulations to Gloria and Helena for their own lovely covers!
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Well deserved Stella – it’s a beauty!
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These covers are fabulous- thanks so much for calling more attention to them! And I love this contest, too- is there any way an author of a recent historical novel can enter their cover for consideration for your next round?
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I have some slots left just email me the cover to pamlecky@gmail.com
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Magical cover. Great choice. Is there a process for entering covers?
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Hi just drop me an email with ur cover. Pamlecky@gmail.com
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