Cover Matters Giveaways Smugglerific Cover

A Smugglerific Cover: Blackwood by Gwenda Bond (& ARC Giveaway)

We’ve been on tenterhooks waiting for Gwenda Bond’s debut Blackwood (coming from Strange Chemistry in September, the new Angry Robot’s YA imprint). The story takes place at Roanoke Island, the setting of one of the biggest historical mysteries ever with its missing colony and we simply can’t wait to read it. As such, we are most delighted to be unveiling the awesome cover as well as running an exclusive ARC giveaway. Check it out!

THE SMUGGLERIFIC COVER:

THE SUMMARY:

On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.

Miranda, a misfit girl from the island’s most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can’t dodge is each other.

A WORD FROM GWENDA BOND AND ARC GIVEAWAY:

When my editor Amanda first sent me the cover concept, I thought she was clearly a genius. You see, my main character Miranda Blackwood’s father has a strawberry-colored, snake-shaped birthmark on his face–a birthmark that is a very visual symbol of the Blackwood family curse much whispered about on this Roanoke Island. But then, of course, there are the typical author doubts. What if it skews Eve (as in Adam &), what if she looks naked and heavy metal, what if she seems to be, er, romancing said snake? Clearly these fears were entirely unfounded.

I love this cover. I think it gets across the sense of the mystery Miranda and Phillips must figure out together–the disappearances, then and now–and is a perfect representation of Miranda’s struggle with her family’s history. Plus, something SPOILERY that I hope will make it even cooler for readers. Speaking of which! Comment below to win an ARC and find out the solution (mine, at least) to the centuries-old mystery of the Lost Colony….

Comment below – let us know what you think of the cover – to be entered to win an ARC of Blackwood. The giveaway is open to ALL and will run till Saturday April 7 11:59PM (PST). Good luck!!

206 Comments

  • Nymeth
    March 29, 2012 at 1:45 am

    I love the colour scheme, the font and the final composition. And it’s awesome that the cover will gain a new layer of meaning once people have read the book – I always love it when that happens. I’m dying to read this book, so please throw my name in the hat!

  • Dana
    March 29, 2012 at 2:16 am

    Great cover! Also- you definitely piqued my interest with the mention of spoiler… is it the snake?? Hope I’d win this.

  • Staraice
    March 29, 2012 at 3:08 am

    Is 114 the spoilery thing which will become clear?

    I’m actually not usually a fan of covers with people on them. However I love the colour scheme, and the way her windswept hair fades into shadows.

  • J.M. Blackman
    March 29, 2012 at 3:17 am

    Love the cover; love that the author loves it and would love to win the ARC! Fingers crossed!

  • Stuart
    March 29, 2012 at 3:29 am

    Great cover, the snake is nicely woven into the artwork.

  • Stephanie Burgis
    March 29, 2012 at 3:41 am

    I adore this cover and can’t wait to read the book! Please enter me in the giveaway. 🙂

  • Stephen West
    March 29, 2012 at 3:49 am

    Love the look of snakes, especially the geometry of the scales, which shows up well here. The triangle formed by her jawline and hairline is subtly continued across the page, giving a pleasing symmetry. The supersaturated colour works well with the distressed stencil font. It’s a lovely cover.

    I hope the hidden secret in the cover isn’t too gruesome, I couldn’t bear to look at the cover of Use of Weapons after I’d read it!

  • Chris Morris
    March 29, 2012 at 4:09 am

    That’s a really striking cover. Sounds like an interesting book too.

  • RK Charron
    March 29, 2012 at 4:13 am

    Love the cover Gwenda!

    Staraice = The 114 is the number of people who vanish.

    All the best,
    RK Charron

  • Chris Cevasco
    March 29, 2012 at 4:30 am

    The cover turned out great, and the book sounds fascinating!

  • Mandivenard
    March 29, 2012 at 5:01 am

    Such a dramatic and eye catching cover and the colors are beautiful together.Please enter me in the giveaway,thanks.

  • MarieC
    March 29, 2012 at 5:22 am

    Eye catching cover! count me in!

  • Steph
    March 29, 2012 at 5:29 am

    Intriguing cover — love the colours. Can’t wait to read the book!

  • mima tipper
    March 29, 2012 at 5:35 am

    Very excited for Gwenda’s debut, and happy for even the chance of an ARC”)

  • Clete Barrett Smith
    March 29, 2012 at 5:39 am

    Congrats, Gwenda! Can’t wait to read the book!!!

  • Suz Glo
    March 29, 2012 at 5:44 am

    I love it when the cover of the book really relates to the story. And the colors and imagery of this cover really made me want to stop and study it a moment. That’s always a good thing,right? Thanks for the giveaway —

  • Jenn Hartley
    March 29, 2012 at 5:44 am

    I love the cover, esp. the colors. The effect of her hair spread across the background and the snake turning into a tattoo really make it appealing. Reminds me of artwork from CLAMP’s xxxHolic series.

  • Jason Erik Lundberg
    March 29, 2012 at 5:47 am

    The cover is wonderfully evocative, from the color palate to the snake imagery to the beautiful model. If this was in the bookstore, I’d definitely pick it up to see what it was about.

    I’ve been excited about this book for a long time, since Gwenda first blogged about writing it. As a resident of North Carolina for nearly 20 years (though I’m no longer there), I was ingrained with the mystery and tragedy of the Lost Colony from an early age, and I love that Gwenda has used this has the setting for her novel. Really looking forward to reading it.

    I’d love to be entered into the ARC giveaway, but I do live in Singapore, so I understand if the prohibitive postage might make me ineligible.

  • Erinn
    March 29, 2012 at 5:52 am

    As the owner of a snake ring, I am immediately drawn to this cover. Finding that it’s about Roanoke makes me want to reach through my computer and get started.

  • sue
    March 29, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Oh my Golly!! This is definitely a book I must read. The cover is definitely one that would make me pick up this book without hesitation. Roanoake Island? Always fascinated by that mystery. Please enter me in the giveaway!

  • sienny
    March 29, 2012 at 6:05 am

    nice.. it’s creepy because of the snake, but overall nice

  • Jodie
    March 29, 2012 at 6:09 am

    I love the cover, but especially the font, which looks like graffit stencil.

  • Celia
    March 29, 2012 at 6:10 am

    I really like the green color and the way its reflected in her hair.

  • Ashley Chattaway
    March 29, 2012 at 6:11 am

    You had me at Roanoke Island. Can’t resist a book about the Lost Colony – this one sounds fantastic!

  • Katy Upperman
    March 29, 2012 at 6:23 am

    So striking! I think it’s gorgeous, and I’m equally intrigued by the synopsis. 🙂

  • Juliana
    March 29, 2012 at 6:29 am

    What a beautiful cover and absolutely intriguing. There’s a twist to this book that seems very original- I love it.

  • Eric Francis
    March 29, 2012 at 6:31 am

    Congrats, Gwenda! Clearly, Christopher married up! 😉

  • amber
    March 29, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Oh…. I grew up a bit north of Roanoke, so this sounds like an absolutely fabulous book to me! The cover is fantastic 🙂

  • Christine
    March 29, 2012 at 6:35 am

    I esp. like the font! This book sounds awesome.

  • Ginger J
    March 29, 2012 at 6:38 am

    So looking forward to this! I love the texture on this cover. Intriguing!

  • Doni Molony
    March 29, 2012 at 6:39 am

    The cover is stunning and the book sounds like a great read. I’m feeling lucky. Throw my hat into the ring!

  • max
    March 29, 2012 at 6:45 am

    Yay! WTG Gwenda!

  • Emma
    March 29, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I adore the cover! Love the font, colours, the way the snake turns into a tattoo. It makes me want to read the book before reading the description 🙂 But even more-so after reading it! Sounds fascinating!

  • Shannon
    March 29, 2012 at 6:52 am

    I especially like the snake.

  • Mark Rowland
    March 29, 2012 at 6:53 am

    I like the color scheme and font. The snake seems oddly reminiscent of Freedom Cobra 😛

  • Kathleen Foucart
    March 29, 2012 at 6:58 am

    Wow! Amazing cover and so different! Book sounds awesome, can’t wait to read 🙂

  • Linsey
    March 29, 2012 at 6:59 am

    The image is great, but what I really love is the colors – the red of the snake against her pale skin and the green in the back ground – it’s all very eye catching. If I still worked at a bookstore I would definitely give this some real estate on the front table or on an end cap to draw in readers.

  • Natasha McNeely
    March 29, 2012 at 7:00 am

    This sounds like a great book and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on it! As far as the cover goes; I think it looks great, particularly how the fonts fit the more rough edge of the cover.

  • Erin E. Moulton
    March 29, 2012 at 7:01 am

    The cover is gorgeous! I am loving the font choice, especially! Yay, Gwenda!

  • RJ Huneke
    March 29, 2012 at 7:02 am

    I LOVE the Roanoke mythology! Can’t wait to read!!

  • Stacie
    March 29, 2012 at 7:04 am

    Awesom cover… Can’t wait to read it!

  • Paige
    March 29, 2012 at 7:05 am

    This looks fabulous! And my guess is that the spoiler might have something to do with the fact that the snake depicted is a non-venomous king snake, rather than a more dangerous coral snake. Can’t wait to find out if I’m right!

  • Stacie
    March 29, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Awesome cover… Can’t wait to read it!

  • laurie
    March 29, 2012 at 7:06 am

    It’s striking Gwenda, I don’t want to wait that long to read it:0)

  • karen b
    March 29, 2012 at 7:08 am

    I like the cover a lot — I think the colors work well with the imagery, and the image itself is nice and mysterious. And ROANOKE, no way, LOVE. Glad I stumbled over this; I’ll be reading it whether I win a copy or not!

  • April Books & Wine
    March 29, 2012 at 7:09 am

    I never ever enter contests but am making an exception that rule for this.

    I love all of the green!

    AND Roanoke?

    YES PLEASE!!!

  • Shveta Thakrar
    March 29, 2012 at 7:16 am

    Heck, yes! I’m so excited for Gwenda. Count me in!

  • Kristan Curry
    March 29, 2012 at 7:18 am

    Can’t wait to read this! Sounds wonderful!

  • Rebecca
    March 29, 2012 at 7:18 am

    The cover is gorgeous and the Roanoke mystery is fascinating. This sounds great!

  • Brad
    March 29, 2012 at 7:19 am

    That’s a really eye-catching cover! But the snake creeps me out a little.

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway! 😀

  • Victoria Houston
    March 29, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Haunting, romantic — love it. Want it. Plus Gwenda has heroically read some of my books. But if I don’t win it, I’ll buy it!! And mention it all over the northern Midwest. Please put me in the giveaway.

  • Erin
    March 29, 2012 at 7:26 am

    I’m really looking forward to this book. Congratulations, Gwenda!

  • Misti
    March 29, 2012 at 7:29 am

    I like the cover. Now I’m interested in reading the book to see how well I think it fits.

  • Lizzel B
    March 29, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I’m usually not a fan of faces on YA books, but the snake is actually pretty cool. Plus, I really dig the numbers scratched onto the background here and there.

  • Katie
    March 29, 2012 at 7:32 am

    Cool cover. The snake doesn’t look as good as it could, but it’s still a gorgeous cover.

  • Helen
    March 29, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Neat cover! Love the fact that it looks like a tattoo until you see it over her shoulder.

  • Amy K
    March 29, 2012 at 7:37 am

    This book sounds great and the I think the cover is pretty cool 🙂

  • Becky
    March 29, 2012 at 7:39 am

    I don’t really like people on book covers because I prefer to form my own judgment of what a character looks like from reading the text. However, this is a nicely done cover, and the fact that the author likes it is a plus!

  • Vanessa
    March 29, 2012 at 7:47 am

    One of the few covers I’ve seen lately that isn’t insipid. Instead, it is vivid and screams “READ ME.”

  • Melissa Weber
    March 29, 2012 at 7:49 am

    Looks great! Win a copy of ARC?? Somebody is going to be lucky! Will keep my fingers crossed:)

  • Rachel
    March 29, 2012 at 8:00 am

    Gorgeous cover – very mysterious and intriguing – makes me definitely want to read the book!

  • AD
    March 29, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Hauntingly beautiful. I love the play of hair across the cover. There is a “dark” characteristic about this cover, but in an intriguing way. I cannot wait to read this book!!

  • Kat
    March 29, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Gorgeous. I love it. Proves that cover art can be sexy without odd poses, gratuitous bare skin and tramp stamps. Lately, I’ve made a point of not buying books with offensive covers. This book I would absolutely buy based on that cover.

  • Kaethe
    March 29, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I love the cover. And I love books about The Lost Colony, so now I’m totally stoked.

  • ForeverReading1
    March 29, 2012 at 8:27 am

    I like the cover, especially the way the snake’s head looks tattooed into her face. I don’t read many YA books, but this book with a mystery/history twist sounds good.

  • Sherry
    March 29, 2012 at 8:29 am

    I think the cover is awesome! I’m completely intrigued by this book and can’t wait to read it!

  • Sherry
    March 29, 2012 at 8:31 am

    I think the cover is awesome! I’m completely intrigued by this book and can’t wait to read it! 😆

  • Laura D.
    March 29, 2012 at 8:51 am

    I like the cover and its cool that the author likes it too. Looks like an interesting read, can’t wait. 😀

  • Stephen Zoldi
    March 29, 2012 at 8:54 am

    I like the cover and look forward to reading it. I just recently began to read YA titles. Sounds good.

  • Justine
    March 29, 2012 at 9:06 am

    There’s a spoiler depicted on the cover? Intriguing!

    I like the color contrasts of green, red, and black on the cover.

  • Delphi Psmith
    March 29, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Gorgeous, but am puzzled about the red snake. Doesn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen in Virginia LOL!

  • Marie-Claude Rajotte
    March 29, 2012 at 9:19 am

    The cover is so pretty!!! And I love the snake!!!

  • Jenny Schwartzberg
    March 29, 2012 at 9:28 am

    That’s a scary cover. I think it will appeal to a lot of readers. I don’t like snakes so I might not have picked up that book due to the cover. However the synopsis looks really intriguing so I will look at it once it becomes available. Roanoake’s inspired quite a bit of speculation over the centuries but not very much YA fiction. There’s some out there but I’m blanking on the titles. I would love to win a copy!

  • Melysah
    March 29, 2012 at 9:38 am

    I like the cover. I think the colors match the story. It’s very Girl with the Dragon Snake Tattoo-ish.

  • Jodie Fletcher
    March 29, 2012 at 9:45 am

    This will definitely jump off the shelves! Fascinating and creepy cover. Can’t wait to read it!

  • Bohemienne
    March 29, 2012 at 9:51 am

    I love it! It’s such a refreshing, raw, gritty change to the over-polished Vogue look of so many YA covers. And definitely gives me good sort of chills as to what the book’s content will be like. 😀

  • Jennifer @ A Librarian's Library
    March 29, 2012 at 10:00 am

    This cover has a very sinister feel to it that is eerie and inviting at the same time. Enter me, please!

  • Emilia
    March 29, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Wow, the cover and the description sound amazing! I love when author incorporate historical mysteries into novels.

  • Sheila
    March 29, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Neat cover. Randomly, I like the little box that says “Strange Chemistry.” I like the fonts too!

  • Lindsey Carmichael
    March 29, 2012 at 10:16 am

    That cover is SO PRETTY. The insides sound good too!

  • Kate
    March 29, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Snakes kinda freak me out, but this is cool, if it goes along with the contents. So frequently, book covers do not match what is in the book at all.

  • dellan
    March 29, 2012 at 10:35 am

    cover is great – snake is SCARY

  • Lisa
    March 29, 2012 at 10:37 am

    The snake looks a bit smudgy on her face, but I like the colors.

  • Rachel R.
    March 29, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I absolutely love the cover, and the summary is awesome. Can’t wait to read this.

  • ANna
    March 29, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Love the cover (the font makes it look modern, while the rest looks old-fashion…the juxtaposition is striking!). And I just learned about Roanoke…that would be so cool to see Bond’s take on the real reason for the disappearance!

  • Yeti
    March 29, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Beautiful and striking cover, and a plus for having a snake on it as reptiles rule! :mrgreen:

  • veronika
    March 29, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    My favorite part of the cover is the font–but I also love the colour. I’m looking forward to this one!

  • Christina
    March 29, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    wow, this is such a unique setting for a YA book, and that yowza cover will definitely draw teens who might have shied awy from a typical historical fic cover. can’t wait to read it and share it with my library’s teens!

  • Diana M
    March 29, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    I love the cover, especially the snake. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Penny
    March 29, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    oooh I love this cover! It would definitely catch my eye if I stumbled upon it in a bookstore.

  • Jana @The Book Goddess
    March 29, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Looks very haunting and creepy yet intriguing! The cover definitely draws you in! 🙂

  • k.bird
    March 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Can’t wait!

  • Andrea Chettle
    March 29, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    I have to admit I hadn’t heard of this book before but as soon as I saw the cover I was drawn in and had to know more. Now I have to read it That is exactly what a good cover should do and this is a great cover

    Thanks

  • Memory
    March 29, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    I adore the cover. The contrast between the red snake and the green background (and the girl’s green-black hair!) is phenomenal. It’s enticing.

  • Kristy Gates
    March 29, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    I had not heard of this book until. I love the sound of the plot, and the cover is beautiful! 🙂

  • Linda W
    March 29, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    Wow! It’s so dynamic!!! 😀

  • Erica
    March 29, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I like the way the way the cover hints at the story & especially like that small 114 that seems to be scratched into the lower corner. The fonts seem to be very fitting to what little I know of the story, too.

  • Sarah
    March 29, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    This is one of the first things I saw as my eyes are recovering from an exam and dilation, and it’s incredibly haunting. I think it may be sticking with me all day!

  • misty
    March 29, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    The cover definitely stands out from the crowd! The story sounds very interesting as well.

  • mary anne
    March 29, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    At first glance it looks like a lot of the trendy covers you see today, but the snake and the style pull it away and make it much more distinctive. I like it.

  • Anonymous
    March 29, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    How gorgeous! And the snake is very different. =)

  • LeAnn
    March 29, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Spooky! I think it looks spooky and awesome at the same time. I love the snake and want to know more.

  • JenP
    March 29, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Stunning cover–great color contrasts.

  • Kendra
    March 29, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    great cover!

  • SMD
    March 29, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I really like the font, actually. I get really bored with standard, straight-lace fonts, or fonts that look produced to be “weird.” The font here looks like it was painted in from a stencil or something, which gives it a nifty look.

    Then again, I could be talking out of my toosh.

  • Na S.
    March 29, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    What an eye-catching cover. There is a lot of details and I find the snake wrapped around the snake interesting. I wonder how that fits into the story.

  • Charlotte
    March 29, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    It’s nice to see an attractive cover that doesn’t have a DRESS. I am wondering what on earth is up with her shoulder though…it looks like it’s kind of cracking apart.

  • Stephanie
    March 29, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    This book is so lovely… I will want to make sure and display this instead of hiding it in the shelves.

  • Jacqui
    March 29, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Very unique cover!

  • Allison
    March 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    it looks awesome!

    the greens and reds look great together

  • Charles Tan
    March 29, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    The colors are appealing (not too dark but not too bright either) and there’s a strong, prominent image to go with the book that doesn’t look derivative.

  • Small Review
    March 29, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    I love it! It reminds me of the original covers on Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ Den of Shadows books. I’m not 100% on the title/author font, but overall the cover is very appealing.

  • Katrina
    March 29, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Oooh, this one looks good! I’ve always liked the whole Virginia Dare mystery.

  • Karin L.
    March 29, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    I think the cover is very well done. I’m curious about the number at the bottom on the left.

  • Kari
    March 29, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Is it bad that every time I see a snake, I think Red on black, friend of Jack?? Hahaha

    Looks awesome! I love how I’ve been hearing that part of history popping up everywhere, recently!

  • Michelle R
    March 29, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Oh, I love the way the snake transitions from 3D to almost a tattoo? Either way, the cover combined with the description adds this to my TBR list.

  • sarac
    March 29, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    love love love the cover!

  • Victoria Zumbrum
    March 29, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Awesome giveaway. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Stephanie K.
    March 29, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    The cover is gorgeous! The red, green, and black look great together.

  • Nayana Catoia
    March 29, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    I liked the color the most, but I think it could be a little more original (this model on cover pokerfacing is kindda of getting annoying for me.)

  • Ana
    March 29, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    There’s lots to look at in this cover…feels like if you stare at it long enough it’ll move! Very different from a lot of the covers we’re seeing these days!

  • Shannon H
    March 29, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I really love the colors, and how the girls face and the snake pop out. Definitely an attention grabber, and with none of the girl-in-fancy-dress-ness that seems to characterize a lot of recent YAs

  • jenn
    March 29, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    AMAZING. I know nothing about visual art, but I think that cover looks beautiful. =)

  • Margaret S.
    March 29, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    I like the mixture of edgy and modern (without resorting to cover clichés) with the somewhat retro font and brushy background. Really original with a modern sensibility.

  • Shelver506
    March 29, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    Not sure how I feel about the chosen font, but I’m digging the live snake-turned-tattoo/birthmark.

  • Kate & Zena
    March 29, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    I’ve always said, “Not to judge a book by its cover,” but this cover says, “READ ME!!!!”

    (Although…the font is a wee hard to read. I get the idea behind it as it’s supposed to be the writing left behind from Roanoke, but for people who aren’t exactly mastermind handwriting readers, that would be a wee hard to read. Just a thought! The males in my family do chicken scratch, so I can read a wide variety of handwriting, so this isn’t hard, but I can understand that for others, this would be hard!)

  • Amy C
    March 29, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    The cover reminds me of something from Francesca Lia Block’s writing: something not quite paranormal, yet something not quite gritty reality.

  • Kimberly B.
    March 29, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    I like it! Although what I really like isn’t so much the snake as it is the lush green and the black hair. Anyway, sounds like a terrific book! Thanks for the great giveaway!

  • Jen B.
    March 29, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    When I first saw the cover, I couldn’t understand what I was seeing. But, I couldn’t stop looking. Now I love it!

  • Tatiana (The Readventurer)
    March 29, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    It’s an enticing cover. Hopefully, it is just as awesome inside.

  • SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
    March 29, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    I like the cover. Very pretty.

  • Audra Holtwick
    March 29, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    Eyecatching is the word i would use to describe this cover
    audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

  • Barbara Elness
    March 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    Blackwood sounds like a fantastic story, I can’t wait to hear Gwenda Bond’s solution to the mystery. I think the cover is wonderful, very visually striking.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

  • April
    March 29, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    Wow. That cover is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to read this book when it comes out.

  • Ashley
    March 29, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    This cover is amazing! I love the colors, the use of the snake, and the font they used for the author’s name. It works so well. I would want to read this without even knowing it was about Roanoke. 🙂

  • Jasmine Stairs
    March 29, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    That is a gorgeous cover. It looks very edgy and thriller-y (dangerous) but is still lovely. I’m interested.

  • Kate
    March 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    That sinuous snake on the girl’s cheek makes my toes curl with delicious creepy fear. So eye-catching and atmospheric. LOVE it!

  • Scribe Kira
    March 29, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    well, i am obviously in the minority here, but I don’t care for the cover–mainly because it falls into the category of overdone YA covers (which I have seen FAAAR too many of)
    BUT, the book still sounds fantastic and I would love to read it!=)

  • Llehn
    March 29, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    Love the color combination! Very striking!

  • Heidi
    March 29, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    Oooh, I kinda love when covers are spoilery in a way that you don’t really get until after you’ve read the book. Now I’m more curious than ever! The text. It kind of looks like it was drawn on top of the picture in a way that makes me think of writing ‘WASH ME’ on dirty car windows. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • donnas
    March 29, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Great cover. Really eye catching and stunning.

  • Lisa Richardson
    March 30, 2012 at 1:01 am

    Cover looks awesome, and really conveys the connection between the past and present represented in this book!

  • Mary Preston
    March 30, 2012 at 3:38 am

    It’s a gorgeous cover. I would love to read BLACKWOOD thank you.

  • Nikki Egerton
    March 30, 2012 at 4:26 am

    Love the cover, and the story sounds very intriguing, would love to read it!

  • Robin in NC
    March 30, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Must admit, I was a little mixed about the cover, 😐 but now knowing the “story” behind the cover, it’s a perfect fit! I’d love to win the book, cause the original Lost Colony story is quite an interesting mystery, but with this new twist…it’s got to be phenomenal! Thanks for sharing!

  • Anne M Leone
    March 30, 2012 at 5:47 am

    Ohhh, intriguing cover. I would definitely pick this one up off the shelf. Thanks!

  • MOSH
    March 30, 2012 at 5:47 am

    This wow cover hit straight off my face:I feel attracted and deterred at the same time – attracted sexually (after all Adam was one of my ancestors) and inquisitively,and deterred of the ferocious and villainous image of this cute girl.
    I knew some like Miranda,too many of them.I dreamt of killing them and missed them simoultaneously.I have to read it to get more insights, to decipher snaky types like Miranda.

  • heidi
    March 30, 2012 at 6:32 am

    LOVE the cover. Can’t wait to read this!

  • Melinda Maiden
    March 30, 2012 at 6:38 am

    I love reading about the Lost Colony, fiction or non-. I look forward to reading this book.

  • Meg
    March 30, 2012 at 6:41 am

    I like the idea of the snake birthmark and I think the illustrator really hits the mark because it totally CREEPS ME OUT!! Pretty girl, icky snake on her face *shudders*

  • Lindsay Elizabeth
    March 30, 2012 at 7:08 am

    Sounds good.

  • Marg @ Clockwork Reverie
    March 30, 2012 at 11:03 am

    I’ll be honest. I’m not too crazy about the snake on her face, but other than that, I think the cover is rather nice, and the synopsis is really interesting.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Gerry M. Allen
    March 30, 2012 at 11:14 am

    The birthmark, the contrasting colors and the blurb typeface all give me the creeps. Great job! 😯

  • Erin
    March 30, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    That cover is seriously going to give me creepy nightmares but the premise is too delicious to pass up!

  • Pippi55
    March 30, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    I think the cover is beautiful. The contrasting colours are awesome, and the snake is honestly creepy.

  • Aurora
    March 30, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I love this cover, this is one of the few cover i like with people on it.

  • Teri C
    March 30, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I really love the cover, it looks dark brooding and mysterious. Just like I enjoy my reads.

  • Stephanie
    March 30, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    The cover is VERY enticing! I love how the colors pop off the page — especially the snake. The typography is great, too.

  • reading mind
    March 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    wow, I want this book!pretty cover!

  • NicoleL
    March 30, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    I’m so excited for you, Gwenda! Looks beautiful.

  • Michelle
    March 30, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    This cover is gorgeous. I love the watery colours and the red of the snake. It gives off a great atmosphere. 🙂

  • Janine
    March 30, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I admitto being a person who judges books by their covers (at least while browsing) and this cover would definitely pique my interests.

  • librarypat
    March 30, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    The cover is wonderful. Snakes are really wonderful creatures. It is too bad they have such a bad reputation.
    The snake on the cover does work to give the impression of threat, danger and the unknown. I love the blurb/summary. This sounds like it will be a great read.

  • Nova
    March 30, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    I am absolutely taken with this striking cover. I can’t stop staring! Congratulations, Gwenda!

  • Diana Huffer
    March 31, 2012 at 5:27 am

    I absolutely love this cover! The colors are striking and the blending of the snake and her skin just blew me away! A real eye-catcher! 😀

  • Edward
    March 31, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Seems suspended halfway between painterly and digital. Love it.

  • Rebecca
    March 31, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    There’s so much going on with that cover. I hope all the little pieces connect up in the book.

  • Betsy
    March 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    The cover is very cool! Even if the description for this book wasn’t great, the cover would be enough to make me pick it up.

  • Tina
    March 31, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I love the cover! The snake is so cool looking and I love the font against the green background. It reminds me of graffiti art.

  • Courtney
    March 31, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I think the cover is awesome! I love the colors used!

  • draconismoi
    March 31, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    That is one of the most gorgeous covers I’ve seen this year!

  • Chenise Jones
    March 31, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    Love the use of the snake! Paired with the summary of the book, it only makes it sound more badass!

  • Cristina
    April 1, 2012 at 2:49 am

    It’s a nice book. I want to read this one.

  • Kokolo
    April 1, 2012 at 7:42 am

    The snake birthmark looks great! The cover is really striking.

  • Giada M.
    April 1, 2012 at 10:56 am

    I love the snake birthmark! Beautiful colors! Thank you for the chance to win an ARC! 🙂

  • Seth Christenfeld
    April 1, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    That is most definitely a nifty cover.

  • Dee
    April 2, 2012 at 12:48 am

    Nice cover! C’mon, who hasn’t judged a book by it’s cover? I also think the blurb is interesting so I’m so putting this on my ‘to-read’ list.

  • Tania
    April 2, 2012 at 7:37 am

    The cover looks beautiful. I love how the snake is wrapped around her and on her face. It took me a while to notice the 114 yellow tattoo on her arm.

  • Anna-Kate
    April 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    I love this cover, the way the snake is wrapped around her is and then transitions into the birthmark! Really cool! Also, the little description is very intriguing. Possibly one of my new favorite covers.

  • Hannah
    April 2, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    I love how the snake transitions from a 3-D, living animal (or a fashion accessory, you can never be sure these days) to a flat birthmark. It’s very pretty, and the book sounds wonderful!

  • kara-karina
    April 3, 2012 at 3:47 am

    This is an absolutely amazing cover which caught my attention straight away! I think I would have gone for the book even without reading its premise 😉

  • Danielle
    April 3, 2012 at 3:59 am

    I thinks the cover is really pretty. I like the greens and black colors on the color. The only thing that I’m on the fence about is the snake. Thanks for the great giveaway! 😀

  • Sofija
    April 3, 2012 at 5:39 am

    I love the cover in general, bet the snake head doesn’t look as good as her body…

  • librainiac
    April 4, 2012 at 6:59 am

    I love it!

  • jdp
    April 4, 2012 at 7:23 am

    It took some looking to realize part of the snake’s head was birthmark colored instead of snake colored. Stupid yucky monitor I’m using. But I *really* love the ‘carving’ font on the cover. 🙂

  • Ileana A.
    April 4, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    A snake birthmark 😮
    That cover is really awesome! I would love to have the chance to read it, plus I want to find out what or who is causing the disappearance of people! I’m intrigued! Thanks for the chance!

  • Jessica Luby
    April 4, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    The color choices are perfect. I love choice of the quote at the top. The snake melting into the birthmark is genius. The stamp in the bottom right of Strange Chemistry is intriguing. The distressing on the cover will keep my teens asking for more! ~Lubrarian

  • Melinna
    April 5, 2012 at 12:37 am

    Hmm, interesting 😀

  • Liyana
    April 5, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Ah, the snake makes sense now after reading the author’s comments. Definitely intriguing.

  • Anita Yancey
    April 5, 2012 at 6:22 am

    I love the cover. I think the snake is a nice touch. Thanks for having this giveaway.

  • Serena
    April 5, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    The snake makes sense when reading the author’s comments, but it is a bit odd when just reading the description of the book itself. Other than that, though, I like it.

  • Tal
    April 6, 2012 at 7:43 am

    I think that it looks interesting 😀
    Thank you for the giveaway!

  • Mary
    April 6, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Beautiful, and excellent fonts, too!

  • Kat Fisher
    April 6, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    I love the cover. It’s very striking. The snake really stands out and contrasts beautifully with the black and green. I can’t wait to read it.

  • Haddayr
    April 7, 2012 at 9:40 am

    OMG I LOVE this cover! Love it! I will admit I was dying to read the book already but not I am PINING for it.

  • Christina Kit.
    April 7, 2012 at 9:56 am

    The cover is awesome!

    And what a cool concept – I always loved the Roanoke mystery:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  • Mary Petroski
    April 7, 2012 at 10:30 am

    After being inundated with romance paperbacks, this is a refreshingly unique cover. Seeing it, I get the sense of an intriguing and perilous journey through the story. It’s very well drawn and I like the airy, less than crystal clear image. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

  • John McDaid
    April 7, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Can’t wait to read this book!

  • Stefan Gore
    April 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    I think the colors work well to create a dark and brooding astmosphere. Looks great!

  • Rachel
    April 7, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    So excited for this book! Eek!

  • Justin
    April 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    I’m so excited for this book– I can’t remember anticipating a first novel more!

  • Paul Brimmer
    April 7, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    Looking forward to this book!

  • Angi
    April 7, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    Sounds so very interesting. Looks like something I truely want to read!

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    April 8, 2012 at 12:18 am

    […] Lisa Richardson […]

  • New York City Apartments
    August 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    I remember years ago watching an episode of In Search of with Leonard Nimoy as the host. The episode talked about the lost colony. I look forward to reading this book.

  • Toon Hiatus & A Few Links – Dispatches From Wonderland
    November 20, 2018 at 12:01 am

    […] own fab Gwenda Bond has a debut YA novel in the works, and THAT RIGHT THERE IS HER AWESOME COVER, recently featured on Book Smugglers. Woohoo! And Gwenda is an Agent Sister, which makes it doubly […]

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