Tag Archives: mortal musings

A Sweet Romance – Mending Heartstrings by @AriaGlazki

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Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance (Sweet heat level)
Cover Designer: Christa Holland at Paper & Sage
Release Date: February 9, 2016
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GUEST POST BY ARIA GLAZKI
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I am so excited to have Aria Glazki here today to talk about covers. I am a “cover girl” so I am always curious about how an author chooses their covers and who does them.

Why Does Cover Design Matter?

Covers matter. When we’re young or discussing ideology or speaking metaphorically, we like to say otherwise. But just like your carriage when walking into an interview affects the impression you’ll make, so too does a book cover instantly affect a reader’s opinion of your book. Then again, like it or not, that’s the point.
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Whether in thumbnail form on a bookseller’s site, as a lovely art print, or integrated into an author’s promotional materials, the book cover is often the very first experience a reader has with a book. A natural conclusion is that the cover represents the story—its tone, its quality, and its subject matter. A bad cover can kill any chances of sales, while a good one can encourage readers to consider the blurb or possibly even one-click a title. And despite all that, authors often have very little, if any, control over the cover representing their work. Traditionally published authors, that is.
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It isn’t a secret that Mending Heartstrings was originally traditionally published. Much as I would like that first cover to stop being associated with this book, it is available in plenty of places online. Of course, I had no say in that first cover. The publisher purchased it, informed me, and that was (almost) that. I managed to convince them to replace the original head of wheat with a guitar pick so that the cover would have at least some connection to my story, but that was it.
Let’s look at the two covers side by side:
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Original Cover
New Cover

From the colors—faded, tan tones on the left and a vibrant mix on the right—to the subject matter, the differences are immeasurable. While the cover on the left could be a nice fit for a calm, quiet book, it does nothing to represent the story of passion, music, and longing that is Mending Heartstrings. The cover on the right, however… Well, I’ll leave you to make your own conclusions, because I could gush about it endlessly. And before the question of the designer’s abilities comes up, both covers were designed by the fantastic Christa at Paper & Sage. The only difference was who made the choice—my original publisher, or me.

Though neither on its own is terrible—and there are plenty of terrible covers out there—these two covers represent entirely different moods and subjects. If you’re looking for an uplifting romance, which cover would draw your eye? Which would encourage you to pause and read the blurb? Which gives you an idea of the characters involved? In my opinion (and I hope you’ll agree), the cover on the right wins hands down.
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This is why cover design is touted as so important. Covers are at the forefront of all the marketing efforts; it’s their job to lure a reader and to provide an instant sense of what kind of story lies within. There’s a reason why so many romance novels once had Fabio on the cover: readers would know in less than a second what genre lay inside. This is also why, with one choice, the fate of a book can be sealed. And why I am thrilled to finally have a cover that does Mending Heartstrings justice.
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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughtsa , Aria. I think this is a great post and can be very helpful to others. 🙂
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MY REVIEW

Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki is a sweet romance novel that exceeded my expectations. Romance is not one of my favorite genres, no murder or blood and guts massacres, but some of the ugly things in life does make this read as if it could be happening to a friend of mine…or yours.

Ordinary girl meets country singer.

Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to take a road trip with your very own hottie?

She’ll be traveling with Kane, Bobby, Steve…and Mitch.

Well, Sabella does. She is not your drop dead gorgeous with a figure to die for kind of gal. She is more like the girl next door and I want so much for her not to get in over her head and have her heart broken.

I love her friend, Gina. Feeling down, Gina will raise you up. I used to have a friend that reminds me so much of Gina and without her in the world the sun seems to have dimmed a little. Gina is a vibrant and colorful character, full of love and life. She only sees the upside of life, until…

I kept thinking, how can I fall in love with a novel that is all about romance, no murder, no horror, you know, those ugly things in “life”. Well the ugly does rear its head and it comes in human form.

I am surprised and delighted by how much I enjoyed Mending Heartstrings. The romance was real, with all the ups and downs that make us know we are alive and in love.

I received a copy of Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.”

On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress.

Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.

 

 

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published here and there. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together—if they don’t get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

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Mystical Romance – Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki Giveaway & Review

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I love the cover for Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki. I like when the cover matches the story and I feel the designer, Coreen Mantagna did an excellent job.

Be sure and read to the end to enter the giveaway.

Mortal Musings CoverAdd me to Goodreads now.

Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki
Publication Date: 25 August 2015roma
Genres: Paranormal, Romance

MY REVIEW

The lovely cover portrays the sweet, loving romance inside. Adult, yet sweet  and naive. The sex is more about the romance than the physical act.

Mortal Musings is told from two perspectives, those of Brett, the writer and his muse, Andie.

Brett had writers block. Had his muse deserted him, if there was such a thing?

Silly humans. Didn’t they had understand that they had to come up with the ideas, then the muse can help develop them.

As he typed the words, she appeared. I love the storyline. It sounds like so much fun. She is now mortal, no longer faerie. What will become of her? Can she go back? She had bucked the system, but never planned to leave it.

The flavor of Mortal Musings reminded me of Splash, learning to do all the simple things of being human that we take for granted. Her first taste of human food, learning about financial means. She had to learn about clothes, instead of clouds, of showers instead of fae lakes, where her hair floated and dried in a flash.

The details and description of simple things seen in a different light. The sweet gesture of Brett zipping up her for  she doesn’t know what a zipper is.

The Dream Weaver, Rizen, had he been sent to help her? Andie had cast a spell and Rizen told her to search for the loophole.

The slow sweet, innocent and tentative moves toward closeness is so romantic, captivating and sensual. I love the slow pace as their relationship develops, even though it has only been days. Nothing is rushed or hurried. After all, this isn’t insta love. They have know each other for a long time.

Brett is sweet and chivalrous.

Allie has an other-world aura, that the people around her seem to sense without realizing it.

I am so curious how this will end. I know what I want to happen.

I have not read a story like this before and I was swept away with her innocence and naivety.To watch her grow and develop in a human world was fun and sad at the same time.

What man wouldn’t want a woman who would rather be naked the clothed?

Mortal Musings brought to mind the movie, Splash, where even the simplest thing is new – how to plug a bathtub, take a shower, dry off with a towel. Her wet hair stuck against her back, instead of being instantly dry in the faerie world, clothes on, clothes off at a snap or quicker. Because of watching Splash, Mortal Musings was easy to follow and picture the scenes when she is learning something new and I loved that.

It is so hard to describe the details without spoiling it for you and I want you to have the enjoyment of discovering it for yourself.

I received an ARC of Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

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Muse Alexandra has had it with the arrogant, ungrateful humans she is obligated to inspire. When the internal ranting of her latest charge pushes her past reason, she disregards the rules and forces her own words through his fingers, and is instantly entrapped in mortal form. With no magic, no identity, and no resources, Allie has no alternative but to navigate the mortal realm, depending entirely on her reluctant host while discerning what exactly caused her transformation — and how to reverse it.

Brett doesn’t have a chance to consider the words that mysteriously showed up on his screen; he’s too distracted by the stunning woman who appeared in his office out of nowhere. Before his brain can catch up, Brett’s uninvited guest becomes enmeshed in his everyday life. Her artless innocence gradually lessens his suspicions. Most importantly, the writer’s block that’s been plaguing him dissolves under the fantasies the naively beguiling Alexandra inspires.

All too soon, the forced proximity sparks a confounding awareness neither writer nor muse are able to resist.

ABOUT ARIA GLAZKI

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published in a few collections. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together – if they don’t get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Teaser Tuesday #46 – Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki

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TeaserTuesdays-ADailyRhythm3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of adailyrhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki

I am currently 27% into Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki. I was intrigued by the premise, a writer and his muse.

I love the “sweetness” of the cover. I feel as if she is waiting for just the right moment to reach out to him. And when she does…

Mortal-Musings-CoverAdd me to Goodreads now.

TEASER

All he saw was Alexandra, weaving through flowers that reached to her as though ready to whisper all their secrets. Not exactly right for a mystery novel..

(27% on Kindle)
SYNOPSIS
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Muse Alexandra has had it with the arrogant, ungrateful humans she is obligated to inspire. When the internal ranting of her latest charge pushes her past reason, she disregards the rules and forces her own words through his fingers, and is instantly entrapped in mortal form. With no magic, no identity, and no resources, Allie has no alternative but to navigate the mortal realm, depending entirely on her reluctant host while discerning what exactly caused her transformation — and how to reverse it.

Brett doesn’t have a chance to consider the words that mysteriously showed up on his screen; he’s too distracted by the stunning woman who appeared in his office out of nowhere. Before his brain can catch up, Brett’s uninvited guest becomes enmeshed in his everyday life. Her artless innocence gradually lessens his suspicions. Most importantly, the writer’s block that’s been plaguing him dissolves under the fantasies the naively beguiling Alexandra inspires.

All too soon, the forced proximity sparks a confounding awareness neither writer nor muse are able to resist.

Cover linked to Amazon. I am an affiliate.

Mortal-Musings-Cover

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What are you reading?

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

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