A Tale of Two Covers

Sometimes, our best intentions go awry. Recently, I wrote a blog revealing the cover for my upcoming gay romance novel, Tricks, from MLR Press (look for it in late September/early October). Well, the cover below, which I thought was wonderful (designed by the talented Alex Beecroft), was fated to live a short and uneventful life:

See, that cover, after everything was all laid out and put together, was almost identical to the cover used by another publisher, Dreamspinner Press, for their anthology, Sindustry II. This is what happens occasionally when we rely on stock photography for cover images.

Too close. Just wouldn't do. I had to say goodbye to the original cover concept.

Out of the ashes arose a second cover (by the amazing Deana Jamroz) which I think is absolutely stunning and puts a face on my book that I could only have dreamed of.

 So it's nice to get a happy ending.

Here's a look at the the whole wraparound, front, back and spine, for the upcoming Tricks.

And here's what Tricks is about:
Tricks can mean many things: sex partners, deceptions, even magic. In Rick R. Reed’s searing love story, it means all three. Arliss is a gorgeous young dancer at Tricks, the hottest club in Chicago’s Boystown. Sean is the classic nerd, out of place in Tricks, but nursing his wounds from a recent break-up.

When the two spy each other, magic blooms.

But this opposites-attract tale does not run smooth. What happens when Arliss is approached by one of the biggest porn producers in the business? Can he make his dreams of stardom come true without throwing away the only real love he’s ever known? And will this question even matter if the mysterious producers realize their dark intentions?

Watch for it this fall!