Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Nowhere but North Cover Reveal...Nicole Clarkston

Hello to everyone! Can you believe it is already August? I cannot. I don't know where the summer is, just that it is going. 

On this first day of August, I have the awesome privilege of revealing a cover for a soon to be released novel, Nowhere but North, by Nicole Clarkston.  It is a North & South Variation, and it will be released on August 31st. Today, in preparation for her preorder event on Amazon, we are going to reveal the cover for this excellent story. I do hope you will have the opportunity to read it when it becomes available. If you are a fan of John and Margaret, you will love their story in this novel. Even if you have never read North & South, I still think you will love this story. It is poignant and well-written, as are all by Nicole Clarkston. 

Before revealing the cover, let's take at look at the back cover copy.


Book Blurb:

Can the pieces of a broken past be enough to build a solid future?

Haunted by sorrow and regret, Margaret Hale stands at the precipice of an uncertain destiny. Fiercely determined but unsure of her path, she risks the little she has left on a heart she once shattered—hoping somehow to win back his respect, if not his love.

Since he was a boy, John Thornton has battled the consequences of his father’s mistakes. Resolved to overcome past failings and the disdain of the world, he has striven for wealth, respect, and personal honour, but he is denied love.  Now, all he had previously gained is slipping away, but he cannot resist a second chance with the woman he once lost. All he has to offer the one who needs him most is a home, and a heart that aches for her.

Can a struggling manufacturer ever be enough for a woman who deserves the world? Can a grieving, inexperienced young woman learn to look beyond her Southern past to appreciate her Northern man? When sorrow and fear threaten to conquer them both, they must overcome the odds to find the strength to forge a better life ahead.

This dramatic tale delves into the wonderful world of Elizabeth Gaskell’s epic North & South.


What do you think? Doesn't that sound intriguing and make you want to grab it and read it? If you want to pre-order, here is the link.

Author Bio:

Nicole Clarkston is a book lover and a happily married mom of three. Originally from Idaho, she now lives in Oregon with her own romantic hero, several horses, and one very fat dog. She has loved crafting alternate stories and sequels since she was a child watching Disney’s Robin Hood, and she is never found sitting quietly without a book of some sort.

Nicole discovered Jane Austen rather by guilt in her early thirties―how does any book worm really live that long without a little P&P? She has never looked back. A year or so later, during a major house renovation project, she discovered Elizabeth Gaskell and fell completely in love. Her need for more time with these characters led her to simultaneously write Rumours & Recklessness, a P&P inspired novel, and No Such Thing as Luck, a N&S inspired novel. Both immediately became best selling books. The success she had with her first attempt at writing led her to write three other novels that are her pitiful homage to two authors who have so deeply inspired her.

Nicole was recently invited to join Austenvariations.com, a group of talented authors in the Jane Austen Fiction genre. In addition to her work with the Austen Variations blog, Nicole can be reached through Facebook at http://fb.me/NicoleClarkstonAuthor, Twitter @N_Clarkston, her blog at Goodreads.com, or her personal blog and website, NicoleClarkson.com.

Contact Info: 


Would you like to read a little more about this wonderful story? I thought so. Here to intrigue you further is an excerpt and a few words from Nicole! Enjoy!


*****

The idea for Nowhere But North started two years ago during the blog tour for Northern Rain. I had written a couple of blog post vignettes that framed some of John Thornton’s early years, and both Janet Taylor and Rita Deodato planted the idea that I should do more with them.

I didn’t like the idea of writing a strict prequel (such as I did with The Courtship of Edward Gardiner) because the fun happens when we see Margaret and John together. I started thinking how much of their struggles had grown out of their different life experiences. The story of Nowhere But North is prequel, sequel, and variation, all wrapped up together, because we see the cycle of the characters’ former lives played out again in their life together. Woven through the main plot of their married life are key incidents that had shaped them in some way.

This excerpt is from early in the book. It takes place about twenty years before the main story, and here, we get our first glimpse of the man who had more to do with sending John Thornton down his rocky path than any other: his father, George.


Milton-Northern, 1835

“Did you break something, John? What in thunder are you doing up here?” The voice made its way up the hall and into the room long before its owner did.

Twelve-year-old John glanced up shamefacedly from the odd-shaped contraption in his hands. “I was trying to make it work, Father.”

George Thornton lowered himself to the nearest chair. He was a tall, well-built man of five and thirty, with keen dark eyes and a ready smile. “May I?” He held out his hand, and his son passed him the apparatus which had befuddled him.

“Oh, yes!” the father enthused when he recognised it. “Is it not Barlow’s wheel I brought home from London? My partner wished me to show this next week to a group of investors. But why is it not working? Was this the crash I heard?”

John reddened. “I dropped it. I am sorry, Father. Now it is misaligned, and I lost some of the mercury.”

Thornton fixed his son with a serious expression. “That is rather wasteful, my son. This was quite costly. You must find some way to repair it.”

Young John straightened. “I have some money set aside. I will go tomorrow to buy more mercury, Father, and I am certain I will have it good as new!”

The elder Thornton returned the wheel with a cheerful grin. “See that you do. I ought to discipline you—what will Wright say if he hears the model was destroyed before the investors even saw it? However,” he eyed his boy with a look that made him squirm, “I doubt you will make that same mistake again. Have you thought how to repair the frame?”

John turned it about, then pointed to a weak joint in the design. “If I heat it here, I think I can bend it to allow the wheel to spin easily again without compromising the strength of the metal.”

Thornton nodded in curt satisfaction. “That should work. It is a remarkable discovery, is it not?”

The boy’s eyes lit. “Father, only think what technology like this can achieve! If it were large enough, we could power anything. We would not need horses to pull our carriages, and perhaps even the steam engine itself will be replaced!”

“That will be a long way off, John, if it ever happens at all. Nothing else could ever produce so much power.”

John looked back to the marvel in his hands, unconvinced by his father’s scepticism. “I should still like to see it tried.”

George Thornton shrugged with an easy grin. “Perhaps someday it will be. Wright, my partner, seems to think as you do. Now, set that aside. I have something of rather great import to discuss with you. Tell me, John, how are you getting on with your studies?”

The boy shuffled in his chair, suddenly looking anywhere but at his father. “Well enough.”

“Would you still claim that, if I told you I had spoken with your master?” Thornton queried, his expression searching and hard. Jovial though he could be, his temper was not to be tried, and John knew it.

The lad dared to meet his father’s eyes. “I expect that I should not, Father.”

Thornton’s face revealed nothing; waiting, as he was, for his son to confess all.

“I did not complete my report on Constantine. And I did not memorise the third declension irregular nouns.”

“Yet your master claims you are the ablest boy in his schoolroom. Your scores in mathematics are perfect, and the master says that even with half the effort applied by the other boys, you excel in your Latin and Greek. Why is it, John, that my son should not be giving his very best, when he is capable of far more than he achieves?”

John stared at the floor, swallowing. He had already grown ashamed of himself, but it needed the convicting humiliation of his father’s discovery to galvanise his resolve to improve himself. “I shall do better.”

“John—” George leaned back in his chair—“I know you would rather be building machines like this—” he gestured to the wheel—“or working as other boys already do, but I would see you take the opportunity to improve yourself while you are yet young. It is a chance few have had, and I confess, I am envious of you.”

A reluctant sigh rose from the lad. “Yes, Father.”

“John…” Thornton hesitated, glancing at his son’s downturned face, and continued. “I have decided to send you to London for school.”

The boy’s face jerked up in horror. “Father, I promise I will work harder!”

“It is more than that. I speak of your future advantages. I am afraid it will not be a prestigious school, but Mr Wright’s family in Bentinck Street has offered to sponsor you, along with their own boys. With them, you will learn a great deal more than you can here. Many things are within Wright’s reach which are beyond mine, and you may even establish some connections which will be useful in your future.”

John forced himself to look up from the floor, his incredulous gaze seeking his father’s. “Will Mother be very unhappy that I am to go?”

Thornton gave a short, wry laugh. “It has taken me two years to persuade her to it. I wanted to send you to a public college, but she was firmly set against it—even could I have afforded it. At least with the Wrights, she has the comfort that you will be looked after by someone she knows, and people of our own class.”

Regret dimmed the boy’s features. “I will be sorry to leave her, though, Father.”

“Your mother is most occupied with Fanny at present. She is not strong, you know, and your mother fears….” The man’s voice trailed off as his cheek flinched in pain.

“She fears losing Fanny as she did Elizabeth,” John finished in a hushed tone. “Father, if… if the worst happens, may I return?”

“I expect your mother will insist upon it. She will miss you terribly, John, but I am convinced this is for the best.”

The boy lowered his head, then with a firm jaw and a determined glint in his eyes, met his father’s gaze once more. “I will not disappoint you, Father.”

George Thornton stood, and John followed. He placed a strong, work-hardened hand on his boy’s shoulder. “I know you will not. I am already proud of you—although, I do have hopes that your new physical education lessons in London will help you at last become master of this lanky frame of yours! I cannot afford for you to keep dropping my models.”

A sheepish smile grew on the adolescent face. “I am sorry, Father. I ought not to have touched it, but….”

“But you found it too intriguing to ignore? That’s the Thornton blood, John. We cannot help but dream of the future. Industry needs men like us, and who is to say? Perhaps someday you will turn this mechanical fascination of yours into something truly remarkable. You might even grow to be one of the greatest men in Milton, with a fine house and a business of your own.”

John turned adoring eyes to his father. None understood his ambitions quite so well! “Perhaps,” he grinned.


“Come,” Thornton ruffled his son’s hair. “Your mother is waiting for us to join her at breakfast.”

*****

Wasn't that a touching and heartrending scene. It broke my heart for the adolescent John Thornton. It also shows the intelligence of the man to be, with a slight hint to the future. 

Without further delay, I give you the front cover for Nowhere but North. We would love to hear your thoughts. 


What are your thoughts when you look at John and Margaret?

Now that you've seen the front cover, let's take a look at the full wrapper. 


The back cover hints at and gives you a taste of, some things to come.
Are you intrigued? We hope so!



Giveaway:

Nicole Clarkston is giving away 5 eBooks of Nowhere but North, to be delivered after release day, August 31st. Isn't that great! Thank you, Nicole, for hosting such a generous giveaway for my readers. I know they are as appreciative as I am. The giveaway will end on the 7th of August at 11:59 P.M. Good luck to all.

As a special treat to all, Nicole Clarkston is offering her first North & South variation, No Such Thing as Luck, for FREE! You read right! This book will be free, worldwide, for five days, starting today, August 1st and will be free through August 5th. Isn't that awesome! If you don't have it, now is the time to pick it up. You can get it on Amazon US, Amazon UK, and all other Amazons.



Nicole's second North & South variation, Northern Rain, will be offered on a Kindle Countdown Deal. The deal begins on August 6th and runs through August 11th.
The starting price is $.99 and will increase every 40 hours. This deal is US and UK only.
You will have forty hours to get this for $.99. Don't pass it up.


Thank you so much for joining us today. We hope you enjoyed the excerpt, loved the cover,
and are extremely excited about the giveaways and special deals.
I know you will love Nowhere but North!

A special thanks to you, Nicole Clarkston, for your generosity. Best wishes on your new book.
I look forward to its release on August 31st. I want to personally thank you for the honor
of designing your cover. As always, it is a joy to work with you.

103 comments:

  1. Lovely cover! Looking forward to opening it up. Wishing you continued success, Nicole!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great read, Janis. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much, Janis! I hope you enjoy a little JT love <3

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. I love her books, too, Leah! Glad you dropped in.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Leah, that just melts my heart. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Christina.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Christina! I hope you get a chance to read in the middle of your RC project! :-D

      Delete
  4. I have the two books offered although I haven't read them yet. Even though I am a big fan of John Thornton, I can't drag myself away from Darcy and Elizabeth. I will however as I'm a big fan of Nicole's writing. I like the idea of this new book and I love the cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a big fan of Nicole's writing too, Glynis! (and I love John Thornton, too) Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the cover.

      Delete
    2. AW, Glynis, thank you so much. I do hope you take a little time to drool over JT soon, he's certainly worth it!

      Delete
  5. Oh my goodness...I seem to be saying that a lot today! Love the cover and the sadness conveyed...but they are close together. Surely, John can figure something out. I can see the wheels spinning as he looks off into the distance. Love the excerpt! Congratulations to you both!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing what you see when looking at the cover. I'm glad you like it! Wasn't that a neat excerpt! I could just see Father and son talking. I'm so glad you stopped by. Good luck in the giveaway.

      Delete
    2. Sounds like a fun day for you, Aramis! You nailed John's look just perfectly. I hope you enjoy the read!

      Delete
  6. Great look on the cover. Looking forward to flipping through the inside... and getting the inside...of this inventive variation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Don. I appreciate you dropping in.

      Delete
    2. Thank you kindly, my lovely gent! I hope you enjoy the read!

      Delete
  7. This cover is simply gorgeous. Well done, Janet. I'm excited to get my hands on a copy I can hold and read. Congrats to you both and best wishes for a successful launch, Nicole.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joy. I'm thrilled you like it. I can wait to hold the book in my hands too. It is such a good story, isn't it! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
    2. Joy, I have to give you credit for all the little nudges to the plot here and there. Folks, this woman is a maestro!

      Delete
    3. Ha Ha! Not at all, Nicole. I don't think I have ever cried and smiled so much in a single story like I did this one. You, my dear, are brilliant. Thanks for letting me butt my nose in.

      Delete
    4. Joy, you stick your nose into anything you like, and I'll be kissing your feet for doing it. <3

      Delete
  8. The cover is gorgeous. I can't wait to finish reading the story...of only incidents in life would not get in the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will love the ending, Debbie! It wraps up so nicely! Life has a crazy way of messing up our reading time, doesn't it! LOL Glad you like the cover.

      Delete
    2. I hope you like one of the characters in particular, Debbie! ;-)

      Delete
  9. A gorgeous cover to what I know is a wonderful story. Nicole wrote it, after all! She’s one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it! Nicole wrote it...enough said! She is one of my favorites too. Glad you stopped by and happy you love the cover. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Aw, thank you, Pam. I so appreciate your kind words, and thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. I like the cover, so understated, and look forward to reading the book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet is the best there is, no bones about it. She was in on this story from the beginning and knew exactly how to bring out the feelings. Genius!

      Delete
    2. Thanks to both of you. Glad you liked it, Susan. Nicole, it was such fun being in on this awesome story from the beginning and trying to portray it through the cover. It'a a privilege.

      Delete
  11. I'm so happy that you are releasing another North & South book. I know this is one I will really enjoy. Congrats on the release.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so, darcybennett! This one has been in the works a long time, and I'm so excited to be finishing it up. Thank you!

      Delete
    2. We need more N&S books don't we! I'll be glad to hear what you think of this one after you get to read it. It is sooo good!

      Delete
  12. I have read No Such Thing as Luck and Northern Rain (multiple times). Love Nicole's writing (re: both N&S and P&P) and have been waiting for this new book for a long time. I'm excited it is almost here, and the cover looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TC, thank you so much for you comments! And I love your initials (my husband's name is Tony!). I am so glad you have been looking forward to this one. The wait is ALMOST over!

      Delete
    2. Me too, TC. I love all of Nicole's writing as well. I think you will love this one just as much, if not more. Glad to hear you like the cover. :)

      Delete
  13. I love this snippet Nicole posted months ago and have come back to it several times hungry for more. It's a beautiful and bittersweet beginning, and certainly different from most variations out there. The new excerpt she shared a few days away via her newsletter has whetted my appetite even more.

    The cover design is lovely as usual and makes the whole package even more appealing. I own and have read both "No such Thing as Luck" and "Northern Rain"- which I also purchased and listened to as audiobooks last year. In case anyone's interested, here are Nicole's pages on AudibleUS and AudibleUK: http://tinyurl.com/ycau85zx http://tinyurl.com/ybjrqj49

    Thank you so much for organising this raffle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Guillermina, thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate your kind words and support. We certainly need more N&S variations out there, don't we? I am so glad you have been looking forward to this one, it really makes it all worthwhile.

      Delete
    2. What a wonderful comment, Guillermina. Isn't the beginning of this book beautiful! Awww, I have read back over it several times. Awesome! Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you think the cover design is lovely.

      Delete
  14. I enjoyed the excerpt, Nicole, and the cover is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shannon. Wasn't that a good excerpt...so touching! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  15. Janet, thank you for such a beautiful post!
    You did a wonderful job with this post and the cover. I never get tired of admiring your work.
    This cover is pure perfection!!! I absolutely love it. And of course, I’ll have to buy the paperback with a cover such as this :))
    I was very lucky to read an advanced copy of Nowhere But North and I honestly think it’s Nicole’s best N&S variation, I highly recommend it to everyone.
    Thank you so much for presenting us with such an emotional and beautiful book Nicole, and thank you Janet for once more creating a cover that matches the beauty and perfection of the book :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rita! I have your blog to thank for that one vignette that started it all. It's in the book—edited, of course ;-). Thank you for all your support and love of N&S

      Delete
    2. Hi Rita! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the post. Thank you also for all the lovely things you said about the cover. You have certainly made my week! You are such a good supporter of my work and that means more to me than you will ever know. I appreciate you. You couldn't be more accurate when speaking of the beauty and perfection of the book. Isn't it just wonderful! Nicole is such a good writer and story teller.

      Delete
  16. Such a gorgeous cover! I'm so glad Nicole continues to write the N&S variations. I loved her Northern Rain so much. This one looks lovely, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sophia! I appreciate your kind words, and thanks for stopping by. Soon, very soon!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Sophia Rose. Aren't we glad that she continues to write N&S variations. We need more of them. I loved Northern Rain too. Those first few pages grab you and don't let go until the end. Then you think on some more. You will love this one, too!

      Delete
  17. Congratulations, Nicole! A touching cover and intriguing excerpt. Thank you for the chance to win a copy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Virginia. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Virginia! Good luck in the drawing

      Delete
  18. I love your North and South variations and can’t wait to read this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it, alp! Thank you so much for stopping by.

      Delete
    2. Doesn't she write great N&S books! Her P&P are excellent too. Thanks for dropping by.

      Delete
  19. ahh, the cover!

    loved the excerpt.

    denise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Denise! Janet is a genius, isn't she? My favorite cover so far.

      Delete
    2. Glad you loved the excerpt. Thanks, Denise.

      Delete
  20. This cover is gorgeous, front and back! Thanks for the excerpt too, although it made me feel bad for young John, as I'm presuming it'll only be a few years before he has to support his mother and sister :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes... and that comes up soon. It was an interesting experience, getting to know him as a young fella. I have a total crush! Thank you for stopping by and for sharing the posts, Ceri!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Ceri. I'm glad you like both. The excerpt made me feel for young John, too. Knowing what is coming makes it hard not to feel a bit bad for him. Thanks for popping in.

      Delete
  21. Love the young John and how you can see the makings of the man. AND love the cover! Congratulations on a new release!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jen! I happen to be married to an engineer, and I have a 12 year old boy in my house who thinks JUST LIKE THIS. Does that mean I'm raising John Thornton... good heavens, I hope not, because that would mean I'm....

      Delete
    2. The making of a strong man are evidenced in the excerpt and that was so good. Thank you for stopping by and I'm happy you love the cover.

      Delete
  22. Great cover! Congrats on your new release!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kaylee! Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Kaylee. It's great you stopped by. I can't wait to have this book in my hands! How about you?

      Delete
  23. So thrilled for a N&S variation. Love the cover. Wonderful excerpt. Can’t wait!!! Congratulations!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need more, don't we? Thank you for your sweet words, Becky!

      Delete
    2. Me too, Becky. We need more N&S don't we! Thank you dropping in.

      Delete
  24. I enjoyed "No Such Thing as Luck", and I really liked the updated cover for that book. The cover for the new book is also great! I would love to enter the drawing for a copy of the new book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jennie! I agree with you, the updated cover was so much better! Janet keeps getting better and better, too. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. Nicole and I met because of No Such Thing as Luck. I loved that book! I'm thrilled you like the updated cover for it!

      Delete
  25. I like the premise of this book. Congratulations on its release.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Patty! I do hope you enjoy it. I've never tried anything like this before, so I'm biting my nails!

      Delete
    2. I think you will enjoy the book, Patty. Thanks for stopping by and good luck.

      Delete
  26. Ah, my comment from last night seems to have disappeared into cyberspace! Just popped in to say how much I love this cover, especially in its entirety. Really enjoying listening to No Such Thing as Luck on my commutes at the moment. And for anyone who hasn't read Northern Rain yet, just wait till you get to "the kitchen scene". Be still my heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, Anji! That scene was a favorite of mine, too. I hope you enjoy some special moments in both NTSAL and NBN!

      Delete
    2. Hi Anji! I'm so glad you make it by. I always love reading your thoughts. Happy to hear you love the entire cover! Isn't it wonderful to listen Nicole's stories! I feel the same about the kitchen scene in Northern Rain. I don't know how many times I have read that one part. :)

      Delete
  27. Bless his heart. Little boys and contraptions... they simply cannot resist them. That is a beautiful cover and makes me think that together that couple can weather anything. Blessings on the success of this work Nicole. Thanks Janet for hosting and sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jeanne! Yes, I hope they can pull through together. They certainly deserve their happiness! Thanks for stopping by <3

      Delete
    2. Those are true words about little boys and contraptions, Jeanne. It was nice reading your thoughts on the cover. It was my pleasure to host. I thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Delete
  28. What a gorgeous cover and WOW, what a book! A John and Margaret aranged marriage scenario, how delicious is that? Nicole, you're such an awesome writer and Janet, the cover is fabulous! Huge congrats and thanks for creating such gems, lovely ladies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, Joana! You are such a dear. Thank you for your generous praise of the cover! The book is so good and Nicole is an awesome writer. You are spot on, "Wow, what a book!"

      Delete
    2. Oh, Joana, you are so kind! Thank you, my dear. I so appreciate your encouragement on this project!

      Delete
  29. I'm thrilled to hear that you published another N&S story - and both the wonderful cover with the expressive posture of the couple and the heartwarming excerpt (what a horrible thing to know John is soon going to lose this understanding and supportive father...) well, both increase my anticipation! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Agnes! Yeah, it's rough on our poor guy. But maybe... just maybe, he learned some valuable stuff from that guy. ;-)

      Delete
    2. Hi Agnes. Thanks for dropping by. I'm happy to hear the excerpt and cover have increased your anticipation for the book. It is a wonderful story and I feel sure you will enjoy it. The excerpt was so heartwarming as are many scenes in this story.

      Delete
  30. Thank you for this post Janet! I really appreciate Nicole's works! I don't have so much North and south variations but I really love Margareth and John's love story! I like your cover, especially the main characters on the back, they seem so tender!!!
    Good luck everyone for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they a lovely couple? That pose on the back was Janet's idea, and I was over the moon when she showed it to me. Thank you so much for stopping by, Loren <3

      Delete
    2. Hi Loren. I'm so happy you stopped by and shared your thoughts. I love Margaret and John too. They have a wonderful love story. If you haven't read all of Nicole's N&S variations, I highly recommend them. I'm glad you like the cover and the pose on the back cover. I especially wanted that scene to have John's hand on Margaret's face when he kissed her forehead. I was glad Nicole agreed! :) Good luck in the giveaway.

      Delete
  31. Congrats on the impending publication of Nowhere but North, Nicole. And thank you for making your first N&S book for free. I've grab it and look forward to the day that I'll read it. The man in the cover somehow remind me of Ross Poldark. Was it intentional? I loved it and the entertaining excerpt as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Luthien! I hope you enjoy No Such Thing. If he looks like Ross Poldark to you, you'll have to ask Janet about that!

      Delete
    2. Sylvia, it was not intentional for the guy on the cover to look like Ross Poldark, although it certainly would not have been a bad idea! :) I'm glad you got Nicole's first N&S book. You will love it. I feel sure you will love this latest too. Thanks so much for stopping by, and good luck.

      Delete
  32. I’m so giddy! My friend and I have been anxiously awaiting Nowhere But North since reading the excerpt in No Such Luck. I texted her as soon as I read your blog even though it was after midnight! :) Thank you for the excerpt with the endearing exchange between John & his father. It’s bittersweet knowing what ultimately happens when poor George is gone. The cover is wonderful and conveys how supportive they are of one another through thick & thin. The back cover is a lovely surprise and very touching. I enjoy your stories very much Nicole. No Such Luck is definitely one my faves! I mean John & Margaret coincidentally on the same ship for days on end...what’s not to love! :) ~Sandra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Sandra! I know what you mean about No Such Thing as Luck, with John and Margaret being on the same ship. That was such a good book and I adored their together time. *Swoon* I have been so anxious for Nowhere but North to release too. You will love it! I loved reading your thoughts about the cover and what it made you see/think. Thank you. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. I am thrilled that you love John and Margaret, Sandra! I hope you enjoy the style of this book and the moments of John and Margaret becoming the people we know. Thank you so much for your kind words and support!

      Delete
  33. Oh,what an utterly beautiful cover.
    To see John staring into space,looking so pensive as if he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders,is so heart wrenching.
    I'm relieved to see him seeking comfort and empathy from his beloved Margaret.
    Yes,they may be facing severe trials but their body language suggests they will put on a brace and united front in the face of such troubles and worries as they endeavour to overcome them.
    Margatet,sitting at his side,facing the same way as John,appears to be anchoring him and gently reminding him that she's there, an ever present aide,partner and helpmeet, understanding his woes,be they verbal or unspoken.
    Such a cover illustrates their inherent closeness and suitability.
    From the back cover,I'm presuming that the mill is set alight,hopefully there will be few,if any,casualties and that the mill will be able to withstand such a disaster.

    Loved reading this every. The young and inquisitive John,the child as father of the man he was to become.

    Congrats to all concerned for this interesting and intriguing cover. It was obviously a labour of love,one which has touched potential readers' hearts.
    Best of luck with your new book,Nicole!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a beautiful view of the cover do you have Mary! <3

      Delete
    2. Hello, Mary! Didn't Janet do a stunning job? She really caught them at a defining moment there. I think you will find that the fire in the story is actually more metaphorical, but still real enough to refine them. I hope you enjoy it!

      Delete
    3. Your words for the cover and your thoughts have me in awe, Mary. I loved reading what you saw and felt looking at the cover, both front and back. It is inspiring. You saw the feeling we were trying to convey. Thank you for taking the time and energy to relay those thoughts to us. It means the world, believe me. It was a labor of love and I'm thrilled beyond words that it touched your heart. The cover had lots to live up to as the story is so fantastic. It will touch your heart even more.

      Wasn't the excerpt a touching a lovely scene! I enjoy reading about some of the good times that happened with John and his father, even if John felt a bit bad at first. His father understood him and that was worth a fortune. It speaks of the wonderful man we all know John will become. I can just see it all happening.

      Thanks for stopping by, Mary.

      Delete
  34. I am definitely going to read this book. I have so loved your other books, Nicole. Father was tough on John and knowing father's own future makes me wonder at his words. But we know John overcomes all obstacles. Love the cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wasn't it a great excerpt! Thanks for stopping by and glad you like the cover.

      Delete