Well the Old West equals romance once  again!  At least that was the opinion of most Range & River customers in February 2017 AND 2016!  Winning the Widow’s Heart won by a 2 to 1 margin – really – despite the whole laundry aspect that I found just a little disturbing.  A man lovingly cradling the baby though, that tugs the heartstrings!  Many voters did really appreciate the Bodie view, so maybe it had nothing to do with laundry on or off the models.

Last year’s winner had a fully clothed Western theme too.

The Runner Up award goes to the notoriously muscular Highlander on To Marry A Scottish Laird.  It has a nice color scheme.

Our friend Elan chose the lucky gift certificate winners.  The team of Mackenzie and Camilla, as well as artist Ken Hooper  (who knows a good action cover when he sees one),  won $25 gift certificates for books or music of whatever genre they love most.

You can bet we will include a Western cover next year, to see if this trend continues.  Thanks for playing everyone!

So excited to present the Romance Cover Contestants for the year!  We’ve gone with a romantic Bride theme because… well because there are some great ones! It may also be an “Awkward Pose” theme, but that is for you to decide.  To participate in this titillating contest, all you have to do is select your favorite cover and cast your vote (daily if you want)  here in comments, in person in the store, or by email.

We don’t judge, or make any rules about what constitutes a favorite cover.  These doozies get picked for their eye roll quality, beauty, actual romantic quality, silliness…you get the idea. Interestingly, four of the five are from the 2010’s, proving that bodice rippers endure.

We will tally the votes at the end of the month to declare the official People’s Choice winner, and then draw some winners from the voters to receive RRB Gift Certificates.  Don’t you wish national elections were this much fun?

Here are the 2017 Contestants:

#1  To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands  (2014)

Highlanders like pirates are a favorite for covers, I guess it is the kilts?  Or Swords?  This swooning princess has found herself a Laird who is going to catch pneumonia in the chilly Highlands.

#2  The Earl Claims His Wife  by Cathy Maxwell (2010)

Well isn’t this blue dress pretty?  What more needs to be said?

#3  Winning the Widow’s Heart by Sherri Shackelford  (2012)

Is it holding the baby, or watching her do laundry in Bodie that will capture this poor woman’s lonely heart?  Read on to find out! He is clearly a very sweet man, taking time out from playing poker to hold this cherub.

(This is a fully clothed option for all of you that turn shades of pink looking at the others.)

#4  Wyoming Bride  by Joan Johnston (2013)

 Author Joan Johnston has been in the line up before with her spicy Cowboy covers.  I think this is also a contender for “most awkward pose”.  I’m also amazed that he wore his gun belt for the wedding, clearly he had a lot of protecting to do, and hoping he loses it before things go any further….just dangerous.

#5  Mountain Rose  by Norah Hess  (1993)

Not yet a bride in this cover art, but the hero Chase Donlin’s niece…wait, what?  Hmmm,  clearly there is more to this story .  This couple is in the mountains on a trapping expedition that appears to get steamy.  An early voter already declared this the most “expressive” contestant.  I just hope it is not his niece.

Thank you all for participating in our Story Time Tree Contest!  Gift Certificate winners were drawn today, and we are happy to announce that Priscilla and Ashley each won $25 gift certificates for their own stack of stories.

Adults (presumably) offered some of the more creative story suggestions this year.  Some of our favorites included Origin of the Species, The Golden Compass, The Hobbit, The Slow Snail, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Velveteen Rabbit (finally someone saw this!)  Madeline (another one I’ve been waiting for!) Wild Swans (yay HCA!) , Yeats Collected Works (umm, not sure which ornament), Watership Down, and Voyage of the Beagle.  A younger participant found Sinbad, which is new, Leprechauns at Late Winter, which I haven’t seen, and Polar Bears Past Bedtime.  Nice work Jimmy!

The Annual Romance Cover Contest is always fun – we thoroughly enjoy the comments from customers, and in the case of the Adkins’ family, the “conversation bubbles” inspired by these spectacular and (I think) funny covers.  I can still be surprised by the voting, and I certainly was this year with my “pink dress” themed choices!  The top choice was Stubborn as A Mule from the Back to the Ranch series.  I was focused on the horsey looking “mule”, clearly Harlequin did not have a great batch of stock mule photos to use for inspiration, but others liked the title, the intense look on the heroine’s face, the scenery, the “local angle, and more than anything else, the fact that both were clothed!  Geez!

Crimson Obsession was the runner up, certainly a more traditional bodice ripper, or in this case zipper ripper I guess.  One of the drawing winners was pleased to accept this volume as part of their prize too!  The 1950’s scandalous covered classic, Tess of the D’Urbervilles was the third place winner.  My favorite, the sword wielding heroine in Seduced by a Spy, sadly, came in last.  Oh well.

The gift certificate drawing winners were Julie Nellis and Ken Hooper.  Thanks for playing everyone!  I have some great Sci Fi covers just waiting in the wings ready for another contest…..

We have some doozies to choose from this year!

Our annual Romance Cover Contest is here.  All you have to do is pick your “favorite” cover from the five selections we’ve set aside for the year.  We’ll tally the results at the end of February so everyone can appreciate the twisted tastes of your neighbors, plus we’ll draw a lucky entry to win a $25 gift certificate! You can enter online with an email or comment below too!  One vote per day is the only stipulation.

It is always hard to select five from the many entertaining cover art examples, so this year we opted for the pink dress choices.  Well four pink dresses and one pink plaid shirt.  Here they are…

#1:     Seduced By A Spy ( Andrea Pickens, 2008)  Her pink dress is clearly about to hit the floor, so it won’t be hiding that big sword any more!  The heroine needs to eliminate the wicked Russian assassin/spy, but I guess we can assume that doesn’t happen…

#2:     Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy, 1952 Cardinal edition)  Now here is a literary classic with an extra lurid, 1950’s cover, including the pink dress notice.  Plus bare feet.  “the classic novel of a woman’s unwilling fall from virtue.”

#3     Ripe for Seduction (Isobel Carr, 2012)  This is one of a “Ripe for…” Trilogy, so yes, I did pick this for the title, and the pink dress.  Poor Lady Olivia has to deal with an indecent offer from the incorrigible Roland Devere, and you can see where that led.  This may be the steamiest book of the batch, (judging by the back cover), but of course you don’t have to read the book!

#4     Stubborn as a Mule (Roz Denny, 1993)  First let me say, that I’m glad to hear that stubborn is considered romantic!  Second, check out that crazy looking mule!  Or Mulho, as one customer already suggested!  This tale takes place in the Sierra town, Jessup, California, and yes the young woman is the mule rancher – maybe it is a local story after all.

#5     Crimson Obsession (Deana James, 1988)  Admire please, this young heroine’s pink hair matches her pink dress, and will hopefully stay on longer!  These 80’s covers with the bright color and holograms were just over the top!  And what is going on with his mask?  You know you want to find out!