Cover Love - Tania Crosse Celebrates Her Beautiful New Bookcover

This week I am delighted to welcome historical novelist Tania Crosse back to my blog so she can share the gorgeous cover of her latest book, The Convent Girl.

Over the past couple of years, my lovely new publishers, Joffe Books, have gathered up all my previous Devon sagas under one roof and re-released them, mainly under new titles and all of them with fabulous new covers. Whether they be Victorian, First World War or 1950s, the images are fresh and bright, reflecting not only the era in which they are set, but also the personality of the main character.

Now I’m absolutely thrilled with the stunning cover for my brand new novel, The Convent Girl, set mainly in Plymouth in the pre-war years and during the Plymouth Blitz. The background image is typical of the narrow, cobbled streets of the Barbican, the Elizabethan area of the city behind the harbour that features strongly in the story. One of the buildings is tile-hung, a typical architectural feature in West Devon and Cornwall, while the Spitfires and bunting indicate that this is a Second World War story.

What I love most about the cover is the image of the figure. In a 1940s dress – bright red to catch the eye – she is looking back warily over her shoulder. Though there is strength in her expression, her face is creased with anxiety. Is she running from someone or something, does she have a secret that no one must discover? It just fits so perfectly with the plot that I feel readers will be intrigued by the cover and want to read the story – just what a good cover should do. Although a different era from my other Devon titles, this cover slots in brilliantly with the others in the series, so thank you, Joffe Books. Once again, you’ve really done me proud!

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Blurb:

1941. Bombs are falling all over Plymouth. Young Maisie O’Sullivan must make a choice that will change her life for ever.

Maisie O’Sullivan yearns for a family of her own. Raised in a convent-run orphanage, she believed she was all alone in the world until her very much alive father, Francis, arrives unexpectedly to take her back to live with him in Plymouth. But Francis clearly has no feelings for her, and only wants Maisie to act as his skivvy.

But Maisie is resilient. She surrounds herself with a family of her own making. Lovely old Zeek, her grandfather-like neighbour. Feisty Kitty, her inseparable friend who looks so like Maisie, they are often mistaken for sisters. Young fisherman Nick, her kind and patient boyfriend.

Now as war breaks out across Europe, Maisie increasingly seeks Nick’s steady, solid comfort. But when he volunteers for the Naval Reserve, Maisie is convinced her one chance of happiness — a home and family of her own — is slipping away.

Determined to never be alone again, Maisie makes a momentous decision that will take her life in a very unexpected direction.

The Convent Girl on Amazon.