Thursday, August 05, 2010

GUEST – Marilee Brothers

BOOK COVERS & GRAND GIRLS

When Deb Dixon emailed me the proposed book cover for Moon Spun, I thought, “Hmm, that girl looks familiar,” and immediately filed it away in a dusty part of my brain labeled, “Things to think about when I have more time.” Now you know why it’s dusty.

We recently had a visit from our daughter-in-law and two granddaughters, Madelyn and Arianna. Since Maddie and Ari make their debut as hedge row pixies in Moon Spun, they were anxious to see the cover. I led them to the computer and opened the file. My daughter-in-law exclaimed, “I don’t believe it! She looks like Madelyn!” The aforementioned thought woke up and shook off the dust. Bingo! We had our very own cover girl.

I’m sure you can guess what happened next. We simply had no choice. We had to re-create the Moon Spun cover with eight-year-old Madelyn as our model. I grabbed my digital camera which I despise. It’s teensy, weensy buttons have caused me moments of utter frustration, immediately followed by colorful cursing. I silently promised to control myself. After all, I was in the presence of children.

We chose an outdoor setting next to our flowering plum tree. Daughter-in-law, Trini, arranged Madelyn’s hair and positioned her in the correct pose. It was then we discovered it was practically impossible for the child to not smile. She’s a naturally happy little girl and comes from a long line of beautiful, photogenic Latino women with sparkling smiles, shiny dark hair and expressive brown eyes. Madelyn was born to smile. It’s in her DNA. Little sister? Not so much. She may have inherited a recessive gene from Grandma Marilee. The one that goes, “Give me three good reasons I should do what you say.”

The photo shoot was complicated by Arianna demanding we take a picture of her hanging from a tree limb and Mauli, our Labrador retriever, who kept wandering into the scene. Finally, Trini snapped, “Madelyn, close your mouth and look sad,” and we got the shot we wanted. I fumbled around trying to press the right button to review the pictures and the display went black. Trini said, “Oops, I think Grandma deleted the picture.” Well, damn! Who has fingers that tiny?

More fumbling ensued as my evil camera chuckled to itself, thwarting every effort to locate the picture I just knew had to be perfect. Muttering to myself, I persevered and finally found it lurking in a dark alley along with a dozen other photos I’d given up hope of ever recovering. Yes! Grandma didn’t delete the picture after all.

I have the book cover and the picture of Madelyn pinned up on the wall next to my computer where I can see them every day. They bring me great joy. Do you believe in magic? I do. How else can one explain the serendipity of the girl on my book cover and granddaughter looking so much alike? As for that danged camera . . . its days are numbered!

15 comments:

Cindy Gerard said...

Welcome Marilee and congrats on the new release. the cover is fabo - for many reasons :o)
And absolutely, I believe in magic. I see it every time I looking in my grandchildren's beautiful eyes. Pure. Simple. Magic!

Keri Ford said...

Hi Marilee. Congrats on the release! that cover is beautiful, but Madelyn and Arianna out shine it!

KylieBrant said...

Welcome to the convertible, Marilee! Your granddaughters are simply breathtaking. Who could look at them and not believe in magic?

Marilee Brothers said...

Thanks for the comments about the cover and my beautiful grand girls. I couldn't agree more.
BTW, the name Kylie Brant is very familiar at my house. Kylie and I have entered the same RWA contests for the last six month! Each time the results came out, I'd say to my husband, "Dang, she did it again!"
"Kylie Brant?"
"Yep, she beat me again!"
Kylie, no hard feelings. You are an awesome writer!
Marilee

Leanne said...

Welcome and congratulations Marilee! And wow the resemblance IS both amazing and magical! Too cool! Thanks for sharing!:)

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful cover and your beautiful granddaughters, Marilee. I'm jealous of both. :)

Helen Brenna said...

Welcome, Marilee! Beautiful cover, beautiful granddaughters and this is definitely a magical happening.

When my first book came out, Treasure, all my relatives kept asking how I managed to get myself on the cover! Heroine looks like a younger version of me. Much younger!

Debra Dixon said...

Welcome Marilee!

When I was putting up the blog last night, the grandgirls brought a smile to my face as I was working. What's not to like about those cutie-pies?

So...Kylie's doing a big smack down on the lovely THE ROCK AND ROLL QUEEN OF BEDLAM? Darn that woman and those judges!

(Psst...Kylie, you know I loves ya.)

Marilee Brothers said...

Yes, as competion goes, Kylie is a worthy but formidable opponent. I did pull one out, though - the Booksellers' Best. My theory is the judges felt sorry for me!

LSUReader said...

So, so sweet. Aren't grandkids the best? Congrats on the book release.

KylieBrant said...

LOL, Marilee, I was just going to say I thought you won the BBA1 I cheered when I heard your name called, too :)

Kathleen Eagle said...

Oooohhhh, granddaughters! They look like they're close to the ages of mine--8 and 6--and we absolutely believe in magic and pixies and Karma in our household.

What a gorgeous cover! Not long ago I blogged about a cover my daughter played a part in. She was about 13 at the time, and she was holding up an old beautifully beaded dress in the photo I sent. The cover heroine could have been Elizabeth all grown up. It was so much fun!

Marilee, I love the colors in the cover. Belle Books does it again! I would--and will--snatch that off the shelf in a heartbeat. I can't wait to read MOON SPUN! (Great title, too.)

Marilee Brothers said...

Since I had 3 sons,it's been fun adding girls to the family. All 4 gilrs are in Moon Spun. The 2 little ones are pixies, the teenagers are water sprites. Such fun!
Marilee

Christie Ridgway said...

Love the photos and the cover, Marilee. So much like your granddaughter!

I hear you on the sons. I have two and am looking forward to the future when I'm not outnumbered and I can buy cute girl clothes!

Thanks for riding w/us today.

Marilee Brothers said...

It's been fun!
Marilee