Cover Reveal: The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones + Giveaway

21 September, 2016 Cover Reveals, Giveaways 15 comments

authorphotoToday we are super pleased to have the lovely Emily Lloyd-Jones on the blog to reveal the cover of her upcoming novel: THE HEARTS WE SOLD. Check out our interview, the cover and enter to win an ARC!

1. How did you come up with the premise for THE HEARTS WE SOLD?

I was daydreaming.

My mind was wandering, as it has a tendency to do. And as I sifted through various plots and potential stories, I was struck by the image of a teenage girl striding out of a hospital. I imagined her walking up to a beautiful, otherworldly creature and asking for her heart’s desire.

The creature replied he could give it to her – and all it would cost is her heart.

I’ve been fascinated by Faustian stories since high school, when “The Monkey’s Paw” was required reading. A character asks for something they think they want, only to be horrified by the result. I love stories in which tricksters play upon human desires, and even more, when the character shrewdly evades whatever dire fate awaits them.

All of these thoughts were running through my head as I considered that teenage girl. There was no question she would give up her heart, I realized. Because everyone has something. That one thing that we would trade away a piece of ourselves for. We all have that desire.

And then, my imagination did what it always does – it spun off in several different directions and I spent the next hour scribbling notes until I had the bones of a novel sitting before me.

And so HEARTS was born.

2. We know that every writer has a different writing space to help get their creative juices flowing: Lazy-boys, comfy beds, coffee houses, and traditional desks. What does your writing space like?

My writing space is very informal. I do have a desk… but I rarely use it for writing. Most often, I’m sitting sideways on my couch, a pillow propped up behind me, and a cup of tea on the coffee table. My cat can usually be found behind me, sitting on the armrest and demanding head scratches every so often.

You can’t see the cat hair from here, but trust me. It’s there.

Emily Lloyd-Jones writing area

3. What was the most challenging aspect of the novel to write?

As odd as it sounds, it was difficult writing a character who struggles with some of the same issues that I do. I mean, it should be easier, right? But it was actually quite challenging.

Specifically, I wanted to write a main character who doesn’t feel like she’s the heroine – not even of her own story. I wanted to write about a girl who is anxious and not at all confident, and regards herself as someone else’s sidekick. So many of the characters I have written were… not quite reckless but willing to throw themselves into an adventure. Dee had to be coaxed into it, and it made her character very difficult to nail down.

4. What did your editing process look like (in gif form)?

editing

I picked this particular gif because (a.) I love House and (b.) I do a lot of word-cutting. My drafts are always overlong at first and part of me revels in carnage of taking down the word count.

5. We really love how the cover gives off a deliciously eerie vibe. Tell us your thoughts on the cover! Was it what you pictured or did it take you by surprise?

Thank you! I really like it, too! I’m very thankful to have a publisher that creates beautiful books. I went into HEARTS with few expectations about what the cover would look like, not being a designer myself. The feel is very different from that of my previous titles, but it’s no less gorgeous. And that font. I am utterly in love with that title font.

Thank you for having me!

[about-author]

 

And now for the cover!!

The Hearts We Sold

When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a demon—her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life—she finds the trade may have been more than she bargained for. And becoming “heartless” is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she could have ever imagined.
With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something grows between them amid an otherworldy ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give someone her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?

Giveaway

Emily is giving away an ARC of THE HEARTS WE SOLD and a knitted heart to one lucky Cuddlebuggery reader!

the hearts we sold

Giveaway Rules:

  • To enter, please fill out the Raffelcopter form below.
  • We ask that all entrants be at least 13 years or older to enter.
  • The giveaway is open to US and Canada only.
  • When the winners are chosen, it will be announced here and the winners will be emailed.
  • Please enter your email address in the Rafflecopter form and not the comments.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 Responses to “Cover Reveal: The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones + Giveaway”

  1. Asma

    Ahhhh, the cover’s so PRETTY. I can’t wait to read this one, Emily Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorite authors 😀

  2. Keesha

    Ohmygosh it looks suPER CREEPY I LOVE IT!!! I can’t wait to read it😍

    P.s do we know if there will be another sequel to illusive/deceptive?

  3. Mariah Johnston

    This cover is GORGEOUS!! I adored Illusive and Deceptive, and am absolutely out of this world excited for The Hearts We Sold.

  9. Veronica Vasquez

    I’ve got to read this book, it sounds fantastic! And the cover is amazing!!

  12. Chenise Jones

    The cover really reflects the eerieness that the synopsis gives off! Can’t wait to read it!

  13. Carina Olsen

    Lovely cover reveal post Steph 😀 Thank you so much for sharing. <3 That cover do look pretty amazing 😀 I like it. Sounds like an interesting book too. <3