What's the old saying? You can't judge a book by its cover? But we do. One quick glance at the cover--whether on a bookshelf or staring back from the screen of a digital device--is a visual representation of a book's contents. While a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, it won't stretch to reveal the 60,000 or so contained in most full length novels. Nevertheless, the picture on the front is the first make-or-break decision point for most of us who read. Say the book cover has a dagger dripping blood, or a couple of naked human bodies. I already know to move on because the picture has communicated an image that does not match my personal tastes. On the other hand, a woman in Elizabethan dress? Etruscan Art? Hmmm, let me check this out. My co author and I just spent a couple of days in discussions with our publisher, Prism Book Group--wonderful people to work with--fine-tuning the cover of our upcoming release "Daughter of the King" We pored over images, colors, fonts, placement, every detail. That's because I've learned from some unpleasant past experiences the cover tells its own story. If it isn't true to the essence of the book behind the cover, nothing works. I hope readers will be captivated by the face we finally all agreed IS Princess Michal, looking out regally at the world with the Tower of David in the background. This particular princess could not be represented by a cartoon or a homely face; that's just not her. How do I know? I've lived with this character in my head and flowing onto paper for some time now. After a while, you just know. Enjoy, dear reader. "Daughter of the King" is coming soon.