"Spirit of the Knight" Gets a Cover!

My August post "Of Haunted Castles and BookCovers," found me anxiously (hand-wringing, sweating, pacing...well, you get the idea) awaiting my book cover for my soon-to-be released novel, "Spirit of the Knight." As you might recall, I fervently hoped a castle would grace the cover in some small fashion. Debbie Taylor, of Dca Graphics, did not disappoint...

Cover by Debbie Taylor

Not only did she not disappoint; she used one of the very castles that inspired my fictional castle... the mysterious, Eilean Donan.  According to a host of witnesses, this castle, which is situated in Loch Druich, is truly haunted.  This beautiful edifice was all but destroyed in the year 1719. History records that three frigates from the Royal Navy bombarded the castle for three full days while fighting Spanish mercenaries who supported the Scots during the Jacobite rebellion.  It is believed that the ghostly soldier often seen carrying his head inside the gift shop, lost his life--and his head--during this battle.

He's not the only man to lose his head in an altercation in this location either. In the year 1331, after defeating his enemies, Robert the Bruce became king of Scotland. He subsequently made his nephew, Randolph, the Earl of Moray, the warden of Scotland. For their lack of respect for the law, Randolph promptly executed fifty men and hung their heads on pikes from the battlements of the castle. He did this as a warning to all those who would follow their lead. (Ick...)

Of Haunted Castles and Book Covers....

I read it one more time for good measure, took a deep breath...and hit the submit key. That didn't stop the butterflies from swarming though. It happens each time I fill out the information sheet required for my cover art. And why? Because all the while I am writing my books, I envision the perfect couple in the perfect setting to grace the cover. To date, my covers haven't even come close to the one I imagined. 

Not unexpected, but  more often than not, somehow disappointing nonetheless.

Now, in regards to my newly contracted novel, "Spirit of the Knight",  I'm hoping a medieval castle graces the cover, if even off in the distance. After all, there were many such castles that influenced my fictional castle in the novel.  And in light of that fact, l decided to treat you to a couple of them today...

Eilean Donan  geograph.org.uk Anne Burgess

Eilean Donan, built in the 13th century, sits on an island and is surrounded by three lochs.  The castle is both breath-taking and mysterious. It's also haunted. According to a plethora of witnesses, a 17th century Spanish soldier, killed during the Jacobite rebellion is often seen carrying the head he lost in battle... Apparently his favorite place to haunt is the gift shop, so if you're not of a mind to encounter a ghost, perhaps you should do your shopping elsewhere. Oh, and Lady Mary still hangs around the castle as well. She is usually found in one of the bedrooms of the castle.

Roslin Castle Taken by r:Supergolden