The Subtleties of an Evolving Book Cover

I know I've posted pics of the cover of my upcoming novel before but this is the real thing, folks! I actually have a book in my hands. After squeeing, swooning and pinching myself, I noticed subtle changes to the cover compared to the advanced reading copy (ARC).  I did not think the cover on the ARC could possibly be improved but the brilliant designer Phil Falco somehow made it happen.

Check it out. Here's what the cover looked like for the ARC:

Gorgeous, right? But Mr. Falco, apparently, kept tweaking it until he came up with the final version:

Wow. The lines encapsulating the title were removed, giving the illusion that the type is bigger. Also, a beautiful border was added on the left side to frame it. The black background has been lightened up so that we can see her long hair. And check out how her golden broadcollar glimmers now!

I'm sure there were other changes that escape my untrained eye but even I can see how the manipulation of light around her face gives more emphasis to the fierceness of her expression.  Very subtle but quite beautiful! Phil Falco is a genius!

As has happened so often during this process, I keep turning around and asking, "Is this really happening to me?" Did I really work with one of the most respected editors/publishers in the business? Did one of the top children's book designers in NY really work on my book?

Yes, yes, and yes! Amazing.

CLEOPATRA'S MOON is officially released August 1.  I will probably do a book giveaway (though someone may have to pry my first copy from my cold dead hands first) but I can't even think that far yet. For now, I'm just going to keep staring at the cover and sighing.