Nelly Murariu @PixBeeDesign designed the handsome cover of Leora’s Letters. She also designed the interior and formatted the ebook.
The posed photographs of the five Wilson brothers were all she had to work with. All five photos were taken by Edmonsons Photo of Perry, Iowa, as each of the boys came home on leave.
The Navy boys are in the back: Delbert had just returned to the East Coast after his oiler survived a harrowing mission in a convoy coming back from Casablanca. Donald had just been promoted to Chief Electrician’s Mate. This was his first furlough after surviving the Battles of the Coral Sea and the sinking of his carrier at Midway.
The Army Air Force pilots are below: Dale, Danny, and Junior. Each was given a furlough after receiving his wings and commission. Their furloughs turned out to be their last trips home during the war.
Robin Grunder was my coauthor on this book. Since then, she’s formed her own company, Legacy Press Books, and has shepherded the next three Leora books to publication with KDP.
The Wilson family would be so pleased with the way their story turned out, beginning with the compelling cover of Leora’s Letters.
Much continued success, Joy. This comment from one of many family members forever grateful for you. Preserving and spreading the story of the “Wilson Boys”, Dallas County, Iowa. Cousin Bob
Bless you, Bob! Do you know “Our Iowa” magazine? Would you believe I just signed a contract to run ads in three issues later this year! (It’s published every other month, so it will begin in the Aug./Sept. issue.) The smallest ads they sell, but my hope is that the Wilson family story will become known by many more folks.
Continued love and congratulations to you, Joy. I love it when you showcase others so beautifully — like Nelly and her handsome cover and design work for those handsome men in your family. So good! 🥰
I am so happy with Nelly’s work that she’s done the covers for all four Leora books! She still lived in Poland when she did the first one. She and her daughter now live in Canada. The internet is an amazing place!
She does beautiful work and you’re right — part of what I love is the design consistency across all of your beautiful books. So lovely! 🥰
Thank you, Vicki!
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It is a cover that compels one to want to open the book and turn the pages!
Nelly will be so delighted! I was so taken with the first cover she designed that she’s done all four Leora books!
I am familiar with”Our Iowa” magazine. Your Aunt Darlene subscribed for many years and loved each issue. Those ads will surely by fruitful!
And expensive! But somehow the time “feels right” and the young woman in their ad department is delightful to work with. They offer $100 off if you offer a $100 prize for their contest to find the “I” in three ads. It costs the same but is more fun for those who look forward to that contest. (I’m offering gift cards to the three local places that carry autographed copies, but also offer plenty of other choices as well.)
Yes, Miss Nelly did a wonderful job.
That’s a mighty fine cover, Joy.
Thank you, Tim! Nelly is such a terrific designer!
This is indeed a handsome cover! I just purchased a hard copy and I’m admiring it now! 🙂
All she had to work with was those five photos. Thank you, Nancy!
I love the cover, Joy, and I’m currently working on my review. I’m sorry it’s taken so long. Between some personal things and my health, I haven’t been able to concentrate on writing reviews. Anyway, I love the book even though it brought tears. So well written.
I’m praying for you, dear Lauren, after learning about your spine. Please don’t worry about a review. I appreciate so much just what you’ve shared here. I’m dealing heightened fibromyalgia symptoms as well, so I understand the inability to concentrate. Bless you!
Thanks, Joy, but I will share soon and I’m sorry to hear about your fibromyalgia. Take good care too. ❤️
I hope you start feeling better soon!! Keeping you in my prayers. The cover is wonderful…Congratulations!!!
I don’t think there’s a “feel better” aspect to fibromyalgia, but I find God’s blessings are with me every day. Thank you, Linda. I’m having fun thinking about a cover, playing with the old photos again.
I’ve always been struck by how good your covers are.
Nelly is a keeper!