Fantasy Book Cover for Medieval Assassin's Tale

Livia Blackburne

Author

I'm looking for a book cover design for a fantasy novella (paper back and ebook) called Poison Dance. The front cover should have the title (Poison Dance) and the author name (Livia Blackburne). Here is the description for the novella that should appear on the back, and hopefully will give you a feel for the tone of the book.

"James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out – if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison."

I'm pretty open to ideas, but I'd like something that says gritty medieval fantasy with a hint of romance.

A few ideas that you could play with.

1. A stylized cover playing with three objects: a dagger, a vial of liquid (supposed to be poison, but it should look more like a vial of perfume or mysterious potion -- no skull and crossbones, please), and a gold necklace with links in the shape of leaves.

2. James in the foreground, either his entire body or a closeup. Thalia dancing in the background. The setting is in a medieval tavern. Wood tables, chairs and walls, lantern light, etc. James is blond with pale skin, athletically slim, blue eyes. He should be wearing  simple tunic and trousers with boots and maybe with a vest. He could be holding a dagger. (Something similar to what Inigo Montoya wears in The Princess Bride.) Thalia has pale skin, long red hair, green eyes, a dancer's build, attractive. She should be wearing a dress like a gypsy dancer (colorful fabrics, long flowey skirt or dress. No exposed midriff or headscarf though).  I don't really like 3D computer generated depictions of people that look too "computer game" ish.  Illustrations or photoshop type work would be better, but if you have questions about what "computer game" entails, I'm happy to look at examples  and offer feedback (doesn't have to be an entry to this contest).

3. James and Thalia facing each other as if in a battle of wills. They are holding a dagger between the two of them. (See previous idea for what they look like)

I'm including a createspace template for cover dimensions. The book is thin, so there will be no print or anything on the spine. I would like the print ready pdf (for createspace) and tiff (for ebook cover), and the original layered files so I can make small changes if I need to.