RUGBY KISSES

When Angela Hoy of Booklocker.com contacted me about designing a cover for Rugby Kisses, I wasn’t sure whether it was a children’s book or who the audience might be. In the past, I designed book covers for children’s books, teen self-help books, and new age books. Her note said the author wanted “a female rugby player and a row of ducks marching in line, following a mother duck.” I assumed it was some kind of sports-and-children’s-book mash-up. I’m glad T.C. Bettise shared the manuscript with me before I started the design.

I soon learned the line of ducks was a clever metaphor for the main character, Conor Sullivan’s family dynamics. The book is about Conor’s adventures—bar life and playing rugby in Billings, Montana, in the 1980s. Along with rescuing coyotes and wrestling bears, there is an underlying theme of addiction. I don’t want to add too many spoilers here, but I will say Conor’s life was a wild ride.

Working with T.C. Bettise and his team was fun, and they were always encouraging. As part of my design process, I ask the author which book covers they like. He suggested Leslie W. LePere’s iconic 1980s book cover for Tom Robbins’s Still Life with Woodpecker. LePere, the Pencil Farmer, created whimsical, colorful, and fun work. Here is a link to a short YouTube video about him and his art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN5A8T7UCK0

I like happy endings, and this book delivers one after Conor endures some very dark times with addiction. I’m curious whether there will be a sequel with more adventures. I encourage you to read the book and follow Conor’s descent and rebirth. Along the way, you will learn about life’s “rugby kisses.”

Carol Hicks