First off, this cover is BEAUTIFUL! The black and dark red really sets it off. Second, this would be a new author for me, and from what I was able to read, her writing is beautiful and drags you in, and I really need more! She pulled me on on just the short snippet I was able to read. I love the time period it is set in, not to mention New Orleans. Lastly, this book, just based on the amazingly simple but beautiful cover deserves to be placed on the top shelf!