Best 2008 romance covers: sexy, elegant, and simply eye-catching

It seems that over the past decade or so the covers of the romance books have evolved as much as the genre itself. Where once passionately embracing couples various states of undress and with modern hairstyles reigned supreme (and occasionally were replaced by flowers) nowadays exist many different trends and variations.

Ladies in sexy dresses

Ladies in nice dresses (preferrably backless) continued to be quite trendy this year. Their tasteful eroticism creates attractive romance covers.

Sherry Thomas's - Private Arrangements

Sherry Thomas's - Delicious

Lisa Kleypas - A Wallflower Christmas

Latest London fashion in Christmas colors.

Unlaced

Siri Mitchell - A Constant Heart

And here's one for the Tudor fashion.

Jo Beverly - A Lady's Secret

Naughty, naughty Georgians!

Maya Rodale - The Rogue and the Rival

Thanks, Gail K

Eloisa James - When the Duke Returns

Ladies' Faces in Pictures

Romance covers don't usually concentrate on women's faces but you can still find some nice ones.

Lauren Willig - The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

The lady does look a bit surprised, but the artwork is nice.

Edit: the reader noticed in the comments it's taken from the portrait of Emma Hamilton.

Pam Rosenthal - The Edge of Impropriety

The hero of the book is an art appraiser so this old painting style of the cover is very appropriate.

Hunks

Mainstream romance is targeted to women, so (almost) shirtless hunks with six-pack abs will never go out of style.

Geralyn Dawson - The Loner

Lisa Kleypas - Blue-Eyed Devil

I have no idea why would anyone go shirtless in the desert, but the image is certainly eye-catching.

Sometimes we don't even need the face. Easier to fantacize ;)

Pamela Clare - Untamed

Hotness factor is off the scale.

Erin McCarthy - Flat-Out Sexy

Another pure eye-candy.

Robin Kaye - Romeo, Romeo

Is this not an every woman's fantasy?

Couples

Ok, romance celebrates true love so you can't completely abandon the couples.. even though they're the ones that typically embarass the romance readers most. At least they tend to be a bit more elegant these days.

Julia Quinn - Mr. Cavendish, I Presume

These two don't even embrace but the mood is romantic.

Suzanne Enoch - After the Kiss

This tastefully sensuous cover tells you what exactly happens after the kiss

Pam Jenoff - The Diplomat's Wife

This story of resistance fighter in WWII needs a more somber cover. The couple's embrace is more about support and consolation rather than passion.

Anthony Capella - The Wedding Officer

Another romantic WWII-era story.

Carol Townend - An Honourable Rogue

Just some romantic courtly love.

Landscapes, animals and other subjects

Miscellaneous collection of art that doesn't fit in any particular category.

Virginia Smith - A Taste of Murder

Kristan Higgins - Just One Of The Guys

Kathleen Eagle - Mystic Horseman

Jennifer Donnelly - The Winter Rose

Elizabeth Lane - On The Wings Of Love

Deanna Raybourn - Silent in the Sanctuary

Sarah Addison Allen - The Sugar Queen

C.S. Harris - Where Serpents Sleep: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery

Paranormal, fantasy & futuristic

The paranormal/fantasy romance covers are a bit tricky since they have to hit at a combination of genres but still remain romantic. I don't think there're many that show fangs. Women are common on the covers.

Mina Hepsen - Under the Blood Red Moon

Ann Aguirre - Grimspace

Patricia Briggs - Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)

The tattoo on the girl's back instantly grabs your attention.