I like this layout as the curve at the top gives a nice effect. The small fade beneath the image also makes the appearance more interesting. Another feature which I will consider using is the small quote at the top of the spread. I would take a quote from my stories and put it at the top to give a snipet of what to expect from the story.

In this spread I like the opacity of the image and the text box as it gives the effect of looking through a coloured glass window. The text over the top of this also gives a really nice effect.

With this spread I like the way that the text wraps around the main image. This gives a far nicer effect than simply having block text