There are some really gorgeous covers this week (both with and without gorgeous people on them).  There are many covers that deserve to be discussed, above and beyond Best/Worst.  Lara Avery’s ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY is a gorgeous use of light and perspective, and Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series gets a new style.  Keri Arthur’s Dark Angel books got my favorite cover of the series and I’m seeing hints of Supernatural boys in cover models again (thank you, ANGEL IN CHAINS).  Enjoy!   Feedback by Robinson Wells

(Click to enlarge)

Description: N/A No Author Comment Available.

Series: Variant #2  Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: HarperTeen Release Date: October 2, 2012 Submitted By: Truly Bookish
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
These covers say “Thriller” and “Summer Blockbuster”, and I think the cinematic style matches the series tone.	I like the perspective here. It feels like we're trapped behind the fence.  But otherwise, I don't really think this is a memorable cover.

Previous Covers in This Series

*This title will be released on January 17, 2012*

Title: Stolen Away Author: Alyxandra Harvey Series: N/A Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: No Source: Netgalley Reviewed by: Abigail Reading level: Ages 12 and up Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Walker Childrens (January 17, 2012) ISBN-10: 0802721893 ISBN-13: 978-0802721891 Sexual Content: Kissing Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.

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*This title will be released on December 20, 2011*

Title: Bleeding Hearts Author: Alyxandra Harvey Series: The Drake Chronicles #4 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: Yes Source: NetGalley Reviewed by: Abigail Reading level: Ages 12 and up Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Walker Childrens (December 20, 2011) ISBN-10: 0802722849 ISBN-13: 978-0802722843 Sexual Content: Kissing Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.

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Betrayed by Ednah Walters 

Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

Description: Lil isn't just an average teenager. She's one of the Nephilim--the descendants of humans and angels--which gives her some serious psi skills and a mission for redemption. Just when Lil thinks she's found a balance between her normal life with human friends and her training to become a Guardian, she's warned that someone close to her will betray her. When the boy she loves starts acting strangely and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability, Lil begins to realize that someone is manipulating the people she loves... and won't stop until she's been lured to the dark side. No Author Comment Available.

Series: The Guardian Legacy #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Spencer Hill Press Release Date: June 2012 Source: Publisher
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover has a very classic color palette, but the arched sun salutation on the cover is a little overly dramatic for my taste.	Overly dramatic is the perfect description.  And this so doesn’t look like a YA cover.  I thought it was paranormal YA until I read the description.  It is a HUGE improvement over the original though.

Previous version

 

Thank you all for entering this giveaway and to the publisher, Walker Books for Young Readers.

The winner (chosen by Random.org) is…

Amy Del Rosso

Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you soon.  Please respond with your address within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

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Didn’t win?  Buy your own copy of RULING PASSION:

Giveaway provided by the publisher, Walker Books for Young Readers.

One copy of RULING PASSION by Alyxandra Harvey.

MEET the Drakes:
A darkly romantic, irresistibly alluring family of royal vampire blood.
This omnibus contains the Drake Chronicles, #1-3:

 

How much does an urban fantasy novel need a cover that feels “paranormal”?  There are a few this week that are well designed, but don’t have any sense of the “other” about them.  What elements make or break a cover for you, does a genre book need a genre cover?

 

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta 

(Click to enlarge) Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

Description: Dark Companion, a contemporary Gothic with a mild fantasy/paranormal element, pays homage to Jane Eyre and other classic Gothic novels. Small, plain Jane Williams, a high-achieving foster girl, jumps at the chance to escape her violent neighborhood when she is offered a full-scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy for Girls. She's even given living quarters, the old groundskeeper's cottage in a grove of birches. The classes are amazing, the campus is lovely, and the other students are bright and inquisitive. The headmistress's family -- including her handsome sons -- is especially friendly. It all seems too good to be true. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about another scholarship girl who mysteriously left the school. What price is Jane willing to pay to get the security and safety she's always wanted? “I love the image of the girl facing the mysterious woods, because this fits the story so well.” – Marta Acosta

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Tor/Macmillan Release Date: June 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I agree with the author on this one, this cover photo is nice.  The leaf motif in the title and below looks good, though the photo itself still looks a little “naked.”  I imagine “mood Photoshopping” will occur prior to finalizing the cover.	I’m not in love with the title font—it’s a little cutesy—but the girl is lovely and just the right amount haunting.  Looking forward to this one.

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

 

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Karina Cooper’s New Seattle from Jessie Leigh & a chance to win LURE OF THE WICKED**

We’re turning back the clock for today’s Deadly Destination and visiting Victorian England thanks to Alyxandra Harvey's Violet Willoughby.  But this won’t be a typical tour.  We’re going to learn how to run a séance—or how to make it look like a séance.  I met Violet earlier this summer and I’m thrilled for all of you to meet her too.  Thanks to the wonderful people at Penguin/Roc Books, four of you who comment on this post will win a copy of the book!  See details below

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Violet’s Guide to Running Séances in Victorian England
by
Alyxandra Harvey

1. Prepare the room in advance.

2. Ghosts are said to speak through knocks, cold draughts and tilting furniture.

3. It is helpful to have an arthritic neck which can produce strange popping sounds, but one can’t have everything.

4. Folded paper slipped under a table leg will help it to wobble when necessary.

5. Damp perfume-soaked handkerchiefs release scent. Be sure to choose one that was popular several decades ago for grandparent communication.

6. A handful of salt in to the fire grate is most dramatic. Pepper will only make you sneeze.

7. Spirit apports are gifts which materialize during a sitting. Flower petals hidden in your sleeve or held in your shawl are popular. More odorous gifts, such as old cheese, are less well received.

8. If at all possible, pick the pocket of one of your guests. Return the item as spirit apport.

9.  A servant outside the room can blow bellows through holes in the wall to create a draft. This is much easier than smuggling them under your petticoats.

10. I speak from experience.

11. Be vague with messages from the beyond. Send greetings and love. Do not attempt to offer directions to the hidden family silver. This never ends well.

12. Try not to scream when you discover  that ghosts really do exist but you are the only one who can see them.

13. Especially when they have been murdered.

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About Alyxandra Harvey

Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long as they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream. Among her favourite books are ‘The Wood Wife’ by Terri Windling, ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, and of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is her hero because she’s smart and sassy, and Mr. Darcy is, well, yum. Aside from the ghosts, she also lives with husband and their dogs. She likes cinnamon lattes, tattoos and books. Visit Alyxandra Harvey online: Website|Blog|Facebook|Twitter

Want to read more from Alyxandra?

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Giveaway provided by Bloomsbury

4 copies of HAUNTING VIOLET by Alyxandra Harvey

 
Available now from Bloomsbury

Description:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Read an excerpt | Read our review

Order from

Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US addresses only. No PO Boxes

2. Leave a comment for Alyxandra & a way to contact you unless it’s listed in your profile

3. All Deadly Destinations winners will be announced on August 7th

4. See our Giveaway Policy if you have any questions

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Interested in guest blogging on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME

*This title will be released on June 21, 2011*

Title: Haunting Violet Author: Alyxandra Harvey Series: Standalone Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Reading level: Young Adult Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: Walker Childrens; First Edition edition (June 21, 2011) ISBN-10: 080279839X ISBN-13: 978-0802798398 Sexual Content: Kissing Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

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Description

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Review

HAUNTING VIOLET by Alyxandra Harvey is a huge departure from her popular YA vampires series, The Drake Chronicles. At it’s heart, it’s a murder mystery, but one embroiled with ghosts and romance and an atmospheric setting so vivid that I felt transported to mid 1800’s England for several engrossing hours.

The narrative voice in HAUNTING VIOLET was fantastic.  Violet’s way of looking at the world and her situation was fascinating.  Given her circumstances, a poor girl forced into a life of grifting and pickpocketing to help her charlatan Spiritualist mother con grieving people out of money, she easily could have become a character so deeply mired in self-pity that nothing could pull her out, or have been so bitter and waspish that readers wouldn’t care about her plight.  But Violet was neither those things.  She was capable and determined and felt deeply for those around her.  If she could have found a way out of her life she would have taken it. 

Speaking of Violet, I always begin historical novels with a giant fear: that the author will impose modern sensibilities and ideas into a time period were they don’t belong.  Thankfully Harvey doesn’t do that.  Apart from a few words and expressions that were a bit too modern, Violet is 100% believable as a product of her time.  She fully understands the rules of the time period that she lives in and doesn’t rage against them in a way that would be completely foreign to a character from that time.  Rather, like a Jane Austen heroine, she is smart enough to find ways to make those constraints work for her.  I admired that about her immensely.

HAUNTING VIOLET is very different from The Drake Chronicles.  It has a more serious and mature tone.  There is still quite a bit of humor sprinkled throughout, but it is more of a witty humor.  And I can’t overlook the romance which was really beautiful to experience.  The book is written as a standalone novel, but I can easily imagine it turning into a series and hope that the sales of this spooky historical mystery warrant more stories about Violet.

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
N/A	Rebecca's Book Blog resugo's bookish paradise Book Loving Mommy