My favorite part of doing these posts is finishing my comment and reading Abigail’s, it’s always fun to get instant feedback in the form of her observations and opinions.  This week in particular we had some great similarities and some hilarious differences.  Seeing the new Bloodhound Files was exciting, and Faith Hunter’s new Jane Yellowrock stopped me in my tracks.  Jane is more gorgeous and exotic than ever!  Ending on A HOWL FOR A HIGHLANDER was icing on the cake, the same detail came up in both of our comments… but in completely different ways.

 

Title: Raven Cursed Author:  Faith Hunter Series: Jane Yellowrock #4 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Urban Fantasy Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Julia Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Roc; January 3, 2012 ISBN-10: 0451464338 ISBN-13: 978-0451464330   Sexual Content: References to sex and rape. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

---

New covers for the latest installments in the Jane Yellowrock and Dark Magick series, and a gorgeous cover for Karen Duvall’s inaugural urban fantasy, KNIGHT’S CURSE. Compare Medusa in both of her incarnations to decide which cover you like best, and let us know which cover is your favorite of all.

  

Bewitching by Alex Flinn 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence-how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.) As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"-but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra's reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the "ugly" stepsister is the good guy. With dark twists, hilarious turns, and unexpected endings, Bewitching is a contemporary read for fairy-tale lovers, fantasy fans, and anyone looking for more Alex Flinn.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Kendra Chronicles #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Harper Teen Release Date: February 14, 2012 Source: Anna’s Book Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thought
Love the shape of this dress, the raven’s wings seem to be echoed in the sweep of the shoulders coming together at her neck and her hair falling in her face.	One of the prettier ‘girl in a gown’ YA covers I’ve seen lately, and I love the thorn title font

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

     Destined by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow. But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series. “Check it out! Isn’t the US cover gorgeous?!  Oh, and this isn’t Stark – it’s Aurox!  Oooh!” -

Series: House of Night #9 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin Release Date: October 25, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I like the bull’s shadow, a nice little detail.	These are still YA, right?  Looks more like an adult PNR.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Midnight Enchantment by Anya Bast 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: A QUEST FOR FREEDOM MAY BE DERAILED BY THEIR INTENSE ATTRACTION… Niall Quinn, mage and the finest thief in the Black Tower, is the fae’s best hope for freedom. Only he stands a chance of tracking down and retrieving the missing bosca fadbh pieces from the Summer Queen. But he meets his match in Elizabeth Cely Saintjohn, who has taken control of the pieces on the Summer Queen’s behalf—and has refused to give them up. Elizabeth is an asrai, a rare English water fae, and she may be the only one in Piefferburg stealthier than Niall. She has her own reasons for guarding the two pieces and wanting the walls of Piefferburg to remain intact—even if it means denying her fae sisters and brothers their freedom. Her mother’s life depends on it. Torn between his duty to obtain the pieces at any cost—and the shocking lust Elizabeth has stirred in him—Niall must convince Elizabeth to surrender the pieces, or else he may have no choice but to destroy her and all she holds dear…   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Dark Magick #4 Artist: Tony Mauro Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Berkley Release Date: February 7, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover looks more contemporary than it’s predecessors, but I still like it quite a bit.  That shade of red hair is totally over the top, but Mauro has made it look lustrous and perfect.	Tony has done some of my favorite covers and this is a perfect example of why.  Plus I’m a sucker for mermaid covers :)

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter 

Description: N/A   “Can you hear me scream for joy?” – Faith Hunter

Series: Jane Yellowrock #4 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Roc Release Date: January 3, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Love this cover, it’s all about the model and her weapons.  Perfect Jane, with a little extra sly attitude, works for me!	Something is off here for me.  She looks like she’s wearing garbage bags…

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     Dire Needs by Stephanie Tyler 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: The full moon is their mistress. They are predators of pleasure and pain. Feared by humans, envied by werewolves, the Dire Wolves are immortal shifters, obeying no laws but their own bestial natures. Once they were many, but now only six remain, a dangerous wolfpack forever on the hunt… Rifter leads the pack, embracing the lifestyle and ethics of an outlaw biker even as he battles an ancient enemy who has become a new, powerful force. But with his Brother Wolf raging inside him, howling to be unleashed, he needs to satisfy his hungers. And when he meets a drop-dead gorgeous blonde drinking alone in a bar that caters to both human and inhuman, Rifter’s primal instinct is to claim her. Gwen has her own desires, long unfulfilled. She hopes a passionate night with the leather-clad, Harley-riding biker will ease her suffering. The seizures that have wracked her body her entire life are incurable—and they’re killing her. But none of that will matter if Rifter can’t stop the growing threat to them all–trappers who are determined to enslave humankind and use the Dire wolves as part of their nefarious plan. No Author Comment Available.

Series: Eternal wolf Clan #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Signet Release Date: March 6, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
It’s hard to pique my interest with just a chest, but this cover does a good job for it’s type.  The details of scruff, tattoo, and bike are well done.	I’m really responding to the colors and I appreciate the slightly more covered chest.  It’s a subtly sexy that we don’t usually see on PNR covers.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

      Darkness Bound by Stella Cameron 

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

Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Forever Release Date: March 1, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover is all about the mood and the model, and this guy’s face looks a little distorted to me.	Distorted?  I think the word you were looking for was constipated.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

      On Midnight Wings by Adrian Phoenix 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: More beautiful and powerful than any creature the world has ever seen, Dante Baptiste has become the supreme target of the three worlds that spawned him. The mortal agents of the Shadow Branch have tried to control his mind through psychological torture. The vampire elders who guide nightkind society have plotted to use him in their bloodthirsty bid for power. And the Fallen have waited for millennia for Dante to claim his birthright as their Maker. But Dante belongs to no one—except the woman he loves. . . . ONE PASSION SWORN IN BLOOD Determined to face the Fallen and the world on his own terms, Dante hopes to piece together his shattered past and claim his future, with FBI agent Heather Wallace at his side. But in Heather’s human family awaits an unexpected enemy. One who could rip Heather from Dante’s heart and fill the holes with bullets. One who could force Dante to choose his darkest destiny—as the Great Destroyer. . . .   “Here it is!  The cover for On Midnight Wings, and I’ve got to say that Craig White did a magnificent job!” – Adrian Phoenix

Series: The Maker’s Song #5 Artist: Craig White Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Pocket Release Date: January 31, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I love the female cover model, but the guy in the background looks stiff and out of place.	Dante in the back doesn’t bother me and I love that the cover captures the exact moment her gun ‘fired.’

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our powers could go haywire any time-mostly the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch with three sexy husbands. My sister Menolly is a vampire who's dating a werepuma. And me? I'm Delilah, a two-faced werecat and Death Maiden. I watch over things in the Supe Community, where trouble is about to go down hard... It's Valentine's Day and we're preparing our friend Iris's wedding. But when we get word that the Supe Community Center has been bombed, things get really ugly. The evil coyote shifters-the Koyami-are back and Newkirk, their new leader has joined forces with a group of rogue sorcerers. Then, just as we think things can't get worse, the demon lord Shadow Wing sends in a new front man, and life really goes to hell...   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Sisters of the Moon #11 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Berkley Release Date: February 7, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Interesting and unique enough to catch the eye, I like this one.	Pretty sure this is Tony Mauro again.  I think it’s the best in the series to date.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

          Left Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Golgotham #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Roc Release Date: December 6, 2011 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
A nice continuation from book one, I like that they kept the same cover model.	It looks much too pieced together for me.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Knight’s Curse by Karen Duvall 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: A skilled knife fighter since the age of nine, Chalice knows what it’s like to live life on the edge—precariously balanced between the dark and the light. But the time has come to choose. The evil sorcerer who kidnapped her over a decade ago requires her superhuman senses to steal a precious magical artifact…or she must suffer the consequences. Desperate to break the curse that enslaves her, Chalice agrees. But it is only with the help of Aydin— her noble warrior-protector—that she will risk venturing beyond the veil to discover the origins of her power. Only for him will she dare to fully embrace her awesome talents. For a deadly duel is at hand, and Chalice alone will have to decide between freedom…and the love of her life   No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Luna Release Date: August 23, 2011 Source: Babbling About Books, and More
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I love the colors in this one, the light against her dark is very striking.  The description is interesting, too, can’t wait to read this one!	All I can think is that she’s in the traditional Mickey Mouse pose

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

    Legend of Witchtrot Road by E. J. Stevens 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: Surviving agitated ghosts, irritated witches, angry werewolves, and the horrors of high school has never been so hard. The night of Samhain may be behind them, but Yuki and her friends have only begun to face the challenges of their paranormal gifts. Tensions are rising--in the pack, at school, and within their tightly knit group of friends. The tragic death of Wakefield High student Dylan Jacobs has emotions boiling over. The J-Team, Yuki's arch nemesis, have turned the entire football team against her. They claim that Yuki is a witch and blame her for the death of their fellow teammate. Will Yuki be able to solve the mystery of Dylan's death, and the legend of Witchtrot Road, before tempers flare and things turn violent? More…   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Spirit Guide #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press Release Date: October 4, 2011 Source: Goodreads
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The flashlight is a silly touch with this gothic style.	The flashlight is the least of my problems with this cover…it just looks very amateur.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Airel by Aaron Patterson & Chris White 

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

Description: All Airel ever wanted to be was normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like sudden mysterious illness. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything she hopes for even now. Airel knew change would be inevitable as life went on. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?   No Author Comment Available.

Series: The Airel Saga #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: StoneHouse Ink Release Date: August 31, 2011 Source: Goodreads
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover is a bit over produced and dramatic, but I love the effect they used on this cover model’s skin.  She looks luminous, very pretty.	Beautiful. I agree the glowing skin is very pretty, and the feather in her hand is a nice touch.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

     A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton 

(Click to enlarge) Compare to:

Description: A power she can’t deny. A destiny she’s determined to fight. When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess. Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian. Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Gods & Monsters #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Simon Pulse Release Date: February 21, 2012 Source: Mocha Latte Reads
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
When it comes to “Who wore it best”, I like the silver monochrome of A BEAUTIFUL EVIL better than SHIFTING.  This cover really doesn’t match book one, but I like the direction they’re taking the series.	I get so upset for the authors when something like this happens.  Makes everyone look bad.  And honestly, if I was picking a stock image to reuse, it wouldn’t be this one.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: N/A   “I love it and can’t wait to see it on bookstore shelves.  Whee!” – Heather Blake

Series: Wishcraft #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Signet Release Date: January 3, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Light and cute, this style will be a fun way to keep details from the story on the cover for each in the series.	Yep.  Cute and fun.  Fans of this style should love this.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

   

And our picks for Best & Worst…

Best	Worst

Which are your Best and Worst?