*This title will be released on March, 27, 2012*

Title: Wanted Undead or Alive Author:  Kerrelyn Sparks  Series: Love at Stake #12 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal Romance Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Julia Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Avon; March 27, 2012 ISBN-10: 0061958069 ISBN-13: 978-0061958069   Sexual Content: Sex scenes, references to rape. Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.

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See all the covers now after the jump! (Yay Julia for rebuilding the post)

This week several familiar series get new additions and Jeri Smith-Ready’s Shade trilogy gets a complete series make-over.  Things get a little meta as we comment on a cover that features a blurb from All Things Urban Fantasy (the kind of surprise that just makes our day), and my feelings about Photo-shopped tattoos finally spin out of control.  Not that I’m against them wholesale, but I think I like them better when the cover artist doesn’t even try to pretend they’re real.  Other than some wicked Gena Showalter butterflys and the gorgeous ink on AFTERLIGHT, I’m having a hard time coming up with a good example.  Can anyone suggest a series that “does tatts right”?  

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready 

(Click to enlarge)

Description: No other love has burned so bright. Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart. “TA-DA! You thought you were getting just the SHINE cover today, didn't you? I'm excited to present the brand-new look for the entire SHADE trilogy! “ - Jeri Smith-Ready

Series: Shade #3 Photographer: Monica Stevenson Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Simon Pulse Release Date: May 1, 2012 Source: Fictitious Delicious
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Click on the Fictitious Delicious link to read Smith-Ready’s reaction to the cover redesign, I like her breakdown of how Aura grows throughout the series and the “mood” Smith-Ready would like for each cover.	I was never a fan of the original covers, so I’m thrilled that this amazing series is finally getting a design overhaul. Love the bright yellow colors & just the overall smoky effect.

Previous Covers in This Series

*Cover Art may not be final*

Click author names to visit their webpages & click titles to pre-order from The Book Depository or Goodreads if it isn’t available for pre-order. 

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

Series: White Trash Zombie #1 Date/Publisher: July 5th 2011 by DAW Cover Artist: Dan Dos Santos Cover Source: Diana Rowland via Twitter Author Comments: I am the luckiest author EVER! Check out the cover art for MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE. :-) My Thoughts: I may have posted this before, but it’s worth a second look either way.  There is not a thing I don’t love about this cover!

Description: [A] new series…about a white trash chick who gets turned into a zombie, and ends up working in a morgue for easy access to brains.

Previous Book in the Series:

N/A

Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton

Series: Eternal Guardians #3 Date/Publisher: October 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Cover Artist: Tricia Picky Schmitt Cover Source: Michelle's Book Blog Author Comments: And I have to say a big THANKS to Tricia Picky Schmitt for not only designing the cover of TEMPTED, but for also designing this great wallpaper of Zander. My Thoughts: So what if his back looks a little disfigured, check out the blurb from Angie Fox: “The sensuality of Sherrilyn Kenyon and the intensity of Patricia Briggs.” Yes please!  I have the first book on my TBR pile and it just got bumped to the top.

Description:

DEMETRIUS—He’s the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.
Isadora is missing. The words pounded through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius had done all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she was gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned. As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

Previous Book in the Series:

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Series: Haunting Violet #1 Date/Publisher: June 21st 2011 by Walker Books for Young Readers Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Alyxandra Harvey Author Comments: N/A My Thoughts: Well it’s haunting and violet, so good job.  Seriously though, I love the lily pads and doesn’t she look like Angelina Jolie? Check out the Fallen-esque UK version:

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?

Previous Book in the Series:

N/A

Passion by Lauren Kate

Series: Fallen #3 Date/Publisher: June 14th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Reader Cover Artist: Fernanda Brussi Goncalves Cover Source: Lauren Kate Books Author Comments: I’ve been waiting for a long time to show off how gorgeous this is!…I love the dramatic bursts of color, the intensity and desolation of the backdrop, and of course, the dress. It’s also the perfect book to show just a hint of Luce’s face. I am counting down the days until I can share the book with you, but in the meantime, I hope you love the cover as much as I do. My Thoughts: This is crazy colorful compared to the previous books…I kinda wish it was more monotone.  Still beautiful though. Tynga's reviews found some extra cover goodies for this one including the original art from Fernanda (click to enlarge)

Description:

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . . .

Previous Book in the Series:

In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare

Series: Regency Vampire #2 Date/Publisher: July 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks, Casablanca Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Wicked Scribes Author Comments: N/A My Thoughts: This cover is trying so hard to be everything.  The overall effect is cheesy.

Description:

Second in a trilogy of fresh original Regency vampire romances by author Lydia Dare, where the glittering world of English high society is a playground for the rich, titled, and supernatural. When witch Rhiannon Sinclair meets Matthew Halkett, she discovers that romance and chivalry, like the charming earl, are far from dead...

Previous Book in the Series:

Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks

Series: Love at Stake #10 Date/Publisher: March 29th 2011 by HarperCollins Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: Wicked Scribes Author Comments: N/A My Thoughts: I love how his black shirt looks like the contrast wings to her white wings.

Description:

Finally, the hero readers have been waiting for…
Connor Buchanan!

Connor is convinced he is a coldhearted bastard. After all, he has warned all his vampire friends to reject love. Tortured by a past he refuses to confess, Connor has lived a sad and solitary existence for almost five hundred years. It will take a very special heroine to bring Connor Buchanan to his knees and melt his cold heart.

Suspense builds toward a shocking and dramatic final battle with Casimir, the leader of the villainous Malcontents. Who will win—the Vamps or the Malcontents? And will the cost of victory be too high?

Previous Book in the Series:

Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Series: The Beauchamp Family #1 Date/Publisher: June 21st 2011 by Disney-Hyperion Cover Artist: N/A Cover Source: My Overstuffed Bookshelf: Author Comments: N/A My Thoughts: A new adult series from De la Cruz spins-off from her YA Blue Bloods series.  The pink leaves reflected in her eyes are beautiful.

Description:

The two novels will follow the lives of the Beauchamp girls, who live in the fictional town of North Hampton, as they struggle to stop an arch nemesis and restore the delicate balance between good and evil. De la Cruz will weave characters from her best-selling Blue Bloods young adult series into this new paranormal series for adults.

Previous Book in the Series:

N/A

And my picks for Best & Worst…

Best Cover: MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE

Worst Cover: IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE

So any new to you covers? Which are your Best & Worst picks?