Hi Guys, Abigail here. I’m filling in for Julia this week (although her comments are still included). We’re introducing some new changes to the Cover Art Coverage posts including an updated graphic, a new layout for the covers, and the Cover Submit form is linked at the bottom instead of being embedded (let us know in the comments if you’re not a fan of the changes).  There are two series that are featuring new looks, one of which I’m a big fan of, the other gets my pick for Worst this week.  We’ve also got several highly anticipated reveals including Kresley Cole’s first YA, and the first in Gail Carriger’s new series.  And the busiest man in paranormal romance adds yet another cover to his resume.  Can you spot model Paul Marron below?

This week Kim Harrison fans will be pleased to see a piece of the next Rachel Morgan book, A PERFECT BLOOD due out this coming February, but they may be disappointed with what’ s been unveiled.  HEARTS OF ATLANTIS shows BOUND BY DESIRE how to use tiger clip art right, and DRAGONSWOOD does the YA flowing dress tradition proud.  Scroll down to see our likes and pet peeves this week, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

  

Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus 

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Description: Alpha, Connor Armstrong, will do anything to protect his intended mate and newly founded pack. Unfortunately when he offers protection things don’t go quite as planned. His new mate is as stubborn as she is sexy and getting her to submit proves almost impossible.(   “I’m very happy with the outcome.  I wasn’t sure exactly what I was envisioning, but this is much better than anything I could have come up with.  She looks exactly like I imagined Ana, my main character would look like (with the exception of the leather vest thing, lol). And see the tattoo on her arm? Before the art department had done anything my editor asked if I had any input on what I wanted the wolf to look like so I had my hubby sketch something and it looks like they used what he drew almost exactly. Very cool!” - Katie Reus

Series: Moon Shifter #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Signet Book Release Date: February 7, 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
A little trashy, a lot of attitude, this lady does look like she can pull off “alpha.”	This is the exact same model and outfit from Marjorie M. Liu’s Hunter Kiss series.  Why would they do that?

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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     Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day 

Description: N/A   “Did I mention – final cover art for alaric??? ENTER THE HOTNESS!!! *fans self*” – Alyssa Day

Series: Warriors of Poseidon #8 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Berkley Release Date: January 3, 2012 Source: Author’s Facebook Page
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The muscles and the tiger are in common with last week’s BOUND BY DESIRE cover that got two thumbs down, but this composition is so much better done.  Of course, this cover model’s posture reminds me of Tweeter in Varsity Blues staring down the waistband of his football pants with a worried look on his face… but that was not a negative then, and certainly isn’t one now.	This looks like it should be a Lora Leigh Breeds cover.  I agree the composition is well done and I really like the colors…but otherwise not a fan.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Unbroken by Rachel Caine 

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Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Outcast Season #4 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Roc Release Date: February 7, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Cassiel seems more “business like” on this cover than any of the others, I like how she’s mounted up and head on to ride.  The thumbs down is just for the sand and mustard color scheme.  I know it’s setting strong sense of place, but it just seems so blah to me.  Couldn’t they have punched it up with a little more gold?	While this is my least favorite of the series, I still really like all the elements. The bike is awesome and Cassiel looks super tough.  I wish more cover in this genre would trend this way.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     How to Worship a Goddess by Stephanie Julian 

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Description: Lucy is the Etruscan goddess of the moon, hunted by a powerful demon. One misstep and he will trap and consume her in his bid to escape the underworld. Lucy has stayed one step ahead of him, but she didn't count on falling for minor league hockey player John Stevenson. John's not one of her worshippers, but he is determined to win over the gorgeous woman who watches him at every game and won't give her up without a fight–even if it means releasing the beast he holds inside.   No Author Author Comment Available.

Series: Forgotten Goddesses #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Release Date: December 1, 2011 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Something about the style or color scheme of this cover is adding an inappropriate YA feel to it.  Or is it the cover model… anyone else think she has a baby face?  It’s not appealing when paired with all that bare skin.  Not for me, anyway.  Book one has this style, but manages to feel thoroughly adult, I prefer the cover on WHAT A GODDESS WANTS.	YA? Really?  This looks very much like erotica to me.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands 

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Description: After a bad relationship and an even worse divorce, Carolyn decides to go on a long overdue and much needed vacation with the 'girls'. Only the rest of the vacationers didn't get the memo. Around every corner there seems to be another couple celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary and the few single men she does see are far too young to even consider, including an irresistibly attractive rock violinist she meets. It's really too bad he's so young but in the end it doesn't matter because according to his cousin, Giacinta, women in general aren't Christian's type. But there's a catch, Christian needs Carolyn's help. He needs her to be his beard (to play the part of his fake girlfriend) for the week to appease his 'machismo' family. Carolyn just can't seem to say No and decides to help Gia's cousin. The only problem is that being around Christian and acting like they are a loving couple is wreaking havoc on her emotions. Carolyn's thoughts keep drifting back to places they shouldn't, like kissing his full lips or feeling his broad shoulders under her fingertips... good lord, she's in trouble.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Argeneau #16 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc. Release Date: January 3, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The covers for all of the Argeneau books are a little campy, and this one hits that tone.  I’m not very keen on the title font, but I like the glow effect around his chest.  As to what he’s doing shirtless in the woods… I’ve got nothing.	I’ve seen this cover a million times.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison 

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Description: Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth — a would-be creator is determined to make his (or her) own demons. But it can’t be done without Rachel’s blood. As a bounty hunter, Rachel has battled vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more. But humanity itself might be her toughest challenge.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Rachel Morgan #10 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: N/A Release Date: February 21, 2012 Source: Wanton Thoughts & Wicked Scribes
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This thumbs down is more for the tone of the series than anything overtly wrong with this cover.  Starting with FISTFUL OF CHARMS, the other covers have so much subtle power and mood built in.  This one looks perfunctory; pop a squat, do some magic… it’s missing the mystery of prior covers.  I like how they cast Rachel, I just wish she was staged more subtly.  This looks more like a Cat and Bones cover to me.	I thought it was Cat & Bones for a second too, but I think it so much better than the silver minidress mess on PALE DEMON. I love the black and red colors too.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

     Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey 

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Description: Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends. Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood. In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Companion to DRAGON’S KEEP Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Dial Release Date: January 5, 2012 Source: The Bookologist
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
It’s worth looking at the enlarged cover to see the motion in this cover.  Some of the effects are a little stiff, but the over all composition is very high impact.  I like it a lot.	Agreed.  The bigger this is, the better it looks, like a watercolor paining.  Soft and beautiful and a little bit like it will break your heart.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

      Wrecked by Anna Davies 

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Description: Miranda has lived on Whym Island since the death of her parents. She has taken comfort in its seclusion and in the folklore that claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and its surrounding waters. It's easier to believe things are out of her control. But when a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy that haunts her dreams. As the guilt of the accident consumes her, she finds refuge in her late night swims. Until she meets Christian, a boy who seems so familiar, but won't tell her where he is from and why they can only meet at the beach. As Miranda falls for Christian and begins to put the accident behind her, she discovers that there are secrets that Christian is keeping to protect her that may only end up bringing her nothing but harm.   No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Release Date: May 1, 2012 Source: la femme readers
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Very, very contemporary and stark.  I’m having a hard time getting a sense of time from the blurb, but this cover doesn’t sell anything historical.	Sounds like a reverse Little Mermaid story…interesting.  The cover is working for me too.  The black & white with the hints of blue.

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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      Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann 

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Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Ballantine Books Release Date: February 21, 2012 Source: Random House Website
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This looks more like a movie poster than a book cover, but I mean that in a good way.  I feel like I should recognize that skyline.	All I know about this is that it is paranormal romance…I wonder if the reversed tanks they are wearing will be significant?

 

Previous Covers in This Series

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And our picks for Best & Worst…

Best	Worst

Which are your Best and Worst?