*Covers may not be final*

 Source: The Bookologist
Title: Cloaked
Author: Alex Flinn
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I really respond to these bold simple graphics, though I’m not sure what they have have to do with this modern retelling of The Frog Prince…

Book Description:

Johnny works after school in a shoe repair shop in a swanky hotel in Miami. He loves shoes and is talented; he even aspires to be the next Manolo Blahnik. But the real reason that he is working so hard is because his dad left when he was a baby and he needs to help his mom pay the bills. At least he has his friend, Meg, who works at the hotel coffee shop, to keep him company.

When beautiful Princess Victoriana comes to stay at the hotel, Johnny is thrilled when Victoriana invites him to her suite. There she tells him that her brother has been turned into a frog, and that she needs his help finding him in the Florida Keys. Johnny thinks she is crazy and does not believe her, until she gives him a magical cloak that immediately transports him to another location. Armed with the cloak and a magical earpiece that can help him talk to other transformed humans Johnny sets out to save the Prince

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: The Bookologist
Title: Once in a Full Moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I like the naked tree branches and the strands of hair over her face. Plus it sounds like a cool new YA werewolf series.

Book Description:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

The bestselling Vampire Kisses author, Ellen Schreiber, weaves together psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf—the perfect formula for what happens...once in a full moon

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: Wicked Scribes
Title: Blood Spells (Final Prophecy #5)
Author: Jessica Anderson
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Wow, a huge departure from the previous books in this series.  A woman on the cover instead of a man.  I don’t know if this indicates a change in the style for the series or not, but the cover alone looks good.  I image straight UF fans would be more likely to pick this one up.

Book Description:

N/A

Previous Books in Series:

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Source: Yasmine Galenorn’s newsletter
Title: Blood Wyne (Otherworld #9)
Author: Yasmine Galenorn
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Artist:  Tony Mauro 
Author Comments: 
“I finally have the cover of Blood Wyne to show you. Tony outdid himself yet again and this is my third favorite cover in the Otherworld Series, right behind Bone Magic and Witchling.”
My Thoughts:
Since Yasmine added this to her website the same day it went out in her newsletter, I can share it with you.  I really like the aggressive quality that all these covers have. And the red leather and blood splatter are a nice touch for the title.

Book Description:

We're the D'Artigo sisters: half-human, half-Fae, we're sexy, we're savvy and we just turned in our badges to the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Camille is a wicked good witch. Deliliah's a werecat and blossoming Death Maiden. And as for me? I'm Menolly, acrobat extraordinaire turned vampire. But being a vamp isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when the Godfather of all vampires decides to play Prince Charming...

It's the holiday season and a vampire serial killer is on the loose. Hungry ghosts are tearing up the town and people are running scared. I strike a deal with Ivana Krask--one of the Elder Fae--and too late, discover strings are attached. But when I turn to Roman, one of the oldest, most powerful vampires around, for help, he offers me more than I ever bargained for.

Previous Books in Series:

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Source: Wicked Scribes
Title: Hellforged (Deadtown #2)
Author: Nancy Holzner
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I’m loving the background of the cover, the flames, the crows, the knot work.  I loved Deadtown, so I can’t wait to read this one.

Book Description:

N/A

Previous Books in Series:

 

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Source: Wicked Scribes
Title: Hidden Embers (Dragon Heat #2)
Author: Tessa Adams
Release Date: April 5, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I was hoping for another cool belt buckle, but a huge dragon tattoo is almost as good.

Book Description:

N/A

Previous Books in Series:

 

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Source: Wicked Scribes
Title: Blood Sin (Awakened by Blood #2)
Author: Marie Treanor
Release Date: April 5, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Buy the poor girl a new dress already.  This almost just looks the the from side of the previous cover. 

Book Description:

N/A

Previous Books in Series:

 

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Source: Wicked Scribes
Title: Eternal Prey (Gods of the Night #3)
Author: Nina Bangs
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I know this looks like a Jurassic Park dinosaur title, but it’s actually about vampires.  This is a huge departure style wise for the series, but it is much more distinctive.  Might be worth checking out.

Book Description:

Series description

THE ELEVEN—an alliance of ultimate predators. Primal, lethal, irresistible. 

THE PROPHECY—an ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end on 12-21-12.

THE PREY—where can you hide from pure evil?

Eleven Gods of the Night…

The only creatures more deadly are the ones they’ve been summoned to destroy.

Previous Books in Series:

 

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Source: Dark Faerie Tales
Title: Mob Rules
Author: Cameron Haley
Release Date: September 1, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Love the snake font and the little details like her ankh necklace.  I haven’t had the best success from Luna books in the past, but this one looks and sounds promising.

Book Description:

As LA plunges into an occult gang war, mob sorceress Domino Riley must unravel a conspiracy that reaches beyond the magic-soaked mean streets into a world of myth and legend.

Domino investigates the ritual execution of a mob associate, a graffiti magician named Jamal. The kid isn’t just dead, he’s been squeezed — the killer stole his magical power or “juice.” Domino summons Jamal’s shade, and the ghost points to Adan Rashan as his killer. This is tricky, because Adan is the favored son of Domino’s boss, Shanar Rashan, a six-thousand-year-old Sumerian wizard. It’s even trickier because only a mobbed-up sorcerer could have squeezed Jamal and Adan isn’t a sorcerer.

As the corpses pile up, Domino must confront the killer and unmask an otherworldly kingpin with designs on her gang’s magic-rich turf.

MOB RULES is an urban fantasy novel of murder and magic, betrayal and redemption set in the supernatural underworld of Los Angeles.

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: Dark Faerie Tales
Title: Black Wings
Author: Christina Henry
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Great blue wash and slightly faded look.  The premise sounds good too.

Book Description:

Meet Maddy Black.
She’s an Agent of Death who really needs to get a life.

Escorting souls into the afterlife leaves Maddy little time for socializing—until devilishly handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in her building. But when demons start appearing on Maddy’s front lawn, she realizes there’s more to her new tenant than meets the eye.

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: LA FEMME READERS
Title: Angel
Author: L. A. Weatherly
Release Date: October 29, 2010
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I like this, the coy look on the girls face is perfect.

Book Description:

In a world where angels are beyond redemption, Alex thinks he's found one that might deserve mercy. Alex is a ruthless assassin - of angels. Forget everything you've heard about them before. Angels are not benign celestial creatures, but fierce stalkers whose irresistible force allows them to feed off humans, draining them of their vitality until there is barely anything left. As far as Alex is concerned, the only good angel is a dead angel...until he meets Willow.

She may look like a normal teenager but Willow is no ordinary girl. Half-angel, half-human, Willow may hold the key to defeating the evil angels. But as the hunter and the hunted embark on an epic and dangerous journey and Willow learns the dark and terrifying secrets of her past, Alex finds himself drawn to Willow...with devastating consequences.

Eoin Colfer reinvented the fairy, Stephenie Meyer reinvented the vampire, L.A. Weatherly reinvents the angel! This is a heart-pounding, knuckle-whitening, paranormal romance action-adventure for fans of the "Twilight" series. This is the first in a devastating new trilogy.

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: LA FEMME READERS
Title: Twilight Forever Rising
Author: Lena Meydan
Release Date: September 28th 2010 by Tor Books
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Hmm…I wonder if they could have used a bigger font for the word Twilight? I do like the shadowed figure and cityscape at the bottom.

Book Description:

Darel Ericson of the Dahanavar clan is a rarity among his vampire brethren: he’s an empath, strong enough to occasionally read thought as well as emotion.  For centuries, his power has given the Dahanavar a significant advantage against the machinations of the other vampire families, an advantage which makes Darel both a powerful tool and a highly visible target.

Fortunately for Darel, it is more useful for the heads of the other clans to maintain the centuries-long peace between the houses than to remove him.  But, the cunning and violent head of the House of Nachterret is tired of the truce, and of hiding his presence in the world.  The Nachterret would like nothing more than have free reign over the helpless human cattle upon which they feed.

Darel, and the human woman he loves, become central to the Nachterret’s scheme to plunge the Houses into all out war.  Darel is ultimately forced to face the question: is one young woman’s life too high a price to pay for peace?

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: LA FEMME READERS
Title: Esperanza
Author: Trish J. MacGregor
Release Date: September 14th 2010 by Tor Books
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
Another zoomed in face cover.  It’s getting really hard to tell these books apart.

Book Description:

Tess Livingston met Ian Ritter at a roadside stop high in the Andes, waiting for a bus to the mysterious town of Esperanza.Tess is an FBI agent who remembers being on the track of a group of international counterfeiters. But she doesn’t remember booking a trip to Esperanza.

Ian is a journalist who was planning to vacation to the Galapagos Islands. He, too, isn’t quite sure why he has a ticket to Esperanza. Their meeting will change their lives forever.

For they have been brought together because they hold the key in a mystical war between the kind spirits of the dead who guard humanity, and the hungry ghosts who exist only to possess living human bodies, and return however briefly to life.

In the midst of this war, Tess and Ian will find a love that can transcend time, and a cause that not even death will overcome

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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Source: Wickedly Romantic
Title: Demon's Are A Girl's Best Friend (Hex #6)
Author: Linda Wisdom
Release Date: 2011
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments:
“This will be out next spring and will be my next witch book featuring Maggie and a super hot demon.”
My Thoughts:
Wow.  This is a completely different look from her previous Hex books.  Looks fun.

Book Description:

N/A

Previous Books in Series:

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Source: Stacey Jay
Title: The Locket
Author: Stacey Jay
Release Date: February 2011
Artist:  N/A
Author Comments: N/A
My Thoughts:
I kind of wish the images in the locket were bigger, but the contrast between the girls is very cool.

Book Description:

(Not official cover copy)

What if you got a second chance to fix your worst mistake?

What if you found out miracles could happen?

What if you found out that sometimes, miracles are curses in disguise...

One girl, two boys, and one very scary piece of jewelry.

Previous Books in Series:

N/A

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If you’re reading this site, chances are pretty good that you have a deep and abiding love for vampires (my sincerest sympathies if you do not share my fondness for the tall, dark, and fanged).  No one can deny the mark they have left on our culture as vampires continue to take bites out of every form of media. 

• Vampire movies span romance and action genres (Twilight: Eclipse, Daybreakers)
• Vampire TV shows are more popular than ever (The Vampire Diaries, True Blood)
• Vampire fiction is proving to be as immortal as its subject matter. 

Case in point, the new vampire romance DRACULA, MY LOVE by Syrie James which returns us to the most famous vampire of all:

“A spooky yet thoroughly romantic love story.”
—Chicago Tribune

Torn between two men - a loving husband and a dangerous lover - Mina struggles to hang on to the deep love she's found within her marriage, even as she is inexorably drawn to Dracula himself - the vampire that everyone she knows is determined to destroy.

Sounds intriguing, right?  Sort of like a a cross between The Historian and Anna Karenina.  And thanks to TLC Book Tours, you have several opportunities to win a copy including a Twitter chat giveaway on August 13th & my giveaway today (see below).

On August 13th at 1:00pm PST, we’ll have a Vampire Lit Tweet-up (#TLCbookchat) with Syrie joining us in the chat. We’ll be giving away copies of Dracula, My Love before, during, and after the chat.. please join us!

Follow the tour for Dracula, My Love:

Monday, August 2nd:  LovesVampires

Monday, August 2nd:  Tynga’s Reviews

Tuesday, August 3rd:  All Things Urban Fantasy

Tuesday, August 3rd:  Pirate Penguin’s Reads

Wednesday, August 4th:  Parajunkee

Wednesday, August 4th:  Hist-Fic Chick

Thursday, August 5th:  Book Junkie

Thursday, August 5th:  Peeking Between the Pages

Friday, August 6th:  Mindful Musings

Monday, August 9th:  Scandalous Women

Monday, August 9th:  Passages to the Past

Monday, August 9th:  Stephanie’s Written Word

Tuesday, August 10th:  Historical-Fiction.com

Tuesday, August 10th:  Stiletto Storytime

Wednesday, August 11th:  Dark Faerie Tales

Thursday, August 12th:  Lovin’ Me Some Romance

Giveaway

Giveaway courtesy of TLC Book Tours

One copy of DRACULA, MY LOVE by Syrie James

Book Description

What if you were in love with an immortal being
who everyone you knew was determined to destroy?

Syrie James approaches Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula with a breathtaking new perspective–as, for the first time, Mina Harker records the shocking story of her scandalous seduction and sexual rebirth.

Who is this young, magnetic, handsome, fascinating man? And how could one woman fall so completely under his spell?

Mina Harker is torn between two men. Struggling to hang on to the deep, pure love she’s found within her marriage to her husband, Jonathan, she is inexorably drawn into a secret, passionate affair with a charismatic but dangerous lover. This haunted and haunting creature has awakened feelings and desires within her that she has never before known, which remake her as a woman.

Although everyone she knows fears Count Dracula and is pledged to destroy him, Mina sees a side to him that the others cannot: a tender, romantic side; a man who’s taken full advantage of his gift of immortality to expand his mind and talents; a man who is deeply in love, and who may not be evil after all. Soon, they are connected in a way she never thought humanly possible.

Yet to surrender is surely madness, for to be with him could end her life. It may cost Mina all she holds dear, but to make her choice she must learn everything she can about the remarkable origins and unique, sensuous powers of this man, this exquisite monster, this … Dracula!

Click HERE to read an excerpt from DRACULA, MY LOVE

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Giveaway Guidelines

1. Open to US/Canada only- no PO Boxes
2. Leave a comment telling me which vampire you would like to fall in love with & a way to contact you if you win
3. Entries must be received by Midnight MST on August 17th.  Winners will be announced on August 18th.

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Interested in offering a giveaway on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME

I’m over at Book Chick City today taking part in her Books We Love feature.  I choose two of my favorites (an UF and a Paranormal YA) titles to talk about.  Come stop by and let me know your thoughts.

It’s not often that I get completely blindsided by a book, one that not only meets all of my picky paranormal fiction requirements but actually surpasses them.  That’s exactly what happened with Rebecca Maizel’s Paranormal YA debut INFINITE DAYS, which will be published on August 3, 2010. I described it as, “a grab you by the throat, ignore the world around you, fall completely in love with kind of book, the kind I haven’t really read since Twilight.” (read my full review HERE). Still in a delicious daze from her book, I invited author Rebecca Maizel for an interview to wring out every detail to find out more about her truly lovely new series.

Rebecca Maizel graduated from Boston University and the Rhode Island College master’s program. She teaches community college in Rhode Island and is studying to receive her MFA from Vermont College.

 

 

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Interview

ATUF: How would you explain the story of INFINITE DAYS to someone considering reading it?

RM: More than anything it’s a story about humanity. I’ve said this in other interviews but Infinite Days is really a story about coming out of the darkness. Come on, we’ve all done things in our past that we regret and we wish we could take back. That theme is really prevalent in this book. Read this book if you like romance. Read this book if you want to go deep in someone’s mind – the mind of a ruthless supernatural creature. A dark creature that is given a second chance at the light.

ATUF: I flat out loved your take on vampires in INFINITE DAYS, specifically their deadened senses. How important was it for you to make your vampires distinctive and what was your favorite break from traditional vampire mythology?

RM: First of all, thank you so much. And second, I know this answer is going to be lame but I really thought about my vampires in terms of the story. I knew more than anything that Lenah would need a reason to want to be human. The stakes would have to be high – if she didn’t desire it more than anything else in the world, more than eternity with Rhode, it wouldn’t pay off for the reader why she was at Wickham in the first place. So I asked myself: what is the worst thing about Lenah’s existence? What is the one thing she wants more than anything else that is specifically human? To feel emotions and to touch. So I took that away from her as a vampire. By deadening the senses it only added to her isolation from the rest of the world.

ATUF: In my review, I mentioned how powerful I found the early scenes of Lenah's human life as she experienced her many firsts as a human. Was there a particular first for Lenah that was your favorite?

RM: If you’ve read the book…all I will say is one word: GREENHOUSE. Okay, I’ll say two words: Nasturtium and greenhouse. J

ATUF: On your blog, you took part in a video with several other YA authors talking about 'What Makes a Good Love Interest?" and you spoke about credibility, absolutely believing that two characters are destined for each other. How did you establish that credibility with Lenah and Justin?

RM: Thanks for watching that vlog. I always think I’m an idiot and never know what to say. But to answer your question, it’s funny actually. Lenah falls for the hot guy on campus and some people have had really strong reactions to this about this but here’s the thing about Lenah, SHE WAS DEAD! She felt nothing! Of course she would be attracted to the most alive person she comes across. Justin is dangerous, a risk taker and sexy. More than that, he comes from a good home. Lenah hasn’t had her family near her or been able to associate her emotions with her body in 500 years so when she sees Justin, it’s all she’s wanted – human touch and a family. It’s also all about the way he makes her feel not only emotionally but in her body. By the way, Rhode, well...Rhode is an entirely different story…

ATUF: Throughout INFINITE DAYS, Lenah remembers various key moments from her life as a vampire and even before that. How did you decide to incorporate flashback scenes and do you plan on more flashbacks in future Vampire Queen books?

RM: Flashbacks are tricky. I think if you write a flashback you have to know, in your heart that the flashback you are writing is indicative to the plot. No flashback included in the book is to be trifled with – what I mean is that they each have a purpose even in later in the trilogy. One memory in specific (muhhahaha…) I included flashbacks because I knew that Lenah’s human experience would have no context if we didn’t understand her as a vampire. You, as the reader, wouldn’t appreciate her changing perception of the human world without first seeing what evil she was capable of as a vampire.

ATUF: If INFINITE DAYS were ever made into a movie, who would your dream or, to keep things interesting, nightmare cast be?

RM: Another interviewer asked me this question and to be fair I think I have to give the same response! I absolutely LOVE this question and DO have a dream cast picked out. I will tell you if you email me: RebeccaMaizelAuthor@gmail.com or DM me on twitter: Rebeccajoym I’m afraid if I mention an actor you’ll have that person in your head and will be cursing me from your favorite reading chair.

ATUF: INFINITE DAYS is the first book in the Vampire Queen series. When is the next book coming out and what can you tell us about your plans for the series overall?

RM: I believe STOLEN NIGHTS comes out March 2011. I am finishing the draft now. I can tell you that whatever happens in book 2 has been set up in book 1. The seeds are planted…you just have to look for them.

ATUF: Do you have any other projects that can we look forward to reading from you soon?

RM: Yes! I am working on a realistic novel I am about half way through! It’s set on Cape Cod. Lovers Bay Mass, which is where Infinite Days is set, is also based on a real town called Chatham, Cape Cod. I have a real connection to it – I am actually typing this on vacation on CC right now!

ATUF: What are some of your favorite titles/authors in the paranormal genres?

RM: I just read Beating Heart by AM Jenkins in one sitting. Seriously, this was one of the best books I’ve ever read. No joke. I love love love Firelight by Sophie Jordon. I was lucky to be on a Buzz panel at BEA with Sophie and she sent me a copy. She’s awesomesauce and her writing makes me want to go to school and learn a thing or two. I’m also a HUGE Alice Hoffman fan. I love the book Turtle Moon but it’s considered adult fiction, I think.

ATUF: If INFINITE DAYS were a Frankenstein book compiled from elements of other books/movies/TV shows, what would some of those other books be?

RM: It’s a mix of pictures and images from my life. I really didn’t read a single vampire book until Infinite Days was drafted. You know, I think I’m better off because once I did write Infinite Days, I went out and read what else was in the genre. This was completely intimidating!

ATUF: Thanks so much for stopping by Rebecca.  Come back anytime!

Visit Rebecca online:

• Website
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

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INFINITE DAYS (Vampire Queen, book 1) by Rebecca Maizel
Available on August 3, 2010

Book Description

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."
Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.
Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

Click HERE to read an excerpt from INFINITE DAYS

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Interested in being interviewed on All Things Urban Fantasy?  CONTACT ME

I’m talking about the qualities that make up what I call the Uber Alpha Male (including more about my favorite alpha male: Spike!) today over on Tori’s paranormal site, Book Faery.  Go check it out!