03 August 2011

Cover Art Coverage: 12 New Titles!

  

Immortal Defender by Lisa Hendrix
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: Immortal Brotherhood #4
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

I usually hate subliminal “horse” references, but that fits the other covers in the series.  Something about this guy’s outfit (the half that he has on) reminds me of The Princess Bride, so he gets a thumb up just for making me imagine Wesley shirtless *happy*. I like this too surprisingly.  I think because it doesn’t feel exploitative like so many shirtless covers do.  And who doesn’t love The Princess Bride?
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Immortal Warrior Immortal Outlaw Immortal Champion

      
Bound by Desire by Jaymie Holland
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: N/A
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

The placement of the tiger face is just too odd.  My mind wants to make it a tattoo, but the image just seems to be floating there. Yep.  It looks a little creepy which I’m sure is not the look they were going for.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

     
Acquainted with the Night by Piper Maitland
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:

The pages of history are written in the blood of the undead…
A woman’s quest for the truth…
A medieval icon that holds the clues…
An ancient book with the power to shake Christianity—and humanity itself…

Caroline Clifford’s bland life as a London tour guide flips upside down when her beloved uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archeological site. While traveling to recover his remains, she meets a man who corresponded with her uncle. Jude Barrett is a biochemist on a mission—to eradicate the world of vampires…

At first, Caro is dismissive of Jude’s beliefs, but she can’t ignore the signs around her—the human bites on her uncle, the strange men following her, the anguished cries after sundown. More…


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: N/A
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

The style of this cover relies too much on the description in the upper left corner to mark this as “urban fantasy.”  I missed the shadowy figure all together until I really studied the image.  I would like less text, more mood. I would have expected this to be a thriller not an UF based on the cover. 
 
Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

      
Hold me if You Can by Stephanie Rowe
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:

Stephanie Rowe is an acclaimed author whose high-octane romances are attracting a growing readership. The third in a paranormal romance series packed with danger, sensuality and clever twists features Nigel Aquarian, a warrior with an artistic bent, and Natalie Fleming, a chocolatier who has a new lease on life. But her freedom comes with a dangerous gift she doesn't want.

Nigel and his fellow warriors have only just escaped imprisonment when an even worse threat emerges. Natalie is the only woman who can help Nigel—but she's also the one most likely to bring him down.

 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: Soulfire #3
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

The title ruined this one for me.  Aside from the distracting thought “Hey, if the guy can hold fire, he can hold anything,” that font is entirely out of place.  I know they were following the style of previous covers in the series, but that shade of yellow and the vines on the capital are very distracting with this image. I’ve liked the previous two covers in this series, but this one seems almost feminine by comparison.  I don’t know if it’s his pose or what.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Kiss at Your Own Risk Touch If You Dare

     
Bedeviled by Sable Grace
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: Dark Breed #2
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

I was on the fence with this one, but the artwork tipped me towards a thumbs up. The title font and colors are terrible, however, even it gives the cover an oddly child-like note.  A shame to splash that on top of such an intriguing image. Love this.  I really liked the cover from the first book, but this one is even better.  She looks fierce and the background has me very intrigued.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Ascension

      
Lure of Song and Magic by Patricia Rice
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: N/A
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Oh, if only laughter equals a thumbs up.  Where to start with this one.  His posture?  His wig-like hair?  The fact that he’s standing in a butt-level, lavender cloud of what I presume is his own “magic”?  The only nice thing I can think to say is that I applaud his wrist-watch, it’s the most unique cover model accessory I’ve seen in a long time. You are killing me, Julia LOL.  The hair is wrong.  The expression on his face looks confused, and the colors are way too soft.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

      
Vampire’s Kiss by Veronica Wolff
 

cover

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: The Watchers #2
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

The female cover model and the background are ok, they give a sense of the story and compliment the title pretty well.  The male cover model looks like he’s CGI, I found that distracting enough that I couldn’t focus on anything but trying to figure out what’s wrong with his features. Honestly, having just read book 1, I’m so excited to get my hands on this one that I’m not noticing any of the problems that bugged you.  It looks good to me.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Isle of Night

      
Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all...

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

 


“My love for this cover is boundless.  I utterly and absolutely ADORE it!!!!” – Nalini Singh

  • Series: Guild Hunter #0.5, 1.5, 4.5, 4.75
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link
  • Publisher: Berkley Sensation
  • Release Date: February 28, 2012
  • Source: Author’s Blog

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

I agree with the author, this cover is lovely enough to stop me in my tracks in a bookstore.  The artwork is gorgeous, and the title copy does a great job of complementing it and not disrupting the sense of movement. Yes!  We can now forget about the unfortunate cover on ARCHANGEL’S BLADE.  This is just so many kinds of pretty.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Angels' Blood Archangel's Kiss Archangel's Consort  (Guild Hunter, #3) Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunte...

     
Ashes by Estevan Vega
 

(Click to enlarge)

Not Available for Pre-Order.

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: Arson #2
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: N/A

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

I love the progression from book one.  The battered, numbered mask on the cover of ASHES is wonderfully creepy and ominous. See I think this takes creepy too far.  It’s unsettling for me.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Arson

     
Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:
N/A
 


No Author Comments

  • Series: Elder Races #4
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs down

I enjoyed reading DRAGON BOUND so much, the rest of this series could come wrapped in brown paper bags and I’d be pre-ordering.  This cover is much, much better than STORM’S HEART but not quite as delicious as SERPENT’S KISS.  Applaud the continuation of the t-shirt, though sorry we’ve regressed back to partial faces. You read it? Write us a review :) I think one of the reasons I haven’t read them yet is because of the lackluster covers.  SERPENT’S KISS is the best of the bunch, but None are great.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

Dragon Bound Storm's Heart Serpent's Kiss

      
The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova
 

(Click to enlarge)

Not Yet Available for Pre-Order.

Description:

Set against the backdrop of a Coney Island summer comes The Vicious Deep, the story of sixteen year old Tristan Hart whose life is turned upside down when the mermaids make an unscheduled return to land in search of their new king.

When a sudden storm pulls Tristan from lifeguard duty into a deadly riptide, he discovers what he really is—a prince of the Sea Court. Turns out, his girlfriend hopping and talents as a swimmer aren’t caused by his teenage prime hormones after all.

In this modern Arthurian tale with a twist, when all a guy wants to do is get The Girl and enjoy the freak show that is a Coney Island summer, Tristan has to fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity, if he still wants it, as he’s caught in a race for a throne that is as ancient as the gods.

 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: N/A
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs down

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

This premise sounds interesting enough to put on the TBR list, but this cover is way too busy for me.  The title font is good, but when coupled with the bleeding effect on both title and her lips, her eye shadow and scales and hair flying everywhere… it’s all just too much.  One or two of these effects would have been much more effective. Love the title font. Love the underwater floating hair.  Love the shimmery scales.  Love them all together.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

N/A

      
The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon
 

(Click to enlarge)

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Description:

Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian…

Seth’s time is running out. If he can’t hand over the entrance to Olympus, his own life and those of his people will be forfeit. No matter the torture, Seth hasn’t been able to break the god in his custody. Then there’s the beautiful Dream-Hunter Lydia: She isn’t just guarding the gates of Olympus—she’s holding back one of the world’s darkest powers. If she fails, an ancient curse will haunt the earth once more and no one will be safe. But evil is always seductive...

 


No Author Comment Available.

  • Series: Dream-Hunter #5
  • Artist: N/A
  • Goodreads: Link

Julia’s ThoughtsThumbs up

Abigail’s ThoughtsThumbs up

This cover is a big departure from the previous books in the series, and has a completely different feel to it.  On it’s own I like it quite a bit, and wonder if a cover art reboot is in the works for books 1-4? I like this cover, but unfortunately all of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s new covers all blur together for me.
 
Previous Covers in This Series

The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter,... Upon The Midnight Clear (Dark-... Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #14... Dream Warrior (Dark-Hunter, #1...

  
 

And our picks for Best & Worst…

Best

Worst

Angels_Flight_Medium9780061964411_0_cover1 the-lure-of-song-and-magic10954784

Which are your Best and Worst?

02 August 2011

Today we’re welcoming back Christina Henry, the author of the Madeline Black urban fantasy series from Ace Books, about a Grim Reaper.  The series continues this summer with BLACK NIGHT which is available now (read Julia’s review). One of my favorite characters from this series is Maddy’s smart-aleck gargoyle guardian, Bezzel, who was kind enough to drop by and tell us all what it takes to keep him happy.  Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of BLACK NIGHT.  See details below. 


A GARGOYLE CARE & FEEDING MANUAL
by
Christina Henry’s Beezle

Black Wings (Madeline Black, #1)My name is Beezle, and I’m here to instruct you on an extremely vital topic – the correct way to care for your gargoyle.

Gargoyles have incredibly important jobs and their services are often unappreciated by the residents of the homes that they guard. A gargoyle can see the true nature of things. That means if a demon shows up at your door disguised as the electric meter reader I can see through all the layers of reality down to its true essence. Now, don’t you want to know if that handsome guy knocking on your door is really from ComEd or if he’s there to yank your intestines through your nostrils?

I, for one, would prefer to have that information in advance, and given the value of such information I think that the humans (especially a certain Agent of death) that live with gargoyles should provide them with the following:

1) A steady supply of popcorn, preferably freshly popped at 15-minute intervals,

2) As many Boston cream doughnuts as I want without arguing about saturated fat content,

3) The so-called “emergency” chocolate stash should be redefined as “for all occasions” chocolate. Additionally, more quantity and variety in this stash would be welcome. Ghirardelli has many, many flavors of chocolate squares and there is no reason to be stingy.

Black Night (Madeline Black, #2)4) Cinnamon rolls from Ann Sather should magically appear in the kitchen at least twice a week. I do occasionally enjoy surprises so the days of the week can vary as long as my minimum cinnamon roll needs are being met.

5) When we order pizza, we should also order buffalo chicken wings and mozzarella sticks. I don’t see why we have to have a loud discussion about this every time.

6) Please stop buying vegetables. Nothing green will ever pass my lips unless it’s a sour apple Jolly Rancher.

If you have any further questions or suggestions on this topic, please direct them to my human, Madeline Black. She seems to be off in mortal peril at the moment (that happens a lot around here) but I will have her get in touch when she returns. If she returns.

If she doesn’t come back, who would like to adopt an incredibly adorable gargoyle? If you know how to bake, I’m all yours.

-----------------------------------

About Christina Henry

CHRISTINA HENRY is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time.  She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

Visit Christina Henry online:
Website|Facebook

Want to read more from Christina Henry?

Black Wings Black Night


Giveaway provided by Christina Henry

One copy of BLACK NIGHT by Christina Henry

Black Night (Madeline Black, #2)

Description:

Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her...

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.

Read our Review

Pre-Order from

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

GIVEAWAY GUIDLINES

  1. Open US only
  2. Leave a comment that includes a way to contact you
  3. Winner will be announced on August 11th
  4. See our Giveaway Policy HERE

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

01 August 2011

*This title will be released on August 2, 2011*

Working Stiff (Revivalist, #1)

Title: Working Stiff
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Revivalist #1
Cover Art: N/A
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Excerpt: Yes
Source: Publisher
Reviewed by: Julia

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Roc; August 2, 2011
  • ISBN-10: 0451464133
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451464132

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery



Sexual Content:

Kissing; references to sex, necrophilia, and sexual assault.


Rating:

Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.


Description

A brand new adventure from the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rachel Caine, author of the Morganville Vampires and Weather Warden series ...

Bryn Davis is new on the job as a funeral director, but even she knows that once you’re dead, you ought to stay that way. But Fairview Mortuary has a hidden backroom business: reviving the dead for profit, at extortionate rates.

Finding out may cost Bryn more than her life ... it may just take away her death, too. 

Review

From page one, WORKING STIFF was a wonderful surprise.  I did not expect to fall in love with the heroine so quickly; Bryn's careful, quiet personality is so winning and fierce I was captivated. She has a life and a job history prior to working at the funeral home, and that made her all the more human and interesting.  This rapport with Bryn is the gateway into her world, and gives emotional heft to the rest of the story.

And oh, what a story.  So many familiar themes of immortality, loss and vulnerability are woven into this most delicate balancing act of rebirth. WORKING STIFF felt more like vampirism from a foot-soldier's perspective than a zombie story; Bryn's continued existence relies on an organization that is rotten to it's core. Anyone who has ever wondered if they could survive the collapse of society without access to life saving prescriptions will relate to this book, Bryn has a daily death sentence hovering over her.  And yet, even as she lives, she's caught in the perfect stasis that is immortality. No going forward, but the fear of falling back into death and darkness hanging over every moment... her emotional journey is both heart-wrenching and riveting. 

Bryn and her world were so interesting to me, it was easy for friendships and love interest to get lost in the shuffle. They were there, they were sweet and sexy and dangerous by turns, but I was more fascinated watching Bryn adapt to the changes in her life than anything else. As I close WORKING STIFF, I'm still emotionally invested enough to worry about these characters.  At odd moments I find myself planning strategies to keep Bryn safe, and I can’t wait for Book Two to set my mind at ease.

Previous Books in Series
Also Reviewed By:
  1. N/A

**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination BONUS giveaway & a chance to win WITCHES OF EAST END by Melissa de la Cruz**

The Deadly Destinations tours may be over (you have until August 6th to enter all the giveaways), but that doesn’t mean our trips to the summer’s killer hot spots has to be.  After all, we did promise you a few BONUS giveaways.  First up from Simon and Schuster is the first in The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series by Kenneth Oppel called THIS DARK ENDEAVOR (available on August 23, 2011 from Simon and Schuster). 5 commenters on this post will win a copy. Details below. 


Giveaway provided by Simon Schuster

5 copies of THIS DARK ENDEAVOR by Kenneth Oppel

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein
Available on August 23, 2011 from Simon and Schuster

Description:

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. With their friend Elizabeth, Henry and Victor immediately set out to find assistance from a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrad's life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another

Read an excerpt

Pre-Order from

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Giveaway Guidelines

  1. Open to US addresses only

  2. Leave a comment & 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


    Don’t miss any of the tours & giveaways from Deadly Destinations.  Check out all the previous posts from this event!

    ShareThis

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

    About ATUF

    Started in 2009, All Things Urban Fantasy is the place 'Where Para is Normal'. This your one stop for all things Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal YA, & select Speculative Fiction titles (Dystopian and Steampunk etc.). Want to know more about ATUF? Read the About page.

    If you are an author, publisher, or publicist that would like a book reviewed on this site please Request a Review. All inquires are welcome.

    Interviews? Guest blogs? Giveaways? Book Tours? Promotion of any kind? Contact us

    Follow ATUF

    Current Giveaways

    Mouseover for details & click to enter giveaway

    More coming soon

    See our Giveaway Policy

    Upcoming Guests

    Want to be a guest? Fill out our Guest Request Form

    Recent Comments

    Grab Our Button

    All Things Urban Fantasy

    Sites & Info

    Labels

    Copyright Text