Cover Love - Kerrianne Coombes

Please welcome Kerrianne Coombes to the blog, author of paranormal and contemporary romance!

Hi guys. I am here today to share with you my favourite covers from some awesome authors, and I am going to tell you why they captured my imagination.

I'll start with The Host, By Stephanie Meyer (Also chosen by Jessica Subject—I think). This book cover captured me for two reasons. 1, THE COVER IS AWESOME! The Cover tells its own story, and it is so close to the book inside. 2, because you know its sci-fi without all the theatrics. … Let me explain. I read Sci-fi sometimes… I am a part-time sci-fi reader, I only read it if it has been recommended to me, or if the story is compelling to me. I need the science fiction to be light. I need the science fiction to be believable. But that said, when I find a science fiction book I like—I tend to LOVE it. LOL  

 

My second choice is, Fire, By Kristin Cashore. This cover is art! It speaks to me, and I snatched it up—and Graceling—without even reading the blurb! It turns out that I adored both books. Both covers are close to the story, and both covers are just…pretty!

My third choice is, Shadows Claim, by Kresley Cole. This cover is just hot! The colours, the look on his face. It reeled me in!

My fourth choice is, Upon The Midnight Clear, by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  Apart from this being one of my favourite Dream Hunter books, this cover has it all. Its sexy, eye catching and it drew me in.

My fifth choice—and I was surprised that it was yet another Sci-fi—is, Born Of Ice, by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I have read, and re-read these books so many times- I adore them. The cover is very simple, but, for me, it works. It doesn’t so much give any clues to the book, but it does let us glimpse the character before we even open the pages.

  

 Gotta say, Kerrianne, the two dark, brooding males definitely caught *my* eye. :-P Thanks for sharing! What do *you* think of her choices?

Author Bio;

About the Author

Kerrianne Coombes is the youngest of three siblings. Born in England in 19 *Cough cough*

Books became very important to Kerrianne at a very early age. Having a book obsessed mum, made finding and reading all the greats, like Emma and Pride and Prejudice–and, of course, Anne of Green Gables–natural for her to read. The entire idea of being whipped into a new world, a new life was greatly appealing to a little girl who had far too much imagination to know what to do with.

Being the kid with braces, frizzy hair and awkward laugh, Kerrianne found she could be who she wanted to be as soon as she picked up a book.

After leaving school, Kerrianne was a groom working at an event/ hunt stables (Horses) Later, the lure of working in a dry, warm office yanked her away from the farms and the open air. But she never found a job that suited her as well as being a groom.

Though writing was something Kerrianne only started seriously after she had her babies, Kerrianne has always written little stories and little poems–these were written more as a therapy when she needed to clear her mind, and usually, they were written at the office when she was supposed to be doing something mundane.

“Writing was my procrastination when I worked in an office.”

But when her youngest went to school, Kerrianne found that the stories were busting to get out, and thats when she decided to dedicate more time to what was then, her hobby.

Fast forward four years, and Kerrianne is usually found with a coffee in hand, her eyes glued to a computer screen, writing,editing or plotting.

You can find me on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kerrianne-Coombes/148877721876528

Twitter, Kerrianne_xx

And on my blog, http://kerriannecoombes.wordpress.com

Find my books on Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kerrianne+coombes

Cover Love - Judging by the Cover with Diane Dooley

Please welcome author Diane Dooley to the blog - intergalactic troublemaker, writing science fiction, romance and horror - with a twist on the Cover Love series.

As I was spending a deliriously happy few hours searching for my favorite SFR covers I came to a realization: I have a favorite cover artist! Her name is Kanaxa and you can view her galleries of cover art here.

With permission received from Pippa, I’m going to select my favorite covers from the various Kanaxa galleries and explain what I find particularly appealing about them.

From the Science Fiction gallery I chose Breaking Chance by Kim Knox. The SF elements are clear from the epic backdrop, and the male character stands out so strongly against it. I’m getting a ‘one man against the world’ vibe with this cover. I love how he is frontlit by the sunburst, while the black space makes me think this could be a dark and gritty story.

In the Contemporary gallery I fell in love with One Thousand Kisses by Jody Wallace. The embrace tells me this is a romance story. It promises passion and tenderness with the closed eyes and almost-kiss. The glowing droplets of light, scattered over the scene, more than suggests something magical in the setting and in the love between these two people.    

From the Historical/Time Travel gallery I selected Midnight Secrets by Jennifer St Giles. It’s a gorgeous ‘Dark and Stormy Night’ cover, reminding me of old gothic romances, complete with ravishing gown. I love the little details: the design around the series title, the rain effect, the splash of color in the ribbon, and the mud on the lower part of the pristine white of the gown.

In the Paranormal/Steampunk gallery I found Archer’s Lady by Moira Rogers. Despite the lady in the title, this cover is all about the man. The shadowed face, the crossed guns, the fiery background, the blood spatters bouncing off his hat. I’m intrigued. Who is this Archer? Is he as dark and violent as he seems. How could such a hardened man have won the heart of a lady?

In the Horror gallery I shuddered at The Seven Days of Cain by Ramsey Campbell. My eyes are glued to those statue-like figures who gaze out over a desolate landscape. What the hell are they? Is this a horror  story on a biblical scale or perhaps something post-apocalyptic? It’s dark, it’s ominous, it’s most definitely horror, the only light coming from a confused and pearly sky.    

There is no guarantee that I will love the stories behind these covers, but there is also no doubt that the covers did what they are supposed to do: they drew my eye, they made me look again, they sent me looking for blurbs and reviews and buy links. That’s a job well done.

Do you have a favorite of the ones I selected? Or another one from the Kanaxa galleries?

* * * * *

Diane Dooley writes science fiction, horror and romance; short stories, novellas and novels.  

Learn about her books, short stories and social media venues on her blog: Writing, Stuff and Nonsense 

Cover Love - Karen Y Bynum

Please welcome sassy Southern author of YA paranormal romance - Karen Y Bynum to the blog, with her five favourite covers and why she loves them.

The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13510491-the-iron-butterfly

The thing that drew me into this cover, first of all, was the butterfly. I’m a sucker for butterflies and dragonflies. And the way the butterfly fades into the background, made me feel the urgency of the story even before I read the blurb. I love the simplicity of it and the way the title grabs your attention.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8591107-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer Normally covers with the font overtop the character or picture distracts me, but for this cover it just works. It gives me a sense of hiding, like Mara doesn’t want to be noticed. And the way she’s being rescued from the water gives that sense of urgency. Will she live? I need to know! The fact that we can’t see the couple’s faces also adds a mystery element. Who are they really? Why is she in a party dress? How did she get in the water?

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8705784-born-at-midnight

First of all, there’s fog… Sold. Second, there’s a massive tree… Double sold. Lastly, there’s a girl who looks like she could be a complete bad-ass. I also love the contrast of the font. The title is more elegant (soft) while the author’s name is almost an old-timey (hard) typewriter font. And then when I read the premise of the book: supernatural summer camp, there was no question I was reading it.

Wake by Lisa McMann

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1661957.Wake

I know I’m supposed to talk about the cover, but first I just have to say that this is by far one of the best, most realistic, unique supernatural, boundary-pushing, fantastically told YA series out there. Okay, now, on to the cover! It’s so simple, yet captures my attention right away, and made me ask lots of questions. What’s the deal with the pillow? Why all the darkness? Is there a supernatural element? It also screams of mystery and heart-break to me. I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did!

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8573642-incarnate

First of all… Butterfly, so, sold. I haven’t read this book yet, but I’ve already bought my copy. The cover is absolutely breath-taking. I just want to stare at it. Everything about it from the colors to the font to the mixed look of despair and hope on the girl’s face just makes me want to read it! Then after I read the blurb about a twist on immortality (she won’t be reincarnated) and saw that there were dragons in it… Double sold. I can’t wait to read this book!

Witch Way to Turn blurb:

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?

The last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work. But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural underworld.

Myles, Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load of secrets--one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence.

Orin is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though it means risking his own.

Despite a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness within, she could lose her sister…forever.
WARNING: Contains strong language and some graphic content.

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Thanks, Karen! I have to say the butterfly cover would catch my eye too. 

Cover Love - Misa Buckley

For this week's cover love post, please welcome speculative romance author and Cliff Simon minion, Misa Buckley, sharing her favourite spec fic covers.

GRAVITY, Melissa West

Despite an aversion to YA, I'm drawn to GRAVITY because of its simplicity. There are no naked torsos or angst-ridden teens, just the Earth from space. The fonts used are beautiful and elegant, and fit the overall theme without dominating. All in, its a very eye-catching cover that makes me want the book, and that's kind of the point.

GHOST PLANET, Sharon Lynn Fisher

What I love about GHOST PLANET is how the main characters are shown in reflection. With one male and one female, it's obvious that the book is sci fi romance but again there's no naked torsos or the traditional cuddle that usually says SFR. This cover is much more subtle, and I think the conjunction also hints at an unbalance within the story. 

A STAR SHALL FALL, Marie Brennan

London in flames and a dragon in the sky. What more do I need to say?!

THE KINGDOM OF GODS, N.K. Jemisin

I have to admit to liking this cover for its likeness to Stargate's Atlantis. The swirling sea hints at danger, while a scattering of stars suggests magic. But what grabs me is the almost-invisible antagonist (I presume) - the eye in the sky. The overall impression is one of beauty with an undertone of freaking creepy.

BLACKBIRDS, Chuck Wendig

I absolutely love this stark black-and-white image by Joey Hi-fi and so have a lot of cover competitions. Miriam (the protagonist, if you've not read this book yet) is shown in relief, her picture made up of birds. This is a strong theme through BLACKBIRDS and sequel MOCKINGBIRD, which has a similar cover. A creepy, grimy (but great!) cover for a creepy, grimy (but fabulous!) book.



Bio
Born and raised in Manchester, UK, Misa Buckley grew up watching Doctor Who and Star Trek. She was fascinated by stars and space travel and avidly followed every Shuttle launch. But while TV fed her love of the future, books tapped into a fondness of fantasy, devouring books by Anne McCaffrey and David Eddings.
The extraordinary fascinated her, but growing up she’d rather be out horse-riding or practising her artwork than writing. It wasn’t until she’d married college sweetheart and had their first child that she discovered fanfiction, which offered her the chance to play in the universes she loved to watch.

Find her at
Website
Goodreads
Twitter

Upcoming release

TIN CAT

A year after the accident that put her in a wheelchair, Amber Gerald has more or less gotten used to living with her impairment. It doesn’t make a difference to running a comic book store anyway, and the customers have been the best support group she could have wished for.
When she rescues an abandoned cat, Amber has no idea that she’s interfering in the mad scheme of a time travelling bank robber. Or that the man that walks into her store dressed like Blade is about to become her bodyguard.
Between being an unwitting owner of an android cat and falling for a cybernetic bounty hunter, Amber finds her life a whole new level of weird as science fiction becomes a very real factual threat.

Released 4th March 2013 from Champagne Books


So what do you think of Misa's choices? Have any caught your eye? 
 

Cover Love - Chantal Halpin

For this week's cover love guest post, please welcome Chantal Halpin - Urban Fantasy writer and reader, with a love for anything fanged, fae, witchy and shifty.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll:

This particular copy was given to me by Mrs Meehan (who was my best friend’s grandmother and a fierce old bird) at Christmas when I was six years old. I treasured it and re-read it often throughout my childhood. I especially loved the illustrations and the gold script of the (sadly faux) leather cover.  

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett:

This caught my eye on a bookshelf in my school library when I was eleven years old. It literally jumped out at me and I was delighted to stumble upon a brilliant writer.

 Ecstasy by Irvine Welsh:

I can remember reading this collection of shorts while lying in a park when I was about twenty and thinking I was so cool! This was definitely something to be seen with. All Irvine Welsh’s covers tend to be controversial, which matches what is inside too.

Curran Vol 1 by Ilona Andrews:

This is a self-published collection of scenes written from the point of view of the male character from the best-selling Kate Daniels ‘Magic’ series. I can remember thinking that the cover was pretty ballsy! I imagine they could do something flashier with the text now, but I like its simplicity and originality. 

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs: 


This hits all the buttons as far as urban fantasy covers go. I just want to look at it. I have a Kindle copy, but I might get the paperback just so it will look pretty on my shelves. The girl looks sassy and kick-ass (although, Anna the MC is neither) and the moon is gorgeous, I love the colour. Perfect.

The also rans just in case you are interested:

Archangels Consort by Nalini Singh

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Brinded Cat

Insurance claims worker, Sam, doesn’t want to do any more jobs for the Community. She just wants to fill in her nice, harmless forms. But when she is coaxed into rescuing a witch’s familiar from a tree, she finds her charge is more than an average kitty.

Faced with the option of handing him over to the authorities, she instead risks her liberty and flees across London with the witch hunters in hot pursuit. But for a change it seems the Latino pyromaniacs are not the most dangerous players in this game of cat and mouse.
This is a short story of approx 10,000 words with British spellings set in London.

Author Bio:

Chantal Halpin lives in the South West of England with her husband, two kids and their smelly rescue dog. She mostly writes urban fantasy and loves anything fanged, fae witchy or shifty. She is currently working on The Witch Hunter Series which includes both urban fantasy and young adult stories.

Book Links:

Smashwords

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

Author Links:

Blog: We Are Going On A Witch Hunt

Twitter: @ChantalHalpin

GoodReads: Author Page

Thanks, Chantal! The Pratchett covers have always been eyecatching. So what do you think of Chantal's choices? Anything there you've picked up because of the cover?