Book Whispers: Author Gossip(2) and Cover Coveting(17)

April Showers bring may . . . showers? It seems like for every one day of semi-sunshine there’s about a weeks worth of rainy days. So much for tank top season. At least books are always in season.

Robin Hobb is pretty big in the Epic Fantasy genre so fans should be extra excited to hear she's doing a book tour for her US release of Inheritance. Here's the general details if you would like the full dates go go to the author's site for more info.

University Book Store, Seattle, Washington on May 5, Thursday at 7 PM

Barnes and Noble in Olympia, Washington on Black Lake Blvd. on May 6, Friday at 6 PM.

Park Place Books, Kirkland, Washington on May 10th at 7 PM.

Powells Books at Beaverton, Oregon, on May 14th. An afternoon signing at 4 PM.

Garfield Book Company near PLU in Tacoma on May 18th at 7 PM. (This will be my first time to sign at Garfield Book Company!)

The usual format for these events is that I will do a brief reading, takes some questions, and then sign books. And, where it is feasible, hang around and drink coffee afterward and chat with people. These gatherings are my reward for being good and sitting on my chair with my fingers on the keyboard for most of the rest of the year!

I will be bringing 'door prizes' to all the signings. As before, your receipt from the bookstore is your entry. Just put your name on the back. It does not have to be a receipt for my book, just for a purchase in the bookstore.

It's been a while since I've heard any news about the Beautiful Creatures movie. So, I was really excited to see Reelz Channel has set up a poll for fans to vote for which actors they think are best for the parts of their favorite characters. While it's no promise that the winner will get the roll, it's a great way to get your opinion out there. Who knows, maybe by voting you might just get your favorite actor for your favorite book character. Here's the link to make you vote.

All cover art is not final.

Daimon (Covenant 0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Source: goodreads

Shera’s Thoughts: Love the burning flower!! Pretty positive it’s a Tulip, which is a flower you don’t see to often on covers. This is the prequel to Halfblood, which hasn’t come out quite yet. You’ll notice it on my anticipated releases on the side bar.

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books:

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Source: goodreads

Shera’s Thoughts: After how disappointing book 2 (Crescendo) cover was, I really wasn’t expecting anything else. Just figured Hush, Hush was a one time wonder and we’d never get to see cool covers quite like that in the series again. This one just kicks butt. Even though I really disliked the first book, this cover makes me want to go out and buy book 2. Then pre-order this one.

Author’s Thoughts:

"The photographer was able to read both 'Hush, Hush' and 'Crescendo' before he did the photo shoot [for those], but I was really behind with this third book, so he didn't get the chance," she said. "So I was just giving him ideas. I said, 'Well, a lot of the story does take place right on the coast in Maine,' and so I think that's where he got the idea for doing this ocean scene."

Previous Books:

Charmfall by Chloe Niell

Source: goodreads

Shera’s Thoughts:This is really cool!! Yet . . . it just doesn't feel as cool as the other covers. Maybe it's just because it doesn't feel as mysterious as the others because it's a full body shot.

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books:

Beyond the Darkness by Jaime Rush

Source:Wicked Scribes

Shera’s Thoughts:That boy's gonna wassel some kitties. Really do I need to say more? Maybe. Yuck.

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books (Not in any kind of order):

Ecstacey Untamed Pamela Palmer

Source:Wicked Scribes

Shera’s Thoughts:Palmer's books always have good hunky covers that I don't feel ashamed of drooling over liking (minus book 1). This however is a terrible, terrible eye sore. You know how you look at a picture of someone and wonder "What were they thinking." Well guy brings to mind a certain vagueness. No thought required in this image.

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books:

Death Magic by Eileen Wilks

Source: Eileen Wilks's Blog

Shera’s Thoughts: It is striking. So far I’ve really loved the last five covers that have come out in this series. This cover would have been perfect. If they could have resisted the urge to put a wolf in the red sky, the blue in the previous cover was more subtle. Sometimes simple is better. It’s not like there wasn’t enough action going on.

Author’s Thoughts:

The cover art for DEATH MAGIC just arrived in my email inbox, and isn't it striking?

Previous Books:

Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep

Source: Wicked Scribes

Shera’s Thoughts: OMG! OMG!!! These covers just get better and better!!

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books:

Water to Burn by Katherine Kerr

Source:Wicked Scribes

Shera’s Thoughts:This cover isn't as stunning as the first one. It could have something to do with the tacky typography. Sure I can appreciate what they were trying to immatiate there, but let's be honest tacky is tacky.

Author’s Thoughts: N/A

Previous Books:

Wicked Scribes had this posted originally, and I just have to share it because it’s so exciting. Four hot authors telling, full length books in the same series. Freaking brilliant.

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.

The first book, due out on August 23rd, is Lord of the Vampires from Gena Showalter.

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.
When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...

Following on September 20th will be Jill Monroe's Lord of Rage.

Princess Breena had been dreaming of her warrior lover when she was ripped from her Elden castle and thrown into a strange, dangerous realm. Lost and alone, she prayed for survival and vengeance for her stolen kingdom. She found both in a woodland cottage...in a dark bear of a man.
The golden-haired beauty had eaten his food and slept in his bed when Osborn found her. Though he wanted to awaken his virgin princess to carnal pleasures, Breena wanted more—including his warrior skills. Skills the once-legendary mercenary had long buried. Now Osborn had a choice—risk his life or deny his princess her fairy-tale ending.

Coming in late October will be Lord of the Wolfyn from Jessica Andersen.

For practical Rhea Weston, nothing could explain how reading a sexy version of “Little Red Riding Hood” catapulted her into another realm—face-to-fang with the legendary wolf-creature who seduced women. A wolf who transformed into a dark, virile man . . .
Dayn cursed the Sorcerer that turned him wolfyn and damned him to a lonely fate. As a beast, he mated with women to gain strength. Strength he needed to rescue his royal palace. But as a man, he craved Rhea’s heated, sizzling touch. With little time left, Dayn had to either embrace his wolf to save his kingdom…or fight to save his woman.

And book four will be released in late November. Lord of the Abyss is the last entry, from Nalini Singh.

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.
Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who'd cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

Visions of Skyfire by Regan Hastings

Source: ATUF

Shera’s Thoughts:Where Visions of Magic was stunningly bold with it's fire theme. Visions of Skyfire is cool in its ethereal blue hues.

Author’s Thoughts:

Isn't it gorgeous???

Previous Books:

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

Source:ATUF

Shera’s Thoughts:This cover is awesome!! Simply all kinds of perty. From the shiny sword to the flowing hair, it makes me smile. Plus I love those boots.

Author’s Thoughts:

Isn’t it gorgeous?! I honestly couldn’t ask for a better cover. The artist, Gene Mollica, captured McKenzie perfectly. I love her serious expression, I love how her hair is blowing in the wind, and the sword id pretty kick-ass, too. My other favorite part: the magical, swirly background. If you look closely, you can see mountains in the mix, and since McKenzie tracks fae by reading the shadows, I like to think that’s what’s happening here. A fae just fissured out and this is what McKenzie sees.

Previous Books:

N/A

Switchblade Goddess by Lucy A. Snyder

Source: ATUF

Shera’s Thoughts: These covers always stun me. This one is no exception. Who new a naked chick holding a really tiny switch blade could look as scary as hell!

Author’s Thoughts:

Here's the Dan Dos Santos cover for my upcoming novel Switchblade Goddess, featuring Jessie Shimmer's nemesis Miko.

Previous Books:

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Source: ATUF

Shera’s Thoughts: Each cover for this series gets more and more stunning. Green is my fav color so it just speaks to me more then the others. Plus they way the two are reaching for each other and her dress vaporizing is visually pleasing.