COVER LOVE: March Edition

I love cover art. Nothing thrills me more than seeing an amazing cover that takes my breath away. I have been seeing them pop up all over the place recently. So many good covers. So many books I want to read :)

To try and help me narrow it down for this post, I have decided to choose covers featured on the Goodreads Listopia List - Best Covers of 2014. There are only 38 books so far and I hope people will keep adding the beautiful covers they come across throughout the year.

Here are my favorites off the list so far. (And just as a side note - Kate Strawbridge, the designer for my book True Colors, is currently holding the top 2 spots!!!)

So - in no particular order, because I love them all....

RETRIBUTION by T.G. AYER

Aren't those eyes just so amazing!!

CRASH INTO YOU by KATIE McGARRY

There is something so sweet and sexy about this image.

PANIC by LAUREN OLIVER

I'm curious. Covers like this always intrigue me.

NEARLY GONE by ELLE COSIMANO

Another image that makes me curious. This one is quite stunning.

Have you seen any stunning covers lately? 

Find them on Goodreads and add them to this list...or mention them in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by :D

COVER LOVE - True Colors Cover Reveal

And here it is...the moment we've all been waiting for :)

The True Colors cover reveal!!

It is with great pleasure that I reveal this stunning cover by Kate Strawbridge of Dwell Design and Press. Her tireless work on this project was amazing and the cover is simply stunning. Thank you for your talent and patience, lovely lady. You have done a fantastic job.

TRUE COLORS BLURB:
Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama…until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.

Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people’s masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and her high school is filled with secrets…some very sinister ones.

Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends now appears terrified, but masks her fear behind a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn’s new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends’ true colors?

Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.

At Palisades High School every face tells a story…

Add True Colors to your reading list on Goodreads.

And please don't forget to join in the True Colors release celebration at the 

Masquerade Ball (A Facebook Event) 

February 16th. 

This is going to be huge - with visiting authors unveiling their own secrets as well as competitions and giveaways. A Best Mask Competition has already begun.
But the best part?
Every party-goer will be entitled to purchase a copy of True Colors for only 99c!! 

I look forward to seeing you there :)

COVER LOVE: September Edition

This week is all about COVERS. Yay! I have a cover reveal for Tara West on Thursday, but today, I want to highlight some of the new covers that have really caught my eye.

The first cover that really caught my eye this month is from Lizzy Ford's upcoming book. The cover for her upcoming release is STUNNING and so powerful. I'm not really into witches and voodoo and stuff, but this cover takes my breath away.

Ella James has redone her Love Inc. Series. The new covers are gorgeous. I really liked the old ones too, but these ones have a very different feel and I think they work brilliantly.

Redoing covers can be an excellent way to ramp up sales or find a new audience. Because of this, I am giving my Elements Trilogy a make over. Keep an eye out for the Cover Reveal - Oct 1st and the One Day Sale to celebrate - Oct 2nd.

Double Cover Reveal!! For the Betwixt Series by Melissa Pearl

Mrs. Potter’s Book Publicity Services Presents:

A Double Cover Reveal for author Melissa Pearl!

BEFORE

(Betwixt Novella #0.5)

Description:

Dale Finnigan is a teenage rebel; he lives for parties, girls and joy riding in stolen cars. In spite of his uptight parents' constant warnings and lectures, he continues to run wild. His crazy lifestyle is the only way he can live and feel free…until his reckless behavior takes him down a path where there is no going back.

In this prequel to BETWIXT, find out who Dale Finnigan was before he became known as “scar-face”—the unassuming hero everyone underestimates.

Add BEFORE to your Goodreads TBR List

BEYOND
(Betwixt Novella #1.5)

Description:

Have you ever been so in love with someone, but not had the courage to tell them?

Nicole Tepper is that girl. She loves her boyfriend Dale, but fearing rejection, keeps her feelings buried deep. She can’t even let on how heartbroken she is when Dale begins applying for colleges thousands of miles away from her; never even whispering a word about how much she wishes he would stay close.

But, when Dale is rejected from Columbia University in NYC, due to a police report that follows him wherever he goes, Nicole soon discovers that love can drive her to do things she never thought possible.

There's more than one way to say, I love you and Nicole Tepper is about to prove to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.

Add BEYOND to your Goodreads TBR List

Cover Designs By: Eden Crane Design

AUTHOR BIO:

“I used to be a full time teacher (11-13 year olds) then I became a full time mother. During that time I also found my passion for writing. Over the last ten years I have been studying the craft and putting myself out there.My first trilogy came out in November, 2011. It has been a wild ride swimming in this indie river and I have loved so much of it. I have learned so many amazing things and met so many great people. It has totally solidified the fact I want to be a writer for as long as I possibly can!

I now have five books published and am working on a new YA Fantasy trilogy for 2013. I am having so much fun with it and can't wait to share it with everybody.

I am from New Zealand, but am currently living in China with my husband and two sons. It has been a culture shock, but it's pretty cool living in such a different country.” ~Melissa Pearl

AUTHOR SOCIAL LINKS:

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

Blogs: http://melissapearl.blogspot.com/ and http://yalicious.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

Smashwords Author Page

Newsletter subscription

Website

Pinterest

COVER LOVE - July Edition plus COVER REVEAL for Taming Cross by Ella James

As many of you know, this is my favourite post of the month. I love book covers, there is something so delicious about them and I have some gorgeous ones to share with you today.

First off - here are two by the talented Eden Crane. I love her stuff and am very excited to be working with her for the first time. She did these two covers for Komal Kant - an author I adore. I can't wait for both these books to come out. So excited!!

Add Echoes of Melody to your reading list.

Add Wrong Side of Town to your reading list.

Next up with have a saucy little cover by Lizzy Ford. I think it's the lips that my eyes get drawn to first. They are very luscious and I'm immediately intrigued by who this woman is.

Add Star Kissed to your reading list.

Another cover that caught my eye and took my breath away this week was Exit Stage Left by Patti Larsen. It is SO gorgeous and I cannot tell you how excited I am that Patti has written a contemporary romance. I can't WAIT to read it!!

Add Exit Stage Left to your reading list.

And finally - the big cover reveal. I love doing cover reveals and I'm very excited to be a part of Ella's one. The sequel to Selling Scarlett does not disappoint. Check out - Taming Cross! 

TAMING CROSS by ELLA JAMES

For twenty-three years, Cross Carlson was a playboy. You know the type. Tall, dark, and wealthy. Blue-eyed. Charming. He seemed to have it all so easy. But Cross was harboring a terrible secret - one that helped ruin the life of an innocent girl and almost ended his own.

Finally out of the hospital, Cross is flailing, scarred in both body and mind and stifled by the weight of the secret he still keeps. The only way to absolution lies in a Mexican convent, and going there could cost him everything.

If there's anyone who knows what it's like to screw up big time, it's Meredith Kinsey. Just a few years ago, Merri was an ordinary girl with a job at her college newspaper and white picket fence kind of dreams. Now she's holed up in a Mexican convent, hiding from a drug lord who thinks he owns her.

What happens when the only way out of hell is with the son of the man who put you there? They say love conquers all, but does it really?

Add Taming Cross to your reading list.

COVER LOVE - featuring Mae I Design

A few authors I know have used this talented lady for their covers and every time they do a reveal I am blown away by how beautiful the covers are.

So I thought I'd get in touch with Regina Wamba and see if she'd like to visit YAlicious and tell us a little about her awesome work.

Welcome to YAlicious, Regina. It is so incredibly cool to have you here :)

1. When did you discover your passion for photography and graphic design? 

Oddly enough. I've always been an artist. Started taking pictures in high school, did friends, seniors, and weddings through college, and then in 2009 I re-discovered my love for reading and kind of fell into cover design which is now a whole new creative venture. :D

2. What is your favourite part of the process? 

Designing. I love taking a flat image and adding in the effects, and making a story come to life. :D

3. What types of questions do you ask authors when you are designing a cover for them? 

What kind of story is it? Anything special I need to know about? Do you need a wrap or just e-cover? Do you have a vision?

4. Do you have a weakness for certain types of images, fonts or colours on your covers?

I have a weakness for color. I love color. I am a very NEON kind of person. haha. BUT I only use colors on a cover that will convey a certain message to the right audience. :D

5. Could you share one or two of your favourite covers - the ones you are most proud of and tell us why you love them so much.

Well, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden is a favorite for a whole list of reasons.

1. The photography is my own. 

2. My brother is featured (Kayden).

3. I got a one sentence line from Jessica about the book. "there is a kissing scene in the rain" is what I got. :D

4. The passion on the cover is realistic and classy. I love that you FEEL that PULL of love, and desperation from the cover. :D

5. I love that it is got a small grunge appeal to it. This helps convey that it has a very realistic story line. Talks about some very deep things.

6. It will be available in like 12 different countries, and on the shelves in August. Which I am extremely proud of. :D

It's hard to  pick a second, as this one happens to be the closest to my heart. :D

6. Who are some graphic designers you look up to?

Well, not necessary a graphic designer.. but Bob Ross was a huge inspiration growing up! I could watch him for hours. :D

7. Who are some of your favourite authors to read?

Love Brynn Meyers, JR Ward, Cassandra Clare, JK Rowling, Lauren Kate, Cambria Hebert, Charlain Harris, John Corwin, Libba Bray

8. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spend time with family (three kids and a hubby) and friends. Love to travel, take pictures, draw, paint, and learn (oddly enough, I crave learning)

9. Where is your favourite place to work?

When it's warm, outside. :D

10. What are your favourite types of pictures to take? (Faces, nature, sunsets - that kind of thing) :)

People. LOVE people, their story, their emotions, it's just personal. :D

If you'd like to find out more about Regina and her Mae I Design business, you can follow the links below. 

Facebook: 

Facebook.com/maeidesignandphotography

Twitter: 

twitter.com/reginawamba

Cover Love - May Edition

Yay! Time for one of my favourite posts of the month... COVER LOVE :)

I have some very cool covers lined up for you this month. Hopefully you can add some excellent new books to your reading lists.

The first few covers are designed by Mae I Design. Regina is such an amazing designer. I am so impressed by her work that I've actually invited her to YAlicious for an interview. She will be appearing in June to tell us about her process and highlight some of her favourite covers.

And now - for some of my favourite covers this month...

One by Mari Arden. This cover captured me immediately. The girl's face is stunning and I love her intense expression. The blurb for this book sounds fantastic and I added it to my reading list immediately.

Maverick by Anna Cruise. Who doesn't like books about hot surfers! This book sounds so intriguing. The guy on the cover is gorgeous, but to be honest, my favourite aspect is actually the wicked font and colour of the title.

Broken Wings by Cameo Renae. This cover is so stunning. The colours, the women on the front...the feathers. It all works so beautifully.

Losing Francesca by J. A. Huss. I highlighted this book recently as part of J. A. Huss' cover reveal, but I wanted to highlight it again. There is something so haunting about the girl's eyes. The premise for this book is really cool as well. It's going to be a great read :)

The Edge of Darkness by Melissa Andrea. Isn't this cover stunning? It's the shadows of the birds that do it for me. I love it.

Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy. I can't wait for this book to come out. The cover captured me immediately and then when I read the book description, I got super excited. It's going to be awesome :)

So - have any of these covers captured you?
Which one do you like best?

Cover Love - April Edition

Welcome to April's Edition of Cover Love. I had some gorgeous covers to share with you this month.

The top billing for me is an upcoming release called Skin Deep by T. G. Ayer. This cover is gorgeous and I'm super excited about reading the book.

Panther Shape-shifter Kailin Odel just wants to be normal. Leaving her clan, and her Alpha responsibilities, to live with her grandmother in Chicago had been the best thing for her. Only then did she discover her ability to track and kill the soul sucking undead creatures called Wraiths. Now she protected the humans, and had something to be proud of.

But, when she discovers the body of a murdered shape shifter, Kailin has to come to terms with the reality that her own kind are just as vulnerable as the humans.

The closer Kailin gets to the killer the more she has to face the intricacies of her people. When the time comes can she accept who and what her real purpose is?

Here is the Goodreads link so you can add the book to your reading list: SKIN DEEP

Another cover that caught my eye this week is If I Fall by Anna Cruise. I love what the girl is wearing, how she's leaning against the railing...the look on her face. It's all good!

You can check out this book on Goodreads and add it to your reading list: IF I FALL

The fourth book in Alexia Purdy's A Dark Faerie Tale series is coming out later this year. Here's the cover... isn't it cool! I love the mysterious vibe.

You can check out this book on Goodreads and add it to your reading list: EVER WRATH

There are SO many more covers I can share. Books seem to be firing onto the web at lightning speed, but I'll stick with those three for now. I hope you enjoy them when they are released later in the year.

Cover Love - February Edition

Yay - one of my favourite posts of the month.... cover love. I love looking at book covers, being inspired by the images, wanting to rip open a book, just to find out what it all means.

Here are some of the covers I have spotted this month, that I really love...

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard - due for release May 15th, 2013. There is something very wistful and romantic about this cover. I want to know what the girl in this image is thinking.

The Game by Shane Scollins - due for release March 2013. I love the haunting eyes and the maze beneath. It's a very intriguing cover. (Another one by Eden Crane - man that girl rocks!!)

Inhale, Exhale by Sarah M. Ross - due for release April 2013. Yet another wistful cover that makes me want to read the book.

Drowning in You by Rebecca Berto - due for release April 12th, 2013. I'm such a sucker for kissy covers. I love the expression on the girl's face. It draws me in, makes me want to read.

And, of course, I can't end this post without sharing my latest cover. Unknown is due for release June 2013. Thank you so much to my beautiful designer, Brenda Howson, for putting this together for me. You managed to capture the essence of the story perfectly :) And thank you to my model, Ruth Little, your gorgeous face was exactly what I needed to make this cover work.

Have you seen any stunning covers lately?

Cover Love - Eden Crane Edition

I want to start a new feature on this blog - Cover Love!

I love cover art. I could spend hours in a bookstore, or online, checking out all the amazing covers out there. In particular, I love YA covers. There are so many stunning images out there, and it makes me realize how important covers are. It's the first thing to draw me in. If I'm not intrigued by a cover, I'm not going to read the book description. So it really is vitally important to get it right.

Today I'd like to feature covers by a designer I just discovered - Eden Crane. Her work is amazing and there are plenty of books I'd happily add to my TBR based on her covers alone.

Here are few that really stand out to me...

If you'd like to find out more about Eden Crane, you can find her on:

Facebook - Eden Crane Design
Pinterest - Eden Crane
Website - www.edencranedesign.com