Covers Unveiled: Lover Warrior – J. R. Ward, Devon Monk, Gena Showalter, Deidre Knight, Deborah Cooke, Cynthia Eden, Jana Oliver, Denise Rossetti

Note: Some of theses covers may not be final.

LOVER UNLEASHED by J. R. Ward.

Black Dagger Brotherhood #9

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

Release: March 29th, 2011.

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

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Thoughts: The intensity of the females gaze – and the possibility of teeth sunk into flesh – grants an almost “come hither” look.

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DEAD IRON by Devon Monk.

Genre: Steampunk.

Release: July 5, 2011

Welcome to a new America that is built on blood, sweat, and gears...

In steam age America, men, monsters, machines, and magic battle for the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, bounty hunter Cedar Hunt rides, cursed by lycanthropy and carrying the guilt of his brother’s death. Then he’s offered hope that his brother may yet survive. All he has to do is find the Holder: a powerful device created by mad devisers—and now in the hands of an ancient Strange who was banished to walk this Earth.

In a land shaped by magic, steam, and iron, where the only things a man can count on are his guns, gears, and grit, Cedar will have to depend on all three if he’s going to save his brother and reclaim his soul once and for all...

Thoughts: Neutral backdrop, metal hues, casual aggressiveness – a literal representation of plot and devices mentioned on the blurb…. I’m keeping tabs.

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THE DARKEST SECRET by Gena Showalter.

Lords of the Underworld #7

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

Release: April 1st, 2011

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty…. Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.

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Thoughts: The turmoil, light and dark elements of the character showcased - I'm loving the suggestive symbolism captured.

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RED MORTAL by Deidre Knight.

Gods of Midnight #4

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

Release: April 5th, 2011.

No synopsis as of yet…

Thoughts: Red-gold canvass, mythological setting. Too much though and it could serve like the consequence of the over-indulgence of chocolate.

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DARKFIRE KISS by Deborah Cooke.

Dragonfire Novel #6

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

Release: May 3rd, 2011.

For one woman, he will risk more than his life…

Rafferty Powell has exchanged challenge coins with his arch-nemesis Magnus Montmorency, and their next battle will be their last. But Rafferty never expected to meet a woman whose desire for Magnus’ downfall matches his own—and whose presence sparks Rafferty’s long-awaited firestorm.

Since facing her own mortality, investigative reporter Melissa Smith has resolved to live without fear. She’s determined to make the seemingly untouchable Magnus pay for his role in ending her friend’s life – no matter the price to herself.

When her quest entwines with Rafferty’s, Melissa finds herself risking more than she ever thought possible. Because the heat between them unleashes the darkfire—an awesome force of Pyr legend, one that won’t be sated until everything they know has been tested and remade.

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Thoughts: Vibrant, graveyard backdrop; the hint of a desolation rather snag-worthy.

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NEVER CRY WOLF by Cynthia Eden.

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense.

Release: June 28, 2011.

RUNNING WITH A DANGEROUS CROWD

Lucas Simone is not the kind of guy you mess with. He’s big, he’s strong, and his eyes hint at a wilder side most women can’t handle. Of course, that’s because his predatory instincts are no metaphor—he’s a genuine Grade-A top-quality werewolf, tough enough to fight his way to dominance over the scariest pack on the West Coast. There’s only one chink in his armor. Unlike most alpha dogs, Lucas has a reputation for protecting the weak and innocent.

Sarah King is counting on that protective impulse—it’s the only thing standing between her and certain death. There are only two problems: one, she’s not quite as innocent as she’d like Lucas to believe. And two, if he doesn’t stop stoking Sarah’s animal lust, it’s only a matter of time before her own wild side gets unleashed…

Thoughts: Has an almost “old” feel to it, aided by the pastel shades. Whilst pastel shades rarely appeal to me, the composition of the piece is nice.

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THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER by Jana Oliver.

Demon Trappers #1

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy.

Release: February 1st, 2011

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that's exactly what Lucifer is counting on.

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

Thoughts: Another symbolic representation: Red haze, clear cut sky – blood and purity marred perhaps? I’m one for the contrast.

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THE LONE WARRIOR by Denise Rossetti.

Four-Sided Pentacles #3

Genre: Erotic Fantasy Romance.

Release: May 3, 2011.

A new paranormal romance of demon warriors, naked revenge, and pure ecstasy.

Walker, a shaman, has dedicated his life to hunting the demon warriors who destroyed his tribe. But his latest captive is a daring and new kind of challenge: a beautiful, dangerous, and irresistible assassin.

Thoughts: Not much liking this one. But the mini summary piqued my interest...

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SINFUL MAGIC by Jennifer Lyon.

Wing Slayer Novel #

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

Release: May 24th, 2011

No synopsis available as of yet…

Thoughts - First impression: The blue shade is a notch too intense for my liking; I feel it scrubs over some of the details to a degree. Side-note: I have yet to read any in this series – and since this is Key’s story (his interview hooked my interest much), I really need to invest ASAP.

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