Archive for Fantasy Books
I love book covers, especially fantasy book covers. I recently came across the following UK book covers for the extremely popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris. I found two different book designs: one with cool psychedelic colors and another with great black and grey designs with some red thrown in for contrast.
Click on the book cover to see a larger version of it. Some of these designs are awesome!
Question: do you like these better than the American Sookie Stackhouse book covers? Let me know in the comments.
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Here’s the next set of book covers:
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If you’re a vampire book reader you know that when you’re “turned” into a vampire you generally maintain the physical attributes you had at your moment of transformation. Sure, some vampires end up becoming more beautiful but for the most part, you’re stuck with what ya’ got.
Such is the case for Glory St. Clair. Unfortunately for her, she got turned on a day when she was bloated. And a few pounds overweight. Thus begins the hilarious escapades of Glory, the plus-sized female vampire with a fierce fashion sense.
Glory has just decided to move to Austin, Texas to open a new vintage clothing store. After you’ve been alive for a few hundred years you tend to accumulate a lot of stuff, especially if you love clothes like Glory does. As such she’s got the perfect wardrobe with which to stock a vintage store.
Coincidentally, her former lover also lives in Austin (okay, maybe that’s not such a coincidence). Glory and Jeremy Blade have had a love/hate relationship for many years. So Glory is apprehensive about meeting Blade again – she’s not sure if there’s still a spark between them.
In the meantime, she’s got to get moved in and open the store. Fortunately her new neighbor, a stunning female werewolf, is looking for a job and the two of them soon become fast friends. Glory also reconnects with several of her vampire friends in the area, including a lovable gay couple, an overbearing Countess, a lovestruck but street-smart femme fatale, and a wisecracking supernatural guard dog with a weakness for Cheetos and Twinkies. Yes, this book has quite the cast of characters.
But all is not well in Austin. A team of professional vampire hunters led by a ruthless billionaire game hunter is in town. And he’s set his sights on Glory and her friends. He doesn’t care that they’ve sworn off human blood in lieu of synthetic. In his mind all vampires are evil and must be destroyed. So between selling 50’s pencil skirts and twinsets, Glory has to watch her back. This is where the fun really begins. Glory acknowledges the danger, but resents having to be protected and so inadvertently puts herself in the cross hairs of the killers. It’s often up to Valdez, the smart talking guard dog, to keep her in line and protect her:
“I’m fading fast Glory. It’s been swell knowing you. Say good-bye to Florence for me.”
He licked my hand.
“Could you call me puppy one more time? I liked that.” He groaned. “I just wish I had time for a farewell bag of Cheetos.”
Okay, so he failed one time. But he quickly recovered and was back on the job in a jiffy.
Gerry Bartlett does a good job with character development and successfully moves the plot along at a steady pace. A good portion of the book focuses on the vamps’ attempts to capture the hunters while avoiding capture themselves. The book nicely integrates humor with more serious subjects like love lost and death while maintaining believability. Smatterings of intrigue and a hint of distrust amongst friends create a fairly well rounded storyline.
I wouldn’t categorize this as a vampire romance book – it’s got so many funny scenes (in particular between the two main characters) that the romance, although prevalent, is more of a secondary element in the book. I found the book to be a light, fun, and entertaining read that’s perfect for a long drive during a vacation. It’s so upbeat and its characters are so likable that I found it lifted my mood each time I picked it up. Get Real Vampires Have Curves at local bookstores or online.
This month’s new fantasy books include entries from Michelle Rowen, Karen Chance, and Grayson Reyes-Cole (check out the beautiful cover of her new book). Additionally, the latest Harry Dresden book by Jim Butcher is available as well as a brand new Harry Dresden box set that includes Books 1 - 3!
Stakes & Stilettos (Immortality Bites, Book 4) by Michelle Rowan
Newly vamped Sarah Dearly wants her normal life back, but fate is fighting against her. She tries to get a regular job and gets staked in the interview, only to be rescued by a masked vampire who calls himself the Red Devil. Then a wallflower-turned-witch curses her, making her a bloodthirsty, sun-allergic nightwalker–the worst vampire there is. As if all that weren’t enough, she can’t get married because her 600-year-old boyfriend, Thierry, is in a centuries-long marriage of convenience he can’t escape.
As Sarah’s nightwalker tendencies make her more dangerous, even to those she loves, she’ll have to counteract that curse, unmask the increasingly intriguing Red Devil, and get a commitment from her man. But if that’s what it takes to secure her happiness, Sarah is ready…even if it means embracing her inner vamp to do it. Check prices
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane) by Jaye Wells
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she’s on. She’s never brought her work home with her—until now. This time, it’s personal. Check prices
Bright Star by Grayson Reyes-Cole
Jackson thought he was the most powerful shifter in the world. Blessed with gifts and popularity, he’s always felt bad for his brother Rush, who’d been born with the disadvantage of being normal.
But when a beautiful shifter named Bright Star appears on the scene, Jackson learns his brother is far from normal. Bright Star forces Rush to reveal unimaginable talents he’s always kept hidden-talents Bright Star claims will save the world…whether Rush likes it or not.
This book contains sizzling love scenes! I absolutely LOVE the book cover! Check prices
Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher
Butcher’s series star, wizard detective Harry Dresden, has been facing ever more varied and dangerous trials. Once just Chicago’s only wizard PI, Harry is now a warden of the White Council of Wizards—that is, one of the enforcers of its rules—and it seems as though every time he gets a better grasp on his magical strength, his enemies worsen. When the “parole officer” of Harry’s youth, Morgan, grievously injured and pursued by the wardens, comes to Harry for help, it’s the opening salvo of serious confrontation with the council. Morgan stands accused of killing senior council member LaFortier. The murder was certainly an inside job, and time is short to find the real killer before Morgan is summarily executed. Simultaneously, something unbelievably horrible and by all accounts far too powerful to take on alone is stalking Dresden. Searching for the killer, Harry’s caught up in a plot leading to the White Court vampires and the very halls of the White Council. Meanwhile, his dog’s daily duty is keeping Harry’s apprentice and Morgan from one another’s throats. Fortunately, Harry’s sense of humor lightens the tone of even the most serious confrontation, so though Butcher has turned up the tension here, this is an amusing, satisfying, and action-packed addition to the Dresden Files.
I’ve read this book and it’s fantastic. Stay tuned for my review. Check prices
Jim Butcher Boxed Set (The Dresden Files, Books 1-3) by Jim Butcher
This new box set contains books 1-3 of the Dresden Files urban fantasy book series:
#1: Storm Front
For his first case, Harry is called in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with the blackest of magic. At first, the less-than-solvent Harry’s eyes light up with dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage. Now, that black mage knows Harry’s name. And things are about to get very…interesting.
#2: Fool Moon
Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work—magical or mundane.
But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses—and the first two don’t count…
#3: Grave Peril
Harry Dresden’s faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. All par for the course for Chicago’s only professional wizard.
But in all of Harry’s years of supernatural sleuthing, he’s never faced anything like this: the spirit world’s gone postal. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble-and not just of the door-slamming, ‘boo’- shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly.
Someone-or something-is stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn’t figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself.
The box set also includes a bonus poster featuring original artwork by Charles McGrath! Check prices
Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer, Book 4) by Karen Chance
Cassie Palmer may be the world’s chief clairvoyant, but that doesn’t mean people have stopped trying to kill her. And now, the self-styled god Apollo, the source of Cassie’s power, is on the warpath—leaving her no choice but to face down her creator once and for all. Check prices
I’ve read Books 1-3 of the Cassie Palmer urban fantasy book series and love ALL of them. I just added this one to my shopping cart. Here are the books in order:
Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, Book 1)
Claimed by Shadow (Cassandra Palmer, Book 2)
Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3)
Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon Novel by Ann Aguirre
Corine Solomon is a handler—when she touches an object she instantly knows its history and its future. Using her ability, she can find the missing—which is why people never stop trying to find her. Like her ex-boyfriend Chance, who needs Corine’s gift to find someone dear to them both. But the search proves dangerous as it leads them into a strange world of demons and sorcerers, ghosts and witchcraft, zombies—and black magic. Check prices
Fire Raiser by Melanie Rawn
Bestseller Melanie Rawn plunges down the back stairs of the old South into a dark world of family secrets and the international flesh trade that lies underneath the surface of small town politics and romance.
Holly McClure and Evan Lachlan have survived the fiery beginning of their romance and left Manhattan for Holly’s ancestral home to raise their children. Evan’s the county Sheriff; Holly is still a trouble-making Spellbinder witch trying to manipulate her family as if they were characters in one of her novels.
But something’s not right in Pocahontas County. Churches are being burned down mysteriously with a taint of magic on them. Sheriff Lachlan suspects that they have something to do with the new owners of the old Westmoreland plantation, now a very upscale Inn, but even if he could find proof, it’s going to be hard to bring a case of Black Magic before a Judge — even in Pocahontas County, where witchcraft is the family business of all the oldest clans. Check prices
Storm Glass (Glass, Book 1) by Maria V. Snyder
Apprentice magician, ardent glassmaker and spunky Nancy Drew-style sleuth Opal Cowan discovers her latent mystical talents and wins the attention of three gorgeous hunks in Snyder’s follow-up to her award-winning Study fantasy series (Poison Study, etc.). In classic coming-of-age fashion, Opal uses her magic powers to help her loved ones and her glass know-how to find the flaws in the Stormdancers’ weather-controlling glass orbs, all amid breathless adolescent quivers of romance and jealousy. The further Opal delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn’t known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she’s ever known. Check prices
Sins & Shadows by Lyn Benedict
Sylvie Lightner is no ordinary P.I. She specializes in cases involving the unusual, in a world where magic is real—and where death isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you.
But when an employee is murdered in front of her, Sylvie has had enough. After years of confounding the dark forces of the Magicus Mundi, she’s closing up shop—until a man claiming to be the God of Justice wants Sylvie to find his lost lover.
And he won’t take no for an answer. Check prices
Eve of Darkness (Marked, Book 1) by S.J. Day
Exhilarating adventure in an edgy world of angels and demons highlights the opener of Day’s Marked trilogy. After a steamy encounter in a stairwell, Evangeline Hollis discovers that she has been branded with the Mark of Cain, unfairly punished because of a man’s attraction to her. She is now a Mark: a celestial bounty hunter charged with sending rogue demons and other Infernals back to hell. Agnostic Eve feels trapped and wants to leave the firm, but that requires the aid of the most famous brothers in history: Alec Cain, God’s top Mark and Eve’s former lover, and Reed Abel, who assigns her bounties. Dynamic and vibrant, Eve is an impressive protagonist, and her fierce spirit and determination to make the best of her circumstances will keep readers enthralled. Check prices
For last month’s releases see New Fantasy Books for March 2009
Vampire books = Big Sales. Case in point: two extremely popular vampire books series (Sookie Stackhouse and Twilight) made it from print to TV and film.
The Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery Series was made into an HBO series called True Blood. Although the initial ratings were lukewarm the series quickly became a big hit. Anna Paquin even won a Golden Globe award for her portrayal of the lovestruck vampire lover Sookie Stackhouse. This series appealed not only to those of us that have been reading fantasy books for years, but also introduced the genre to a completely new audience. As such the last few episodes in the series were on par with Nielsen ratings for the Sopranos! I’m sure Charlaine Harris never envisioned her fantasy books heading to a big time HBO series. Season 2 of True Blood will air this summer and I’m sure there are millions of fans that can’t wait until the new series begins.
On a similar vein, the vampire fantasy books by Stephenie Meyer have topped the charts. The Twilight Saga Books, aimeed at capturing the young adult audience, has crossed over from print to the big screen. Twilight the Movie did quite well at the box office and the second fantasy book in the series, New Moon, is currently being filmed.
Not only have the book’s authors reaped the successes of their fantasy books, they’ve also become minor celebrities. Charlaine Harris was at the premiere of True Blood in Hollywood and Stephenie Meyer has been making the TV talk show circuit. I saw her on Oprah a few weeks ago!
Although Anna Paquin won the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, the show itself was nominated for the Best Drama series. And the actors and actresses have also benefited from the success of these vampire books. Stephen Moyers (Bill Compton), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), and Sam Tammell (Sam Merlotte) are now recognized as B-list celebrities. And who doesn’t know Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds), True Blood’s flamboyant and outspoken short order cook? Although last season’s finale alluded to his death, HBO executives should check the wikis, bulletin boards, and blogs: Lafayette has a loyal fan base that won’t take kindly to his departure from the show.
With Twilight The Movie, Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan) and Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) are also overnight celebrities. Although their names may be more recognizable than the actors from True Blood, the first time I saw Stewart was when she starred (minor role) in Zathura (2005). I remember Pattinson as Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire but again, he had a small role in that film. However because of the popularity of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire books and the film they’re both on track to earn more than the reported $2 million they each made from Twilight. It’s quite the money making franchise. There’s even a jewelry line based on the books!
As I’m sitting here reviewing the current best selling fantasy books at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble I can’t help but notice that the popularity of vampires clearly translates into book sales. Take a look at the current Top 10 Best Selling Fantasy Books from both outlets. I’ve specified the books that include vampires as either central or supporting characters:
Amazon.com Fantasy Best Sellers
- Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer +V
- From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, #8 ) by Charlaine Harris +V
- Sookie Stackhouse 7-copy Boxed Set (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris +V
- Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9) by Charlaine Harris +V
- Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher +V
- Betrayed (House of Night, Book 2) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast +V
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Neffenegger
- Deadly Desire (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 7) by Keri Arthur +V
- Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 17) by Laurell K. Hamilton +V
- World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Barnes and Noble Fantasy Best Sellers
- One Second After by William R. Forstchen, Newt Gingrich (Introduction)
- Max (Maximum Ride, Book 5) by James Patterson
- Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9) by Charlaine Harris +V
- From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, #8 ) by Charlaine Harris +V
- Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher +V
- Sookie Stackhouse 7-copy Boxed Set (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris +V
- Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer, Book 4) by Karen Chance +V
- Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Barry Marx (Editor)
- The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson
- The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer
As you can see, 8 of the top 10 best selling fantasy books at Amazon.com are vampire books; likewise half of the books on the Barnes and Noble Best Selling Fantasy Books list either focus on vampires or contain elements of vampire lore. I have a friend who wants to write a fantasy book but is having a hard time getting started. Looks like it would be smart of her to include a couple of vampires amongst the characters - you just never know what might happen!
This month’s fantasy books include new releases by Jim Butcher, Chris Marie Green, J.F. Lewis, Kate Daniels, and LA Banks, as well as an entry from Charlaine Harris that was previously only available in hardback.
Bring It On (Retrievers) by Laura Anne Gilman. Wren Valere used to have a simple life. Her partner Sergei would negotiate the terms of the Retrieval—all right, the theft—and she would use her magical Talent to carry it out. Paycheck deposited, on to the next job. Now? Her relationship with Sergei is even more complicated (sex will do that) and the non-human population of Manhattan is getting fed up with being ignored and abused. Read More
Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10) by Jim Butcher. Harry Dresden’s life finally seems to be calming down-until a shadow from the past returns. Mab, monarch of the Sidhe Winter Court, calls in an old favor from Harry-one small favor that will trap him between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files fantasy books represent some of the best written contemporary fantasy currently available. Read More
Second Skin (Nocturne City, Book 3) Caitlin Kittredge. When werewolves from Nocturne City’s oldest packs start showing up shot through the head execution-style, police officer Luna Wilder must find out what’s killing them and why…before she becomes the next victim. Read More
A Drop of Red (Vampire Babylon) by Chris Marie Green. Hollywood stuntwoman-turned-vampire-hunter Dawn Madison, along with her comrades, managed to wipe out the Los Angeles Vampire Underground-and uncovered not only her own dark family heritage but also a terrible truth about the man she loves. Now she’s determined to find the next vampire lair, hoping it will help her to make more sense out of her life. Read More
ReVamped (Void City, Book 2) by J.F. Lewis. Eric has lost his strip club, his Mustang, and even Marilyn, the elderly love of his (mortal) life. Even his body was obliterated. In short, they almost got him. But when you’re a vampire, “almost” is a very important word. With a little magical help from his friends, Eric is restored to corporeal form and sets out to save the love of his life from one of Void City’s most powerful soul-stealing demons. But salvation comes at a high price, forcing Eric to venture into his own worst nightmare, Vampire High Society, to uncover the truth about the origin of his powers. Read More
Curse the Dark (Retrievers, Book 2) by Laura Anne Gilman. New Reprint! Once more Wren Valere’s game plan has taken an unexpected direction. She’s off to Italy in search of a missing artifact, without any information other than the fact that it’s very old, very dangerous and everyone who gets too close disappears. Read More
You’re So Vein (The Others, Book 7) by Christine Warren. Ava Markham is beautiful, savvy, chic, and more at home with Kate Spade than with the idea of fangs and fur. She can’t get quite used to the fact that some of closest friends have crossed over to the Other side. Then one night she is attacked by a rogue vampire, and her deepest fears are realized when her body begins a dangerous transformation from human to immortal—a change she cannot survive without the help of an alluring stranger who comes to her rescue . . . Read More
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready. Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, ’60s psychedelia, ’80s goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers just how the DJs maintain their cred: they’re vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned. Read More
Undead on Arrival (Crimson Moon, Book 3) by LA Banks. Just one month ago, secret government operative Sasha Trudeau thought she’d tasted victory. Orchestrating détente between the warring factions of the supernatural world had nearly cost her life—but it also opened the door to a future with Max Hunter, her mate and fellow Shadow Wolf. Until now. A poisonous virus is wreaking havoc on Hunter’s immune system. And the passionate man who Sasha loves has become unpredictable, dangerous—and possibly deadly. Read More
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) by Ilona Andrews. Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot. But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. Read More
From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book #8) by Charlaine Harris - Now in Paperback!.
After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit, Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, yearning for things to get back to normal. But her boyfriend Quinn is among the missing. And things are changing, whether the weres and vamps in her corner of Louisiana like it or not. In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death…and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. Read More
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane) In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she’s on. She’s never brought her work home with her—until now. Read More
The fantasy books released in March include some of my favorite authors. Stay tuned for my reviews of the latest books from Jim Butcher and LA Banks. Check out my review of JF Lewis’ vampire fantasy book ReVamped.
As you can see, Vampire Books Are Big Business
