This is an amazing cover. I adore the illustration, and the subtle puzzle pattern adds questions and intrigue. The color scheme is soft and pleasing, and the unique font, while still perfectly legible, is amazing. I’m a huge fan of…
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Cover Art Critique
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, red shoes, satyros phil brucato, urban fantasy
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Book Cover Critique
Limited color scheme? Check. Strong imagery? Check. Atmosphere in the artwork? Check. The only thing I don’t really care for is the red spider symbol. I think it could be better integrated with the background cover art, or placed somewhere…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mary flint, mustread, red star
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Misfortune of Vision is LIVE!
That’s right – for the first time since March, Misfortune of Vision, book four in The Druid’s Brooch Series, is now re-released! Ebook on Amazon, on Kindle Unlimited, and as print at lots of venues, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. UNIVERSAL LINK HERE!…
Tagged with: amreading, ancient, celt, celtic, druids brooch, fairy, histfantasy, histfic, historical, historical fantasy, historical fiction, historical realism, ireland, irish, Irish History, magic, medieval, must read, new book, new release, norman invasion, northern ireland, preorder, prophecy, series, war
Posted in Writing
Posted in Writing
Book Cover Critique
With any fantasy cover, there’s always the urge to put too much on the cover. You’re trying to define an entire world, after all. However, with just a few iconic images, you can offer a hint of the world-building without…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, richard swan, the justice of kings
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Come vote for Taming of the Few!
The cover art for my urban fantasy novel, Taming of the Few, is in the Crème de la Cover Contest at InD’Tale Magazine! CLICK HERE TO VOTE TODAY!!! The contest runs all week until Saturday, July 30th at 5pm PST. You…
Cover art critique
Sometimes dragons, magical lights, and fantasy iconography aren’t the right choice. But visual drama always works. This book is simple, almost non-fiction in it’s feel. But it does spell out (literally) that it’s a novel. The simple white figurines with…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, fantasy, illustration, john scalzi, lock in, mustread, thriller
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Misfortune of Vision will return August 1!
That’s right – for the first time since March, Misfortune of Vision, book four in The Druid’s Brooch Series, will be available. I will have it as ebook on Amazon, on Kindle Unlimited, and as print at lots of venues,…
Tagged with: amreading, ancient, celt, celtic, druids brooch, fairy, histfantasy, histfic, historical, historical fantasy, historical fiction, historical realism, ireland, irish, Irish History, magic, medieval, must read, new book, new release, norman invasion, northern ireland, preorder, prophecy, war
Posted in Writing
Posted in Writing
Cover Art Critique
This is another haunting cover. I am loving this simple, evocative image. While the overall color scheme is pale, bright, it’s still obviously a dark and poignant story. The hint of handwriting in the background implies letters, correspondence, something nostalgic,…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mason sabre, mustread, watch over you
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
They’re Here….
Fantasy and Science Fiction stories to tickle your mind… Searching for your next favorite story? Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for a limited time.
Tagged with: amreading, book, booklovers, bookstagram, booktok, ebooks, fantasy, free, must read, science fiction, summer reading
Posted in Writing
Posted in Writing
Cover Art Critique
This is some amazingly strong work. And while her armor isn’t quite practical, at least it’s better than a lot of ‘women’s armor’ you see in illustrations, made only for the male gaze and not actually any protective qualities. The…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, daylights damnation, fantasy, illustration, julian soriano, mustread
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Cover Art Critiques
This doesn’t look like your typical ‘hard science fiction’ cover, but I love it. It has that lovely limited color palette, and while the silhouettes don’t offer much detail, we don’t need much detail. We know there’s an ensemble cast,…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mary robinette kowal, mustread, science fiction, the calculating stars, ya adventure
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Book cover critique
This book cover is outside my normal area of genre, but it’s intriguing and well-crafted. I normally go for fantasy, historical fiction, or some adjacent genre, and this is cozy historical mystery. So, sort of adjacent, I suppose. The image…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, the grain merchant, zara altair
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Cover Art Critiques
Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. This cover uses that famous limited color pallete and an intriguing icon symbol with appropriate fonts to create an intriguing, strong cover. Now, I think the gilt on the edge frame and the title…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, m h woodscourt, mustread, prince of the fallen
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Portal to Fantasy Summer Kickoff Sale!
Portal to FantasySummer Kickoff Sale!June 1-30 Click HERE to get amazing fantasy summer reads!
Tagged with: amreading, epic fantasy, fantasy, must read, portal, sale, sales, summer, summer reads, urban fantasy
Posted in Writing
Posted in Writing
Cover art critiques
This book cover has all sorts of information without being overwhelming. At immediate glance, it screams time travel and steampunk, but the dark street and the two shadowy figures speak of danger, thrill, and maybe a hint of romance. The…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, Cheree alsop, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, steampunk, the 13th hour, time travel
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Urban fantasy giveaway! Win a Kindle, ebooks, and paperbacks!
eBook & Paperback Sweepstakes! (2) Winners of eBook “Gift Baskets” of ALL ebooks Other Winners of individual ebooks or paperbacks (randomly selected)
Cover art critiques
Oh, this is an incredible image. The limited color palette gives the impression of cold, winter, forest, and loneliness. The expression on the woman’s face is wistful, and the image of the man by the lake seems disturbing and intriguing.…
Tagged with: amelia ives, amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, the wayward thief
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
Shiny new cover for Legacy of Hunger!
The first book in my Druid’s Brooch Series, Legacy of Hunger, just got a fancy makeover! Check out the brilliance! I will be updating the covers for the rest of the series that is currently available, Legacy of Truth and…
Cover Art Critique
This is a delightful piece of art, and I love the ombre effect of the colors. I also enjoy the way the font reflects the elegance and movement of the dress in the wind. The curve of the N matches…
Tagged with: amreading, art, author, authorlife, book cover, books, bookstagram, booktok, cover art, critique, dance with the night, dark fantasy, fantasy, illustration, mustread, susannah welch
Posted in Art, Writing
Posted in Art, Writing
The Enchanted Swans is on pre-order!
A life of luxury shattered in an instant. Can a girl protect her brothers when they’re trapped in a centuries-long curse? Pre-Celtic Ireland. Fae princess Fionnuala lives and breathes family. So after her mother dies giving birth and her father…
Tagged with: amreading, author, book, books, celt, celtic, ebook, fairy, fairy tale, fairy tale retelling, fantasy, historical, historical fantasy, ireland, irish, magic, must read, mythology, new release, pagan, pre-order, reading, sidhe, writing, young adult, young adults
Posted in Writing
Posted in Writing
Historical fantasy, time travel adventure, and urban fantasy 