Tag: Cover Reveal Page 1 of 9

Cover Reveal: Mortality Gauntlet by JCM Berne

On September 29, 2026

In A-B, Fantasy, Fiction, JCM Berne, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveals for the Ninth Turn in JCM Berne’s The Hybrid Helix series, Mortality Gauntlet! For a lot of us, a new Rohan adventure is an autobuy anyway. But I can’t imagine that people can take just one look at this beut and move on–it needs at least two, which will hopefully spur them on to read about the book. I mean…it is a Chris McGrath cover, so calling it a beaut is a tautology. Anyhow, before we get to that, let’s learn a just a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

The real Hyperion was Rohan’s hero. His idol. His mentor.

Even his friend.

The shadow of that man has been Rohan’s friend, his confidante, then his rival, and ultimately his enemy.

That shadow has caused the death of innocents. Has attempted to destroy the entire human race. Cares for nothing but his own revenge.

He’s stronger than Rohan, tougher. And he’s enhanced his abilities with esoteric chemicals that shouldn’t exist. The one time they fought, he beat Rohan handily.

Savagely.

Rohan thinks he can stop his nemesis. He thinks he has what it takes to win. Enough strength. Enough Power. Enough love.

Is he crazy? Or is he smarter than anybody realizes?

When it all ends, when the dust settles and the blood dries, who will be left to grieve?

Book Link:

Amazon Preorder

About the Author

JCM Berne has reached middle age without outgrowing the notion that superheroes are cool. Code monkey by day, by night he slaves over a hot keyboard to prove that superhero stories can be engaging and funny without being dark or silly.

Author Links:

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ YouTube

and now…

The Cover

cover for Mortality Gauntlet by JCM Berne

Kudos to this fine artist for their work on this eye-grabber:
Cover Art by Chris McGrath

Go and do the right thing–place your orders now. This comes out on October 20, and you’re going to want to get to it ASAP.

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Cover Reveal: Origin by Simon Bullock

On September 11, 2026

In Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Write Reads’ Cover Reveal for Simon Bullock’s Origin! I posted a spotlight on book one of the Gate Origin Series, The Driftborn, recently–and it has a nice cover. Bullock’s next one is just as cool.

I’ll show you this cover below, but first let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Kade Renn and the crew of The Moth have crossed the ancient gate and reached Origin — the dead world at the centre of the network.

They arrive damaged, low on air and cut off from the route behind them. Lira’s breathing system is failing. Vessa is wounded. Nix is carrying heat he cannot shed. And beneath Origin’s ruined surface, old machinery is still responding.

What they find is more dangerous than an abandoned world.

Human field stations. Hand-written warnings. Records from the First Crossing. Evidence that people objected before the first disasters — and that those objections were altered, buried or removed from the history that followed.

The Quiet War did not begin the way the Directorate says it did.

Far behind them, Marshal Sorr is tightening a containment net around the damaged route. If it closes, Origin may be sealed again.

Kade does not need to save the galaxy.

He needs to keep his sister breathing, keep The Moth alive, and carry enough of the truth home that no one can bury all of it again.

Some doors weren’t lost.

They were locked.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

About the Author

Simon Bullock is a British-born author living in the Netherlands. He writes psychological thrillers, historical fiction and speculative novels with a focus on believable characters, emotional tension and dark, understated humour. His work often explores ordinary people under pressure, hidden truths, and the consequences of systems that fail the people inside them. He also writes selected speculative fiction under the pen name Richard Randon.

and now…

The Cover

Cover for Origin by Simon Bullock

The Complete Cover Wrap:

Click to embiggen the wrap and take it all in.

Be sure to hit a pre-order link above so you can enjoy what lies beyond the cover!

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Cover Reveal: Fool by K.R. Lockhaven

On August 6, 2026

In Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveal for K.R. Lockhaven’s Fool to The Irresponsible Reader today. I’d be happier if I’d remembered today was Thursday so I’d have had this up 12 hours ago. But, it’s still Cover Reveal day. I have this in hard copy, I’m telling you–you want to put your peepers on this cover.

Before we see the cover, though, let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Kyrien’s ascendancy from a prisoner of war to the trusted “Fool and Advisor to the God-King” has been the stuff of storybooks. He owes his dramatic reversal of fortune to Vaerain, the God-King himself. Kyrien’s life in the capital city is blessed with fame, riches, and a beautiful young family.

But when a group of unknown conspirators kidnaps his son, his charmed world collapses. The people holding his son have one demand, which they believe Kyrien is in a unique position to grant—they want to know where the king, the only person in the world who wields god-like magic, derives his powers.

As Kyrien and his wife, Acali, begin to unravel this mystery under the watchful eyes of the king and his religious zealots, they learn that their blessed life has always come at a steep cost and that a revolution is brewing among the city’s poor and trampled.

The deeper they dig, the more Kyrien questions his reverence for the man he once saw as his savior.

Kyrien and Acali will stop at nothing to find answers and get their son back, even if it means tearing the kingdom apart.

The book comes out on Sept. 14 in Hardcover, Paperback, and Audiobook!! Keep your eyes on https://www.krrlockhaven.com/ for details on ordering. I’ve read this in beta, and unless he really messed it up since then, this is the best of Lockhaven’s 6 novels and novella. (and I really liked those). Take my word for it–you want to read this.

About the Author:

K.R. Lockhaven used to love writing as a kid. Starting at about ten years old, he wrote about anything from dragons to sentient jellybeans. Somewhere along the line, he lost that love. But now as a firefighter, husband, and father of two sons, he found it again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find the really good stuff from back then. So this adult-written shit will have to do.

Kyle is a huge proponent of summer camps for burn survivor kids. A portion of every book he ever sells will go to the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation, sponsors of Camp Eyabsut. For more info, or to donate money or time, go to www.campeyabsut.org

Author Links:

Website ~ Bluesky

and now…

The Cover

cover for Fool by K.R. Lockhaven

Kudos to Cover Artist Felix Ortiz. If I had the means, I’d have him do a mural on my office wall (I mean, if they all weren’t covered with books). I’m at the point where I don’t even need to look at a cover, I see Ortiz’ name and I know it’s a good one.

Wait, you say, is that it? Oh, no–there’s more Ortiz goodness for you: check out the full cover spread! (click on it to see a nicer, larger version)

Again, Fool comes out on Sept. 14 in Hardcover, Paperback, and Audiobook!! Keep your eyes on https://www.krrlockhaven.com/ for details on ordering.

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Cover Reveal: The Wolf in the Lantern by Iseult Murphy

On July 22, 2026

In Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveal for Iseult Murphy’s The Wolf in the Lantern to The Irresponsible Reader today. Murphy was nice enough to schedule this reveal during Self Published Authors Appreciation Week, so I’m able to stay on-brand 🙂

Before we see the cover, let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Quick Stats / Facts

- Title: The Wolf in the Lantern
- Author: Nicholas W Fuller
- Cover Design: Fabled Beast Designs
- Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
- Length: 90k words

Blurb

A buried past, a dangerous future, a fiery destiny.

Orphaned at a young age, Simone has never felt she belonged to the Champion class of her parents, despite her ability to work fire that far surpasses her peers. When Simone’s best friend is killed by fearsome beasts, Pyra, a magical flame wolf, visits Simone with a request. The flame wall that protects the town of Ember is failing, and the Dimmers – terrifying creatures that dwell in the wasteland beyond the fires – are breaking through. Only by finding and reuniting the three keys to Pyra’s power will the flame wall be strong enough to once again protect Ember and its inhabitants.

To aid Simone on her hunt, Pyra nudges her towards the reclusive Champion, Fisher, with his knowledge of a forgotten past, as well as Robin, the daughter of the Champion of Champions, who has fallen into a dark world of artisans and freemen in her desire for revenge.

As the three unearth the secrets hidden in the heart of Ember, enemies gather around them. Their search brings them closer to those who want the flame wall to fail, threatening the lives of Fisher and Robin, and forcing Simone to confront her destiny.

An exciting new epic fantasy from the author of The Mountains of Sorrow and Snowmane.

Goodreads ~ ARC Sign Up Link

About the Author

Iseult Murphy is an Irish multi-genre author. Her writing combines dark themes with a dose of humor to entertain and bring a new perspective on the complexities of life. She loves to explore how the most dangerous monsters wear the most pleasing masks. Her experience with chronic illness and mental health issues inspires her stories. She is the author of 7 Days in Hell, which was a finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards. She has published eleven books, and her short fiction has appeared in over forty publications, including Your Flight Has Been Cancelled from Little Ghost Press, and Aurealis. Find out more about her and her writing at https://iseultmurphy.com/ or https://ko-fi.com/iseultmurphy.

.

Website ~ Ko-Fi ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Bookbub ~ Bluesky

Map of Ember

Click that map if you want a better look at the work of Adam Bassett, the illustrator. He can be found at his Website and Bluesky.

Character Art of Simone and Pyra

Character Art of Simone and Pyra
Illustrated by R. Blaylock, who can be found at Website and Bluesky.

and now…

The Cover

cover for The Wolf in the Lantern by Iseult Murphy

Kudos to Cover Designer Fabled Beast Designs, who can be found at their Website, Bluesky, and Twitter.

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Cover Reveal: Stranded by Nicholas W Fuller

On June 5, 2026

In Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveal for Nicholas W Fuller’s Stranded to The Irresponsible Reader today. This one is a doozy.

Before we see the cover, let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Quick Stats / Facts

Title: Stranded
Series Title: Sanguine Stars
Author: Nicholas W Fuller
Cover Art & Typography: Jeff Brown
Genre: Sci-fi, Sci-Fantasy, Action Adventure
Pitch: If you put the vibes and setting of Firefly in a room with Words of Power by Shami Stovall, add a touch of Dungeon Crawler Carl humor, and put some baby making music on… In nine months, you’d have Stranded.

FAQs

There’s already 30+ chapters available on Patreon.
The first four chapters you can read FOR FREE.
Stranded will be complete on Patreon in just a few months!
I’m planning a cool, limited print run before the end of the year. 😉
The events of Stranded happen after Shattered: A Sanguine Stars Novella, BUT, Stranded makes a better entry point and Shattered is best as a book 1.5 in the planned trilogy.

Blurb

Poey Targe is stranded.

His skug-sucking captors dragged his ass all the way across the galaxy to who-the-hell-knows-where instead of just killing him when they forced him to watch his home planet’s destruction.

Fortunately, even on this mud ball in the middle of nowhere there’s a bit of civilization; enough that there’s a bar where a man can get drunk. That’s all that Poey cares about—losing everything you ever loved will do that to a man.

But, while he’s out killing monsters to keep the bar safe and earn his next drink, Poey starts to hear a voice in his head… has he cracked? Or could this be the key to untold power as the voice claims? Perhaps the procedure he endured before his home was blown to bits wasn’t a failure. If the voice is telling the truth, he might not only have a way to survive, but grow in power. Just as he starts to ask the only other person on the colony rumored to hear voices, he overhears a mayday – one that carries a codeword he made back home…

Poey’s new mission is to rescue whoever put out that mayday and he’ll stop at nothing to get there.

Sanguine Stars is a fast-paced, Sci-Fantasy story featuring found family and a unique progression system with many mysteries to unravel..

and now…

The Cover

cover for Stranded by Nicholas W Fuller

Kudos to Cover Artist Jeff Brown for this eye-grabber. I’ve seen so many covers credited to Jeff Brown in the last few weeks, I can’t help but wonder who isn’t using his art. I sure would be if I had a book coming out.

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Cover Reveal: Whispers of the Storm and Rising Gale by Z.B. Steele

On May 19, 2026

In Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to pitch in with the Cover Reveal for the new covers of Z.B. Steele’s upcoming Rising Gales and its predecessor, Whispers of the Storm. Steele’s book has received love for multiple years in my Spreading the Self-Pub Love series. And these covers are going to help get more people to pick them up and become fans. These covers are eye-grabbers.

Before we get to the reveals, let’s learn a bit more about the books and the author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment.

About the Books:

Whispers of the Storm

CREDLIN OF THE WOLVES
VANGUARD, LEGEND, ASSASSIN, REAPER

Listen to my story:

I wasn’t always the monster they see me as. Half of the songs they sing are stories of my grandeur. The other half are tales of my misdeeds.

The sad truth is that they’re all true.

So, listen to my tale and learn why it all happened. Learn the reason for the war, the reason for all the death.

Listen to my tale and listen well. I won’t be alive long enough to tell it again.

If you’re buying an e-Book, the cover will update sometime today–and the physical copies will switch soon. So if you want to get a classic, collector’s edition of the original cover–buy now!

Rising Gale

My execution draws near…

The noose beckons. My days dwindle. And still, my story is unfinished.

Tears are left to be shed. Blood has yet to be spilled. Lend me your ear once more to hear of sins and failures. Of swords and shadows. Of violet lightning and black blood.

For it was I who began the war of the gods.

Releases on June 16.

About the Author

Z.B. Steele, a Peachtree City, GA, native, now lives in the Birmingham area with his wife, Gabrielle, and their daughter. When not writing or reading, he can be found drinking, crying, staring into the abyss, or some combination of the three.

Steele loves hip-hop, grunge, RPGs, movies, and anime. He’s “willing to argue, any time, anywhere.”

and now…

The Covers

Click on these to embiggen–you’re going to want to see them.

Kudos to these fine folk for their work on this eye-grabber:
Artist: Jeff Brown
Interior formatting for physicals: Abel Montero

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Cover Reveal: Catamorphosis by Shannon Knight

On February 12, 2026

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveal for Shannon Knights’s upcoming Catamorphosis. I’m more than pleased, I’m excited. No one (including me) has talked more on this site about covers than Shannon Knight, so for her to have a new one, you know thought has gone into this. The cover is an eye-grabber.

By the way, I’ll be posting a Q&A with Shannon and the Cover Artist in a week or so–you’ll want to check that out. But that’s for another day. Today, we’re all about the cover itself.

But first let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Cancer was the start of Jasmine’s life falling apart. Her body betrayed her, her husband left, and as she lay dying, the only one remaining at her side was her orange tabby, Otto.

Then something uncanny occurred.

…

At a fishing lake in the Oregon Coast Range, Jasmine is ready to reassess her priorities when a stranger catnaps Otto. One transgression leads to another, and Jasmine has never believed in turning the other cheek.

Jasmine is transforming, but whether the cancer still has anything to do with her mutating cells is beyond her. Otto has given her something, and anything from her sweet boy can only be a boon.

Jasmine may have died, but she came back.

And when a cat’s around, no one is surprised by a body count.

About the Author

Shannon Knight is a fantasy, science fiction, and horror author living in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in English. Her horror titles include Domestication and Catamorphosis. Sign up for her newsletter at https://shannonknight.net.

Author Links:

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Amazon ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

and now…

The Cover

cover for Catamorphosis by Shannon Knight

Kudos to these fine folk for their work on this eye-grabber:
Cover design by Winter Moon Press
Cover illustration by Scottish artist Candra Hope

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Cover Reveal: Prey of Angels by JCM Berne

On February 2, 2026

In A-B, Fantasy, Fiction, JCM Berne, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveals for the Eighth Turn in JCM Berne’s The Hybrid Helix series, Prey of Angels! For a lot of us, a new Rohan adventure is an autobuy anyway. But I can’t imagine people look at this cover and not get curious. But before we get to that, let’s learn a just a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

Rohan has been building alliances and solidifying his abilities, all to keep his friends, his family, his homeworld, and the Empire safe from anything that threatens them, from anywhere in the universe, whether from inside the sector or from a distant galaxy.

He thought he was doing a pretty good job.

He thought he had a pretty solid handle on what he needed to worry about.

He was wrong.

Book Link:

Amazon Preorder

About the Author

JCM Berne has reached middle age without outgrowing the notion that superheroes are cool. Code monkey by day, by night he slaves over a hot keyboard to prove that superhero stories can be engaging and funny without being dark or silly.

Author Links:

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ YouTube

and now…

The Cover

cover for Prey of Angels by JCM Berne

Kudos to these fine folk for their work on this eye-grabber:
Cover Art by Chris McGrath
Cover design by J Caleb Design

Go and do the right thing–place your orders now. This comes out on February 17, and you’re going to want to get to it ASAP.

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Cover Reveal: The Re-Emergence by Alan K. Dell

On January 19, 2026

In Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveals for Alan K. Dell’s Bounty Inc! This year is the fifth anniversary of this SFINCS finalist space opera novella, so Dell made a brand new cover to the celebrate the occasion. Nothing against the original cover, but the new one is worth a little fanfare.

I’ll show you this cover below, but first let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

‘IT WAS JUST A MYTH. JUST A DAMN LEGEND PASSED DOWN FROM CORRUPTED DATABANKS…’

A mysterious probe from a long-forgotten satellite network appears in the heart of the Maldaccian Empire, warning about the return of a mythological evil.

After being downloaded by the plucky but inexperienced crew of the imperial flagship, the consciousness of the ancient satellite, Unit-17, embarks on a galactic adventure to bring the empire back from the brink of an interstellar war they are not equipped to fight.

The Qesh’kal’s aging commander, Da’kora Corasar, trusts Unit-17’s intel implicitly, but not everyone aboard agrees. Tensions rise and loyalties are tested as they are thrust into conflict with an enemy of unimaginable power and malice.

A finalist in the first annual Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS)!

Book Links:

Universal Book Link ~ Itch-io ~ Goodreads

About the Author

Alan K. Dell is a British sci-fi author and creative person with far too many hobbies. He writes science fiction described as “by, and for, sci-fi geeks” and loves to explore interesting high-tech concepts in his work.

Outside of writing, he is a book blogger and reviewer, avid videogamer, archer, photographer, musician, husband, and father.

Author Links:

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Threads ~ Instagram ~ Facebook

and now…

The Cover

Covers for The Re-Emergence by Alan K. Dell

The Complete Cover Wrap:

Click to embiggen the wrap.

Go and do the right thing–place your orders for this now, celebrate the anniversary in style.

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Cover Reveal: Bounty Inc by Adam Holcombe

On September 15, 2025

In Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome the Cover Reveals for Adam Holcombe’s upcoming Bounty Inc! Because SF about intergalactic bounty hunters is just what you expect after couple of books about a grandmotherly necromancer, right? Eh, maybe not…but I’m game for pretty much anything he puts out.

I’ll show you this cover below, but first let’s learn a little bit about the book and author, shall we? It’ll just take a moment, and then we can all take a peak at the cover.

About the Book:

A dream lives on while a will is strong, but a significant inheritance from a recently-deceased father sure helps too.

When Wyn throws away his easy life to open the galaxy’s first bounty hunter organization and become a bounty hunter himself, he soon learns that a strong support system will be needed. A support system like an unwise mentor, her giant lizard ex-girlfriend, a woman trapped within her armor, a suspicious cyborg, a possible war criminal, several thousand beetles, and a ten-year-old insectoid with a pet.

Money is never endless, however, and Wyn will need to lead his new friends down a dangerous path to prove Bounty Inc.’s worth and keep his dream alive.

Book Links:

Amazon Preorder ~ Direct Signed Bundle Preorder ~ ARC Request Form

About the Author

Adam Holcombe daylights as a programmer and moonlights as an author. After spending years toying with the idea of writing, he decided to commit and work toward releasing his first novel. Then Gam Gam got in the way, and now he’s writing too many stories to count.

When he’s not locking himself in a cold basement to type away, he can be found squishing his dog (but not too hard), squawking at his tortoise (but not too loudly), goofing off with his wife and daughter (in perfectly ordinary, non-weird ways), playing D&D with friends (I’m playing a character now!), or the usual chilling at home. He is a lover of books, board games, video games, and swords.

He is the author of the Chronicles of Gam Gam series featuring the titular necromantic grandmother Gam Gam, and the Bounty Inc. universe which will be a collective of sci-fi novels spanning a galaxy. You can find out more about both series, along with future publishing news, and additional book content at bountyink.com. Onto the next one!

Author Links:

Bluesky ~ Discord ~ Patreon ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ Goodreads

and now…

The Cover

The Complete Cover Wrap:

Click to embiggen either image. And why wouldn’t you want to see them in their complete glory?

Kudos to these fine folk for their work on this eye-grabber:
Cover Art by Kerstin Espinoza Rosero
Cover design by VM Design

I was in from the words “by Adam Holcombe.” I’d pre-ordered the book as soon as I could, actually. The blurb sealed the deal (but I’m pretty sure I read it after I ordered). That cover is just icing on the cake for me–very attractive icing, I should add.

Go and do the right thing–place your orders now.

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