Shadowhawk takes a look at another Orbit cover, this time for Amanda Carlson’s third book in the Jessica McClain urban fantasy series.

“Orbit must be employing some art wizards for sure, because this is another damn good cover, and the best in the series so far.” ~Shadowhawk

Amanda Carlson’s 2012 debut, Full Blooded, was one of my favourite reads of the year (review here), and also the most enjoyable urban fantasy I’ve read, standing alongside Chris F. Holm’s two The Collector novels (2012, Angry Robot) and Lou Morgan’s debut Blood and Feathers (2012, Solaris). I’ve been waiting to read her second book, Hot Blooded, ever since, and should be getting a copy soon, since the novel comes out next month on the 23rd. Hopefully I can get an advance copy by then.

For me, Jessica McClain is the type of character who can hold her own when compared to characters such as Buffy Summers, and is one of the strongest female protagonists I’ve read as well. Amanda’s debut was all kinds of awesome and I expect her sequel to be at least as good!

Recently, Amanda revealed the cover for the third book, Cold Blooded, and it is a mind-blowing cover, fitting in really, really well with the blurb, and the name of the novel itself. Jessica herself looks just as kickass as she did in the cover for Hot Blooded. The supernatural atmosphere is also well-represented in the background of the cover with bats and the (somewhat) oversized moon, which is just as well since Jessica is a Werewolf herself, and she teams up with a Vampire coven in the novel.

Here’s the cover and the blurb.

Release: 15th September, 2013

Trade Paperback: $12.99 US/$13.99 CAN | eBook: $8.99 US/$8.99 CAN | Audiobook: $19.98 US/$21.98 CAN | 320pp

Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it. But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains. Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early.

Arriving on the Vampire Queen’s doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war. The vicious skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team.

The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn’t realize is just how soon she’ll have to cash it in.

Here are the rest of the covers for the novels/novella in the series.

So yes, I’m very excited about the book, and I’m really looking forward to reading it in September.

What about you?