Let me preface this post by saying that my critiques of these covers are in no way, shape or form a reflection on the author, the content or the publisher. I know the authors have very little, if any, control over the design. These are strictly my thoughts meant simply to be humorous and not insulting.
I know what you're thinking. Okay, possibly I don't since when I first looked at this cover my mind went completely and utterly blank and I was left in a stupor of incomprehension. But, once the fog lifted, I had thoughts. Lots of them. The first being curiosity as to what this book could possibly be about given this cover. I shall keep you in suspense no longer, here is the description from Goodreads:
As a surgeon, Hank is used to working with his hands. Good thing, because those skillful fingers are needed to release the passionate wild cats lying dormant in one tigress of a redheaded woman.
Naughty nurse Nora's passionate response to her blind date unleashes something untamed within her. The only problem is she doesn't appreciate her newfound gift. It's up to Hank to teach her how to embrace her wilder side or they'll both end up as housecats-a curse worse than death for a proud Darklander werecat.
Um. Am I the only one that doesn't really understand that second sentence? Passionate wild cats lying dormant? Cats, as in plural? Does she have multiple cats in her? Does she shift into more than one cat? That's both bizarre and unnerving, but moving on. At least the stethoscope makes sense now, so we've got that going for us. However, most lab coats you typically see doctors wearing are already open in front, thus no need for the tearing we see here. We would have had easy access if he were just wearing a normal lab coat and nothing underneath, but he seems to enjoy "working with his hands" and so we are subjected to the ripping-to-reveal-ripped-chest situation. Magnificent.
Now, to more important things. What, in the name of all that's holy, is going on with the black mask? Nowhere in the blurb does it mention that he sidelines as a stripper or has a some sort of mask fetish. I'm befuddled. Does he see better with it on? Are we not supposed to know his identity? Epic fail if we're not because the blurb just told us his name is Hank and he's a surgeon and a werecat. We know you now you shirtless wonder, no need for the secrecy. Why are we allowed to see his naked chest but not the skin around his eyes? Maybe he has fur there and no one but his naughty nurse is allowed to see it. Kinky.
Speaking of the naughty nurse...why is she in an evening gown yet he's all suited up in his doctor digs? Shouldn't she be in some sort of obscenely short white dress with appropriately placed red crosses over her nipples? Perhaps I'm being too stereotypical, but I just think if we're playing up the whole doctor/nurse thing, it should at least extend to both parties. And can we just go back to that second sentence for a moment? I know what it's insinuating (at least I think I do), but the way it's worded makes it seem like she's got several cats on her person and she needs him to assist her in releasing them. That just brings all sorts of weird imagery to the forefront doesn't it? Yes, yes it does. You're thinking about the fact that she could have several squirming, "passionate" felines stuffed in that dress somewhere aren't you? Well, you certainly are now that I've mentioned it huh? Excellent. Mission accomplished. You're welcome.
Have a great weekend everyone!
PS - This is book 2 in the Darklander Lovers series. Since I knew you would want to know what the first cover looked like given this masterpiece, I looked it up for you. Behold.
From Goodreads:
Bidding on a masked man at an auction is all for a good cause, but what happens when he turns out to be a vampire who has the power to unleash the wild woman lying dormant inside you?
As a Darklander vampire, Mitch has spent a century living in a bleak world, but all that changes when he sees Tina. The beast living within Mitch wants to stake his claim. Mitch knows taking Tina's virginity will change her forever, but try explaining that to a woman whose passion cannot be denied. Tina holds the key to his freedom, but Mitch will be damned forever before he turns her over as a slave for his master.
Hm. Lots of things lying dormant in these women. Cats are lying dormant inside our naughty nurse, and a wild woman is lying dormant inside our virginal Tina. So much dormancy! And passion apparently, as that's mentioned three times between the two descriptions. At least the wild woman makes more sense than the passionate cats. Also, the mask is explained in this one. Success! Though it still doesn't explain the presence of the mask in the second one, so half-success really.
And on a parting note, just what is this masked vampire doing with his hands off cover hmmm? Highly suspect. Clearly "working" with their hands and bringing things previously dormant to sensual life are common threads among these bad boys:)
A big thanks to Karen of For What It's Worth for sending me this cover!
