I love a colorful book cover, as many of you might know. I would buy a book if the cover drew my attention even without reading the synopsis first. Hence, I decided to start a rainbow covers series, with purple as the first color to begin with.
The rest of the colors will follow, as well as white and black covers. I will end it with covers that have multiple colors or designs on it. I own lots of those as well on my shelves, and it will be a fun way to incorporate some of my older books on those posts.
Without sounding redundant, you might have guessed that I’m a sucker for a pretty cover. If you didn’t know you should check out my previous post, which will put you into context.
Fellow readers will most likely relate to the amazing feeling we get as a reader when the cover is pretty and the book is excellent. As far as I’m concerned, it’s bookish bliss. Unfortunately it’s not always the case, but that’s a subject for a different day. Let’s stick to today’s topic for now.
Without any delay, let’s get this series started. To set off my rainbow covers series I chose purple as its first installment.
Queen of the Night by J.A. Jance
The fourth book in the Walker Family series, Queen of the Night seems like an intriguing thriller. According to the synopsis, the author promises to get the readers’ attention and take them on a wild ride.
Set in the Arizona desert, the book is a chilling thriller that centers around three families. Intriguing and unforgettable, this installment is a multilayered story that is cleverly thought out. And from what I gather, it can be read as a standalone too if you’re not in the mood to read the previous three novels.
The Lyre of Orpheus by Robertson Davies
Let’s get a bit out of character here on Books for Mind and discuss this literary fiction work. Out of my comfort zone, The Lyre of Orpheus is not a lighthearted book by any means. While I’m aware that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it has a beautiful purple cover. To be honest, that is why I bought the book. I didn’t even know that it is the third installment in the Cornish trilogy by this Canadian author. So chances are I probably won’t read it before I get my hands on the previous two. That aside, the book contains a sublime writing style according to reviews on Goodreads.
Triple Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
This title and its cover sound scrumptious, but the book is a cozy mystery. Joanne Fluke has a whole series that blends baked goods and a murder. Her website entitled Murder She Baked combines her two main hobbies: baking and solving murders. Fictional murders, of course. At least, as far as I know!
The series includes 26 books, with Triple Chocolate Cheesecake being #27.
There are mixed reviews about this one, I’m not going to lie. But if you want something fast and cozy to curl up to, give this one a go.
Surrounded by Energy Vampires by Thomas Erikson
This is the only non-fiction book on this list. I was given Surrounded by Energy Vampires by the publishers and I thank them for their gift.
We all have people in our lives who suck our positive energy and drain us. They are usually great manipulators. So in order to keep our sanity, we have to figure out ways to cope.
From the author of Surrounded by Idiots comes Erikson’s new book, Surrounded by Energy Vampires.
The book is a guide that gives us different scenarios of the types of energy vampires and how to best deal with them. A fun, eye-opening non-fiction book to add to your collection.
Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
Another super popular book on Booktok and Instagram last summer, Just Another Missing Person makes for a great beach read. Intricate and suspenseful, the story involves lots of secrets and plot twists. Therefore, it is an engaging mystery/thriller that can be read in a couple of sittings easily.
The story is original and well laid-out, with great flow. Which makes for a solid book to choose when in the mood for a fast-paced book that is filled with action.
Although it isn’t the author’s highest rated book, I’m sure it is still a decent one to consider picking up.
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
If the title isn’t intriguing enough for you, what about the gorgeous cover? No picture could do it justice, it looks a lot better in person, believe me.
But that’s not the only thing this book has going for itself. The plot is interesting in its own right. Yes, we’ve heard about wife stalker stories before. The story may not be the most original, but the way the writing duo narrated it makes it super authentic. Don’t take my word for it, pick it up and judge for yourself. Then we can discuss the details.
The Roses of May
The title and the cover would make you believe this is a cute romance story, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Talk about a deceiving cover! This book is just as dark and twisted as the first book by the author.
If you refer to my previous post, the first book in the series, The Butterfly Garden, was not a very easy read.
This second book in the series continues with the rescued girls from the original story. Four months after the incredible events that shook the reader to their core in the Butterfly Garden, we are shown how the girls navigate their new reality.
Although I needed a break after reading the first book, I can’t wait to dig into this one.
The Next Girl by Pip Drysdale
This book was one of my favorites of 2022. I know some people gave it mixed reviews, but I quite enjoyed it. It was fast-paced and character driven, so it is an easy-to-read mystery/thriller. There’s nice flow to the story, which makes the transitions between chapters fluid.
The main character, Billie, is fierce and fearless. She is not scared to do what she believes is the right thing. That may probably be what I loved most about the book.
I wasn’t familiar with the author before this title, but my first book by her is enough to make me look forward to her other works, past or future.
The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
I’ve had this book on my shelves for a while, but I’m hoping to read it this summer. Or, at the very least, before the end of the year.
It is a book that is out of my comfort zone, as you know I typically don’t read fantasy/romance. But after all the rave reviews and its 4.4 star Goodreads rating, I’m willing to take a chance on it.
The story is an enchanting and beautifully narrated tale of Linus Baker, a case worker at the department in charge of Magical Youth. Just that sentence alone intrigued me, so stayed tuned for my review. Can’t wait to be transported to the magical island from the Cerulean Sea and see what fictional adventures I can embark on.
Shed No Tears by Caz Frear
I’m not going to lie, this is another book I bought because the cover is pretty. Also, it is the third installment in the series featuring DCI Cat Kinsella.
All that said, it can be read as a standalone as far as I know. But if you’re like me and want to follow the characters’ lives in chronological order, then I suggest you pick up the previous two. The first one is Sweet Little Lies, followed by Stone Cold Heart.
It is a series that doesn’t get talked about much, but I’m hoping more of you will pick it up after reading this post. The few reviewers who read it mention that Cat Kinsella is a very likable character. The plots are intriguing and easy to follow as well. Hence, I’ll make an effort to pick up this series before the end of the year and report back.
Concluding Words
This brings my first post in the rainbow covers series featuring the color purple to an end. I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to the following colors.
Blue is next up and I have lots of blue-covered books on my shelves, so it may be harder to choose only 10 to 15 books. But I’ll do my best to choose a few titles that are not as popular. That way you get to discover some hidden gems, since you get bombarded with new releases from all sides.
Until next time, keep reading my fellow bookworms.
