Monday, November 9, 2009
Book Chick City asked me to do a guest review and I couldn't resist using the ARC of Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn as my subject ;)

You can go any have a look at the review here. It is a little different to my review already posted here but it still says the same thing - buy this book ;)

Oh and make sure you have a look at Book Chick City! I have just added a few books to my wishlist thanks to the site ;)

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posted by Amberkatze at 7:16 PM | 1 comments
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Now the evil vampire Bishop is no longer ruling the town of Morganville, things are alot different. There is a suddenly a freedom that Claire Denvers and her friends are not used to. They feel comfortable but they are not quite ready to let down their defences and they are right to think that way.

Claire is busy studying, Eve and Shane are busy working and Michael is playing concerts. Then Eve has a new friend called Kim who Claire doesn't get along with. To add insult to injury Claire finds out that Kim once went out with Shane. Then Kim disappears and the gang are a little concerned. They find out what Kim has been really up to and once again they are in trouble with a capital V. V for Vampire!

Fade Out is an amazing. I adore the Morganville vampire series and can't get enough of it. Dark, dangerous and delicious this series is quite addictive. Morganville maybe full of vampires and certainly isn't the safest place to live but I would love to live there and be in the middle of it, just like Claire is.

Morganville rocks and the main characters in this series, good or bad, are just great. I can't wait to find out what happens next and wish I could have made this book drag out a little longer. Alas these books are like Pringles. Once you pop, you can't stop. This series just keeps getting better and the development in the story is constantly making it more and more interesting to read with each new installment.

I highly recommend this series to anyone. This maybe aimed at young adult but the unusual and unique storyline makes it a worthwhile read for any age. Make sure you start at the beginning if you haven't already had the pleasure. It is important that you see Morganville in all its glory from the start.

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posted by Amberkatze at 10:54 PM | 7 comments
I have been drooling over Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side for a while now but still haven't got my hands on a copy. However I decided that while I am waiting I could get to know the author a little better and share the interview with you guys!

So if you haven't come across author Beth Fantaskey yet, then keep reading and find out more about her. If you have across her before then keep reading and maybe learn something new ;)

Keep reading till the end and enter this weeks contest!

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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest! Could you start things off by telling us a bit about Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side?

Beth - It's the story of a very rational, average, adopted American girl who discovers, on the eve of her senior year in high school, that her birth parents were actually vampire royalty. And to make matters worse, Jessica learns this fact from a hot, arrogant, Romanian foreign exchange student who has shown up on her doorstep - insisting that he's a prince from a rival vampire clan, here to claim Jess as his future bride. If Jess doesn't marry Lucius and fulfill a pact signed at their births, it will ignite a global vampire war...

Amber - How did you come up with the idea for Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side? Was it a long process or did it just come to you?

Beth - It was actually very quick. I came up with the idea while on a long car trip, and I just started jotting down ideas on all these old (clean!) napkins that my husband is always stuffing in the glove compartment of his old Subaru. Some of the inspiration comes from my children, who are adopted... but beyond that, it's hard to say!

Amber - What comes next? Is there going to be sequel? Series? Do you have any other projects you are working on?

Beth - My next novel, Jekel Loves Hyde, comes out in the spring. That's basically been my project since Jessica's Guide - and I wrote a "mini sequel" about Jess and Lucius on my website, bethfantaskey.com. Those 22 new chapters are meant as a "thank you" to everybody who's asked to read more of their story, while I consider whether there will be a full sequel. I'm getting lots of wonderful (and some desperate!) requests, so I am definitely working on that right now.

Amber - Have you always wanted to be an author? and why did you pick the paranormal genre?

Beth - I've been a writer for magazines and newspapers for over 20 years, and I think every journalist secretly - and sometimes not so secretly - thinks about writing a novel. That compulsion started getting stronger in me over the last few years, and I began moving into fiction.

The story that I wanted to tell drove the genre. The stranger who shows up on Jess's doorstep needed to really shock (and initially repulse) her - and what would shock a rational, math-oriented girl more than to learn that she's destined to be a "mythical" being?

Amber - Something I have always wondered about is how authors come up with the names for their characters. How do you pick the names you use in your books?

Beth - "Jessica" just popped into my head as perfect for the girl I was imagining - and "Packwood" comes from a mansion down the street from my (very un-mansion-y) house. I took a lot of time combing through Romanian genealogy and name sites before choosing "Lucius Vladescu." I selected "Lucius" because it's strong and masculine and means "light" - although it's also reminiscent of someone very dark and sinister... And "Vladescu" is meant to call to mind the original "Dracula," Vlad the Impaler.



Amber - What is the easiest and hardest part about being an author?

Beth - The easiest part is doing stuff like this - basically hanging out with readers. The hard part is just getting down to work every day... being disciplined about sitting down and typing.

Amber - How do you relax? Do you have any hobbies?

Beth - I'm a runner. That's like my therapy. I like to put on music, go out and relax for a few miles. I also love to travel when I get the chance. My last big trip was to India, which was amazing. Now I'm just waiting until my kids are a little older so I can start dragging them around the planet!

Amber - Alot of authors have 'soundtracks' for their books. Is there any music influenced your books?

Beth - I either put on Pandora or my local college radio station, WQSU, which mainly plays alternative rock. My Pandora mix includes everything from AC/DC and Kenny Chesney to Saosin and Rammstein. I like to keep an open mind, music-wise, which is reflected a little in the German metal and pop references in Jessica's Guide.



Amber - What books do you enjoy reading? Do you have any favourite authors/series?

Beth - I am a big fan of classic authors like Dickens and Dumas - which is probably pretty obvious to readers of Jessica's Guide. There are lots of references to Austen, Melville, etc. And, of course, Jekel Loves Hyde is a twist on the old Robert Louis Stevenson novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As for a favorite work... it's hard to beat The Count of Monte Cristo, in my eyes. It's a page-turner with an incredibly dangerous, charismatic hero... I love it!

Amber - If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be and why?

Beth - This probably seems boring, but I'd have to say vampire. There's just something so compelling about them!

Amber - Thank you for visiting Amberkatze's Book Blog! I hope you will come back again someday!





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Contest Time!

This weeks prize is something extremely rare and special. Beth is giving away a printed copy of the 'Wedding chapters'. It isn't anything fancy, just printed off her computer and stuck in a binder which makes it very rare! She will however sign it! Which makes it very special!

All you have to do to enter this contest is post a comment on any other post on Amberkatze's Book Blog and let us know where you posted.

No Post = No entry!

The usual rules apply!

Earn another entry for each place you link this contest on the net. Make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries!

You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

I can offer more prizes if my Amazon Associates account gets more money!! So please make sure you order at Amazon.com through the links around the site and help keep the contest coming!




The contest will stay open until Sunday 15th of November 2009 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.

If you are claiming a prize, have emailed me and have not heard back before the 7 day limit is up then post a comment here on the blog. Your email may get sucked into my spam filter.

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posted by Amberkatze at 9:07 PM | 18 comments
Lots of winners to announce this week! So make sure you read through slowly and carefully. Speed reading could cost you a prize!

The details on how to claim your prize will be right at the end of the post. Make sure you follow the instructions so that your prize claim can be processed as quick as possible.

Before I let you know who won what! A huge thank you to all the authors who were guests on the Halloween Weekend Special. They all sent me great interviews/guest blogs and offered some amazing prizes. Thank you!

Also a thank you to all of you! Your entries and comments are always a pleasure to read and it is a joy to see the regular names as well as the new ones!

So first up we have the winner of the Julie Kenner Contest!


Steve!!!


Congrats a signed copy of Tainted will be finding its way to you!!

The next contest has two winners! Terri Garey was giving away two signed copies of her new release 'Silent Night, Haunted Night' as well as a beaded bookmark.

So congrats to -


Indigo!!!

&

Ivy!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prizes!

The Stacia Kane Contest prize is a signed copy of Demon Inside! Who won?
Well Done -


AmandaK!!!


The last winner gets to pick a book from one of the above authors who took part in the Halloween Weekend Special. It has to be a book that is already on sale and can be the first in the series or the newest in the series. Who gets to pick? Congratulations -


Wantsandwishes!!!


Also there is one more winner. Nobody claimed the Maria Lima Contest prize so the new lucky person who will get a copy of her new release 'Blood Kin' (with moi mentioned in the acknowledgements!) is -


SiNn!!!


How to claim your prize!

Please contact me via email - Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot eu within the next 7 days to claim your prize. Your claim will go quicker if you send me your address. Please make sure you mention which prize you are claiming and if needed let me know your choice of book!

I will pick a new winner if a prize isn't claimed. If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter.

More author interviews/guest Blogs and contests coming soon! Make sure you sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss anything!

Enter your email address:

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posted by Amberkatze at 5:44 PM | 5 comments
Zoey Redbird has just banished an immortal and a fallen High Priestess, saved Stark's life and nearly died. You would think that after so much action that she would get a break. Unfortunately things are not getting any quieter in the House of the Night school. Three guys all think they are Zoey's Boyfriend, her grandmother is still in hospital, her best friend is keeping secrets from her and she still needs to take care of her friends.

If Zoey could just get a good nights sleep. Kalona keeps invading her dreams and she knows that she still has to get rid of him permantly. How will she do it though? Can they all go back to the school or will they have to live with the nuns? So many questions and decisions need to be made. Everyone is looking at Zoey, the new High Priestess, to lead them into their future. Whatever it brings.

I have been a huge fan of this series since it came out. The last book in the series, Hunted, was good but I thought it lacked something. This newest installment lacked alot and I have to say it was, for me, the worst in the series.

The first problem was that this book suddenly has multiple narrators. The books were always from Zoey's perspective. However this time other characters also told their side of the story. This wouldn't have bothered me too much if it was a constant change between maybe a couple of characters but it seems the authors just kept changing to who they felt they needed to. Also the change of character didn't feel like a change of character. They all sounded like Zoey which made the change hard to notice and keep in perspective.

The second problem I had with this new edition is the lack of a real story. Usually there is a beginning, a middle and then an end. However this book just felt like the middle all the way through. So in this case 'Hunted' was the beginning and now 'Tempted' is the middle. This makes the next book 'Burned' the end? I have to say I am a little confused. Tempted seemed a little like a story arc and not much else.

My last big problem is Zoey's love life. She suddenly has three guys who all believe they are her boyfriend and also Kalona is is after her. Now I have nothing against relationships coming into a book and romance etc is fine and normal. However for a young adult series I think 4 guys/men is just a little too over the top and unrealistic. Give Zoey one and have one more on the side to keep things interesting but four? Boring, annoying and taking up too much time in the plot.

Don't think that this isn't worth reading though. With the faults it has and despite how frustrated I was with the ending it is still readable. Actually any fan who has been following the series has to read this to keep up with the story. However I have to say that I hope the next book, Burned, does actually make more progress than Tempted does.

All in all this series is great and I highly recommend it to everyone who likes vamps and wants to try something different. It is Young Adult but it isn't too young and actually is more adult in some respects. Deep, dark and unusual I really do like this series. Tempted however has let the series down.

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posted by Amberkatze at 5:08 PM | 3 comments
Friday, November 6, 2009
Another equinox is here, and life's getting more tumultuous for the D'Artigo sisters. Smoky, the dragon of Camille's dreams, must choose between his family and her. Plus, the sisters can't locate the new demon general in town. And Camille's summoned to Otherworld, thinking she'll reunite with her long-lost soul mate Trillian. But once there, she must undergo a drastic ritual that will forever change her and those she loves.

I am not allowed to give away too much about this newest Sisters of the Moon book so I have used the blurb from Amazon for this review. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to read this book seeing as it is not actually due for release until the beginning of January. This is one of my favourite must have series and I was excited to find that one of my reviews from Paranormal Romance has been quoted and used in the book. However I doubt you care about that. You all really want to know what I thought...

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This series is amazing, unique and addictive. Bone Magic continues the story of my favourite paranormal sisters and this time we return to Camille the witch. Not only is she the magical older sister but she is also very sexy.

Erotic was the theme at one point in the book and there was a 'wow' factor to the one scene I have in mind. This series is continuing to develop and evolve. Deep, dark and full of mystery, I am always surprised at what happens next. Another wait begins to find out what the author has in store for the D'Artigo girls.

Anyone new to the series should start at the beginning and play catch up! If you have been following the series make sure that you pre-order this. Then when it arrives, shut out the world and curl up with Camille and delve into her story and enjoy. A busy work week left me grabbing at this book at every opportunity and I really hated not being able to give the sisters the attention they deserved.

Galenorn does not disappoint and I doubt she ever will. One of the best out there that every reader of the Urban Paranormal Fantasy genre should be enjoying on a regular basis. No other world feels as real as the one this author has painted.

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posted by Amberkatze at 10:09 PM | 5 comments
Thursday, November 5, 2009
There are still four contests up and running from the Halloween Weekend Special!

Make sure you enter before 4pm (Central European Time) on Sunday for your chance to win!

Win a copy of Stacia Kane's Demon Inside!

Win Tainted by Julie Kenner!

Win one of two copies of Silent Night, Haunted Night by Terri Garey!

Win a book of your choice by one of the above mentioned authors!

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posted by Amberkatze at 8:38 PM | 1 comments