This graphic novel is based on the amazing TV series, Supernatural. The story follows John Winchester as he tries to deal with the suspicious and unnatural death of his wife. His sons Sam and Dean play a small part in the story but the main focus is how the famous hunter started his hunt. How it all began. The Origin.

I haven't read many graphic novels but the ones I have read impressed me alot. So my previous experience and the fact that this was about one of my favourite TV series really made me want to check out this graphic novel story. It was obvious to me that this novel was going to be more about John than the boys and I looked forward to getting to know the origin of the Supernatural story better.

All this said I will not be following these graphic novels about Supernatural any further. Compared to others I have read the drawing in this book was poor. All the characters had black holes for eyes and there was no real depth or detail to the pictures. I found them boring and couldn't even find an resemblance to the TV show or characters I have come to know and love.

The plot was poor and erratic. There was no real point to the story and nothing really spectacular happened. There is so much they could have done with this and it feels like they just rushed their way through to get it done and hopefully make some extra money. Not impressed.

I haven't gone off the idea of other graphic novels and I intend on reading a few more over the next couple of days. I just hope that they don't disappoint me as much as this one did.

Labels: Books Read, graphic novel

Nearly thirteen years ago, Jack Winter lay dying in a graveyard. He wasn't ready to die and made a deal so he could stay alive. His traded his soul for thirteen more years but now the demon is back and wants to collect his payment. Jack still isn't ready to die and now he has something to live for. Pete Caldecott is the reason he is clean and alive. Because of her he is going to fight back and find a way to break the deal.

Pete has no idea about Jack's deal but she knows something is going on. Trying to find work and keep things running smoothly isn't working. She wants Jack but until he can finally be truthful with her, she is going to keep her distance. Black things are all around them while they work and if Jack doesn't fight back hard enough they may both lose their lives.

This is the second Black London novel and I love how British it is. So many of the Paranormal genre books are based in the States so it is extremely refreshing to have one based in the UK for once. It is especially nice for me because I am British and can relate to all the little snippets of UK life. A big thumbs up for the author for moving the genre somewhere else for a change.

Scenery aside this series is building up nicely. It reminds me alot of the Dresden Files but this Black London world is still in construction. Very deep, dark and fast-paced I am really enjoying the characters and the plots. However I am still struggling a little with the who is who and what is what but I am hoping this will come to me as the series continues. It will be interesting to see how the series will carry on. The end of this book had quite a cliffhanger and I hope we don't have to wait too long to find out what happens next.

All in all this is turning out to be one strong, hard and edgy paranormal series. Cailtlin Kittredege is definitely going to be one of the big names in the genre but I have to admit I prefer her Nocturne City series to the Black London novels at the moment.

Labels: Books Read, Caitlin Kittredge, New Releases

The December Monthly Giveaway is now open! This month the books on offer are some of my personal best reads of 2009. I read so many great books this year but these are just a couple I thought you all might be interested in. So make sure you go to the poll <--- and vote for the one you want to win or the one you think deserves to win!

Here is a little info about each book on offer. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -


Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells


Book of Shadows by Paula Brackston


Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden


My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent


Retribution by Jeanne C. Stein


Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost


Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom


How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is a poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!

To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The winner will be announced on Sunday the 10th of January at 4pm. The poll will stay open for votes until 4pm on Friday 4th of December (all times are in Central European Time).

Enter your email address:

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For more chances to win -

Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.

Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your extra entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu

For more prizes -

I will draw more than one winner if I have enough money in the Amberkatze's Book Blog Amazon account. You can help fill this account by using one of the following links below to make your purchases on Amazon.com or Amazon.de

Labels: Contests, Cynthia Eden, Jaye Wells, Jeanne. C. Stein, Kimberly Frost, Linda Wisdom, Monthly Giveaway, Paula Brackston, Rachel Vincent

The League is full of ruthless assassins. Expertly trained and highly valued they rule the Ichidian Universe. Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades left the League and has been hunted by them ever since. Many have tried to kill him but nobody has been able to stop him.

Now Nykyrian works as an assassin for hire. His current mission is to protect Kiara Zamir, who has become a target because of her well know father. Kiara's life has become more dangerous than ever before and she has to learn to trust the same kind of man who killed her mother and left her for dead all those years ago. However the only way both of them can survive is to look after each other. If they don't they will both end up dead.

I am a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series so I was really happy to be offered her new series to review. The League isn't actually that new and as the author points out at the beginning this series is really the first thing she produced and is just now getting released for all to read. But is it worth it?

The beginning of this book caught me straight off but then quickly lost me again when I realised this was more Sci-fi than paranormal. However there was the usual Kenyon taste to the story so I kept up for a few more chapters. I have to admit that at one point I was ready to give up but instead I decided to take a break. After all, this is one of the authors who got me into the Paranormal genre in the first place and I needed to give her the beneift of the doubt.

So I went back to this book today and after a few more chapters of still figuring out who was who and why, I really got into it. By the time I got to the last hundred pages I was very glad that I have the next two books in the series already here waiting for me. Sure this isn't the Dark-Hunters and it is no where as good as Sherrilyn's famous series but it does has something.

With the strong characters, romance and action this is a suspense filled read till the end. Sure the first half of the book seemed a little confusing but once you get into the new world and adjust, things get alot better, fast. Definitely worth reading if you are a Kenyon fan and certainly check this out if you like a little Sci-fi but nothing too deep.

I am looking forward to reading the next two books Born of Fire and Born of Ice. Thanks for another great reading experience Sherrilyn!

Labels: Books Read, Sherrilyn Kenyon

Author Molly Harper joins me again this week on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Molly stopped by a while back when her first book in the 'Nice Girls Don't...' series came out. Now book three in the series is about to be releasesd and I am eagerly awaiting my email from Amazon to say it is on the way ;)

So sit back and enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest at the end! Maybe you will be lucky and win a copy of Molly's new release!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! Thank you for joining us again. I have really been enjoying your 'Nice Girls Don't..' series but just incase some of my readers haven't had the pleasure...maybe you can start things off by telling us a little about the books so far? The newest edition to the series, NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER, is due out any day now. What can we expect from the third book?

Molly -In the first two books, new vampire Jane Jameson was struggling to adapt to her new lifestyle. She's found a job she loves, new friends, and a source for her bottled blood. In the third book, Nice Girls Don't Live Forever, she's forced to confront some long-simmering issues with her boyfriend/sire, Gabriel. The seductive, anonymous notes that await Gabriel at each stop of their vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow - alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.

Now the children's-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby . . . or litter. Step Three: Figure out who's been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is becoming a matter of life and undeath.

Amber - Will there be more books in the series? How long would you like to see things continue for Jane? Do you see an end in sight?

Molly - Right now, there are three books contracted in the series. I could see going for a few books. I know this will sound weird, but I think the characters will let me know when it's time to end things... Or you know, if I start writing a book where the entire cast of characters gets sent to jail together, that's when it will be time to cut things off.

Amber - One of the things that made your first book, NICE GIRLS DON'T HAVE FANGS, stand out was the quotes form the 'Guide for the Newly Undead'. Then in the second book, NICE GIRLS DON'T DATE DEAD MEN, you had quotes from 'Mating Rituals and Love Customs of the Were'. What book are the quotes from this time around? and where did the idea come from to use quotes like this at the beginning of each chapter?

Molly - Thanks! I knew there was going to be a guidebook for Jane because that's what she would need to survive. She's a book person, that's what she responds to. And when I started to think of the events of each chapter, I thought of the quotes from the guidebook that would apply to those situations. The quotes were better than any chapter title I could come up with and I thought it would be a fun way to introduce the reader to Jane's world.

The third book features quotes from a vampire self-help book on love called "Love Bites: A Female Vampire's Guide to Less Destructive Relationships." Jane starts reading it after she and Gabriel run into problems. (To put it mildly.)

Amber - You mentioned before that you would write a full version of 'Guide for the Newly Undead' if there was enough interest. Any progress on that? Would you do the same for 'Mating Rituals and Love Customs of the Were'?

Molly - I've been focused on finishing the vampire novels and some other projects, so I haven't started on a full version of the guide. And if there was interest in "Mating Rituals" I would expand on that, too.

Amber - How do you pick the names of your characters? Are they just names you like, people you know or do they have some other meaning?

Molly- I try to give my characters significant names. I wanted Jane to be an everygirl. She's a plain Jane. She's a little shy and a lot neurotic. And I knew I wanted her to have an alliterative name like the comic book heroes: Peter Parker, Lois Lane, Clark Kent. And I used Jameson because it allowed Dick Cheney to make a joke on their first meeting that said a lot about his personality and sort of set the tone for their whole relationship. This is a family blog, I probably shouldn't go into it here.

Gabriel is Jane's savior, so I wanted to name him after an archangel. For some reason, it just struck me as funny to have a vampire named Dick Cheney. Zeb is my sister's middle name. Jettie Belle was a many-times great relative on my mom's side whom I'm said to resemble.

Amber - Are you working on any other projects you would like to tell us about?

Molly - I have a non-paranormal romance, AND ONE LAST THING, being released by Pocket Books in August 2010. It's about a woman named Lacey, who finds out her husband, Mike, is cheating on her. She uses his business mailing list to send a mass e-mail to his friends, family and clients, announcing his infidelity in stunning, technicolor detail. This is not well-received by said friends, neighbors and clients, and Lacey is exiled to a family cabin by a lake. She meets her new neighbor, Monroe, a grumpy crime writer with an unfortunate buttock-related nickname and a strange aversion to recent divorcees. Random nudity and romantic hijinks ensue.

I also have an as-yet untitled werewolf project that was just picked up by Pocket. The release date has not been determined yet, but I'm really excited about it. And the "Mating Rituals" notes were a huge help!

Amber - Werewolf or vampire? Both appear in your books but who do you prefer? Team Jacob or Team Edward? ;)

Molly - Well, before I saw New Moon, I was completely on Team Edward, but now... Yowsa. Holy Six-Pack Abs, Batman. Obviously, I see the appeal of both werewolves and vampires. And now that I've written about werewolves as romantic interests, I have to say it's pretty sexy to write about a man who overcome by his animal instincts in wanting a woman's body, not her blood. But vampires will always have that sexy, cool mysterious thing going for them. They're the bad boys of the underworld. I'm torn between the two teams. Isn't this how wars start?

Amber - What was the best book you read and best film you saw in 2009?

Molly - My favorite movie for this year is a British comedy called RUN FAT BOY RUN. It stars Simon Pegg, from HOT FUZZ, which is another awesome movie. Pegg plays an unreliable guy who agrees to compete in the Nike River Run to try to get his life back in order. It's profane and quirky and hilarious. A close second would be DEATH AT A FUNERAL, another great British comedy. I don't know why I like dry English humor, I just do.

I've been reading a lot of young adult books this year. My mom teaches eighth grade English and I've spent a little time trying to find alternatives for her students who want to read my books. I found Beth Fantaskey, who has written a wonderful age-appropriate vampire book called JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE. It's funny and snarky and compelling. Beth has another book coming out in May called JEKEL LOVES HYDE, a darker, sexy update on the classic Stevenson tale.

Amber - I am pretty sure writing books is hard work! How do you relax?

Molly - I have a day job and I write every night, so really, the only time I'm not working is when my family travels or we declare Family Movie Night. (You haven't lived until a one-year-old and five-year-old plant themselves in your bed and the five-year-old proclaims that you WILL watch Barbie and the Nutcracker for the twelfth time this year. AND you will be making popcorn. Or else.)

Also, I really love spending time with my husband, David. We've been together since high school and he's the only person on the planet that can put up with me for more than a few hours. We just got back from a trip to New York, where we saw Phantom of the Opera and ate a ridiculous amount of food from vendor carts. Mmmm. Falafel.

Amber - Thank you for being a guest again on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Good luck with the new release and make sure you stop by again!

Molly -Thanks for having me!



The contest will stay open until Sunday 3rd of January 2010 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.

Good Luck!

Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Molly Harper

My guest last week was author Cynthia Eden and she was giving away one copy of her new book Eternal Hunter or Hotter After Midnight! So who one the contest?

Well done to -


Coistycat!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

The Christmas Wish Giveaway also ends today!

Here are the winners!

Donnas wins one of her wishes - A copy of Dead and Kicking by Wendy Roberts

Vickie wins one of her wishes - A copy of Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler

*ina* wins one of her wishes - A copy of Chill Factor by Rachel Caine

Thank you everyone for playing! I hope you all got some of your wishes for Christmas and got to do some reading over the holidays!

Coming up next is the lovely Molly Harper. So if you didn't week anything in this last weeks author contest then you might want to try your luck this week!

If you didn't win anything in the Christmas Giveaway then come back tomorrow when the December Giveaway will start! I will be listing my top reads of 2009 and you get to vote for your favourite to win! So make sure you come and vote!

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 and say which book your are claiming!

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. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't recieved your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe.

Labels: Contests, Cynthia Eden, Monthly Giveaway, Winners

When he was alive, Kevin Fahey was a cop who had seen better days both career and family wise. Dead after a drug bust gone bad, Kevin finds himself in limbo watching over the family, friends and work colleagues he left behind. Then the victim of a murder case he solved comes to him and Kevin finds out that he put the wrong man in prison and the murderer is still free.

He realises that he has to find the real killer so he can finally rest in peace. However he can't communicate with the living. So Kevin keeps watch over his ex-partner Danny and the new detective Maggie Gunn in the hope that he can somehow help them solve the case. What he finds out along the way will shock him and he can only hope that Maggie, who he starts to grow very fond of, doesn't loose her life too.

This is the first in the Dead Detective series and caught my eye a few months ago when it was released. The ghost aspect and the hope of a new cozy mystery series to add to my collection had me adding this to my list of books to buy. I was however a little disappointed at first because this series is not at all as cozy as it seems but a proper murder mystery with a ghost telling the story.

But wait! I said I was disappointed at first...after a few chapters I couldn't stop reading. This mystery totally grabbed me and the ghost of Kevin intrigued me. While this story is a little somber it is also very well written. More of a Tess Gerritsen or Kathy Reichs than the Madelyn Alt or Shirley Damsgaard I was expecting. So despite my expectations being totally off track I really liked this story and enjoyed the change of pace.

So if you like a nice murder mystery but don't want the paranormal element to be too over the top then I can highly recommend this. Following Kevin as he unravels the murder and also sees what his life really was worth, was not only interesting but realistic. The second book in the series, 'Angel Interrupted', is out in August and I have already added it to my pre-order wishlist. This is a series I am sure I am going to enjoy.

Labels: Books Read, Chaz McGee

Assistant DA Erin Jerome has a couple of secrets she has been keeping. It isn't easy keeping those secrets from the people who get close to her but one person is getting too close and she doesn't even know who he is. Being stalked is one thing but her stalker is taking things too far. So Erin moves to get away from him and starts a new life somewhere else. Unfortunately that doesn't put off her stalker one bit.

Bounty Hunter Jade Donovan is a shapeshifter and knows that Erin is keeping a secret. He knows she is not human and all his animal instincts are crying out to be with Erin. He is trying to keep things professional but knows it won't last long if he is going to be working with her.

So when her case turns into some more personal Jade is the one who wants to protect her and Erin is the one calling him for help. Will they manage to find the bad guy and live happily ever after? If they were human maybe it would be that easy but in the world they live in things are hard and dangerous.

Let me start off by saying that I am not really one for the overly romantic paranormal books. So when I first came across Cynthia Eden I was a little skeptical. I was very surprised and pleased when I finally got around to reading one of Cynthia's books. Sure there is romance but the mystery and depth of the story is so outstanding that the lovey dovey stuff is just a little piece of chocolate from a huge king size bar.

Eternal Hunter has all the winning elements I have come to expect from this author. There are always two impressive lead characters that draw me in so much that I have to keep reading about them. There is always a deep mystery filled paranormal plot that keeps me hooked till the end. Then there is always the lovely writing style that makes Cynthia's books such a joy to read. Plus the twists in the story always keep me reading way past my bedtime!

Another great read from an amazing author. If you are looking for a good paranormal story with depth, action and a storyline that will keep you interested and reading way into the night, then look no further. I can't wait to see what else Cynthia Eden writes about because all of her books so far have been a pleasure to read and they are all stories that I will definitely be reading again.

Win a copy of this book by entering the Cynthia Eden Contest! You have until 4pm (Central European Time) on Sunday 27th December to enter!

Labels: Books Read, Cynthia Eden, New Releases

Amanda Feral is a zombie. She maybe dead but for her it isn't the end. Dressed in the best and most fashionable clothes she can be seen at all the right places in the city of Seattle. Amanda Feral is one of the most well known undead celebrities and she is loves it. She is beautiful and her werewolf boyfriend will bite anyone who says otherwise. Amanda is the best and nothing can stop her.

Well Ok, maybe money and the lack of it can. With her ad agency about to go under, Amanda realises she needs money and quick. An opportunity arises and Amanda gets involved in a new reality show that she wouldn't have normally touched with a 10 foot barge poll. Appear on the show, ruin her reputation and make some fast cash. It all sounds so easy. However nothing is that easy in show business or in Amanda's afterlife. Enter madness, murder and mayhem. Will Amanda manage to come out of this with all her limbs still intact?

Book three in the Amanda Feral series has been on my pre-order wishlist since it appeared on Amazon and it was possible to add it to my wishlist. So I was an extremely happy kitty when a package arrived last week from Father Christmas a.k.a Mark Henry. The title alone made me want the book but I also couldn't wait to get back in touch with my favourite zombie. Amanda has got to be the biggest bitch in the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre but I love her for it and wouldn't change one single thing about her.

Mark Henry came through once again and channeled his inner woman. For the thrid time the author has given us another well written book filled with insanity and he also threw in a good plot to keep the reader hooked. Witty, rude and definitely not for the weak hearted this series is nothing like anything you will ever find anywhere. Guaranteed! For anyone who has ever watched Ugly Betty, Amanda is the Amanda in that show! Just a little deader! Ditsy, confident and a force to be reckoned with, this zombie rules.

The story this time was just as crazy and full of action as the previous two books. If you blink while reading this you could miss everything. This series is worth checking out just because it is a man writing as a woman. However this series is one you will enjoy because it is fresh, unique and utterly fantastic.

Battle of the Network Zombies comes out in February. So anyone who hasn't met up with Amanda yet has some time to use their Christmas money/vouchers to buy the first two books. If you already know and love Amanda, you won't be disappointed. Battle of the Network Zombies is everything you could possibly want from a third book in the series.

Labels: ARC, Books Read, Mark Henry

Merry Christmas to all my readers! I hope you all have a nice quiet one with lots of books for presents and time for reading ;)

To celebrate I am extending the entry date for the Christmas Wishlist Giveaway! You all now have till Sunday 27th December (4pm Central European Time) to enter. That means if you get one of your previous wishes from Santa you can enter again and update your wish!

The Cynthia Eden contest also runs till Sunday! So make sure you stop by and tell Cynthia what you are reading over the holidays. Maybe you will win one of her lovely books!

On the 27th there will be a new author guest. Molly Harper will be here and she has an amazing prize for one lucky winner! Also the Monthly Giveaway for December will go up over the weekend so make sure you stop by to enter both contests!

Enjoy the holidays! Read loads ;)

Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Cynthia Eden, Molly Harper, Monthly Giveaway

Another regular guest is back on Amberkatze's Book Blog this week! Please welcome back author Cynthia Eden who is here for the third time this year!

Cynthia first visited the blog in February for an interview. Then in July she came back to talk about our pleasures. Now Cynthia is here to talk to us about our Holiday Reading!

I hope you all enjoy Cynthia's guest blog and don't forget to enter the contest at the end!

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Holiday Reading

Hi, everyone! Happy Holidays!!! And Amber, thanks so much for inviting me to your wonderful place!

I realize that most people are scrambling around now—desperately trying to get all the gifts on their lists for their loved ones. Between shopping, wrapping, baking, stressing…well, there’s not much downtime. But if you do manage to squeeze in some quiet time, then I’d suggest you engage in some holiday reading. :)

I love sitting in front of my Christmas tree and snuggling down with a good book. Sure, it’s after midnight by the time I manage to sit down, but I still enjoy my quiet moments. Reading by Christmas light is a definite perk of the holidays. And when I read—it doesn’t really matter to me if I’m reading a Christmas romance (though those are awesome) or a gritty paranormal. As long as I’m having a few moments of *me* time, I’m good.

So while you’re out there, hustling and bustling, make sure you plug in some moments for you. Sit down by the fire (or the tree), and curl up for some holiday reading. I know that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.

Tell me your favorite book to read at this time of the year—I’d love to find more books to add to my list! I’ll pick one commenter to win either an autographed copy of HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT (mass market version) or an autographed copy of my January 2010 release, ETERNAL HUNTER (ETERNAL HUNTER is the first book in my new series about paranormal bounty hunters).

Happy reading—and enjoy the holidays!

Cynthia Eden



HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT--mass market re-release 12/1/09
ETERNAL HUNTER--available 12/29/09 from Kensington Brava

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Contest Time

Cynthia asked you all a question at the end of her guest blog. Answer that question and you will be entered to win a copy of HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT or ETERNAL HUNTER!

No Answer = No entry!

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.

Keep the contests going by using the Amazon links below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Sunday 27th of December 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.

Good Luck!

Labels: Contests, Cynthia Eden, Guest Blog

Last week my guest was author Maria Lima! She wrote a great guest blog about Texas and offered up a copy of her latest book as a prize.

So who won the copy of Blood Kin? Maria's third book?

Congrats to -


Icejewel!!!


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. 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. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't recieved your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe.

Don't forget the Christmas Wishes Giveaway! You still have a few days left to enter!

There will be a December Monthly Giveaway coming up after Christmas so make sure you check in for that!

Labels: Contests, Maria Lima, Monthly Giveaway, Winners

The Cirque de Charnu has come to Jill Kismet's city and she isn't happy about it. They clean out the demons and the suicides before moving on but if they put one toe out of place Jill is going to kick them out as quickly as possible. They just have to keep within the rules.

Then some Cirque performers die and Kismet has to find out why before the truce is held for null and void. She knows she didn't do it but the Cirque isn't so sure and would love to make the whole city a huge carnival of horror. If that isn't enough there are exorcisms to perform and zombies to kill. Kismet has enough to do and could do with some sleep.

Yet again Kismet starts clearing up someone else's mess and trying not to get killed in the process. Though this time it isn't just Kismet's life on the line but her relationship with Saul. Has he finally given up on her?

Book four in the Jill Kismet series is as deep, dangerous and dark as the previous three books. The story doesn't waste any time and jumps right into things which left me a little shocked at first. It took a couple of chapters to get the feel for the world of Jill Kismet again but once I was back I was hooked. The story catches you and keeps you prisoner till the end and is so fast paced that you have no time to take a break.

Lilith Saintcrow has created one of the toughest, kick-ass female urban fantasy heroines around. Jill Kismet is hard as nails and knows her stuff. If you haven't already dropped into her world and taken a look then I suggest you give it a try. With more action than your typical action movie this series makes for thrilling reading and will leave you gasping for more.

Labels: Books Read, Lilith Saintcrow, New Releases

Author Maria Lima is no stranger to Amberkatze's Book Blog. Her guest blog today is her third appearance here and I hope it won't be her last!

Last year Maria popped in for an interview when her second book 'Blood Bargain' was released. Then two months ago when her third book 'Blood Kin' was released Maria guest blogged here about 'There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb'. Today she is back with her next guest blog and I hope you will all enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Oh and make sure you contest at the end for a chance to win a copy of her latest release Blood Kin!

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Texas: It's like a whole other country*


Many myths exist about my former home state of Texas, some truer than others, some as far-fetched as any fantasy novel. Texas is a land full of contradictions, from the stark beauty in the spare barrenness of the Llano Estacado to the lush greenery of the piney woods of East Texas to the incomparable variety that can only be found in a state so large that it incorporates a variety of ecological regions from desert to marshland and everything in between. Some areas are hot and dry, others hot and humid. It really does take about a full day to drive from top to bottom of the state--not that I've tried it. I did, however, once drive from San Antonio to El Paso--twelve grueling hours in a car with a caged and not-sedated part-Siamese cat. Every single time another car passed us, the cat would yowl, as only Siamese can. I never thought I'd survive the trip!

The Texas of television and the movies is only a tiny slice of the myriad of realities--it's not just a Red State. It's not just a bunch of rednecks looking to punch cows (or people they dislike), and it's most definitely not only made up of cows, cowboys and big oil--though they definitely play a huge part in the state's makeup and history. It's a huge state chock-full of contradictions and crazy characters--just like the country it belongs to.

I chose to set my series in Texas, because as with many of us, the place we consider "home" often holds mixed and opposite feelings. I have a love/hate relationship with Texas that leads to my own characters' relationships. Like Keira, I consider the state home, but as she did when she hit human-version adulthood, I, too, began to wander. First from the Austin area to San Antonio, then to El Paso, to Midland, and then Dallas. Eventually, I made my way back to San Antonio, until the turn of the millennium, when I found myself aching for the East Coast--where we'd lived for a few years when I was a child. I got to experience South Texas, Central Texas, North Texas, West Texas and the Hill Country--all jewels in their own right, each with unique characteristics. Pretty good prep for my later career as a writer, huh?

As had some other writers before me, it wasn't until I left that I could appreciate my home state's wonders and accept those things I found (and still find) deeply wrong. Separation for me brought a certain equanimity and an ability to see Texas and Texans from the outside as well as granting me that unique insider's view. Writing in my fictional town allows me to settle some old ghosts, as well as evoke the familiar emotions that keeps my fierce love burning, despite the machinations and ridiculous politics, the bigotry of some of its citizens, and the ingrained belief that somehow, this state isn't really part of the union...no kidding. With that in mind, I create a fictional Texas that has some of the best traits, some of the worst traits and hopefully balance the two within a story about people--because to me, that's what writing is all about: characters. Laura Lippman may have Baltimore; Dana Stabenow owns Alaska--but I'd like to claim the Texas Hill Country as my own space to play in. So, without further ado, a quick primer on the Texas Hill Country--with tongue firmly in cheek.

  * The following things are NOT found in the Texas Hill Country:

  + Saguaro cactus (the big tall ones): look further west...like Arizona. You will find a lot of prickly pear and other smaller cacti.

  + Pine trees: (those are east--Houston, Galveston), instead, you'll find live oaks, mesquite and cottonwoods (cottonwood in Spanish? Alamo)

  + Lots of lush grass (most grasses in the Hill Country is non-existant...at least the kind you think of on suburban lawns. You'll see mostly sparse, scraggly grass in the rural areas and very much human-imported and tough to grow lawns in the 'burbs.

  + Oceans--the Hill Country is smack in the center of Texas, hours away from the Gulf Coast

  + Vampires: nope, not even vampire bats--just loads of other kinds of very useful bats that eat the mosquitoes and June bugs.

+ Wolves: wer, or otherwise. However, in East Texas, the endangered red wolf inhabits the marshland between Houston and Beaumont, one of the most thickly settled areas of the state.

  * Things you CAN find in the Texas Hill Country:

  + Ranches: with cowboys and cows and barbed wire - side-by-side with McMansion subdivisions/resorts and the requisite millionaires

  + Hills: lots and lots of rolling hills built on porous limestone

  + Water: lakes (mostly man-made via dams); some are even underground in gorgeous grottos

+ Wine: The Hill Country is the center of the award-winning Texas Wine Industry. No laughing!! There are some really fabulous wines here.

  + Parks and recreational areas: loaded with 'em, unfortunately, it's often too hot in the summer to even *think* of camping out, though people do.

  + Caves: loads and loads; the base of the area is limestone--everywhere, you can even see it in the drinking water from the tap (yes, I know, ick).

  + Golf Courses: loads and loads, even professionally rated courses used to play the Masters Tournament.

  + All sorts of ethnicities: from the Mexican natives who once owned the land, long-established settlers from "back east", Alsatian descendants still keeping their cultural traditions, Germans, Polish, Spanish, French, Canary Islanders, and many, many more.

+ Bluebonnets--In the spring, they bloom all over. A common tradition is to have your family photo, wedding photo, etc. taken amongst the bluebonnets. Google "bluebonnet photos". They're pretty. They're a weed. And highly illegal to pick...because it's the state flower. (I shrug at this--it's not like they're endangered!)

  + Horses: not of the wild persuasion, they always belong to someone else. Yes, there are still horse and cattle rustlers in Texas...only now, they're just called thieves.

  + Armadillos: a.k.a. road kill. They're built like tiny tanks, but no match for a speeding, or not speeding car. Slow waddlers, they're most often found flat in the middle of the road

  + Deer: all sorts, mostly white-tail.

  + Javelina: a really ugly boar-like creature that a lot of guys love to hunt.

+ Feral pigs: exactly what they sound like; they're extremely ugly, nasty and have no natural predators...except for the 2-legged shotgun-toting kind. 

+ Big hair: yeah, I admit, it's everywhere. But for every big-haired woman, there's at least three others that have sensible 'dos.

Some famous Texans from this region:

+ Lance Armstrong
+ Michael Dell
+ Kinky Friedman
+ Molly Ivins
+ Lyndon Johnson & Lady Bird Johnson
+ Tommy Lee Jones (I totally saw his house!)
+ Stevie Ray Vaughan

As you can see--variety isn't just a word, it's a plain fact. The Texas Hill Country is an amazing place that remains very special in my heart, and now in my books.

Have you learned anything new about the Hill Country? What's your hometown/home region story? Comment below with an anecdote or fact about your home to be eligible to win a copy of BLOOD KIN.


* Texas Tourism Slogan from the early 90s

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Contest Time

Maria asked you all a question at the end of her guest blog. Answer that question and you will be entered to win a copy of Blood Kin.

No Answer = No entry!

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.

Keep the contests going by using the Amazon links below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Sunday 20th of December 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.

Good Luck!

Labels: Contests, Guest Blog, Maria Lima

Sadie is having a bit of a rough time. Her dad just passed away and she is trying to keep an eye on her mum, her boyfriend and her business. Her mum seems to be coping well, all things considered, but her boyfriend is sneaking off and is obviously up to something. To top things off her dad hasn't quite said goodbye yet and Sadie's gift of second sight has left her with his spirit to help cross over to the other side.

Then a complicated job gets even more complicated when a mummified body and an angry ghost turn up. Then there is the ghost in the shopping mall and another in a school who all need Sadie's attention. So it isn't surprising that Sadie doesn't take the threats she gets very seriously. After all she has enough going on in her life to keep her busy. It is a shame her scene clean up business isn't getting as much action.

Book three in the Ghost Dusters series is as good as the previous two. There is nothing fun about a death in the family and cleaning up after the dead but the author manages to keep things light hearted and I even chuckled a few times. This cozy mystery series is exciting to the end and the plot is very interesting. The whole concept was enough to get me hooked to this series but the characters and the details will definitely keep me coming back for more.

Although it makes no difference to the contents of the book I have to note that the new cover design was a nice surprise and much more fitting to the series. I am looking forward to see what the next cover looks like! I can't wait to read more in this delightful series!

Labels: Books Read, New Releases, Wendy Roberts

Lily Carlyle's life has been filled with lying, cheating and stealing. A total bad girl, all she wanted was to keep her sister, Rose, safe. With Rose broken in more ways than one, Lily is out for justice. She doesn't care if she dies getting the monster who hurt her sister. After all she will leave her sister free from the nightmare. However what Lily doesn't know is that her death will not be the end of her life.

Waking up as Alice Purdue wasn't what Lily expected of death. Suddenly Lily is in the middle of a battle between good and bad. Demons are real and she is in a position to kill them. So she becomes an assassin for the light. It is a job she thinks she can do. She just doesn't realise how hard a job it will be to stop.

Tainted is the first book in a new series from Julie Kenner. Well known for her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series it was quite interesting to see what else the author has to offer. The Blood Lily Chronicles have a slight resemblance to Julie Kenner's other books to the point that they both revolve around demons and someone who kills them. Other than that these two main characters, worlds and plots are extremely different.

Dark, dangerous and full of depth, Tainted really impressed me. Twists and turns paved the way through this very well written first in the series. Now I am eager to start book number two. Torn is already out and I have a copy here waiting for me and I am determined to read some others book first but it definitely has something that is pulling me towards it.

If you already know and love Julie Kenner's books then make sure you understand that this new series is Urban Paranormal Fantasy and is not funny! This is serious stuff and not like her previous works. However it is just as good as anything else she has written. Julie has taken her work to a new level and I hope she is proud!

Labels: Books Read, Julie Kenner, New Releases

After seeing New Moon in the cinema my friend asked me 'So what happens in Eclipse again?'. I had to tell her that I really didn't know. I couldn't remember. So off I went to iTunes and got myself the audio book version to listen to.

I read Eclipse, book three in the Twilight Saga, such a long time ago that I roughly knew what happened but wasn't too sure. I have read hundreds of books since then and after watching New Moon I needed to carry on with the series.

The majority of people reading this blog will have read the series so I won't go into details. However I will say that the audio versions of these books are turning out to be a real joy to listen to. I like them alot and should have listened to them before now. I will also add that Eclipse felt a little long winded. I don't remember the book being anything other than good but while listening to this I just kept wishing that something would happen.

Now I am trying to stop myself from clicking on iTunes and getting Breaking Dawn. I am going to try and put it off till the New Year but who knows if I will manage it! If you ever want to try an audio book then I can highly recommend these. If you are already an audio book fan and haven't yet tried these then I suggest you do.

Labels: Audiobooks, Books Read, Stephenie Meyer

Christmas is coming and I know I am hoping for some books in my stocking or at least some book vouchers ;)

I have two wishlists. My main book wishlist is on Bookmooch. Check it out here!

Then I have my pre-order wishlist on Amazon.

Maybe you think there are some books missing?

So what books are you wishing for this Christmas? Share your wishes here and maybe some will come true?

Post before the 25th of December and maybe you will get one of your wishes!

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 will offer more prizes if my Amazon Associates account gets more money!! So please make sure you order your Christmas presents using Amazon.com. Use the links below and around the site and help keep the contests coming!

Oh and maybe some of my wishes will come true...

Labels: Contests, General, Jaye Wells, Mark Henry, Rachel Vincent

Waking up naked on a cold slab in the morgue isn't a nice experience. Evangeline Stone finds herself in a stranger's body with no memory of how she got there. Her last days alive as Evageline are missing and she doesn't know who she can trust. However she does know that the trouble is just beginning. All this couldn't have happened for no reason and she is sure that no good can come of it.

The last thing Evy can remember is that the other two members of her Triad were killed while trying to clean up the city of vampires and other dregs. Soon Evy finds out that she was the main suspect in their murders and was obviously set up in more ways than one. Now Evy has a new body and the time she has left in it is quickly fading. Piecing together the last days of her life isn't easy and trying to solve your own murder isn't a walk in the park. However when Evy finds out who is behind everything, they won't see her coming.

The blurb for this book gave me goosebumps and I proclaimed it a must buy. While waiting for the book to arrive I only found good reviews about this one and my eagerness to read it grew. Now after I have finished reading Three Days to Dead I have to say a big 'WOW'.

This debut opens up a whole new world. The fresh and unique concept is not only interesting but well thought out. Great characters, amazing plot and action packed pages is what awaits the reader of this new paranormal writing genius. Who knew that there was still something different left out there? The Genre is just getting more and more diverse and exciting!

Now I am left intrigued about what will come next. Kelly Meding has created something good and I hope the next book in the series will keep the pace and not make this a one time fluke. If you are feeling the boredom of the usual Urban Paranormal Fantasy books and need some new life in your reading then this is the one to check out!

Labels: Books Read, Kelly Meding, New Releases

Riley Jenson is part vampire, part werewolf and much more. Working for the Directorate means she can use all her abilities to help people but this new case is very different to anything else she has seen. A series of brutal murders at vampire-human meeting places is never going to be good but the victims are not just being killed, they are beheaded. So Riley is left following the clues and trying to stay out of the way of the strange club owner.

Then another case comes up but Riley is used to multi-tasking when it comes to the job. What she isn't used to is having to two lovers after her. Quinn is the cool vampire she is living with while Kye is the werewolf who is up to no good. Trying to juggle both of these men is impossible but at the end of the day she will do what she needs to do to solve the case. Even if it means sleeping with the enemy.

Book seven in the Riley Jenson series sees our favourite vamp/werewolf getting herself into a bit of a love triangle. The series is continuing to build up steam and the background story is keeping me hooked. Bound To Shadows has left me with the need for more and I really hate having to wait for the next book to find out what will happen next.

This newest installment is another great murder mystery mixed with lots of paranormal goodness. The extra sugar coating to this series is that it's based in Australia. Making this something new, different and giving the genre a much appreciated change.

Riley kicks paranormal butt while getting her own kicked right back. She doesn't give up and she doesn't let anyone hurt her and get away with it. Riley is my kind of werewolf/vamp and I am eager to see what else happens to her and how she will come out of it.

If you haven't tried this series already then start at the beginning and enjoy. With seven books already out and the eighth one on the way next year. There is no reason you shouldn't try one of the best paranormal series out there.

Labels: Books Read, Keri Arthur, New Releases

Two winners to announce today!

Up first is the winner of the Teal Ceagh Contest. The lucky winner will get an e-book copy of Beth's Acceptance, the very hot first installment of the Destiny’s Trinities series.

So Congrats to -


Linda Henderson!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

And next up is the winner of the Monthly Giveaway! The lucky newsletter subscriber who wins this months contest gets a copy of Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding. I still haven't gotten to this one yet but I am dying to start it. Only a few more chapters of the book I am on and then I am done with it and can finally move on to Kelly's debut book.

Anyway the winner of the November Monthly Giveaway is the subscriber with the email address that starts with -


annettekz2!!!


Congrats to both winners!

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. If the prize is an E-book then make sure you email me from the e-mail address you want the book sent to. 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. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't recieved your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe.

Oh and don't forget to vote in the 1st Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards 2009! There are alot of prizes to win and all you have to do is vote for the best covers from 2009.

Make sure you stop by...I took part the nominating ;)

Labels: Contests, Kelly Meding, Monthly Giveaway, Teal Ceagh, Winners

The results of the Monthly Giveaway are in! The book that got the most votes was Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding with 28%! I haven't read the book yet...but I plan on doing so over the weekend. I can't wait! It looks great!

The Monthly Giveaway winner will be drawn on Sunday. So you still have a few days to enter and win a copy of Kelly Meding's debut book. Check here to find out more!

Another contest that closes on Sunday is the Teal Ceagh giveaway! You could win a copy of Beth's Acceptance. Just make sure you go and comment to be entered in the draw.

Have a nice weekend!

Labels: Contests, Kelly Meding, Monthly Giveaway, Teal Ceagh

Because we never try to judge a book by its cover…

All Things Urban Fantasy is hosting the 1st Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards. I was lucky enough to be on the panel of experts who nominated the covers for the 15 catergories and now I am passing the links on to you so you can help vote for your favourites!

Now if voting doesn't sound like fun then there is a little incentive! There are lots of prizes to be snapped up like a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate, A signed copy of Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom, A personalized copy of The Cold Kiss of Death by Suzanne McLeod, 2 copies of My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent and much much more!

So click here and head over and read more and join in the fun!

Labels: Contests, General