My last author guest this month is Lori Handeland!

Lori is published world wide in several genres--historical, contemporary, series and paranormal romance, as well as urban fantasy and historical fantasy. You may know her for her Nightcreature Novels and The Phoenix Chronicles!

Any fans of either series will find the following interview interesting! Also anyone wanting to try and win a set of Lori's books should make sure they enter the contest! Plus check out the new Nightcreature Novel! Book #10, MOON CURSED, is due out this week!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here again as a guest! You have a new book out on March 1st. Can you tell us a bit about the story in Moon Cursed?

Lori - Great to be back. Thanks for having me.

In Moon Cursed Kristin Dainels is the host of the television show HOAX HUNTERS. She's traveled to the ends of the earth to explore, and expose, life's most enduring myths. Now she's bound for Scotland where she intends to get to the bottom of the Loch Ness Monster legend once and for all. But once in the quaint village of Drumnadrochit, on the shores of the loch, she encounters not only the local "keeper of the loch" the seductive Liam Grant, but many unanswered questions. Edward Mandenauer shows up for a creepy conversation, and before Kris knows what's going on, she's involved in murder, mayhem and mystery.

Amber - It is so great to see the Nightcreature novels back. Why did they take such a long break?

Lori - The Nightcreature Novels were a victim of the vagaries in publishing. They weren't selling as well as they should have and were put "on hold" while I was asked to write another series. But now they're back and I couldn't be happier.

Amber - Was it hard to go back to writing the Nightcreature series? Did you already have the new books written?

Lori - I was concerned it would be hard, but it wasn't. I was able to slip right back into that world, thank goodness! I did not have the new books written.

Amber - Moon Cursed is the tenth book in the Nightcreature series. How many more can we expect to see? Do you have some way you want to end it or will you keep writing them as long as the fans keep reading them? ;)

Lori - I will keep writing them as long as I can.

Amber - Away from the Nightcreatures and to the Phoenix Chronicles. Can we expect to see Liz again?

Lori - That is up in the air right now. Publishing again.

Amber - Can you tell us a little about your book Shakespeare Undead? I keep seeing it on Amazon but haven't quite managed to get it in my basket yet.

Lori - Shakespeare Undead is a mash-up in the tradition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. In my book, Shakespeare is a vampire and the dark lady of his sonnets a zombie hunter. They must join forces to save Queen Elizabeth and London from a zombie horde. Along they way they fall in love. I have just begun writing the follow up Zombie Island, my take on The Tempest, and the further adventures of Will and Kate.

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

Lori - Once I complete Zombie Island I will begin a new venture that I'm very excited about. I will be writing western historical romances under the name Lori Austin. I began my career writing westerns so I'm thrilled to be able to do them again.

Amber - Did you always wanted to be an author? Why did you pick the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre?

Lori - I have always wanted to be an author, or at least since I was 10 when I figured out that was a job! I ended up in the paranormal genre eventually because that was what I enjoyed reading.

Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you like to write about besides the ones you've already written about?

Lori - I'm open to pretty much anything. I never know what kind of creature is going to pop out once I begin writing.

Amber - How do you pick the names for your characters? Do they have any special meanings?

Lori - Names are hard. I have to have just the right one and have been known to change the name after I've begun the book. I'm not really sure how I get to the "right" name. I just keep looking through baby name books until one strikes me as "the" one.

Amber - Would you ever be able to write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?

Lori - I have written a series with another author (my friend Linda Winstead Jones, w/aLinda Devlin)-alternating books in the same town--called The Rock Creek Six. (Basically the Magnificent Seven, with six) We had a great time and I'd be happy to do any other project with her at any time.

Amber - A lot of authors are writing now in both adult and YA genres. Have you considered writing a YA book?

Lori - I did write a proposal for a YA book. Unfortunately it didn't sell.

Amber - What are you listening and watching lately? Is there any music or other media that influences your writing?

Lori - After I work all day I like to spend my evenings watching TV. My new favorite show is BEING HUMAN. I also love Castle, V, Fringe,Supernatural, Dexter, Medium, Bones. I can't listen to music while I write, but on my ipod I have quite a collection for when I jog--from Guns n Roses to John Denver.

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

Lori - Perhaps a fairy. Flying would be cool. Magic. Pixie dust. I could use that.

Amber - Thanks for visiting Amberkatze's Book Blog again!







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Contest Time

Lori is giving away a set of The Phoenix Chronicles! Yes! One lucky winner will get all four books in the Phoenix Chronicles!

How To Enter

Which historical figure would you like to see go Paranormal?

No answer = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

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.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Sunday 6th of March 2011 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.

Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Lori Handeland

One of my author guests this week was Ashlyn Chase. Her new release 'The Werewolf Upstairs' was a delight to read and you all had the chance to win one of two copies.

Now the contest is closed and it is time to see who won! So congrats to :


Faefever25!!

&

Martha Lawson!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!!

If you didn't win then make sure you check out Ashlyn's books sometime soon! Also keep trying! There are more contests coming up and the Molly Harper contest is still open.

----------------------

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 won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker!

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. However please don't send me more than one email unless you really don't get an answer within 3 days. I am not online 24/7 ;) Sometimes it takes a little longer to reply.

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 received 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.

Never miss out on a new Author Event, Contest or Book Review! Subscribe Now!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Labels: Ashlyn Chase, Contests, Molly Harper, Winners

The Blurb -

Avery Baker was once a New York designer, but inheriting her aunt's old Maine cottage has led her down a new career path—home renovation. Now, with help from hunky handyman Derek Ellis, Avery starts learning the ABCs of DIY. But when the designer-turned-renovator finds clues that lead to a missing professor, she wonders if she can finish the house—without getting finished off in the process.

My Thoughts -

Fatal Fixer-Upper is the first in the cozy Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation mysteries. At the beginning I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book. Avery, the main character came across as so naive and a little blonde and I was a little put off. However I decided to see how things panned out and I was pleasantly surprised by how the story developed. By the end of the book I was hooked and now I have another cozy mystery series to add to my reading list.

I like reading cozy mysteries and even though my first love is Paranormal Urban Fantasy I need a break from the Supernatural now and again. This cozy series really hit the spot this week and turned out to be a welcome change and an easy interesting read. The plot was clever and well thought out and the whole Do-It-Yourself angle was a nice twist and not too over the top.

So I look forward to reading more in this series. I see there are actually already four books so I have some catching up to do!

Labels: Book Read, Cozy Mystery, Jennie Bently, Non PUF

The Blurb -

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans

My Thoughts -

This was one of those books that everyone else seems to have read and were raving about while I sat adding it to my wish list and wondering why it had escaped my radar. The reviews were good and the blurb sounded pretty cool but I wasn't sure. Did I really want to read this? Then I ended up with a copy and the decision was made. I was going to read this but was I going to like it?

At first I wasn't sure. There are always those first few chapters of doubt and with the amount of praise this book has received I was scared I was going to hate it. However in the end I was left surprised by how superb this story is! There isn't anything in the genre with the same feel to it as The Greyfriar. This book is truly unique, unforgettable and will definitely be on my list of favourite reads for 2011. None of the reviews really did it justice and I am sure mine won't either.

The authors have really mixed things up in this new series and found a super recipe. You have all the paranormal goodness of vampires and then there is a soft subtle tang of steampunk. Also thrown in is a romantic undertone that really doesn't spoil the mood when the action and adventure flows out of the pages. I loved Adele and quickly fell for Gareth's charms. The setting, despite the state the vampires have left it in, was original and scary.

Wow! I am really in awe of this one and can only highly recommend you go buy it. I am desperate for a second part and I already have this series on my must read list. The Greyfriar is a wonderfully satisfying read and it has made all other books on my to be read pile sound boring and not worth my time. Are you still here? Go buy this book!

Labels: Book Read, Clay and Susan Griffith, Kindle

The Suzanne McLeod Contest is now closed!

I hope you will all check out the Spellcrackers.com series even if you don't win! The books are amazing!

And now time to find out who won the copy of The Bitter Seed of Magic! Congrats to :


Kattefrue!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

If you didn't win this time then make sure you keep entering the giveaways! A new contest just started with author Molly Harper and you have till Sunday to enter the Ashlyn Chase giveaway! Also the Monthly Giveaway will be coming starting soon as well as another new author event on Sunday!!

----------------------

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 won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker!

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. However please don't send me more than one email unless you really don't get an answer within 3 days. I am not online 24/7 ;) Sometimes it takes a little longer to reply.

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 received 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.

Never miss out on a new Author Event, Contest or Book Review! Subscribe Now!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Labels: Ashlyn Chase, Contests, Molly Harper, Suzanne McLeod

Today is the last but one Author event for this month! Please welcome Molly Harper back to Amberkatze's Book Blog!

Molly's new book, How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, was released yesterday and I can't wait to get a copy! Plus we lucky fans can look forward to the second book next month! The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf will be released in March! Woohoo!!!

Enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest! Molly is giving away a copy of her latest release!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf is due out this month and you have another book, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf due out next month! How did that come about? Busy much? ;)

Molly – Hi, thanks for having me! And the answer is, I do not sleep. I finished the books, one right after the other, after I finished AND ONE LAST THING. My publisher thought it would be neat to release it as a one-two punch. And I like the idea that readers won’t have to wait very long for the sequel!

Amber - So tell us about the two new books! Obviously there are werewolves involved but what else?

Molly - The books are centered on the werewolves of Grundy, Alaska. It’s my first series based outside of Kentucky! The first book, HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF, is about Mo Wenstein, a woman who moves from Mississippi to Alaska to get away from her hippie helicopter parents. Even in Grundy, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, Mo has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit, but who is?

The sequel, THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF, is about Cooper’s sister, Maggie, and her struggle with her feelings for a human paranormal researcher. Maggie, the pack’s Alpha, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can’t afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . . .

Amber - I am sure a lot of people ask you this but will we see more of Jane Jameson?

Molly - Oh, did I not mention there will be a fourth ‘Nice Girls’ book? There’s no publication date yet, but I’m very excited about the story. I got to plan Jane and Gabriel’s wedding and you know that didn’t go smoothly.

Amber - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf are really cool titles. How do you come up with the titles for your books? Do you always go with the first title or is it hard to come up with the right one?

Molly – My suckiness at picking titles is legendary. I write a book and attach a title. My agent suggests an alternative. We submit it to the publisher. My editor asks for a list of better alternatives. I send her the list. She asks a panel of experts (I’m pretty sure they’re interns who are cooler and hipper than I am) what they think of the list. They suggest something better, and then she selects something they approved. Rightly so.

Amber - Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like, and would never use in your books?

Molly – Zombies. I don’t know why, because they’re very similar to vampires - animated dead people. But all zombie movies give me horrible nightmares. Even Shaun of The Dead, which I thought was hilarious and really well-done. I thought, oh, this won’t scare me because it’s funny! But I think having my emotional shield lowered by humor made the impact that much worse. When AMC was showing The Walking Dead, I couldn’t channel surf anywhere near it for about three months.

Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you like to write about besides the ones you've already written about?

Molly – I have an idea for a haunted house book, so I’d really like to write a ghost story. That’s definitely next on my “bucket list” of book ideas.

Amber - A lot of authors are writing YA series. Have you considered writing a YA book?

Molly – I have one YA book idea, but I’m a little leery about my voice, plus intimidated by the idea of making sure the humor is appropriate. It may take me a while to approach it.


Amber - As you know I loved your novel 'And One Last Thing ...' Totally not paranormal but an amazing story. So is there any other genre you have not tried that you would like to?

Molly - Thanks. I miss lovely, human Lacey and her lovely, human problems. I don’t see myself writing serious horror or suspense. I would like to write something post-apocalyptic sometime. I like to think I could come up with interesting ways for people to survive.

Amber - Do you have a favorite character that you've written, one you wish you could revisit or add a couple of chapters about?

Molly – Favorite characters are like favorite children. Any mother or author who says she doesn’t have one is LYING. Jane Jameson will probably always be first in my heart because she was the first character I got published. And she’s the closest to my own personality. But I will say that I wish I could write a book that focuses entirely on the romance between her friends, Andrea Byrne and Dick Cheney. They’re just so cute together. And I love writing for Dick Cheney. He gets all of the good lines!

Amber - Would you ever be able to write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?

Molly – In the tradition of Dwight Schrute, I’m a “lone wolf” when it comes to writing. I just don’t think I’d be able to share control of the characters, the setting, the dialogue.

Amber - How long on average does it take you to write a book? Do you have a process you follow? or do you just start at page one and see what happens?

Molly – I’m averaging two books a year, so six months. I start with a general outline of how I want things to go. I write the first chapter and the last, and then I fill in everything in between.

Amber - So what comes next? Will there be more werewolves or vampires in the future? Any new projects you can tell us about?

Molly – I’m contracted to write two “spin-off” titles for the Half-Moon Hollow universe, focusing on people who are connected to Jane somehow. But Jane won’t be the main character. I’m excited because I’ll get to revisit Jane and her friends, but still do new things. Until then, you can find the Naked Werewolf books as paperbacks, e-books, and audiobooks, wherever books are sold!

Amber - Being a recent purchaser of a Kindle 3 just wondering if you own an e-reader yourself and what you think of e-books? Do you think they help ncrease an authors audience base?

Molly – I’m always the last one to jump on the technology bandwagon. I was literally pulled onto Twitter and Facebook, kicking and screaming. So I just got a Kindle for Christmas. I had about 60 public domain books loaded onto that thing within 24 hours. I like that I can get books without having to wait for them to be shipped or go to the store. (The other shoppers frown when I show up at the bookstore in my jammies.) I like that I’ll be able to take it on vacation and have one little object instead of packing my usual six or seven paperbacks. (My husband is looking forward to fewer checked bags while flying.) I miss the smell of the pages. I miss being able to see a whole page’s worth of text. It takes some getting used to.

But anything that makes people more enthusiastic about reading is a good thing.

Amber - What are you listening and watching lately? What books have you read recently?

Molly - I’ve been listening to a lot of emo music lately, I’m not sure why. The Fray, Duffy, Natalie Merchant and Sia’s “I’m in Here” and “Breath Me.” Which is funny, because I’m pretty happy right now. I just finished a big project and I’m making long-term plans with my publisher. Maybe my brain is trying to find balance.

And someone sent me this list of 100 Books the BBC says you have to read to be a well-read person. I’ve read about half of the titles, but I noticed a shocking lack of Dickens, Bronte and other classics on my part. So I’m working through it. I just finished Nicholas Nickleby and I’m starting A Tale of Two Cities right now.

Amber - You have written about vampires and werewolves. So in the ultimate battle, who gets your vote: vampires or werewolves? Edward or Jacob?

Molly - I’m Team Jasper, and sometimes Team Emmett. I know, I’m weird. Something about Southern accents and general badassery do it for me. (Oh, and a LACK OF WHINING.) I love werewolves. But thanks to the corrupting influence of Joss Whedon, I will always be a vampire girl at heart.

Amber - Thank you so much for coming by again! Good luck with the new releases!

Molly - THANK YOU!



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Contest Time

Molly is giving away a copy of her latest release - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf!

How To Enter

Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like?

No answer = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

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.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 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.

Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Molly Harper

Just to remind you! The contest with Suzanne McLeod closes tomorrow! Make sure you have entered and read the interview too ;) You could win a copy of Suzanne's new release, The Bitter Seed of Magic!

If you already entered the Suzanne McLoed contest the make sure you enter the Ashlyn Chase contest! There are two books up for grabs which means two winners!

Never miss out on a new Author Event, Contest or Book Review! Subscribe Now!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Labels: Ashlyn Chase, Contests, Suzanne McLeod

February isn't over yet and I still have three more author guests left for this month!

Next up is author Ashlyn Chase who writes the amazingly funny paranormal series about some Strange Neighbors. Book #2, The Werewolf Upstairs, just came out this month and it was a delight to read.

So enjoy this interview with the author and make sure you enter the contest for your chance to win a copy of Ashlyn's latest relese!

------------------------

Amber - Hello Ashlyn! Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you back here as a guest again! The Werewolf Upstairs is finally here! What can we expect from the sequel to Strange Neighbors?

Ashlyn – Well, you’ll see more of the wacky characters you met in Strange Neighbors, and a few changes. Merry moved into the penthouse and her best friend Roz moved into her old apartment, 1B. Konrad (the werewolf) and Roz get together immediately and have a steamy romance. I had a hard time keeping these two out of bed!

Amber - I loved Strange Neighbors but will there be the same characters in The Werewolf Upstairs? Will we see Merry and Jason again?

Ashlyn – Merry and Jason are still in Florida when our story begins. They return from Spring Training and the story continues through the summer, so, yes, you’ll see them again. Roz saved her moving into the apartment building as a surprise for Merry, and Merry has a surprise for Roz.

Amber - Do people need to read Strange Neighbors to read The Werewolf Upstairs? Will this be a series?

Ashlyn – In my opinion it’s more enjoyable to read a series in order, but each book stands alone, so you don’t have to.

Amber - Both books have amazingly cute covers! Did you have any say in the choice of covers?

Ashlyn –I was allowed input, and the artist nailed my vision. It doesn’t always happen that way. I’m very, very happy with my covers.

Amber - Strange Neighbors and The Werewolf Upstairs are only two of many books you have written. What can you tell us about your other novels?

Ashlyn – I began by writing suspense, but soon transitioned into comedy. I love writing paranormal comedy with steamy love scenes. Most of my backlist is exactly that. I have a few contemporaries, but those are hot too. Most are with Ellora’s Cave, but I have a British publisher for two novellas. You can find all my books on my website.

Amber - Did you always wanted to be an author? Did you pick Romance or did it pick you? What about the paranormal aspect? Was it something you were always interested in?

Ashlyn – I guess I should have known I’d be an author early on, but I missed it. I loved creative writing in high school and kept a journal all through nursing school. When I needed a creative outlet, I began writing screenplays. There was always a romance involved, so I guess romance picked me.

Amber - Have you thought about expanding into other genres? If yes, which ones would you like to try?

Ashlyn – Let’s see, I tried writing young adult and couldn’t because I missed the sex. LOL. I’m not sure but maybe I’ll try a category romance sometime. Harlequin Blaze maybe. They allow a little humor in their contemporary stories.


Amber - What kind of research have you done for your books? Anything interesting or is the research boring?

Ashlyn – I find research interesting if it isn’t too difficult. I once wrote a story with a Rom (gypsy) hero and it was very hard to find information, because most of it is passed down through oral tradition. But I love to learn new things, so I interview people, look up factual information, pair known facts with my imagination to come up with a believable scenario.

Amber - How do you pick the names for your characters? Do they have any special meanings?

Ashlyn – Sometimes they just come to me. Other times I hold contests and let my readers come up with a name. Sometimes I consult a baby book and the name’s meaning might play into it, but rarely. I find it’s important to pay attention to the personality the name conjures up in my mind.

Amber - What comes next? Will we see more from the Strange Neighbors? Are there any other projects you are working on?

Ashlyn – The final book in the Strange Neighbors series is The Vampire Next Door. I don’t want to give a lot of hints yet. I’ll save that for later since it’s waiting for edits. Right now I’m working on two stories at once. One is a mainstream ghost comedy and the other is a hot tiger-shapeshifter comedy.

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

Ashlyn – No. In order to write, I need silence or the white noise of my computer.

Amber - What have you been reading and watching lately?

Ashlyn –I got a new ereader for Christmas, so I’ve been reading a lot of my friend’s ebooks. I loved Paige Tyler’s Dead Sexy. Who could imagine a Zombie hero? LOL. It’s that kind of unexpected twist I love in a story.

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

Ashlyn – I think I’d like to be a shapeshifter. It would be fun just to wait for someone who’s drunk to come staggering along and then shift in front of them. LOL. It would probably sober them up fast.

Amber - Thank you so much for being a guest on Amberkatze's Book Blog! I hope you will come back again ;)






--------------------------

Contest Time

Ashlyn has 2 copies of The Werewolf Upstairs to give away! (US and Canada only!)

How To Enter

Who would you like to have living upstairs from you?

No answer = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

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The contest will stay open until Sunday 27th of February 2011 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.

Labels: Ashlyn Chase, Author Interviews, Contests

One of my author guests this week was Mara Purnhagen. The second book in her spooky YA series, One Hundred Candles, was released this week and Mara was giving away a copy to one lucky Amberkatze's Book Blog reader!

It was great to read your spooky stories but the giveaway is now closed and it is time to announce the winner. So congrats to :


Lady_Graeye!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

If you didn't win this time then there are always more giveaways to enter! Suzanne McLeod is giving away a copy of her new release, The Bitter Seed Of Magic. Also author Ashlyn Chase will be along later and may have a book to give away...

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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 won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker! Do you have a Kindle? I can send your prize to you instantly if you are willingly to get a Kindle edition (if it works...)

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. However please don't send me more than one email unless you really don't get an answer within 3 days. I am not online 24/7 ;) Sometimes it takes a little longer to reply.

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 received 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.

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Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

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Labels: Ashlyn Chase, Author Interviews, Contests, Mara Purnhagen, Suzanne McLeod, Winners

The Blurb -

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives.

Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

My Thoughts -

Some books are hard to read to the end because the story is just not what you were expecting. Lost Voices is one of those books. It just wasn't what I expected it would be. While the story started off very promising things just went down hill about a quarter of the way in. The strong beginning and build up just got washed away in a flat strange tale of nothing in particular.

I really wanted to like this and kept reading in the hope that the story would regain its strength. Instead I was left disappointed and frustrated with the story that had so much promise. As the first book in a trilogy I have no idea where the author wants to take this. The abrupt end to the book left me wondering if anyone would actually want to read the next part. There was absolutely nothing in the story that has me inclined to see what happens next.

I hate writing negative reviews and especially for a debut but there isn't much I liked about this book. Such a good start with an amazing concept but it all went wrong somewhere along the way. This debut doesn't get released till July and maybe that young reader in your life will enjoy it more than I did.

Labels: ARC, Book Read, Young Adult

The Blurb -

Charlotte Silver's world is like no one else's...

As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.

My Thoughts -

I am really enjoying this new YA series and couldn't resist getting this E-novella as soon as I saw it. The story is set between books one and two, Past Midnight and Raising the Dead, and tells the story of a storm and what happens to a small family cemetery as a result of the floods it brings.

Now I have read a few reviews and quite a lot of people have said this novella is not exciting and that nothing really happens. However, after reading both of the full length novels, I think that quite a bit happens in this story and I did find it extremely interesting. The history behind the coffins and cemetery was good and it was nice to read about the project Charlotte's parents take on.

Also this book shows the little twists and developments in some of the characters relationships. Not only does Charlotte have some problems defining what she is to Noah but her friends Jared and Avery also show that they are mending fences. Although the relationship that really stands out is Charlotte's parents. As Charlotte becomes aware of the fights about things that happened in book one and will play a big factor in book two.

All in all this is a brilliant short story to cross over from Past Midnight to One Hundred Candles. However I don't believe it is a good example of how great the series really is. I highly recommend reading this if you have an E-book reader but the full length books are much spookier. I enjoyed this and Mara Purnhagen stays on my must read list!

*** Download your free copy of this novella until the end of the month! Also available on Amazon.com as a free Kindle download (US Only) ***

Labels: Book Read, Kindle, Mara Purnhagen, New Releases, Novellas, Young Adult

The Blurb -

On the surface, Genny's life seems ripple-free right now. Finn, her sexy boss, has stopped pushing for a decision on their relationship. The seductive vampire Malik al-Khan has vanished back into the shadows. And the witches have declared her no longer a threat. But unless Genny can find a way to break the fertility curse afflicting London's fae, she knows this is just the lull before the magical storm.

Then a faeling - a teenage girl - is fished out of the River Thames, dead and bound with magic, and Genny is called into investigate. As she digs through the clues, her search takes a sinister and dangerous turn, exposing age-old secrets that might be better left buried. Then another faeling disappears, and Genny finds herself in a race against time to save the faeling and stop the curse from claiming its next victim - herself!

My Review -

Since finding out that the fae are under a fertility curse, Genny Taylor has been living a quiet life while everyone leaves her alone. She knows that at some point the peace will be over but little does she know that the crime scene she has been asked to look at will open up a huge can of worms that will turn her life into one huge mess. Tidying up the mess will involve finding out more than she ever knew about the curse but it will also subsequently see Genny discovering more about her own roots.

There are many different little twists in this story and quite a few hidden agendas from various characters help bring Genny into the middle of all of what is going on. However Genny's decisions about breaking the fertility curse plays a bit part in the main plot of this third book in the Spellcrackers.com series. I, along with Genny, found myself surprised every time I thought I knew who, what, why and when only to be given another lead and yet another bunch of questions that needed answered. Nothing stops Genny and she does what she has to do to get things back in order and I enjoyed following her every step of the way.

Usually I am not a huge fan of Fae based stories but this series has too many cool factors about it to keep me away. I think the huge pull for me is the lovely British setting but of course Genny herself also has me loving this series. She is a woman who isn't just looking after number one. She has a heart and it is in the right place. Whatever happens I know Genny is making the best decision and she is the kind of person I know I could trust with my life. An amazing character that can only be loved.

My only problem was the many twists and turns and the unfortunate lack of reading time this week. I was picking this up at any spare moment and I have to admit I should have saved this for a time where I could read a larger part of the story in one sitting. By the time I put together what had happened and how the part I was reading fit in with everything, well it was time for me to turn off the kindle again.

Extremely well detailed and lots of depth this is a series I know I am going to read again someday (when the to be read pile is read and there is nothing new to read....) because it is special. Paranormal Urban Fantasy has many faces nowadays but this series doesn't have to try and stand out above the rest because it just does stand out above the rest! Fast, furious and full of everything you would expect and more, any lover of the genre should have this series on their must read list, like I do.

*** Want to win a copy of the The Bitter Seed of Magic? Suzanne Mcleod is my one of my author guests this week and is giving away a copy. Enter by Wednesday for your chance to win! ***

Labels: Book Read, Kindle, New Releases, Suzanne McLeod

The Blurb -

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true – a shopping friend for life! But it’s trickier than she thought – two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping.

She can create havoc everywhere from Harrods to Harvey Nicks to her own christening. She hires taxis at random, her favourite word is ‘Mine‘, and she’s even started bidding for designer bags on ebay.

On top of everything else, there’s a big financial crisis. People are having to Cut Back – including all of Becky’s personal shopping clients – and she and Luke are still living with Becky’s Mum and Dad. To cheer everyone up, Becky decides to throw a surprise birthday party – on a budget – but then things become really complicated.

Who will end up on the naughty step, who will get a gold star and will Becky’s secret wishes come true?

My Thoughts -

Yes this is a Chick-lit book but I really love this author and I have followed the Shopoholic series from the beginning and didn't want to miss out on this one. Of course this review will be short because there are no vamps, weres or anything else paranormal involved.

It was a nice read. Not as good as the previous books. A little long winded and not as funny as the rest of the series. I wonder if the author will now do a Shopoholic in L.A or let things be. Of course I will keep reading Sophie's books because she is a great author that I can not leave off my wishlist.

Labels: Books Read, Non PUF