Justin is my last guest in March and the last of the 'Those Who Fight Monsters' anthology contributers! Actually Justin edited the book as well! So this is your last chance to win a copy of the great anthology which has an amazing line-up!
Make sure you enter before Sunday 4pm Central European Time for your chance to win!
Also check in on Sunday for the March Monthly Giveaway! I have to pick those five books again...it is always hard to pick the ones I liked the most!
*****
Who are Those Who Fight Monsters?
Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
****
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It’s all she’s ever wanted to be, but it couldn’t be further from her grasp…
Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides she’s had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.
Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she’ll never have a chance with… until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn’t sure where she’ll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again…
My Thoughts -
I am not a big fan of the faery side of the paranormal and fantasy genre but I am a huge fan of Jenna Black's work and I have had this book on my wishlist for a while. I finally came across it on Audible and decided it was high time I gave it a try. As soon as I started to play the audiobook my first thought was 'hate that voice' but within a few chapters I became used to the voice and kind of enjoyed the different accents and voices the narrator gave each character. All in all I think the book was well read and would recommend listening to this one if you are so inclined and don't always need printed words!
So on to the story! Did I enjoy it? Well I wasn't overwhelmed with love for it but I did find it to be a nice YA novel. It had everything it should have and wasn't too over the top and frightening. What I really liked was how the story looked into many different relationships and how to deal with the situations thrown at the main character. Dana was a think first and then act later person and it was refreshing to read about a young girl who doesn't go looking for trouble. It was just a shame that trouble always found her!
Actually I grew to like Dana quite a lot. I wished I could rush in and save her, take her away from everything and give her the life she wants and deserves. I am really curious to see how things go for her and I will definitely be giving the next book in the series a try. I am not rushing out to get it but I am going to put it on my wishlist.
Maybe a little too YA for me but certainly a book I would buy for a teenager. Nothing too scary, a little bad language and no real talk of sex made this a perfect YA. A good story and an interesting plot kept me listening. Super characters that I want to meet again will have me coming back for more. If you like YA then check this out. If you are a Jenna Black fan like me then you really need to give this a try. This is Jenna like you have never read her before!
The Carnacki Institute exists to "Do Something" about Ghosts-and agents JC Chance, Melody Chambers, and Happy Jack Palmer will either lay them to rest, send them packing, or kick their nasty ectoplasmic arses with extreme prejudice.
My Thoughts -
I have read quite a few of Simon R. Green's Nightside novels and I was happy to see that he had a new series out about ghosts. I love reading about vampires, weres and other paranormals but I really do like a good ghost story! I was hoping that this author would deliver a good one.
Well it was a good one but it was also a little disappointing at the same time. Things start out as all new series do. A nice dramatic entrance and an introduction to the main characters and general storyline. Then things evolve into the main plot. So far so good. However then things started getting a little to 'Nightside' for me.
Don't get me wrong! I have enjoyed the Nightside novels immensely but I was expecting something different. This new series does have a new theme and some interesting new characters but about halfway through I felt like I was in the Nightside again. The strange and marvelous world is really worth reading about but I didn't want this series to be anything like it.
Despite the slight disappointment I have to say this was a sometimes disgusting but definitely a super read. I could have done with a little less of the weirdness but I guess it is Green's style and he does it good whether you like it or not. I do wonder where things will go next and have already tracked down the second book (which released in the Summer) and have added it to my wishlist. I have to give the next one a try because of the ghosts and the Britishness!
March is coming to an end and that means the 'Those Who Fight Monsters'! series of guests is also coming to an end. So who better to bring a end to the line-up other than the editor of the anthology himself!!
Enjoy the interview where Justin talks about being an editor and writer in the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'!. Also find out what Justin has been up to lately and when we will see some more of his books on the shelves!
Don't forget to enter the contest at the end of the interview! Justin is very kindly giving away a book to one lucky winner!
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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 been pretty quiet lately. Where have you been?
Justin - I've been writing two novels, editing an anthology, and saving the world from the Forces of Darkness -- you know, the usual. ;)
The reason why I haven't had a new book out in a while is that Solaris, publisher of the Morris/Chastain novels, was put up for sale by the parent company, Games Workshop. All business was on hold during the six months it took to find a buyer (Rebellion Games), and then I had to negotiate my contract again from scratch. It pushed everything back by over a year.
Amber - It was great to see your name come up as editor and contributer for the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'. Maybe you can tell us a little about the story you wrote for the book?
Justin - It's called "Deal Breaker." A man named Trevor Stone comes to see Quincey Morris in a panic. Ten years ago, his life (professionally and personally) was in ruins. So when a funny-looking little man came along and offered to turn things around, for only the cost of Stone's soul, he signed the contract -- not really believing it was more than a sick joke. But his life did turn around, and the contract comes due at midnight of the day he finally finds Quincey Morris. He begs Morris to somehow get him out of it before the clock strikes twelve and he's dragged to Hell.
Amber - Was it easy to decide which story to add? Was it one you already had ready for such a project or did you write it especially for the anthology?
Justin - I had this one in inventory, as we say in the writing biz. In other words, I'd been sending it out, but nobody had bought it. I had planned to write a brand new story that included Libby Chastain, but I just couldn't make it work in the time I had available, what with editing the rest of the book, and everything. So I dusted off "Deal Breaker," polished it a little more, and put it in.
Amber - What did your job entail as editor of the anthology 'Those Who Fight Mosters'?
Justin - Pretty much everything but running the printing press. I pitched the idea to Brian Hades (yes, that's his real name) of EDGE Publications. When he said yes, we had to negotiate terms. Then I started contacting writers who had ongoing series in the urban fantasy genre. A few of these folks I knew, but many were complete strangers to me, whom I knew only through their work. But everyone (even those who turned me down) was very nice. I told those who said "yes" what I wanted for the stories, edited the stories as they came in (and sent them back for changes, usually minor), wrote the introduction, and assembled the final manuscript.
Amber - So did you get to meet all the authors who contributed stories to the anthology?
Justin - No, I've never met most of them face-to-face (but then, I don't go to a lot of conventions). Everything was carried out digitally -- correspondence, story submission, editing, rewrites, etc. I would like to meet them all one day; I hope I do.
Amber - Who is responsible for the great cover art for 'Those Who Fight Monsters'? Did you have any say in the publishing process?
Justin - The cover is by an artist named Robert Nixon, who was selected by the publisher. I had no input in the cover art whatever -- but I agree, it's really terrific.
Amber - When will we see more of Libby & Quincy?
Justin - Quincey and Libby will be back saving the world this summer, when Sympathy for the Devil is published. It's about a presidential candidate who is secretly possessed by a demon. Any resemblance to any American politician, living or dead, is unintended and purely coincidental. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;)
Amber - A new series is coming too? Hard Spell looks good! Can you tell us what it is about?
Justin - Hard Spell is set in one of those "alternate" universes where the supernatural is real, and everybody knows it. The specific setting is Scranton, Pennsylvania. My protagonist, Stan Markowski, is a detective on the Scranton police department's Occult Crimes Unit. When a vampire puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, he's the one they call. It's the first of three books in the series that I have contracted for. Evil Dark will be out in 2012.
Amber - Any other projects or news you would like to share with us?
Justin - I'm working, along with some technical geniuses, on a book trailer for Hard Spell that is going to just Kick Ass. I can't tell you more about it now, but it will be showing up on the Web come July.
Amber - What paranormal creatures are you hoping to fit into a story but you haven't managed to get them in yet?
Justin - I'm still looking for a way to include my eight grade teacher in there -- she was definitely a monster, but I'm not sure what kind, exactly.
Amber - Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like, and would never use in your books?
Justin - Unlike practically everyone else in the world, apparently, I find zombies boring. Now, I admit there were a couple of zombies in Black Magic Woman, but they were of the "voodoo" variety, rather than the "nuclear radiation means I want brains for breakfast" type, and they only lasted a couple of pages.
Amber - A lot of authors are writing now in both adult and YA genres. Have you considered writing a YA book?
Justin - I'm too far removed (translation: too damn old) from that age group to be able to write credibly for the YA audience. I mean, when I was a teenager, we were still saying "thee" and "thou" to each other.... :)
Amber - What have you been reading and watching lately? Do you have any recommendations for us?
Justin - Most of the little TV I watch (apart from news) tends to be on HBO and Showtime. I'm a big fan of True Blood and Dexter. Don't tell me you're surprised. I've also developed a fascination with a cappella choral music. Go figure.
Amber - If you could be any famous person, alive or dead, who would you be? and why?
Justin - I think I'd have to go with Bond, James Bond -- but the Sean Connery or Daniel Craig variety, not that sissy Roger Moore.
Amber - Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you will come back again soon!
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!
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 3rd of April 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.
*****
Who are Those Who Fight Monsters?
Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
To compliment the interview I decided to give away another copy of this great anthology. So who won 'Those Who Fight Monsters'? Congrats to :
Audra!!!
Thank you all for your comments! I hope everyone added some Julie Kenner books to their wishlists!
If you didn't win this time then keep trying! Another contest is coming up very soon!
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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!
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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Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
Savannah's most unconventional tattoo artist, Riley Poe, lives on the edge. Now she's put over the edge when her younger brother is taken by a sinister cult led by vampires. Her only ally is the hot-tempered vampire Eli Dupre, attracted to Riley's beauty and rare blood type. To save her brother from certain un-death, Riley faces dangers she's never dreamed of, ruthless bloodthirsty enemies, and an evil of endless hunger that wants to devour it all...
My Thoughts -
I have been dying to read this book as soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb. Unfortunately I had to wait a while before getting hold of a copy but it was worth the wait. This was everything I expected it to be and a little bit more. I started this book this afternoon and except for a few short breaks I read this within a few hours. I just couldn't stop.
A new concept and a cool lead character is what struck and grabbed me straight away. Then the development of the plot and the unusual characters made things even more interesting and readable. I was hooked and couldn't stop myself from rushing through this one because I needed to know what happened and how things would end.
Super paranormal elements and well written the only problem I do have with this book is the lack of breaks. The chapters are extremely long and don't make any kind of breaks. This made reading the book a little uncomfortable and frustrating at times. I need a little breather now and again to think about what just happened and this book doesn't really give you a chance very often.
Other than that little quirk I really liked this debut. The Dark Ink Chronicles is going on my must read list for now and I am adding the second book, Everdark, to my wishlist. If you haven' had the pleasure of reading this one yet then give it a try. It isn't perfect but it is an extremely good read.
Allegra Fairweather here. Paranormal investigator. Got problems with specters? Shapeshifters? I'm the woman to call. Just don't call me a Ghostbuster. The last guy who did that ended up flat on his back with my boot at his throat.
With my 99.5% success rate, solving the mystery of a bleeding rose that has sprung up on the shores of Loch Furness should have been an easy gig. But already I've heard the shriek of the local banshee, discovered two bodies (and then lost two bodies), and had a near-death encounter with a three-hundred-year-old ghost. And perhaps most dangerous of all, the hot pub owner who hired me now wants to show me exactly what's under his kilt.
Luckily, I'm ably assisted by my very own guardian angel. I'm grateful for his help-but he's also drop-dead gorgeous. A bit distracting when I've got a mystery to solve, and the clock is ticking...
My Thoughts -
I am not sure how I got this book. I believe I saw it cheap on Amazon and decided to buff up my to be read pile on my Kindle. The blurb obviously got me interested enough to take a chance on it and I am glad now, that for whatever reason made me buy this book, that I did indeed get it. It turned out to be a surprisingly good read and much better than I thought it would be.
With a good plot and an interesting story I quickly got interested in this one. I liked Allegra almost immediately and grew to like her even more as the book progressed. As a paranormal investigator I have to wonder how much experience she really has because sometimes she seemed a little slow. However despite her somewhat newbie like skills she got the job done and did it well.
The writing style was a little strange and took some getting used to. I always had the feeling that there were details missing from the story and the depth and details were lacking at points. Although the great plot and storyline made me ignore this and of course the paranormal elements more than made up for any flaws this book had.
I have to say that this was a very delightful debut and would be a great read for anyone who likes the Paranormal genre and even cozy mysteries. I thought it was a little strange that the author based this debut in Scotland and didn't introduce us to Allegra at home in her own surroundings but she made it work.
Now I am anxious to find out what happens next and to see what Allegra's family and home are like. The ending suggests a sequel but I didn't see any announced. Hopefully it will come sometime soon because I definitely want to read it.
Law school hasn't prepared Bree to appeal cases for the dead. After inheriting her great-uncle's haunted law firm, she must now represent ex-banker O'Rourke, who supposedly killed himself after losing a fortune. But with a merry widow and evidence mounting, it's beginning to look like murder. So Bree and her team of angels begin to investigate. But Bree soon discovers that someone would rather see her deceased than debriefed.
My Thoughts -
I throughly enjoyed the first couple of books in this series but Avenging Angels was a poor third book. After letting this book sit too long on my to be read pile I was excited about finally sitting down with it. However the whole book felt like an uphill struggle and I was left confused by the complicated case and uninteresting plot.
Although I also have to say that this paranormal cozy does have quite a lot going for it. A great leading lady and a nice concept really do make this series readable. Maybe book four will make the series shine again. There is always one book in a series that isn't as good as the rest and Avenging Angels could just be that book. So book four, Angel's Verdict, will be going on my wishlist. I just won't be rushing off to buy it right now.
So of course I thought it would be nice to give away a copy!
All you have to do to enter is answer one simple question. Easy Peasy!
So make sure you enter the contest by Sunday 4pm Central European Time!
There will be one more chance to win a copy of this great anthology next week when the editor of the book stops by! Make sure you check out the interview with Justin Gustainis which will go live on Sunday!
These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the river Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences- the Crown’s clandestine organisation whose baliwick is the strange and unsettling- will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest..and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books along with her into the perilous fray.
For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun- he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices- must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot… or see England fall to the Phoenix.
My Review -
The blurb for this one grabbed me straight away. I am having serious Gail Carriger withdrawal symptoms and I needed a good Steampunk adventure to take the edge off. The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences was certainly the right place to go for my Steampunk fix. Very British and delightfully Victorian, Phoenix Rising is a promising strong start to a new series that holds surprises around every corner.
Thrilling and full of adventure this story really did amaze me. The authors are extremely creative and manage to paint some lovely pictures of the locations and characters with their words. I have to admit I sometimes felt a little lost where the plot was concerned but everything came together in the end and I felt satisfied with the story.
Braun and Books make a super team and I wonder how their relationship will evolve. I really liked Eliza for her kick-ass attitude and ladylike demeanor while Books was just that geeky kind of guy who grows on you the more you get to know him. What I have to say though is that the characters on the cover, for me, don't look anything like how I imagined Eliza and Welly.
No debut is without a couple of weak points and Phoenix Rising does have a few. However I am pretty confident that this is a series that will gather strength and depth as it continues. With such a good start it can only get better and develop into something that will go on to my must read list. Right now I am sure that the second book will go on my wishlist but the sequel is always the selling point.
A must try for any Steampunk fans. I am new to the genre myself but have to say I found this one to be not only entertaining but also well written. Lots of flair and an excellent new idea. Mystery, mayhem and strange mechanical equipment all come together for a futuristic mixture of the past.
This month my author guests all have a story in the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'. When I looked at the line-up I had to wonder what author Julie Kenner was going to contribute. With so many great books under her belt I wasn't to worried about it being good but I secretly hoped for a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom short story.
Well I am happy to announce that Julie's short story is indeed based in the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series and it was an amazing read. So of course I had to ask Julie to stop by and tell us more about it and of course what else she is writing!
Enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest!
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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as
a guest! You have a short story inside the new anthology Those Who Fight Monsters. Can you tell us a little about it?
Julie - It's an awesome anthology filled with "supernatural investigators." I hope everyone checks it out. I'm having a blast reading all the other stories.
Amber - So how did you pick what to write for the anthology? Did you know straight away that you would write a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom story?
Julie - I was asked to write either Kate or Lily from Tainted, and I chose Kate. I really wanted the opportunity to get into Allie's head, and this is the first time readers get to go there with me. The story is told from both Kate and Allie's points of view, and it was a lot of fun writing it.
Amber - Was it hard coming up with something new or was the story already filed away ready for something like this?
Julie - Well, the story wasn't filed away at all. But I feel like Kate and Allie and company are old friends, so it was just a matter of finding the right "between the books" incident. I was visiting a friend in D.C. when I was brainstorming. He helped me name the bad guy :)
Amber - The Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series has always been told from Kate's perspective. However in this short story Allie also takes the reins. Is she finally getting old enough to do that? ;)
Julie - Oh, absolutely. In the story, she's still 14, though in the book world, she's turned fifteen. She'd love her own YA series, actually, LOL!
Amber - I love the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series and I am waiting for more! Will there be more books about Kate soon?
Julie - Nothing firm yet, but there's stuff in the works (and good news recently about the movie, so keep your fingers crossed!). Keep an eye on my website and my blog for all the news!
Amber - How do anthologies really work? Do you the authors get together and have a chat and a few drinks? Discuss your story ideas? Or is it all emails and no contact with anyone else?
Julie - In most anthologies where the stories don't twine together, you write your story and turn it into the editor. That was the case here. And Justin was an awesome editor! In a situation where there's something that weaves through the plot of all the stories, I've usually been in an email loop with the other authors so we can get those details worked out.
Amber - When you write a short story does the publisher set you limits or do you just write and hope the piece is long/short enough?
Julie - To be honest, this was only my second short story. I tend to write long :) And both had word count limits.
Amber - Have you read all the stories in Those Who Fight Monsters? Did you have any favourites?
Julie - Not yet, but I'm loving them so far. Believe it or not, I only got my copy recently, too, so I'm gobbling the stories up like candy!
Amber - What is next? Any projects or new releases you can tell us about?
Julie - Lots of stuff in the works. I'm doing a short story for a thriller anthology (details to come!) and I'm working on the next three J.K. Beck Shadow Keepers books. I've also got three back to back books from Harlequin coming in 2012, so that's going to be a busy year. Oh, and Dorchester has re-released my Aphrodite series. Those are out in e-format now, and are coming to print this summer!
Amber - What made you want to be a writer? Were there any books or authors that had an influence on you?
Julie - Everything I've ever read has influenced me, but to be honest, I wanted to be a story teller before I can even remember being a reader. So I think it's just in my blood :)
Amber - You have written a lot of books! Is there any genre you have not tried writing that you would like to?
Julie - I have a middle grade idea that I would absolutely LOVE to do, and also an idea for a mainstream women's fiction book that's been keeping me up at night. Hopefully I'll find the time to get those down and paper soon!
Amber - Could you write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?
Julie - Absolutely. I'm actually writing a screenplay with a co-author (fingers crossed we sell it!) and it's going great. We each bring something to the table, and I think it's making the screenplay better for it. A novel is bit of a different process, but the collaborative process can work there as well, and he and I have a few ideas we'd like to do as novels as well. In addition to him, Kathleen O'Reilly and I have talked about doing a book together (we have one idea in particular that we both want to do--but time is an issue). Fingers crossed!
Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you want to write about besides the ones you've already written about? Is there any you just don't like, and would never use in your books?
Julie - Hmmm. Honestly, I don't know. I doubt I'd ever write about selkies. But I've learned that it's best to never say never.
Amber - What are you listening, reading and watching lately? Any recommendations?
Julie - I've been listening to the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack as I write a lot lately, but that's about it. I'm more of a podcast and/or audiobook person than a music person. As for TV, I've recently discovered The IT Crowd. Love, love, love it.
Amber - If you could visit any famous person, alive or dead, who would you visit? and why?
Julie - That is a really hard question. I honestly don't know. I feel like as soon as I choose, I'll realize there was someone I'd rather have chosen. Actually, probably Roger Bacon. You see, I have this story idea, and there's this question I'd like to ask him....
Amber - Thank you so much for popping by! I hope you come visit again soon!
Which of Julie's books do you most want to read? Or have you read them all?
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!
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 27th 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.
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Who are Those Who Fight Monsters?
Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
This week my author guest was Carrie Vaughn. Best known for her Kitty Werewolf novels she also writes some pretty neat YA books and has a few other projects out there as well. This month sees the release of the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters' and Carrie was here telling us about her contribution to the book and also her new release 'Steel'.
You all had the chance to enter and win a copy of the newly released 'Steel'. It was great reading your answers and seeing so many familiar books. There were also a few titles I haven't heard of and a few may just end up on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing!
Anyway! Time to see who won! Congrats to :
Gail!!!
You can find out how to claim your prize below!
If you didn't win this time then just keep trying!!! There is another contest coming up later today and the Monthly Giveaway will be starting sometime over the next week or so!
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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!
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 ;)
This week my author guest is Carrie Vaughn! Famous for her Kitty werewolf series she has also written a few other books like her latest release, Steel. Also she has a short story in the new anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters' and I have to say I think her contribution was my favourite.
So I hope you enjoy the interview but most of all I hope you enter the contest! Carrie is giving away a copy of her new book (released just this week!), Steel. I haven't read it yet but I am sure, that like everything else Carrie has written, it is an amazing read.
Make sure you enter the contest by 4pm (Central European Time) on Sunday!
Never miss out on a new Author Event, Contest or Book Review! Subscribe Now!
Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)
Olivia Limoges is the subject of constant gossip. Ever since she came back to town-a return as mysterious as her departure-Olivia has kept to herself, her dog, and her unfinished novel. With a little cajoling from the eminently charming writer Camden Ford, she agrees to join the Bayside Book Writers, break her writer's block, and even make a few friends...
But when towns people start turning up dead with haiku poems left by the bodies, anyone with a flair for language is suddenly suspect. And it's up to Olivia to catch the killer before she meets her own surprise ending.
My Thoughts -
I love a nice cozy mystery to curl up with in the evenings and this one has been on my to be read pile for a while. Nothing paranormal about this one but it was still a great read. Well thought out plot, a exceptional cast of characters and a nice quirky leading lady.
For the first in a series this was well written and had a lot of depth to it. After looking to see if and when a sequel is coming I found that the author isn't new to writing Cozy's and obviously knows what she is doing. On saying that, I don't see myself trying any of her other books even if I did like this one quite a bit. They just don't appeal to me as much as this one did. Maybe it has something to do with the Book Writers club...
However I am definitely going to put the second book in this series on my wishlist and maybe one day I will even get a copy! I really found this one interesting and I am really curious to see what will happen in Oyster Bay next, what happens in the Bayside Book Writers club and if Olivia starts a relationship with either of the two men she took a fancy too.
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.
My Thoughts -
So we make it to Night Huntress book five and I have to say that things aren't as exciting and fun in Cat and Bones world this time around. The series has come a long way over the years but somehow this new installment felt a little dry and flat. Sure quite a few things happened and some of them will have an effect on what comes next but on the other hand I felt like nothing really happened.
Cat and Bones are always portrayed as the perfect amazing couple in the Urban Paranormal Fantasy genre but to be honest I am starting to find them somewhat annoying. Their little chats about their love for each other make me quite nauseous and I never really know who wears the trousers in the relationship. The sex scenes are not tiring for the couple but they do make me yawn. I get the feeling that both of them are just trying too hard and want to prove something that doesn't need to be proved.
While I enjoy the other vampire characters in the series I have to admit I can't remember much about them and had completely forgot the whole Kira story. So I felt a bit confused as to her abilities when it came up. Also Cat's mom returns again and manages to find yet another place in the story. It doesn't matter what happens, the woman always seems to pop up again and again even though she is not needed. In this new release prepare yourself for the passing of one of the 'team'. Don't get too upset though! In true paranormal style it looks like the character won't be gone for long. Why kill him off then?
The plot this time was weak and jumped all around the place. One moment they are in that place, then suddenly there and within pages over there. I have to say I felt dizzy and wasn't sure where everyone was at any one time. Cat gets the job done in the end but I didn't think she really worked much towards it but cheated and used yet another new power. She used to be kick-ass cool but now she just sucks up a new ability, struggles to use it and then pow! All done and dusted!
I really love this series for what it is but this book was, as you can tell, a bit of a disappointment. Maybe I was expecting too much or this was just one of the bad apples and things will get better next time. Who knows. Book six will tell us more but I am really going to have to think long and hard about if I will pre-order it or not.
The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.
Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.
As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.
The Review -
The first book in this series, The Body Finder, was an amazing debut and Desires of the Dead was a thrilling sequel. Sometimes the sequel of a really good debut can be a huge disappointment but the second book in the Body Finder series only builds a well defined structure on top of the strong foundation that the author laid in the first book.
After The Body Finder I wondered where the author would take things in the sequel. Well I was surprised to find some new characters introduced that not only brought an exciting new plot with them but also shook up the story a little. A new family mixed things up a bit while the addition of an FBI agent and her mysterious colleague has me giving the author a huge thumbs up! Of all the things I expected, this was not one of them. I have to say it made for good reading and I was impressed.
On the other hand there was a little part of me that was unimpressed. The story started out going in one direction and based around a certain body found. However this case and body is then slowly forgotten and another storyline takes its place. Although the first case is solved and mentioned in the epilogue I have to say that I missed the scary killer build-up that the first book had. I felt slightly annoyed that the other case was dismissed and that the new one wasn't that much of a mystery but quite obvious.
However the book did have a lot of other good strong areas. I am really curious to see how the FBI connection pans out and it was a nice twist to find out that Violet may not be the only person around with a special ability. Book three could turn out to be extremely entertaining with these new characters along for the ride. Also Violet's and Jay's relationship is something that comes into question for book three. While they became a lot closer in Desires of the Dead I have to wonder if Violet won't fall for someone else...
A great new series that is on my must read list. I really like this authors style and can't wait to read more from her. A good YA that adults will also find scary and unforgettable. Make sure you check this out because it is quite unusual and special.
On a side note. I listened to this book from Audible and loved the narrator. I listened to the first book via Audible too and her voice really fits the character. I am pretty sure that when book three comes out that I will also choose to listen to it rather than read it.
This month my author guests all have a story in the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'. From all of the stories in the book there was one that really stood out for me. Carrie Vaughn's "Defining Shadows" was my favourite story (shhh don't tell the other authors) in the collection and I couldn't resist asking the writer to be a guest here again on Amberkatze's Book Blog.
I love Carrie's books and her Kitty series is one of my favourite must buy and must reads. I hope you enjoy the interview about her short story in Those Who Fight Monsters, what Kitty is up to and what else Carrie is up to writing wise.
Oh and Carrie is giving away a book! Make sure you enter the contest for your chance to win!
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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest! You have a short story inside the new anthology Those Who Fight Monsters. Can you tell us a little about it?
Carrie - Thanks for inviting me! "Defining Shadows" is about one of the secondary characters from my Kitty series, Detective Jessi Hardin, investigating a very strange case. She's called in when half a body -- a set of legs, essentially -- is discovered standing upright. She guesses that this isn't an ordinary case, but the answers she eventually finds are even more bizarre than she anticipated.
Amber - So how did you pick what to write for the anthology? Was it hard coming up with something or was the story all ready filed away ready for something like this?
Carrie - I've been wanting to write a story about Detective Hardin working on a case for a long time, so this -- an anthology about detectives and the supernatural -- was the perfect opportunity. I've also been wanting to write about the manananggal, the Filipino creature at the center of the crime, ever since I heard about them from a Filipina friend of mine. So I put both ideas together.
Amber - When you write a short story does the publisher set you limits or do you just write and hope the piece is long/short enough?
Carrie - The anthology guidelines usually have limits. Some anthologies want shorter stories, some will let me write longer stories. I try to pick an idea that will fit within those limits before I even start writing.
Amber - How do anthologies really work? Do you the authors get together and have a chat and a few drinks? Discuss your story ideas? Or is it all emails and no contact with anyone else?
Carrie - In almost every case there's an editor (Justin Gustainis in this case) who comes up with the theme of the anthology, or has a group of writers that he or she wants to work with. The editor will bring the idea to a publisher and recruit writers. The writers rarely have contact with each other -- it's all done through the editor. Usually the editor is looking for a good variety of stories, that still fit within a theme (although a theme can be as loose as "Year's Best Science Fiction"), so the authors involved don't really need to work with each other. It's up to the editor to decide that the stories all fit and are the best they can be. (One exception is a shared-world anthology, like the work I do on Wild Cards. In those cases, the stories are interconnected, so the writers have to work with each other to get the facts and characters straight.)
Amber - Have you read all the stories in Those Who Fight Monsters? Did you have any favourites?
Carrie - I haven't read any of them yet! (except my own, of course) That's tough thing about being in an anthology like this -- I've seen the table of contents, I know the other authors involved, but I won't see the finished product until I get my own author copy. I'll be reading it for the first time along with everyone else!
Amber - I really like the story and it was quite possibly my favourite in the book. Will the story turn into a series?
Carrie - I don't know that it will turn into a series about Detective Hardin, but she's definitely an ongoing character in the series and I'll definitely be writing more about her. In fact, if you liked this story you'll want to check out my novella, "Long Time Waiting," in Kitty's Greatest Hits, coming out in August this year. There's some overlap between
the two stories.
Amber - You have a few books due out this year. Give us the low down tell us all about them!
Carrie - Steel is my young adult novel about time travel, swordfighting, and pirates, due out in March. After the Golden Age is my superhero novel -- about the daughter of the city's greatest heroes, who works as an accountant -- due out in April. The next Kitty novel, Kitty's Big Trouble, will be out in June. Kitty has adventures in San Francisco's Chinatown.
Kitty's Greatest Hits, a collection of many of the short stories I've written about Kitty and her world, will be out in August.
Amber - I am still hoping for a sequel to Voices of Dragons. Will there be one?
Carrie - I hope so! Unfortunately, it's not on the schedule just yet, so I may have to wait a little while before I get to it.
Amber - How is Kitty doing? Is she getting old and tired yet or will we be seeing a lot more of her in the future? Are you working on any other projects?
Carrie - Kitty's not done yet. The ninth novel will be out this summer, and I've just finished the tenth. I have at least a couple more planned after that. I'm always working on other projects -- I like writing adventure-oriented young adult books and I have more like that planned. I always have more ideas than I can possibly work on at once, so I'm keeping busy.
Amber - What made you want to be a writer? Were there any books or authors that had an influence on you?
Carrie - I always loved reading, and I always wrote down things -- I was a great daydreamer, and was always spinning stories in my mind. By the time I got to high school I realized I could really do this as a career, and since I wasn't any good at sports or music, writing was the one thing I could do. So I went for it. Ray Bradbury and Robin McKinley were great influences.
Bradbury for his use of language, for teaching me that words matter; and McKinley for her amazing characters who I wanted to be friends with. I wanted to be able to do that.
Amber - Is there any genre you have not tried writing that you would like to?
Carrie - Space opera/planetary science fiction. It's a genre I love reading, and I've written a few short stories in it, but I would love to write a novel in that genre.
Amber - Could you write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?
Carrie - I'm not sure I could. I know lots of other people who've collaborated, and I'd love to try it if it's an author I like, and we had a really good idea. But I'm also kind of a control freak, so it might be tough. On the other hand, I've written for the Wild Cards series, which are shared-world books so there I'm often working with several other writers to make sure our stories fit together. But my pieces for those are usually shorter than novel length.
Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you want to write about besides the ones you've already written about? Is there any you just don't like, and would never use in your books?
Carrie - There are so many…I haven't done much with the creatures of Greek mythology -- sphinxes, Cyclopes, sirens, hydras and the like, and I think I would like to. I'm really not fond of the shambling brain eating type zombies that seem to be all the craze right now.
Amber - What are you listening, reading and watching lately? Any recommendations?
Carrie - I've been reading a lot of non-fiction for research. Right now I'm reading a book on women pilots in World War II in Britain, called Spitfire Women. I've also been reading MLN Hanover's urban fantasy series -- it's good. The most recent book is Vicious Grace.
Amber - If you could visit any famous person, alive or dead, who would you visit? and why?
Carrie - Queen Elizabeth (the first) is who I usually list for these. She as amazing, centuries ahead of her time. The things she did -- rule on her own, turn England into a world power -- should have been impossible, but she did it.
Amber - Thank you so much for popping by! I hope you come visit again soon!
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Contest Time
Carrie has a new YA novel out this week called Steel and she has a copy to give away! Thanks Carrie!
How To Enter
What are you reading and what do you want to be reading?
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!
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 20th 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.
*****
Who are Those Who Fight Monsters?
Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
