This week author Elisabeth Naughton is my guest here on Amberkatze's Book Blog!

Elisabeth is known in the Paranormal genre for her Eternal Guardians and already made an appearance on Amberkatze's Book Blog to tell us about about that series.

However this week Elisabeth is celebrating a non paranormal new release. She has a short story appearing in an anthology called 'Bodyguards in Bed'. Enjoy reading her guest blog about 'The Lure of the Military Hero' and then make sure you enter the contest for your chance to win a copy of Elisabeth's new release!

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The Lure of the Military Hero

Thanks so much to Amberkatze for having me here today! I’m thrilled to visit during release week for BODYGUARDS IN BED, my romantic suspense anthology with Lucy Monroe and Jamie Denton, which hits store shelves on Tuesday May 31, 2011!

I have several author friends who write military romances, and after the news of Bin Laden’s death a few weeks ago, it seemed SEALs were the next hot thing. All over Twitter and Facebook I kept hearing how hot SEALs are and how romance readers are craving military heroes. Even editors and agents were saying they could go for some military romance submissions. I can definitely see the attraction—the whole good vs. evil thing, willing to put one’s life on the line for one’s country, the protective nature of those in uniform, etc. As my husband served in the Air Force for twelve years I definitely get this. (There is just something sexy about a guy in uniform, isn’t there?) And I agree that military heroes make for good romance heroes—tough, strong, dedicated, protective. What’s not to love?

I haven’t written many military heroes. Rafe, the hero in my first book, STOLEN FURY, was ex-Navy, but he was also a thief so some may argue that counter-acts the whole dedicated and protective piece. (I disagree…Rafe was definitely tough, strong, dedicated and protective…just in his own way.) The hero in my Acapulco Heat novella in the BODYGUARDS IN BED anthology, however, is a true military hero. Though he now works for a private security company, Finn Tierney and all his coworkers have some kind of military past. In Finn’s case, he’s an ex-special ops member of the Irish Army Ranger Wing, Ireland’s premier hostage rescue unit. He knows a thing or two about protection, and he’s the elite of the elite. What starts off as a boring assignment guarding a spoiled model quickly becomes a battle for life and death as he and the heroine find themselves running through the Mexican jungle, trying to avoid drug cartels and terrorists all while trying to figure out a mystery and avoid a smoldering passion that just might get them killed.

I had a lot of fun with this novella, and I can definitely say I’m hooked on military heroes now. And ex-military heroes have so much internal conflict. From a writer’s perspective its fun to figure out just what makes these guys tick.

What do you think about military heroes? Love ‘em or hate ‘em? I’d love to know your opinion. I’ve got an autographed copy of BODYGUARDS IN BED for one lucky commenter today!

***

A former junior high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton traded in her red pen and test tube set for a laptop and research books. She now writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards including the prestigious RITA® awards by Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, The Golden Leaf and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ball park or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit her at www.elisabethnaughton.com to learn more.





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Contest Time


Elisabeth is giving away an autographed copy of BODYGUARDS IN BED!


How To Enter


Elisabeth already asked a question in her guest blog! Post your answer and you will be entered into the contest!


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 5th of June 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 Guest Blog, Contests, Elisabeth Naughton

My author guest this week was Linda Thomas-Sundstrom.

Linda was here talking about sex scenes! It was interesting to read what she had to say about writing them and then reading what you all thought about them! Thanks to everyone for taking part! I hope you all check out Linda's books!

Also Linda was giving away a copy of the anthology she took part in, Immortal Bad Boys! The contest is now closed and it is time to announce the winner.

So Congrats to :


Barbara Monajem!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!



If you didn't win this time then keep trying! A new author contest is coming up and the Monthly Giveaway will also start this week!

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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 won an e-book please make sure you send me the email address you would like the book sent to!

If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter. 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: Contests, Linda Thomas-Sunstrom, Winners

The Blurb :

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Review :

Die For Me is a debut Young Adult from Amy Plum which comes out next month. I really wanted to stay away from anymore YA reads but the blurb was interesting and the cover was lovely. So I couldn't resist giving it a try.

The lead character, Kate, was a nice young girl to read about. Her grieve over losing her parents was a big subject throughout the book but it was something that consumed her more at the beginning when she moved to Paris. While the area of the book is slightly dull and depressing it actually builds helps up some suspense. Especially when Vincent starts making an appearance.

However when Vincent comes along the book lost a little bit of pull for me. Maybe it is the boredom of the typical 'teenagers falling in love but there is a secret' storyline. That is definitely getting a little tiresome. Although it could also be the change in Kate who started out to be someone I could like into that usual 'Bella' like young woman who can only live and breathe the paranormal guy she just met a few minutes ago.

One thing this book really has going for it is the unique concept and plot. The Revenants glows with freshness that gave me a reason to keep reading. With so many new paranormal books popping up on the shelves and the YA genre having more than enough of its fair share, it was refreshing to see that despite the usual love story there was a strong new supernatural angle being introduced.

Other plus points included the Paris setting which made a lovely change to the typical US location. The lack of the 'clique' enemy crowd of girls was also noteworthy but the lack of friends altogether seemed a little weird. The writing style is also worth mentioning. Die For Me didn't have the usual debut feel to it and I wonder if this is just the authors debut into this genre.

All in all a nice read. The last fifth of the book made up for the lovey dovey middle and the huge reward in this book is the new paranormal beings called the Revenants. Good strong story which is well written and is easy to read. It will be interesting to see what happens next and this is a series I will keep my eye on and if the blurb for book two looks good I am going to join Kate and Vincent in Paris again.

Labels: Amy Plum, ARC, Book Read, Kindle, New Releases, Young Adult

My author guest this week is Linda Thomas-Sundstrom and you have all been talking about sex! ;)

Even if you aren't a fan of the who romance and sexual aspects of the Paranormal genre you can't really get away from it. How do you feel about it? Add your comment and you may win one of Linda's Books!

You have until Sunday to enter and then one lucky person will get a copy of the anthology Linda took part in, Immortal Bad Boys!

So make sure you enter and enjoy reading through the comments! It makes for very interesting reading!

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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!

Labels: Contests, Linda Thomas-Sunstrom

The Blurb :

My mother thinks my job is crazy. I’ m a paranormal investigator; she’ s Nancy Reagan crossed with Martha Stewart. She’ s always preferred my sister, Lily, who is following in her perfect footsteps.

But this time Mom needs my special skills. She believes my stepfather is possessed. I admit he’ s not his usual dapper, charming self, but sleepwalking doesn’ t sound that weird. Until the sleepwalking spreads through the family and cousin Donna walks right out of her apartment window to her death. Then my sister goes missing and I have to find her and solve the mystery before Lily and her unborn child are harmed.

Normally I would have assistance, but my right hand, a hunky angel I’ ve nicknamed Casper, has business of his own to take care of— business that might take him out of my life forever. The stakes are too high for me to lose, but I’ m not sure I can do it alone…

My Review :

I really enjoyed the first book in the Allegra Fairwater series and I couldn't wait to read this second part, South of Salem. Seeing as the debut in the series shocked me by taking place in Scotland, thousands of miles away from Allegra's home, I was happy to see that this time the Paranormal Investigator was on home turf with her family and friends. The reason for her being home may not have been a good one but it was well worth reading about. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Full of unusual and new paranormal elements this series is a nice fun read with a cool lead character. An interesting family, a witch friend and a guardian angel sound like a lot to take in but as you get to know them, you grow to love them. They all have their place in the big picture of things and I loved meeting them. The plot was unique and it was nice to read something new, fresh and a little different to what I am used to.

Not a lot of romance in this one but huge helpings of the Paranormal. This is Urban Fantasy twisted up in a cozy mystery and it works well. If you like Casey Daniels, Victoria Laurie, Madelyn Alt or Terri Garey books then you will really appreciate Janni Nell's Allegra Fairwater series. I am looking forward to what happens next and what case Allegra has to solve in book three!

It is a shame this book/series is from a publisher who only sells E-books because this series has a lot of potenial and promise. After two books this author is on my must read list and I am extremely glad that I have a Kindle and now have the chance to discover authors like Janni Nell. This little treasure is a must buy for anyone looking for something to put on their e-reader.

*Get the first book in the series for only $0.99 direct from Carina Press*

Labels: Book Read, Janni Nell, Kindle, New Releases

The Blurb :

Ever since high school student Anastasija Parker discovered she was vampire royalty, her life has been sort of crazy. The half-vampire- half-witch just wants some normalcy, and trying out for the spring musical seems like the perfect fix.

But when the ancient talisman that stands between vampire freedom and slavery to witches is stolen, Ana has to skip rehersal and track down the dangerous artifact before someone uses it to make this year's curtain call her last.

My Thoughts :

After reading Almost to Die For, book #1 in the Vampire Princess of St. Paul series, I couldn't wait to see what author Tate Hallaway was going to deliver in the sequel. I have been a fan of the author ever since she started writing her Garnet Lacey novels and even though she has moved to Young Adult for this series she has kept to the paranormal aspect.

However it saddens me to say that this next installment just wasn't as good as the series debut. It came across as a little flat and boring. I had a hard time building up any kind of relationship with the characters and didn't care for the school play or plot. This second part was just not what I was expecting after Almost to Die For.

On saying all that though I am still interested to see where the author takes Ana. I like the concept and I enjoy Tate's style. Sometimes second books are a bummer after the first amazing debut so I am keeping an eye out for book three and look forward to catching up with the Princess of St. Paul again sometime in the future. Definitely a must read for fans of the author and another Young Adult book to buy for that young lady in your life.

Labels: Book Read, Kindle, Tate Hallaway, Young Adult

The Blurb :

Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water...

Moon Called faithfully adapts New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs' first Mercy Thompson novel to comics. Prepare to see the fantastic characters and supernatural settings that have made her novels a hit with fans worldwide come to four-color life!

My Review :

I love the Mercy Thompson series and couldn't resist giving this graphic novel a read. However Moon Called, as fans will remember, is the first book in the series and therefore this book is not a unique story. Just a repeat with artwork to compliment it. Maybe this is a put off for some people but for me it was just a way to go back and revisit the good old days.

This book only contained 4 issues of the comics and just lays down the groundwork for the amazing plot that is to come. Moon Called was an amazing read back when it first got released and it definitely makes for good reading again. The artwork is an added bonus of course but it may not meet to some fans ideas of how the characters should look.

Some of the artwork is better than others and this is something I have noticed in the graphic novels I have taken the time to read. I really liked the 'cover' artwork and felt they captured Mercy really well. However the artwork for the main story didn't have as much detail and it wasn't as good as it could have been. Although I have to say I liked the way they drew the shifting scenes.

All in all this is a great graphic novel that lovers of the series will appreciate and enjoy. I am looking forward to coming across the next volume soon and hope that the rest of the series will also make its way onto paper in the same way. A keeper for fans and a nice way to go back to the beginning of the series and remember how it all began.

Labels: Book Read, graphic novel, Patricia Briggs

The Blurb :

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

My Review :

I will admit straight away that I expected more from this book. The blurb left me with visions of vampires, werewolves or even some ghosts. However what I ended up with was a curse and a maybe witch. Sad but true. This wasn't at all what I planned on reading and I felt a little cheated.

However I will give this book points for romance and for the Young Adult content. This definitely is a book for younger readers who like reading about how horrible school and teenage life can be while trying to get through their own real life. Spellbound will leave a few teenagers happy knowing there are worse off girls in the world and wishing their life was as interesting and cool as Emma's.

Emma was a nice lead character. Although I wanted to hear more about her past and what happened to her family. The focus seemed to be taken away from the fact that she has lost all of her family and pointed to the great life she has now in New York and her love life. Don't get me wrong, everyone should have a Brendan to brighten up their school days but it all seemed a little too perfect.

The fantasy angle in this book was weak and in general this was a teenage love story with a twist. If this had been an amazingly bad story then I wouldn't have read Spellbound till the end. Although it did take a while to actually get to the point of the story and by then I was too far in to give up. I have to admit that I was pulled into the story because I couldn't wait to see what paranormal delights were waiting for me but the last quarter of the book was a bit of a let down once I realised what was going on.

All in all I am pretty sure this is one I would recommend to give as a gift to that young lady in your life, eg. daughter, niece, friends kid. But Spellbound isn't one I am going to recommend to adults. A little too teeny, way too cheesy and quite predictable.

*Spellbound is due for release on the 28th of June*

Labels: ARC, Book Read, Book Reviews, Cara Lynn Schultz, Kindle, Young Adult

My author guest this week is no newbie to the Paranormal genre. Linda Thomas-Sundstrom has quite a few books already under her belt and I am sure there are more to come!

Linda's lastest release is Golden Vampire which is part of the Vampire Moons series. If you haven't already checked out Linda's books then maybe her guest blog will inspire you to do so! And if you enter the contest you may even win a copy of Immortal Bad Boys!

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"Tall, Dark, Fanged and Sexy" - Helps to make writing sex scenes a breeze.

Hi everyone. Good morning. I'm Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, guest blogger, and author of paranormal romance books for Kensington, Dorchester, and Harlequin Nocturne — joining you today to chat about sex scenes in paranormal romance stories, and what makes them exciting. I'd like to tell you what I think about what makes them work, and hear what you like/dislike about the things you read. I just love to network and share ideas. Connect.

Well, okay. Sex is always exciting, you're probably thinking. And oh yes, we'll all agree. But how about sitting down to write about it, getting descriptive, and plotting where it needs to appear in a book? What if there is more than one such scene in a story? How do we keep the tension alive between characters after the deed is done? How do we make each scene different? Can careful planning ruin a perfectly good tete-a-tete?

Welcome to the world of the romance writer. I'm sure there are several of us here today, right? And since there are so many differing opinions and heat levels in books, what we can all probably agree upon is this:

If we're not writing in the erotica genre, which is basically sex for sex's sake, then our wild, tame, understated, or over-the-top bedroom scenes, which of course don't have to actually be in a bedroom, have to be in the right place in the story. We know that for the sake of building sexual tension, sex between main characters can't be too soon in the book, or the story is usually over.

Anyone here a Moonlight fan? Once the hunky vamp star slept with the reporter he was attracted to, the show was over. Finished. To our dismay. And now, we're watching Castle, wondering how long they'll keep this show going, with its hot and sometimes steamy tension between Beckett and Castle, while remembering this tried-and-true romance no-no. No real hanky panky.

Of course, this is where writing skills come in, hopefully. Main characters can sometimes get their clothes off and get together, but if they do, they run a big risk. And there has to be a good reason they then pull apart, immediately afterward. More tension has to be in place between them, maybe even more than before, so that all of us romance lovers get back on track, hoping they'll beat the odds and do it again. (*Yay!*)

My first book was labeled erotic romance, for Kensington Brava. It was a historical vampire tale in the "Immortal Bad Boys" anthology. Dark stuff, with sex. Then I wrote a goofy girly tale for Dorchester about the perils of paranormal dating. "Barbie and the Beast," which had a sort of off-camera sex scene that went with the style of the story. I'm currently writing dark, sexy paranormals, vampires and werewolves, for Harlequin's Nocturne imprint, and digging this. Because creating even more tension to a sexy story excites me. Adding an element of danger, a chase, a full moon, and plenty of atmosphere . . . brings a whole new element to sex scenes. Makes them hotter, wilder, and a real pleasure to write, from book to book.

Paranormal atmosphere turns me on! Ha.
And no - you may not interview my husband about this! (*grinning*)

I'm a firm believer, both as a writer and an avid reader, that there's a time and a place for sex scenes in a story, and that those concerns have to drive the story, and make sense. Whether the scenes are terrifying, electrifying, wild, or just plain sensual as heck, we readers can't be left satisfied until the end. We need to be left wanting more.

I try to remember this when I write. And maybe I get super descriptive and describe in sizzling detail what's going on between my characters, and maybe I don't. But I do always try to fit the scene to the story I'm telling . . . and in doing so , I often fall in love with writing romance, all over again. What could be better than that?

As for my process, and whether I try out these scenes I write out, just for the sake of believability . . . I'll never tell. I mean, the internet lasts forever! But when my fictional characters get together, the sizzle of those moments, in print, tells something about the writer, eh?
I sure hope you've read some of mine.

Okay . . . my opinion here. So . . .
What do you like about a sex scene? Graphic? Not? Perfect timing? Not?
Maybe you don't like them at all?
Are you a paranormal fan, like me, with plenty of ideas on what to do with a pair of fangs?
I'm really hoping you're willing to share.

Linda

www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com




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Contest Time

This week the prize up for grabs is a copy of the anthology Linda took part in, Immortal Bad Boys! U.S/Can only.

How To Enter


Linda already asked a few questions! Answer one to be entered in the contest!


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 29thof May 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 Guest Blog, Contests, Linda Thomas-Sunstrom

This week I had two author guests and therefore two contests!

Author Jackie Gamber was here talking about her new release. Her book Redheart, the first in her Leland Dragon Series, is available now and I hope you all had a peak at it! Maybe even got yourself a copy? Well you could have won a nice prize package which included a copy of the book if you entered the contest. All you had to do is tell us who your favourite dragon is!

So who won the softcover copy of Redheart, full size poster, book marks, set of 5X7 prints and set of 3 magnets? Congrats to :


Magaly Guerrero!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

My other author guest was Tony-Paul De Vissage. Not only is Tony a writer but he is also an artist. Tony's new book came out this week and is called Vampires are Forever. Which vampire cliché is your favourite or which one do you hate the most? That was the question you had to answer so you could win a copy of Paul's new book. Who won? Congrats to :


Winter!!!


Thank you to everyone who entered! It was fun to read your answers. I hope you try the books even if you didn't win! Keep checking in for more contests and author guests!

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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 won an e-book please make sure you send me the email address you would like the book sent to!

If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter. 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: Contests, Jackie Gambler, Tony-Paul De Vissage, Winners

The Blurb :

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem too ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...

My Thoughts :

The fourth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series was a must buy and read for me. I have been following this series since the beginning and I have really grown to love Merit and the world Chloe Neill has created. So when all the vampire politics started I do confess there was a little yawn. I also wanted action, fast and furious and not Merit and Ethan doing this romance dance again.

However things picked up here and there. I was interested in what was going on and slowly found myself wanting to keep reading and finding out where the plot was going. Was Celina really back or was Merit being obsessive? What would Darius do to them all? And other little questions kept me reading to the end. Subtle little bits of the plot had me gripped.

Then the end. Oh my god! Is the author allowed to do that? Did she really do that? Ok I may not have cried but I was shocked. Hard Bitten has a really gutsy ending and I can't wait to see where the author takes things now. I do however now understand why we only have to wait till November for the fifth book. You couldn't make us all wait any longer to see how this gets repaired. Can it be repaired? Is the series now broken?

All in all another great addition to the series. A little slow at times but the plot and surprises make up for it. Urban Fantasy at its best and still a must read. If you haven't tried this series yet then you should start soon. It seems that it has some tricks up it sleeves and I for one don't want to miss them.

Labels: Book Read, Chloe Neill, Kindle, New Releases

This week there are two author guests and that means two author contests! Have you entered them yet?

Jackie Gamber is one of my guests and she is giving away an amazing prize package which includes her new release and some other goodies!

So go ahead and enter the contest and get in the mood for dragons!

My other author guest is Tony-Paul De Vissage and you could win a copy of his latest release!

Enter the contest now and tell us about your favourite or most hated vampire clichés.

Both contests close on Sunday! So you have a few more days to enter.

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

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!

Labels: Contests, Jackie Gambler, Tony-Paul De Vissage

The Blurb :

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

My Thoughts :

Somewhere in the middle of listening to Hunger Games I already downloaded the next book. There was no question about it. This author had come up with something unusual, unique and inspiring. So it was no wonder that when Hunger Games was over that I had to start Catching Fire. I had to stay with Katniss and find out what happened next. What could possibly happen in the next book?

Things started off a little slow and I wondered if the author had lost her touch. Maybe Hunger Games was a one off wonder. Then the story started to get interesting and move along a bit more and I have to admit I wasn't sure which direction things were going to end up going. Whichever way they went I was with Katniss all the way.

Sadly I thought most of the story then turned out to be a bit predictable. I really didn't like having to go through the games again and I was scared at how this round would end. Knowing there is a third and last book helped satisfy my fear that Katniss was going to lose but I really didn't want anyone else to lose either! How was the story going to save her this time? I had no idea but it would have to be believable and good.

The end was fast and furious. I may even have to go back and listen to the last 30 mins again because I am sure I missed some details. There was a great cliffhanger ending and I am pretty sure that I will actually just start book three now and get things over and done with. I really need to know what happens next!

A brilliant second book in the trilogy but definitely not as awe inspiring and breathtaking as the first. What comes in books three is a mystery to me but I am pretty sure I am going to enjoy it.

As with the first book, this was a well read audio and I am really happy I am listening to them all. The narrator really does a super job and I can highly recommend checking these out if you like audios. On a side note...when I read Hunger Games I did think 'This would make a cool film'. Well it seems it is already in production. I can't wait to see how they do the 'girl on fire'.

Labels: Audiobooks, Book Read, Suzanne Collins, Young Adult

The Blurb :

After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport getting picked up on the Internet: bare- knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against each other-or humans. Tracking the remote signal leads Claire- accompanied by her friends and frenemies-to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville...

My Review :

Bite Club is Morganville Vampires #10 and I had a sneaky suspicion back when this series started that things would keep going for this long. The series had all the makings of a long running hit and so far it has made a big name for itself with a lot of fans following the Glass House. How long things keep going is a mystery to me but could it be time to let Morganville lead a life without Claire?

I have to admit that I am in awe of the author because she really does manage to come up with a good new fresh plot each time. Moganville has changed, the characters have changed and the rules have changed but things keep going and things are always exciting and readable. This time around is no exception to the rule with a few old enemies crawling out of the woodwork and Claire's relationship with Shane being put through the wringer.

You may get a clue from the title what this book revolves around. The play on words is amusing and I was impressed with the vampire version of Fight Club, even if it was Young Adult only. Some fans will be interested to hear that Shane makes more than just an appearance in the book as a character but also tells his side of the story at certain intervals. At first this was a little weird but it actually added a lot of depth to the overall plot.

Morganville is a vampire filled teen sitcom and I have enjoyed every single episode. However I have to say that I really wanted Claire to make a different decision at the end of this book. I am happy to read more about these vampire fighting teens but I also feel the need to see things either come to a head or for the kids to grow up. What really happens and what the author has in store for the series is something I am looking forward to reading.

*review from last week. Somehow this ended up lost in space and not posted ;)

Labels: Book Read, Kindle, New Releases, Rachel Caine, Young Adult

The Blurb :

In an alternate Atlanta where magic is practiced openly, where witches sip coffee at local cafes, shapeshifters party at urban clubs, vampires rule the southern night like gangsters, and mysterious creatures command dark caverns beneath the city, Dakota Frost's talents are coveted by all. She's the best magical tattooist in the southeast, a Skindancer, able to bring her amazing tats to life. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and the Feds seek Dakota's help. Can she find the killer on the dark fringe of the city's Edgeworld? Among its powerful outcasts and tortured loners, what kind of enemies and allies will she attract? Will they see her as an invader, as a seducer, as an unexpected champion ... or as delicious prey?

My Review :

Frost Moon was one of those books with a cool cover and a nice blurb that makes you wonder if it could really be as good as it looks. Tattoo's that come to life, vampires, mystery and murder were all factors that screamed 'read me'. There was a lot of promise in this first book in the Skindancer series and I was eager to see what the author had had come up with.

I really think the plot and concept was extremely good for a debut. I was quickly pulled into the story and I liked the main character and her sassy attitude. Dakota's tattoo's and her occupation were a huge attraction for me but her appearance of six feet tall was not what I expected. It was nice to have a leading lady who didn't have everything she needed to win a fight. Taking help from others and teaming up with people who could help was a nice change to the 'kick-ass and could do everything' type that the genre is used too.

The writing style was a little hard to get used too. Sometimes things came across as erratic or a waste of time but I really believe it was the author trying too hard to make the story pop. I enjoyed Frost Moon but I did feel it was lacking a little background and explanation. With no real knowledge of how the world worked I felt like I was being thrown into an already established series when really this was only the first book. Too much depth meant that I couldn't find a way to settle into the really special world the author has created.

Throughout the story I went from wanting to give up and walk away, to liking everything that was happening to wondering if I would bother with a sequel. There was so much packed into this book that I did feel a little overwhelmed but I have to say that by the end I am left ready and willing to check out the second part in the series when it comes out. Why? There were some good strong characters that I am looking forward to meeting again. Also the world the author has created has a lot of possibilities. I am really interested to see where he takes things next. Oh and the tattoos. There is something extremely cool about them.

All in all a good debut which does have some weak moments. If you can overlook the minor flaws here and there then you will be rewarded with a nice new unique Paranormal Urban Fantasy read that could develop into a seriously good series. Frost Moon is different, unusual and full of paranormal delights. I will be checking out the sequel and am I am really happy to welcome another male author to the genre!

Labels: Anthony Francis, Book Read, Kindle, New Releases

My second author guest this week is not only a writer but an artist. Tony-Paul De Vissage has a new book out this week called Vampires are Forever which is being released by Class Act Books. Also Tony has an anthology of short stories Sweet Sips of Blood coming out in August via Vamptasy Press (UK).

I hope you enjoy Tony's guest blog and will also enter the contest to win a copy of the newest release!

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When I wrote Vampires are Forever, I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted a vampire story that was whimsical while still having that frisson one expects from a tale of the Undead…what one might call The Lighter Side of Vampires or The Undead in a Lighter Vein (please, pardon the pun!)

So I sat down and listed all the clichés…villagers with pitchforks and torches storming the castle…the foul fiend calling out his defiant curse as he wings his escape into the night…the sudden shining of a light in the upper window of the abandoned manor house…the appearance of a mysterious, handsome stranger…and the inexorable plight of young women, stricken by an undiagnosed illness… Then I proceed to twist them…this way and that…until they were something else than what they were originally expected to be, and I came up with...

(Cue the sinister music)TA-DUMM…Vampires are Forever…

Setting the story somewhere other than Transylvania helped. So I made my local the little Irish village of Balleywalegh. My choice was time period was also different: 1929, instead of late Victorian as is usual. And my vampire? As Irish as they come…the dearg-due, a cross between a succubus and a vampire, which, for the purposes of this story becomes undoubtedly male.

I put it all together, stirred well and came up with an entertaining little tale…or at least, I think so.

To wit…

In 1829, the Irish village of Balleywalegh drove a vampire from its midst. He, in turn, promised he’d come back and make them pay. The years pass, the abandoned manor house staysthat way but its reputation makes everyone shun it, and then, exactly a hundred years later. that light shines in an upper window…and…

The vampire has returned!

…or has he?

Granted the new owner of Casa Ascuns has the same name as the monster who attacked their womenfolk but can Karel Novotny really be a vampire? He’s much younger than the other and looks nothing like that creature. He drives a Stutz Bearcat, likes the moving pictures, and dances the Charleston like nobody’s business… Still, there’s the matter of all that raw meat being delivered to the manor, and those two bulky boxes that are just the right size for…coffins…

…and then, the young women of Balleywalegh—as happened before—start dropping like flies, coming down with an illness the local doctor can’t diagnose.

Well, Dr. Donovan might not know what’s going on but the fathers of those lasses do, and they know exactly how to handle it…like their ancestors did, by sharpening their stakes and harvesting their garlic…posthaste.

Seamus Flannery doesn’t believe in vampires, which is good, since Karel is squiring his daughter Brigid around, but Seamus better work fast to convince the others. Otherwise young Karel’s going to find himself skewered and his chance to be Seamus’ son-in-law will be just a sad memory…

Vampires are Forever will be available May 15 from Class Act Books. Watch the trailer below!



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Contest Time

Tony is very kindly giving away a copy of Two Vampires Tales to someone who comments!

How To Enter


What is your favourite or/and most hated vampire cliché?


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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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 22nd of May 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 Guest Blog, Contests, Tony-Paul De Vissage

My author guest last week was Nancy Haddock! If you stopped by then you would have seen that Nancy was nice enough to come and comment on all your entries! A big thank you to Nancy!

If you didn't enter the contest then it is too late! The contest is closed and it is already time to pick the three winners who will all get to pick one of Nancy's books as their prize!

So congrats to :


Andra!!!


Donnas!!!

&

Karilyn Bentley!!!


Find out how to claim your prize below!

Didn't win this time? Well make sure you add Nancy's books to your wishlist or better yet add them to your shopping cart! Also make sure you check out the new author contests every week here on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Info on the latest contests is in the sidebar --->

Nancy's Books :

# 1 - La Vida Vampire
# 2 - Last Vampire Standing
# 3 - Always The Vampire




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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 ;)

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Labels: Contests, Nancy Haddock, Winners