I picked my five best reads from November and you vote for your favourite. The one you most want to win. The book that wins the vote is the prize!
Everyone can enter!
Just sign up for the newsletter (and confirm your registration!) and you are automatically entered for this months giveaway and every other monthly giveaway!
Here is a little info about each book on offer this month. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -
Please use the links around the site to buy your books and help keep the contests going!
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For more chances to win -
Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.
Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu
Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.
And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.
Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.
When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.
My Review :
Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a new author to me but looking her up now I see she isn't a new author on the scene. With quite a few books already under her belt I now look back at this book with a slightly different opinion to the one it left me with. Not a huge difference but some things now make a bit more sense.
The blurb for Every Other Day was full with promises of a wide range of supernaturals, a demon hunting leading gal and lots of mystery. A huge selling point was also the lack of any male character mentioned in the synopsis. I am so fed up of the whole teen love thing and this book looked very safe. Thankfully all the promises were met and the lack of kissing and stuff made me love this book a lot. However towards the end, I changed my mind.
From within the first chapters I was hooked. The concept was well thought out, different and definitely interesting. I liked Kali and her new friends, even if those friendships seemed to happen a little too fast. The writing style was a little jumpy sometimes but that said my version didn't always have chapters marked so I am not sure if I can really be sure of that. However I have to say there were some parts that didn't make sense.
The chupacabra angle was a little weak at times and I needed some more information about that paranormal even though it played such a big part in the plot. All the other supernatural elements were really cool but towards the end the book began to feel too crowded. Too many creatures were packed into this one book and they all wanted out. They added to the structure of the whole world the author creates but it was a little over the top. However they all helped bring some action scenes together.
All in all Every Other Day was a really good read even if the last fifty pages or so ruined it for me. The turn of events shocked me, which I am sure they were supposed to, but I felt like the author was being over daring or just stupid. It left me wondering if I would even bother with a sequel, if there is one, because a huge part of why I liked this story was suddenly gone.
This is a book worth reading. There is no doubt about that. I enjoyed it and even if the end wasn't what I wanted other people may actually like it. Every Other Day isn't one I recommend buying as soon as possible. It is one to put on the wishlist or pick up in the sales. Keep the title fresh in yours minds or remember the amazing cover and check it out some day.
*** Every Other Day is due for release at the end of December ***
I always planned to run the monthly giveaway at the end of the month but for one reason or another I have always been a little late. This month however I have managed to get things going early and despite the lack of reading time I hope you will like at least one of my five picks for this months giveaway.
Want to win one of the books I read in November? Well you can! It is time for the Monthly Giveaway! You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads this month!
What is the Monthly Giveaway?
I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included!) then you guys go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Remember! You may not actually win the book you voted for.
Here is a little info about each book on offer this month. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -
Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!
To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Sunday 4th of December 2011 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later that day.
Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.
Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu
Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)
A recent transplant to Washington State’s charming seaside town of Port Chatham, Jordan is still getting used to sharing her slightly run-down but historic lodging with ghosts. As if living with the long-deceased isn’t enough of a challenge, she’s just found a corpse: The town’s notorious womanizer Holt Stillwell is lying on the beach with a bullet in his head.
Before Jordan can reel in a suspect, another victim surfaces. And this one isn’t taking murder lying down. Holt’s ancestor Michael Seavey, the Pacific Northwest’s most infamous shanghaier, has materialized in Jordan’s house, seeking to solve his own death in a suspicious shipwreck in 1893. With two murders to solve and a killer on the loose, Jordan faces yet another equally terrifying prospect: her growing attraction to the very alive and criminally attractive pub owner Jase Cunningham.
My Thoughts :
I really enjoyed the first Port Chatham Mystery, Haunting Jordan, and was happy that I already had a copy of the sequel on my Kindle waiting for me. However the usual 'too many books and not enough reading time' stopped me from diving straight into Ghost Ship but after a very long cozy mystery break I needed to curl up with something spooky and mysterious. This book hit the mark completely!
Jordan is a nice main character and even though she is supposed to be a therapist she doesn't analyse everything and ramble on for ages about theories etc. Her interactions with the ghosts that reside in her house and the rest of Port Chatham is well written and very funny at times. I am getting quite attached to the spectres and I think Jordan is too.
The mystery this time was just as exciting as in the first book. Nice twists and turns and an extremely interesting look back at the past of the town. The author has given a lovely wild history to Port Chatham and the majority of the tales actually tied in with those from the first book and expanded on what the reader already learnt in Haunting Jordan.
All in all this is a delicious cozy mystery series that I am throughly enjoying! I only hope that there will be more books soon because these really have been a treat. The combination of the paranormal with a cozy mystery could turn out to be over the top and silly but P.J. Alderman has found the perfect balance and has made it work wonderfully.
Camille D'Artigo is Priestess of the Moon Mother and wife of a dragon. But her dragon father-in-law doesn't want her in the family. Captured and swept off to the Dragon Reaches, Camille must find a way to escape before her husband's father breaks her spirit...
My Thoughts :
I remember reading Witchling, the first Sisters of the Moon book, way back in 2008. The series has come a long way since then and in only just three years we have already reached the 10th book in the series and Camille's fourth leading role. When I met Camille I loved her straight away. As the series has progressed I actually came to love her sisters more. Camille has become too dramatic, sexual and bossy for my liking but I have to admit I love catching up with her and her three husbands.
Anyone who hasn't already read this series shouldn't jump in now with book ten. It would only bring on a massive headache and there is no way you can enjoy this series without knowing what happened in the previous books. As always things start off with some action. The sisters never have a moment to relax and enjoy themselves because evil never sleeps. Within the first few chapters one of the extended family is missing and the hunt is on.
However amazing the story in Courting Darkness is there should be a warning on the cover. While the scenes that play out inside this tenth book are part of the story and are vital to the plot, they are also quite graphic. This time Camille's story is extremely raw and emotional. There are surely a lot of women who will find it difficult to read some of the scenes. On the other side it is inspiring to see Camille's strength and determination shine through. I could have done without it but it certainly brought the series into another level.
The Sisters of the Moon is by far one of the best Paranormal Urban Fantasy series out there. The changing point of view each book makes it special. The three sisters and there stories, abilities and actions make it unique. There is nothing else like this and anyone who hasn't tried this series yet needs to play catch up! This is a series I highly recommend any lover of the genre to curl up with!
I look forward to Delilah's story and the continuation of the series in Shaded Vision when it comes out in February. It will be interesting to see what happens next after the happy announcement at the end of this book. Oh and I have to praise the author/publisher's for not making this series a 'once a year' book. It is great to see the sisters on such a regular basis!
Apologies to everyone waiting for the results of this contest. I was away all weekend and only had limited internet access. So today is the first day I have really been back online and have been frantically playing catch-up!
So without any further delay let's see who has won a copy of the Anthology ‘Crave the Night’ from Sharon Ashwood!
Congrats to :
Brenda Demko!!!
Thank you to everyone who entered! I enjoyed reading your selections for an anthology. Will be interesting to see if any of the authors saw them!
If you didn't win this time then don't worry! There are always more contests to enter! Keep trying!
Make sure you check out Sharon's Books!
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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.
Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.
That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.
Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.
My Review :
After the ending Chloe Neill left us with in the last Chicagoland Vampire book, Hard Bitten, I was expecting a few things in this new installment. One I can't mention because it is a bit of a spoiler but let's just say I was right, it did happen. What else? Well I expected Merit to mope around. She didn't. She got right back into the thick of things and did what she does best. So my other expectation also went out of the window as I thought this book was going to be extremely depressing. It was the exact opposite.
What the author does in Drink Deep is not only keep things interesting and on par to the previous books but she also manages to make some more extreme but wonderful twists and turns. The story is just thriving with action, mystery and paranormal delights which I absolutely love. The mixture in Neill's recipe is just right and I have no idea what her secret ingredient but she has perfected the taste, feel and texture of the dish she is serving up.
Merit is a super character and her co-stars aren't too bad either. The concept of the Chicagoland Vampires is, and still remains, a wonderful change to the usual ideas that have done over and over again. The writing style is daring which in turn means you never know what is going to happen next. It is always s surprise and shock which leaves you wanting more.
I hope the author continues to keep the Chicagoland Vampires so cool and Sophisticated. This fifth book in this series surely shows that things are far from over and I am glad there will be more. If you haven't already started this series I recommend you catch up as soon as possible because you are missing out on a huge treat. If you have been following Merit then you really need to Drink Deep and find out what happens next.
So who wins a copy of the Dearly Departed? One lucky Newsletter subscriber! So congrats to the reader with the email address starting with :
k_hreha!!!
Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!
Didn't win this time? Try again next month! If you are a newsletter subscriber you are automatically entered to each Monthly Giveaway!
Make sure you check out the books that were on offer this month! Use the links below to buy your copy and help support the Monthly Giveaway!
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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.
Sharon has a new story out inside the e-book anthology, Crave the Night. Michele Hauf, Patti O'Shea & Lori Devoti have also contributed to the book and the guy on the cover makes me think it is going to be a hot read!
Want to win a copy? Read the interview with Sharon and enter the contest.
The contest closes on Sunday 20th November at 4pm (Central European Time) so make sure you get your entry in before then!
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For more chances to win -
Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.
Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.
My Review :
I love Richelle's work but there seems to be a lot of it around lately. A new expensive release wasn't on the cards for me but when this popped up on my Audible account I couldn't resist it. Despite not enjoying the Vampire Academy Series as much as Richelle's Succubus series I was really eager to see what kind of story she could build up from the VA leftovers.
Things started off a little slow and I wondered if I had made a mistake bothering with this new series. I kept listening and really started to like Sydney a lot. She is so different to Rose and someone I would love to be friends with. For her alone I kept listening and it worked out it was worth it.
Once the story really started opening up I was hooked. The plot thickened and the story got deep. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters who were taking part in this new spin-off of the Vampire Academy series. It was amazing how different this series has started off even though it is set in the same world and shares the shame characters. I loved the new perspective and found the alchemist side of things more than interesting.
There is obviously still some more surprises to come in this series and I am really looking forward to book two when it comes out. There was a little cliffhanger at the end and quite a few unanswered questions. All in all I think Bloodlines impressed me more than the VA series ever did. I did enjoy Rose's story but somehow Sydney has won me over.
Amazing, worth reading and get a copy for your friends. This is one you can give out as a Christmas present and despite it being aimed at Young Adults it isn't childish and definitely ok for the older reader. Richelle has done a good job and I look forward to getting together with Sydney again.
The October Monthly Giveaway is still open for entries! I have extended the entry date till Wednesday because I haven't been around much to remind you guys about entering.
So far Dearly Departed by Lia Habel is in the lead. Not sure if I was expecting this one to do so well...but then again the five books on offer this month are, imho, all good reads.
Here is a little info about each book on offer this month. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -
Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!
To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Wednesday 16th of November 2011 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later that day.
Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.
Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu
Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)
Sharon has a new story out in Crave the Night, an e-book anthology with authors Michele Hauf, Patti O'Shea & Lori Devoti.
Find out more about this new anthology and also enter this weeks contest for a chance to win a copy!
Enjoy the interview and don’t forget to enter the contest!
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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest again! You have contributed a story to the anthology 'Crave the Night'. How did you get involved with the book?
Sharon It came as a wonderful surprise to me. Michele Hauf contacted me and asked if I would like to contribute. The timing was perfect because I had a slight break between projects. If it had been a few months before or after, it wouldn’t have worked out, but this anthology was obviously meant to be!
Amber - Does the anthology have a theme? Or could you enter any story you wanted?
Sharon - The parameters were fairly loose. All the stories include vampires, but we have a huge mix of other creatures: mermaids, fey, demons, and werewolves, for starters! In addition, all four stories have a different feel to them. Mine has plenty of action and a dash of humour. Others are extremely sexy. Lori Devoti’s mermaid/vampire tale is simply unique.
Amber - Did you work with the other authors involved? Get together for drinks? Or did it all go through the publisher?
Sharon We did it all through email. I have not met any of the other authors face to face. The thing is that w’¹re all old hands at the publishing routine and knew what to do. It was a very smooth and respectful collaboration.
Amber - And now the obvious question! Your contribution is called 'Hidden'. Can you tell us about the story?
Sharon - Hidden takes place in the Dark Forgotten universe, but it¹s set in the foothills of the Rockies. The tale involves Rafe, the son of the local alpha werewolf. He’s been travelling the world and receives a call to come home to help the pack. The werewolves are disappearing one by one, and they think it has to do with a beautiful and mysterious fey woman who has just built a mansion overlooking the wolves’ ranching town. So, he sets out with his vampire friend, Darak (readers will recall him from Frostbound), to save the day. Little does he know that the fey, Lila, has huge problems of her own.
Amber - Was it hard writing a short story or was it one you had waiting around for a deserving anthology?
Sharon I had the idea for a reverse Beauty and Beast story, but it was just an idea. Hidden was written specifically for this anthology. I don’t find short works easy to do, but I appreciate the opportunity to develop the skill set. It teaches a writer to be very economical. If it’s done well, a short story packs meaning into every word.
Amber - What is next? Are you working on any other projects?
Sharon - Boy, am I ever. I’ve begun a series with Harlequin Nocturne that I would describe as James Bond meets Dynasty with vampires. I’m having huge fun with it. It’s more straight PNR romance than I’ve done before, but it has a lot of thrills and spills and delightfully quirky characters. The whole series revolves around a murder, a royal wedding and a stolen bridal gown.
In addition to all that, I have another project a fantasy trilogy that will hit the shelves in 2013. This bit of news is very hot-off-the-press, so I can’t give a lot of details yet. It does mean I’ll be writing like a fiend.
Amber - What paranormal creatures would you want to write about besides the ones you've already written about?
Sharon - I want to tell a real ghost story, sort of a back-to-basics work. Ghost stories can be simple and classic but extremely nuanced. After all, ghosts are as much about our own hopes and fears as anything else.
Amber - Is there a paranormal creature you just don't like, and would never use in your books?
Sharon - Zombies. Ick. Kind of like bad house guests that keep multiplying.
Amber - An anthology may involve other authors but usually you don't actually write with them. Do you think you would be able to write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?
Sharon - I would probably drive another writer crazy. I don¹t work in a linear fashion, but hop all over the place. Some of that is a function of working during the day and writing a night, because it’s very easy to lose the thread of things. I’m always going back to earlier chapters and changing stuff to fit my vision of the moment. I never like to say what a book is about until it’s finished, because half the time I don’t really know! I won’t say that I could never work with another author and there are many, many that I admire, but it would have to be just the right project. On the other hand, I’d love to do a graphic novel. Working with an illustrator would be awesome.
Amber - And the fun last questions...What Superhero powers would you want? Or would you be a villain?
Sharon - I’ve always wanted to fly! Or figure out how to pack more than 24 hours into a day. Now that’s a power I could absolutely use!
Amber - Thank you for visiting! I hope you will stop by again sometime!
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Contest Time
Sharon is giving away a copy of the Anthology ‘Crave the Night’
How To Enter
What four authors would you like to see writing an anthology together?
No Comment = No Entry
'Please enter me' posts will not be counted as an 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 20th of November 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.
The author was here on Amberkatze's Book Blog talking about her book The Wedding Gift and other spooky things.
Kathleen was also giving away THREE copies of THE WEDDING GIFT! Maybe you are one of the lucky people who won a copy? Well the contest is over and it is time to find out who won!
Congrats to :
NoraA!!!
Gail!!!
Laurasloves!!!
Find out how to claim your prize by reading the directions below.
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.
Amber - What is next? Are you working on any other projects? 
Sharon - Zombies. Ick. Kind of like bad house guests that keep multiplying. 
