2011 had a lot of good books in it. Unfortunately I didn't read as much as I wanted to and didn't meet my goal of 175 books. It was close though. Just had a few too many distractions and I hope 2012 will be a better year for reading.

Now the year is over (as far as reading is concerned) and instead of a December Monthly Giveaway it is time for the Best of 2011 Giveaway! Here is your chance to win one of the top three books I read in 2011 and you all get to help choose which books were the best!

I have spent quite a bit of time going through all my reads from last year and picked out 10 books that, for me, stood out and I would say were the best. Of course there are loads more I would have loved to add to this list but I have limited myself to ten and it wasn't easy! I would have given some honourable mentions but that list started to get very long. So if you want to see all the books I read in 2011 then check out the Goodreads widget at the bottom of this post.

What is the Best of 2011 Giveaway?

I have picked ten of my favourite reads from 2011 (sorry no ARCs are included!) and now you guys go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win!

If the book has (Series) next to it then the winner can also choose another book in that series if they are missing it (Unless I can't get hold of it from bookdepository or Amazon). I have done this because some of the books I read eg. Spider's Bite and Soulless were a part of a series that had more recent release in 2011.

Remember! You may not actually win the book/series you voted for.

Here is a little info about each book on offer (in no particular order!). Just click on the book title and author to see my review -


Silver-Tongued Devil By Jaye Wells (Series)


Touch of Power By Maria V. Snyder


Working Stiff By Rachel Caine


My Life As a White Trash Zombie By Diana Rowland


The Gathering By Kelley Armstrong


The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (Series)


Sympathy for the Devil By Justin Gustainis (Series)


How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf By Molly Harper (Series)


Forsaken By Jana Oliver (Series)


Heartless by Gail Carriger






How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. Because this is the end of year giveaway I am actually going to give away a copy of the top three books! So the three books with the most votes will be the prizes. The winners get to pick which one they want from the three on a first come first served basis. So if your name is one of the three winners picked...be fast and email me your choice ;)

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 Tuesday 10th of January 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later than day.

Enter your email address:

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For more chances to win -

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

Do you 'Like' Amberkatze's Book Blog? Facebook It!

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 ;)

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Check out all the books I read in 2011

Amberkatze's bookshelf: read

Dead Bolt

by Juliet Blackwell

A Demon Does It Better

by Linda Wisdom

All That Bleeds

by Kimberly Frost

Silver-Tongued Devil

by Jaye Wells

Destined

by P.C. Cast

Labels: Contests, Diana Rowland, Gail Carriger, Jana Oliver, Jaye Wells, Justin Gustainis, Kelly Armstrong, Kimberly Derting, Maria V. Snyder, Molly Harper, Monthly Giveaway, Rachel Caine

The Blurb :

M.J. Holliday and her crew interrupt the frantic schedule of their reality TV show, Ghoul Getters, and hotfoot it to New Mexico, where a dreadful demon is waging tribal warfare. Same Whitefeather- M.J.'s spirit guide-urgently needs her help to stop this evil spirit from wiping out the descendants of his tribe. It doesn't take a psychic to predict that M.J.'s going to have a devil of a time making New Mexico a demon-free zone.

My Thoughts :

I have so many books to read but I couldn't resist this new release from Victoria Laurie. The sixth Ghost Hunter Mystery was the perfect read to see out 2011 and lived up to the style and expectations I have for this series. The author has done it again and written another fantastic book.

This time we get to learn a lot more about Heath and his family. The TV show M.J, Heath and Gilly work on has to take a break and all three head off to New Mexico. There they are confronted with a different kind of spookiness that can kill. Of course this doesn't put off the team because this time it is a bit personal. A great plot and story which I enjoyed very much even if it wasn't the best in the series it was still a brilliant read.

If you haven't already tried Victoria Laurie's work then I can only highly recommend you do. Her Psychic Eye series is very cozy but this Ghost Hunter series is becoming more and more Urban Paranormal. Hard, heavy and very spooky this book was full of action a trend I have noticed in the previous books. Things are definitely getting a little darker and deeper than they used to be and I like it.

Can't wait for more!

Labels: Ghost Hunter Mystery, Kindle, New Releases, Victoria Laurie

My last author guest this year is Jesse Kimmel-Freeman.

Have you already read the guest blog? Entered the contest? You only have one more day left to enter. The prize? Jessie is giving away three copies of her book, Bella Notte, to three lucky winners!

So make sure you enter for your chance to win!

Oh and keep an eye open for the Best of 2011 Giveaway! The poll will be going up soon!





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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

Do you 'Like' Amberkatze's Book Blog? Facebook It!





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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Never miss a contest or author event! Sign up for the newsletter!

Enter your email address:

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Labels: Contests, Jess Kimmel-Freeman

The Blurb :

Turner Construction's latest restoration project is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco. This time general contractor Mel Turner has to work around the owners who insist on sticking around- along with some ghosts that insist in their own way that the work stops...

The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it's Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building-and her reputation-before it's too late.

My Thoughts :

I thought I enjoyed the debut in this series, If Walls Could Talk, but things only get better in this sequel. Dead Bolt was just what I needed. A super cozy mystery with a huge dollop of ghostly going ons. I was hooked within pages and I nearly finished this in one day. I loved it!

What isn't to love? A great main leading lady who works restoring houses and attracts ghosts! The plot was mysterious till the end and I savoured the twists and turns the story took as Melanie went through the process of finding out what really was going on. Full of history and technical details the author really did her homework when writing this book. Which made it even more fun to read.

I got goosebumps reading some of the more ghostly parts of the book but there is no need to be scared. Dead Bolt is a fun, interesting and intriguing read. Full of mystery, caked with the paranormal and decorated with some humour and love. I love the combination and it is a true winner for me.

Hopefully there won't be a long wait till the next book. I really can't wait to see what Melanie ends up doing with her love interest and the fact that she is starting to be seen as a ghost whisperer. Roll on the next adventure! It is going on my pre-order must have list!

Labels: Book Read, Cozy Mystery, Haunted Home Renovated Mystery, Juliet Blackwell, Kindle

Lia Habel was one of my author guests this week and I was giving away a copy of her debut book, 'Dearly, Departed'.

The contest is now over and it is time to see who won! Thanks to everyone who entered. If you didn't win please make sure you check out Lia's book, it is worth it! Also make sure you come back and enter the other contests! Maybe you will be lucky next time!

So congrats to :


Slb3334!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!




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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.

Have you 'Liked' Amberkatze's Book Blog on Facebook?

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

Enter your email address:


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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, Dearly Series, Lia Habel, Winners

The Blurb :

Lovely witch Lili Carter takes a job at a paranormal hospital where patients have been disappearing. There she encounters Jared, a dangerously sexy demon on a mission that gets Lili into a world of trouble. Lili can't avoid Jared for long and soon they find themselves creating a whole new kind of magick...

My Review :

I loved Linda Wisdom's fun witchy books and even though the series has moved over to 'demons' and has lost the cool comic covers, it is still a hit with me. A Demon does it better is the newest installment and this time we get introduced to a witch called Lili and a demon called Jared. Both are mysterious and fun characters to get to know and their relationship throughout the book makes for great reading.

What the author manages to do with the rest of the story is just amazing. She not only manages to create some super background characters but she also brings in yet another excellent side-kick. Fluff and Puff are obviously the best so far but Cleo holds her own as Lili's cat familiar. She definitely adds some giggles to the whole story and I loved her just as much as the main characters.

The plot is very interesting this time around and with Lili being a doctor you are treated to a bit of Grey's Anatomy and House style drama mixed with the paranormal. The idea is once again unique and I love the way the author either brings in former characters or at least mentions them. Despite this being a new series the other witches that were mentioned back in the Jazz books are making themselves known here. So fans of Jazz really need to check out these new books.

So in conclusion, don't be put off by the change of series name or cover style. This is Linda Wisdom at her best and expanding on the Jazz Tremaine books she is so well known for. Full of paranormal delights, mystery and romance there is also a lot of fun and laughs waiting inside this book. I can only highly recommend it and say how much I eager for more.

*** A Demon does it Better is due for release on the 1st of January ***

Labels: ARC, Book Read, Demons Series, Kindle, Linda Wisdom

One of my author guests this week was Maria V. Snyder. Her new release Touch of Power is an amazing read and definitely one to buy with that money or book vouchers you got for Christmas!

If you were lucky then you may have won a signed copy of Touch of Power from Maria! The contest is now closed and it is time to see who gets the prize!

Congrats to :


Brenda Demko


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

Didn't win this time? The Lia Habel and Jesse Kimmel-Freeman contests are still open for entries! Also the Best of 2011 Giveaway will be starting soon. Make sure you check in as often as possible or subscribe to the newsletter (see below)

Make sure you check out Maria's Books! You won't be disappointed!





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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.

Have you 'Liked' Amberkatze's Book Blog on Facebook?

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 ;)

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Labels: Contests, Jess Kimmel-Freeman, Lia Habel, Maria V. Snyder, Winners

The Blurb :

As the last heiress of the House of North, Alissa knows that striking up a secret friendship with a half-vampire enforcer is dangerous, but Merrick is a temptation she can't resist. But when Alissa is kidnapped, Merrick proves that he will do anything to protect the woman who tempts him with her very existence.

My Review :

I was extremely happy to see that Kimberly Frost had a new series coming out. I loved her Southern Witch series and I was eager to see what else the author could come up with. I was hoping for something like her previous work and was surprised at how All The Bleeds turned out. It definitely wasn't what I was looking for or expecting but it certainly was a good read.

The Etherlin Series is something completely new and unique. Muses and half vampires are the main paranormals involved but demons and angels are also put in the mix along the way. The Muse aspect alone was enough to keep me reading. It wasn't something I have come across before and I wonder if it has done been done before. It was nice to have something different come my way and I have to give the author kudos for thinking up something just that little bit unusual and special.

The main characters are engaging and brilliant narrators for the story. Alissa is strong and clever while Merrick is mysterious and devious. Their relationship and the way they deal with the events thrown at them makes for action packed, romantic and powerful reading. I enjoyed getting to know them and their circumstances as well as tagging along for the ride as the plot developed. Twists and turns kept things exciting and I found it hard to put down the book all the way through.

Totally different to the Kimberly Frost the fans are used to, All That Bleeds, is more on par with Cynthia Eden's work and is far from the the fun chick-lit paranormal fun of Tammy-Jo's adventures. This book shows a completely new side to Kimberly's talents as a writer and I can't wait to read more about the Etherlin.

All That Bleeds releases on the 3rd of January and you may just want to keep some of that Christmas money or book vouchers to get a copy when it comes out. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Labels: ARC, Book Read, Etherlin Series, Kimberly Frost

Christmas is here so I thought I would surprise you all with another author guest and contest!

This time I have author Jesse Kimmel-Freeman guest blogging about her book Bella Notte!

Read the guest blog and make sure you enter the contest for your chance to win one of three copies of the book! Also make sure you check out Jesse's books! I think there is a little of something for everyone in there!

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Are you a vampire fanatic? Do you eat, sleep, dream, breathe vampires? Or maybe you just love the things that go bump in the night? Is it fangs or howls that draw you in? Are you team vampire or team werewolf? Does a full moon make you want to howl with joy? Do you love Bela Lugosi and Lan Chaney, Jr. ? Do you read Dracula religiously?

Bella Notte has vampires, werewolves and lots of fun little twists. Since it's the first book in the series, it's just the foundation being given to you. You get to know self-imposed social outcast Emma Hutchinson, home-schooled hottie Michael O'Shanold, and dreamy pretentious Dominic DeDominico.

There's a badass chick fit, a seriously near death experience, a prophecy, a ball, some coming of age drama, and all the usual nonsense that goes along with high school

Read the blurb for it:

Vampires? Check. Werewolves? Check. Death prophecy to hang over your head? Double check. Seventeen year old Emma Hutchinson struggles to find her place in the world she has been born to as she tries to decide whether she should be with Michael, the boy she has been dreaming about since she was three or if she belongs with Dominic, her betrothed.

Got your attention? Are you curious about Emma, Dom, and Mike? Good! The second book, Bella Vita, should be out in the next months too! So if you've got a thing for witches, some good and some horrid, then Bella Vita will be for you.

In honor of the holidays, there's a free short story titled “A Bella Notte Christmas Story” up on Smashwords. Check it out. Who doesn't love a good snowball fight, right?

I don't claim to have the best vampires out there- to each his own and all that- but my vampires are unique. In Bella Notte, you get to learn some of the traditional stuff- myths and legends are addressed. In Bella Vita, the real fun starts when you get to know about the natural talents some of these vampires possess. These books definitely have something for everyone.

Feel free to connect with me on Facebook, or like my author page. You can follow me on Twitter, too! Or you could follow my blog.

A big thank you to Amberkatze's Book Blog for having me and taking the time, and a huge thank you to the readers! You guys rock my socks!





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Contest Time


Jesse is giving away 3 copies of the eBook version of Bella Notte!


How To Enter


Your perfect Christmas is...?


No Answer = 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 &amp; 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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Have you 'Liked' Amberkatze's Book Blog on Facebook?

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 Saturday 31st of December 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, Jess Kimmel-Freeman

There are two contests open right now! Have you entered both of them?

Author Lia Habel was here talking about her wonderful debut book 'Dearly, Departed' and I am giving away a copy to one lucky winner!

If you like Steampunk, zombies/vampires and a good Young Adult read then you can't miss out on 'Dearly, Departed'. It was a super read and I can't wait for book two!

Make sure you enter the contest by Tuesday the 27th for the chance to win a copy!




Also visiting this week is author Maria V. Snyder! Her new release, Touch of Power, is out now and I loved it!

You have till Sunday to enter the contest where one lucky winner will get a signed copy of Touch of Power direct from Maria!

So make sure you enter both contests and be on the look out for the Best of 2011 Giveaway! I will be putting up the vote sometime over the holidays! Just have to decide which books were the best...





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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

Do you 'Like' Amberkatze's Book Blog? Facebook It!





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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Never miss a contest or author event! Sign up for the newsletter!

Enter your email address:

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Labels: Contests, Lia Habel, Maria V. Snyder

One of my author guests this week is Maria V. Snyder!

Her ninth book, Touch of Power, is now out and it is an amazing read. If you are a fan of Maria's books then this is the one you want under the Christmas Tree. Any book vouchers from Santa need to be traded in for this first in a new series. I loved it by the way ;)

Did you read the interview with the main character Avry? You have the chance to get to know the healer and a bit about the story. Also you could win a copy of Touch of Power signed by Maria!

You have till Sunday 25th December (Yes Christmas Day!) to enter!




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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

Do you 'Like' Amberkatze's Book Blog? Facebook It!





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

Never miss a contest or author event! Sign up for the newsletter!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Labels: Contests, Healer Series, Maria V. Snyder