147) Cloud City by Jeanne C. Stein

The Blurb :

Vampire Anna Strong never expected to find the witch Sophie Deveraux on her doorstep, asking for a favor. But Sophie needs help, even if it's from the vampire who killed her sister. Anna, driven both by guilt and obligation, agrees to help Sophie and her psychic alter-ego Jonathan. So begins an adventure that takes them to Leadville, Colorado. All too soon, Anna wonders whether Sophie is truly a victim of circumstance . . . or the author of a clever plot to rid herself of her unwanted psychic twin.

My Thoughts :

The Anna Strong Chronicles are over but I was happy to see this short story on Amazon and had to have it.  I am glad that the series is over and that Anna got an ending but that isn't to say I won't miss this series.  I loved Anna and her kick-ass attitude she was, as named, Strong and she was a character I could admire and always enjoy catching up with.

So this novella wasn't on my to be read pile for long.  I had to have another fix of one of my all time favourites and this was just what I needed.  This story was brilliant.  Of course it couldn't beat a full length novel but it came pretty damn close.  The depth the author managed to get into such a short story and the wonderful plot that made up this installment was just amazing.  I couldn't have wished for anything better.

If you haven't already read this series then I suggest you do as soon as possible.  Now it is over you can read them all in one delightful gulp.  If you want to try the series before you buy then this novella may just be what you are looking for.  It doesn't give away much of the previous plot but it is marked as fitting into the series as #8.5.

So now I am left waiting for some new from this author.  However once thing is certain.  I will be visiting this series again soon.  I plan on listening to all the books via audible.

 

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Monthly Giveaway Results!

I haven't been around much again lately!  Real work is annoying sometimes! ;)

Anyway it is time to see which book won the Monthly Giveaway and which lucky person has won a copy of the winning book!

What is the Monthly Giveaway? 

Every month you have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month then you guys get to vote  for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win!

So here are the results!


Hounded by Kevin Hearne came in last with only 5% of the votes.  I think you have all read this one already so it didn't really have a chance against the other books on offer.  However if you haven't read this series yet, do it asap!

In fourth place with just under 13% of the vote was Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch.  This is a great series and if you haven't had the pleasure yet then I highly recommend listening to this one on Audiobook.

The last Anna Strong book, Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein, came in at 3rd place.  A brilliant series I am sad to see end but I am happy that Anna got a rest at last.  She deserves it!  Make sure you check this one out.

With the amazing author line up in the anthology Carniepunk it isn't a surprise that this book did so well!  2nd place with 25% of the votes is a great success if you ask me!

The one I knew that would win!  Omens by Kelley Armstrong comes out in poll position in the poll with a whopping 42% of the vote!  A great debut in a new series and I can't wait for the next part.  Congrats!


The Lucky Winner....

So check the Rafflecopter widget below because it should be showing the name of one lucky winner.  If that is you then you have won a copy of Omens by Kelley Armstrong!  Get in touch with me to claim your prize and make sure to let me know if you want a Kindle version or a hard copy.  Also include your address (home or email depending on the version you want!).

Didn't win this time?  Well keep trying!!!  Oh and make sure you check out all the books that were offered in the Monthly Giveaway.  They are all amazing, special and unforgettable reads!

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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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Monthly Giveaway : Last Reminder

Only a day to go!  Have you voted?  Have you entered?  This is your last chance to make sure you are a part of this months giveaway!

If you haven't come across the Monthly Giveaway before or need a refresher then here is the info!

What is the Monthly Giveaway? 

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) 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 :




Broken Homes (Peter Grant #4) by Ben Aaronovitch



Blood Bond (Anna Strong Chronicles #9) by Jeanne C. Stein



Omens (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong


Carniepunk (Anthology) by Various Authors 


Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne 

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. Then enter the Monthly Giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. When the giveaway is over the winner gets book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Newsletter 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 24th of September 2013 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

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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Monthly Giveaway Reminder!

Sorry I haven't been around much this week but I wasn't well and didn't have the energy to do much reading let alone blogging.  I have however been feeling better the last couple of days so there are some new book reviews coming up this week.

Anyway I thought I would remind you all about the Monthly Giveaway!  You still have a week left to enter so make sure you have already voted and entered!

If you haven't come across the Monthly Giveaway before or need a refresher then here is the info!

What is the Monthly Giveaway? 

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) 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 :




Broken Homes (Peter Grant #4) by Ben Aaronovitch



Blood Bond (Anna Strong Chronicles #9) by Jeanne C. Stein



Omens (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong


Carniepunk (Anthology) by Various Authors 


Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne 

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. Then enter the Monthly Giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. When the giveaway is over the winner gets book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Newsletter 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 24th of September 2013 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

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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Monthy Giveaway!

August has come and gone so it is time for another Monthly Giveaway!

I haven't had much time for reading lately and it is annoying me a lot!  The options for this months giveaway are, despite my lack of reading, not a bad bunch to choose from.  I hope you manage to find one to vote for and maybe, just maybe, you will win a copy!

So who wants to win a copy of one of my favourite reads in August? Keep reading and find out more!

Every month here on Amberkatze's Book Blog there is a Monthly Giveaway!

What is the Monthly Giveaway? 

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) 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 :




Broken Homes (Peter Grant #4) by Ben Aaronovitch



Blood Bond (Anna Strong Chronicles #9) by Jeanne C. Stein



Omens (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong


Carniepunk (Anthology) by Various Authors 


Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne 

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. Then enter the Monthly Giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. When the giveaway is over the winner gets book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Newsletter 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 24th of September 2013 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

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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118) Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein

The Blurb :
As a vampire, Anna Strong has an immortal life…but now she’s running out of time.

Anna’s relationship with shape-shifter Daniel Frey has given her hope for a future with him and his son—especially when Frey proposes…

But just when Anna starts to think her life couldn’t be better, she must fly to France to be at the side of her dying mother. There she learns that not every vampire accepts her Chosen One status. And one such vamp is about to go rogue—by leading his followers in a fight to usurp humanity…

My Thoughts :
Blood Bond is the ninth and last book in the Anna Strong Chronicles.  I am sad to see this series come to an end.  I have been enjoying Anna's stories for years and I loook forward to every Summer because I know a new installment will be released.  However on the otherside, every good thing must come to an end and Anna has definitely gone through enough and deserves some kind of retirement.
Any fans will feel the difference in this book straight away.  Anna has come so far and changed so much that it is hard not to notice how easy going she suddenly is.  How much she really wants to settle down.  How little trouble she manages to get involved in.  This book feels like the end from the very beginning and the only surprise is how it will all finish.
Readers who are looking for the kick-ass vampire chick they have come to know and love will be slightly disappointed with this last installment.  The lack of fights and problems leave a gap in the usual thrilling story I I was expecting but to be honest it was refreshing to have Anna deal with life.  A life she nearly lost all those books ago and a life she has been fighting to keep all these years.  
It was a fitting and lovely ending and there is always a chance Anna can come back again.  After all she is immortal and it would be nice to catch up with her life now and again.  Maybe via a few short stories?  I would love to know how she gets on with the life she has made for herself.  I think fans will be happy to see where she ends up.  
If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Anna Strong yet then you now have the wonderful opportunity to read the whole series in one go.  If you already a friend of this brilliant vampire then don't take too long waiting to read this finale.  While tamer and less exciting then the previous installments it is the ultimate book in the series giving the reader everything they wanted for Anna. 





 
 

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Monthly Giveaway Results & Winner Announcement

All it takes to win a book in the Monthly Giveaway is to go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win and then make sure you enter you name into the hat by using the widget.

Did you enter? Because it is time to see which of the five books got the most votes (the top two places both go to debuts!) and who has won a copy of the winning book!

Here are the results :


Haunted by Jeanne C. Stein & No Quest For The Wicked by Shanna Swendson share joint 4th place. Each managed to get 13.33% of the votes!


Supernatural Born Killers by Casey Daniels made it to third place with 18.33% of the votes.


Second place goes to Clean by Alex Hughes with 25% of the votes.


So the winner this month is : In a Fix by Linda Grimes ! 30% of the votes was enough to get this debut book to the top of this months Giveaway! Congrats!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you the winner? Check the widget above and see if you have won a copy of In A Fix by Linda Grimes!

Didn't win this time? Make sure you come back in October for the next Monthly Giveaway!

Want more contests? Check out the sidebar for the current author event --->

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

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.

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

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Monthly Giveaway Reminder!

The Monthly Giveaway is your chance to vote for a book and win a copy! Have you already entered?

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

What is the Monthly Giveaway?

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) 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 -



Supernatural Born Killers by Casey Daniels



In a Fix by Linda Grimes


Clean by Alex Hughes


Haunted by Jeanne C. Stein


No Quest For The Wicked by Shanna Swendson
(only available in e-book format)

You have till Wednesday 22nd of October 2012 4pm to enter! Click here for more info!

Monthly Giveaway

Another month has come and gone!! So it is time for the September Monthly Giveaway to start!

I read some interesting books in September and as always picking five books for the Monthly Giveaway was hard work. So now I have picked my selection it is time for you all to see what you could win!

Would you like to win one of the books I read in September? Well you can! Just keep reading and enter the Monthly Giveaway!

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

What is the Monthly Giveaway?

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) 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 -



Supernatural Born Killers by Casey Daniels

In a Fix by Linda Grimes


Clean by Alex Hughes


Haunted by Jeanne C. Stein


No Quest For The Wicked by Shanna Swendson
(only available in e-book format)

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. Then enter the Monthly Giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. When the giveaway is over the winner gets book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Newsletter 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 22nd of October 2012 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

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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132) Haunted by Jeanne C. Stein

The Blurb :

Anna’s shape-shifting friend Culebra finally opens up to her about his life before he owned Beso de la Muerte, a bar catering to supernatural clientele. As if summoned by the conversation, Culebra’s past stumbles into his bar in the form of an old buddy cashing in a favor.

Soon Anna, Culebra and her ex, DEA agent Max, find themselves deep in Mexico, dealing with drug cartel infighting, old vendettas and missing girls. Mexico just may prove to be Anna’s best match yet.


My Review :

I have been a huge fan of the Anna Strong Chronicles for a very long time. So it was no surprise that this new installment in the series was pre-ordered on my Kindle. However it is a surprise that the book has been out for about a month and I only got around to reading it this week! Too many books and not enough time!

What can I say about this new addition? I think the best way to sum it up is to say that Jeanne C. Stein delivered another amazing read! I loved it! Anna's life and her adventures just keep getting better and better. With twists and turns that you can't predict and with stories that are never boring.

Anna is like the friend you have always wanted in your life. Yes she gets caught up in stuff, nasty stuff, due to her being a vampire and all but if you need her she is there. Anna proves this in spades in Haunted. However be prepared to lose someone that fans have come to admire but be happy in the knowledge that Anna also has some new people come into her life.

This is a spectacular series and I hate having to wait so long for every new book. But the wait is always worth it! If you haven't met Anna yet then I suggest you do! The books are exciting, full of action and ones you can't put down easily. If you are already a fan then make sure you catch up with Anna in this latest edition because there are some interesting surprises waiting for you!

47) The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein

The Blurb :

Anna Strong is trained for anything--until she's attacked one night, only to awaken in a dark world that exists between the living and the dead. Here, Anna struggles with her love for the two men who inhabit each realm. As her two worlds collide, fate plunges Anna into the ultimate battle between good and evil, where survival is not just for the living.

My Thoughts :

The Anna Strong Chronicles is one of my favourite series and I believe The Becoming was one of the very first books I read in the genre. It was a book that enjoyed so much that I continued reading more about vampires and other things that go bump in the night, so it has a very special place on my bookshelf and in my heart.

One day I came across this first book in the series on sale at Audible and decided to snap it up. It was strange going back to the very beginning of things but it was also very interesting to see how much I actually remembered about the Becoming of Anna Strong. Where as a few things felt familiar there was really a lot I had forgotten and I couldn't stop myself from listening to the story at every opportunity.

This is a spectacular series and one that all lovers of Paranormal Urban Fantasy should read. If you haven't already tried this series then you have a bit to catch up on. Make sure you start at the beginning and enjoy the ride. It is a little bloody and bumpy at times but it an amazing and original story.

Jeanne is one of my favourite authors and Anna is one of my favourite female vamps. I loved revisiting her debut and can't wait for the next book in the series when it comes out in Summer! That will be the eighth book and I am amazed at how far Anna has come and how deep and addictive her story has become. A must read!

September Monthly Giveaway Results & Winner

The September Monthly Giveaway is now over! the poll is closed and it is time to announce which book you all want the most and which newsletter subscriber gets a copy of said book!

Here are the results of the poll!

With only 5.56% of the votes, Blood Sacrifice By Maria Lima is last in the vote! Can't believe this!

Fourth place goes to Changeling Moon by Dani Harper. 12.5% of the votes isn't bad for a debut book!

19.44% of the votes was only good enough for third place this month. That honour goes to

Crossroads by Jeanne C. Stein.

Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead came in second place with 20.83% of the votes. This was the one I expected to see win.

This came as a huge surprise to me! This months winner isSupernaturally by Kiersten White! An amazing 41.67% of votes gets this Young Adult read first place.

So the winner will get a copy of Supernaturally by Kiersten White!

Congrats to the winner of the Monthly Giveaway! If you email address beings with :


Annemarie562000!!

You have won!

Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

Didn't win this time? If you subscribed to the newsletter then you are automatically entered to each Monthly Giveaway!

More contests are coming so keep checking back!

Please use the links below to buy your books and keep the Monthly Giveaway going!





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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.

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