122) Entangled by Jennifer Estep, Nancy Haddock, Cynthia Eden et al.

The Blurb :

Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, and Edie Ramer, plus a novella by Allison Brennan.

My Review :

Anyone who is a regular reader of Amberkatze's Book Blog will know I am not a huge fan of anthologies. They always seem to look so tasty from the outside and a few cool authors contributing usually manage to tempt me. However every time I end up kicking myself for wasting my time and money on a book filled with ten stories of which I only liked two.

Entangled however was an anthology I can honestly say I enjoyed. For a start there are four reasons to read this collection of stories.

1. Jennifer Estep
2. Nancy Haddock
3. Cynthia Eden

And the biggest reason of all...

4. All the proceeds of this book are going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Everyone has a story to tell when it comes to breast cancer. It has touched everyone's life at some point and it is a subject that we gals all have to be aware of. So I wouldn't have cared which authors were involved in this anthology. Entangled is a must buy. I totally admire the authors for adding their contributions to this book even though they wouldn't get paid. And they added such great stories!

After a foreword from Stacia Kane the anthology kicks off with a nice Frosty story from Jennifer Estep. I really enjoyed her first Mythos Academy book, Touch of Frost, so it was great to get another peek into this new world that Jennifer has created. It may be YA but it is very original and of course brilliantly written. This short story was too short for my liking but a nice taste of what is to come in book two of the series.

The anthology continues with quite a good selection of stories that all seem to have a Halloween feel to them in one way or another. Some of the contributions were better than others but there were a couple that stood out. Cynthia Eden didn't disappoint with her tale which included vampires, werewolves and a blood moon. While other stories introduced witches who add their magic to their cupcakes and can change people into cats. All in all it was a wonderful mixture of the paranormal and of course some great romance was included.

However my favourite story in this collection has to be the short story by Nancy Haddock. I am a fan of ghost hunter stories and Nancy hit the nail on the head with her contribution. I can only hope that the story will evolve into a full novel or series because it was super! It totally took me by surprise and for me it was the best of the bunch.

Buy this anthology. Not only is it full of great stories but it is all for a good cause. Entangled releases on the 12th of September and is only available in E-book formats. So read it on your computer or phone if you have to. Just give it a chance.

My guests this Sunday on Amberkatze's Book Blog are a few contributers to the anthology and they are giving away some copies of Entangled. So make sure you come check out the event!

80) Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

The world if not the way it used to be. The ghosts came and the living are under attack. The Church of the Real Truth saved everyone and has been in charge since the government fell. Any citizen who is being harassed by the deceased gets reimbursed and it is Chess Putnam's job to make sure the claim is real.

Chess is a tattooed witch and ghost hunter. Banishing the dead is her job and she is good at it. However Chess has a problem and it all has to do with her addiction to drugs. She owes a lot of money to a drug lord and he wants payback. The nice offer of cancelling her debt if she does a job for him sounds promising but when Chess finds out what it really involves, it is too late.

The job is dangerous and involves black magic, a human sacrifice and a demonic creature. Then add a rival gang leader and you have a mixture that can only lead to trouble with a capital T. If Chess gets through this alive she is going to get all the drugs she needs. If she doesn't, well maybe she can come back and haunt the bad guys?

I have been waiting patiently for this series to start and the wait is finally over. Stacia Kane impressed me with her Megan Chase series and I was ready to be further impressed by this new offering but I am still not sure what to think. The start of this book made me do a little happy dance. I was sure this was going to be a great read. However as things progressed I had mixed feelings about this and I have to admit I am a little unsure as to what to think about this book.

The whole idea is fresh and unusual and kept me reading to the end but the main character and her self-destructive drug addictive attitude did put me off at times. The magical element mixed with ghosts was super but the alternative version of Earth still had, imho, gaps of information missing that I can only hope will be added in the next books. The religious part of this book may be hard to swallow for some readers but my reaction was that of interest and intrigue. The idea isn't at all bad and it really is something new and promising.

So Unholy Ghosts is the first book of a new series and I am glad to see that the next two books come in July and August. Will I be buying them? Well I will. Why? Well I am still unsure about this series but it has so much to offer that I want to see where it goes. This is well written Urban Fantasy and a Caitlin Kittredge and Jocelynn Drake feel to it. This is totally different to Stacia's previous books with a new style and pace.

All in all this is a good read and I finished it pretty quickly. Actually with the next books in the series coming out within the next two months it is a great Summer series to lie in the sun with. However I think this book or even the series is one where the reader really has to decide for his or herself if they liked it or not. I will certainly be trying Unholy Magic and City of Ghosts and look forward to seeing where Stacia takes this hard and gritty new series.

30) Demon Possessed by Stacia Kane

Hanging out with demons is nothing new for Megan Chase. It may only be nearly a year since they came into her life but she is getting used to them. Having a gorgeous demon lover may of helped Megan become more demon friendly but a trip to a luxury hotel shows the psychic psychologist that her relationship with Greyson still needs some work.

The hotel stay isn't really a holiday but a meeting of the demon leaders and it isn't all hugs and kisses. The FBI are snooping around and the demon community are upset with Megan for not going through with the rite that will make her a demon. If that wasn't enough there is also a strange minister doing 'exorcisms' just down the road and someone with magical abilities Megan can't distinguish is trying to kill her.

However none of that is what pushes Megan and Greyson's relationship to breaking point. A secret comes to light and it doesn't go down too well. If Megan manages to live through everything she will have a big decision to make.

Three books into the Megan Chase series and things are coming along nicely. This new installment was as good as the previous two books and I am looking forward to reading what happens next. With a great plot and likable characters it is hard not to enjoy this series. Despite the fact that we have so many Urban Paranormal books out there to choose from Stacia Kane has produced something original and exciting.

Of course it is advised that anyone wanting to try this series should start with book one, Personal Demons. Why? Well there is an ongoing storyline but to be honest it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on all of the action packed fun and paranormal goodness this series holds.

Contest Winners!

Sunday again and time for some winners!

First off the winner of the Beth Fantaskey Contest! The lucky winner will get a printed copy of the 'Wedding chapters'. It isn't anything fancy, just printed off her computer and stuck in a binder which makes it very rare! She will however sign it! Which makes it very special!

Congrats to -


Kimberly!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

I still have a winner to find for one of the Terri Garey prizes! You all have to check back to see if you won!!! Otherwise I pick another winner.

So congrats to -


Wanda Flanagan!!!


Also I didn't hear from the winner of the Stacia Kane Contest! So who is the new winner?


Dot S.!!!!


And nobody claimed the Winners choice contest! So congrats to -


Booklover0226!!!


You get to choose a book of your choice by Julie Kenner, Stacia Kane or Terri Garey!

Please make sure you check back to see if you won in the contests! I do not go looking for the winners!

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. Please make sure you mention which prize you are claiming and if needed let me know your choice of book!

I will pick a new winner if the Beth Fantaskey isn't claimed. The other contests that have already been drawn for a second time will not get drawn again. 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.

More author interviews/guest Blogs and contests coming soon! Make sure you sign up for the newsletter (see sidebar) so you don't miss anything!

Halloween Weekend Special - WINNERS!!!

Lots of winners to announce this week! So make sure you read through slowly and carefully. Speed reading could cost you a prize!

The details on how to claim your prize will be right at the end of the post. Make sure you follow the instructions so that your prize claim can be processed as quick as possible.

Before I let you know who won what! A huge thank you to all the authors who were guests on the Halloween Weekend Special. They all sent me great interviews/guest blogs and offered some amazing prizes. Thank you!

Also a thank you to all of you! Your entries and comments are always a pleasure to read and it is a joy to see the regular names as well as the new ones!

So first up we have the winner of the Julie Kenner Contest!


Steve!!!


Congrats a signed copy of Tainted will be finding its way to you!!

The next contest has two winners! Terri Garey was giving away two signed copies of her new release 'Silent Night, Haunted Night' as well as a beaded bookmark.

So congrats to -


Indigo!!!

&

Ivy!!!


Keep reading to find out how to claim your prizes!

The Stacia Kane Contest prize is a signed copy of Demon Inside! Who won?
Well Done -


AmandaK!!!


The last winner gets to pick a book from one of the above authors who took part in the Halloween Weekend Special. It has to be a book that is already on sale and can be the first in the series or the newest in the series. Who gets to pick? Congratulations -


Wantsandwishes!!!


Also there is one more winner. Nobody claimed the Maria Lima Contest prize so the new lucky person who will get a copy of her new release 'Blood Kin' (with moi mentioned in the acknowledgements!) is -


SiNn!!!


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. Please make sure you mention which prize you are claiming and if needed let me know your choice of book!

I will pick a new winner if a prize isn't claimed. 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.

More author interviews/guest Blogs and contests coming soon! Make sure you sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss anything!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

A reminder!

There are still four contests up and running from the Halloween Weekend Special!

Make sure you enter before 4pm (Central European Time) on Sunday for your chance to win!

Win a copy of Stacia Kane's Demon Inside!

Win Tainted by Julie Kenner!

Win one of two copies of Silent Night, Haunted Night by Terri Garey!

Win a book of your choice by one of the above mentioned authors!

Winners!!!

So I was meant to announce some winners yesterday but with all the Halloween Specials I decided to give myself a break and read a book ;)

Anyway lets get on with the winner announcements!

Maria Lima was giving away a copy of her new release 'Blood Kin'! One lucky winner will get a copy of Maria's new book which (as I found out today when my order arrived) has Amberkatze's Book Blog mentioned in it!

So who is the lucky winner?


Randominities!!!


Congrats! You won!!!

Keep reading to the end to find out how to claim your prize!

So the Monthly Giveaway has also come to an end and it is time to announce the winners. Yes this month there are two winners! One winner gets the treat (the book with the most votes) and one the trick (the book with the least votes)!

But first lets have a look at how the voting went...

In last place (the trick prize) was Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout with 11%.

Fourth Place went to Eve of Darkness by S. J. Day with 15% of the votes.

Third place went to Dead Man Talking by Casey Daniels which got 18%.

Then Second place was taken up by Immortal: Love Stories With Bite by P.C. Cast & Others 25%

That left Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill the winner with 31% of the votes!

So who won?

The Treat goes to the email beginning with -


Allthingsurbanfantasy!!!


And the Trick goes to the email beginning with -


Dragongoddess73!!!


Congrats to you both!

But wait! There is one more...

Nobody claimed the Casey Daniels prize! So we get to draw a new winner! So well done to -


Stephanie!!!


Make sure you don't miss out and claim your prize!

Didn't win this time? Keep tuned for the November Monthly Giveaway! Until then there are four contests up and running right now that you can enter!

Win a copy of Stacia Kane's Demon Inside!

Win Tainted by Julie Kenner!

Win one of two copies of Silent Night, Haunted Night by Terri Garey!

Win a book of your choice by one of the above mentioned authors!

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 and choice of book!

I will pick a new winner if a prize isn't claimed. 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.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Halloween Special with Stacia Kane!

To close the Halloween Weekend I have an interview to share with you! Stacia Kane is a great author who has some Personal Demons and some may say a Demon Inside. If you haven't checked out her books yet then I highly recommend you do!

Enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest! Oh and make sure you enter the other contests (see the sidebar for more info) which don't close for entries until November 8th!

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

Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you as a guest here and I hope you will enjoy your time here ;) Maybe you can start things off for us by telling my readers a bit about your Megan Chase series?

Stacia - Well, I usually describe it as a light, kind of sexy romance-y urban fantasy. It's not strictly romance, but there's a stronger romance subplot than in straight urban fantasy.

Megan Chase is a regular woman with a special skill; she's psychic. The ability serves her well in her job as a psychological counselor, but not so well in her personal life, since knowing exactly what a potential friend or lover is thinking about her isn't really conducive to close relationships. But when she takes a job doing a silly radio show--the tagline is "Let Megan Chase slay your personal demons"--she realizes there are some people she can't read: demons themselves. Her psychic abilities make her powerful in the demon world, and the "slay your personal demons" line is seen as a threat by the actual personal demons, the Yezer Ha-Ra of Hebrew and Biblical myth.

Demons exist, and they look basically like people, and to survive--and make money, lots of money--they've rganized themselves into Mafia-like "families" called Meegras. Greyson Dante, a representative of one of these Meegras, originally contacts Megan because his boss thinks her abilities can be useful. But it turns out there's a lot more to it than that, and as the days go by Megan realizes she's quite attracted to Greyson and he to her. I love Greyson. He's my idea of a perfect Alpha male: strong, smart, and in charge, but without all the Me-Tarzan-You-Jane so many "alpha males" seem to have. I always say Greyson doesn't need to behave that way because he KNOWS who he is. :-)

So watching Megan struggle to deal with all of the new information, and to forge a real life for herself in this alien demon world, is basically what the series is about. Reviewers and readers seem to have found Megan to be an extremely likable, appealing heroine with common sense, which has been really gratifying because that's exactly what I'd always hoped she would be. I wanted to create a heroine I'd actually like to hang out with, who ran away when it made more sense to run away, just like a normal person would do, but who would turn and fight--and fight hard--when there were no other options.

Amber - How was the idea for the series born? Was it a long process or something that just came to you?

Stacia - It was a little of both, actually. I'd seen several agents blogging about the phrase "[MC] has to battle his/her personal demons" and started thinking about the fun that could be had with that cliche, keeping in mind the old cartoons with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. So the tagline came to me, and originally Megan had written a book, but I didn't want to write the kind of character who would actually come up with that "Slay your personal demons" thing on her own. So the radio show was born. I'd started a ms a while back which dealt with the antipathy between demons and witches and really liked that idea, and I was thinking of adding bodyguard demons to the Megan story, and "Malleus and Maleficarum" came to me as names. Only immediately following them was "...and Spud." And it just all fell into place; the tone of the book, the characters, and the plot.

Amber - Are you anything like your characters? Are any of them based on people you know?

Stacia - Oh, there's a bit of me in all my characters, sure. Megan has some of the same likes and dislikes as me--she cooks the same foods I do, using my recipes, lol, and she's allergic to bell peppers like I am. Chess from the upcoming Downside books likes the same music I do and has some of the same opinions on things. But they're not me, and no, I've never really based a character on someone I know.

Amber - The second book in the Megan Chase series, Demon Inside, has just been released. What can people expect from the newest installment?

Stacia - More action! There's a lot more action in this one, more craziness, more violence. But I think there's more depth there too; we learn a bit about Megan's background and childhood, and her relationship with Greyson takes a few careful steps forward; they're so cautious, those two. It's really about the aftermath of the events of PERSONAL DEMONS, and how Megan deals with all the enormous changes in her life brought on by those events.

Amber - How many books will their be in the Megan Chase series? Are you working on any other projects you would like to tell us about?

Stacia - Well, I just finished the third book in the series, so there will definitely be three! And right now I'm working on a YA project, and am especially excited about the Downside books. They're much, much darker than the Demons books and much more intense. My heroine, Chess Putnam, is a drug addict who lives in a creepy punk-rock ghetto called Downside. Twenty-four years before there was a huge ghost apocalypse--the dead rose from the grave and slaughtered humanity--and it was only ended by the intervention of an atheistic, magic-based church called the Church of Truth. Chess works for the Church disproving hauntings--the Church will pay a settlement if you have a ghost in your home--and her particular expertise, along with her drug habit, leads her into some very interesting avenues. The first book, UNHOLY GHOSTS, will be out May 25 from Del Rey, with the next two books following in the next two months. We sold UK rights to the series and those will follow essentially the same schedule, and we just sold audio rights as well, so they'll be audiobooks, which is really exciting to me!

Amber - How did you end up being a writer? Was it something you always wanted to do?

Stacia - It was, yes. And over the years I tried, off and on, to do something with that ambition but I didn't really get serious about it until after my first daughter was born. She was about a year and a half old when I really gave writing a go; it was about two years later--after taking almost a year off while I was pregnant with my second and the first few months of her life--that I started selling, and I've been chugging along ever since.

Amber - How did you end up writing Paranormal Urban Fantasy? Was it planned? Is it a genre you enjoy yourself?

Stacia - I love the genre! I originally started writing medieval romances, because I love that period. But I decided to try writing a vampire erotic romance, really as a lark, and discovered I really enjoyed writing them. Through paranormal romance I discovered urban fantasy and it just clicked; that was what I wanted to write. So I did, and to my delight I found it suited my voice and style really well and was a blast to write.

Amber - What books do you like to read when you have time? Do you have any must read authors/series?

Stacia - Oh, I read almost anything I can get my hands on! Any genre, anything; it's all about voice for me. I love Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. I love Caitlin Kittredge, Richelle Mead, and Mark Henry.

Amber - How do you relax?

Stacia - With vodka. Lol. No, not really. Well, okay, sometimes. But I watch TV with my husband--we're currently catching up on MAD MEN--and I love to bake. I hardly ever eat what I bake, but I love the process of doing it. I read to my daughters or do things with them. And of course I read. A LOT. :-)

Amber - Lots of authors have playlists for their books. What music or bands would find their way onto a playlist for the Megan Chase series?

Stacia - For the Megan books? I listened to a lot of old soul music when writing DEMON INSIDE; lots of Bill Withers and Isaac Hayes and Sam Cooke. I had in mind that that was the sort of thing Greyson listened to; I could picture him driving around with those songs playing, you know?

Amber - If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be and why?

Stacia - Oh, I'd love to be a vampire. Eternal life and eternal youth? I am so there.

Amber - You are stranded on a desert island. What 5 things do you hope to have with you?

Stacia - Aside from the obvious things like a sharp knife and a firestarter? Hmm. Sunscreen. Water purifier. A phone with working internet so I can tell people where I am? And something to write with and/or on! That's seven. So I guess I can lose the purifier, and make the thing to write with or on a computer with an endless battery.

Amber - Thank you so much for being a guest on Amberkatze's Book Blog. I hope you will pop by again sometime!

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

Contest Time!

Stacia is kindly giving away a signed copy of DEMON INSIDE!! One lucky winner will get their very own demon!! Cool!!

All you have to do to enter this contest is tell us what you dressed up as this Halloween! If you didn't dress up then tell us as who you would like to dress up as.

No Costume = No entry!

The usual rules apply!

Earn another entry for each place you link this contest on the net. Make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries!

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.

I can offer more prizes if my Amazon Associates account gets more money!! So please make sure you order at Amazon.com through the links around the site and help keep the contest coming! (although right now the account is empty....)




The contest will stay open until Sunday 8th of November 2009 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.

If you are claiming a prize, have emailed me and have not heard back before the 7 day limit is up then post a comment here on the blog. Your email may get sucked into my spam filter.

Halloween is a coming! And don't forget...

Halloween is nearly here! On Amberkatze's Book Blog there will be four author guests this Halloween weekend! There will also be some great prizes to be won so make sure you check in! Julie Kenner, Stacia Kane and Terri Garey will be here and they are looking forward to spending Halloween with us ;)

Also don't forget to enter this weeks contest! Maria Lima is giving away a signed copy of her new release 'Blood Kin'. I wish I could enter the contest but of course that wouldn't be fair! So take a look at the Maria Lima Guest Blog and contest before the contest closes on Sunday.

Another reminder! The Monthly giveaway is up and running! This month there is a trick and treat prize! To find out how to enter check the Monthly Giveaway post . Make sure you enter before the closing date on Sunday!

Casey Daniels Contest Reminder!

The Casey Daniels contest is still open! You have until Sunday to enter the contest and win a signed Pepper Martin book of your choice!

I have been enjoying the entries so far. There have been some very interesting choices made and I can't wait to see what other entries come along before Sunday.

Also make sure to check back in to see if you won! Don't enter and never check back. I do not hunt down winners so you have a week to claim your prize. I am still waiting for one lucky winner of the Kelley Armstrong contest to contact me...

On Sunday there will be a new guest! Author Maria Lima will be guest blogging!

Then next weekend we have the Halloween special! With Terri Garey, Stacia Kane and more! Make sure you check in and see what is happening!

Halloween Weekend Fun!

It is nearly that time of year again! Halloween is the best holiday to celebrate the Paranormal genre and Amberkatze's Book Blog has some special guests and prizes lined up for the spookiest holiday of the year.

On Saturday 31st of October a.k.a Halloween and the 1st of November a.k.a Day of the Dead, there will be some special events taking place here. Authors Terri Garey and Stacia Kane are just two of the guests who will be making an appearance. There will also be a Monthly Giveaway winner or maybe even two winners announced (more details coming soon)!

So don't forget to drop by on Halloween weekend and see what spooky action is going on!

153) Demon Inside by Stacia Kane

Three months have passed since psychologist Megan Chase made the shocking discovery that the world is filled with demons. Strangely though Megan is the only person in the world who doesn't have her own personal demon sitting on her shoulder. However that doesn't mean she has nothing to do with the world in which they live. Megan has become the leader of a demon 'family' and is finding it hard to understand what is expected from her.

So when Megan finds out that some of her demons are being killed she is forced to address the situation. Lucky she has her demon lover Greyson Dante to help her but sometimes his help isn't the kind she needs. While Megan is busy trying to keep her demons safe and under control she also finds herself dealing with some family issues and finding out the truth about her past.

With personal problems and personal demons, Megan is really having one hell of a time. So it is great that she isn't alone. Her demon guards do everything they can and her friends Tera and Brian are always around to support her. Maybe now Megan can put the past behind her, have enough strength to get through the present and manage to face her demon future?

In April last year I read 'Personal Demons' the first in the series about Megan Chase. I absolutely loved it and couldn't wait for the next book in this amazing new series. So when the book arrived and I my review quote even made it on to the cover I knew I was in for a treat!

However before I say how great this book was I have to moan a little ;) I have to ask - Why such a long wait? I dived straight into this and felt a little out of my depth at the beginning. I realised that after all this time the storyline from Personal Demons wasn't that fresh in my mind as I thought it was. Lost and confused I kept reading and was rewarded but I have to wonder why the publishers made us wait for so long!

Apart from that, all I can say is - Bravo! Stacia Kane has got a good feeling for Paranormal Urban Fantasy and has managed to start her own unique series. Megan is a realistic character who has lots of problems but no easy way out given to her by the author. She deals with things like we all would. She screams, she runs away and sometimes she is sick from it all.

The story is fast and furious and the action is non-stop. Just when you think Megan and her demons have a break from it all something else pops up and has them on the move again. This book doesn't have any dull moments in it and once I got back into Megan's world I couldn't stay away.

If you haven't read the first book in the series, Personal Demons, then I highly recommend you read it and Demon Inside as close together as possible. If you have already read Personal Demons and like me, you read ages ago, then try to catch up with Megan first before heading on to Demon Inside.

All in all this is scary, sexy and serious. With not as many laughs as last time this series looks like it will get deeper and darker and I am all for it! Bring it on!