Win on Wednesday: Contests Around the Blogosphere (15)

 

From Abigail @ All Things Urban Fantasy

First off, don’t forget I’ve got my big birthday celebration starting May 1st.  So stop back by soon and check it out! Now on to the contest list:

New Contests:

~Book Lovers Inc. is giving away a Chaos Bites ARC by Lori Handeland. Enter by April 29, 2010. (International)

~Smokinhotbooks is giving away an Amazon gift card to purchase The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber. Enter by April 29, 2010. (Open to those who can use Amazon)

~Book Rat is giving away First Daughter and Last Snow by Eric van Lustbader. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Wicked Reading by Tawania is giving away Bleach the movie. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away a copy of Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis by May 1, 2010. (US only)

~Darkly Reading is giving away either The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker or The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber. Contest ends May 1, 2010. (International)

~At Home with Books is giving away 2 copies of Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas. Contest ends May 2, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Wayfaring Writer is giving away Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky. Contest ends May 2, 2010.

~The Geeky Bookworm is offering a book from the backlist of Tracy Cooper-Posey. Enter by May 2, 2010. (International)

~Welcome to Larissa’s Life is giving away signed copy of either The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker or The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber. Enter by May 3, 2010. (International)

~Daisy Chain Book Reviews is giving away Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. Enter by May 3, 2010. (International)

~Enchanted by Books is giving away 2 copies of The Wish List by Gabi Stevens. Enter by May 3, 2010. (International)

~The Book Vixen is giving away 3 copies of Hannah’s List by Debbie Macomber and a $25 VISA gift card. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Ellz Readz is giving away Hearts at Stake and an ARC of Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Vampire Wire is giving away Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky. Contest ends May 9, 2010.

~Luxury Reading is having a Mother’s Day Romance Giveaway. Enter by May 9, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Daisy Chain Book Reviews is giving away 5 ARCs of Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James. Contest ends May 10, 2010. (International)

~The Undercover Book Lover is giving away 5 copies of The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas. Enter by May 10, 2010. (US only)

~SciFiGuy is giving away 5 copies of Lover Mine by J.R. Ward. Enter by May 10, 2010. (Canada only)

~DemonLover’s Book Reviews and More is giving away a signed copy of Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian. Enter by May 10, 2010. (US only)

~Luxury Reading is giving away Hannah: Daughers of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky. Enter by May 10, 2010. (US only)

~The First Novels Club is giving away Hand-Me-Down by Lee Nichols. Contest ends May 11, 2010. (US only)

~All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away a signed copy of Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Contest ends May 11, 2010. (US only)

~Book Junkie is giving away a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card. Contest ends May 12, 2010.

~Narratively Speaking is giving away a signed UK copy of The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. Enter by May 12, 2010. (International)

~Luxury Reading is giving away 2 signed copies of Glorious by Bernice L. McFadden. Contest ends May 12, 2010. (US only)

~The Neverending Shelf is giving away 5 copies of Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Contest ends May 12, 2010. (US only)

~The Book Muncher is giving away 2 copies of Dark Life by Kat Falls. Contest ends May 15, 2010. (UK only)

~vvb32 reads had a Werewolf Weekend. Contest are open until May 16, 2010. (International)

• Dark Moon by Lori Handeland
• Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar
• Never Cry Werewolf by L.A. Banks
• Werewolf book of choice
• Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel by Ronda Thompson
• Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney
• Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann
• Little Women and Werewolves by Louisa May Alcott and Porter Grand
• Blanca plushie werewolf
• Wolfbreed by S.A. Swann
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

~The Bookish Type is giving away a signed copy of The Curse of Nefertiti by Charline Ratcliff. Contest ends May 16, 2010. (US only)

~The Undercover Book Lover is giving away 2 copies of Siren by Tricia Rayburn. Contest ends May 18, 2010. (US only)

~The Bookologist is giving away The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Contest ends May 18, 2010. (US only)

~The Undercover Book Lover is giving away The Clearing, The Reason, and Swoon at Your Own Risk. Enter by May 20, 2010. (US only)

~The Bookologist is giving away 5 copies of the Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott. Enter by May 21, 2010. (US only)

~A Good Addiction is giving away Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti. Enter by May 25, 2010. (US only)

~I Heart Monster is giving away Everlasting swag. Enter by May 31, 2010. (International)

 

 Contests From Last Weeks Post:

~Tina’s Book Reviews is giving away 2 copies of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze. Enter by April 29, 2010.

~Book Junkie is giving away an ebook of Love Divine by Genella DeGrey. Enter by April 29, 2010. (International)

~Bloody Bookaholic is giving away Ardeur. Enter by April 29, 2010.

~Aria’s Dark Musings is in need of a button for her blog. If you design the one she likes the best, you’ll win a $10 Borders GC. Contest ends April 29, 2010.

~Parajunkee’s View is giving away a $50 VISA GC. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~SciFiGuy is giving away all 6 books in the Retrievers series by Laura Anne Gilman. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~The Wayfaring Writer is giving away Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin and Charlotte Bronte. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Sarah’s Book Reviews is giving away The Island by Sarah Singleton. This contest is only open to someone else willing to review it. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (International)

~Steph Bowe’s Hey! Teenager of the Year is having a Massive Book Giveaway! Prizes include Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Dreaming of Amelia by Jaclyn Moriarty, Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwansey, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey, The Pact by Jodi Picoult, World Shaker by Richard Harland, Exposure by Mal Peet, Sprout by Dale Peck, Panama by Shelby Hiatt, lots of swag, and if you’re an aspiring YA author you get a query critic and 5 page manuscript critique. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Paper Cut Reviews is having a Birthday Giveaway! Prizes include Host by Stephenie Meyer, Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast, Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine, Lover Mine by J.R. Ward, Into the Dark by Gena Showalter, and The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~The Undercover Book Lover is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~A Romantic Heart is giving away a New Moon dvd. Next prize added will be $15 iTunes gift card. More prizes may be added. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Personal Demons is having an April Debut Contest. Winner gets to choose from a signed ARC of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy, Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis, or Mistwood by Leah Cypess. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~vvb32 reads has extended a few of the giveaways! The new deadlines are April 30, 2010.

• Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy
• Still Alice by Lisa Genova
• Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
• The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

~LA FEMME READERS is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Steph Su Reads is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Candace’s Book Blog is giving away a signed copy of The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting & signed swag. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (US only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 3 copies of Stay a Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away The Cradle by Patrick Somerville. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 3 copies of A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~vvb32 reads is giving away 10 copies of My Little Red Book anthology. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away Hand Me Down by Lee Nichols. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US only)

~The Library of a Distracted Musician is giving away 3 copies of Admission by Jean Hadff Korelitz. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 2 copies of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze. Enter by May 1, 2010. (US only)

~Hanging with Bells! is giving away Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green. Contest ends May 1, 2010.

~Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies of Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo. Contest ends May 1, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Meghan’s Book Blog is giving away Freaks: Alive on the Inside! by Annette Curtis Klause. Contest ends May 1, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Ex Libris is having a pick your genre giveaway. Choose which category you want to win your book from. Contest ends May 2, 2010. (International)

~Book Junkie is giving away a $25 and 3 copies of The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. Enter by May 2, 2010. (US only)

~The Bookologist is giving away Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten. Contest ends May 2, 2010. (US only)

~Mundie Moms is giving away a White Cat ARC by Holly Black. Enter by May 3, 2010. (International)

~LA FEMME READERS is giving away Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction and bookmarks for both by Simone Elkeles. Enter by May 3, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Mundie Moms is giving away signed bookmarks for The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. Enter by May 4, 2010. (International)

~The Story Siren is giving away a signed copy of Something Like Fate by Susan Colasanti. Enter by May 4, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Tynga’s Reviews is giving away a $25 VISA GC & Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Contest end May 4, 2010. (US only)

~A Good Addiction is giving away Arson by Estevan Vega. Contest ends May 4, 2010.

~LA FEMME READERS is having a giveaway to celebrate passing 1000 followers! Enter to win And Then I Found Out the Truth by Jennifer Sturman and Blue Fire by Janice Hardy. Contest ends May 5, 2010.

~Rayment’s Readings, Rants and Ramblings is having a 25 Follower Giveaway! Several winners get to pick from a great list of books! The more followers that join, the more winners there will be. Contest ends May 5, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Luxury Reading is giving away 5 copies of The Light (Morpheus Road) by D.J. MacHale. Enter by May 5, 2010. (US only)

~Parajunkee’s View is giving away Master of None by Sonya Bateman. Contest ends May 6, 2010. (US only)

~Books at Midnight is giving away a $10 Amazon.com GC. Enter by May 6, 2010. (International)

~Fang-tastic Books is giving away a 16X20 Rolled Canvas Print from UPrinting.com. Enter by May 6, 2010.

~Tales of Whimsy… is giving away an ARC of My Double Life by Janette Rallison. Enter by May 6, 2010.

~Fire and Ice just hit 400 fans on Facebook so they’re having a great giveaway. Prizes include This Lullabye by Sara Dessen, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Prom Nights from Hell anthology, 2 Rustic Goth bookmarks, signed Eternal Conflict Twilight inspired CD, Fire and Ice Button, and a Princess Charm necklace. Contest ends May 7, 2010.

~Rambling of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away 5 copies of Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Kaydence’s Book Blog is giving away a $25 GC to SpaFinder. Contest ends May 7, 2010. (International)

~The Bookologist is giving away Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Wicked Little Pixie is giving away 2 hardcover copies and 2 paperbacks of Lover Mine by J.R. Ward. Enter by May 8, 2010. (Hardcover-Canada only) (Paperback-International)

~Lovin' & Livin' Life is giving away Wings by Aprilynne Pike, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, Steamed by Katie MacAlister, Mind Games by Carolyn Crane, and Demonfire by Kate Douglas. Contest ends May 10, 2010. (US only)

~Steph Su Reads is giving away an ARC of The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz, a red umbrella, and five signed bookmarks. Enter by May 11, 2010.

~Cleverly Inked is giving away 53 books from 50 authors and tons of swag! It’s an awesome giveaway you don’t want to miss! Contest ends May 13, 2010.

~The Bookologist is giving away 5 copies of Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart. Contest ends May 13, 2010. (US only)

~Bloody Bookaholic is having a Ridiculously Awesome Contest. 7 winners choose from up to 28 books. Contest ends May 14, 2010.

~Extreme Reader is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends May 15, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Fire and Ice is giving away signed Shadow Hills bookmarks and pins. Enter by May 16, 2010. (International)

~Welcome to Larissa’s Life is having a 577 Follower Giveaway! Over 5 weeks there will be 7 themes and 7 winners. Contest ends May 16, 2010. (International)

~Cherry Mishievous is giving away The Blade Itself by Joe Abercombie. Contest ends May 16, 2010.

~Candace’s Book Blog is having an Earth Day & Follower Contest. As of now the contest includes Avatar DVD, stainless steel water bottles, and reusable shopping totes. Contest ends May 18, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Bibliophilic Book Blog is having a Clear the Decks Giveaway! Fill out a survey and enter to win from a great list of books & swag that might still be added to. Contest ends May 30, 2010. (US & Canada only) (International entries for a GC)

~SciFiGuy has details for PYR’s 5th Anniversary Essay Contest.  Grand Prize winner gets a trip to Dragon Con! Other prizes as well. Contest open April 1, 2010-June 1, 2010.

~vvb32 reads is giving away Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters. Enter by June 27, 2010.

Weekly Contests:

~Community Bookstop has a new giveaway every week, starting most Wednesdays, with the winner drawn the following Wednesday.

~Fang-tastic Books has giveaways weekly, with winners announced on Wednesdays.

~Bitten by Books has new contests daily, ranging from interviews to daily book chats.

Heads Up:

Check out Book Faery’s Contest Finds- A place to enter in your contests to help spread the word about them. This is a new Saturday feature!

Check out All Things Urban Fantasy for a HUGE list of urban fantasy contests going on!

 

Feel free to email me anytime at notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com with any contests you want me to put in my next Win on Wednesday post. Also, if I missed a contest of yours, leave a link in the comments if you want to get the word out about it. Or if I got something wrong in the list, please let me know. :)

Giveaway-A-Day Countdown to My Birthday Bash!

*Contests are closed*

So, have you gotten tired of me hinting about what’s coming up in May? Well, the hinting is over. Here’s what will be taking place May 1st-13th! My Birthday is the 13th, but you all get to have fun right along with me!!

 

Schedule of Events:

May 1st~ Intro & Rules & Giveaway

May 2nd~ Ask NRSVampChick & Giveaway

May 3rd~ Aria of Aria’s Dark Musings Guest Post & Giveaway

May 4th~ Some of My Favs... & a Giveaway

May 5th~ Laura Stamps: Interview & Giveaway

May 6th~ Michele Hauf: Interview & Giveaway

May 7th~ O.M. Grey: Interview & Giveaway

May 8th~ Miss Bohemia: Guest Post & Giveaway

May 9th~ Keta Diablo: Interview & Giveaway

May 10th~ Faerie Moon Creations: Interview & Giveaway

May 11th~ Nancy Holzner: Guest Post & Giveaway

May 12th~Carolyn Crane: Guest Post & Giveaway

May 13th~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! LOL- Interview w/ me by Book Faery & Giveaway!

May 31st~ Contests end at 11:59 PM CDT.

June 4th~ Winners will be announced!

Huge thanks to Beth from Maybe Tomorrow? for making the button!

*Contests are closed*

113 Follower Giveaway Winners!!

So my 113 Follower Giveaway is over and I want to thank you all for the great turn out! By the end I had 190 GFC followers, 59 Facebook fans, 49 followers on Networked Blogs, and 287 followers on Twitter! I really can’t believe it! You all ROCK!

This contest also blew the last one out of the park w/ 71 people entering!

But you all don’t want to know about all that do you. You want to know about the prizes. Here’s what all ended up being in the prize pot:

• Boys That Bite, Stake That!, and Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi and bookmarks
• Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson and bookmarks
• Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry and bookmarks
• Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter and bookmarks
• Beyond the Night by Joss Ware and bookmarks

Each winner gets to choose one of the above. First gets first pick, second gets second pick, third chooses last.

And the winners are:

R.E.B.

Julie

Elaing8

Congrats!!! I’ll be emailing you all shortly, or feel free to email me if you beat me to it.  Julie and Elaing8 please have more than one choice prepared in case it’s already been picked.

Thanks to everyone again for the great participation! I’m looking forward to the next one! :)

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (14)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ One Persons Journey Through a World of Books!

 

It’s been a crazy week, but good. Things are moving right along here. I can’t wait for all the stuff coming up. I did manage to get some reading done even w/ all the craziness. Maybe because I wasn’t sleeping. LOL

Books Reviewed Last Week:

• Embers by Laura Bickle

Books Completed Last Week:

• Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
• Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone

Books I am Currently Reading/Listening To:

• Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready
• Mania by Craig Larsen
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

What’s Up Next:

Finishing the books I’m reading. Maybe start some books for review. Other than that, it’s time to get ready for May! Can’t wait! There will be an announcement tomorrow. :)

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren & inspired by Pop Culture Junkie

I would just like for you to keep something in mind. I got everything in the pictures in one day. It was a very happy mail day indeed w/ lots of silly happy dancing! :)

For Review:

From Ashley Ladd

• Crazy In Love

From Laura Stamps

• A Vampire’s Kiss No.1
• A Vampire’s Kiss No. 2

Won By Me:

From Adrian Phoenix

• Amazon Gift Card! (Woot!)

From vvb32 reads for Alice in Whatsitland Week

• Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
• Starbucks Ready Brew
• Somersaults
• A red box….

What’s in the little red box you ask? MY VAMPIRE!

RAWR! hehehe Sorry. v--v

Bought By Me:

He he. I really like a good deal. who doesn’t right? So when a lovely fellow blog tweeted about an awesome book closeout I had to go investigate. And look what happened:

Now if only I could remember where this website was… must find receipt. Oh, did you wanna know what the books are? *evil grin*

• Deep Water by Pamela Freeman
• Blood Ties by Pamela Freeman
• The Wanderer’s Tale by David Bilsborough
• The Society of S by Susan Hubbard
• The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven
• The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
• Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward
• A Fire in the North by David Bilsborough
• Another One Bites the Dust by Jennifer Rardin (Why do I start singing every time I say this title? lol)
• Wings by Aprilynne Pike
• Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta (x2)
• Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta (x2) (1 is signed!)

Borrowed from the Library:

R.E.A.D.S. (Regional eBook & Audio Download System) – Online Library for TN

• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Guest Blogging @ Book Chick City

Hey everyone! Make sure you head on over to Book Chick City’s House of Night Week! I have a guest post up about why I love the House of Night series! So go! Now! Please. :)

Shop on Saturday (12)

Here are some of my finds this week! Hope you enjoy them!

I don’t know if it’s the horrible weather or what, but this has me in full Southern mode. I want to be stretched out swingin’ on a porch, with a book in one hand and some sweet tea in the other. This Swing Bed is by Tim Laursen.

I’m loving these steampunk inspired earrings! These clock hand earrings are by Willow and Ivy.

Hey guys here’s an awesome Airship Pirate T-Shirt by Etta Diem. Ladies, there’s one for you too!

This made me do a double take as I was scrolling through pictures, so naturally I like it and have to share it. This Gothic Spider Necklace is by The Family Jewels.

Did you make it past the spider? Good. Check this out.

This has to be one of the coolest journals I’ve ever seen! It’s called Grannies Closet and is made by Artreasury.

Well, those are my finds this week. Do you have something you want to share w/ me and think would be a great addition to my Shop on Saturday? Let me know. Send me an email at notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com.

Friday Finds! (11)

Friday Finds are books I've heard about during the past week. Credit goes to MizB from Should Be Reading.


Found this @ Narratively Speaking

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Pub, Date: October 19, 2010
Reading Level: Young Adult
528 pages

Blurb:
While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.(From author's website)


Found this @ Salamander's Tales

Sparks by Laura Bickle
Publisher: Pocket
Pub, Date: August 31, 2010
Reading Level: Urban Fantasy
352 pages

This is the 2nd novel in the Anya Kalinczyk series, and there aren't many details out about it yet, but after reading the first book Embers, I will definitely be getting the 2nd one!

Win on Wednesday: Contests Around the Blogosphere (14)

 

From Abigail @ All Things Urban Fantasy

I’m sorry if I missed anything this week. I’m sure I did. My internet was having major troubles. I will do better next week. Feel free to email me or DM me your contest link to make sure it gets on here.

My Contest:

~Don’t forget, I’m having my 113 Follower Contest! Enter to win Boys That Bite, Stake That!, and Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi, Undead and Unwelcome  by MaryJanice Davidson, Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry, Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter, Beyond the Night by Joss Ware, and swag! More prizes and winners could be added. International contest ends April 25th!

New Contests:

~Book Faery is giving away a The Turning by Brigit Zahara. Enter by April 23, 2010. (US only)

~JoJos Book Corner is giving away Whispered Lies by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love. Enter by April 23, 2010.

~Fiction Vixen Book Reviews is giving away a signed copy of Lover Mine by J.R. Ward. Contest ends April 24, 2010. (International)

~Book Lovers Inc. is giving away Lover Mine by J.R. Ward and a book light. Enter by April 24, 2010. (International)

~Smexy Books is giving away a signed copy of Lover Mine by J.R. Ward. Contest ends April 24, 2010. (International)

~YA Highway is giving away The DUFF ARC by Kody Keplinger. Enter by April 25, 2010.

~Book Bound is giving away signed copies of all the full-length novels in the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter! Enter by April 26, 2010. (International)

~Welcome to Larissa’s Life is giving away an ebook copy of Captured or The Beauty and the Feast by Julia Rachel Barrett. Enter by April 26, 2010. (International)

~Tina’s Book Reviews is giving away 2 copies of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze. Enter by April 29, 2010.

~Book Junkie is giving away an ebook of Love Divine by Genella DeGrey. Enter by April 29, 2010. (International)

~Bloody Bookaholic is giving away Ardeur. Enter by April 29, 2010.

~Aria’s Dark Musings is in need of a button for her blog. If you design the one she likes the best, you’ll win a $10 Borders GC. Contest ends April 29, 2010.

~Parajunkee’s View is giving away a $50 VISA GC. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~SciFiGuy is giving away all 6 books in the Retrievers series by Laura Anne Gilman. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~The Wayfaring Writer is giving away Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin and Charlotte Bronte. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Sarah’s Book Reviews is giving away The Island by Sarah Singleton. This contest is only open to someone else willing to review it. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (International)

~Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies of Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo. Contest ends May 1, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Meghan’s Book Blog is giving away Freaks: Alive on the Inside! by Annette Curtis Klause. Contest ends May 1, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Ex Libris is having a pick your genre giveaway. Choose which category you want to win your book from. Contest ends May 2, 2010. (International)

~Book Junkie is giving away a $25 and 3 copies of The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. Enter by May 2, 2010. (US only)

~Mundie Moms is giving away a White Cat ARC by Holly Black. Enter by May 3, 2010. (International)

~LA FEMME READERS is giving away Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction and bookmarks for both by Simone Elkeles. Enter by May 3, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Mundie Moms is giving away signed bookmarks for The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. Enter by May 4, 2010. (International)

~The Story Siren is giving away a signed copy of Something Like Fate by Susan Colasanti. Enter by May 4, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Tynga’s Reviews is giving away a $25 VISA GC & Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Contest end May 4, 2010. (US only)

~Luxury Reading is giving away 5 copies of The Light (Morpheus Road) by D.J. MacHale. Enter by May 5, 2010. (US only)

~Parajunkee’s View is giving away Master of None by Sonya Bateman. Contest ends May 6, 2010. (US only)

~Books at Midnight is giving away a $10 Amazon.com GC. Enter by May 6, 2010. (International)

~Rambling of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away 5 copies of Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Kaydence’s Book Blog is giving away a $25 GC to SpaFinder. Contest ends May 7, 2010. (International)

~The Bookologist is giving away Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. Enter by May 7, 2010. (US only)

~Lovin' & Livin' Life is giving away Wings by Aprilynne Pike, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, Steamed by Katie MacAlister, Mind Games by Carolyn Crane, and Demonfire by Kate Douglas. Contest ends May 10, 2010. (US only)

~The Bookologist is giving away 5 copies of Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart. Contest ends May 13, 2010. (US only)

~Extreme Reader is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends May 15, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Fire and Ice is giving away signed Shadow Hills bookmarks and pins. Enter by May 16, 2010. (International)

~Candace’s Book Blog is having an Earth Day & Follower Contest. As of now the contest includes Avatar DVD, stainless steel water bottles, and reusable shopping totes. Contest ends May 18, 2010. (US & Canada only)

 

Contests From Last Weeks Post:

~Fangtastic Books is having a 500 Follower giveaway!  One lucky follower will win: A Fang-tastic Books tote bag and t-shirt, signed copies of  Eternal Desire and Insatiable by Roxanne Rhoads, Blood Ties Season 2 DVD set, Blood Price by Tanya Huff, Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro, and Mr Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange, and Marked by Passion by Kate Perry.  Contest ends whenever followers reach 500.

~The Undercover Book Lover is having a Pick Your Publisher Contest! Win books from Delacorte, Egmont, Harcourt/Graphia, Harperteen, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic. Contest ends April 22, 2010.

~Bitten by Paranormal Romance is giving away Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison. Enter by April 23, 2010.

~DemonLover’s Book Reviews and More is giving away Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kresley Cole, and Jaid Black and Hotter Than Hell by Jackie Kessler. Enter by April 23, 2010.

~Fiction Vixen Book Reviews is giving away 5 copies of Dark Deception by Dee Davis. Enter by April 23, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Wicked Little Pixie is giving away Ardeur edited by Laurell K. Hamilton. Enter by April 23, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies of Laura Rider’s Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton. Contest ends April 23, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Bibliophilic Book Blog is giving away The Highwayman by Michele Hauf. Enter by April 23, 2010.

~The Optimistic Pessimist is giving away 3 audiobooks of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. Contest ends April 24, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Story Siren is having a Spring Time ARC Contest! Prizes include She’s So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott, Hourglass by Claudia Gray, The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel, The Clearing by Heather Davis, Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr, The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy, and White Cat by Holly Black. Contest ends April 24, 2010.

~Tynga’s Reviews is giving away a book of choice from the Book Depository and a necklace. Contest ends April 24, 2010.

~The Bibliophilic Book Blog is giving away Read, Remember, Recommend by Rachelle Rogers Knight. Enter by April 25, 2010.

~Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is having a Can I Be Your Book Fairy Contest?! Right now the prizes include Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison, Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready, For Keeps by Natasha Friend, Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson, Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw, Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald, Anastasia’s Secret by Susanne Dunlap, White Cat by Holly Black, The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway, Mistwood by Leah Cypess, and Winter Longing by Tricia Mills. Enter by April 25, 2010.

~Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies of The Crazy School by Cornelia Read. Contest ends April 25, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Pop Culture Junkie is giving away an Envelope Purse from Crochet (Klutz). Enter by April 25, 2010. (US only)

~Book Junkie is giving away 5 copies of Sexaholics by Pink. Contest ends April 25, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Tynga’s Reviews is giving away 2 signed copies of Blue Aspen by Tenaya Jayne and handmade bookmarks. Enter by April 26, 2010. (International)

~Pop Culture Junkie is giving away 2 $50 iTunes GC. Enter by April 26, 2010. (US only)

~The Bookologist is having a Mega International and Fantastic YA Box Contest! The winner gets to choose one of 3 boxes containing four ARCs. Enter by April 26, 2010.

~Only Sexy Books Allowed is giving away The Carrie Diaries by Candace Brushnell. Enter by April 27, 2010.

~Angel’s Sea is having a 50 Follower Contest! Win a $25 gift card to Amazon and a signed Titus and Atreus poster. Enter by April 27, 2010.

~Bites is giving away I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter. Enter by April 27, 2010.

~Luxury Reading is giving away Get Lucky by Katherine Center. Contest ends April 27, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Pop Culture Junkie is giving away all 7 Harry Potter books & a $50 Amazon GC. Enter by April 27, 2010. (US only)

~Book Lovers Inc. is giving away Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. Please tell them that Amanda Leigh sent you. Contest ends April 28, 2010.

~Steph Bowe’s Hey! Teenager of the Year is having a Massive Book Giveaway! Prizes include Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Dreaming of Amelia by Jaclyn Moriarty, Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwansey, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey, The Pact by Jodi Picoult, World Shaker by Richard Harland, Exposure by Mal Peet, Sprout by Dale Peck, Panama by Shelby Hiatt, lots of swag, and if you’re an aspiring YA author you get a query critic and 5 page manuscript critique. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Paper Cut Reviews is having a Birthday Giveaway! Prizes include Host by Stephenie Meyer, Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast, Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine, Lover Mine by J.R. Ward, Into the Dark by Gena Showalter, and The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~The Undercover Book Lover is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~A Romantic Heart is giving away a New Moon dvd. Next prize added will be $15 iTunes gift card. More prizes may be added. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Personal Demons is having an April Debut Contest. Winner gets to choose from a signed ARC of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy, Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis, or Mistwood by Leah Cypess. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~vvb32 reads has extended a few of the giveaways! The new deadlines are April 30, 2010.

• Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy
• Still Alice by Lisa Genova
• Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
• The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

~LA FEMME READERS is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends April 30, 2010.

~Steph Su Reads is giving away Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Candace’s Book Blog is giving away a signed copy of The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting & signed swag. Contest ends April 30, 2010. (US only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 3 copies of Stay a Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away The Cradle by Patrick Somerville. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 3 copies of A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~vvb32 reads is giving away 10 copies of My Little Red Book anthology. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away Hand Me Down by Lee Nichols. Enter by April 30, 2010. (US only)

~The Library of a Distracted Musician is giving away 3 copies of Admission by Jean Hadff Korelitz. Enter by April 30, 2010.

~The Cajun Book Lady is giving away 2 copies of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze. Enter by May 1, 2010. (US only)

~Hanging with Bells! is giving away Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green. Contest ends May 1, 2010.

~The Bookologist is giving away Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten. Contest ends May 2, 2010. (US only)

~A Good Addiction is giving away Arson by Estevan Vega. Contest ends May 4, 2010.

~LA FEMME READERS is having a giveaway to celebrate passing 1000 followers! Enter to win And Then I Found Out the Truth by Jennifer Sturman and Blue Fire by Janice Hardy. Contest ends May 5, 2010.

~Rayment’s Readings, Rants and Ramblings is having a 25 Follower Giveaway! Several winners get to pick from a great list of books! The more followers that join, the more winners there will be. Contest ends May 5, 2010. (US & Canada only)

~Fang-tastic Books is giving away a 16X20 Rolled Canvas Print from UPrinting.com. Enter by May 6, 2010.

~Tales of Whimsy… is giving away an ARC of My Double Life by Janette Rallison. Enter by May 6, 2010.

~Fire and Ice just hit 400 fans on Facebook so they’re having a great giveaway. Prizes include This Lullabye by Sara Dessen, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Prom Nights from Hell anthology, 2 Rustic Goth bookmarks, signed Eternal Conflict Twilight inspired CD, Fire and Ice Button, and a Princess Charm necklace. Contest ends May 7, 2010.

~Wicked Little Pixie is giving away 2 hardcover copies and 2 paperbacks of Lover Mine by J.R. Ward. Enter by May 8, 2010. (Hardcover-Canada only) (Paperback-International)

~Steph Su Reads is giving away an ARC of The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz, a red umbrella, and five signed bookmarks. Enter by May 11, 2010.

~Cleverly Inked is giving away 53 books from 50 authors and tons of swag! It’s an awesome giveaway you don’t want to miss! Contest ends May 13, 2010.

~Bloody Bookaholic is having a Ridiculously Awesome Contest. 7 winners choose from up to 28 books. Contest ends May 14, 2010.

~Welcome to Larissa’s Life is having a 577 Follower Giveaway! Over 5 weeks there will be 7 themes and 7 winners. Contest ends May 16, 2010. (International)

~Cherry Mishievous is giving away The Blade Itself by Joe Abercombie. Contest ends May 16, 2010.

~The Bibliophilic Book Blog is having a Clear the Decks Giveaway! Fill out a survey and enter to win from a great list of books & swag that might still be added to. Contest ends May 30, 2010. (US & Canada only) (International entries for a GC)

~SciFiGuy has details for PYR’s 5th Anniversary Essay Contest.  Grand Prize winner gets a trip to Dragon Con! Other prizes as well. Contest open April 1, 2010-June 1, 2010.

~vvb32 reads is giving away Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters. Enter by June 27, 2010.

Weekly Contests:

~Community Bookstop has a new giveaway every week, starting most Wednesdays, with the winner drawn the following Wednesday.

~Fang-tastic Books has giveaways weekly, with winners announced on Wednesdays.

~Bitten by Books has new contests daily, ranging from interviews to daily book chats.

Heads Up:

Coming soon- Book Faery will be starting a contest listing. But for hers, YOU will need to go to her page and link your contest. Watch for more details! It will probably be a Sunday post. :D

Check out All Things Urban Fantasy for a HUGE list of urban fantasy contests going on!

Feel free to email me anytime at notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com with any contests you want me to put in my next Win on Wednesday post. Also, if I missed a contest of yours, leave a link in the comments if you want to get the word out about it. Or if I got something wrong in the list, please let me know. :)

Review: Embers by Laura Bickle

Embers by Laura Bickle
An Anya Kalinczyk Novel
Publisher: Pocket
Pub. Date: March 30, 2010
Genre: Urban Fantasy
368 pages

Unemployment, despair, anger--visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit's unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.

Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya--who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern--suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya--with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team --can stop it.

Anya's accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she's risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she's ever faced. (Summary from author's website)

Embers is the debut urban fantasy novel from Laura Bickle. Anya Kalinczyk is an arson investigator in Detroit, a ghost hunter, and most importantly a Lantern, the rarest kind of psychic medium. She also always wears a torque necklace around her neck that contains her familiar and guardian, Sparky, who is a Salamander, a fire elemental.

The book starts out with Anya helping out the Detroit Area Ghost Researchers (DAGR) where she must deal with a spirit in an old soda machine. Yes, you read that right a soda machine. As a Lantern she can destroy spirits, though it isn't something she likes to do. She helps out DAGR when they need her, but her day job is with the Detroit Fire Department as an arson investigator. She is currently dealing with a serial arsonist, who is leaving strange symbols at the scenes and causing impossible fires.

This case will bring her in to things she never expected, and make her face things about herself that she never wanted to face. Yet she may be able to learn more about what a Lantern is capable of and what really matters to her. You never know what you love until it could be destroyed.

I loved this book! Anya starts out trying so hard to keep herself so separate from everything so that she doesn't hurt anyone, yet she doesn't realize how many attachments to the world she really has. This book can be dark and gritty and show the darker sides to Detroit, but there're also lighter parts and beauty and hope.

Anya is a great heroine that goes through a huge transformation, and I loved taking that journey with her. The DAGR gang is fantastic, and I loved the whole dynamic of their little family. Brian, I want to know more about because he's my kind of guy, brainy, brave, and handsome. Drake is someone I ended up liking a lot too, though there were only so many ways that could end.

Then there's Sparky, the elemental familiar. My favorite familiar of all now. I absolutely adore Sparky! His Gloworm was awesome, I had one of those too! LOL His tendency to blow up things electronic was hilarious! He was fiercely protective of Anya and worried about her. I don't think I can explain how much Sparky had me laughing and smiling while I was reading this. Truly one of my favorite characters!

All in all this book is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! There are mediums, ghosts, demons, witches, people, and Sparky! It's urban fantasy through and through, and I can't wait to delve farther into this world Bickle has created. It's fantastic!

Anya Kalinczyk books:
1. Embers (available now)
2. Sparks (available August 31, 2010)

Writing as Alayna Williams
Dark Oracle (available May 25, 2010)

She will be here June 10th as a part of her Blog Tour for Dark Oracle, so make sure you check that out!




Discussion Questions for Blog w/ Bite:
1. So if you had the chance would you have a pet elemental, even with the inconvenience of broken microwaves?
Absolutely! I love Sparky! Of course, you probably already figured that out. LOL
2. What did you think about the relationship between, Brian, Anya and Drake?
I understood Anya's pull towards Drake, but I really like Brian and hope that thing escalate for them in the next book!
3. Did the book make you want to visit Detroit or steer clear?
I've been to Detroit before, and I really didn't feel a need to go back.
4. A big part of Embers surrounds paranormal activity and the whole Scooby style system....What do you think of shows like Ghost Hunter, Paranormal State and the such?
I really enjoy them, though I tend to forget about watching them unless someone reminds me. I don't think much of what is shown is real, but the entertainment is fun.
5. Do you believe in the paranormal world around us or chalk it up to complete fantasy and make believe?
I believe that there is plenty out there that we haven't discovered yet, and I'm open to things paranormal being out there, though I am a bit of a skeptic a lot of times.



*I purchased this book on my own.*

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (13)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ One Persons Journey Through a World of Books!

 

Ok, so due to making some changes on my blog and trying to plan some stuff for May & June (a big thing in May), I didn’t get much reading done and didn’t get to finish my library books. :( I’ll have to try again another time. Plus two ARCs came in from an ARC Tour, so those take priority over everything else.

Most of my reviews are being held off on being posted until I get my new rating system up and running. :)

 

Books Reviewed Last Week:

• The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Books Completed Last Week:

• Embers by Laura Bickle

Books I am Currently Reading/Listening To:

• Mania by Craig Larsen
• Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

What’s Up Next:

• Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
• Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready

 

What are you reading?

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren & inspired by Pop Culture Junkie

This week was an awesome mail week! Every day deserved a happy dance, and got one!

For Review:

From Dark Faerie Tales- Book It Forward ARC Tours

• Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
• Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone

Won By Me:

From Fantasy Dreamer’s Ramblings

• Shade Fright by Sean Cummings (signed)

From Book Bound

• Can’t Teach an Old Demon New Tricks by Cara Lockwood (signed)

From Book Chick City

• Blood Vice by Keith Melton (signed)

From Princess Bookie during Contest Craze

• Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock

From Jackie Kessler (Resulting in a hyper squee-worthy moment on twitter lol)

• Shades of Gray ARC by Jackie Kessler
• Black and White by Jackie Kessler
• buttons
• notepad

Bought By Me:

Earrings! This has nothing to do w/ books, but they’re cute and I like them! I got them at a music and craft fair I went to yesterday. It was great. Looked at crafts for a while, listened to some good karaoke (it is possible), listened to some hard rock, then saw Charlie Daniels play!

Made by Vashti