Thoughts of a Scot: giveaway

Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Friday, 29 April 2016

The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert PLUS a giveaway

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert continues her smoking-hot series about the O'Malleys — wealthy, powerful, and full of scandalous family secrets.

Carrigan O'Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she's ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.

Hallorans vs. O'Malleys — that's how it's always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family's empire instead of how silky Carrigan's skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he'll be if he can't get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

So she's done it again - Robert has brought sexiness to life with her words. We got to see how well James and Carrigan fit when they hooked up during The Marriage Contract - although there's something kind of weird about them continuing to hook up after what James did to her in that book but I'm not going to spoiler it too much in case you haven't read it.

To be fair, Carrigan tried to avoid James while James tried to find her. The last thing she wants is to see him but when they finally meet back up, she has feelings for him and that's just a bit weird - she should hate his guts ..... no matter how hot he is.

Still, they make a good couple and bring things out of each other that nobody else ever would. Of course, they have to sneak around behind their families and one of Carrigan's brother turns into a bt of a douche near the end of the book - I didn't like him. There's definitely lots of sexy times in this book but also a lot of very sweet moments that obviously make you route for the two of them.

There's some set up for another O'Malley sibling but I don't know if he's actually the next in the series but I hope he is because I liked how his character was growing in this. (edit: I read the synopsis after I wrote this and it is him so I'm looking forward to that.)

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Waterstones | Barnes and Noble | Kobo UK | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

_________________________________
EXCERPT

She headed for her favorite booth, but drew up short when she saw that it was occupied. Her brain took precious seconds to catch up to her eyes. There he was, the asshole, sitting in her booth with his legs stretched out in front of him, wearing those jeans that hugged his ass and thighs and a smug smirk, with his arms stretched out across the back of the booth. Challenging her.

In case she missed all that written all over his face, there were two drinks in front of him — a beer and, if she didn't miss her guess, a dirty martini. Her preferred drink. How the hell did he even know that?

Oh yes, this was a challenge all right.

Every intelligent cell in her brain demanded she turn around and walk away. Run away. But then the bastard raised an eyebrow, as if daring her to sit down and drink with him, and she threw common sense right out the window. Carrigan strode across the distance separating them, putting a little more swing into her step and smiling to herself when his gaze tracked the movement. Album or not, tangled history or no, he wanted her.

And she wasn't above using that against him.

"Two nights in a row. I must have pissed off Lady Luck somehow." She sank onto the cushioned seat across the small table from him. The bartender appeared half a second later, and Carrigan smiled sweetly at her. "A dirty martini, please."

The woman looked at the table, looked back at her, and shrugged. "Sure thing."

If anything James just seemed more amused. "Too good for my drinks?"

"I'm not stupid enough to take a drink I've left unattended ... and I've never laid eyes on this one until I got here. Party Girl 101."

"Now, lovely, why would I need to drug you? You came here of your own free will, just like I knew you would." He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees, drawing her gaze to the way his black T-shirt clung to his shoulders and how his dangling hands seemed designed to frame the bulge between his legs.

Her body zinged to life in a way it hadn't in months. It was all too easy to take a walk down memory lane and feel him lifting her against that wall and shoving his cock home, growling filthy words in her ear in that same tone of voice he was using now.

Shit.

She held his gaze even though all she wanted to do was look away. James wasn't pretty. He was far too masculine for that. The first time she'd seen him, she thought he'd look perfectly at home on the back of a Harley, and that perception hadn't changed with time. Everything about him screamed danger in a way she wasn't used to. The men in her family were dangerous — there was no doubt of that — but it was a polished danger. James's wasn’t. He was gritty and primal and ... She really needed to stop. Right now. "I wouldn’t put anything past you at this point."

"You wound me."

"You kidnapped me. I'd say we're nowhere near even." Something she had to keep reminding herself, though the fact she kept forgetting annoyed the hell out of her. Only a weak woman would get all aflutter over a man who obviously meant her harm. A weak woman or one with a death wish.

Carrigan wasn't either.
_________________________________

Coming in July 2016, An Indecent Proposal

Get to know another O'Malley sibling - Cillian O'Malley

Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi learned from her Russian mob family - and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognises the red flag of his family name ... yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast - and how hard - she's falling for him.

Plagued by a violent past, Cillian is more vulnerable than anyone realises. Anyone except Olivia, whose beauty, compassion, and pride have him at "hello," even if she's more inclined to say good-bye to an O'Malley. While his proposal of sex with no strings seems simple, what he feels for her isn't, especially after he learns that she belongs to a rival crime family. Cillian knows that there is no escape from the life, but Olivia may be worth trying-and dying-for ...

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert plus giveaway

Teague O'Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family's name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a "business" alliance, Teague's ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O'Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn't aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they're in. Because Callie's keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn't know could get him killed.

So it's no secret and shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that's read my blog that I love Katee's writing and this book is no different.

She writes really ~~lick~~likeable characters and Teague follows suit. I suppose Callie does as well to a point but not as ~~lick~~likeable as Teague - or some of the other guys and gals in this.

Teague and Callie are forced into a marriage by their fathers after Callie's first betrothed is killed. Even though they're both against the marriage, there's instant attraction and Teague feels the need to protect Callie.

The fact that they both have their secrets from each other and their families helps them come together which, let's face it, is what we want. As I've said Katee writes lickable, yummy and likeable characters as well as in depth worlds and backgrounds. I will most definitely be continuing with this series and can't wait for more, especially with the knowledge of who has their story coming up.

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Waterstones | Nook UK | Barnes and Noble | Kobo UK | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

EXCERPT

"There's always good and bad, all mixed together."
"Exactly." He finally looked at her, pinning her in place with his gaze. "Though I'll admit there's more good to this situation than I would have expected."
Desire rose up in a tidal wave that had shivers working their way through her body. Good lord, the man knew how to turn a conversation into something else entirely with a single look. She reached for her wine again, only to find the glass empty. Keep it together, Callie. You know how to flirt.
Yes, she did. But this wasn't harmless flirting. Nothing about Teague was harmless. He saw too much. He was an O'Malley. And, perhaps most importantly, he was going to be her husband in a very short time.
He seemed to realize her mind was going a million miles a second, because he sat back, breaking the moment. "Now I have a question for you."
"Yes?" She put as much nonchalance into her tone as she possibly could. The candlelight played along his cheekbones and jaw, the shadows dancing over his cheeks, following a path her fingers itched to trace. What was wrong with her? She should be focusing on what their next move was, not on how intimate it was to sit this close to him.
"Would you have actually married Brendan if someone hadn't done you the favor of offing him?"
She looked into his dark eyes and couldn't lie. "No." That man was a monster. She might regret the events that had brought her to that horrible strip club and put a gun into her hands, but once she knew the truth about him, she never could have signed her life away to him. And if it took her all of a week to find out what kind of man he was, Papa should have known a long time ago. She shifted, the realization sitting like a block of concrete in her stomach. Had he known and gone forward with the engagement anyway?
He must have. There was no other explanation.
"Which begs the question - are you planning on marrying me?"
It shouldn't be different - Teague was just as much a stranger as Brendan had been. But it was different. Even knowing him such a short time, she couldn't shake the belief that he'd never raise a hand against her. That didn't mean she could trust him, though, unexpectedly revealing information or not. He was loyal to his family first and foremost, the same way she was.
She wanted Teague, and a part of her that didn't have a lick of sense thought she could trust him. That, more than anything else, made him a potential threat in a way that Brendan never could have been.
"That's quite the proposal, Teague O'Malley."
He grinned, completely unrepentant. "I plan on making up for the lack of originality in other ways."
It was all too easy to imagine exactly the sort of thing his tone suggested. It took her back to that alley, to that kiss, to her desire for more. Callie reached across the table and snagged his whiskey, lifting it to her lips with a shaking hand. "Yes, Teague. I'll marry you."

The lovely people at Barclay publicity are offering up a giftcard to some lucky reader
a Rafflecopter giveaway

There's also the chance to win a paperback copy of the book from the publicity company which is open to US/Canada residents only but since I'm UK based I've also decided to put up my own offer for UK readers
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, 11 December 2015

His To Take by Katee Robert + a giveaway

A game of truth or dare gets WAY out of hand in the sexiest way possible, in Katee Robert's His to Take.
Fans of Samanthe Beck's Private Practice or No Strings Attached by Nicolette Day, will devour the final installment of the Out of Uniform series by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Katee Robert.

Erin Robinson is having an epically bad year. Her blossoming career on Broadway tanked, forcing her to crawl back to home to Wellington. The icing on her failure cake? Her former on-again, off-again fling is in town, and the sexy Marine is taking up way too much space.

Warren Davis always knew Erin was special, which is exactly why he can't have her. A girl like her deserves something permanent — something neither of them wants. But now that they're both back in town and she's right there in front of him, a challenge in her eyes he's never been able to resist, he's questioning everything.

That challenge quickly escalates into an epic game of Truth or Dare. Erin's sure she's got him on lock, but as the night progresses, Warren's dares intensify, drowning her in lust. But with the past still breathing down their necks, there's no way either of them can win ...

So sad this series is over! But at least Katee Robert has ended on a high.

We've met Warren before in His To Keep and we met Erin's brother in the same book but I can't remember if we've met Erin before now. I'll tell you something, I don't get why anyone would leave this little town because it seems to be full of hotties!

Warren and Erin have a history that can't be denied when they meet up again and Erin can't help but respond to Warren's game of Truth or Dare.

I've re-read this series a few times either because I want something quick and fun (and hot!) to read or I'm in a reading funk and I know for a fact these will get me out of it.

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste deLaney - Review and Giveaway

Since her partner's death, Jodi Israel has been perfectly happy playing Q to everyone else's Bond. Electronics and machines are safer - and they are a lot easier to deal with. Unfortunately, she's stuck with TRAIT's newest recruit, an infuriating, arrogant alpha-male who plays by his own rules ... and is hot enough to send electric voltage through all of Jodi's circuitry.

Finn Danby heeds his instincts, even though it's cost him his job on more than one occasion. The moment he sees Jodi's fiery hair and uncanny engineering abilities, Finn's instinct takes over ... and it's all libido. Now they're working together to protect the unstable daughter of a high-profile politician - and the sparks are flying. Both in and out of the bedroom. But when all hell breaks loose, Jodi and Finn just may find themselves alone ... and unemployed.

Release Date 21st April 2015

Love this series but how weird must it be to work at TRAIT knowing that all your co-workers are hooking up and becoming couples? I mean what are the chances that so many people within the same company partner up with their actual partners? This is not a complaint! I still love the series and can't wait to read more, I kinda want Marron to get his sexy on.

Anyway, back to this book. Finn comes across as a bit of a douche but eventually proves to Jodi that he can work as part of a team - although he's still a bit of a douche, just a douche-y team player. Jodi tries to break up the partnership at the beginning because she's happy enough working on gadgets and is still upset by what happened to her last partner. We also discover exactly how secret the secret agency really is and the work that it takes to keep it that way.

I really enjoy this series and the world and characters deLaney is building and I'm definitely looking forward to more.

Amazon UK: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon US: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon Ca: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon AU: Fighting for Keeps
Barnes & Noble: Fighting for Keeps
Kobo: Fighting for Keeps
iTunes: Fighting for Keeps
All Romance: Fighting for Keeps

To celebrate the new book, I had wanted to giveaway the entire series but it's only available in ebook form which is hard to do so I'll give a giftcard to the amount of the three books in whatever format you read them in and for whatever country you live in. So, an Amazon GC if you want Kindle or a Nook GC if you want Nook etc.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, 7 April 2015

Spell Weaver by Angela Addams - Review and Giveaway

Colouring outside the lines can sting like hell...

Shot by a Huntress, his wolf trapped within him, Dyami Storm is battling a poison that is eating him alive. His only hope is finding his mate, but without his wolf to guide him, he doesn't know where to look.

The second the sexy bad boy stumbles into her tattoo shop, smelling of booze and oozing attitude, Summer Sinclair knows he's trouble. She should turn him away, but a strange magnetic pull compels her to help him out with a little ink.

When Summer's boyfriend walks through the door, Dyami senses he's in the presence of a Hunter, and the Hunter recognises him as a wolf. With hackles raised, a weapon coming at him, Dyami's only choice snaps into place. Bite Summer, marking her as his — and unleashing her powers as a Spell Weaver.

On the run from Hunters and losing his fight against the poison, Dyami is in a race against time to convince Summer her power could change the course of the war ... and that his fate is in her hands.

I've liked Dyami since the beginning, quite possibly because he's the drummer .....

Anyway, this is his story and his chance to finally get rid of the poison in his system. The one thing I didn't believe was that Summer tattooed him while he was obviously drunk, not many artists would do that.

Summer's Hunter mate is a bit of a douche so I was happy this story was from the wolf POV and I didn't have to put up with him too much. Dyami and Summer's story is a bit different from the other wolves due to his poisoned state.

I like this series, the stories are nice and quick to read and quite enjoyable. Definitely looking forward to more.

Amazon UK: Spell-Weaver
Amazon.com: Spell Weaver
Amazon.ca: Spell Weaver
Amazon.au: Spell Weaver
Nook UK: Spell Weaver
Barnes & Noble: Spell Weaver
Kobo: Spell Weaver
iTunes: Spell Weaver
Samhain Publishing: Spell Weaver

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.

She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband and children.

Website
Twitter
Pinterest
Facebook
Goodreads

Angela is also giving away a signed copy of Wolves' Bane, a limited edition Order of the Wolf keyring and a signed Cursed bookmark. It is only open to Canadian and US addresses (which sadly means I can't enter - I want that keyring!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, 13 January 2014

Brazen Release Day Blog Tour and Giveaway

I'm extremely honoured and excited to be a part of this Brazen release day tour for two authors that I've both read and loved. My review for In Bed With Mr Wrong went live this morning. I haven't had the pleasure of reading Fighting for Irish yet but believe me when I say I will be reading as soon as I can. It's already pre-ordered to my Kindle so I can start reading it today.

Brazen has proven to publish some great authors and the covers always look fab, the colours always make them stand out.

So this is the official blog tour and giveaway for Katee Robert and Gina L. Maxwell:

The dynamic duo took the NYT and USA TODAY lists by storm the last time they released together, so we can't wait to see what shenanigans they have in store for 2014!

New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert kicks off her new Out of Uniform series with IN BED WITH MR. WRONG, a hilarious enemies-to-lovers story you don't want to miss. Air Force Pararescuer Ryan Flannery avoids his hometown at all costs, so he's not thrilled when he's set up on a blind date — until he meets mousy librarian Brianne Nave. Her sweet curves and kissable lips are a siren's call, but her smart mouth? Not so much. How can two people have so little chemistry outside the bedroom when they fit together so perfectly in it? When Ryan and Bri are stranded in a cabin by their friends, they'll be forced to find out ... if they don't kill each other first.

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Excerpt: In Bed with Mr. Wrong by Katee Robert

"Don't think for a second you're getting a good-night kiss."
"A kiss from you?" He stepped forward into her finger, forcing her to open her hand against his chest or take a step back. She refused to budge. He leaned down, crowding her. "I'd rather kiss a snake."
"Then it's too bad it's winter, because they're in short supply." She pushed at his chest again, nearly snarling when he didn't move. "You should just burn something else down. That might draw a few to the heat."
"Or maybe I'll just set fire to your goddamn granny panties. That's sure to create a big enough blaze."
Her jaw dropped open and she swallowed hard. "As if you could."
"Watch me."
He grabbed her hips and yanked her against him. Bri gasped. There was so much heat in his blue eyes, it was a wonder every single article of clothing she wore didn't go up in smoke. "You—"
But then she saw it. The challenge hidden behind the heat. He didn't think she could handle this. Handle him.
His mouth curled into a smirk, and his hands tightened on her hips. The feel of his fingers digging into her flesh through the thin fabric of her skirt made her want to throw all caution to the wind. He thought he'd won, did he?
"Screw it." She grabbed the lapels of his shirt and went up on her tiptoes to smash her lips against his. He froze, then stumbled backward and slammed into the wall of her screened porch, taking her with him. A wave of victory went through her. For all his talk, he hadn't expected her to make a move. She moved one hand to the back of his neck and tipped his head down so she could set her teeth into his bottom lip.
Just like that, he came alive in her arms and pulled her tighter against him. His tongue delved into her mouth, stroking hers with no hesitation, igniting her passion until she couldn't fight back a moan. How could one giant brute taste so decadent? She slid her tongue along his, not sure if she was searching for an answer or simply enjoying the way her very nerves seemed to spark and dance at every place they touched.
Would her whole body do that if they were naked?
Whoa. Where had that thought come from? She was proving him wrong, not jumping into bed with the man. She tried to pull away. "I think—"
"Stop talking."

Keep reading:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Gina L. Maxwell comes out swinging with the latest installment of her New York Times bestselling Fighting for Love series, FIGHTING FOR IRISH. When he learns a friend's sister has forty-eight hours to make good on an ex's debt to a crime boss, former MMA fighter Aiden "Irish" O'Brien heads to Louisiana to offer himself up as collateral. But to satisfy the debt, he has to do the one thing he swore he'd never do again: fight. With more than just money on the line, can Irish reclaim the man he once was for the woman he can't live without?

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Excerpt: Fighting For Irish by Gina Maxwell

Aiden dropped his hands to her hips and stepped closer. "Will you stay tonight?" he asked softly.
"I'll stay."
One night. He could do that, couldn't he? Then he could get this need for her out of his system and focus on winning the tournament to free her from any danger. His job would be done, his debt paid to Jax, and he could move back home to continue his daily penance and meaningless existence.
But right now he wanted to feel alive again, if only for a night in the arms of the woman who'd had his balls on lockdown for months. She was the reason no one else even appealed to him anymore. He needed her, just this once. But he wouldn't do it without an understanding between them.
"Kat, can I be honest with you?" Aiden was aware of the fine line he was walking. Now he just had to do it without sounding crude or disrespectful, which would be a challenge. He was no smooth-talking Romeo.
Meeting her expectant gaze, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the possibility of getting slapped. "I wanna be with you tonight."
"As in, with me with me?"
"Yeah," he said, amusement lifting a corner of his mouth. "With you with you. It's been a really long time since I wanted someone as much I want you."
"Really?" she asked breathlessly.
"You sound surprised."
She offered a weak shrug and suddenly found interest in the floorboards. "You seem like you'd be more into exciting, exotic looking women. Like one of those sexy, new-age pin-up girls with the flawless skin and beautiful tattoos."
He almost laughed until he realized she was serious. She had no idea what she did to him. Grabbing one of her hands still resting on his shoulder, he slowly dragged it over his chest and down his stomach until they finally reached his stiff erection straining against the restrictive boxer briefs under his shorts.
Aiden groaned as he molded her hand over his cock. The feel of her gripping him nearly redefined the word "premature". She drew in a quick breath and raised her eyes to his. Her cheeks filling with a pretty shade of pink did crazy things to his insides. The more her innocence showed through the more he wanted her.
He couldn't make sense of it. She was right. Typically he went for the larger-than-life women who treated every day like it was their own personal thrill ride. Kat was something else entirely. Worldly beyond her years, yet somehow more innocent than she should be.
"This is how into you I am, sweetheart. Believe me when I tell you I couldn't fake this kind of interest," he assured her. "I want you, Kat. Wicked bad. But I don't have anything more to offer you than one night. That's me being honest. So if you wanna give me the red light now I'll understand, but you gotta let me know while I still have use of some of my brain."
"Green."

Keep reading:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Rafflecopter Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Win a Kindle Fire (US only) or $100 Amazon giftcard or $100 paypal cash (International)

Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer has launched a new site aimed at bringing you the best Kindle Ebook Deals and Steals.

Each day on feedyourreader.com you'll find a new list of available ebook deals (most for under $3).

And of course there will be lots of Featured Freebies too!

To celebrate the launch of the new site she is giving away a Kindle Fire, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.

Win a 7" Kindle Fire (US only)

Or $100 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $100 in Paypal Cash (International)

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" (US Only), $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 5/5/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $100-$159 US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, 14 March 2013

300th Blog Post Contest

****THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED****

So as it's my 300th blog post, I thought I'd have a contest to celebrate it. But it's not going to be an easy one - oh no, no "comment to win" on here.

Below are some quotes - they are the first lines of the first books in some of my favourite series. Now, I have mentioned these being my favourite series at some point on here. Either in the review of one of the books or even in a specific Favourite Series post.

Let's begin!

1. I eyeballed the freezer, trying to decide what to cook for dinner that night.

2. "Bronwyn Alessia St.Vincent Clare!"

3. I have to.

4. The moment the door opened I knew an ass-kicking was inevitable.

5. Riley Blackthorne rolled her eyes.

6. "Come on!" Emma whispered from my right, her words floating from her mouth in a thin white cloud.

7. On the day Claire became a member of the Glass house, somebody stole her laundry.

8. Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal.

9. No one knew better than Walter Rice that the only safe place was away from other people.

10. I felt her fear before I heard her screams.

And that's your lot. Some of them, I realise, are easier since names and such are mentioned but I feel they make up for the slightly harder ones of the list.

Rather than list the answers in the comments - which makes it too easy to cheat if you don't know the answer - I'd like you to email your answers to thoughtsofascot@gmail.com - I want the book titles, not the series.

The winner will be the person with all answers correct or highest number of correct answers. In the event of more than one winner, I'll randomly select a winner.

Now for the prize! The winner will receive their choice of the books to the value of £15 - open to any country that Book Depository delivers to.

So good luck to all who enter and the contest will run until 28th March.

****THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED****

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

YA Author Signing in Your Hometown? Here's Your Chance

Have you ever wished that a big YA book tour would make a stop in your hometown? Well, here's your chance for that wish to come true! YA2U is a program that features five award-winning and best-selling authors who are holding a contest to see what city they should visit in an exclusive tour stop!

The authors are collecting votes from January 1 to February 15, and any city in the continental US or any Canadian city that has an international airport can win an exclusive visit from all five authors, including an author panel and book signing! Entering is super easy--and if you help spread the word about the contest, you can also enter win a signed copy of all of their books (TEN signed books in total!) - and the book contest is open internationally!

The authors in the program are:

Marie Lu, the New York Times best-selling author of Legend and the upcoming Prodigy
Marissa Meyer, the New York Times best-selling author of Cinder and the upcoming Scarlet
Beth Revis, the New York Times best-selling author of Across the Universe, A Million Suns, and the upcoming Shades of Earth
Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch and the highly-anticipated upcoming The Archived
Megan Shepherd, author of the debut novel The Madman's Daughter

And they want to have an event in your home town! To participate, just got to the YA2U site and let them know what city you want them to come to. And while you're there, help spread the word about the contest and you can be entered to win all of their books - that's TEN signed books in total!

Here's why the YA2U Team should come to MY hometown!

I'd LOVE for an author tour to come to my hometown but I live in a small coastal town in the West of Scotland called Irvine so the chances of this happening if left up to chance, are very slim - here's a little history about Irvine.
It's been about since mid 12th century and there is a LOT of history in this town. If you're the same as my friend and love castles - Irvine has 3 (mostly ruins now but that's what happens). Plus Scotland isn't exactly huge so any others are usually easily within travel distance.
Now on the off chance that people want my small hometown to win but we have no international airport? No worries, we're a short 30 minutes travel from Glasgow which is a major Scottish city, again with LOADS of history but it's lucky enough to also have a lot of stuff to do for any downtime.

Why should the YA2U Team come to your hometown? Why not join in the fun today and share with others about this program and your hometown. The more votes your town gets, the closer you are to having your very own personal tour stop! Vote for YOUR town here!

And if you help spread the word, you can also participate in the book giveaway. Tell them that you learned about YA2U from me and we both get extra entries in the contest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

WINNER of The Iron Witch Giveaway

The winner of The Iron Witch was deedee1369.

Thanks to all who entered and congrats to Deedee1369 who I'm sure will enjoy The Iron Witch as much as I did.

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

The Iron Witch giveaway

So for the first post on my updated blog I thought I'd try another giveaway of The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney.

I ran a giveaway for this when I reviewed The Wood Queen but I limited it to the UK as I was paying for postage. Unfortunately there were no takers so I'm doing a re-giveaway and this time it's open internationally.

All you have to do is follow and leave a comment below with your e-mail address and I'll randomly choose a winner.

Closing date Wednesday 30th May

NOW CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney PLUS Giveaway

Born into the mysterious world of an ancient alchemical order. Donna has always been aware of the dark feud that exists between alchemists and the fey. Her own mother - bound by a dark Faerie curse - has been confined to a hospital bed for as long as she can remember ... But now there is a chance to release her, and Donna will stop at nothing until she is free.

Armed with her own brand of powerful magic, Donna must face the fearsome Wood Queen in order to save her mother. But in the Ironwood - a place that haunts Donna's dreams - there is far greater and more dangerous magic already at work ...

The sequel to the impressive The Iron Witch sees Donna facing .... god knows what from the judges on her hearing. She doesn't know how they're going to find her or what her punishment will be for what she did in the first book. But her mother seems to get more ill and she discovers that the Wood Queen is behind her illness, to help her mother Donna must help the Wood Queen using her powers that she's not even sure about.

I didn't like this book as much as the first but it was a nice sequel and allowed the storyline to progress a bit more, it also set up the sequel nicely. We don't find out everything there is to know about Donna's new found powers so there's plenty of story still to be told, as well as the small problem of what the Wood Queen made Donna do.

I'm not entirely sure who I can and cannot trust in this series, whenever I think I can trust someone I discover that I, in fact, can't. I enjoy Mahoney's writing style and her character development. Really looking forward to the next in the series and finding out more about Donna's power.

And, as it says in the title, I'm doing a giveaway. This is for a copy of The Iron Witch and this is for a copy of the book I actually own (new and unread, it came with The Wood Queen) so it is only open to UK addresses.

All you have to do is leave a comment below with your name and email address, then I will randomly choose a winner. It's that easy ~ enjoy!

CLOSING DATE: Friday 4th May

Book Depository: The Wood Queen
Amazon UK: The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

We have a Winner

The winner of our Rachel McClellan giveaway is Anne Michaud.

Congratulations Anne, on winning Fractured Light and Rachel's "special" prize

This necklace is similar to one that's mentioned in Fractured Light.

Thank you to everyone who entered, and congrats again to Anne for winning.

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Interview with Rachel McClellan plus a Contest

I’d like to welcome Rachel McClellan to the blog, she’s the author of upcoming YA book, Fractured Light which is due for release on the 7th February 2012, and she’s agreed to come by for an interview.

Julie-Anne: What made you decide to write a YA book?

Rachel: A teenager’s life is a magical thing. Every event is heightened by emotions making for great tension and a lot of fun. I’ve worked with teenagers for years so it felt natural to write a story geared towards them.

JA: You had a big Gaelic background in your book, do you have any Celt in your own heritage?

R: Actually, I do. My grandmother hails from Norway, while the other side of my family came from Ireland. A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and was blown away by the beauty and ambiance of the landscape. I can honestly say that there was something about Ireland that focused me as a writer.

JA: Where did you get the idea of using Light as a power?

R: I’ve always heard of people who are able to see others auras, a light/energy surrounding a person. I thought it would be cool to take this light and energy and turn it into a real power someone could use.

JA: I’m hoping there will be a 2nd book, will we get more of May in there?

R: There will be a book two, FRACTURED TRUTH, tentatively set for release in February 2013. I’m super excited about it because it’s set at an all girls school where everyone has to be fair, nice, non-competitive, etc. On top of dealing with what happened to her at the end of FRACTURED LIGHT, Llona’s going to have some serious issues with Lucent Academy’s rules.
As for May, she’s right there with Llona. BFF’s forever! And in book two May will be developing her own power as a Fury. Fire. Is. Cool. Together, with a few more interesting friends, they’ll uncover a huge plot, that, unless they stop it, will destroy the Aura’s.
(*Happy Dance*) ~ JA

JA: What is your writing style? Do you plan and outline or do you just go for it?

R: Before I begin any story, I always know the ending. I won’t even start typing unless I know how it’s all going to end. But once I know this, I just go for it. I do check my word length every so often to make sure I’m where I need to be and sometimes I’ll loosely outline a few chapters ahead.

JA: I know some authors will make up a playlist before writing a book, are you one of them?

R: Freak, yes, I love music. I have a playlist I listened to all the time when writing Fractured Light. One of these days, I’ll put it up on my blog because it fits the book perfectly.
(I always like seeing an author's playlist) ~ JA

JA: For any aspiring authors out there, what’s your advice on getting published?

R: When people find out I’m published, our conversation goes like this:
“I love to write, too,” they say.
“Really? What do you write?” I say.
“Pretty much everything. I’ve got a couple of short stories and a novel I’ve been working on for awhile. I’d love to get them published.”
“Do you belong to any writing groups?”
“No.”
“Have you taken any writing classes?”
“No.”
“Have you read any books on writing?”
“No.” Pause. “Do I have to do any of those things to be published?”
“Yes!”
An aspiring author must learn all there is to writing and publishing a book. It’s a long, and sometimes lonely, road. It can be discouraging, but once writing gets into your soul, it becomes just as important as breathing.

JA: Who are some of your favourite authors?

R: There are so many, but I really enjoy Dean Koontz, Suzanne Collins, Joshua Gaylord, Ayn Rand, C.S. Lewis, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Shelley, James Dashner, and on and on.

JA: Did any particular book or author inspire you to start writing?

R: There’s not a particular book that made me want to start writing, but there are books I’ve studied to help me become a better author. I studied Odd Thomas and The Reapers are the Angels for character development, I studied The Maze Runner and Hunger Games for pacing and tension, and I studied Jekyll and Hyde and The Book Thief for the way they used words to describe feelings, events, objects, etc.
If you have time to read while you’re writing, what are some of your favourite series out just now? The Maze Runner series is a really good one. Of course Hunger Games. I enjoyed the first few books of the Uglies series. And if you’re in it for the long haul, The Outlander Series is also good.
(I've only recently discovered The Hunger Games myself, they're great!) ~ JA

Thanks so much for stopping by and any readers out there, I highly recommend Fractured Light when it comes out.

And now ........... the contest!

The prize is a copy of Fractured Light, when it's released, and a special gift from Rachel herself which I am not going to reveal, but I will tell you it's Fractured Light connected. To win this great prize, just answer the question below, which Rachel has kindly provided for me:

I love Tim Burton movies. Without looking it up (honor code people), how many Tim Burton films can you name?

As Rachel says, please follow the honour code and don't use Google. The winner will NOT be chosen by numbers alone. Just comment below with your answers and remember to leave your e-mail address so I can contact the winner.

Last date to enter is: 7th December

Friday, 11 February 2011

Winner of Sabina Kane giveaway

Using Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is Bea!

Congratulations to Bea, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I do.

Friday, 28 January 2011

Green Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells plus an awesome Giveaway

The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. Her sister has been kidnapped by her grandmother, the Dark Races are on the brink of war, and a mysterious order is manipulating everyone behind the scenes.

Working on information provided by an unlikely ally, Sabina and her trusty sidekicks – a sexy mage named Adam Lazarus and Giguhl, a Mischief demon – head to New Orleans to begin the hunt for her sister. Once there, they must contend with belligerent werewolves, magic-wielding vampires and – perhaps most frightening of all – humans.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about most, she must save herself from the ghosts of her past.

Release Date (UK) 03/02/11 (US) 01/03/11

This is the third book in the Sabina Kane series. The first is Red Headed Stepchild and the second is The Mage in Black. I was sucked in by the first book and I'm still in love with this series now. Sabina is a kick ass half mage half vampire (or magepire), Adam is a hot mage Pythian guard and Giguhl is the funniest demon sidekick ever (not that he has huge competition in that category but still).

Sabina's twin, Maisie, was kidnapped at the end of Mage in Black by Sabina's grandmother. Lavinia Kane is the Alpha Domina (queen bitch of all vampires) and hates Sabina and Maisie because of their mixed blood heritage. In this book, Sabina tries to find Maisie and hopes to finally defeat Lavinia. She meets new friends and finds out more about her mage powers in this book as well as finally realising the depths her emotions can go.

Of the new characters introduced in this book, Brooks is my favourite. I'm not going to tell you anything about him so don't worry, no spoilers here. Although out of all the characters in the series I think Giguhl will always be my favourite. He's just awesome, so cheeky and horny it makes for some awesome one liners from him, and I still giggle at his nickname for Sabina, "Trampire". Can't wait for more from Sabina and co. and hope Jaye has lots of books planned for them.

Book Depository: Green-Eyed Demon
Amazon UK: Green-Eyed Demon

And a first for my blog, I'm going to run a giveaway with this review. To be in with a chance to win a copy of not just Green Eyed Demon, but also Red Headed Stepchild and Mage in Black (yes I am just that awesome!) just follow this blog and comment below. Tell me where you heard of my blog or where you stumbled across it and what your favourite series of the moment is or are, then I'll randomly choose a winner. Leave an email address where I can contact you for your details as well, or your twitter name if you don't want to leave your email. And that is all there is to it, to be in with a chance to win all the books so far in this awesome series.
The giveaway is open to any country that Book Depository delivers to, which I think is all of them! So follow and comment, it can't hurt and it costs you nothing.

Contest will run for a fortnight so end date is 11/02/11.