Win a copy of Lucinda's Web by Dorothy Morrison

Exclusive Bitten by Books Interview & Contest

with Author Dorothy Morrison

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up. Open to readers worldwide!

NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:00 pm CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments over the next few days.

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Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. 16 lucky participants will win Dorothy will be giving away FIFTEEN copies of Lucinda’s Web PLUS an amazing magical prize package that includes:

• 1 copy of Lucinda’s Web
• 1 Lucinda’s Web coffee mug
• 1 Lucinda’s Web tote bag
• 1 each of the four spell kits associated with Lucinda’s Web: 1 Lucinda’s Love Trick, 1 Marie Laveau kit, 1 Elegba kit, and 1 Oya kit

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To read the interview and learn how to win one of these amazing prizes, click on over to Bitten By Books!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Win a copy of The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collins

Robyn over at Putting Pen to Paper is running a contest this month.

The prize: a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Head on over to Robyn's blog for more information.

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

~Willow

Win a SIGNED copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth + Launch Party Swag

Enter the Book Giveaway for a SIGNED copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and swag from the Book Launch Party of Awesome!

So, you didn't get a chance to go to the launch party for The Forest of Hands and Teeth? Don't feel bad! Beth Revis has got you covered!

She's prepared a goody bag of all the stuff from the launch party--a little zombie man, a tin of gummy brains, a bookmark, a postcard of the launch party, and, best of all, a signed copy of Carrie's book!

If you'd like to win all the swag she stashed from Carrie's party, all you have to do is leave her a comment, telling her:
- What swag you'd like to give for your book launch (if you're an aspiring writer),
- What swag you did give away at your book launch (if you're a published author), or
- What swag you think would be cool to get if you went to a book launch for your favorite book (if you're a reader).

As always, there are many ways to win... But, you'll have to click on over to Beth's blog to find out what those ways are and to read the rules. Contest closes on April 5th.

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Murv (a.k.a. - M.R. Sellars) is over at Bitten By Books!

Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author M. R. Sellars

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up. Open to readers worldwide!

NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:00 pm CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments through tomorrow afternoon.

Interview:
Hi M. R.! Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today! I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of M.R.’s latest release Blood Moon.

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To read the rest of the interview and learn how to enter the contest to win one of the following prize packs, click on over to Bitten By Books.

- 10 Autographed copies of Blood Moon
- 6 Autographed copies of Harm None
- 1 COMPLETE Autographed set of The Rowan Gant Investigator Series

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To read reviews on the Rowan Gant Investigator Series posted by Bitten By Books, as well as my comments to the reviews, click here.

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Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Save the Contemporary - Lisa Kleypas, Smooth Talking Stranger

Ella Varner has it all–a successful career as an advice columnist, a handsome boyfriend, and a circle of friends in Austin. When anyone has a problem, Ella knows the answers.

But one night she receives a call that changes everything. And as Ella’s world is turned upside-down, she meets a man who is the opposite of everything she ever wanted . . . a man who will offer her the most irresistible challenge she has ever known . . . Excerpt

To reward those who help spread the contemporary goodness, St. Martin’s Press has provided us with 20 copies of Smooth Talking Stranger to giveaway and a grand prize package of 20 titles from SMP’s backlist (Lora Leigh, Jennifer Crusie, Cheyenne McCray, and the like) to a random entrant.

To participate... Head on over to Save The Contemporary!

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Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

A Circle of Books Contest - Drood by Dan Simmons

A Circle of Books Contest - Drood by Dan Simmons

A Circle of Books is giving away three copies of Drood, by Dan Simmons Audio Book.

The last day to enter is March 31st and the winners will be announced on April 1st, 2009.

Click here to enter.

Amazing Twilight Giveaways!

BookRoom Reviews and Mom on the Random are both in the midst of several Twilight inspired contests. Here's a glimpse of what each site is giving away:

BookRoom Reviews

• Scare Baby T-Shirts... click here to enter.
  
• Oak Boston button pins... click here to enter.
• Custom Scents Online parfum spray... click here to enter.
• Charm Factory charm bracelet... click here to enter.
• Terra Firma Cosmetics Twilight inspired makeup kits... click here to enter.
• Last Day of Forever Designs jewelry... click here to enter.
  

Mom on the Random

• Scare Baby T-Shirts... click here to enter.
  
• Oak Boston button pins... click here to enter.
• Custom Scents Online parfum spray... click here to enter.
• Charm Factory charm bracelet... click here to enter.
• Terra Firma Cosmetics Twilight inspired makeup kits... click here to enter.
• Last Day of Forever Designs jewelry... click here to enter.

So click on over and check out these duplicate contests and double your chances for winning any or all of the prizes.

Good Luck!

~Willow

Bitten By Books Contest - Molly Harper

Exclusive Bitten by Books

Interview with Author Molly Harper

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up. The contest runs today through tomorrow at 3:00 EDT time. Open to readers worldwide!

NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:30 am CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments.

Interview:

Hi Molly!

Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!

I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Molly’s upcoming release Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs.

BBB: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing?

MH: Reigning in my “tangents” and sticking with an effective, fluid plotline. I tend to develop these really interesting little supporting characters, who are fun and fascinating, but ultimately do nothing to move the story along. And because I’m so fond of them, I tend to take it personally when someone suggests cutting them. This is odd because cutting those characters inevitably makes the story better. I guess I am a slow learner.

BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?

MH: When I read something I’ve written aloud and someone laughs at just the right moment. There is nothing better than that.

BBB: What impact do electronic readers such as Kindle 2or Sony Digital Book Reader create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?

MH: Like anything there are pros and cons, but any medium that delivers the books people want is a good thing. I’ll put it this way, before I bought an iPod, I bought maybe three CDs in a year. Since I bought an iPod, I’ve probably increased my music consumption ten-fold. So when I actually get around to buy an electronic reader, my book consumption will probably increase, too. I don’t think people will buy fewer books just because they’re easier to carry around.

BBB: Will Jane ever kick her sister’s ass??? Or will we readers at least see Jenny get what she deserves?

MH: There is an ass-kicking royale on the horizon. You will have to wait for it. But that the foam bats and mud pit involved will be worth the wait.

Yes, I am serious.

BBB: What will Jane do now that she’s no longer a librarian?

MH: She will continue working with Mr. Wainwright at Specialty Books. She’s happy there. She has a purpose. The books, and Mr. Wainwright, need her.

BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?

MH: I keep my “rules” that I laid out in the first book I a separate document so I can refer back to it. It keeps me from violating my own vampire lore, like if Jane developed a sudden aversion to crosses when I’ve established that religious articles have no inherent power over vampires.

I do struggle with keeping up with names of minor characters, because I’ve renamed Zeb’s family members and Jolene’s cousins a half-dozen times. So I have to keep a list of those, too.

BBB: Can you tell us what your next release (s) will be? Do you have any more books planned for Jane Jameson and company? And do you have stand alone titles forthcoming?

MH: Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men, the follow up to Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs, will be released in September 2009. The third book, Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever, is tentatively scheduled for release in January 2010. I have written a non-paranormal romantic comedy, which I hope sells soon. And when I put the finishing touches on the third Jane Jameson book, I want to finish a werewolf romance book I have outlined. I’ve really enjoyed writing the “one-shot” books. It’s amazing how quick writing a stand-alone title seems when you’ve been working on the same series for two years! It’s like instant gratification by comparison.

BBB: How do you dream up your characters and are they inspired by anyone famous.

MH: Jane came to me as the hapless victim of my question, “What would be the most embarrassing way possible to be turned into a vampire?” And now she’s become the friend I hang out with late at night, which just sounds sad. My husband insists that Gabriel Nightengale is based on him… and I don’t see the harm in letting him think that. All of the other characters seemed to blossom from the corners of my brain as I wrote. It was like they walked in front of my computer and introduced themselves, i.e. “Hi, I’m Aunt Jettie. You need me to be a stabilizing force in Jane’s life and provide paranormal exposition.”

And when I picture the characters, their mannerisms are uniquely theirs. When describing them physically, I try to think of the actor I would cast in their part. I won’t reveal my choices as I don’t want to come across as, well, creepy.

BBB: What is your all time favorite paranormal/urban fantasy book?

MH: Demons Are a Ghoul’s Best Friend by Victoria Laurie. I always have high hopes for the “payoff” in a ghost story, the moment when you see the haunting’s backstory. And I’m usually disappointed because the ghost’s background isn’t scary enough.

Of the books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen, “Demons” is the only ghost story I’ve walked away from thinking, “There is no way to improve upon that. My expectations are totally fulfilled.” Even though the ghost is a sick, twisted $&#@, Laurie offers the reader an awesome piece of storytelling.

BBB: What do you like to do in between all the time you spend writing?

MH: Hmmm. Work full-time, raise my kids, and try to make my husband feel like he hasn’t been totally abandoned to my wild ambition? Oh, and sleep.

I’m a huge movie buff, but I have the world’s worst taste in movies. Seriously, I paid good money to see The Rage: Carrie 2 in theaters. The good thing is the DVDs I want are always available at the store… because no one else wants them. I love to read, but I have a harder time doing that since the book sold, because as much as I’m enjoying a book, the whole time I’m thinking, “I really should be working on my own stuff right now.” I used to cross-stitch and decorate really ornate cakes for fun, but it’s hard to justify spending three hours creating fondant flowers when you have a publishing deadline hanging over your head.

BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?

MH: I worked for six years as a newspaper reporter, covering education… which ended up including courts, cops, quilt shows. I also got to write about bizarre happenings, such as the man who lost the full-grown bear he kept in his basement because he had to run inside to answer the phone while taking the bear for a “walk” in his backyard. I loved my job, but I left the paper in 2006 so I could keep a more stable schedule for my family. I had nights off for the first time in my adult life and suddenly had the time and energy to write!

I worked as a secretary as a Baptist church while I wrote vampire books at night. I still work full-time, writing for a medical advocacy group, then writing at night after the kids go to bed. At first, my goal was to sell one book. Now my goal is to write enough books that I can stay home and write full-time

BBB: Is there more to Zeb’s headaches?

MH: Yes, but you’ll have to read Book 2, Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men, to find out. But don’t worry, it’s not a tumor. This is Half-Moon Hollow, not Days of Our Lives.

BBB: Will we be seeing more of the werewolves? Or get some of their stories too?

MH: Yes, Jolene and her family will play a major role in Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men, as Zeb and Jolene plan their wedding. I didn’t mean to base the werewolves on any particular family, but several friends have accused me of character infringement because Jolene’s big loud, over-involved redneck pack reminds them of their families. The McClaines are fun to write about. Just imagine people who think Thomas Kinkade in fine art and live their lives by the tenets set forth in Walker, Texas Ranger. And they also happen to turn into wolves.

I’m all about the subtlety.

BBB: Will Dick Cheney get his HEA?

MH: Dick is my favorite character in the series, which is probably why he gets the best lines. So of course, he will get his happy ending. It won’t be the way he expects it to work out, but he will be very content by the end of his story.

BBB: How true are rumors that you secretly crave chocolate Yoohoo’s and Moonpies at the full moon? Favorite flavor?

MH: The rumors of my Yoohoo consumption are greatly exaggerated. Seriously, I don’t know why the Yoohoo intervention was necessary. I can quit any time I want!!

And chocolate Moon Pies, thank you very much. If you heat them up, they taste like s’mores!

BBB: What is your favorite quote of all time?

MH: If you’re normal, the crowd will accept you. But if you’re deranged, the crowd will make you their leader. – Christopher Titus

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Readers, learn more about Molly Harper here:

Read the Bitten by Books reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.

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Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. ONE lucky participant will win an amazing prize package that includes an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Molly’s upcoming NEW release Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs. Also included in the prize package will be a signed cover flat, bookmarks and the absolutely necessary to survival in the south…An RC Cola and a box of Moonpies. Contest is open to international readers.

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Click here to head over to Bitten By Books to learn how to enter this contest.

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

More Contest Goodies!

Here's several contests that I've found recently:

Win a copy of...

Mr. & Mrs. Darcy: Two Shall Become One
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/2009/03/sharon-lathan-and-her-writing-guest.html

Sway by Zachary Lazar
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/sway-by-zachary-lazar-giveaway.html

Drood by Dan Simmons
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-drood-giveaway.html

Bahama Burnout by Don Bruns
http://www.bookishruth.com/2009/03/guest-blogger-don-bruns-author-of.html

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2009/02/lets-talk-about-winning-speak-contest.html

The Sudden Disappearance of Seetha by Andrea Gunraj
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway-sudden-disappearance-of-seetha.html

The Darkness Within Series by Jennifer Turner
http://jen-turner.blogspot.com/2009/02/contest-to-end-all-contests.html

The Circle of Friends by Diane Wolfe
http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/2009/03/circle-of-friends-giveaway.html


*** I have a lot more to post, but no time to do so right now. Expect another post in the next day or two ***


New Awesome Contest Websites!
West of Mars -- Win a Book!
http://westofmars-winabook.blogspot.com/

Fresh Fiction... for today's reader
http://freshfiction.com/contests.php

***

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Win a copy of The Accidental Human over at Bitten By Books!

The Accidental Human Contest!

I know this is going to break your heart, BUT we have another amazing book contest for you. We are excited to offer up TEN shiny new copies of The Accidental Human!! The multi talented, hot roller toting, author extraordinaire, Dakota Cassidy is sponsoring this amazing giveaway here at Bitten by Books! For the next week you can enter everyday to win one of these copies for your very own. The contest is open to readers worldwide.

… the zaniness continues in
The Accidental Human - Book 3 of The Accidental Series

“Immortality bites.

Wanda Schwartz is raking in the dough selling Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics—and she’s a pro at recruiting new saleswomen. So, she’s shocked when a man comes to one of her in-home parties—a very hot man. Heath Jefferson is sure to put some extra spin into a lot of women’s color wheels.

When Wanda is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With a werewolf and a vampire for best friends, she has options that most ordinary people wouldn’t. As Wanda ponders what to do about her mortality, Heath reveals he has secrets, and one of them is that his former bloodlust has turned into an old-fashioned lust—for Wanda. And he’s already given up too much to lose the love of his lifetimes.”

Click here to read Chapter 1 - http://www.dakotacassidy.com/TAHchapter1.html

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Readers, learn more about Dakota Cassidy here:

Read the Bitten by Books reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.

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Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things EVERY SINGLE DAY for a week! And each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. TEN lucky participants will win a copy of The Accidental Human Dakota’s NEW release. Contest is open to international readers.

Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.

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Dying to know how to enter? Head on over to Bitten By Books and find out!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Free eBook Week!

Well, it's "Read an eBook Week" (March 8-14, 2009)
Click here for more information. Pay special attention to the "Promotional Books" link on the website.


To celebrate "Read an eBook Week", several authors and publishers are giving away free or discounted books. Here's a couple that I've found so far:
- http://www.ebookguru.org/index.php/2009/03/ebook-week-is-here-free-books/
- http://businessromance.com/2009/03/09/read-invisible-for-free/

Feel free to post any free book sightings that you find in the comments!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Reminder about winning an 8GB iPod Touch + Review Info

First of all, anyone who hasn't entered the Bitten By Books contest to win an iPod Touch and mentioned me as the person who sent you- What are you waiting for? It's an iPod Touch! And by mentioning me, "Willow", we both get extra entries, you'll get 4 extra entries just for saying, "Willow told me to enter". How easy is that?

The contest ends on Friday 3/20/09 at 11:59 pm PST and there are TONS of ways to enter.

I'll be honest, this blog post was initially intended to simply net me a few more entries in the contest, but turned into so much more! After reading the reviews and comments for Moira Rogers' books, I can't wait to read several of them. Moira Rogers seems to have quite a knack for coming up with intriguing story concepts and strong characters.

While a couple of the books reviewed don't sound like they'd be my usual "cup of tea", most of them sound amazing! Especially the Last Call series, Some Like it Haunted, and Cry Sanctuary. This sounds like an amazing author that I can't believe I haven't read before. Below are the links to the reviews of Moira Rogers' books over at Bitten By Books:

Christmas Party - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=4858
Last Call: Virgin Daiquiri - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=4850
Wild Card - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=2889
Last Call: Kamikaze - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1128
Last Call: Hurricane - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1389
Last Call: Tequila Sunrise - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1390
Moonshine - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1125
Under the Magnolia - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1729
Some Like it Haunted - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1376
Cry Sanctuary - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1633
Crux - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=4816

So, head on over and check out this author and toss in a few entries for the contest. Not too many though, don't want you lessening my odds too much :P

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Double Contest Alert - Sophomore Switch by Abby McDonald

Double Contest Alert!

The Cupcake Witch is at it again! Today she's interviewed Abby McDonald, author of the Sophomore Switch set to release on March 10th.

Oh yeah, if you don't win, then go ahead click on the link to the book and pick up a copy anyway. Come on! Supporting authors is fun and Abby McDonald is British, how can you not like someone with a British accent?

For a chance to win a SIGNED copy of the book from the Cupcake Witch, CLICK HERE.

For another chance to win an ARC of the book from the author herself, CLICK HERE.

I know that I'm entering, in fact this blog post might be my own sly way of entering (muahahaha!). The real question is... Will You? Need another reason to enter, as if free books isn't enough incentive? How 'bout the fact that the Cupcake Witch seems to like vLogging to announce winners. How cool would that be? Not only would you win a book, but your name could end up the star of a Cupcake Witch video! So get yourself over to those sites and enter!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Win a SIGNED copy of Neil Gaiman's NEVERWHERE with the Cupcake Witch

Win a ** SIGNED ** copy of Neil Gaiman's NEVERWHERE.

Here's the description of the book from his website:

Richard Mayhew is an unassuming young businessman living in London, with a dull job and a pretty but demanding fiancee. Then one night he stumbles across a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. He stops to help her--and the life he knows vanishes like smoke.

Several hours later, the girl is gone too. And by the following morning Richard Mayhew has been erased from his world. His bank cards no longer work, taxi drivers won't stop for him, his hundred rents his apartment out to strangers. He has become invisible, and inexplicably consigned to a London of shadows and darkness a city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere.

For this is the home of Door, the mysterious girl whom Richard rescued in the London Above. A personage of great power and nobility in this murky, candlelit realm, she is on a mission to discover the cause of her family's slaughter, and in doing so preserve this strange underworld kingdom from the malevolence that means to destroy it. And with nowhere else to turn, Richard Mayhew must now join the Lady Door's entourage in their determined--and possibly fatal--quest.

For the dread journey ever-downward--through bizarre anachronisms and dangerous incongruities, and into dusty corners of stalled time--is Richard's final hope, his last road back to a "real" world that is growing disturbingly less real by the minute.

If Tim Burton reimagined The Phantom of the Opera, if Jack Finney let his dark side take over, if you rolled the best work of Clive Barker, Peter Straub and Caleb Carr into one, you still would have something that fell far short of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. It is a masterful debut novel of darkly hypnotic power, and one of the most absorbing reads to come along in years.

To Enter: Head on over to the Cupcake Witch's blog.

If you'd rather just buy Neverwhere, click here.

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Amazing Contest Alert!!!

AMAZING CONTEST ALERT!!!

The Last First Book We Ever Wrote

Hello there! My name is Bree, and I’m one half of the romance-writing, virtual-crime-fighting duo known as Moira Rogers. I’m here today because Bitten by Books was kind enough to agree to help us celebrate something really exciting that only comes once in an author’s lifetime: the release of the first book we ever wrote.

Awesome, right? We sure think so! Of course, the part that takes a little bit of explaining is the part where Crux is, in fact, our sixteenth ebook to be released. A lot has happened to us since fall of 2007, when we first sat down to try and tell the story of Mackenzie and Jackson, the heroine and hero who have to fight an evil supernatural conspiracy spanning generations to win their chance at a happy ending. We scampered off to hone our craft on short stories and novellas and learned from our experience. But we always came back to this story, because in the end we loved our tough determined heroine and her smooth talkin’ detective hero too much to leave alone.

Today, in honor of Crux’s release, we’ve teamed up with Bitten by Books for a chance to make someone else just as excited as we are. We have in our possession a NEW Apple iPod touch 8 GB (1st Generation) (Retail Value $229.00), perfect for listening to music AND reading books through the awesome application Stanza. The Apple iPod touch 8 GB also holds 1,750 songs or 10 hours of video. Go here to read all about it. We’re also going to give $50.00 and $25.00 Visa Gift Cards to two lucky runners up! All you need to do is read the rules below and enter this awesome contest. And if you happen to pick up a copy of Crux, we hope you’ll love Jackson and Mackenzie as much as we do!

Book Excerpt: “Jackson Holt makes a decent living as a private investigator in New Orleans, home of one of the largest underground supernatural populations in the United States. He and his partners have never met a case they couldn’t crack…until a local bar owner asks him to do a little digging on her newest hire.

New Orleans is the fourth destination in as many months for Mackenzie Brooks, a woman on the run from a deranged stalker. After all, any man who shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her destined lover has more than a few screws loose. But crazy doesn’t explain why he always finds her no matter how far she runs.

When her well-meaning boss puts a PI on her case, Mackenzie comes face to face with the incredible truth: magic is real, and whatever spell has kept her hidden and separate from the paranormal world is rapidly deteriorating.

With time running out, she has no choice but to trust Jackson as he struggles to uncover the truth of her past-and her destiny.”

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Readers, here’s how to enter the Crux New Release Contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN one of THREE fabulous prizes...

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For more information visit Bitten By Books, or don't... I could always use a new, shiny iPod Touch...

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

~Willow

Cupcake Witch: Win an ARC of The Forest of Hands and Teeth!

Ok, I really hate posting this contest because this is a book that I really, really, REALLY want to win... but I get extra entries for posting this info. Understand that I do this under duress and secretly hope that you don't enter so I have a better chance at winning, lol!

So, if my not-so-silent plea for you not to enter isn't good enough, here's the address for the contest:

http://cupcakewitch.blogspot.com/2009/02/contest-win-forest-of-hands-and-teeth.html

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

~Willow

Contest Alert!!!

Contest Alert!!!

Beth Revis is giving away a copy of either Eternal or Tantalize by Cynthis Leitich Smith at her blog.

All you have to do is click on over to her blog here and comment. There's even other ways that you can earn additional entries, but you'll have to head over to her blog to learn what those ways are.

Back with some new contests for you all

Well, I've been away from the contest scene for a few days stuck in the land of real life, but now I'm back! I have a few new contests to report so here goes...

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The Wild Rose Press:
They're giving away a Sony eReader!

Contest Ends: March 17, 2009
URL: http://thewildrosepress.com/publisher/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1588&Itemid=135

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Shelley Munro:
URL: http://www.shelleymunro.com/contest/

Samhain Publishing:
URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/contests

Kerry Arthur:
URL: http://www.keriarthur.com/contest.html

The Blue Diablo Blowout:
URL: http://www.annaguirre.com/archives/2009/02/10/blue-diablo-blowout/

Countdown to Angels' Blood:
URL: http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2009/02/countdown-to-angels-blood.html

Vixenwriter - Relentless ARC Contest:
URL: http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2009/02/09/relentless-arc-contest/

Joe Abercrombie ARC Contest:
URL: http://www.joeabercrombie.com/2009/01/win-win-win.html

***

Well, that's about it for now. Good Luck and Happy Reading!

~Willow

Bitten By Books Contest - Shirley Damsgaard

Bitten By Books is holding so many great contests right now. The most current one is an interview with author Shirley Damsgaard. They are giving away 10 copies of her latest book, The Witch's Grave.

Cover via Amazon

Click here for more information.
Contest ends 2/14/09 at 3 p.m. EST.

Good Luck!

~Willow

Another Round of Contests (2/8/09)

Karen Mahoney:
Win a copy of Joss Whedon's FRAY.

Contest Ends: February 9, 2009
URL: http://kazdreamer.livejournal.com/163081.html?view=4198409#t4198409

***

The League of Reluctant Adults:
This blog seems to have all sorts of contests going on right now. Read through the posts and enter as many as you can.

Contest Ends: Various
URL: http://reluctantadults.blogspot.com/

***

The Samhellion:
Enter the Samhellion Valentines Swag Hunt for chances to win free eBooks from Samhain Publishing.

Contest Ends: February 12, 2009
URL: http://www.thesamhellion.com/swag.htm

***

The D'Arc Side:
Win a PDF download of One & Only by Bianca D'Arc.

Contest Ends: February 12, 2009
URL: http://biancadarc.com/blog/2009/02/05/scorch-win-a-copy-of-one-only/

***

Fantasy Book Critic:
Another blog that holds tons of contests. Read through the posts or check the "Giveaway" section within the left column for details.

Contest Ends: Various
URL: http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/

***

Angie Fox:
Win an original manuscript of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox.

Contest Ends: Unknown
URL: http://angiefox.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/super-cool-book-y-goodness/

***

Gothic Asylum Reviews:
Win a bath set as part of their Valentine's Day Contest #2.

Contest Ends: February 10, 2009
URL: http://gothicasylum.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentines-day-contest-2.html

***

Breezing Through:
Win romance books as part of their Anti-Valentine's Day Contest.

Contest Ends: February 13, 2009
URL: http://breezingthroughbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentines-day-contest.html

***

Well, I'm sure there are plenty more contests out there, but these were just a few that I stumbled upon.

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

~Willow

Contest Entry: Rachel Vincent's newest novel, Pride!

Pride
by Rachel Vincent

"Here's hoping cats do have nine lives

I’m on trial for my life. Accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. I’m not guilty. But tell that to the panel of Alphas sitting in judgment. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.

I’m two for three. A goner.

On top of that, Marc is in danger of being tossed from the Pride, then we discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. I think I can protect her from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.

If I survive my own trial…"

Pride is available for pre-order at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, and Amazon.

Click for an Excerpt:

******

This is the third book in Rachel's Shifter series. Until recently, I have to admit that I was unaware of this particular series, but... after reading the summaries for Stray, Rogue, and Pride, I am definitely going to have to add this series to my to be read (TBR) list. Fans of this author's work anxiously awaited the release of Pride on February 1, 2009 and sound like they weren't disappointed.

I may be a cutting it close on my entry for this contest, but simply have to give it a go. I mean, who doesn't love free books and chocolate!

Deadline: February 4, 2009
URL: http://urbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-tour-contest.html

More Contests...

Romance Novel Blogs:
There are several free book contests at this blog. Just read the posts and follow the directions for each one.

Contest Ends: Various
URL: http://www.romancenovel.tv/wordpress/rntv/marias-blog/

***

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books:
Four lucky readers will win a hardcover copy of The Temptation of the Night Jasmine. One lucky winner will win the grand prize: a complete set of all five books in the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig.

Contest Ends: Winners announced Friday, February 6, 2009
URL: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/corpse-flower-the-giveaway/#When:08:00:00Z

***

Joe Abercrombie:
Joe is giving away multiple ARCs of their soon-to-be-released novel Best Served Cold in a creative contest.

Contest Ends: February 28 / March 16 / April 1, 2009
URL: http://www.joeabercrombie.com/2009/01/win-win-win.html


Good luck and Happy Reading!

~Willow

Fantasy Book Critic:
Three signed copies of Mortal Coils are being given away by Fantasy Book Critic. Be sure to read the rules carefully.

And, as always, check the right column on this website for other give-aways.

Contest Ends: 11:59 AM PST, March 3, 2009
URL: http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/

***

Patricia's Vampire Notes:
This blogger is offering a copy of Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand and Kitty Raises Hell to each of five lucky winners.

Contest Ends: February 17, 2009
URL: http://patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com/2009/02/hachette-books-giveaway-kitty-norville.html

***

Happy Reading and Good Luck!

~Willow

Contest at Paranormality...

Sela Carsen:
Sela is guest blogging over at Paranormality and giving away a copy of their newest book, CAROLINA WOLF.

Contest Ends: Winner announced February 4, 2009
URL: http://paranormalityuniverse.blogspot.com/2009/02/guest-blogger-sela-carsen.html

Free Books! No contests required...

Here's a couple of places that are offering free eBooks! How cool is that?

eHarlequin:
Harlequin is celebrating it's 60th year in business by giving away 16 free eBooks to anyone who wants to hop on over to their website and download them. They're all full-length eBooks as well.
Disclaimer: These books are intended to be downloaded by those 18 years of age and over.

URL: http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=1317

***

Samhain Publishing:
The authors and editors at Samhain Publishing keep putting out free, small eBooks by their signed authors. First they offered a book last Thanksgiving, then one every day in December, then one for New Years, and now they're posting up free reads for Valentines Day. Check out all of these reads at the URL below.

URL: http://www.thesamhellion.com/ebooks.htm

***

Well, happy reading!

~Willow

First List of Links...

Let's get this blog started with a short list of contests that I've recently entered. This is just a small list that I had bookmarked to watch. Click on the provided URLs for information on how to enter for yourselves.

***

Rachel Vincent:
To celebrate the release of her novel, Pride, Rachel is giving away signed copies of all three of her Shifters novels OR a twenty-dollar online gift certificate to Barnes and Noble PLUS a 6.3 oz bag of Godiva milk chocolate hearts.

Contest Ends: February 4, 2009
URL: http://urbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-tour-contest.html

***

Lauren Dane:
Lauren and her co-author Megan Hart are giving away ARCs of their new book, Taking Care of Business.

Contest Ends: Winners will be announced February 7, 2009
URL: http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2009/01/29/taking-care-of-business-arc-contest/

***

Pop Culture Zoo:
One lucky reader will win all six books in the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn.

Contest Ends: 11:59 PM PST February 10, 2009
URL: http://popculturezoo.com/archives/1881

***

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist:
This blogger has a copy of the limited edition of Dan Simmons' latest novel, Drood, that they are giving away.

Contest Ends: not listed
URL: http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2009/01/win-copy-of-limited-edition-of-dan.html

***

Other blogs/websites that seem to hold regular contests:

Bitten By Books: http://bittenbybooks.com/
Deadline Dames: http://www.deadlinedames.com/
Fantasy Book Critic: http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/
Gothic Asylum Reviews: http://gothicasylum.blogspot.com/
Murderati: http://murderati.typepad.com/murderati/
Samhain Publishing: http://samhainpublishing.com/contests

***

And for you writers:
The Pen & Muse blog is holding a romance short story contest.

Contest Ends: February 19, 2009
URL: http://thepenmuse.blogspot.com/2009/01/pen-muse-blog-romance-short-story.html

***

Well, that's all I have for this post. I'll end with a handy-dandy tip that makes entering these contests a lot easier for me...

Contest entering tip #1: Create a folder within your internet browser and bookmark every contest you enter. I go so far as to rename the links to include the date the contest ends and sorting them in order. Several blogs that hold contests will simply post the winner's name with instructions to email them for your prize. It'd be awful to find out that you won a contest that you forgot about. People running contests regularly award prizes that aren't claimed to other people.


Good Luck!

~Willow


(Oh yeah, I'm in no way responsible for any changes in prizes, ending dates, blah-blah-blah... I'm just a messenger...)

Willow’s Book Review: Eternal Seduction by Jennifer Turner

"After living on the streets of New York City for over a decade, Logan Ellis admits her perceptions might be a little skewed. But twisted or not, there's a satisfying irony in watching a well dressed vampire stand in the middle of a ghetto alley, windblown trash scraping small circles near his feet. What she finds even more intriguing, is waiting for him to decide whether or not he's going to kill her.

Kerestyan Nelek hasn't quite made up his mind. As the Lord of New York, he can't allow a homeless drug addict, whose memories are packed with knowledge of vampiric existence, to run free in his city. It's not the first time he's been in this situation with a human, it's just the first time in thousands of years he's come face to face with one who doesn't seem to care. And that's what makes the decision so damn difficult.

What horrors would you have to witness before you went numb? How many years would it take for you to feel that way? What would it take to make you care again?

Logan's answers are simple: the worst humanity has to offer, almost thirty…and something she never expected." Darkness Within Novels

******

As many of you might remember, not too long ago I was the winner of a contest sponsored by Bitten By Books. By simply participating in an interview session with author Jennifer Turner, I ended up winning a wonderful prize package that included a copy of her self-published novel, Eternal Seduction, as well as advanced copies of the next two books in the series when they're ready.

Due to all of my spare time being spent writing my own novel, I was unable to read this book until recently. Now I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I loved the book! I ended up reading this book in three sittings, although it would have been in one if silly things like plans with friends and the need for sleep hadn't of gotten in the way... Almost immediately I felt drawn into the mystical, yet realistic, world that Jen has created. After only a couple of chapters, I already felt as if I knew the characters and all of their quirks and idiosyncrasies.

Why traditional agents and publishers passed on the opportunity to buy this series is truly beyond me. The characters are rich, the world is believable, and the plot draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. The only "negative" thing I found with it is that I wanted certain scenes to last longer, but isn't it the sign of a good book that you find yourself wanting to spend more time in the world created? I think so, but that's just me.

Now, I cannot wait to receive my advanced copy of Eternal Hearts, book 2 in the series, some time next month so I can read more about these wonderful characters. Eternal Hearts is scheduled to be released in May 2009 and, from what I've read online, fans can't wait. If the publishing industry was smart, they'd see the potential behind this talented author and pick up her amazing series up ASAP.

For anyone interested in purchasing this wonderful book, it can be found in print format at Amazon.com or in eBook format at locations listed on Jen's website, The Darkness Within Novels.

I'm no professional book reviewer, but this one definitely gets two thumbs up from me!