WINNER of "Insight" by Jamie Magee!!

And now for the big announcement... The WINNER of a print copy of "Insight" by Jamie Magee is...

 FIRST... be prepared to order the book from Amazon.com if you didn't win. It sounds like a great one. Here's the linky: Insight

Alright, alright, the winner....

A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to......*************** LINDSAY C from Lindsay Writes! ********************

Congrats Lindsay! I'll send your email address to Jamie and she'll be in contact with you to get your information! I hope you enjoy the book!

And remember guys, there's still a chance to enter my contest for one of three copies of "Night and Chaos" by Naomi Clark! Just check out the righthand side bar. 

Have a great friday!!
Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Follow Friday and Tag Along! Friday Fun-ness!

Another Friday already? WOOHOO! I like this Friday, I don't have to work the weekend, so it'll be a nice one! Oh sure, I have to get my taxes done tomorrow, but.. still better than work. =)

So welcome to my blog! My own little humble corner of the blogosphere. I do so hope you choose to stick around, I have tons of great content coming up! I have some great contests coming up, authors visiting for blog tours, etc.

Some quick things:
Find me on Goodreads!: Amanda [Novel Addiction] 
Follow me on Twitter!: @Novel_Addiction
Enter my contest to win one of THREE copies of "Night and Chaos" by Naomi Clark by clicking HERE and filling out the form!

And now the hops!

Where is your favorite place to buy or swap books?: Well, I love Half Price Books, mostly as a way to try books that I'm not sure about. I've found a lot of authors via HPB that I now love and buy all their books brand new. But for everything else, I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, Kroger, and even Walmart on occasion. As for swapping books.. I haven't really done that before. I did get some things via Paperbackswap once, that was fun!




List five book related silly facts about you: Oh, this might be tough! Alright, let's do it!
1. I will never stop purchasing books.. even though I already own more than I will ever be able to read.
2. I call myself an ebook hoarder. As many print books as I have, I have at least that many ebooks - most of them free ones from promotions, contests, etc.
3. Nothing irks me more than when people edit library books. I borrowed a book from the library, and someone crossed out "snuck" and wrote in "sneaked."
4. I make "bookcases" out of everything. I have a small chest of drawers, and the top drawer has been taken out and books are now in it. And above it is a box turn on it's side so I can use it as another shelf.
5. If an author has multiple series, I have to have all of those series together on a shelf. And while the books are in series order, the series are put in order by which I like best. Favorites on the left, second favorite next, etc.


If you could physically put yourself into a book or series, which would it be and why? The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, definitely! I'd either want to be Cat (so I could be close to Bones, of course)... or I'd take Vlad or Ian. I'd LOVE to be the woman to whip Ian into shape. *Snicker*

Well, that's it for me I think. Come back Monday for another contest. Leave a comment with a link to your blog hop and I'll go visiting when I get off work/ get out of rehearsal.
Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Today was an excellent mail day..

Normally I would do this sort of thing on my next Whatcha Got Wednesday post. But I was so excited about everything that I decided to post it today instead.

First up, a big thanks to Anna from Anna's Book Blog !!! I won a copy of "Dragon Warrior" by Janet Chapman and it arrived today! So quick! I'm excited to read it. And for everyone that hasn't already - be sure to check out Anna's blog. It was one of the first blogs I started following when I got interested in the blogosphere. Great reviews, contests, and more!

And next, big thanks to Vanessa (aka The Jeep Diva) for the big bag o' swag I received! Make sure you check out her blog too! I got a nice sized tote (A Lynsay Sands tote, yay!), and tons of little goodies, bookmarks, and more. And she even included some extra swag - I now have a Pamela Palmer snap bracelet! This is an author I have been meaning to try it, maybe wearing the bracelet around will make me remember to pick one of her books up next time I'm at work!

Once again THANK YOU!! Be sure to check out Anna and Vanessa's blogs for some excellent content. So if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play with my new goodies. =)

Happy Reading! Or swagging! (That sounds dirty...)
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Taking the morning off! (Otherwise known as "Ew, Taxes")

I'm taking the morning off to work on getting my taxes done. Or at least start the process. Since I have a home business (Avon), it's always a lot of work to make sure I have everything I need. Fingers crossed I can remember everything I have to have so I don't have to pay out the nose! So instead I leave you with some lovely cover pretty - Jeaniene Frost has released the cover for her next Cat and Bones book! As well as the links to my contests.

FIRST! The pretty!

The cover!!! EEEK! A new cover model, but she looks tough enough to pull off Cat. And speaking of Cat... Helsing gets his cover debut!

And now the stepback:
BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to own this. Finally, Cat and Bones get to get a little... ahem, *closer* on the cover.

*Sigh* How am I ever going to wait to get this book???

So finally, remember today is the LAST DAY to enter my contest to win a copy of "Insight" by Jamie Magee. You have until 11:59 tonight to get your entry in! Go HERE and fill out the form. Winner will be announced tomorrow! And I'll get the winner's contact info sent off to the author.

And you have until Thursday of next week to enter my contest for one of THREE copies of "Night and Chaos" by Naomi Clark! Enter HERE and fill out the form.

And make sure to stop by on Monday to enter yet another contest. And more great content on the way in the weeks to come!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Whatcha Got Wednesday #21

You only have today and tomorrow to enter my contest for a print copy of "Insight" by Jamie Magee! Go HERE to enter!
And you have until thursday of next week to enter my contest to win one of THREE copies of "Night and Chaos" by Naomi Clark! Go HERE to enter!

So! For me this week - I only got three books, but they were all for review. Two for Romance Reviews Today, and one for my blog.

"Karma" by Cathy Ostlere. This book... is written IN VERSE. Really. It kind of threw me for a loop when I got it, I have never read something like this. And it's young adult, even! I had to read it almost right away (because it's due like, now), so I've already finished it and sent my review out to my critique group. It was good, but I'm not sure I'd want to let a younger audience read it, even if it says for ages 12 and up.











And now "Hard Bitten" by Chloe Neill. I've heard a lot of great things about this series. I'm a little nervous about starting it at book four, but I'm sure it'll be fine (eep). And look how pretty the cover is! Alas, mine doesn't have a cover like that, instead I have the usual plain ARC cover. This one will be reviewed next month, so look for that in one of the April RRT updates!






And last but not least "Harvest Moon" by T.M. Marie. This author contacted me and requested a review, and I was intrigued enough by the storyline to say yes. So, once again.. I finally get through some review books, and my list is right back up where it was. Ahh, the life of a reviewer.. it's tough!



So, that's all I have for now. Again, please check out my contests (links above). And tune back in tomorrow for another review... I hope. I've been cast in a musical, so my free time is starting to dwindle.

That's right! I'm in "Urinetown, The Musical" as a rebel/chorus member. I love this show. Funny, with some great songs. And since I'm singing again (really, it's been years) it's making me miss music. Oh, I listen to it all the time, but it's not the same as playing it. Yep, I used to play guitar, violin, saxophone, piano.. and sing. So last night I picked up my guitar and start re-learning some notes and chords, and even picked up my Irish tin whistle (that I got IN IRELAND!) and played a few songs. It must be the nice weather that has me all in a tizzy.

Whoa, too much there? Sorry to throw that all out there. Anyways, have a wonderful Wednesday, and please feel free to share any books you received or books you're excited about! =)

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

How positively snarky! REVIEW of "The Kensei" by Jon F. Merz

 Why this book?: Librarything sent it to me for review. Why did I request it? For the awesome vampireness of course!

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Series, Vampires, Interesting Vampire Creation Myths, Enough Romance to Keep Me Interested, Excellent Villain, I love a quippy hero, Vamps got skillz

About the book: Lawson has decided to take a break. Work as a Fixer can wear on ones soul, so some time off, away from normal life seems to be the way to go. However, even when on vacation, things don't go well. He's not in Japan for more than an hour before he's in an altercation. While Lawson is incredibly excited to see his girlfriend, she brings along another problem. Will Lawson ever be able to take a break? And more importantly, will he be able to survive the mysterious and feared Kensei?

My Review: "The Kensei" is several novels into the Lawson Vampire series, and despite this fact, I had absolutely no trouble getting into the story. Lawson, his relationship, and his job were extremely well explained so there was no confusion. But beware, after finishing The Kensei you will definitely want to read the rest of the series if you haven't already. I also quite enjoyed the vampire mythos and the origins of the vampires and humans. This book didn't go into great detail, but I look forward to learning a little more when I read the previous novels, since I know Lawson had to explain vampirism to his girlfriend.

Lawson is a very loveable, plucky character. I absolutely loved his interactions with everyone, the bad guys especially. He always has a snarky comment to make, and it amused me to no end. I also enjoyed seeing the darker side of Japan through Lawson's eyes. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the country, and it definitely shows through in his work. And speaking of what the author knows, the weapons and action/fight seens were amazingly well done. Jon Merz wrote some amazing battle scenes in The Kensei, all excellently descriptive. But then again, considering the author and his background, that isn't too surprising.

Cover Loving: Oh yeah. This is an excellent cover. I think it fits Lawson and this story very well.

Recommendation: Definitely recommended for fans of Urban Fantasy. Lawson is a great hero and I loved reading about him. I know I definitely plan to pick up the rest of the series - you should too!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). A truly great, thrilling read. Lawson added just the right amount of humor and fun to the story.

Have you read "The Kensei" or any of the Lawson Vampire novels by Jon F. Merz? If so, tell me your thoughts in the comments! Would you like to read it? Pick up your copy at Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda~!~

GIVEAWAY! "Night and Chaos" by Naomi Clark

****************CONTEST CLOSED, THANK YOU!**********************



Welcome to stop number four on Naomi Clark's virtual tour! The author has generously offered THREE ecopies of her book "Night and Chaos" to giveaway! This book sounds great, and I know you guys will really enjoy it.

First up, about the book: Ryan McCarthy fled Applied Paranormal Theory and Tactics, her father, and her lover six years ago, desperate to build life away from the weird science and supernatural experiments of her childhood. But everything she hoped to escape comes back with a vengeance when she's kidnapped and tortured by a possessed APTT employee out for revenge on the man responsible for his possession: Ryan's father.



Now, reunited with the lover she abandoned, Ryan is forced back into a world of danger and darkness she no longer understands, pursued by enemies with powers she can't fathom. But Ryan's not entirely powerless herself. She'll have to use every trick she knows - as well as the mystic gift she hates - to stay ahead of those enemies. And that will be easier said than done.

About the author: Naomi Clark lives in Cambridge and is a mild-mannered office worker by day, but a slightly crazed writer by night. She has a perfectly healthy obsession with giant sea creatures and a preference for vodka-based cocktails. When she's not writing, Naomi is probably either reading or watching 80s cartoon shows, and sometimes she manages to do all three at once.


She is the author of the acclaimed novel SILVER KISS, first in the Urban Wolf series from Queered Ficion, as well as the Shoregrave series, starting with AFTERLIFE, published by Damnation Books, and has just taken the plunge into indie writing with the novella NIGHT AND CHAOS. So! I bet you're dying to know how to win, right? Well... I'll get to that after some super helpful links!
Buy it at Amazon: Night and Chaos (The Deva Chronicles #1)
Find Naomi Clark on Goodreads: Naomi Clark [Goodreads]
Naomi's Blog: Livejournal

RULES:
~Contest ENDS Thursday, March 31st at 11:59 PM.
~Enter using the form below, comments are nice but will not count as an entry
~Three winners will be randomly chosen, and posted on the blog April 1st.
~One entry per person (duplicates will be deleted)
~You must be 13+ years old to enter.


Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~