First of all, I am horribly behind on replying to comments - Real Life has been getting in the way! But I will get to them all over the next couple of days. I appreciate hearing from everyone so much - especially re. the job situation. Thanks. :)

Secondly, I have mailed half of the prizes for my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway - thank you for your patience. Days 5-8 will be mailed shortly. Sorry for the delay - again, pesky Real Life Stuff.

Finally, I guest-blogged over at Teen Book Review today, with more about what inspires me to write YA. There is also a Very Cool giveaway. Yeah, me giving away books... who would've thought it? ;) Thanks to Jocelyn for letting me take over her corner of the web for a while. Teen Book Review is one of my favourite YA blogs, with thoughtful reviews and some excellent interviews and features.

So here goes... CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners! random.org has spoken and the EIGHT winners are:

Day One: signed copy of PERSONAL DEMONS by Stacia Kane goes to...

salamet

Day Two: THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher (hardback) and TOTAL CONSTANT ORDER by Crissa-Jean Chappell (hardback) go to...

britlitfantwin

Day Three: All three books (so far) in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost go to...

dragon_crier

Day Four: SUCCUBUS BLUES by Richelle Mead (UK paperback), STORM BORN by Richelle Mead (UK paperback), NIGHT LIFE by Caitlin Kittredge - signed & PURE BLOOD by Caitlin Kittredge - signed go to...

fandoria

Day Five: The first five books in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series + bonus cover flat for the soon-to-be-released sixth book in the series, THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS go to...

lori_t

Day Six: STRAY by Rachel Vincent, WRAITH by Phaedra Weldon, LAMENT: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater, MARKED by P.C. & Kristin Cast, IF ANGELS BURN by Lynn Viehl & WITCHLING by Yasmine Galenorn go to...

ravelda

Day Seven: The SEVEN books in the Crimson City romantic urban fantasy series go to...

stephanieburgis

Day Eight: The first 8 novels in Marjorie Liu's bestselling Dirk & Steele series go to...

Book Smuggler Ana

I will make every effor to contact the winners, but it would really help if you guys could drop me a line with your full name and mailing address. I will try to get your books out to you as soon as possible, but please be patient due to overseas shipping.

Thanks again to all who took part. I'm sorry there aren't more prizes - so many people entered and it was a lot of fun! Um... same time next year? ;)

This is the final day for entries in my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway, where eight lucky people will win lots of fabulous books - in total, there are 36 books on offer.

I'll be drawing winners tomorrow (Monday 5th Jan), but it might be late in the day due to Day Job & Real Life stuff. Thanks again to all the many people who entered and made the contest a lot of fun! :)

---
A couple of links:

Literary Escapism has a great Newsletter with urban fantasy & paranormal romance news, covers & links. It's a wonderful resource.

The Book Smugglers have exciting news about the brand new-and-improved website they are launching next week. I can't wait to see it! :)

I can't believe it's the final day of my crazy giveaway - eight days of madness over the holiday period that have kept me far busier than I ever realised! I gave up trying to reply to every comment, but I intend to go back and respond to the ones that need a response - there are a few questions, etc. Bear with me, I will get to them. Okay, without further ado...

On the Eighth Day of my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway I'm offering EIGHT Marjorie M. Lius:




Yes, these are the first 8 novels in Marjorie Liu's bestselling Dirk & Steele series. Think psychics and shapeshifters and international superhero exploits, and you're not even halfway there. To find out more about the series, check out Marjorie's recently redesigned website, but I recommend you enter for these - you don't want to miss out on the superb worldbuilding, beautiful writing and complex characters.

Note: Book 4, DARK DREAMERS, is actually a long novella packaged with a Christine Feehan novella.

If you'd like to enter to win all eight books, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009. Remember, there is still time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

So that's it - The End. You can keep commenting until the end of the day Sunday 4th January, though, and I'll put up a reminder of the links at the weekend. Thanks for taking part! :)

Thanks to everyone who has entered these contests so far - I'm amazed at how much interest there is. Cheers! :) Okay, onto the penultimate day...

On the Seventh Day of my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway I'm offering all SEVEN books in the Crimson City romantic urban fantasy series:




I've talked about the Crimson City books before, and am a big fan. Liz Maverick - who created the series - is currently revisiting the world and writing an eighth book! Yay! :) Here's a bit more info (in Liz's own words):

Think of CRIMSON CITY as the battle of the species in futuristic L.A. You've got the glamour and excess of the vampires, the gritty ingenuity of the werewolves, the raw resolve of the humans, the supernatural pull of the demons, and the true heart of the mechs buried under a layer of steel. This is a whole new reality—a sexy, dangerous, boundary-pushing one.

CRIMSON CITY by Liz Maverick
A TASTE OF CRIMSON by Marjorie M. Liu
THROUGH A CRIMSON VEIL by Patti O'Shea
A DARKER CRIMSON by Carolyn Jewel
SEDUCED BY CRIMSON by Jade Lee
CRIMSON ROGUE by Liz Maverick
SHARDS OF CRIMSON by Maverick, O'Shea, Jewel & Lee

If you'd like to enter to win all seven books, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be the final giveaway tomorrow for the eighth day of Christmas - which will be EIGHT books. Remember, there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

Sorry this is so late - I've had technical issues today... *sigh* But I'm up and running again. Not much can keep me from giving away books! ;)

So, on the Sixth Day of my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway I'm offering a selection of SIX urban fantasy/ya/paranormal romance novels:




All of these begin a series that has at least one more book due for release, or already available:

STRAY by Rachel Vincent - first book in her popular Werecats series.
WRAITH by Phaedra Weldon - first of the Zoe Martinique Investigations.
LAMENT: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater - LAMENT was Maggie's YA debut and will be followed by a sequel in 2009, BALLAD.
MARKED by P.C. & Kristin Cast - first book in the House of Night YA series.
IF ANGELS BURN by Lynn Viehl - This is the first in Lynn's longrunning and popular Darkyn series. She blogs as Paperback Writer, and offers fabulous support, encouragement and resources for writers.
WITCHLING by Yasmine Galenorn - first book in the successful Sisters of the Moon series.

If you'd like to enter to win all six books, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow for the seventh day of Christmas - which will be SEVEN books. Remember, there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

A little later in the day than I'd like, due to the Migraine of Doom (tm) - ugh! This is the first day I haven't been able to go to work since getting this job, but I'm feeling better after sleeping it off for a few hours and am heading in to finish off my shift. Ah, dedication... ;)

Anyway! Here we are with the Fifth Day of my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway. Up for grabs we have FIVE Kim Harrisons:




The first five books in Kim Harrison's brilliant Rachel Morgan series. To find out more about the world of the Hollows and Rachel's complicated life & battles, check out Kim's website. These are all US paperback editions. As a special bonus, I'll also include a beautiful cover flat for the soon-to-be-released sixth book in the series (paperback), THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS.

Note: If you're new to these, don't read too much online as there are major spoilers for books 4 and 5 in the series.

If you'd like to enter to win all five books + the cover flat, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow for the sixth day of Christmas - which will be SIX books. Remember, there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First, Second, Third and Fourth Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

Yes, I'm posting Day 4 a bit early - I am going to be busy with family stuff all day tomorrow, so just in case I don't get online much on Sunday...

On the Fourth Day of my 8 Days of Christmas giveaway, I'm offering FOUR urban fantasy novels (by a pair of urban fantasy favourites):



SUCCUBUS BLUES by Richelle Mead (UK paperback) - Book 1 in the Georgina Kincaid series
STORM BORN by Richelle Mead (UK paperback) - Book 1 in the new Dark Swan series
NIGHT LIFE by Caitlin Kittredge - signed - Book 1 in the Nocturne City series
PURE BLOOD by Caitlin Kittredge - signed - Book 2 in the Nocturne City series

Note: Only Caitlin's books are signed (in funky lilac! *g*) - Richelle's are unsigned.

To read more about the Nocturne City books, check out Caitlin's website. And for info about the Georgina Kincaid succubus books and the new Dark Swan series, head over to Richelle's website.

If you'd like to enter to win all four books, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow (Monday) for the fifth day of Christmas - which will be FIVE books. Remember, there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First, Second and Third Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

On the Third Day of my crazy 8 Days of Christmas giveaway, I'm offering (sung to the tune of 'The 12 Days of Christmas') THREE Jeaniene Frosts:



Yes, all three books (so far) in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. I love these books - and not just for the gorgeous Bones, but because Cat has really grown as a protagonist, too. The third book has only just been published, and I was extremely happy when it arrived early at Murder One. The huge stack we received was already down to two copies when we closed the store on Christmas Eve, so I snatched one and devoured it in a couple of days. (Um... that's the real reason I was up 'til gone 3am on Christmas Eve/Christmas morning. *g*) I can honestly say that AT GRAVE'S END could be the best book so far.

To read more about the series, including sample chapters, teasers and reviews check out Jeaniene's website.

If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow for the fourth day of Christmas - which will be FOUR books. Remember, there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning books from the First and Second Days.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

***I just wanted to finish by saying: please don't be shy to enter all 8 contests that I'll be running up until the New Year. I LOVE giving away books, so you have no need to apologise for entering multiple days of the giveaway. That's the whole point - you have 8 chances to win something, and you're even in with the chance of winning more than once! :)

On the second day of my crazy 8 Days of Christmas giveaway, we have two contemporary YA classics:



THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher (hardback):

Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

TOTAL CONSTANT ORDER by Crissa-Jean Chappell (hardback):

Fin can't stop counting. She's always heard a voice inside her head, ordering her to listen, but ever since she's moved to the Sunshine State and her parents split up, numbers thump like a metronome, rhythmically keeping things in control. When a new doctor introduces terms such as "clinical depression" and "OCD" and offers a prescription for medication, the chemical effects make Fin feel even more messed up. Until she meets Thayer, a doodling, rule-bending skater who buzzes to his own beat—and who might just understand Fin's hunger to belong, and her struggle for total constant order.

If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow for the third day of Christmas - which will be THREE books. Remember, that there is still plenty of time to enter for a chance of winning yesterday's First Day prize.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

Yes, I am blogging on Christmas Day. Hey, I opened my presents and am kinda chilling out... Didn't go to bed 'til 3am this morning, so I'm entitled to be lazy now!

I know not many people will see this today, but I am going to do an 8 Days of Christmas giveaway. I gave lots of books as gifts this year, and I'm going to do the same over here on my blog. Each day from now until 1st January 2009 (8 days!), there will be a giveaway. I'll leave all comments open until the end of the day on Sunday 4th January for ALL the prizes. The amount of books will increase every day, until the 8th-and-final-day which will be a prize of 8 books. Why, yes, thank you very much - I am crazy. *g*

So... On the first day of Christmas, the one book that needs a home is...



A signed copy of PERSONAL DEMONS by Stacia Kane:

Megan promises listeners to her new radio call-in show that she'll "slay their personal demons," and they believe her. So do the personal demons... although she doesn't know it, Megan is the only human without a demon on her shoulder! Megan and her allies - a demon lover who both protects and seduces her with devilish intensity, a witch with poor social skills, and three cockney guard demons - have to deal not only with the personal demons, but a soul-sucker, ghosts of Megan's past, and a reporter who threatens to destroy Megan's career!

If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment on this entry by the end of the day Sunday 4th January 2009, and there will be a new giveaway tomorrow for the second day of Christmas - which will be TWO books.

This giveaway is open to all from anywhere in the world, even if you've won something here before. You can enter on all of the days and can win as many times as your name comes up when I draw the 8 winners on Monday 5th January.

Hope you're all having a very Happy Christmas, for those who celebrate! :)