Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

15 days till Christmas!!

2009 Romantic Times Nominees

Writings Of A Wicked Book Addict has a comprehensive list of nominees for the Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award. – Congratulations to everyone you made the list!

Holiday Celebrations

Click on the image to find out more information for each giveaway celebration.

Free Reads

Ilona Andrews has a exclusive preview snippet of their short story in the upcoming anthology Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P. N. Elrod.

Melissa Marr has Chapters One and Two for Radiant Shadows (Book 3, Wicked Lovely series, April 20, 2010) up plus a contest to win an ARC.

New free books available at the Suvudu Free Book Library:

Wit'ch Fire by James Clemens The Banned and the Banished, Book 1 Fantasy Summary: On a fateful night five centuries ago, three mages made a desperate last stand, sacrificing everything to preserve the only hope of goodness in the beautiful, doomed land of Alasea. Now, on the anniversary of that ominous night, a girl-child ripens into the heritage of lost power. But before she can even comprehend her terrible new gift, the Dark Lord dispatches his winged monsters to capture her and bring him the embryonic magic she embodies. Fleeing the minions of darkness, Elena is swept toward certain doom--and into the company of unexpected allies. There she forms a band of the hunted and the cursed, the outcasts and the outlaws, to battle the unstoppable forces of evil and rescue a once-glorious empire . . .

Already Dead by Charlie Huston The Joe Pitt casebooks, Book 1  Urban Fantasy Summary: Those stories you hear? The ones about things that only come out at night? Things that feed on blood, feed on us? Got news for you: they’re true. Only it’s not like the movies or old man Stoker’s storybook. It’s worse. Especially if you happen to be one of them. Just ask Joe Pitt. There’s a shambler on the loose. Some fool who got himself infected with a flesh-eating bacteria is lurching around, trying to munch on folks’ brains. Joe hates shamblers, but he’s still the one who has to deal with them. That’s just the kind of life he has. Except afterlife might be better word. From the Battery to the Bronx, and from river to river, Manhattan is crawling with Vampyres. Joe is one of them, and he’s not happy about it. Yeah, he gets to be stronger and faster than you, and he’s tough as nails and hard to kill. But spending his nights trying to score a pint of blood to feed the Vyrus that’s eating at him isn’t his idea of a good time. And Joe doesn’t make it any easier on himself. Going his own way, refusing to ally with the Clans that run the undead underside of Manhattan–it ain’t easy. It’s worse once he gets mixed up with the Coalition–the city’s most powerful Clan–and finds himself searching for a poor little rich girl who’s gone missing in Alphabet City. Now the Coalition and the girl’s high-society parents are breathing down his neck, anarchist Vampyres are pushing him around, and a crazy Vampyre cult is stalking him. No time to complain, though. Got to find that girl and kill that shambler before the whip comes down . . . and before the sun comes up.

Giveaways Around the Virtual World:

As always, I hope you find a new a book or an author that you've not heard of before listed here. Good Luck! The ongoing contest list is on my blog's sidebar.

• Dear Author: ACE/ROC Holiday Giveaway
  Anne Sowards is an executive editor at Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is giving away one ARC to 15 random commenters. Here is the list: TORN by Julie Kenner – 2 ARCs, MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY’S SWORD OF AVALON by Diana L. Paxson – 2 ARCs, DEADTOWN by Nancy Holzner – 2 finished copies, THE SPIRIT LENS by Carol Berg – 2 ARCs, BLOOD CROSS by Faith Hunter – 2 ARCs, UNKNOWN by Rachel Caine – 2 ARCs and EXCEPT THE QUEEN by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder – 3 ARCs. Deadline unknown - so hurry!
   
• Gena Showalter's Weblog: Heart of Darkness contest!
  Gena Showalter is giving away an author copy of Heart of Darkness, an anthology by Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayen and Susan Krinard due to release on January 1, 2010. Deadline unknown - so hurry!
   
• Leontine's Book Realm: Beefcake Preview Club Night: Dante
  Leontine's Beefcake Preview this month is Dante from The Mermaid's Ransom by Joey W. Hill and she is giving away a copy to one lucky follower. Deadline unknown - so hurry!
   
• Grasping for the Wind: Giveaway: Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  John at Grasping for the Wind is giving away a copy of Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is Before Midnight on December 9th.
   
• That's QUEEN Bitch To You: Blog Post Rescheduled, A Review and A Contest
  The Queen B has reviewed Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding and she is giving away a brand new copy to one lucky commenter. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 10th.
   
• Jennifer Estep: Contest alert! Contest alert!
  Jennifer Estep is giving away three copies of her book Hot Mama and an ARC of her upcoming urban fantasy Spider's Bite plus an autographed copy of Fragile by Shiloh Walker. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 10th.
   
• Midnight Moon Cafe: Tuesday Special: Let It Snow!
  Midnight Moon Cafe is giving away a copy of Scorched by Sharon Ashwood. Deadline to enter is Midnight on Friday, December 11th.
   
• Writings Of A Wicked Book Addict: Book Reader Times & Wicked Lil Pixie Contest
  Wicked Lil Pixie and Ivy at Book Reader Times have joined up to give away a copy of Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at 11:59pm EST on Friday, December 11th.
   
• Deadline Dames: A Deadline Dame Birthday
  Jackie Kessler is celebrating her 39th birthday by giving away a book from her back list: HELL’S BELLES, THE ROAD TO HELL, ETERNAL LOVER, HOTTER THAN HELL, A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY, or BLACK AND WHITE. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is by December 12th before the winner is announced.
   
• The Geeky Book Worm: Guest Post by Teal Ceagh and a Giveaway!
  Teal Ceagh is guest blogging about "The Oxymoronic Genre – Erotic Urban Fantasy" at The Geeky Book Worm and giving away an ebook of her new release Beth's Acceptance. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is December 12th before the winner is announced.
   
• The Book Smugglers: Smugglivus Day 8 – Guest Author (and Giveaway) : Nalini Singh
  Nalini Singh is at The Book Smugglers talking about her favourite reads of 2009. And Nalini is giving away her newest novels Angels' Blood and Blaze of Memory. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM PST on December 12th.
   
• Jeaniene Frost: FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON contest
  Jeaniene Frost is giving away four ARCs of First Drop of Crimson, the first book in her new Night Huntress World series. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM ET on December 12th.
   
• The Book Smugglers: Smugglivus Day 5 – Guest Publisher (and Giveaway): Kathryn McKenna of S&S UK
  Kathryn McKenna, Children’s Marketing & Publicity Assistant for Simon and Schuster UK is guest blogging about and giving away the following books to one lucky winner: THE THIRTEEN CURSES by Michelle Harrison, UGLIES/PRETTIES/SPECIALS by Scott Westerfeld, THE ISLAND by Sarah Singleton, HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins, DARK LIFE by Kat Falls, and PERFECT CHEMISTRY by Simone Elkeles. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM PST on December 12th.
   
• Anna's Book Blog: [Book Giveaway] - Decoding The Lost Symbol
  Anna is giving away a copy of Decoding The Lost Symbol by Simon Cox, courtesy of FSB Associates. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is before December 13th when the winner will be announced.
   
• One Book Away From Heaven: I’m getting Older…Please Help me Deal with it! (Contest)
  Caroline is celebrating her birthday by giving away these wonderful reads (She thinks this will help her deal with being another year older. *grins*): Laid Bare by Lauren Dane, Soulless by Gail Carriger, Vicious Circle by Linda Robertson, The Madness Of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley, The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod and Staked by J.F. Lewis. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is before December 13th when the winner will be announced.
   
• Book Love Affair: Giveaway: Patricia Briggs
  Book Love Affair and Book Reader Times are giving away a copy of Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs, the first book up for discussion at Book Reader Times's first Book Club Chat on January 23, 2010 at 7:30PM EST. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at Midnight on December 14th.
   
• Book Obsessed - All Books All the Time: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
  Book Obsessed and Book Reader Times are giving away a copy of Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs, the first book up for discussion at Book Reader Times's first Book Club Chat on January 23, 2010 at 7:30PM EST. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at Noon EST on December 14th.
   
• Wondrous Reads: GIVEAWAY: Win 5 Copies of The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus
  Wondrous Reads is giving away five copies of The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus, courtesy of Prospera Publishing. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is December 14th.
   
• SciFiGuy.ca: Sherrilyn Kenyon’s League Trilogy and Giveaway
  Doug is giving away a copy of Born of Ice by Sherrilyn Kenyon, the third novel in the League Trilogy. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at Midnight on December 14th.
   
• Suburban Vampire: Contest: HOW TO BE A VAMPIRE
  Suburban Vampire is giving away a copy of How to Be a Vampire by Amy Gray, illustrated by Scott Erwert, courtesy of Weldon Owen Publishing. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is before the winner is picked on December 15th.
   
• Ellz Readz: Interview and Giveaway: Michelle Rowen
  Ellz has interviewed Michelle Rowen and she is giving away a brand new copy of Michelle's book Tall, Dark and Fangsome. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is December 15th.
   
• Literary Escapism: Guest Author: Kelly Gay
  Kelly Gay is guest blogging at Literary Escapism and they are giving away a signed copy of Kelly’s novel The Better Part of Darkness and a copy of Staked by JF Lewis. Deadline to enter is by Midnight on December 15th.
   
• Jeri Smith-Ready: 2K9 Grad party & an SHADE ARC anniversary giveaway
  Jeri Smith-Ready is giving away an ARC of Shade, her YA Paranormal novel due to release May 18, 2010. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is 11:59pm on December 15th.
   
• Stumbling Over Chaos: Book Giveaway: Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro
  Chris is giving away five copies of Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro, courtesy of Hatchette Book Group. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is 7:00 p.m. CST on December 15th.
   
• St. Martin's Press: The "League Series Audio Download Promotion" Sweepstakes
  From St. Martin's Press: Sherrilyn Kenyon’s epic League Series is a #1 bestseller! Now is your chance to win free audio downloads of all three titles. 20 winners will each receive a set of Born of Night, Born of Fire, and Born of Ice. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. ET on December 15th.
   
• Katie MacAlister: The Great Steamed ARC contest
  Katie MacAlister is giving away five ARCs of her upcoming Steampunk novel Steamed. Deadline to enter is Midnight PT on Tuesday, December 15th.
   
• Sidhe Vicious Reviews: Yasmine Galenorn – Interview & Giveaway
  Yasmine Galenorn has been interviewed at Sidhe Vicious Reviews. And Yasmine is giving away six books from her Otherworld Series: 2 copies of Demon Mistress, 2 copies of Night Huntress and 2 copies of Dragon Wytch. Open to US and Canada. Deadline to enter is December 16th.
   
• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books: BooksonBoard Opus Giveaway
  Sarah and BooksonBoard are giving away a Bookeen Opus, a book light, and a $25 gift card to Books on Board to one lucky winner. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter by Noon EST on Friday, December 18th.
   
• Wendy's Minding Spot: Rion by Susan Kearney
  Wendy is giving away five copies of the second book in the Pendragon Legacy series, Rion by Susan Kearney, courtesy of the Hachette Books. Open to US and Canada. Deadline to enter is before the winner is announced on December 21st.
   
• Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: Giveaway! 'Imager's Challenge' (L.E. Modesitt jr)
  Graeme is giving away a copy of Imager's Challenge by L.E. Modesitt, Jr, courtesy of Tor Books. Open to US and Canada. Deadline to enter is December 20th.
   
• Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: Giveaway! 'Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection'
  Graeme is giving away three copies of Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection, courtesy of Simon & Schuster. Open to the UK. Deadline to enter is December 20th.
   
• SciFiGuy.ca: Gorgeous Giveaway - Malice by Chris Wooding
  Doug is giving away five hardcover copies of Malice by Chris Wooding. Doug says "Malice by Chris Wooding is a fascinating hybrid novel for young adults - part graphic novel and part regular novel." Open to US and Canada. Deadline to enter is Midnight EST on December 21st.
   
• Fantasy/Sci-Fi Lovin' GIVEAWAYS!: "Incarceron" by Catherine Fisher
  Fantasy/Sci-Fi Lovin' is giving away an ARC copy of Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, courtesy of Penguin Books. Open to Everyone. Deadline: Before the winner is picked on Tuesday December 22nd.
   
• Patricia's Vampire Notes: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Guest Blog
  Patricia has interviewed Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and she is giving away a copy of Chelsea's new release Burning Shadows. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is December 22nd.
   
• All Things Urban Fantasy: Review & Giveaway: Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding
  Abigail has reviewed Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding and she is giving away three copies, courtesy of Random House. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is Midnight MST on December 23rd.
   
• The Book Butterfly: Book Review & Contest: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
  Kim at The Book Butterfly has reviewed The Maze Runner by James Dashner and she is giving away two copies of this book. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is December 25th.
   
• BSC Reviews: CONTEST – Malice by Chris Wooding (5 copies!)
  BSC Reviews is giving away five copies of Malice by Chris Wooding, a novel/comic hybrid from Scholastic Press. Open to all BSC readers. Deadline to enter is before December 25th.
   
• Bites: Vampire Taxonomy by Meredith Woerner + Contest!
  Donna has reviewed Vampire Taxonomy by Meredith Woerner and she is giving away two copies of this novel. Open to US. Deadline to enter is at Midnight EST on December 29th.
   
• Confessions of a Wandering Heart: Holiday Giveaway #3 - The Dark Divine
  Suzie is giving away an ARC of The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, which releases on December 22, 2009. Deadline to enter is at Midnight on December 30th.
   
• Chloe Neill - The Daily Snark: Win a key necklace from Tiffany & Co.!
  Chloe Neill is has a spread the word contest for the release of Firespell. Firespell is Chloe's debut YA book which releases on January 5, 2010. Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 31st.
   
• Cherry Mischievous: CHRISTMAS HAMPER!
  Cherry Mischievous is having a Christmas give away to spread the good cheer of Christmas! They have a Christmas Hamper starting with these four books: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan, Storm Front by Jim Butcher, and Lover Eternal by JR Ward - More books may be added. Head over for the finer details. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 31st.
   
• The Story Siren: Contest: DupliKate
  The Story Siren is giving away a signed copy of DupliKate by Cherry Cheva. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is January 5th.